All Reviews for Top Places to Visit in Oahu

This excusion was one of our top experiences during our trip to Oahu. All of the staff was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and FUN! We had clouds and a little rain but that did not dampen our fun. It was clear that the staff are all professionals, yet they made us feel like long-time friends. They ensured our safety at all times. It was the perfect variety of activities.

The area were we rode was still wet and muddy. I got a horse who refused to move so was led the entire ride. The Dole plantation party of the tour was too short and the place wasn't even open yet when we arrived, cutting into our time there. The town we visited on the way back was just a time sick, although we found a great burger place to eat lunch. I would not recommend.

Loved the experience! Once in a lifetime so far. Hope to have a repeat someday!!

Best experience and best driver. All of attended member said it was the greatest.

The day I happened to experience it had a small number of people, and I was able to have it explained in Japanese, which was truly wonderful. It was a rare experience to see magic up close. The magic was so amazing that even watching it right in front of me, I couldn't figure out how it was done. It was a fantastic skill, and I had a great time. It really became an unforgettable memory.

たまたま体験した日の人数が少なく、日本語で説明してもらえ，とても素晴らしかったです。身近でマジックが見られ、なかなかできない体験でした。素晴らしいマジックで目の前で見ててもたねは分からず、素晴らしい技で、楽しいひとときを過ごせました。本当に忘れられないいい思い出になりました。

We had an amazing time. Everyone was super friendly, easy to navigate. Would love to come back again!

I was relieved to have staff who could speak Japanese. I was moved to see dolphins, sea turtles, and whales. I had a great time playing in the ocean with snorkeling and the water slide. Watching the staff's hula show made me feel the essence of Hawaii. The lunch was also included and it was delicious.

日本語が話せるスタッフさんがいて安心しました。
イルカとホヌとホエールも見れて感動しました。
シュノーケルとウォーター滑り台思いっきり海で遊べました。
スタッフさんのフラショーを見てハワイだぁと感動です。
ランチも付いていて美味しかったです。

Every time I come to Hawaii, I've been searching for hula shows, but since COVID, they have really decreased. This time, I finally got to see an amazing show after a long time.

I already knew that the food at Hyatt was delicious, but it seems to have reached another level; it was incredibly tasty. The man in his 70s who came with me even went back for seconds three times! The seafood was also delicious, and I wished I had a bigger stomach to eat more.

The hula show was the highlight of this trip. We were the only Japanese people there; everyone else was from English-speaking countries. The singing and music were wonderful, and the dancers were so skilled and beautiful that I didn't know where to look. It was a dreamy experience, and I was completely immersed in it.

Since we reserved VIP seats, we were right in the front center. There were no staff members who understood Japanese, but I think we managed to communicate through gestures and efforts to understand each other. They were very kind.

ハワイに来るたび、フラのショーを探しまくって見てましたが、コロナ以降すごく減ってしまい、久しぶりに最高のショーが見れました。
ハイアットのご飯は美味しい事は知ってましたが、またレベルが上がったのか、素晴らしく美味しかったです。
一緒に行った70代男性はお肉を３回もおかわりしたくらいです。
シーフードもどれも美味しくて、もっと食べれるお腹があればいいのにと思いました。

フラのショーは今回の旅行で1番です。
日本人は私たちだけで、他はみなさん英語圏の方でした。
歌も音楽も素晴らしく、ダンサーさんたちはどこ見ていいのかわからなくなるくらいみなさん上手で綺麗で楽しくて、夢のような時間でした。没頭しました。
ＶＩＰで予約したので、1番前正面の席。
日本語がわかるスタッフさんはいませんでしたが、お互いに頑張って伝えようと身振り手振りで意思疎通できていたと思います。
優しかったです。

Matthew was exceptional - he went out of his way to make our trip memorable- would highly recommend him as a guide

I used it for the first time on the North Shore. I went without studying any English at all, but thanks to the friendly and attentive guide, it was a fulfilling experience! Thank you, Kuri-chan!

