Oahu] Enjoy Solo Travel in Oahu! Introducing travel attractions, recommended activities, and sightseeing spots!

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

The island of Oahu in Hawaii is a popular tourist destination chosen by more than one million Japanese people each year.

Because it is an island in the Pacific Ocean, there are not only beautiful views of the ocean and beaches, but also many places where visitors can easily enjoy trekking and hiking in the mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and other natural wonders.

 

What is Oahu like?

Of all the islands in Hawaii, Oahu is the one where the most tourists land. Since Oahu is a popular spot in Hawaii that attracts many tourists not only from Japan but also from all over the world throughout the year, luxury resort hotels are opening one after another.

Honolulu, a 20-minute cab ride from the airport, has Diamond Head overlooking the city, large shopping centers, and Waikiki Beach with its many famous resort hotels, and is a symbol of the image of Hawaii that Japanese people have of the island.

 

How to get to Oahu

To get to Oahu from Japan, you can take a direct flight to Honolulu Airport on Oahu.

Direct flights are available from New Chitose Airport, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Central Japan International Airport, Kansai International Airport, and Fukuoka Airport. Travel time varies slightly from airport to airport, but is generally 6 to 7 hours.

 

Attractions of Oahu

The island of Oahu, Hawaii, is home to many resort hotels, especially in Waikiki. The island of Oahu, Hawaii, is home to many resort hotels centered in Waikiki, as well as many attractions and activities to experience.

The appeal of sightseeing on Oahu is that you can choose from a wide range of travel options to meet your needs, including weddings, honeymoons, families, women's travel, and solo travel.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

The beautiful beaches represented by Waikiki Beach and Kailua Beach allow you to enjoy marine sports in the sunshine, and Diamond Head and Koko Head trails allow you to enjoy the workings of nature to your heart's content.

Thus, Oahu is an island of beautiful beaches and pristine wilderness, with a warm and mild climate throughout the year, so you can enjoy your resort to the fullest any time of the year.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

New hotels are opening one after another in Honolulu and Waikiki on the island of Oahu, in line with the worldwide trend toward upscale resort hotels.
Therefore, during the peak season, the area is filled with tourists from abroad.

The bustling Honolulu Airport and Waikiki Beach are the most common features of Hawaii, and are often seen on the news.

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Shopping is one of the best parts of Oahu. The island is dotted with shopping centers of all sizes, each with different shops and different atmospheres, making a tour of the shopping centers a lot of fun.

The restaurants also offer a wide variety of dishes, from Japanese and ramen to Italian and Hawaiian cuisine, and other original dishes made with local ingredients. You can choose from popular local budget restaurants to upscale restaurants, depending on your mood.

 

Surrounded by nature, Oahu is a great place for solo travelers.

There are many repeat visitors to Oahu, where you can refresh your body and mind surrounded by nature, and many people consider it a particularly comfortable place to go on a solo trip.

 

Reasons to Travel Alone

Since there are so many places to see on Oahu, we recommend that you travel alone so that you can visit the places you like at your own pace without worrying about others.

In fact, there are many local tours that you can join alone, so you can enjoy the tropics to the fullest without feeling lonely.

 

You can travel at your own pace and relax.

Not only in Hawaii, but when traveling with friends, it is inevitable that there will be differences in what you want to see, do, and eat, and there will inevitably be situations where you will have to adjust to other people's tastes.

However, time is limited when traveling, and since we are paying for the expensive trip, we don't want to give up anything we want to do! I don't want to compromise anything! I think there are many people who think, "I don't want to compromise anything! In this respect, traveling alone allows you to do only what you want to do, at your own pace, and enjoy yourself without hesitation.

 

Burn the spectacular view into your eyes!

Dazzling sunlight, blue ocean and sky, white clouds and sand, green grass and rows of palm trees. ...... This is truly a spectacular view of a tropical beach.

You can also see Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and many other spectacular sights that are far removed from everyday life.

