Thrill-Seeker's Guide to Oahu

If you see the great outdoors as a playground, then Oahu has got you covered in spades. From taking part in high-intensity water sports and zooming around the landscape on an ATV or zipline to diving beneath the waves to see the ocean’s top predators, here are the top Oahu experiences for thrill-seekers.

• Follow winding dirt two-tracks on an ATV tour through scenery used in filmingJurassic Park, George of the Jungle, and The Hunger Games at Kualoa Ranch.

• Hike to the top of some of Hawaii’s most iconic volcanic remnants for dizzying panoramic views. Try Diamond Head or Koko Head Crater before attempting the ridiculously steep slopes of the Ko’olau Mountains along the island’s windward coast.

• Slip beneath the water’s surface to get a look at the ocean’s top predators on a shark cage dive departing from Haleiwa on the North Shore.

• Soar 700 feet (213 meters) above the sea buoyed by a parachute on a parasailing adventure off Waikiki, or strap on a jet pack for a flying lesson in the waters east of Honolulu.

• Feel the wind whip your hair while getting a bird’s-eye view of the Hawaii scenery — lush valleys, pounding waterfalls, and shallow coral seas — from an open-door helicopter tour.

• Lock in to the 14 tandem zipline cables that thread through the Ka'a'awa Valley.

• Learn to surf the beginner breaks of Waikiki Beach, or, in winter, head to the North Shore to watch the experts ride giant waves topping 50 feet (15 meters).

• Attempt one of the North Shore cliff jumps.