Oahu] Let's join a bus tour and enjoy Oahu! Introducing the charm of bus tours and recommended tours.

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

Have you ever heard of Oahu, the most popular resort island in Hawaii?

Even if you have never heard of the island of Oahu, it probably rings a bell when you think of Honolulu, the capital of the state of Hawaii. Oahu is also famous as a place where celebrities spend time in Hawaii during the year-end and New Year's holidays.

Learn more about Oahu.

 

What is Oahu like?

Oahu is an island in the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The Hawaiian Islands themselves are part of the U.S. state of Hawaii, and the state capital is Honolulu. Honolulu is often referred to as the "capital," but the capital is the city that serves as the center of the nation.

Honolulu is not a capital city but a "state capital" because it is now a territory of the United States of America, although there have been several kingdoms in the past. The state capital is like the prefectural capital in Japan.

The island of Oahu is home to several famous tourist destinations, including Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Honolulu is home to one of the world's largest shopping centers and is a popular spot for shopping and dining.

 

How to get to Oahu

There are many direct flights from Japan to Daniel K. Inouye Airport (Honolulu Airport) on the island of Oahu. The most common airlines operate flights from Narita International Airport, but direct flights are also available from New Chitose Airport, Haneda Airport, Central Japan International Airport (Centrair), Kansai International Airport, and Fukuoka Airport.

Depending on the flight schedule and fare, it may be convenient to use an airport that is closer to your area. The return trip will take longer than the outbound trip, 6.5 to 7 hours and 8.5 to 9 hours, respectively.

Because of the prevailing westerly winds blowing from west to east, there is a tailwind on the way there but a headwind on the way back, which makes a difference in travel time.

 

Attractions of Oahu

Oahu is a beautiful island with beautiful beaches and vast wilderness worthy of being one of the world's top resort destinations. Not only that, but shopping and restaurants can also be enjoyed to the fullest.

This section provides a detailed description of Oahu's attractions.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

When most people think of Hawaii, they probably think of Waikiki Beach.

There are also many other attractive beaches, such as Ala Moana Beach near the shopping center and Kailua Beach, which was voted the cleanest beach in the United States. Also, one should not miss Diamond Head, the symbol of Oahu, Nuuanu Pali Lookout and Kualoa Ranch, which offer spectacular views of the great outdoors.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

Many of the beaches on Oahu have a variety of facilities such as shopping centers, cafes, and local markets. There are also many hotels clustered together, so you can play on the beach as soon as you leave your luggage at the hotel.

Tour buses are also available to take you to the sights, so those who find the sea alone not enough will be very satisfied!

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Many people may want to enjoy duty-free shopping to the fullest when they visit Hawaii. In addition to brand-name stores, you may also be interested in souvenirs such as macadamia nuts.

Families can also wait in food courts and restaurants in large shopping centers.

 

Join a bus tour and enjoy Oahu to the fullest!

Oahu offers a variety of bus tours to popular tourist spots. The tour companies will take you to carefully selected sightseeing spots, and are recommended for first-time visitors to Oahu.

Each tour has its own charm, so find the plan that best suits your needs.

 

Attraction of Bus Tours

The appeal of bus tours is that they can take you to places that are not easily accessible on your own.

In addition, group discounts are available, so the price may be lower than if you make arrangements individually. You don't have to worry about transportation and you don't have to drive, so everyone who participates can enjoy the tour equally.

Here are some of the other benefits

 

You can cover all popular tourist spots in one day.

If you join a bus tour, you can cover all popular tourist spots in one day. If you are worried about whether you will be able to make it to the meeting point, you can use a plan that includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Once on the bus, it is easy to travel at a leisurely pace while enjoying the scenery from the window.

 

Satisfaction.

The areas to be visited and activities to be experienced vary from tour to tour, so you can choose your favorite genre for a more satisfying experience. Marine activities such as SUP and kayaking, which may seem difficult to participate in on your own, can be easily arranged as a tour option.

