Oahu: Cities and Regions

Honolulu and Waikiki It’s a world-class city, but Honolulu has never lost sight of its Polynesian roots. Add on generations of Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese immigrants who arrived in the 19th-century to work on Oahu’s sugar plantations—and never left—and you’ll find block after block of tastes, smells, and experiences to discover.

West Shore Because the Ko’Olau mountains in the east capture most of the rain clouds, the west coast of Oahu is sunny and relatively dry. Enjoy the clear-blue skies on un-crowded beaches and take in the local flavor of the area’s off-the-path towns.

North Shore Winter waves here reach 30-feet and the currents are dangerous. Still, spectacularly wide and possessing wild, untamed beauty, they’re worth visiting, if only to watch surfers battle the famous pipelines or to spot a humpback whale spouting in the distance.

Windward Coast Gentle trade winds blowing off the northeast coast’s sparkling-blue waters keep things cool on the beaches, while the verdant Ko’olaus Mountain Range beckons hikers and adventurers. Kailua Beach Park is a favorite for windsurfers.

East Shore A short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki, the East Shore is a lush and convenient paradise for budding surfers and snorkelers, whether paddling out to a tiny volcanic cay near Lanikai or diving in the vibrant coral reefs of Hanauma Bay.

Central Oahu The Dole Plantation, located amid sugarcane crops and the world’s largest pineapple fields, is the star attraction of this agricultural region, once home to large forests of sandalwood.