This Go Oahu Card review was submitted by Lisabeth F, as part of our Blog Ambassador Program - a fun way to visit top Oahu attractions for free, share your experience, and be featured on our blog. [clear-line] I used the 5-day all-inclusive Go Oahu Card to create a relaxing, stimulating, and exciting vacation itinerary that allowed me to experience some of the best that Oahu has to offer. Some of the activities I enjoyed are exclusive to Hawaii, and the trip was even better than I had imagined! The Go Oahu card made planning and getting passes to the attractions a breeze, and I saved plenty of money if I were to purchase admission to each individually.
My 5-Day Go Oahu Vacation and Itinerary
I planned my 5-day Oahu vacation and itinerary to make the most out of the many different kinds of attractions and activities that Honolulu and the nearby areas has to offer. By scheduling a mix of relaxation, excitement, and historical tours, I was able to get a true taste of tropical Hawaiian adventure, aloha, and history. Convenient, practical, and budget-saving, the all-inclusive pass made my itinerary super easy to plan and follow. I never had a problem using the pass, and I received wonderful treatment wherever I went. I flew into Honolulu in the afternoon, picked up my rental car, and headed to my hotel in Waikiki. You don’t necessarily need a car to follow my particular itinerary, but traveling to and from the attractions takes about half the time with one. I scheduled my 5-day itinerary to include...
- a sunny, relaxing Makani Catamaran Sail
- a fun-filled Dolphin Encounter at Sea Life Park
- the informational and leisurely Pearl Harbor Historical City Tour
- and an emotional and insightful visit to three Pearl Harbor memorials- USS Arizona, USS Bowfin, and USS Missouri
Take a virtual mini-tour with me, and I’ll tell you all about it.
Makani Catamaran Sail
Makani Catamaran Sail
I wanted my first full day on Oahu to be relaxing, sun-soaked, and bubbly, so I had booked the “Fun in the Sun” afternoon Makani Catamaran sail. As soon as I boarded the Makani I felt completely safe, relaxed, and happy. The ship was clean, the crew was entertaining, and the cocktails were delicious.
The wide-bodied catamaran is perfect for just about everyone - couples, families, groups of friends, young and old alike. There was even a baby on board, kids love the two woven trampoline-like seating areas in the front of the boat, and there is a smoking section for adults at the rear. The Makani’s crew took us to a reef that was teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles, and there were huge humpback whales splashing and blowing nearby. The water was crystal clear, the waves were smallish, and the sun was shining down on it all. It was a perfect start to a wonderful week.
Dolphin Encounter at Sea Life Park
Dolphin Encounter at Sea Life Park
On day 2 I was ready for more action - so I booked the Dolphin Encounter at Sea Life Park, which was the Premium Attraction that I had selected with my Go Oahu Card. I had seen some of the park in the Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore flick “50 First Dates,” and the park did not disappoint. The 1:45 pm show is included as an option with the Go Oahu Card, which allowed me time to grab a bite to eat at one of the food counters in the cafeteria and explore the rest of the park. The inhabitants of this park are mainly injured wildlife brought here for rehabilitation and their offspring. Sea Lions, monk seals, and Humboldt penguins are just some of the wildlife protected at Sea Life Park.
At 1:45 pm I checked in at the gift shop. After being given instructions and rules of engagement by our enthusiastic dolphin trainer, we entered the cool, salty water and made friends with “our” dolphin. The enchanting, well-trained, super-smart dolphin interacted with us as a group, and each guest got some one-on-one time with her - a dance, a kiss, and a big splash! All of the dolphins seemed happy and healthy, including a wolphin- the first and only whale/dolphin mix ever known to exist. After leaving the lagoon, I showered, changed into dry clothes, and explored a little more of the park as I waited for the film to be developed before going back to the gift shop to purchase my photo souvenirs.