 

Heal your body and soul in the great outdoors

The piercing blue sky, the endless emerald sea, the white sandy beach, and the green trees surrounding it.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the power of Mother Nature will help you to heal your body and mind, and your daily fatigue and stress will disappear.

 

Recommended Sightseeing Spots

There are many places to visit in Hawaii.

Even if you are a beginner in international travel, you can enjoy all of Oahu's attractions as long as you keep these points in mind.

 

diamond head

No trip to Oahu is complete without a visit to Diamond Head. The ruins of the crater on the east side of Waikiki are a great easy hiking trail. The view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach is also spectacular.

This is a popular trekking spot among locals and tourists because of the spectacular view from the summit overlooking the city of Waikiki. Even if you walk slowly, a round trip takes about 2 hours, so even inexperienced trekkers can easily take on the challenge.

 

Access

If you take The Bus, take the number 23 from Kuhio Avenue and you will arrive at the Diamond Head Crater entrance in 20-30 minutes. The #2 bus, which stops at KCC every 10-15 minutes, will take you to the crater entrance within a 3-5 minute walk.

If you are renting a car, take Kalakaua Avenue, then Monsarrat Avenue to Diamond Head Road, pass KCC, turn right and go through the tunnel to the parking lot.

The Waikiki Trolley Green Line departs from the T Galleria and runs every 35 minutes. A free pass is required, and the advantage is that it can take you to the interior of the crater.

 

Manoa Valley

Manoa (Manoa Town) is a lush green town located not far from Waikiki, Hawaii's famous tourist destination. It is filled with spots where you can feel nature, including Manoa Falls, and you can enjoy a rural Hawaiian landscape that is completely different from that of Waikiki.

The Manoa Falls in the Manoa Valley and the trails leading to the falls are always crowded with tourists. It rains frequently in the area, but not all day long, only for short periods of time and only as a drizzle.

It is sometimes called "Rainbow City" or "Rainbow Valley" because the sun shines right after the rain and rainbows can be seen frequently. Spend a healing time in Manoa, where time flows at a leisurely pace.

 

Access

There are several bus routes from Waikiki to Manoa Falls, but for this article, we will introduce a recommended route that is quick and easy to understand: Route 13 to Route 5. The starting point is Kuhio Ave. + Seaside Ave. in the center of Waikiki. Take the bus "No. 13: LILIHA" and get off at the 8th stop, "Kapiolani Blv. + Kaheka St.".

Get off at "Kapiolani Blv. + Kaheka St." and cross over to the opposite side of the street to transfer to bus No. 5: Manoa Vally. The bus stop is at "Mahukona St. + Kapiolani Blv.

Passing through the beautiful residential area of Manoa, get off at the 31st stop, "Manoa Rd. + Opp Kumuone St.". This is the last stop of the number 5.

 

Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest shopping mall, is a large shopping center with over 350 stores and four department stores inside.

Ala Moana Center is a four-story building on a large site, and each floor and area has a different atmosphere. The first floor is an area frequented by locals with a food court, supermarket, and bookstore, while the second and third floors are home to various apparel brands and are especially popular among tourists.

And the fourth floor is mainly a restaurant area. You could spend all day there and time would fly by. Guest services at Ala Moana Center speaks Japanese, which helps solo travelers.

 

Access

The Waikiki Trolley or buses are the most convenient ways to get there. The trolley is the Pink Line, which runs from Waikiki to Ala Moana. The Ala Moana Shopping Shuttle Line runs every 10-12 minutes between 16 stops in Waikiki and the Ala Moana Center.

The Bus: #8, #19, #20, #23, #24, #42, Route E. Take any of these buses from the nearest bus stop on the mountainside of Kuhio Avenue and get off at Ala Moana Center.

 

Kualoa Ranch

This optional tour and activity center is located in the northeast of Oahu, Hawaii, surrounded by the great outdoors. It is a vast area where visitors can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, movie location tours, and marine activities on a private beach.

