You will never run out of outdoor things to do near your Oahu vacation rental, whether it is horseback riding, hiking in a rain forest, parasailing, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay or hang gliding.
Koolau Mountain
Oahu Nature Tours offers hiking tours of Koolau. Your half day, two-mile hike will take you through a tropical rainforest, along towering cliffs, into green valleys and reveal the breathtaking views of Kaneohe Bay on the Windward side of Oahu. Your guide will tell you all about Hawaii's beautiful fauna and flora. There's no need to be afraid of snakes on your hike, because Hawaii is snake free. Don't be surprised to see a mongoose or two along the way.
Extreme Parasailing and Hang Gliding
For a bird's eye view of your vacation rental, try parasailing where you can float 500 feet above the Pacific Ocean and Waikiki Beach. You will be amazed at the beauty of the clear turquoise blue water and the green coast. Just strap on the tether lined parachute and off you go! X-treme Parasail offers tours of Honolulu and Waikiki, each lasting about 15 minutes. For something more daring, consider hang gliding off a cliff on the North Shore. Gravity Hawaii offers tandem paragliding flights from the novice to the most skilled.
Kualoa Ranch
If horseback riding across mountain tops and into lush green tropical valleys is your thing, then you need to visit Kualoa Ranch, about an hour outside of Honolulu on the north shore of Oahu. Kualoa is the largest and oldest cattle ranch on the island, spanning 4,000 acres. Spend the day riding along the Pacific Ocean, up the Kualoa mountains and across the Ka'a'awa Valley. You'll be nice and tired by the time you head back to yourvacation rental.
Hang Ten off Kailua Beach
Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks offer windsurfing lessons that will have you up and running in no time at all. Lessons are held at Kailua Beach Park, just 30 minutes from Waikiki, from 9:15 to 12:45 every day of the year. If you are a beginner, you will learn tacking and jibing. Lessons last two hours and there is an additional two hours to use the gear after the lesson has ended.
Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
Just outside of Waikiki on East Oahu is Hanauma Bay, the federally protected water sanctuary. The brackish water is home to more than 450 species of tropical fish, a large amount of them indigenous to the waters of Hawaii. Learn about Hawaii's natural ecosystem as you explore the beautiful coral reefs with an experienced instructor/lifeguard as you visit the best snorkel spots on the island. Snorkel groups are small, five persons or less, with two snorkel times per day. Pick up and return is available from Waikiki, with two-hour sessions beginning at 8:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Snorkel, mask and fins are included in the fee, but there is a $7.50 entrance fee to Hanavuma Bay that is additional.
For more information on selection an Oahu vacation rental, visit Vamoose.com. You can sort vacation rentals by location, price and amenities.