Oahu Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome to O'ahu

  Get ready for a totally comprehensive tour of Hawaii's most populous island: O'ahu. Home to the city of Honolulu, this island is chock full of culture, natural beauty, and fascinating history--all of which you'll experience during your drive!

• Pearl Harbor

  The tour begins in Pearl Harbor, where a surprise attack on December 7th, 1941 changed the course of history.

• Honolulu

  As you drive through Honolulu, you'll learn about the city's unexpectedly humble origins, and how it became the hub it is today.

• Bishop Museum

  One of the first landmarks you'll pass is the Bishop Museum. This isn't just the largest museum in Hawaii, but also has a surprisingly sweet love story behind it!

• Aloha Tower

  Get a good look at the Aloha Tower next. This iconic waterside tower once greeted all travelers arriving in Honolulu, because everyone arrived by boat.

• Iolani Palace/King Kamehameha Statue

  Next, you'll pass the impressive Iolani Palace, once home to Hawaiian royalty, as well as a statue of King Kamahamaha, a hero you'll hear plenty about along the way.

• Ala Moana Beach/ Regional Park

  The first beach you'll see is Ala Moana Beach, a pristine stretch of sand which, believe it or not, used to be a garbage dump! But don't worry, it's perfectly clean now, and great for swimming.

• King David Kal?kaua Statue

  Next, you'll pass a statue of King David Kalakaua, Hawaii's last king.

• Waikiki Beach and Duke Kahanamoku

  The next beach you'll reach is Waikiki Beach, made famous by the legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Duke is responsible for bringing surfing to the world at large and bringing major recognition to this beach.

• Kapi’olani Park

  Your route takes you next past Kapi'olani Park, another beautiful space which was once little more than a soggy bit of marshland.

• Diamond Head State Monument

  After that, you'll come to Diamond Head State Monument, an immense crater left by a volcanic explosion. It's now become Hawaii's most popular park!

• Diamond Head Beach Park

  You'll also see Diamond Head Beach, which sparkles unlike any other beach around. Back in the 1800s, explorers actually thought the calcite crystals in the sand here were diamonds!

• China Walls

  As you continue, you'll reach the China Walls, an impressive formation of natural walls which some say rival the Great Wall of China!

• Hanauma Bay Lookout

  Get some unbeatable views up next at Hanauma Bay Lookout, and don't forget to snap a few pictures while you're there!

• Lanai Lookout

  Lanai Lookout is next, and it's especially good if you're trying to get away from the crowd.

• Halona Blowhole Lookout

  The next lookout, Halona Blowhole Lookout, offers views of a peculiar rock formation which shoots water into the air when waves crash against it.

• Pele's Chair

  If you trek along the shore a bit, you'll come to Pele's Chair, a natural formation which some believe to be the chair of Pele, a volcanic goddess.

• Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline and Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

  Up next is Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, which is exactly what it sounds like. If you're a fan of ocean views, this makes for a wonderful stroll.

• Rabbit Island

  As you drive, you'll catch sight of Rabbit Island. Once home to a rabbit farm, this island is now mostly untouched by humans.

• Waimānalo Beach

  Travelers seeking a pristine beach that doesn't see the same crowds as others will love Waimanalo Beach, a stretch of white sand sheltered by a wall of ironwood trees.

• Kailua

  Up next is the unassuming town of Kailua. Unassuming, that is, except for the fact that former president Barack Obama spent his winters here!

• Kailua Beach

  Your route takes you next to Kailua Beach, a favorite spot among kayakers and swimmers alike.

• Ulupō Heiau State Historic Site

  Next, you'll pass the Ulupo Heiau State Historic Site. This increidble archaeological site is home to an ancient Hawaiian temple called a Heiau, which is almost 500 years old!

• Golf on O’ahu

  You'll also pass the Pali Golf Course and hear all about the plentiful offerings for golfers on O'ahu.

• Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout/Likeke Falls/Likeke Falls Trailhead

  After that, you'll arrive at Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, a splendid vista which is also right near a trail leading to some sparkling waterfalls.

• Lulumahu Falls

  Looking for more waterfalls? You'll find one at the end of a trail up ahead, which leads to the gorgeous, secluded Lulumahu Falls.

• Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

  Up next is the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, home to a staggering 400 acres of tropical flora from all over the world. There's even a campground within the garden!

• He’eia

  Continuing on, you'll reach the town of He'eia and hear the wild legend behind its name.

• The Byodo-In Temple

  You won't want to miss the next stop, an elaborate Buddhist temple called the Byodo-In Temple. It was built as an exact to-scale replica of the temples one would find in Japan!

• Kualoa Ranch

  As you drive, you'll pass Kualoa Ranch, a sprawling jungle ranch which has been the filming location for countless Hollywood hits, including Jurassic Park, Hawaii Five-O, and Lost!

• Kualoa Rock Beach

  Kualoa Rock Beach, up next, offers some great lounging opportunities, though swimmers will find the rocky shore a bit uncomfortable to wade along.

• Kahana Bay Beach Park

  The next beach, Kahana Bay Beach, isn't just a great stretch of sand, but is also packed with history! Archaeologists have found all sorts of pre-contact relics buried in the sand here.

• Ahupua'a ‘O Kahana State Park

  Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park is next, offering plenty of lush greenery and stunning hikes for those looking to stretch their legs.

• Maunawila Heiau

  Continuing on, you'll pass the remnants of another Heiau, though this one hasn't held up to the ravages of time quite as well as the last one.

• Hukilau Marketplace

  Those looking to stop for a snack or a souvenir will want to stop at the next landmark: Hukilau Marketplace. This iconic market styles itself just like a classic 1950s Hawaiian market would.

