Dad wants to golf. Mom wants to bike. The kids want to surf. They can all do what they want to do at the same time, in the same place —Turtle Bay Resort.

A "one-stop shop" for outdoor activities, the 840-acre oceanfront retreat is the centerpiece of a setting so spectacular it’s been featured in more than 150 movies and TV shows, including "Lost," "Hawaii Five-0," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Hunger Games: Catching Fire."

"We don’t want guests to just ‘stay’ at our resort, we want them to ‘experience’ it," said Marc Winchell, the resort’s experiential marketing manager, who plays a key role in choosing, planning and implementing Turtle Bay’s activities. To that end, on any given day, at least a dozen diversions lure visitors outdoors for fun in the sun.

Here are highlights:

IN THE SWING OF THINGS

Designed by Arnold Palmer and George Fazio, Turtle Bay’s two championship 18-hole golf courses feature challenging designs and incredible ocean views. For $15, rent a Nixon Blaster, a portable wireless speaker that pairs easily with mobile devices, enabling golfers to listen to their favorite tunes as they play.

Before teeing off, resort guests can review the basics with a pro at a free 10-minute "tuneup." And those staying in October will receive free unlimited greens fees at both courses (the Golftober promotion is valid for up to two registered guests per room).

READY, SET, SERVE

Prefer to make a "racket?" Tennis buffs receive a free hour of court time each day of their stay. Those at the top of their game can Play the Pro. Win the set against the resort’s tennis pro, Diego Miranda, and it’s free (otherwise, the cost is $150).

There’s usually nonstop action on the courts as guests sign up for private and group lessons, adult group clinics, night match play and Hawaiian Tenniscize, a great hourlong cardio workout.

HORSING AROUND

Turtle Bay’s stables are home to 28 horses suitable for riders of all levels of experience. From there, trail rides meander to pretty Kawela Bay, revealing ocean views most of the way; one part goes right on the beach. During the winter, giant waves and breaching humpback whales up the "wow" factor.

There’s a minimum age of 7 for trail rides, but the Pony Experience allows younger children to groom, feed and ride a pony or in a pony-drawn cart.

OFF-ROAD EXPLORATIONS

Twelve miles of trails through breathtaking wilderness beckon to nature lovers. Discover secluded beaches; palm, banyan and ironwood forests; historical attractions, including a World War II airstrip and bunkers; and wildlife (be on the lookout for sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals frolicking offshore).

One popular stop has been dubbed the Keiki Pool because it’s a safe playground for children. This natural pool was formed during a 1946 tsunami that pushed up two rock formations from the ocean, creating a protected enclosure that’s much calmer than the surrounding waters.

Take a guided hike or Segway tour or explore the trails on your own via foot, bike or moped. The Guide Post activity center in the lobby distributes free maps.

FLYING HIGH

Turtle Bay is the only resort on Oahu that has an on-site helipad. Paradise Helicopters’ 20-minute North Shore and Waterfall Adventure circles over Sunset Beach, the Banzai Pipeline and other top surfing spots; the 40-minute Best of Oahu adds Kane-ohe Bay, Sacred Falls and the Koolau mountains to the itinerary; and the 60-minute Oahu Experience soars over most of the island, spotlighting landmarks such as Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor.

For the two longer tours, guests have the option of booking the recently restored chopper from the 1980s TV series "Magnum, P.I." During the Oahu Experience, it traces the same low-level route along Waikiki that appeared in the opening scene of the show.

OCEAN THRILLS

Water sports are a big part of a Turtle Bay stay. On-site surfing lessons teach participants about ocean safety and etiquette, paddling and maneuvering techniques and how to stand up and ride waves. Even when winter brings big swells to the North Shore, there are spots near the resort with ideal conditions for beginners.

Those trying stand-up paddleboarding for the first time will find it provides a great workout with less stress on the back than surfing. SUP originated in Hawaii but has gained a worldwide following, as evidenced by the competitors from all over the globe who’ll be competing in the Stand Up World Series at Turtle Bay Oct. 10-12 (see sidebar).

Just a five-minute drive from the resort, kayakers can enjoy a guided tour of Kawela Bay in clear-bottom vessels that enable them to see fish, turtles and coral reefs just a few feet below the surface of the water. Daring participants will want to try kayak surfing and learn the newest water sport — stand-up kayaking.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.