初めてのノースショアで利用しました
英語は全く勉強せずに行ったのですが
気さくで気の利くガイドさんが案内してくださったおかげで充実していました！
くりちゃん、ありがとうございました

I booked this Luau with our Ko Olina Kaula Kai Sunset Sail and Luau Combo.
https://www.veltra.com/en/hawaii/oahu/a/201093

After checking in around 5:00–5:15pm, we were instructed to board the catamaran while musicians played and welcomed guests. For safety reasons, women wearing sandals or heels were asked to remove their shoes and board barefoot.

There were cookies and chips available for everyone on board, and once most guests had boarded, the bar opened. It was an open bar with options such as lilikoi mai tai, Waianae sunset, piña colada, turtletini, catatonic, and local beers from Kona Brewing. The boat was quite packed, and with only one bartender, the line became very long—so unless you were willing to wait, you could likely only get one or two drinks. They also ran out of chips, so not everyone was able to have some, until the very end when they refilled the table again.

We departed around 5:30pm. Since this was after the days of the storm, the ocean conditions hadn’t fully settled, and the ride was still a bit bumpy. Fortunately, I found a spot at the back of the boat, leaning against the railing and facing forward, which helped with the motion. We were able to spot a few​ whales, though they appeared only briefly, making them difficult to capture on camera. We returned to the harbor around 6:30pm, so the sailing portion lasted about an hour.

[Reviewed by HawaiiActivities.com Staff]

I booked this Luau with our Ko Olina Kaula Kai Sunset Sail and Luau Combo.
https://www.veltra.com/en/hawaii/oahu/a/201093

Upon arriving from the boat around 6:30 PM, we headed straight to the luau, just in time for dinner.

Their Luau dinner setup is different​ from a typical Luau. Guests ​g​o to multiple food stations and ​food trucks​ to select individual menu items. At each station, guests​ are served a plate of that item. One highlight for me was that the catering is provided by Moani. Moani Island Bistro in Kapolei is one of our favorite weekend spots, so I was especially excited​, and the food did not disappoint. Everything served at the luau was delicious.

Regarding seating, since this was an Industry FAM night,​ I'm not sure if this was normal but there were no assigned seats. Instead, a designated area was reserved for FAM attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. We were seated on the left side of the stage at the last table in the back, but still had a great view.

The stage itself was beautifully designed​, very unique and inviting. The storytelling was engaging. It felt li​ke a full production, almost like an outdoor ​broadway​ show, with impressive lighting, sound effects, and screen animations, ​oh and we were surprised to see an acrobatic​ too!​  It actually reminded me of “Auana” in Waikiki​,​ almost like a Westside version in Ko Olina. The performance featured a wide range of Polynesian dances, which was fun to watch.

Highly recommended especially for those staying at Ko Olina Resorts or on the West side.

As I controlled the buggy through the rough terrain covered in dust, I soon arrived at a breathtaking viewpoint. While drinking the cold mineral water given to me by the guide, I listened to the explanation about the stunning scenery.

The next stop was aimed at the filming locations of movies like Jurassic World. The familiar sights that appeared one after another reminded me of those days.

悪路を砂ぼこりに塗れてバギーをコントロールしてると、すぐに絶景ポイントに到着。
ガイドさんから貰った冷たいミネラルウォーターを飲みながら絶景の説明を受ける。

次からのポイントは、ジェラシックワールドなどの映画撮影現場を目指す。次々に現れる見覚えのある光景はあの頃を思い出す。

There was a staff member who was Japanese, and they explained everything kindly and politely, which made me feel at ease and enjoy the experience! I was able to see sea turtles as well. Even as an older lady, I had a great time.

スタッフの方に日本の方がいて、優しく丁寧に説明してくれて、安心して楽しむことができました❗️
海ガメも見られました。
おばさんでも、十分楽しかったです。

Every time I come to Hawaii, I look forward to seeing this show, and I think I've seen it more than five times. It's a wonderful show that never gets boring, no matter how many times I watch it.

ハワイに来るたびに毎回このショーを見るのを楽しみにしており、5回以上見たかな。何度見ても退屈しない、素晴らしいショーです。

On the last morning in Honolulu, I signed up for this tour. I chose the earliest pickup time. The day before, I received a text message in English confirming the meeting time and location.

