If it comes to Oahu (it means gathering place) it doesn’t matter what you do: go for surfing, sunbaking all day long or looking around on the island I am positive you’ll have the best holiday EVA.

Oahu is the third largest island in Hawaii. I didn’t really know what to expect when I went there but I was absolutely amazed by everything. I spent 2 weeks in Waikiki… gotta tell you it wasn’t enough. This island is all about natural beauty, history and a heap of activities that you might have never tried before…

I personally tried: surfing, paddle surfing, swimming with dolphins, shark diving at North Shore, hiking through the rainforests of Waimea Valley, snorkeling at Hanauma bay, kayaking in Lanikai, got drunk at the sand bar and never missed Taco Tuesdays!

1. Waikiki

Waikiki is famous about it’s shopping streets, surfing, great beaches, beautiful sunsets and… the beach volleyball court at Fort Derussy. Every afternoon around 3 pm I went down to the beach and played volleyball with the locals. Don’t be afraid, be brave, go there and ask if you could join them for a game.

If you wanna play before 3pm you should bring socks or trainers as the sand is boiling hot and I bet you would burn the skin off of your feet hehe.

I actually went to Waikiki with a friend of mine Nana but spent most of the time alone as I enjoyed walking for hours by myself in the city, watching the beautiful sunsets and thinking about this and that. I went to Hawaii after a terrible divorce and another relationship that left me brokenhearted… again… and honestly I went home as a changed person. Hawaii is magical and will definitely go back soon again.

What is also funny to try is to pose for the webcam at the statue of Duke Kahanamoku. Text your friends and they will be able to see you in Hawaii in real time: http://www.honolulu.gov/multimed/waikiki.asp

2. Diamond head

Diamond head is approximately 150000 years old and is Hawaii’s most distinctive landmark. Walking trails begins inside the volcano crater and it leads up to a beautiful lookout where you can see the whole city from. Try to avoid going there at midday as there is NO shade at all. Go there early in the morning when the sun rises or late in the afternoon. (Pls don’t forget to bring a bottle of water.) Gates open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Entry $1.00 US per person.

3. Honolulu

To be honest I was so busy with exploring the whole island that I didn’t have time to go to Honolulu. What a shame as I really wanted to visit Pearl Harbour but it seems the sharks, dolphins and other exotic animals were more exciting for me. So please Excuse-moi I can’t write much about this city, but I’m sure you’ll get enough brochures at the airport that will guide you through what to see there.

4. Hanauma Bay

Hanauma bay (means curved bay) is a volcanic formation and is definitely the snorkelers paradise. You’ll have to pay $10 entry and before start chasing the exotic fishes you’ll have to attend on a short education program that helps you to understand why preservation of marine life is so important for everyone. (If you don’t have a car you can take the bus from Waikiki for only $2!!!)

After the short education movie the whole bay is all yours. I just couldn’t get out of the water I enjoyed it that much. I even managed to chase a small (most probably a baby) hammerhead shark… I almost pissed in my bathers but at least I have the photo to prove how ‘brave’ I was:)

5. Sealife Park

It’s always been my dream to swim with dolphins. And guess what… I did it in Hawaii at Sealife Park that is just a couple of minutes far from Hanauma Bay. It’s a tad expensive but the joy it gives you it’s worth all money.

I paid $215 (+entry fee) for the Royal Dolphin Swim and I spent 40 minutes with the them in the pool. The show included a kiss on the cheek  –  from the dolphin of course , a handshake, two rides (fin ride and foot push) and many more. I just couldn’t stop smiling, this whole show just made my day. If you don’t have anyone to take photos of you while you are in the pool don’t worry there will be photographers taking photos of the group and also recording a DVD that you can purchase after the show. If I remember well I paid $50 for the DVD and another $30 for 3 photos.

6. Lanikai

It is said Lanikai (means heavenly sea) is the best swimming beach in Hawaii. Crystal clear turquoise water, coconut palms… it’s just too good to be true. With the twin Mokulua Islands in the distance this beach is the photographers paradise.

…and if you’re lucky enough you might be able to swim with sea turtles as well:)

7. North Shore

North Shore is absolutely amazing. If I was a surfer I would have definitely written pages about the waves… well I’m not.:)  So don’t expect too much . This is a surf mecca that attracts all the biggest names, the best surfers in the world. North shore hosts two surfing events: Super Bowl and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. To catch the biggest waves is the best during the winter months (November-December) BUT this place is not all about surfing.

For me it’s more about nature, the native animals such as sea turtles and SHARKs. Shark diving was one of the scariest experience that I’ve ever had. You know how it is. You have these crucial points in your life when you kinda want to do something drastic… something crazy… cutting your hair, go blonde, get a tattoo whateva… I chose to swim with the sharks. IT WAS UNDESCRIBABLY AWESOME. You’ll be in the cage with another 5 people for half an hour (that is more than enough) and you’ll see 10-20 sharks swimming around you, below you… watching you. I kinda heard the famous music in my head of that Shark movie: ta tam, tatam, tatatatatatatataaaaaaaaam hahaha. Seriously you just wanna touch them and actually you could… however I wouldn’t recommend it coz they might be hungry…hehe

If you’re driving around North Shore and suddenly you see a bunch of peps, cars along the road, PLEASE STOP. There is always a reason why they are there… Look what I found!

8. Other interesting things to try

• Polynesian Centre: Oh man if you’d like to see some hot girls and even hotter guys dancing in Polynesian costumes or you’re starving and want to try the famous lu’au then you should definitely go there. It’s about an hour scenic drive from Waikiki. (Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to see this as I completely ran out of money hahahaha)
• Sand bar: It’s about a mile from the Ahu O’Laka Inlet and people usually go there on summer Saturdays. Obviously a motorboat is needed to get there. Check this website out: http://www.pubclub.com/Hawaii/honolulu/sandbar.htm
• Waimea Falls Park: http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/waimea_valley_adventure_park.html

(Prices mentioned in this blog might change)

Pictures in this article are all copyrighted by the author Melinda Balazs.