Oʻahu is Hawaii’s main island and home to the capital, Honolulu. For anyone planning to island hop, Honolulu Airport is often the main gateway to the islands.
Travelling in the off season is a great idea. Flights and accommodation are often much cheaper, while the weather still tends to be warm, sunny, and pleasant. The islands also feel less crowded than during the high season from July to September.
At the beginning of the Hawaii trip, 4 days were spent at The Surfjack on Oʻahu. After earlier long distance travel experiences, it was clear that arriving and adjusting takes time. The final 2 days of the trip were also spent on the main island, this time at the Alohilani Hotel, simply to slow down and unwind before heading home. During the stay on Oʻahu, these places stood out:
Waikiki Beach
Taking a walk along the world famous Waikiki Beach is one of those things that simply belongs on a first visit. In the off season, the beach also feels noticeably less crowded than during the summer months.
North Shore
The North Shore hosts the annual surfing world championship in the weeks before Christmas. The best way to explore the northern coast is by rental car. It makes for a beautiful day trip and can easily be combined with a visit to the Koko Head Trail.
Dole Plantation
This is where one of Hawaii’s best known symbols grows: the pineapple. Dole Plantation can be explored either on longer guided tours or by taking the small express train. The rail tour costs around 11 dollars, lasts about 22 minutes, and gives a good overview of how pineapples are grown. Besides the pineapple fields, other crops such as cocoa and bananas can also be seen.
Koko Head Trail
More than 600 steps lead all the way to the top. The climb takes some effort, but the view from above makes it worthwhile. It is best to plan the hike for a time when the sun sits a little lower, while still leaving enough daylight for the descent before sunset.
