If you’re planning a Hawaiian vacation to the island of Oahu, you probably intend to spend a fair amount of time enjoying the white sand and sparkling turquoise water at the beach or lounging on a chaise at your hotel’s pool. But you should also plan to get out a bit more, and fortunately Oahu offers quite a few different types of tours so that there’s something for everyone. These guided tours are generally quite affordable, as well as offering you the convenience of not worrying about transportation (Oahu’s public transit system, which relies almost exclusively on the island’s bus system, can be a bit tricky to figure out if you’re only staying for a week or so). But what kind of tours should you be looking at? That all depends on your taste, but most of the different types of tours can be broken down into three basic categories:
- Shopping Tours
If you’re looking to include a little retail therapy in your vacation, Oahu is a great spot for that. You can access some luxury shopping in Waikiki, where your hotel will likely be located, but a shopping tour will give you access to a broader range of choices at varying price points. The Waikele Premium Outlets in Waipahu are a particularly popular destination with tourists and locals alike, and offer top brands at great discounts.
- Educational Tours
Oahu has a fascinating history that stretches back long before it became the 50th state in the union. Educational discovery tours can show you the spot where King Kamehameha I and his warriors forced the opposing army off the cliffs at the Pali, the only royal palace on U.S. soil, the naval base that brought the United States into World War II, and much more.
- Outdoor Tours
Oahu’s natural environment has a lot more to offer than surf and sand. You can enjoy the countryside with cycling tours, hike in the Koolau mountains, ride horseback near where Jurassic Park was filmed, and much more. Whatever level of adventure you’re looking for, Oahu can probably match it — and then some.
What kind of yours are you looking forward to for your trip? Join the discussion in the comments.
