Things To Do On Oahu, Hawaii
 

Okay experts and frequent travelers, time to help out one of your own!!!

On January 1, 2001...my wife, 2-year-old daughter, mother-in-law (built-in babysitter!), and I are taking a well deserved vacation trip to Oahu for ten days. We will be staying on the North Shore at the Hilton Turtle Bay Resort (thanks to a 100k VIP award) for six nights, then traveling over to the windward side of the island near the city of Kailua for 3 nights at a B&B or rental property.

So...all that time and what to do? Here are some of the things we are looking for answers/help with:

* Whale watching...your experiences during that timeframe (early January), and which outfits on the island are best for this activity.

* Snorkeling...from the beach only, as I doubt we will take a boat tour. Also, is Snorkel Bob's the best place to rent weekly equipment?

* Golf...what are your top 3 courses on the island, and has anyone use the Stand By Golf tee time service whiler there?

* Dining...let me have it! Your favorite spots on the island, those little "out of the way" places hardly anyone knows about, best ice cream shops (for my wife's Kauai Pie fix), etc.

* Other activities and sightseeing...what are the "must not miss" places, sights, and/or things to do on Oahu, and who does it best there?

I love being able to contribute to threads like this when I have some "expertise" in traveling to a particular area, and I hope you will do the same for me. Regards, everyone!

Have you seen this thread yet? You might get some good ideas from this topic that was started in June but has had some recent additions.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/001732.html

[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 10-29-2000).]

Yes, thanks...I did see that thread, but was looking for some more "specific" types of information based on my questions above. Some of them were partially answered in the other thread, but was looking for more.

E... Hawaii is a great choice for a vacation espcially since you will be arriving when many of the holiday vacationers will be packing up and heading back to the dreaded mainland. So to answer some of your specific questions:
1) The whales tend to come to Hawaii when the most of the tourists come (in the winter) so there should be a good amount in January. I am not sure about specific operators but it shouldnt be hard to find a good one. If you are serious about whale watching may i suggest a day trip to Maui or the big island as the stretch of water that seperates those 2 islands has the largest concentration of whales. Along the Kona coast in the big island there are places where one can spot whales from shore.
2) Snorkelling is argueably my favorite activity in the islands and I, like you hate having to take a boat to the sites. Obviously Hanumma bay is the largest and most famous site, but crowds are a real problem here and I have started to avoid it, but it is definately worth a visit. Get here early before the large parking lot fills with tour busses. Since going to Hanuma bay requires either walking or taking a tram down a long steep hill I would advise you to stay away from bringing too much beach gear, just the basics to see the fish. If you like to stay away from the crowds head to Lanakai beach. Its white sand is hard to find but if you go on a weekday the largely local beachgoing population will have left the beach uncrowded. I have had average to good snorkelling experiances here.
3) Sorry, I dont golf
4) Dining.... There is a good Chinese place at the downtown Hilton, but I would hardly call it "hidden". A cheesburger in paradise is always good for a quick burger if you are downtown as well. The plumeria cafe at the Kahala mandarin oriental is a good place for a breakfast, they have exceptionally good thin pancakes in coconut syrup if you feel like a splurge.

Other things to do include a visit to Sea life park, pricey but fun on a nice day. Of course pearl harbor. I would also reccomend that you spend some time on one of the other islands. They each have a unique feel and I find that I prefer to do 2-3 per visit. I hope this is helpful and have a great trip.

Here's an idea that bonafide FTer's may appreciate: hang gliding...

I tried it out for the first time quite a few years ago and found it to be one of the most exilerating experiences in my life! The silence of flying with no engine...just air rushing by... soaring out over the water... floating back above the cliffs. WUNNERFUL!
From the Turtle Bay Hilton - just head west.

Gliders leave from Dillingham Field...on the western end of the North Shore. Cost around $45-65.00 depending on the deal. Look for coupons in the tourist guides, available everywhere in HI! ENJOY.



[This message has been edited by tvl4free (edited 10-29-2000).]

from the location you are staying you may or may not need to rent a car. if you do rent a car expect to spend some $$$ parking in the busy parts of town such as waikiki or downtown. oahu is 25 miles by 44 miles (mostly made up of mountain) and has about 1 million cars on it.

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f

I'm not really a fan of Hawaii, but do have a suggestion for a place to eat.

Try the restaurant at the New Otani Kaminana Hotel. It is located on Waikiki beach at the foot of Diamond Head (opposite end of Waikiki from the the major hotels).

You sit outside at the water's edge underneath a huge spreading Banyan tree. It is a very nice, relaxing location.

Dear E

Don't know if you would call this "fun", since you are a family of four, but you can catch a 'local" Oahu/Honolulu city bus at the bus stop outside of the Turtle Bay Hilton that will take you most of the way around the island of Oahu for $1. Takes about 4 hours for the entire trip. It will bring you back past the Hilton as it completes the Island "circle". It is NOT a complete island perimeter trip since when the bus gets to Honolulu it will take a shortcut across the island to the windward side via the Pali Hwy. You can get off at any bus stop you want but I believe it costs you another $1 to get back on. Since I am usually the driver on our trips, I never get to just look at the scenery and the bus ride was a joy for me as a "looker" who didn't have to watch the road.

I think it is s bus #54 that does the island circler but I am sure the Concierge at the Hilton can give you the correct number and the time it passes the Hilton.

Snorkeling Warning - The waves, and rip tides, can be VERY LARGE and strong in January on any of the islands so watch for the warning signs on the "guarded" beaches. This is especially true of the North Shore of Oahu.

Wish I was there in Jan. as I am a big-wave fan and Pipeline, Sunset, etc. on Oahu and Jaws on Maui can be really B I G on good days. Have Fun http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

How true about the BIG waves in January! It was my good fortune to have spent the last half of January, 1995 (or was it '96?), on Oahu. We drove over to the Pipeline and Sunset and just sat there for hours...mesmerized by the huge surf. It was a sight I doubt I will forget.

[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 10-29-2000).]

There is also a fairly new waterpark that I have heard good things about. I think it is in in the general area of the airport or Ewa Beach area though, not on the North shore.