Kahala

Kahala is a Honolulu neighborhood, which is located on the eastern end of Diamond Head, on Oahu`s south shore about a 15 minute drive to Waikiki and downtown. This is an affluent neighborhood with many large mansions and luxury oceanfront homes; it is a famous location for the rich and famous. The Kahala Hotel and Resort formerly the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, is located here and the Diamond Head crater and Kahala mall are on the outskirts. The area is fairly flat with several very nice, secluded beaches with fewer crowds than the popular Waikiki beaches.

Ko Olina

Ko Olina is neighborhood located on the sunnier, drier part of the island on the western leeward side, the areas main attraction is the four man-made beach coves located here, called the Ko Olina Lagoons, they are crescent shaped swimming holes tucked away in the Ko Olina beachfront property. The Ko Olina Resort area is a 642-acre master planned vacation and residential community, with 2 miles of beachfront, including four hotels and vacation club resorts including the Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, the Ihilani Resort and Spa, Marriott`s Ko Olina Beach Club and The Four Seasons at Ko Olina. This beautiful area is worth checking out even if you are not a guest at the resorts you can check out the Marriotts beach bar and spectacular grounds. The area was a popular destination and part of the original royal land division and a sacred place used for rest and relaxation by Hawaiian chiefs and royalty, the area is perfect for swimming, fishing, sunbathing.

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki is the beachfront neighborhood, on the south shore of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, and is famous for Waikiki Beach, which is just one of the five beaches situated in this district. The area was the main vacation spot for Hawaiian royalty back in the 1800`s, the area`s first hotel the Moana Surfrider was built here in 1901 and today is Oahu`s main hotel and resort destination. World class shopping, dining, and entertainment can be found along Kalakaua Avenue. The area is known for surfing, swimming, snorkeling and spectacular sunsets with major attractions like the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium close by. The Waikiki Historical trail offers visitors a look into the history of the area with readings posted on surfboard markers along the trail. The beach is known for holding several events throughout the year including surfing competitions, hula dancing, outrigger canoe races and outdoor performances.

Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is located between Protection Point and Kuilima Point and marks the entrance to Oahu`s legendary North Shore. It is one of the last undeveloped areas on the island known for its rock formations and was named after a large number of threatened green sea turtles who used to lay their eggs on the beach. Boasting 5 miles of beaches with 12 miles of trails the beach is great for fishing, whale sightings, surfing, and diving, the swimming conditions here are poor due to a rocky ocean floor. The upscale Turtle Bay Resort is one of the main resorts in the area, built on a peninsula flanked by two beaches; the resort sits on 840 acres and offers swimming at the neighboring Bayview Beach with easier access to the water.