The vast wilderness of Kualoa, surrounded by sheer canyons, has been used as a filming location for Hollywood movies and dramas such as "Jurassic Park," "Godzilla," and "Pearl Harbor.

Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities and marine sports to their heart's content, right in front of the scenery as seen on the screen. This is a popular spot for movie fans.

 

Access

From Waikiki, take the H1 westbound, and after 9 km, turn onto the Likelike Highway and head north. After 12 km, turn onto the Kahekili Highway and head west, following the road for 16 km. It is approximately 40 km to Kualoa Ranch, and the trip takes about 50 minutes.

For The Bus, take The Bus (#8, 19, 20, 23, 24, 42) from Waikiki to Ala Moana Center, and then take The Bus (#60) to Kualoa Ranch in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

 

Sunset Beach

This beach is located on the North Shore of Oahu. As the name suggests, it is a very beautiful beach famous for its orange sunset.

Sunset Beach, the longest of Oahu's beaches at 3.2 km in length, is also famous as a surfers' mecca. 180-degree views of the horizon are beautiful, especially at sunset, and the scene looks like a scene from a classic movie.

Children frolicking in the sand, locals jogging, surfers coming out of the ocean ......, and the sound of waves and fantastic orange light gently enveloping them. Sunset is the best time to see this scene, and it is the most attractive time to visit Sunset Beach.

 

Access

For The Bus, take the E, 8, 19, 20, or 42 bus from Waikiki to Ala Moana Center, then transfer to the 52 bus to Haleiwa. Get off in front of Haleiwa Beach Park and take bus #55 from the bus stop on the other side of the road. The bus stop is in front of Sunset Beach, about 20 minutes away.

If renting a car, take the H1 and H2 freeways from Waikiki to Kamehameha Highway.

At the entrance to Haleiwa, go straight in the direction of the bypass, and a little more than 3 km past the curve of Waimea Beach is Sunset Beach.

 

North Shore

The North Shore is located on the north side of Oahu. The North Shore is famous for its pineapple Dole Plantation, soap factory, and other attractions, and it is also a sacred place for surfers who come to surf for the big waves.

The town of Haleiwa, the center of the city, still retains a strong atmosphere of old Hawaii. You can feel a laid-back atmosphere that is different from the bustling and bright Waikiki.

There are also a variety of cute general stores and stylish cafes, so this would be a good spot to hang out alone.

 

Access

From the Ala Moana Shopping Center, you can take The Bus #52 to the North Shore. The Bus is recommended because it is very inexpensive. Not only is it very reasonable, but you can get on and off the bus freely, so it is convenient to make stops along the way.

However, it will take about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. If you are driving a rental car from the city of Waikiki to the North Shore, it will take approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Access is very easy, just head north and you will get there.

If you are not comfortable with buses or driving, ask the front desk of your hotel to call a cab for you, although it will be expensive.

 

sandbar

The official name of Sandbar is "Sea of Heaven (Sea of Angels). It is located in Kaneohe Bay, about a 40-minute drive northeast of Waikiki on Oahu. A 10-minute boat ride out of the harbor will take you to a shallow ocean about 13 km wide and up to 4 km offshore, with the widest shoal being the Sea of Heaven.

The bay is protected from the open sea by coral reefs and is filled with calm, clear water. The coral reefs are home to many species of fish and are also known as a habitat for sea turtles.

Sandbars are sandy beaches formed when sand that was previously at the bottom of the sea appears above the sea only at low tide. Unlike ordinary beaches, sandbars are said to be fantastic beaches created by nature that suddenly appear in the middle of the ocean.

The beach, dyed pure white by fine coral sand, is often featured in movies, commercials, and music videos for its mysterious beauty. It is also a spot where you can encounter sea turtles, sea fans, seahorses, and many other sea creatures.

 

Access

The Bus takes more than 1.5 hours with many transfers.

Even if you are driving, it is safer to join a tour that departs from your hotel rather than on your own, since you will first need to rent a car to get to Kaneohe Bay, and then charter a canoe or boat there to get to the sandbar once you reach Kaneohe Bay.

