Approximately 45 minutes from Honolulu by car, Kualoa Regional Park at Kaneohe Bay is a peaceful beach far removed from the bustle of Waikiki. Just offshore is Chinaman's Hat, a familiar windward side landmark. Also known as Mokolii Island, it's a popular kayaking destination, too.  

Waikiki Beach was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, but today it's a lively gathering place for visitors from around the world, with many of Hawaii's top hotels and restaurants located along its two-mile sweep of sand.  

Although Waikiki and North Shore beaches attract crowds, those willing to venture away from the more popular coastal hot spots can find smaller beaches with few people.  

Although many visitors stay close to Oahu's famous beaches, a short drive into the interior will reveal lush vistas and an entirely different side of the island.  

Sooner or later, just about every Waikiki visitor wanders past the Duke Kahanamoku statue, a memorial to Oahu's famed Olympic champion, movie actor, and Father of International Surfing. Day or night, this area is a lively place for beach activities or for relaxing and watching the world go by.  

At the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu's North Shore, the romance and culture of the South Seas are represented in eight recreated South Pacific villages, complete with activities, luaus, and nighttime shows.  

Possibly the world's most famous beach, two-mile-long Waikiki is a fine place to learn how to surf, as well as to try body boarding, catamaran sails, and outrigger canoe rides. The hotels lining this sweep of sand represent the majority of Oahu's lodging options.  

No two sunsets are alike at Waikiki, and each evening tourists and locals gather along the beach for the best show in town.  

Surfing takes years to master, but equipped with a body board and a pair of fins, most people quickly pick up the basics and are soon riding waves toward shore.  

Oahu offers a wide variety of delightful hotels, B&Bs, and lodges along its many beaches. The Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki, with its stunning Orchid Pool, is just one of many memorable places to stay on the island.