• Mālaekahana State Recreation

  Beach campers will absolutely want to stop at the next spot, Malaekahana State Recreation Area. This shoreline camping area makes for some seriously memorable mornings!

• Gunstock Ranch

  After that, you'll pass Gunstock Ranch, where you can take a ride on horseback if you want to change up your travels a bit!

• James Campbell Wildlife Refuge

  Next is the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge, where you'll learn the legend of how some of O'ahu's most recognizable birds got their iconic plumage.

• Turtle Beach

  After that is Turtle Beach, which is exactly what you'd expect. If you're here at the right time, you're bound to see some sea turtles!

• Kawela Bay Beach Park

  Continue driving to Kawela Bay Beach, home to some of the calmest waters on the island thanks to an offshore reef.

• Sunset Beach Park

  If the day is winding down, one of the best spots to be is your next stop: Sunset Beach. This is, hands down, one of the best spots on the island to catch a proper Hawaiian sunset.

• Banzai Pipeline

  As you drive, you'll pass the infamous Banzai Pipeline. This death-defying surf break has challenged some of the most famous surfers around for years, and not all of them survive it.

• Shark’s Cove

  After that is Shark's Cove. Don't worry though, it gets its name not because sharks infest the waters, but instead because it looks a little bit like a shark when viewed from above.

• Waimea Bay/Waimea Bay Beach Park/Waimea Valley

  One of the last beaches on your tour is Waimea Bay. This isn't just any beach, but has been featured in high-octane Hollywood adventures like Point Break!

• Haleʻiwa Beach Park

  The final beach you'll see is Hale'iwa Beach, which has some BBQs and picnic tables for folks looking to wind down with a picturesque picnic.

• Dole Plantation

  Your final stop is at the historic Dole Plantation, a window back in time which also features a train ride and the world's largest maze for some fun family activities. The tour concludes here.

• Bonus Tour Stop 1: Jackass Ginger Pool

  About a half-mile down the hiking trail to your left is one of Oahu’s most popular and idyllic swimming holes. In Hawaiian, this place is called Kahuailanawai - “site of tranquil water”. But it was renamed Jackass Ginger Pool about a hundred years ago by local youths who spotted a donkey tied up in a patch of ginger next to the pond itself.

• Bonus Tour Stop 2: Queen Emma Summer Palace

  To your left, the big white building with columns out front is Hānaiakamalama, the favorite retreat of Hawaii’s Queen Emma and her family. Born in 1836 to a native Hawaiian father and a white mother, she married King Kamehameha IV and reigned as his queen until his death in 1863. During her time as queen, she and her son Albert spent time here at the summer palace, where she organized many of her humanitarian efforts.

• Bonus Tour Stop 3: Kapena Falls

  Coming up on your right is the trailhead for Kapena Falls, the island’s most accessible waterfall. It’s only a half-mile round trip to the falls and back, so it’s a nice quick stop if you’d like to see it for yourself. Just don’t go in the water - there are some nasty bacteria that live in this particular stream.

• Bonus Tour Stop 4: Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden

  To your right is Lili’uokalani Botanical Garden, the smallest of Honolulu’s five famous botanical gardens. This particular garden was gifted to the city by its namesake, Queen Lili’uokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii.

• Bonus Tour Stop 5: Foster Botanical Garden

  Across the street from the Lili’uokalani Garden is a similar park, called the Foster Botanical Garden. In the 1850s, this land was leased to a German botanist named William Hillebrand, who planted a wide variety of unique trees and plants on the property.

• Bonus Tour Stop 6: Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside

  Just up ahead is the entrance to Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Park, located on the sides of Mount Tantalus, an extinct cinder cone leftover from volcanic explosions about 50,000 years ago, long before there was anybody living on the islands. Here you’ll see some of the gorgeous natural forests that Hawaii is so famous for.

• Bonus Tour Stop 7: Viewpoint

  This viewing area to your right is well worth stopping at. From here, you can look out over the whole city of Honolulu, which is especially beautiful at night.

• Bonus Tour Stop 8: Round Top Forest Reserve

  Mount Tantalus is just one part of the Round Top Forest Reserve, which holds 99 acres of protected forest land here on Oahu. If you go walking along some of the trails here in the reserve, you’ll see plenty of plants and animals native to Hawaii.

• Bonus Tour Stop 9: Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park

  You’ve reached the top of Mount Tantalus, the best sunset lookout on the whole island. This grassy hill on top of the cinder cone offers incredible panoramic views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the rest of the surrounding area. Feel free to take some time and enjoy the view.

• Bonus Tour Stop 10: Mānoa Falls Trail

  If you park here, you can reach the trailhead for the Manoa Falls Trail, one of the oldest and most popular hiking spots on Oahu. The trails out here date back to the ancient Hawaiians, who would follow these paths through the forest to hunt and gather plants. At the end of this trail is Manoa Falls, a 150 foot waterfall that the indigenous Hawaiians used as a natural shower.

• Bonus Tour Stop 11: Manoa Falls Trail 2

  As you walk through the forest here, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a whole other world from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. The trail you’re walking on now has been in use for over a thousand years, so allow yourself to be transported back.

• Bonus Tour Stop 12: Manoa Falls

  Just up ahead are the Manoa Falls, the last stop on the tour. With a height of 150 ft, it’s easy to see why so many people come here to check out the waterfall. Fans of blockbuster movies might also recognize Manoa Falls from a scene in Jurassic World where the two child stars leap from the top of the falls to escape the deadly Indominus Rex.