Day 1 in Oahu

Welcome to Oahu! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do on this magical island!

Begin with a hop-on-hop-off trolley or double-decker bus tour to get familiar with the island, there are four different routes offered with options to get off and see historic sites, shops, and restaurants. If you hop-off in downtown Honolulu you can visit the Aloha Tower, an iconic symbol of the state of Hawaii, there is a marketplace here with restaurants and shops. Grab a local bite to eat, try out a popular plate lunch with two scoops rice, macaroni salad and meat or try some chicken katsu a local staple.

Check out downtown Honolulu`s historic district, where you will find the Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha statue, and the Bishop Museum. Then take a stroll along the waterfront and stop for some refreshments, try some shaved ice a popular local treat. Head to `Leahi` Diamond Head Summit for a drive or a hike to the top, a perfect place to capture one of Oahu`s breathtaking sunsets.

Spend your first evening in the famous Waikiki Beach area, where you will find a wide selection of oceanfront fine dining options, you can sit back, relax and enjoy some local cuisine along the beachfront with a cocktail in hand while watching a beautiful island sunset! Take a stroll after dinner and explore some of the shops and nightlife the area has to offer.

Day 2 in Oahu

Start your day with a historic trip to Pearl Harbor, the largest natural harbor in Hawaii and headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet, designated a National Historical Landmark. Here you can take a tour of the USS Missouri docked in Ford Island, and check out the USS Arizona Memorial site the most visited attraction in all of Oahu.

Enjoy some lunch then make your way to the beautiful Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where you can spend the afternoon snorkeling. Here in this magnificent cove, you can witness a large variety of marine life including tropical fish, turtles, rays and a vibrant coral reef.

On your second evening plan a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center`s Alii Luau and dinner show. This offers you a great way to experience the diverse cultural influences that make up Oahu while enjoying some amazing Polynesian-inspired food and Samoan fire knife dancing.

Day 3 in Oahu

Spend your morning relaxing at one of the many spectacular beach locations on the island. Lanikai is said to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu and is ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. It is located on the windward (east) coast, with a protected lagoon for swimming and crystal azure waters that are perfect for enjoying some paddle boarding or snorkeling. Turtle Bay is another great beach marking the entrance to the North Shore on one of the most scenic stretches of the coast of Oahu. Or the famous Waikiki Beach where you can take surf lessons as the waves there are typically beginner friendly.

After some lunch make your way to Kualoa Ranch a 4,000-acre private nature reserve, located about 24 miles away from Honolulu on the windward (east) coast where you can explore the outdoors by ATV rides or horseback riding along with other tours to the areas where many Hollywood movies have been filmed. From here head south and check out the Nuuanu Pali lookout a section of the windward cliff off the Ko`olau mountains with breathtaking panoramic views.

Head back to downtown Honolulu where you can explore one of Chinatown`s eclectic restaurants for dinner. Then take a stroll around and explore the historic buildings and shops in the area.

Additional Days in Oahu

If your additional days in Oahu are during the winter (December - May) be sure to take a whale watching tour off the coast. Humpback whales migrate through Hawaii`s warm waters and you will be able to witness them playing, feeding and swimming around from a boat.

Winter time is also surf season on Oahu where surfers from all over the world come to catch the big waves on the North Shore with major competitions and big crowds.

If you are spending time with your family in Oahu two great family oriented attractions include the Honolulu Zoo and Sea Life Park. Both great places to explore and see the animals and mammals at both parks with the family.

The Bishop Museum is Hawaii`s largest museum of history and science holding over 35 million items including royal heirlooms. Children can discover how the voyages navigated the Pacific using the stars.

Haleiwa is another great stop along the North Shore and part of the surfing capital of the world dating back to the 1900`s. A charming laid back surf town filled with local style and features restaurants, surf shops, boutiques and art galleries.

Spend a day or afternoon shopping at the Ala Moana Shopping Center which is Hawaii`s largest shopping mall with over 367,000 square feet of shopping space. The shops feature luxury brand names such as Diane von Furstenburg, Tiffany and Co, and Chanel. More shopping can be found at the DFS Galleria and the Royal Hawaiin Shopping Center or the Waikele Premium Outlets.

Your Last Day in Oahu

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.