The unique experience of the tour, such as tasting local gourmet food, is also an attraction.

 

No need to make a schedule, etc.

With bus tours, unlike public transportation, there is no need to worry about timetables. Also, the bus tours are pre-scheduled so that you can visit tourist spots efficiently, saving you the trouble of planning your own schedule.

 

Popular Tourist Spots on Oahu

There are many popular tourist spots on Oahu that you should visit on a bus tour!

We will introduce Diamond Head, Ala Moana Center, Waikiki Beach, Kualoa Ranch, and the North Shore among them.

 

diamond head

Diamond Head, the symbol of Oahu, is a dormant volcano that rises 232 meters. The 1.1-km trekking trail is well maintained and has handrails.

Admission is $1.00.

 

Popularity Points

Diamond Head features a crater in the center of the mountain, which was formed when a volcano erupted about 300,000 years ago, and is designated as a U.S. state monument. You can visit the crater by going to the observation deck, and the view from the top of the mountain is spectacular, so challenge yourself to climb the mountain!

The sunrise and sunset from Diamond Head are also very beautiful.

 

Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana Center is one of the largest shopping centers in the world. It is about a 10-minute drive from Waikiki Beach and is often included in bus tours for shopping purposes.

 

Popularity Points

With more than 300 stores, it is impossible to visit all of them in one day. There are a variety of stores, from brand-name stores that have not yet arrived in Japan to local brand-name stores.

You may want to plan in advance which restaurant you will visit. You can also watch a free hula dance show, which is something you should do at least once during your stay on Oahu.

 

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki means "spring water" in Hawaiian, and was originally a summer resort for royalty when it was the Kingdom of Hawaii. The beach is only about 100 meters from the main street, Kalakaua Avenue, and is very close to the urban area.

 

Popularity Points

The spacious beach, which stretches for about 3 km, is relatively spacious even when crowded, and is recommended for those who want to spend a relaxing time by the sea. The beach is well cleaned, and changing rooms and restrooms are well maintained.

If you stay at a nearby resort hotel, you can go to the beach with just a swimsuit and something to wear over it.

 

Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is located in the northeastern part of Oahu, about a 50-minute drive from Waikiki. Ranch means ranch, so it is sometimes described as Kualoa Ranch.

Admission to the park is free. Horses and other animals are kept in the park, but it is also a popular spot for visitors to enjoy various attractions.

 

Popularity Points

Kualoa Ranch is also a power spot and is famous as a place to enjoy the great outdoors of Hawaii. Visitors can experience attractions such as ATVs and horseback riding.

There are also tours of movie locations and farm produce tasting tours.

 

North Shore

The North Shore, located in the northern part of Oahu, is well known as a sacred place for surfing. In contrast to Honolulu, the North Shore still retains its historic townscape and offers a unique atmosphere.

It takes about an hour by car from Waikiki, so it is convenient to sign up for a bus tour.

 

Popularity Points

Haleiwa Town, which means "Gunkandori's house" in Hawaiian, is the most popular spot on the North Shore, with a wide variety of stores for surfers.

You can go to the beach where professional surfers gather, or taste local delicacies such as garlic shrimp.

 

Oahu is also a great place to experience activities

On Oahu, you can experience not only marine sports but also a variety of other activities. Here are some of the most popular activities: snorkeling, SUP, horseback riding, Segway, and star gazing.

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling is an activity in which snorkelers wear snorkels and observe the underwater world at the surface or in shallow water. Unlike diving, it does not require a license, so as long as you have a snorkel, you can easily enjoy it.

 

Recommendations

The most famous snorkeling spot on Oahu is Hanauma Bay, which is designated as a marine sanctuary, but snorkel rentals are not available. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a beach where equipment can be rented, such as Kailua Beach, or join a tour.

 

SUP

SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) is a marine sport in which you stand on a surfboard and paddle along on the water. This marine sport was born in Hawaii, so why not try it in the home of the sport?

