Oahu Review

Oahu has everything...the crowds in Waikiki remind you that you're in a popular place with tons of shopping from bargains and souveniers at International Marketplace to shops that parallel Rodeo Drive.  You can grab your own piece of the beach and float around on hte bay, take a catamaran cruise and sip a mai tai, learn to surf and later take in sunsets and a view of Diamond Head you can't see anywhere else.  Head over to the Royal Hawaiian for the most famous mai tai's on all the islands and catch dinner at one of dozens of wonderful restaurants - each with their own ambience and distintive menu.  Hy's Steak House serves the best steak and Ocean House Restaurant (on the beach) serves the best fish available - you'll need reservations.     

Venture around the island and you'll find a postcard snorkling spot at Hanama Bay, a different scenic vista and beach at every curve - each one with it's own personality and characteristics.  Some cater to wind surfers, some boogie boarders, some body surfers - to each their own depending on conditions.  Find malasadas at Leonard's, the best sugar coated 'donuts' you'll ever taste and Zippy's are all over the island - each restaurant is a bit different with similar menus from take out to sit down, breakfast at some, fresh fish, hamburgers, loco moco and plate lunches at all.  The North Shore is quieter and less tourist-y with local surf shops and the best winter surf hosting the annual contests.  Grab world famous shave ice while you're there.

Oahu is situated in the middle of the islands so the temperatures are most mild. They experience trade winds that cool you off on the hotter days in Summer.  A little liquid sunshine falls on the beach, while most of the heavier rains fall on the middle of the island where it is more dense with trees, ferns and foliage.  There are hiking tours and adventure activities available that make use of all of Oahu's diverse amentities.

If you don't like crowds or kids, go after September and before May - avoid Spring Break!  The weather is good almost all year - although winter is winter and it can rain more then.

Enjoy!  We do nearly every year!!