On the morning of the tour, I was waiting to see if someone would come to call my name in the lobby. When a large vehicle arrived, I thought it might be for me, and I should have spoken up, but I waited until I was called. Eventually, about five minutes later, the driver got out of the car and called my name. I thought it would be smoother if they also provided the car's license plate number via text in case no one came to call me.

The same driver was shuttling between the hotel and Diamond Head. Although they said they would pick me up at 8:35, they ended up being 30 minutes late. Since the hotel checkout was until 12:00, I was able to take a shower and change after returning to the hotel before heading to the airport. However, I know some hotels have a 10:00 checkout, so I was surprised by the 30-minute delay on the return trip. Moreover, the excuse was that they had to go to seven different hotels, and that group was late by 2-3 minutes each, causing the 30-minute delay. As I mentioned earlier, I believe if they had called names right away during the gathering, it wouldn't have taken so long.

ホノルル最終日の朝、このツアーに申し込みました。1番早いピックアップ時間に申し込みしました。前日にショートメールが英文で届き待ち合わせ時間と集合場所の確認メールが届きます。
当日の朝、ロビーまで名前を呼びに来るのかな？と思い、待っていました。大きな車が来たからそれかな？と思いこちらからも声をかけたら良かったのですが、呼ばれるまで待っていました。でも結局5分後くらいにその車からドライバーが降りて名前を呼んできました。もし呼びに来ないなら、車のナンバーなどもショートメールで教えてくれたらスムーズだと思った。同じドライバーが一台の車をピストンさせて、ホテルとダイヤモンドヘッドの送迎をしています。帰りは8:35に迎えに来ると言っていたのに結局30分も遅刻してお迎えに来ました。ホテルのチェックアウトが12:00までだったので、今回はホテルに戻った後にシャワーを浴びて着替えてから飛行機に乗れましたがチェックアウトが10:00のホテルもあると思うので帰りの30分の遅刻は、驚きました。しかも、言い訳が7個のホテルを回ってそのグループが2.3分ずつ遅刻して30分遅れたとのこと‥最初にも書きましたが、集合時すぐに名前を呼んで乗車されたらそんなに時間が遅くならないと思いました。

The weather was cloudy with occasional rain, but it was warm with a southern breeze. I was happy to see manta rays and sea turtles. It would have been perfect if the sky had been clear, but it was a bit disappointing. The burger for lunch was delicious. The staff were all very cheerful and it was a lot of fun.

お天気が曇り時々雨でしたが、南風で暖かかったです。
エイやホヌが見れて嬉しかったです。
青空だったら最高だったんですけど、ちょっと残念。
ランチのBURGER美味しかったです。
スタッフ皆さんとても陽気で楽しかったです。

The banana boat and bumper tube were a lot of fun! The staff was also very friendly. The weather wasn't great, so I would like to experience it again on a sunny day in the blue sea.

バナナボートとバンパーチューブはとても楽しかったです！
スタッフも親切でした。
天気がイマイチだったので、晴れた日にまた青い海で体験したいです。

I was very satisfied with the entertainment that can be enjoyed in an open and tropical atmosphere. There were powerful performances such as hula dancing and fire dancing, and I was entertained from start to finish without getting bored. The captivating dances and lively singers energized the entire venue, and being able to see it up close was a truly valuable experience. The staff was also very courteous, and they made the dining experience enjoyable. Additionally, there were many Japanese people in attendance, which made it easy to enjoy even for first-timers. I think this show is highly recommended as a memorable part of your travels.

