Why Eloping on Oahu is Right for You
Aloha — let’s talk Hawaiian Islands!! We understand that right now, you are looking for reasons to run away to a tropical island, we don’t blame you! Your first question is which island destination is right for me? If you have never been to Hawaii before, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one to visit, especially if you plan to elope or get married during that vacation!
Want to know if now is a good time for a destination wedding? Find out more here!
Without further ado, we introduce you to Oahu! Oahu is the main hub of Hawaii and home to the famous Waikiki Beach. This is where the majority of residents live and because of this, there is SO much to do. Don’t be worried about it being too crowded, there are so many activities that you’ll be able to have the perfect island experience.
Layout of the [Is]land
There is so much to do on Oahu! We love this island because it has a little bit of everything. First of all, Oahu has the most night life of all of the islands, so if you’ll need restaurants, bars, shopping then Oahu is right for you! Most of the stores are located in the greater Honolulu Area, but you’ll be able to find what you need all over the island!
If you’re looking to escape the city life, Oahu has that too! Take a day trip up the west side of the island on a dolphin tour where you can stop to snorkel at some of the most amazing places. Drive yourself to have the freedom to explore each of these pristine beaches — and you’re not going to want to miss sunset!
In the center of the island, you can visit the Dole Plantation to learn all about pineapples and even try some Dole Whip! Keep traveling north to hit Haleiwa, a beautiful old Hawaiian town with tons of boutiques and places to grab a bite to eat. You can see turtles at nearby beaches before hitting up Shark’s Cove for some incredible tidal pools.
Keep going along North Shore for some of the most iconic beaches in the world. These beaches are home to major surf competitions and some of the most perfect waves. As you make your way east, you’ll start to see the gorgeous Ko’olau mountains. This is our favorite, most scenic drive on the island! The Kamehameha (Kah-may-ha-may-ha) Highway runs all the way down the east side of the island right on the water. You’ll have uninterrupted ocean views on one side and breath-taking mountain scenery on the other. There are so many places to hike along these mountains!
Stop on the way down and take an ATV tour of the epic Jurassic Valley.
Where to Stay
Waikiki and Honolulu will have the largest quantity of accommodations with most of the resorts and hotels on the island located downtown. You will have plenty of variety and you will be able to walk to tons of restaurants and beaches.
Ko’olina is Hawaiian Paradise! This cute little corner of the island is home to some of the more luxury resorts and even upon driving in there is someone there to wave to you! There are some great restaurants in Ko’olina if you love high end food!
The North Shore is such a fun place to stay if you’re a beach bum and looking to catch some waves. While it is limited in resorts and hotels, there are plenty of AirBnBs and VRBOs. Take a look to see if you can find a cute Hawaiian bungalow!
Things to Do
You can spend so much time playing on Oahu and not run out of things to do! We love so many luaus on the island. You can find dinner shows in Waikiki, Ko’olina, and Laie! Check out the one closest to you. We also love going sailing out of the Waikiki, Ko’olina, or Haleiwa harbors. You can charter a yacht or join a sailing tour. Don’t miss the Waikiki fireworks on Friday nights over the water!
There are sooooo many beaches for you to choose from! Families love the isolated beaches in Ko’olina for their kid friendly waves and barrier from wild-life. On the west side, you’ll be protected from island showers and have expansive, non-crowded beach access. North Shore has some of the most famous waves for size and power. Before checking them out, look online to see the size, and always pay attention to signs and lifeguards.
Do you need to get out into nature? Take a hike — literally! With some seriously epic mountain chains on the island, there is a hike for everyone! You can hike to a waterfall, sweeping vistas, or take a dare-devil ridge line hike. Be careful to check the weather before hiking!