Dive shops on Oahu ?

No, there is no diving on the islands anymore due to government regulation.

 

Of course!

Sorry I'm not much help on this one, I wanted to get PADI certified but never had the time and the money simultaneously. Funny how that is [the student's life]...

As far as things on Oahu I recommend:

Swim at Waimea (Oahu)
The He'iau overlooking Waimea (a sacred site for the Natives, 5-10 min visit)
Polynesian Cultural Center (if you can't go for a few hrs, at least go for the Luau and Night Show spectacle)
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Matsumoto's Shaved Ice in Haleiwa (a MUST do... island tradition)
Longboarding at Waikiki
Pearl Harbor
Pali Lookout (a vista, another 10-15 min stop)
Hike Diamond Head overlooking Waikiki
Hiking the Stairway to Heaven in Kaneohe (+/-3hr vertical hike to mountain ridge)
Dinner Cruise along Waikiki
Hula Pie at Duke's (a dessert, at Outrigger across from Int'l Marketplace... a mammoth wedge of sweet coconut icecream on a chocolate crust drenched in hot fudge - just share 1 between 2 ppl)
Dinner at Roy's (the best restaurant in HI, $50+ea)
Camping out on the beach on the West side of Kaena point, see the whales and dolphins in the morning
Pineapple smoothies at the Dole Plantation

 

How long will the trip be?

 

What?

Try this......

http://www.padi.com/english/common/search/dcnr/search.asp?Country=US&State=HI++&City=&Name=&CourseType=ALL&Submit=Submit+Query

I'll try and check it later when they open.

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I didn't see that he was joking. This list is a good place to start.

 

Try Dive Makai. I have not been in a few years, but they were a great shop Everyone was freindly, scenery was unreal. Plenty of turtles, octopii, (?) even a whale shark

www.divemakai.com

 

A suggestion for 1 of her Oahu days, incorporating the things from the list:
Start from the morning heading clockwise up the middle of Oahu to the Dole plantation. Get the smoothies, carve your names into a leaf on the trees outside, maybe do the maze.

Next up to Haleiwa on the coast, shop at the famous surf store with the surfer crossing sign (Surf n Sea). Lunch at Haleiwa Joes (if you want to spend a little $). Dessert at Matsumoto's Shave Ice, I recommend the ones with ice cream and even the sweet red beans if you're adventurous (I like them...).

Onward East to Waimea bay (our fav beach). Swim a while, maybe jump "the rock." Lounge. Soak it in.

From there East on Kam Highway to Sunset area, up to the He'iau on the road at the Foodland. Snorkel at Shark's Cove. If you have time, stop by Ted's bakery and get something with Haupia in it. (If you ever see a Leonard's bakery truck in red and white that reads "Malasadas" BUY SOME! They're Portuguese donuts filled w/creme... once again I recommend Haupia (coconut), or maybe even the custard).

Then on to Laie; at the Laie Foodland plaza take a left up the hill and head out to Laie Point for some nice views and crashing waves. Perhaps swing by and see the Mormon temple there. Then on to the PCC for some of the village tours if you have time, or otherwise for the Aloha Luau dinner (singing/dancing show w/luau buffet). Then the PCC Night Show is a must see. It will end about 9:30pm, in time for a nice evening drive along the ocean back to Honolulu. If you're not exhausted at the end of the day (unlikely , you can hit some of the local Laie beaches like the Hukilau for some fun night swimming.

 

Oh my gosh I lived on Oahu most of my life (dad was in the Navy) and never did all that "touristy" stuff. Now that I live in the mainland, I want to go back and do all those "touristy" stuff!!!!


Come on, no one mentioned Pearl Harbor Memorial and the USS Bowfin?

 

I did in post #4. And the USS Missouri is there now too.

You never appreciate it until it is gone ...

 

Holy Duke Kahanamoku, except for actual "tourist" destinations, sounds like my typical day for a month in '83. Careful, kids - Even in the summer, Waimea has a powerful undertow in beachbreak.

Surf n Sea - is that Ken Bradshaw's shop? Bought some film and a couple of KB shirts from him, then I cut the sleeves off one shirt right then and there. He is a frickin' legend - I guess it was 5 or so years ago - the man surfed an 85' wave - biggest ever! He was already a charger long before then, picking up where Noll left off.

5 of us, getting a 1/2 or an oz. at a time in Haleiwa, managed to smoke 1/4 pound of Da Kine in that blessed month. Never needed it again. Dayum.

If you head to the other side of Oahu, check out Sandy Beach & be careful of avoiding a serious thrashing while bodysurfing.

 

I would recommend that she try and make it to Molokini crater, off Maui. great dive spot

 

Yep that was my weekend life (minus the expensive meals and Maui Gold) for my four years of college. Of course, usually only 1 beach in a day. Tourists have different priorities though - a friend of mine who came to visit hit at least 18 different beaches in 6 days.

Yeah, when Waimea has moderate shorebreak you need to be on the careful side. It's usually not bad though. I do have a friend who didn't know you can't jump up flat against ocean waves (like you can a lake wave)... at least he can move his arms and close his hands now .