南国らしい開放的な雰囲気の中で楽しめるエンターテインメントとしてとても満足度が高かったです。フラダンスやファイヤーダンスなど、迫力のあるパフォーマンスが次々と披露され、最初から最後まで飽きることなく楽しめました。魅了的なダンスとノリのいいシンガーに会場全体が盛り上がっており、それを間近で見れる席は非常に貴重な体験でした。スタッフの対応も丁寧で、ご飯の時も楽しませてくれて、また日本人も多かったため初めてでも安心して楽めました。旅行の思い出として、とてもおすすめできるショーだと思います。

This was my first time in Hawaii, and I signed up for a tour to Haleiwa Town and the Dole Plantation that I had been wanting to visit. The guide provided explanations in both Japanese and English, which helped deepen my understanding while also exposing me to English, making the tour enjoyable until the end. At Dole, the guide explained how to enjoy the attractions and the tickets, so I was able to fully enjoy the train ride, pineapple ice cream, and even souvenirs. In Haleiwa, I strolled around and had garlic shrimp and hamburgers. The local atmosphere was great. Since it was a half-day tour, it wasn't too tiring, and it was just right.

今回初めてのハワイで、行きたかったハレイワタウンとドールプランテーションのツアーを申込みました。ガイドさんが日本語と英語で説明をしてくれて、英語にも触れつつ、日本語で理解が深まったので最後まで楽しいツアーでした。ドールでは、楽しみ方のポイントやチケットの説明もしてくれたので、列車やパイナップルアイス、お土産まで満足に楽しむことができました。ハレイワでは、全体を散歩しつつ、ガーリックシュリンプやハンバーガーを食べました。ローカルな雰囲気が良かったです。半日のツアーなので疲れすぎず、ちょうど良かったです。

Internet during boat ride
Activities on sandbar ( paddle board, kayaks , snorkeling and tubing)
Friendly stuff

The magnificent scenery was truly wonderful! The reception staff were fluent in Japanese, which made it easy to participate in the activities. I had a great time!

雄大な景色がとても素晴らしかったです！
受付も日本語堪能な方が対応していただき、すんなりアクティビティに参加できました。
とても楽しかったです！

I took a semi-private lesson. It was my first time surfing, but the instructor's explanations were clear and kind, making it a very enjoyable experience. I had a great time.

The staff at the shop running the school were also very friendly and approachable, which helped ease my initial nerves and allowed me to fully engage in the lesson. Additionally, thanks to the optional photo service, I was able to preserve my memories in a tangible way, so I’m glad I added that!

I would love to participate again! Thank you very much for this experience.

セミプライベートのレッスンを利用しました。
サーフィンは初めてでしたが、インストラクターの方の説明もわかりやすく親切で、とても楽しく参加することができました。
とてもいい経験をさせていただきました。

スクールを運営されているショップの方も、とても親しみやすく話しやすい雰囲気だったので、最初の緊張もすぐに解けてレッスンに臨むことができました。
また、オプションの写真のサービスのおかげで、思い出を形として残すことができたので、追加してよかったです♪

また参加したいです！
この度はどうもありがとうございました。

My wife and I have been here for the second time, but it was great to see our daughter enjoy it for the first time. She said it was the most fun two hours ever... as a father, that makes me feel amazing.

私と嫁は2回目でしたが初めての娘が喜んでくれて良かったです。こんな楽しい2時間は無かった…と言ってくれて父親としては最高です。

I participated on the first day of my trip to Hawaii. Since I had reserved a VIP seat, I was able to go get food with priority, and fortunately, I enjoyed the show from the front row. The show featured hula dancing, Elvis, Michael, and it was very entertaining. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic, making it a wonderful time. After the show, I was able to take pictures with the performers, creating great memories. The flow during the meal was a bit unclear, so I think it would be smart to prepare more informational sheets in Japanese and other languages.

ハワイ旅行の初日に参加しました。VIP席で予約していたので、食事も優先的にとりに行けましたし、ショーは幸い最前列で堪能できました。ショーはフラダンスやプレスリー、マイケル、ととても面白い内容でした。観客もものすごい盛り上がりで、とても素敵な時間になりました。ショー終了後には、出演者の方々と写真も撮れ、とてもいい思い出になりました。食事の時の流れがわかりにくいので、日本語や他の言語での案内用紙などをもう少し準備するとスマートと思います。

Due to the rain, we couldn't see the sandbar. However, we had a great time with SUP, kayaking, snorkeling, banana boat rides, and bumper tubing. The staff was attentive, ensuring our safety and providing a lot of fun. I want to go again next time when the weather is nice.

