What To Know Before Your Oahu Tour
What To Know Before Touring Around Oahu
Oahu is an adventurer’s dream come true. It’s a tiny island in Hawaii that’s one of the world’s most popular vacation spots. Oahu is recognized for its surfing scene, natural beauty, and delicious pineapples. It has over 125 beaches, several treks, rich scenic beauty, Honolulu’s busy metropolitan life, and great waves. Oahu has so much to offer!
As the anticipation for your vacation grows, your mind may race with how to prepare for your Oahu tour. In this article, we’ll give you tips and what to know before your tour of Oahu.

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Have Some Cash Ready
We spend our vacations strolling through charming streets and little boutiques, exploring bustling markets, and taking a stroll on the beach. There are countless options to purchase mementos for yourself and your loved ones, relax while shopping, or enjoy drinks and light refreshments at charming establishments.
However, you cannot pay without cash at many of these small stores, market booths, or flying vendors. Credit cards are also frequently declined by taxis, food stalls, and bars. As a result, before you get hungry, make sure you have adequate cash on hand.
Credit cards are indispensable travel companions, whether for booking flights, making deposits, or making cashless payments. Nonetheless, it’s best not to put your entire wager on a single card. You can quickly run out of money due to malfunctioning credit card terminals or ATMs, card loss, or the inability to pay cashless. You will never meet these scenarios if you have some cash at the ready!
When going on a holiday, it’s always a good idea to include a balance of cash, credit cards, and traveler’s checks. Before leaving home, exchange enough pocket money to pay airport expenses, tips, transport to your accommodation, or withdraw cash from an airport ATM.
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Notice: Currently, we are not able to offer Sunset Beach and Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach) as tour stops as commercial vehicles are not allowed in those areas. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Prepare To Get Wet
If you’re looking to make the most of your Oahu adventure, make sure to prepare to get wet! Sunburns, poor weather and other factors can make the difference between having a good day on the sand and water and being unhappy. Here are some of the things that you should bring:
- Swimsuit: A swimsuit is a must-have for any beach holiday. Bring a few more in your carry-on so you’ll always have something dry to wear.
- Extra clothes: The dress code on islands is typically light and breezy. Put on something that makes you feel at ease, and make sure your outfit allows you to enjoy the warm weather rather than bake under the sun. Lightweight, airy clothing is recommended, with heavier fabrics being left at home. Shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, and summer dresses are ideal for an island getaway attire.
- Quick Dry Towel: While many hotels offer towels, you should bring your own small, quick-drying microfiber towel to take to the beach.
- Reef safe sunscreen: Don’t let sunburn spoil your trip. Throughout your island trip, you’ll be spending time outside in the sun, so be careful. You must, however, wear sunscreen that is “reef safe.” Regular sunscreens contain compounds that harm coral reefs, according to research. Our skin is protected while ocean habitats are not harmed with reef safe sunscreen.
Bring Flip-Flops!
Flip flops are required for any vacation at the beach! Flip-flops are also highly recommended for use in shared bathrooms and camping showers, where foot fungi thrive. If you’re planning on staying put for a while, these could be your go-to footwear for running errands.
Have Your Tour Driver’s Phone Number Available
As your trip approaches, your tour operator should send you an email to confirm your reservation and provide directions on where and when to meet. Many private tours will have a placard with your name on it to greet you. Keep in mind to take note of the phone number of your tour driver or the individual who is going to meet you. You’ll know precisely where to meet after a quick call to your driver.
Have A Plan
Traveling is more complicated than picking a place and reserving an airline ticket and hotel. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, planning ahead of time is the most efficient approach to save time and ensure a memorable experience.
Itineraries help you organize your schedule when traveling. A travel itinerary should include travel time to a variety of destinations and allowances for unexpected events such as weather and traffic. This may impact your plans, but having a travel itinerary in hand allows you to be more adaptable. As a result, there is no wasted time.
Besides that, planning in advance and figuring out where you want to be and when will enable you to get the most out of your trip. After all, it’s the experiences and memories that matter most during vacations and weekend getaways.
You should write down your travel plan to know where the tour driver is expected to stop ahead of time. If you find the usual tourist itinerary dull, do a little research, and inform your driver where you’d like to go or ask for recommendations. Avoid cramming too much into one day. If you absolutely love the place, you can always return for a more extended stay and hire the same operator if you had a fantastic experience the first time.
