Oahu Itinerary - Day 8 - Information On Oahu Hawaii

By now, you've seen a lot of what Oahu has to offer and it's mostly been on foot or in a car, so how about something different? Let's start the day off with a new view of the island. I have two suggestions that will create lasting memories.

Ready to fly?

First up, let's start off with a helicopter of the island, because what could possible be more fun than seeing things from a bird's eye view? There are several companies that offer helicopter tours on the island, click here to see a list of them and find the one that's best for you.

Seeing an island by helicopter really gives you a new perspective on things and it's a great way to see many of the areas that you otherwise can't easily get to. Many helicopters will also take a video during your flight and sell you a DVD to take home so you can relive the flight over and over again. You'll also want to bring a camera and snap as many photos as you want.

A doors-off helicopter ride.

Some helicopter tours offer a "doors off" tour, which is exactly what it sounds like as they actually remove the doors from the chopper. This certainly can add some extra thrills if you're looking for that and, don't worry, you'll still be belted in for safety. It is a great option for photographers! If you're not one who enjoys such white knuckle thrills then opt for a regular "doors on" ride, which is more common.

Assuming you didn't get too claustrophobic when you visited the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, then you'll want to hop aboard Atlantis Submarines Hawaii for a ride like no other. These submarines dive to depths of over 100 feet under the sea to get you up close and personal with some marine wildlife in the, well, wild. This is a great chance to spot Honu - The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, stingrays, eels, sharks, and many other marine species. The submarines are Coast Guard approved, have air conditioning, and dock right on Kahanamoku Beach @ Waikiki.

U.S. Army Museum Of Hawaii

You're actually very close to the U.S. Army Museum Of Hawaii so why not take a walk over and check it out. It's an interesting place to learn about the Army's history and kids will enjoy checking out some of the big guns and tanks.

Hans Hedemann Surf School Surfing Waikiki

Since we're right here in Waikiki why not spend a little time at the beach here and take some surfing lessons. Oahu offers a variety of surf lesson companies as you can see here, and many do the lessons right here at Waikiki Beach (Main / Center) which is a great place to learn.

Surf lessons here are often great for most ages so bring the kids and get the whole family in on the action. Make sure somebody has a camera because this is where you'll get the perfect photo for your next Christmas card (or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or whatever you celebrate).

Ala Moana Center

So what's next? Well, I'm not a big fan of shopping but if there is one shopping area you should check out while on Oahu it's Ala Moana Center. This is one of the largest open-air malls on the planet, and Hawaii's largest shopping center by far. It has almost 300 stores and 70 restaurants inside and attracts 42 million people annually. That makes it Hawaii's most visited destination, and that's why you should visit here at least once.

When you're done, you can actually walk across the street (at the crosswalk!) and check out the lovely Ala Moana Beach & State Recreation Area. This is one of Oahu's larger and more popular beach parks, especially on weekends and/or when events are held here. It's a nice beach and right next to the also neat Magic Island (Aina Moana) which is worth checking out as well.

When you've had enough go find a spot to enjoy a nice meal in Waikiki. There are tons of options to choose from so have a good meal and then walk around Waikiki to burn some of those calories off.