West Oahu, the island's Leeward Coast, is the sunny, dry side of the island and home to some of Oahu's biggest attractions. Stretching from historic Pearl Harbor in the east out to the rugged westernmost tip at Ka'ena Point, this stretch of coastline blends world-famous history with resort-style beaches and wide-open nature. It's a part of Oahu that can feel a little off the beaten path, but it's well worth your vacation time.
The Ko Olina Lagoons
The crown jewel of the Leeward Coast is Ko Olina, a resort community built around four protected lagoons. The Ko Olina lagoons are numbered one through four, with Lagoon 4 known as Ulua Lagoon, and they're connected by more than a mile and a half of paved seaside path, making it easy to stroll from one to the next at sunset. Their calm, crystal-clear water is sheltered from the open ocean, so they're ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and bodyboarding with kids. The lagoons and their beaches are open to the public, with free designated parking from sunrise to sunset on a first-come, first-served basis (arrive early on weekends). Ko Olina is also home to award-winning championship golf, a full-service marina, and family resorts including Disney's Aulani.
Pearl Harbor Tours
No visit to West Oahu is complete without a Pearl Harbor tour. The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites preserve the story of December 7, 1941, across four major attractions you can experience in a single day. The USS Arizona Memorial floats above the resting place of the battleship and the 1,177 service members lost aboard her. Nearby, the USS Missouri, known as the "Mighty Mo," is the battleship on whose deck World War II officially ended, while the USS Bowfin submarine offers a look at life beneath the waves. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum sits inside the original hangars that were attacked, with dozens of historic aircraft and the Ford Island control tower. Most Pearl Harbor tours combine two or more of these sites, and booking ahead is strongly recommended, as timed tickets to the Arizona Memorial go quickly.
More West Oahu Attractions
Beyond Ko Olina and Pearl Harbor, the Leeward Coast rewards exploration. Families flock to Wet'n'Wild Hawaii, the island's largest water park, in the growing city of Kapolei. Snorkelers and divers head to Electric Beach, a vibrant marine spot just up Farrington Highway from Ko Olina. And for those craving raw, untouched scenery, the Ka'ena Point hike leads to Oahu's westernmost tip, a protected nature reserve where native seabirds nest and Hawaiian monk seals often haul out to rest.
Browse our West Oahu vacation rentals in Makaha Valley, Ko Olina, and Ewa Beach and make the Leeward Coast your home base.