Oahu sightseeing takes you to enjoy the timeless beauty of Hawaii meeting the modern luxuries of today. Not surprisingly, Oahu is called "The Gathering Place" - since 7 million tourists gather here every year to pack in as much as they can of Oahu’s attractions!
Trained guides take you as far flung as the Halona Blow Hole, the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout and Valley, and a couple of pineapple plantations.
Also, the surfing beaches of the North Shore, where you will watch surfers from around the world catch the ‘perfect wave’.
Your sightseeing in Oahu list must include historic landmarks like Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue, Kawaiaha'o Church, St. Andrew's Cathedral, and theMission Houses Museum. Add to this walking tour also Aliiolani Hale, a renaissance-revival building, designed by King Kamehameha as his royal palace.
Whether you're a hiker, jogger, walker or just out for a pleasant car ride, the 9-mile Tantalus Round Top Drive is the perfect sightseeing trip (if you didn’t take a sightseeing guided tour already).
Simply beach-hop along the coastline with stops at Sandy Beach, Makapuu Point, Makapuu Beach Park, and Waimanalo Beach, before turning back to take the Pali Highway.
But be sure to stop at the Pali Lookout on your way back to Waikiki. Take lots of pictures and capture panoramic views of Diamond Head, downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl crater, and Manoa Valley.
Another stop in your Oahu sightseeing trip is Kualoa Ranch, 4,000 acres of stunning beauty and a favorite location of many Hollywood film makers.
The two major areas of the ranch are the northern half which includes Kaawa Valley, seen in many movies and TV shows (Magnun P.I., Hawaii Five-O, and most recently the hit show LOST).
The southern portion includes the Hakiu Valley which is home to an 800-year old Molii fishpond. Its terrain stretches over dense rainforest, broad open valleys, beautiful white sand beaches and awesome ancient cliffs, which are only accessible by horseback, an ATV or by hiking.
The best deal on the island? The $1 entrance fee to hike up to Diamond Head.
You park inside of the crater and walk up a mile of trail, ducking through tunnels and up 76 steps built during World war II.
Here, you are well-rewarded with a breathtaking view of Waikiki.
Diamond Head is an extinct volcano 3,500 ft. in diameter, one the most spectacular in the country.
In winter, climb to the summit to get a bird’s eye view of the majestic humpback whales below. Definitely a worth-while Oahu sightseeing trip! And if you’re an early riser, catch the sunrise from Diamond Head, you won’t regret it!
This is just a short list of the many Oahu sightseeing ideas. You will run out of time for sure, but can always visit again for more exciting things to do in Oahu!
