Oahu has more than 125 beaches, ranging from deserted coves to thriving resorts. Waikiki, one of the world’s most famous beaches, is known for its surf and lively atmosphere and has a host of busy seafront hotels, while gentle, rolling waves make Waimanalo Beach Park a family favourite. Kailua and Lanikai Beaches, side by side on the eastern Windward coast with the Ko’olau mountains as a back drop, are great for swimming, Kayaking and windsurfing.
On the north coast Hale’iwa and Waimea are top surfing beaches-the world’s greatest surfing competitions take place along the North Shore, where waves reach a challenging 30ft in winter. Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, lies on the south coast and is home to a vibrant china town, particularly during February’s Chinese New Year celebrations, but the bishop Museum and the ‘Iolani Palace, home to the last reigning monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani, are worth a visit.
At the USS Arizona museum at Pearl Harbor, and onboard the USS Bowfin Submarine, visitors can learn about the Japanese at that propelled America into World War II. The memorial site sits above the site where the battleship was sunk on 7th December, 1941.On the USS Missouri, known as mighty Mo, visitors can see where the peace treaty that ended the war in the Pacific was signed.