 

Recommended activities that can be enjoyed by one person

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling is one of the most popular marine activities that can be experienced easily. Snorkeling is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Oahu's ocean, where you can observe the mysterious beauty of coral and colorful, cute fish up close.

Once you dive into the ocean, you will be welcomed by the most colorful and cute fish you have ever seen. If you are lucky, you may even encounter a sea turtle.

 

SUP

SUP is a popular activity in recent years. You stand on a large board and paddle the paddle to move through the water. It does not require much skill or strength, so even women who are not confident in their physical strength can try this activity. SUP is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Oahu waters under the dazzling sun and feel the tropical breeze.

SUP offers a variety of tours, including yoga plans that take place on SUP boards at sunrise, and night courses that explore the ocean at night under the light of the stars and moonlight.

We recommend the SUP experience at Haleiwa and Kailua beaches on the North Shore. You will have a unique experience on Oahu that you cannot have in Japan.

 

skydiving

Skydiving is a rather challenging activity, and some people may have given up on it ...... because of disagreements when traveling with a group of friends. However, if you are traveling alone, you don't have to worry about anyone. Of course, a skilled instructor will fly with you, so you don't have to worry.

The best part is the spectacular view of Hawaii from an altitude of 4000 meters. From the blue sky to the blue ocean, enjoy the green mountains and beaches in all their glory from above.
Altitude can be selected from 4000m or 2000m range.

The excitement of diving under the blue skies of Hawaii, mixed with anticipation and nervousness, will remain as a lasting memory of your solo trip.

 

riding horse

Marine activities are not the only thing to do. Horseback riding is also recommended on Oahu. You can easily enjoy the dreamy experience of riding along the beach or in the forests with the Hawaiian winds blowing. Safe, pasture-trained horses will welcome you with open arms, so even first-time riders can feel at ease.

Experience horseback riding at Kualoa Ranch, a vast site about 450 times the size of the Tokyo Dome, while enjoying the view of nature, and feel the sea breeze and listen to the sound of waves on the white beaches of the North Shore!

Only on Oahu can you enjoy horseback riding in both patterns, on the beach and in the greenery.

 

luau show

Luau means "banquet" in Hawaiian. It is a popular form of entertainment where you can enjoy traditional ceremonial performances in the open air, taste traditional food, and watch Polynesian songs and dances. The powerful live show is not easily seen in Japan.

Enjoy a powerful fire dance, gorgeous hula dance, and delicious dinner under a star-filled sky with wonderful live music.

There are plenty of surprises, such as participatory games, hula dance lessons, and coconut carving demonstrations, so even a single participant will never get bored.

 

3 recommended tours that can be joined by one person

 

Heavenly Sea Sandbar Snorkeling & Sea Turtle Watch Cruise

This tour takes you on Captain Bruce's boat to the heavenly sea and sandbar familiar from movies and commercials.

Enjoy beach walking and snorkeling amidst extraordinary sights. At sea turtle spots, sea turtles sometimes come right in front of you.

 

Horseback Riding Experience

This is a horseback riding experience with a view of nature at Kualoa Ranch, an expansive 4,000-acre ranch approximately 450 times the size of the Tokyo Dome. Horseback riding surrounded by greenery is a natural and relaxing way to heal your mind.

In the 2-hour course, you will visit places where movies have been shot.

 

Diamond Head Sunrise Hiking Tour

On the last day of your trip, join us for an early morning hike. Diamond Head is a famous power spot in Waikiki, and the view of Waikiki from the top of the headland is breathtaking!

This tour is a good way to end the trip, as you will be back at your hotel by around 8:00 pm.

 

summary

Beaches, nature, shopping, and dining! Oahu is full of places and activities that can be enjoyed even by a solo traveler.

You can tour at your own pace, and there are also many tours that you can easily participate in alone, so why not take the plunge without thinking, "I'll be a little lonely if I'm alone? Why not take the plunge and join a tour without thinking "I might be a little lonely by myself?