Aloha Beach Vacation Rentals - Hawaii [Your Hosts]

HORSEBACK RIDING
You can gallop on the beach at the Hilton at Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku (tel. 808/293-8811; bus: 52 or 55), where 45-minute rides along sandy beaches with spectacular ocean views and through a forest of ironwood trees cost $35 for adults and $22 for children 9 to 12 (they must be at least 54 in. tall). Romantic evening rides take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 to 6:30pm ($65 per person). Advanced riders can sign up for a 40-minute trot-and-canter ride along Kawela Bay ($50). For guided horseback tours of lush Waimea Valley on the North Shore, contact The Parks at Waimea, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa (tel. 888/973-9200 or 808/638-5300), which offers a range of tours starting at $35 for 1 hour. If you've dreamed of learning how to ride, the Hilltop Equestrian Center, 41-430 Waikupanaha St., Waimanalo (tel. 808/259-8463; TheBus: 57 or 58), can teach you. British Horse Society-accredited instructors offer lessons in either British or Western style riding for $40 per lesson, minimum of three lessons.

BIRDING
Oahu is perhaps the worst birding island in the chain because of damages to the ecosystem, but the Honolulu Zoo offers a chance to see local species often found no place else accessible to tourists. The Island Makapu Point out past Koko Head, and whale watching trips are both good bets for open ocean birds. Waders are common in Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Bay and the ironwood forests behind Bellows Field State Park turn up some finds, but the best birding spot on is the Makuauia Island State Bird Refuge off Malaekahana State park about 20 miles north of Kaneohe Bay. Check tide tables and plan to wade out to the island at the last of the outgoing tide. Into peafowl? There are at least 3,000 in the Makaha Valley

WHALE WATCHING
One of the best ways to go whale watching is on the Navatek, a unique catamaran that rides on sort of stilts over underwater tubes to offer a smoother ride and higher speed than most of the other whale watching ships. (808-848-6360) Pick a morning on a calm day when it"s easier to see whales broach and spout, and get out on the bow. Keep an eye down for dolphins that love to play in the bow wash. Binoculars are recommended and at least a 300mm lense is needed with 500 to 1000ASA film that permits shutter speeds no slower than 1/250th of a second.

TENNIS
The better public courts players congregate at the nine public courts of the Diamond Head Tennis Center (808) 949-7150 and ten fine courts in Ala Moana Park (808-522-7031) between the mall and ocean. Call to for information and to reserve courts. Hotel courts fetch $25 to $30 an hour. Most visitors will find playing at night or very early in the morning a best bet when the humidity and heat are lower.

WAIMEA VALLEY ADVENTURES
Mountain Bike, Horse Back Riding, and Kayaking adventures are thrilling ways to explore the ocean or rainforest. Bring your camera! Kayaking starts at $20 and all others start at $35 per person. Enjoy a "two adventure" package for $59.95 and receive free admission to Waimea Falls Park. Call 808 638-8511 for reservations and more information. Located about 40 minutes away from the house.

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