A visit to Oahu, home to Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, is the ideal destination for those with an active lifestyle. This island paradise is bursting with opportunities to get out of the hotel room and explore a culture, history and nature that are unlike any other place in America. While Hawaii can be expensive, there are lots of free activities in Oahu.
Surfing Town And Country
There is a wave for everyone to catch in Oahu if you know where to look. Choosing between surfing in town or up in the country depends on your experience and confidence.
In town, the south side offers perfect waves for beginners or folks who want to enjoy a nice, long trip along a glassy wave in the morning. Journey to Waikiki and ride the same break once surfed by Hawaii's most famous surfer, Duke Kahanamoku.
On Oahu's North Shore there are beaches that offer a totally different experience. Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and the Pipeline are the hot spots for surfers who are serious about riding big waves. These areas are only suitable for experienced surfers during the winter, as some of the waves can reach heights of 30 feet or more.
Beach Tradition
During most evenings at Waikiki's Kuhio Beach Park, you can get a free peek into the world of hula at the park's Hula Mound. About 6 on most evenings, native Hawaiians light ceremonial torches on the beach and begin a hula performance that lasts about an hour.
Solemn Tours In Paradise
Walking tours of the USS Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl Cemetery are among the more solemn activities available on Oahu. The Arizona Memorial honors the more than 2,400 lives lost during the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor that began American involvement in World War II. The American Legion conducts free walking tours of Punchbowl Cemetery daily. This cemetery is the final resting place of many fallen servicemen from World War II.
Sunset Picnic
Pack a light picnic and take a trip to Waikiki Beach or any one of many west-facing beaches around Oahu. With the exception of the windward coast on the east side of the island, there are beaches with magnificent views of the sunset all around Oahu where a quiet picnic can make for a memorable meal on the sand.
Hike Diamond Head
For a panoramic view of Oahu and the city of Honolulu, take the 760-foot hike up the side of the dormant volcano known locally as Diamondhead. You can drive to the crater for parking and then strap on your climbing shoes and grab your camera to make this hike to one of the island's most scenic spots.
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