Honolulu, Hawaii

If Oahu is the heart of Hawaii, Honolulu is its beating pulse. This cosmopolitan capital has everything you need, from historical landmarks to top-quality dining to world-class shopping. Honolulu is home to the majority Oahu's residents. It stretches from Pearl Harbor to Makapuu Point and includes the world-famous Waikiki Beach.

You'll find many historic and cultural sites here, including the elegant Iolani Palace or the stark USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The Waikiki neighborhood is home to a mix of skyscrapers and resorts, as well as sprawling beaches made from white sand.

The North Shore offers a glimpse of rural Hawaii. You'll find beautiful blue waters here and meandering hiking trails. These three locations are not the only ones worth visiting on Oahu. This island is a "Gathering place" of Hawaiian culture, with its top-notch restaurants and vibrant cultural events.

Best Time to Visit

Mid-April to June, or September to mid-December are the best times to visit Oahu. These shoulder seasons are when attractions, festivals, and rates for airfare and accommodation are lower. The average temperature is in the mid-60s to mid-80s all year.

However, rain showers are less common from mid-June through August (Oahu’s summer season), so tourists flock the island to enjoy the sunshine. A popular and expensive time to visit the island is from late December to early April when surfers travel to the North Shore to catch waves, or to watch professional surfers compete in various events.

Avoid the dry season (April to October) and rainy season (November to March) in Honolulu. However, the rainy season can be relatively dry when many parts of Hawaii suffer drought conditions.

Pro Tip

The city get clogged by traffic, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours between 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4 and 6 p.m. If you get stuck in traffic, do not honk.

Airport

With discounted flight tickets, you land at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It is the main airport of Oahu, Hawaii. The airport is named after Honolulu native and Medal of Honor recipient Daniel Inouye. The airport is 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district.

Best Things to Do

Hit the sands of Waikiki Beach
Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters," Waikiki was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikiki is Oahu’s main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.

Relish delicacies in Chinatown
Located in the vicinity of North Beretania and Nu’uanu Streets and extending towards Honolulu Harbor, it is known for its Chinese American community. The area, which is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States, is filled with fabulous restaurants and eateries, ranging from incredible Chinese Dim Sum, to Vietnamese, Malaysian and an array of international fare. Fresh local produce vendors, herbal and tea shops, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, can be found in this area.

Go swimming with sharks in the Pacific
You will leave the North Shore on Oahu from Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor and travel 3 miles out to sea to cage dive with these beautiful sharks in their natural habitat. Often on the way you may also encounter Dolphins, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and magnificent Humpback Whales (November through May). All this, and breathtaking views of Oahu’s North Shore make your Hawaii shark tours complete!

Swim with the fishes at the Hanauma Bay
Formed within a volcanic cone, today Hanauma Bay offers a pristine marine ecosystem after the City and County of Honolulu laid out a plan in 1990 to restore the bay. Voted Best Beach in the United States in 2016, volunteers have a booth located on the beach level to help visitors learn about conservation of the reef and the types of fish that live there.

Trek the Koko Crater Trail
Discover this 2.6-km out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 24 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

Recommended Hotels

Hawaii's capital is extremely stunning and exciting. To enjoy diverse experiences you need a satisfying and comfortable home away from home. Your best bets include Halekulani, The Kahala Hotel and Resort, Four Seasons Resort at Ko Olina, Trump International Hotel Waikiki, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa to name a few.

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