Set A Budget For Activities And Stick To It
One of the most significant reasons to prepare ahead is to budget for all parts of your trip. Furthermore, you may discover that making reservations in advance allows you to save money on your trip, which is always a bonus. A budget also keeps you focused and enables you to make well-informed decisions.
Split Costs With Others
Consider sharing a private tour with other folks on your trip to minimize the expense. You’ll not only save money, but you’ll meet new people as well. A holiday can be made more enjoyable by dividing travel expenses among a group.
Don’t Forget Your Camera
Make sure to bring your camera or, at the very least, a phone with excellent photo capabilities. Oahu is a stunningly photogenic destination from which you’ll want to create lasting memories! If you’re considering buying a new camera, Oahu is an excellent place to put your talents to the test. If you’re going diving or snorkeling, you may also want to carry a GoPro with you to capture film underwater.
Don’t forget to pack a power bank if you’re bringing many electronics. This will charge your phone as well as most other USB-powered electrical gadgets. They’re ideal for when you’re traveling on a day excursion and plan on taking a lot of photos!
Always Check The Weather Before Hiking
It is crucial to assess the weather and floodplains before embarking on any trek. If rain is expected, check to see if your route passes through a lowland or crosses any waterways. If it does, there’s a danger that water levels will increase quickly or overflow into the region where you’re hiking.
Try Out Oahu’s Local Delicacies
On Oahu’s famous Waikiki beach, mai tais and luaus are the trend, but explore beyond the tourist traps, and you’ll find odd fusion cuisines beyond anything you’ve seen or eaten before. Hawaii is unique because of its melting pot of diverse cultures, and travelers will discover a wide selection of excellent restaurants throughout the island.
Oahu and Hawaii have become known for delectable cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds. Tourists are being swept off their feet by delicacies like poke, shaved ice, malasada, and ube. Because of its location in the Pacific, Hawaii absorbs inspirations from around the globe, mainly Asia and Polynesia, lending its cuisine a distinct fusion flavor.
Learn Some Hawaiian Phrases
The state of Hawaii is the only one with two official languages: English and Hawaiian. However, there’s no need to fret since English is still the primary spoken language. While you can get by without understanding any Hawaiian, there are a couple of reasons why you should learn a few words before your trip.
First, several Hawaiian terms have worked their way into society and are used in place of their English counterparts. Women’s restrooms will be labeled “wahine,” and men’s restrooms will be labeled “kane.” Trash cans will have signs that say “opala,” which translates to “trash.”
Second, using Hawaiian terms and expressions shows respect. It demonstrates that you are taking the opportunity to honor, comprehend, and learn about their culture.
Make Sure You Get What You Really Want Out Of The Tour
Even with the best-laid vacation plans, you’ll need to be flexible if you want to get the most out of your getaway. Much of this flexibility may mean swapping out your original ideas for something else, or it may entail adding several other extra items to your plan. You’re on vacation to experience something different, so take advantage of the opportunity to immerse into the adventure fully.
Make an effort to do something you wouldn’t typically do. Always remember to put your safety first, but attempt to do something new while on vacation since those are the memories that you will remember and enjoy the most.
The Bottom Line
During your visit to Oahu, there is so much to savor and experience. Simply remember the tips we’ve provided throughout this article to make the most of your adventure. If you want to learn more about how to enjoy your Oahu trip to the fullest, visit our Oahu points of interest.
Or, if you haven’t already, book your private Oahu tour with us today!
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REVIEWS
“This tour is amazing. What a wonderful way to see Oahu!”
~ Mark Jones, Phoenix, AZ
“We did the Circle Island tour. When you see what you get it is a great value for your money. On the circle island tour our driver “Henry” was very knowledgeable and extremely funny, We loved it.”
~ Rianne I., Melbourne, AU
“Oahu Private Tours is the way to go. Oahu is beautiful. Having the ability to take your time where you want, take photos, and enjoy your time is great with a private tour—worth the entire price.”
~ Rick M, Montgomery, Alabama
“Would recommend the this private Oahu tour option. I’ve learned that I don’t like touring with strangers on a public tour. I prefer an intimate private tour. Our driver/guide was great! Nothing but praises all around.”
~ Debra Horton.
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