Gay Sail Away - The Most Comprehensive Website for LGBT Cruise Travel

Oahu (oh-wah-who) is the most populated and most diverse island of the chain of Hawaiian Islands. It is an island of great contrast divided between the urban sprawl and incredible hotels of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach and the rural North Shore, Windward side and Southern Makapuu (ma-ka-poo-oo) and Hanauma (hah-na-ma) Bay. It is the island with the most gay bars, gay resorts and gay-specific attractions.

Most visitors, or malihinis (ma-lee-he-knees - newcomer), to Hawaii will visit Honolulu (hon-o-lew-lew) or Waikiki (why-key-key) during their stay. Honolulu is the departure port for cruise ships sailing around the islands. Waikiki is the resort area that houses hundreds of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, shopping and world-class Waikiki Beach. The Port of Honolulu is centrally located at the foot of downtown Honolulu, a short taxi ride from Honolulu International Airport and just a few miles from the hotels of Waikiki.

Honolulu houses several diverse neighborhoods within its sprawl The gayborhoods of Honolulu are mostly located in Waikiki, the hip-and-happening resort area just south of downtown; bordered by the blue Pacific, Diamond Head crater and the Tantalus (tan-tall-us) mountain range.

Honolulu is the capital of the Hawaiian Islands, or Hawaii as most commonly referred to, and has been the epicenter of trade and business for the Hawaiian Islands since the early 1801 after King Kamehameha III (ka-may-ha-may-ha) relocated the capital of kingdom to the city.

Honolulu has played a strategic role in Pacific trade and for United States military since the 1800’s. It is home to Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Punchbowl Cemetery, the University of Hawaii, Manoa (mah-no-ah) and Ala Moana (mo-ah-nah) Harbor (where the Minnow sets sail from in TV’s Gilligan’s Island). It has been the backdrop for many movies, television shows and commercials including Pearl Harbor, Magnum PI, Hawaii 5-0, LOST and MTVs Real World.

The Cabana at Waikiki
2551 Cartwright Road, Waikiki, HI 96814
Tel. (808) 926-5555, Toll Free (877) 902-2121
www.cabana-waikiki.com

Gay Owned Boutique Hotel - Gay Men – Moderate/High Sexual Energy
$99.00 specials to $175.00 per night
Located off the beaten path yet close to it all, the Cabana is a four-story walk-up, fifteen-unit upscale property perfectly situated on a quiet respite off Kapahulu Avenue just a block from world famous Waikiki Beach. These home-away-from home one bedroom suites come with fully equipped kitchens. Bathed in sun and drenched by Hawaii's clear, blue skies, we are located in the heart of Waikiki's fun and entertainment, shopping and the best restaurants in Waikiki. You are within walking distance of numerous ocean activities including surfing, sunset catamaran cruise or just an afternoon of soaking up the sun on the beach.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel
2259 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki, HI 96815
Ph: (808) 923-7311 Fax: (808)931-7098 - Reservations: (866)716-8110
www.royal-hawaiian.com

Gay Friendly - Grand Dame of Waikiki, also known as the Pink Palace – Romantic and Exclusive
Expensive to Very ExpensiveBuilt in 1927, fully renovated in 2009, the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, known as the "Pink Palace of the Pacific," ushered in a new era of luxurious resort travel to Hawaii. Located on breathtaking Waikiki beachfront, the Royal Hawaiian is an exclusive enclave for luxury and romance. Situated along the apex of Waikiki’s graceful arc, The Royal Hawaiian offers guests an unlimited choice of water and beach activities. From parasailing to catamaran cruises to surfing and snorkeling, the beach always beckons.

Westin Moana Surfrider Hotel and Spa
2365 Kalakaua Avenue , Waikiki, HI 96815
Ph: (808) 922-3111 Fax: (808) 924-4799
www.moana-surfrider.com

Gay Friendly – The First Lady of Waikiki – Romantic and Exclusive
Expensive to Very ExpensiveIn the heart of Waikiki Beach, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa on Oahu, introduced the world to Hawaiian hospitality in 1901. Often referred to as the "First lady of Waikiki", this oceanfront Oahu hotel is a legendary landmark. Step back into yesteryear with all the contemporary amenities and unique services to make your Waikiki Hawaii vacation both memorable and enjoyable. The resort houses Waikiki's first and only beachfront spa, Moana Lani Spa, ranked one of the Top 50 spas by Spas of America, featuring 16 treatment rooms, including two couple's massage rooms.

Halekulani - House Befitting Heaven
2199 Kalia Road, Waikiki, Hawaii96815
Ph: (808) 923-2311 Fax: (808) 926-8004 Reservations: 1-(800) 367-2343
www.halekulani.com

Gay Friendly – Unparalleled Luxury and Hospitality – For the Travel Connoisseur
Outrageously Expensive but worth every dollar
Halekulani (ha-lay-koo-law-knee) has been hosting visitors to Waikiki Beach for nearly 100 years. Today its reputation for gracious hospitality, impeccable service and magnificent cuisine is unequaled on Oahu and renowned throughout the world.

Queen's Surf Beach
Waikiki [GAY]
Located in Kapiolani Park. From the intersection of Kalakaua Ave. and Kapiolani Blvd. head towards Diamond Head crater. Follow the sidewalk that goes through the park to the beach. Once you get to the food pavilion you are at the beach. There may be lot’s of hot men and some not-so-hot but equally charming men. Make sure you take any amorous behavior back to your hotel; the police patrol this area including the restrooms. And keep your trunks on. Though this is paradise Queen's Surf Beach is not a nude beach.