Pearl Harbor Memorials
Day 3 brought an early breakfast and a trip out to Pearl Harbor to relive a day of infamy in Hawaiian and American history. The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument includes the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the USS Missouri. I knew a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial was included with the Pearl Harbor Historical City Tour, so I saved that for the following day, and took self-guided tours of the USS Bowfin and the USS Missouri. I didn’t need to make reservations for either tour, and instead of exploring them on separate days I toured both ships while I was there.
USS Bowfin Submarine
USS Bowfin Submarine
The USS Bowfin is one of only 15 surviving World War II submarines, and the digital audio tour details the inner workings and voyages of the Bowfin, along with narratives by the former crew. It was very enlightening to see for myself how the crew lived and served in such cramped quarters. There’s even a special audio tour for kids that makes it more understandable for them.
Battleship Missouri
Battleship Missouri
The USS Missouri is a behemoth of a battleship, a surviving, completely refurbished twin to the USS Arizona. There are 3 audio tours to choose from that take you on different routes through this sleeping giant and up to the Surrender Deck, where the Japanese Empire officially surrendered to the United States, ending World War II. Being on this ship was awe-inspiring and gave me a feel for what I was about to experience the following day.
Pearl Harbor Historical City Tour
The Pearl Harbor Tour was a perfect way to wrap up my planned itinerary. I had to be at my pick-up location at 8:30, so I grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel buffet and was on my way. The driver was knowledgeable, friendly, honest, and forthright. I have to say, this was the real deal, with inside information you wouldn’t normally hear from a corporate tour guide, along with all the standard historical facts. The bus was comfortable, quiet, and smooth.
USS Arizona Memorial
USS Arizona Memorial
Our first stop was the USS Arizona Memorial. I was prepared for a poignant moment at the memorial, but the 25 minute documentary shown prior to the actual memorial visit brought the whole attack to life for everyone in the theater. Every face was somber, and some were teary-eyed, as we boarded the Navy shuttle to the memorial out in the shallow harbor, glistening white in the sun. We filed into the memorial itself in quiet contemplation to honor those poor lost souls who had served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our safe-keeping.
As I gazed into the clear, greenish water, I noticed two things beyond the rusted steel of the Arizona’s body itself:
- the colorful reef fish who had brought their own kind of life back to this location and made it home.
- and the oil pooling on the surface above the sunken ship, still bleeding out of her hull.
More Stops Around Honolulu
Fittingly, the next stop on the tour was Punchbowl Cemetery, where generations of military members rest in peace on the heights above Honolulu. From there, we went past most of the more well-known landmarks of Honolulu, including Hawaiian palaces, government centers, and the Eternal Flame War Memorial before returning to our relative destinations around 3:00 pm.
The Flexibility of the Go Oahu Card
I chose to leave day 5 wide open for a little flexibility in my itinerary and whatever I felt like doing that day There are many different options to choose from, so it’s all up to you how you spend your time, but no matter what you do the Go Oahu card makes it well worth it.
My Tips for Planning Your Itinerary Using a Go Oahu Card
- Accessing the pass onto your smartphone makes getting into the attractions easy, and will ensure you always have your passes with you.
- Many of the attractions require reservations, so call ahead of time to book your slot.
- When making reservations, make sure you are prepared to give the number of persons in your party, mention any children and their ages, and have your Go Oahu pass numbers for all members of your party handy.
- Browse each attraction’s website beforehand to familiarize yourself with the attraction and any rules and recommendations.
- Give yourself more time than you think you need to visit each attraction. There are often more activities nearby or within the attraction you’ll want to explore.
- Plan on getting something to eat or drink nearby before or after each attraction. Activities make you hungry!
I hope my Go Oahu Card review helps convince you that the pass is well worth it! The savings alone are reason enough to purchase the pass, but I specifically liked the ease of use from my iPhone. And, since so many attractions are already included on the pass, I really enjoyed the freedom to do, or not do, the attractions that are available to visit.