There are few better places to get a taste of Polynesia than at Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center. The center is home to six Polynesian villages that represent different cultures from around the Pacific. Each village offers guests the opportunity to learn about distinct Polynesian Cultures through informative orientations and hands-on activities. This Polynesian Cultural Center Experience includes entrance to the park and the center’s renowned evening luau, as well as a variety of packages to custom tailor your experience.
Booking is currently unavailable for the Polynesian Cultural Center, see more Oahu activities for other options.
Take a step back in time to when the Pacific was traversed by expert Polynesian navigators when islanders traveled long distances by canoe, and when the Hawaiian values of kuleana, ohana, and aloha aina were perpetuated throughout the islands. Much has changed since these times. However, a few Kailua watermen are working to share these core Hawaiian values with visitors through outrigger canoe adventures through Kailua Bay. These tours offer visitors the chance to sail or paddle to Moku Nui island off Kailua and learn about ancient Hawaiians’ expert knowledge, respect, and passion for the ocean.
Step back in time to one of the most pivotal moments in both American and Hawaiian history: the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This immersive tour visits the various museums and memorials that dot the harbor, including the USS Arizona Memorial.
Highly regarded as one of Oahu’s best luaus, Ka Moana Luau is conveniently located at Honolulu Harbor on the grounds of the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Ka Moana Luau emphasizes cultural family fun and offers an array of hands-on activities for the whole family pre-show. The show itself will captivate all ages and includes an exciting display of fire. But, of course, no luau is complete without a heaping plate of traditional Hawaiian food. Ka Moana’s feast is second to none, and guests of any dietary preference will find something to enjoy.
While Oahu is rife with highways that carry motorists to nearly every corner of the island, a vehicle can only get you so far. Dotted with inaccessible mountain ranges, remote waterfalls, and swirling colorful offshore reefs, the only way to truly explore Oahu inside and out is via the seat of a helicopter. Fortunately, one of the best helicopter companies in the state operates on Oahu- and they know how to elevate the experience, no pun intended. With a maximum of only three passengers, each guest is afforded a window seat. The pilot also plays the role of tour guide, offering an in-depth narration of the flight. With a handful of island excursions to choose from, guests can explore from the pulsing heart of Waikiki to the dramatic pali cliffs on the windward side. And if a private Oahu helicopter tour isn’t exciting enough, to begin with, doors-off flights are also an offer.