Diamond Head Lighthouse Beach Waikiki [GAY]
Located an easy mile stroll from Queen's Surf Beach in Waikiki, this beach is located below the lighthouse on Diamond Head. From Queen's Surf Beach head down Kalakaua Ave. and veer left as you come to the end of the park. Kalakaua Ave. turns into Diamond Head Road and starts to ascend up a hill. You will come to the lighthouse and a small parking pull out (don’t expect to get a parking space). From the pull out there will be a path down to the beach. When you get down to the beach the left side is popular with windsurfers and straight people. The right, rocky side is popular, though rarely crowded, with gay guys. This area is also a unofficial and can-be risky nude beach. Public nudity is illegal in Hawaii and there have been police raids on the beach. You will see areas carved out to the cliff, among the brush and trees, where gay guys sun themselves in the nude. Rarely do they venture unclothed down to the beach. There is no swimming here because of the rocks and coral are strewn along the ocean’s edge.

Pipeline/Ehukai Beach Beach
North Shore [Not Gay]
Located off Kamehameha Hwy (Hwy 83) at 59337 Ke-Nui Road, across the road from Sunset Point Beach Park
The North Shore of Oahu is most associated with some of the best surfing beaches in the world. Saying that these beaches are HIGHLY dangerous to swim at. Even for world -class swimmers these beaches are treacherous with 40ft high+ waves during winter months. Great eyecandy abounds and it is and popular with local surfer boys and girls. Beware local boys can be very homophobic and territorial. It’s best to blend and be mellow. This is not a gay beach, nor really gay-friendly, but a beach that is a must see for the pure magnificence of the surf-culture.

Polo Beach / Mokulea Beach
North Shore Unofficial Nude Beach [GAY]
If you are a fan of TV’s LOST this is the beach that they use for many of their oceanfront scenes including the crash scene from the first episode. Located on the North Shore in a location that is about as remote as you can get. From the charming surfer town of Haleiwa, head south on Kaukonahua Road, past the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice stand and beyond the round-about to Farrington Hwy. Turn right onto Farrington Hwy and continue towards Dillingham Airfield. Just as you see the airfield on the left you will see Mokuleia Beach Park on the right. Continue past it until you see horse pastures. You will see cars parked along the road by these pastures, just before the Polo Fields. Park before you get to the Polo Field and pack all your valuables in with you to the beach. Take the path with fencing on either side down to the beach. There is a sign at the head of the path that reads nudity, among other things, is illegal on the beach. This is your clue that you are almost there. When you hit the beach, head to your right for a couple hundred yards. You should start seeing men in the low foliage bordering the beach. Rarely do you see nudity on the beach but you may encounter it in the bush..along with amorous beach behavior. NOTE: if you get undressed, as innocently as it may be, you run the chance of being arrested. This is a remote beach however on weekends there are a lot of families in the area that visit the beach.

Circling the island of Oahu is a fun and easy way of experiencing the charm of the island. Driving in Honolulu is similar to driving around any other unfamiliar big city, except that most of the street names are in Hawaiian and can be a bit tricky for a first time visitor. We highly recommend renting a GPS from your rental company to help you navigate the island.

A simple rule when touring the island - Oahu is a fairly safe island to visit. However there is an over abundance of car break-ins to visitors that leave valuables in their cars in unattended areas. ALWAYS take all of your valuables with you when you leave your vehicle. Many people then leave their doors unlocked to avoid local thieves from breaking their car’s windows to rummage through their car.

For a detailed self driven circle island tour please visit
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours/tours/oahu/oahu-1.htm
for a comprehensive and enjoyable map with descriptions of places to see.

Aloha Tower and Marketplace
The 10-story tower was built in 1926 to welcome visitors who were arriving by ship to Honolulu. The Aloha Marketplace is a popular shoping and dining place for tourists and downtown business people. It is a great place to purchase forgotten items, like toiletries and batteries, before your voyage.
Located dockside, Stores open: Mon. - Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Observation deck open daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Iolani Palace
Hawaii's Royal Palace. It is the only palace in thatUnited States that has housed Royalty.
Located 7 blocks from Port of Honolulu/Aloha Tower Market Place at 364 S King St.
Cross Nimitz Highway and walk down Fort Street. Turn right at King Street. Continue walking 4 blocks to Richard Street. The Palace is on the corner of Richard St. and King St. .
Admission: Guided Tour: Adult $20, Audio Tour: Adult $12, Gallery Tours: Adult $6
Guided Tour: 9:00 a.m.; Audio Tour: 11:45 a.m.; Gallery Tours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(808) 522-0822

Mission Houses Museum
Featuring artifacts and documents from 1820-1863, Hawaii's "missionary" period.
Located two blocks from the Iolani Palace 553 S King St. Continue walking down King Street two blocks to Kawaiahao St.. The Museum is a the intersection of King St. and Kawaiahao St.
Admission: Adult $10, Open Tues. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(808) 531-0481

Hawaii Maritime Museum
Features multiple nauticle attractions including a fully rigged 4-mast ship.
Located a short two blocks from the pier. Turn right onto Aloha Tower Road from the Marketplace. Follow it beyond the Marketplace complex along the piers one block. You will find it at Pier 7, Honolulu Harbor.
Admission: Adults $7.50, open daily 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Phone: (808) 523-6151