Holiday in Oahu

What makes Oahu special as a destination?

Oahu is the heart of Hawaii and the island that makes the dream of paradise tangible for most people. Here lies Honolulu, the only major city of the archipelago, and the world-famous Waikiki Beach, which has become the epitome of tropical beach vacations with its skyline of hotels, gentle waves, and views of Diamond Head. But Oahu is much more than Waikiki - the third-largest Hawaiian island combines vibrant urban culture, legendary surf beaches, lush rainforests, and a Hawaiian culture that has remained alive despite all modernity. Waikiki Beach is the iconic starting point of any Oahu trip. The two-kilometer stretch of beach in front of the hotel backdrop is where Duke Kahanamoku invented modern surfing, and to this day, beginners can ride their first waves here. Behind the beach rises Diamond Head, an extinct volcanic crater, whose hike to the summit rewards with a 360-degree panorama over the entire south coast. The North Shore, the famous North Shore, is the spiritual center of surf culture. In winter, waves of up to 15 meters break here, transforming beaches like Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay into the stage for the world's biggest surf competitions. In summer, the same beaches are glassy smooth and perfect for snorkeling. The small surfer town of Haleiwa with its colorful shave ice stands, boutiques, and shrimp trucks is a must-visit. Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial are the historically most significant sites on the island. The memorial above the sunken battleship, where the remains of over a thousand sailors still rest today, is a deeply moving experience and one of Hawaii's most visited attractions. The Koolau Mountains in the east of the island offer breathtaking hikes, including the Manoa Falls Trail through the rainforest and the notorious Stairway to Heaven with its 3,922 steps. From Germany, it takes about 18 to 20 hours to fly to Honolulu with a stopover on the US West Coast. The best travel time is year-round, with April to October offering less rain and pleasantly warm temperatures of 27 to 30 degrees. Winter brings larger waves to the North Shore and slightly more rainfall but remains warm with temperatures around 25 degrees.