Oahu

Oahu is the third largest of the islands that make up Hawaii and the one that is home to the state capital Honolulu.

The island is home to some of the most impressive beaches in the archipelago, with plenty of opportunities to lie back on golden sand and top up your tan before heading into clear blue waters for a refreshing dip.

As home to a large part of the Hawaiian population, Oahu provides a fascinating blend between the old and new, from modern cities like Honolulu through to small traditional villages where cultures are still rooted in the values of the natives going back through the ages.

Whilst there are plenty of attractions across the island, easily the most famous - and one known around the world - is Pearl Harbor, where an attack by the Japanese in 1941 brought the USA into the Second World War.

Still an active military base, Pearl Harbor is home to four historical sites that can be visited by tourists, with the USS Arizona Memorial marking the resting place of 1,102 of those killed during the Japanese attack.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum round out the four sites.

As an island, Oahu is home to a number of walking trails if you prefer to head away from the crowds to explore the natural landscape, whilst the surrounding waters are a haven for different water sports.

The Kualoa Nature Reserve has been used for the filming of a number of Hollywood movies - most notably Jurassic Park and Jurassic World - and there are various tours that take in locations you may recognise from the big screen and is also home to a zipline that criss-crosses the stunning Ka’a’awa Valley.

With a vibrant dining scene that features modern and traditional dishes, stunning accommodation options to cater for all tastes and budgets, and plenty of opportunities to grab souvenirs to remember your trip, it’s not hard to see why Oahu holds such appeal.