Hawaii's main island, Oahu, is a dream travel destination. Beautiful scenery, fabulous golf courses, the internationally famous Waikiki Beach, and the historically significant Pearl Harbor are just a few of the great options to keep you busy as you travel on Oahu. Read on, and learn more about the glory of Oahu.
The capital of Hawaii, Honolulu, is located on the south coast of the island. The former seat of the royalty that once ruled Hawaii is located at the Iolani Palace in Honolulu, and it's the only royal residence left in Hawaii. The last vestiges of the pomp with which Hawaiian royalty ruled can be seen in the throne room as well as the collections of other items from Hawaii's historic past. Pearl Harbor is a popular tourist attraction, and many travel to Hawaii simply to view the site where more than 350 Japanese fighter planes and subs attacked the military fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor. The memorial to the USS Arizona is the most visited attraction in the state; an estimated 3000 visitors see this on a daily basis.
Waikiki Beach is the center of tourism in Oahu. Most of the hotels on the island are here, which makes sense as the island can be easily explored in a day tour. The beach's beautiful sand, sunny condition, and excellent body surfing and surfing make for all-day fun. The long shallow bottom lagoon makes swimming easy for the novice swimmer as well as the more experienced swimmer. There are areas without waves, and there are exposed areas for the most intrepid body surfer. The great reputation of Waikiki Beach is a huge draw for visitors from around the world, and the accessibility of Oahu makes it easy to travel the length and the width of the island even if you don't have a car. The golf courses are among the most scenic and challenging on earth, and many golfers travel to Oahu simply to hit the links.
Oahu doesn't have the breathtaking vistas that can be found on some of the other islands nearby, but its views are nothing to scoff at. The Honolulu Forest Reserve's hiking trails give you a peaceful walk through a beautiful tropical forest. If you should choose to rent a car to get around the island, the overlook on Tantalus Drive is definitely worth the drive. Tooling through the foothills of the Koolau Mountain range offers spectacular quiet and lovely scenery.
