Hawaii’s most populated island, Oahu combines big-city excitement with stunning natural beauty. Those who vacation in Oahu can shop and dine amidst the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, or retreat to one of the island’s 125 beaches for rest and relaxation. Oahu offers the best of both worlds.

No Oahu vacation would be complete without a stop at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, perhaps the most famous beach in the world. The island’s Windward side also boasts well-known, though quieter, beaches, including Kailua and Lanikai. Surfers flock to the North Shore during the winter to catch the famous waves. Oahu’s assets also include two mountain ranges and the famous Diamond Head volcanic crater, where hikers can follow a trail up to the 763-foot summit and be rewarded with stunning views of Honolulu and the sparkling Pacific. An Oahu luxury vacation can take advantage of the many high-end resorts, championship golf courses and pampering spas on the island. Biking, horseback riding, parasailing, parachuting, gliding, swimming, diving, kayaking, snorkeling and surfing are all popular activities on Oahu. And most Oahu vacation packages include visits to the island’s top historical and cultural attractions. Favorites include Pearl Harbor, where the USS Arizona Memorial honors those who lost their lives during the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy on Dec. 7, 1941; the Polynesian Cultural Center, featuring seven Pacific Island villages, hand-on exhibits, a hula show and luau; and the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the U.S.

More than 100 flights fly to and from Honolulu International Airport every day. Rental cars are widely available. Weather in Hawaii doesn’t vary much with the seasons. Average temperatures in Oahu range from 70°F to 84°F, with variable rainfall in different sections of the island. For more information on Oahu, log on to www.visit-oahu.com, the Oahu Visitors Bureau’s website.