雨の影響でサンドバーは見られませんでした。
しかし、SUPやカヤックやシュノーケリング、バナナボート、バンパーチューブでとても楽しめました。
スタッフがちゃんと付いていて安全面でも安心できましたし、楽しませてくれました。
次回はお天気のいい時に行きたいです。

This was my third horseback riding experience in Hawaii, and it was my first time at this location. The course still showed some effects from the flooding, but the instructors were very friendly, making for a highly satisfying ride.

Due to the flooding in March 2026, I couldn't find the entrance sign mentioned in the VELTRA description, which made parking a bit confusing. The entrance is marked by a gate that says something like "No beach visitors."

The instructors shared various stories about the horses, including their relationships with each other and what they used to do. It's clear that they care deeply for each horse.

Additionally, there was a forecast predicting bad weather around the end of our reservation time, so they started the tour 30 minutes early. As the instructor predicted, we finished before the weather turned bad.

After the ride, we were able to give the horses grass snacks and carrots.

Overall, I had a very enjoyable time.

ハワイでは3回目の乗馬で初めて行く場所でした。
洪水の影響がまだ残るコースでしたが、インストラクターの方たちがとてもフレンドリーで、満足感の高い乗馬でした。

2026年3月の洪水の影響か、VELTRAの説明にあるような入り口の看板は見当たらず駐車する際少し迷いました。”No beach visitors”的な文言が書いてあるゲートが入り口です。

馬同士の関係や、元々何をしていた馬たちなのかなどいろんな話を聞かせてくださいました。1匹1匹の馬をとても大切にしていることがわかります。

また予約終了時間時の天気が怪しくなる予報が出ており、30分前倒しでツアーを始めいただきました。インストラクターさんの予想通り、天気が悪くなる前に終了することができました。

乗馬の後には草のおやつやにんじんをあげることができました。

総じて大変楽しい時間を過ごせました。

The reservation was fully booked, so I opted for the plan where I could have a buggy driven for me, and it was a lot of fun! The rain actually made it feel magical and wonderful!

予約が空いておらず、バギーを運転してもらうプランにしましたが、とても楽しかったです！
雨も逆に幻想的で素敵でした！

We so enjoyed our evening. The servers were personal and attentive. We could tell the meal time entertainers were having just as much fun as we were. The food was excellent and presentation marvelous. There was ample time to enjoy our meal and table talk. The show did not disappoint us. The singers and dancers keep us engaged and time flew by.

Dan and Chieko (?) from Hawaii Blue Divers were amazing! This particular company made the entire process our family of 3 as easy as it could be- no need to worry about anything! We had a great ride to and from Hanauma bay, we didn’t have to fuss over securing admission tickets (which I hear are a pain), we were provided with everything needed included tram rides to and from the entrance to the bay. Which was so appreciated after snorkeling 🤿. Dan was incredibly attentive and helpful to me (a scared of natural water, fear of drowning, and uncoordinated 44 year old), as well as to my 9 year old daughter who knows basic swimming concepts but is not yet a full swimmer. We were personally guided and had such a great experience. I cannot speak highly enough of these folks. Incredibly attentive, adaptive and knowledgeable. We clearly had chosen the right company to go with from the ease of entering the park before a HUGE line of white vans, not having to walk down to the bay or back up, snacks and water provided, and no need to deal with the hassle of renting equipment. We didn’t need to do anything beside show up to our pick up spot and have required cash and a change of clothes. They offer wetsuits and I highly recommend getting them for a bit more warmth, protection from getting scratched by coral, and added buoyancy. Make sure to have a good breakfast and hydrate before going, take clothes or a cover up to wear/change into, think about waterproof pouches for phones (not required as Dan did great with photos), towels, and enough cash to pay the entrance fee, rent wetsuits, and provide a BIG tip because you’ll be grateful for the experience. Expect to be tired and thrilled because it is a great snorkeling tour of the bay. Thank you Dan and Chieko!!!