Fun and fitness go hand-in-hand on Hawaii's island of Oahu. The tropical climate, terrain, and surrounding waters of the Pacific Ocean combine to create many outdoor opportunities, including snorkeling, outrigger canoe paddling, running, body boarding, and golfing. Oahu is Hawaii's most populous island, with more than 900,000 people in Honolulu alone as of 2008, but don't let the big-city statistics fool you; this place really is an outdoor-lover's paradise.
Snorkeling
The warm waters of the Pacific Ocean that surround Oahu are filled with marine life, including green sea turtles, dolphins, fish, eels, crustaceans, and coral reefs. Hanauma Bay is a popular location because of its dense collection of marine animals. As of 2010, entry costs included a $1 parking fee and $5 admission for those over 13 years old; children under 13 get in free. You can also buy or rent snorkeling gear at one of the island's many surf or marine shops, then head to Turtle Bay or Shark's Cove on the North Shore to snorkel without paying a fee.
Paddling
Canoe paddling is a popular sport among residents of Oahu. The island's 18 paddling clubs boast more than 3,000 members and hold 20 club races each year. If you want to catch these experienced paddlers in action, head to Lanikai Beach in Kailua, on the eastern coast of Oahu, where many of the clubs practice regularly. If you want to try out the sport yourself, you can rent an outrigger canoe right on the beach in Waikiki.
Running
Running is another popular activity on Oahu, with dozens of trails and temperatures that mostly remain in the 70s, creating ideal conditions for runners. If you head to Ala Moana Beach Park near downtown Honolulu or Kapiolani Park just east of Waikiki, you'll see runners throughout the day and especially at dusk, pounding the paved trails alongside Oahu's south shore. The island is also home to the annual Honolulu Marathon, usually held in December.
Bodyboarding
Many of the surf schools and rental shops around Oahu also offer rentals and lessons for bodyboarding. The sport involves riding waves while lying flat on a small board and is often a more beginner-friendly activity than surfing. You'll find body-board rentals and lessons on the beach in Waikiki. North Shore Surf Girls is a surf school that also offers body-boarding lessons in Waikiki or on the North Shore.
Golfing
Oahu features dozens of golf courses for a variety of skill levels. The popular Ala Wai Golf Course, located just a few blocks north of Waikiki, features a relatively flat and open course layout. For a championship setup, try one of the two challenging courses on the North Shore at Turtle Bay or Ko Olina Golf Club on the island's western coast. For a scenic experience, head to Ko'olau Golf Club, located northeast of Honolulu in Kaneohe and surrounded by the picturesque Ko'olau Ridge mountain range.
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