Things to Know About Oahu

There are so many reasons to visit Oahu, and there are so many more reasons to fall in love with the island. From the fabled North Shore to the fun activities, the island offers so much and is a travelers dream, combining the natural beauty that Hawaii is famous for with the luxurious amenities that we have grown accustomed to. Oahu is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States, welcoming visitors from around the world to stay along Waikiki Beach, visit Pearl Harbor, lounge on the beach, and enjoy every single thing about the island.

Things to know about Oahu:

• A large majority of the Hawaii’s residents call Oahu home.  In fact, more than 75% of the state resides here.
• Honolulu has long been the capital, though it was once moved to Lahaina on Maui.
• Most visitors stay along Waikiki Beach, where more than 100 hotels are found.
• There are 3 main freeways in Hawaii, the H1, H2, and H3, connecting various parts of the island.
• In the winter months, the biggest waves in Hawaii hit the North Shore.
• In the summer months, the North Shore is much calmer and a great place to swim and snorkel.
• The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a deep dive into the culture and history of Hawaii and Polynesia, and they know how to put on a great luau.
• Though Hawaii is lacking an NFL team, the Pro Bowl was played at Aloha Stadium from 1980-2009, and again from 2011-2015.
• One of the island’s most famous attractions is Pearl Harbor, the site of tragic attacks that are responsible for the United States entry in World War II.
• There are many attractions throughout Pearl Harbor, including the Visitor’s Center, USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine, USS Missouri, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.
• Adventure lovers flock to Oahu to zipline, snorkel, hike, and take part in daring activities like skydiving and diving with sharks on Oahu’s North Shore.
• In total, nearly 6 million visitors come to Oahu each year.
• There are many famous sites to see on the island, including Diamond Head, Rabbit Island, the north and south shores, Hanauma Bay, and so many more.
• Speaking of Hanauma Bay, this is one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii and isn't very far from Waikiki.
• Many structures that date back to the days of Hawaiian Monarchy are found throughout downtown Honolulu, including the Iolani Palace, Washington Place, Ali’iolani Hale, and statues of King Kamehameha the Great and Queen Liliuokalani
• The Honolulu International Airport includes a terminal for inter-island travel, making the short flight from Honolulu easy.

What are you most looking forward to doing on Oahu’s North Shore?

Hawaii Discount offers the internet’s largest selection of Oahu tours, Oahu Activities, and Maui travel packages. Please make sure to book your activity well in advance of your trip, since tours fill up quickly.