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HawaiiBest
Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) crater from the air, with Waikīkī and Honolulu beyond

Oʻahu · Regions

Oʻahu, region by region

Waikīkī and Honolulu on the south shore, Hanauma Bay and Makapuʻu to the east, Kailua and Kualoa on the windward side, surf towns on the North Shore, and resort lagoons at Ko Olina.

Where to base yourself

Good places to stay

Waikīkī’s hotel skyline seen from the water

Waikiki

Hotels, surf lessons and Lēʻahi on the skyline

Good base
Mānoa, Honolulu and Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) seen from Round Top Drive

Honolulu

Palaces, food halls and Pearl Harbor

Good base
Kāneʻohe Bay below the ridges of Kualoa

Windward Oahu

Turquoise bays under the Koʻolau cliffs

Good base
Sandy North Shore beach between Haleʻiwa and Laniākea

North Shore

Big winter waves, summer snorkeling, shrimp trucks

Good base
Mākaha Beach Park beneath the slopes of the Waiʻanae Mountains

West Oahu

Calm resort lagoons and dry, sunny coast

Good base

Day trips

Worth the drive

Koko Head rising above the coast, seen from Hālona Blowhole

East Oahu

Hanauma Bay, sea cliffs and Waimānalo sand