 

Recommendations

SUP tours are offered not only at Waikiki and Kailua beaches, but also at various locations on Oahu, including the North Shore. Sign up for a tour at the beach of your choice.

The view from standing on the water is exceptional! Recently, there are more and more variations of SUP, such as yoga on the board.

 

riding horse

Horseback riding is the only sport that can be enjoyed with animals. Even those who are not good at exercise can walk freely on horseback once they get a sense of rhythm.

They are accompanied by an instructor, and most tours are open to children and adults of all ages.

 

Recommendations

There are various ranches where horseback riding can be experienced on Oahu.

Examples include Kualoa Ranch, a popular tourist attraction, as well as Gunstock Ranch, Turtle Bay Resort, and Happy Trails Hawaii. All of these tours take about 1 to 2 hours.

Once you experience the exhilaration of riding a horse in the wilds of Oahu, you are sure to become addicted!

 

Segway (motorized personal vehicle)

Segways are rarely seen in Japan, but can be ridden on public roads on Oahu. Segways do not have gas pedals or brakes, but can move forward and backward by shifting the center of gravity, and change direction with the grips.

 

Recommendations

The attraction of the Segway is the magical sensation of floating through the air.

There are many tours around Waikiki, and most people will be able to ride a Segway after taking a 30-minute class. Riding a Segway into Honolulu is a great way to kill two birds with one stone and do some sightseeing as well!

 

starry sky viewing

Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii is famous for its starry sky, but you can also admire a beautiful starry sky on the island of Oahu.

Places where stargazing can be enjoyed have few streetlights in the vicinity, and the roads can be difficult to find. First-time travelers should sign up for a stargazing tour.

 

Recommendations

 

North Shore Sunset Beach is recommended for viewing the sunset over the ocean and the starry sky at the same time. Tantalus Hill, famous for its beautiful night view, is another spot where you can enjoy the starry sky.

Those who are familiar with celestial bodies should look for it, as it is an attractive place to appreciate constellations that cannot be seen in Japan.

 

Three recommended bus tours

Here are three recommended bus tours around Oahu.

Each has its own characteristics: sightseeing around Honolulu, marine activities, and enjoying the great outdoors. Please join us when you travel to Oahu.

 

Popular with children and adults alike! Duck tour of Hawaii on an exciting amphibious bus!

The "Duck Tour of Hawaii by Amphibious Bus" is available for registration through MAPPLE Activities. Duck Tour of Hawaii in an Amphibious Bus" is available for registration through MAPPLE Activities.

You can choose from two different courses: Downtown Honolulu City Tour Course or Waikiki Diamond Head Course.

The yellow-colored Duck Bus is amphibious, so you can jump into the ocean while riding the bus! It is also fun for children, so it is recommended for families.

 

Oahu Day Trip Bus Tour

You can sign up for the "Oahu One-Day Bus Tour" through KLOOK. This tour is perfect for those who want to enjoy the tropical ocean.

Destinations include the North Shore and Hanauma Bay, a famous snorkeling spot. You can taste pineapple ice cream at Dole's Plantation, a company famous for its fruit.

SUP and kayaking are available as options. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit.

 

Oahu Round-the-Island Bus Tour

You can apply for the "Oahu Round-the-Island Bus Tour" through Rakuten Travel. Diamond Head can be seen from the bus window, and Makapu'u is not a hiking trail, but only an observation deck, so the walking distance is not that long.

Local Hawaiian food will be served for lunch, and there will also be a tasting of fresh fruits from the farm. If you want to enjoy the nature and power spots of Oahu, this tour is for you!

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to bus tours on Oahu.

Oahu is famous for Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, which attract many visitors every year. It is a place where visitors can enjoy not only the great outdoors, but also shopping and local food at places such as Ala Moana Center.

If you sign up for a bus tour, you can cover several tourist spots in one day. The tour company will select the best spots for you to visit, so even if you are a first time traveler, you don't have to worry about it. Enjoy the charming island of Oahu to the fullest!

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.