• Oahu
  • Oahu
  • Lifeguard hut on Waikiki beach, Oahu

Oahu holidays

A vibrant Hawaiian island blending modern life with ancient traditions

Oahu is a vibrant Hawaiian island that has it all - fantastic beaches, soaring mountains, awe-inspiring natural wonders and sublime restaurants. Oahu effortlessly blends modern life with ancient Hawaiian traditions. Discover it all with Kuoni.

Vibrant Waikiki is world-famous for its fantastic beach lapped by warm waters, and here you'll also find endless shops, eateries and exciting nightlife. Head to the North Shore to explore a quieter pace of life, with miles of white-sand beaches dotted with surfers and picturesque harbours.

Let your hair down in Honolulu's fabulous nightlife hotspots, sample delicious local cuisine in Kapahulu, and visit popular attractions such as Pearl Harbour's historic Arizona War Memorial and lush Waimea Valley National Park.

See our latest
Oahu hotels.

Oahu holiday highlights
•   Go snorkelling at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, gliding through a clear underwater paradise of colourful fish and pristine reefs.
•   Journey to Nuuanu Pali Lookout to take in spectacular views of the dramatic Koolau Cliffs and stunning Windward Coast.
•   Shop till you drop in Oahu's open-air malls, tempting boutiques and local shops.
•   Relive the harrowing events of December December 7th 1941 at the Arizona Memorial.

Hawaii honeymoons
Oahu is the ideal destination for a magical honeymoon. Stay in one of our delectable Oahu hotels - the perfect base from which to enjoy this stunning island and its hot spot, Honolulu. For more information see our dedicated Hawaii Honeymoons page.

Hawaii weddings
As a weddings abroad specialist we at Kuoni are the ideal choice to help you plan your perfect wedding in America. Idyllic Hawaii is a magical destination to get married, with a romantic culture, beautiful sandy shores and spectacular scenery certain the conjure the perfect wedding location. For further information please see our dedicated
USA weddings pages or request a copy of our Weddings Brochure.

USA multi-centre holidays
A vast nation with a limitless domestic airline network, the USA is the perfect multi-centre destination itself. Look beyond its borders and you can combine the US easily with the
Caribbean, Bermuda and Mexico. The USA is also the perfect destination to build your own multi-centre itinerary.

USA tailor made
Tailor make your ideal USA holiday from our vast array of products, combining destinations, hotels, tours and excursions to create your perfect bespoke holiday.

To tailor make your own Kuoni USA holiday or multi-centre itinerary, simply:
•   View our online portfolio or download our
America & Canada brochure
•   Then, call our USA sales team on
01306 747002 who will guide you through all of your options and prepare a detailed customised holiday quotation especially for you
•  
Email us to request a quote

USA Facts
For further information, inspiration and holiday ideas:
•   Our comprehensive list of USA
facts and information
•   Our i-travel articles for
USA Holidays

Time difference / local time

GMT -10 hours

Language

English and Hawaiian

Currency

US dollar

Highlights

Pearl Harbour
Visit the site of sunken battleship USS Arizona and learn more at four museums - the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

Diamond Peak
Take in panoramic views over Waikiki and Hololulu from Diamond Head, a popular landmark.

Iolani Palace
Explore the USA's only official royal residence, which is now open to the public.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Take in wonderful views of Honolulu from this peaceful landmark.

Nuuanu Pali Lookout
This historic site boasts a breathtaking 1,200ft view of the Windward side.

Queen Emma Summer Palace
Peruse this museum dedicated to Queen Emma of Hawaii, wife of King Kamehameha IV.

Passports and Visas

•  Brits must have a full 10-year British Passport that's valid for six months after you return to the UK.
•  You'll also need a USA visa or waiver form/ESTA. Apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before travelling (http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov).

Flying time to destination

17¼ hours to Honolulu

Eating/Drinking

•   A popular local dish is 'plate lunch' - rice, macaroni salad and meat or fish such as kalua pork, chicken katsu and mahi mahi.
•   'Pupu' means 'appetiser', and restaurants serve up sumptuous platters of them for you to enjoy.
•   Hungry types should tackle a 'loco moco' - a filling feast of a hamburger steak, an egg, rice and gravy.
•   Cool down with a refreshing 'shave ice' - a snow cone on top of ice cream or azuki beans.
•   When you fancy something sweet, visit a bakery for a hot malasada or Portuguest doughnut.

Good to know

Dialling code
+1 808

Health/Vaccinations
•   No vaccinations are compulsory but it's recommended you have one for tetanus.
•   For more information, contact your GP or a specialist vaccination centre.

Tipping

•  If you're happy with the service, tip 15-20% in restaurants, bars and taxis.
•  Porters can expect anything between $3 and $5 per case – there's normally a Union Rate displayed in reception.
•  Give tour guides about $5 per day.

Climate data for this region

Best time to visit

• Hawaii enjoys a good climate all year, especially in coastal areas with warm seas. • Summer (April to November) is warmer and drier while winter (December to March) is a bit cooler. • Whale-watching season is from late December to early May.

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  • Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbour:

    Take a glimpse into US history with a visit to Pearl Harbour and the Arizona Memorial on this half day morning tour. It was a quiet Sunday morning when Hawaii was suddenly put on the world's stage on December 7, 1941 as the Japanese surprise attacked the US Pacific Fleet on Oahu and took 2,390 lives, most of them aboa...


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  • Oahu Royal Circle Island:


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