13 of the Best Things to do in Oahu, Hawaii: Ultimate Guide

Are you looking for all the best things to do in Oahu, Hawaii? This list will help you plan the trip of a lifetime!

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Hawaii is seriously one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited. If you are on the fence about planning a trip to any of the Hawaiian islands, don’t hesitate – there’s no way you’ll regret it!

The islands are absolutely breathtaking for so many reasons. The waters are crystal clear. The marine life is something I had never seen before. The people are so nice and laid back.

There’s just something about Hawaii that is slow laid back – you’ll be able to have the best relaxation of your life.

I’ll share some of my favorite things and favorite spots with you so that planning your vacation will be easy.

This post is all about the best things to do in Oahu, Hawaii!

Best Places to Snorkel With Sea Turtles in Oahu!

1.) Hang Out on Waikiki Beach

While I am always drawn to the less touristy places whenever I am traveling, I also do like to get started making sure I check the main attractions off the list – just to say I did it.

Waikiki Beach is definitely a hub for tourists, but it’s for good reason. It’s a beautiful beach (but let’s be honest which beach in Hawaii isn’t beautiful??), but it’s also a perfect location to stay because there are so many things within walking distance.

You’ll find tons of hotels that look over this beach with beautiful ocean views. You’ll also find yourself right next to tons of amazing shopping centers and restaurants.

So while yes, it is definitely a tourist spot, it is also well worth checking out.

This beach and the surrounding area will be perfect for any time you just want to relax or fill up some free time. One of the main things I would suggest going to this beach for is surfing lessons.

Look – I used to be athletic back in my day, but I am far from it now. Surfing is definitely quite the workout (and yes I was sore the next day!) but it’s still fun to say you gave surfing a shot in Hawaii.

All along Waikiki Beach, you will find places where you can rent surfboards and just do your own thing, but they will also offer lessons if you’d like to learn a bit before hitting the water.

And of course,e on the beach, you can just lay out on a towel or rent some lounge chairs. Either way, it’s a good place to carve out some time for – or to use as a good relaxing spot when you’re in between other activities.

Pro-tip: Sunset views are AMAZING!

2.) Take a Whale Watching Tour

I had never seen a whale before going to Hawaii. We happened to be there in mid-February which is right around the peak season for whale watching (although you still will probably be able to see them many other times of the year as well!).

If one of your goals is to see humpback whales, February and March are your best bet. Typical sightings can start as early as December though! So if you’re there in the off-season, still check cause you might still have a chance of getting a good tour.

When we went on our whale-watching tour in Hawaii it was amazing. The boat was pretty small and there had to be around 30 people or less I would guess. (I did another tour in Boston and the boat was massive and packed.)

There are several whale-watching tours to pick from – so I would highly suggest looking at a couple and seeing what best fits what you want.

The one I did was very early but they had an open bar, light snacks, and an amazing staff that kept coming around to ask what you needed or to give you some of their knowledge of the ocean, and it was on a small catamaran that allowed you to have amazing 360 views. They also offered that if you didn’t see a whale on your tour you could do another tour the next day free of cost!

3.) Go Snorkleing at Hanauma Bay

You can’t go to Hawaii and not snorkel!

Hawaii is known for its crystal-clear waters and amazing sea life. Anywhere you snorkel you’ll see vibrant fish, sea turtles, and who knows what else! I would strongly recommend making sure you snorkel AT LEAST once.

One of the best places to snorkel is definitely Hanauma Bay. This park has been greatly protected and preserved.

When you arrive you’ll have to watch a short video to educate yourself on how to protect the coral reefs and keep the area clean.

Once you enter the facility you will be absolutely amazed by how stunning the water is. I would make visiting this area one of your top priorities!

4.) Check Out a Luau!

Another staple item when visiting Hawaii is that you have to attend a luau!

We did our Luau at the beginning of our trip and I really felt like it helped set the tone and helped us to immerse ourselves in the Hawaiian culture. But I will say I’ve seen a lot of people suggest doing the Luau your last night.

I think they mostly suggest that because it can turn into quite the party – and they don’t want you to end up exhausted and not be able to take on the rest of your week in Hawaii – lol. So plan accordingly!

There are several different Luaus to choose from, some known as a more touristy attraction and some known as more authentic.

Once again, everyone is different so I highly recommend looking at a few and figuring out what would work best for you.

The Luau we went to (Paradise Cove) was absolutely phenomenal. It offered everything you could ever want in a Luau.

Paradise Cove also offers a couple of different packages at very price points. We opted for the deluxe package because we wanted to go all in since we didn’t know what would be the next time we could have such an experience.

The deluxe package is $240 a person (at least at the time of writing this) – but the perks it comes with are well worth it.

One of my favorite parts about choosing Paradise Cove for our Luau was the amazing views of the ocean. The area for the Luau is set on 12 acres right on the oceanfront. There’s a good reason Paradise Cove has won first place on Hawaii’s Best almost every year.

When you arrive you’ll be greeted with a lei and Mai Tai punch (all tickets include this all although the type of lei you get will depend on the ticket package you purchase).

From there you’ll have some time to partake in the various activities they have set as people arrive. There is an area to take welcome photos. There’s a cover where you can do canoe rides (the luau is right around sunset so there are all the most stunning views!). When I was there they even had a little photo area to take pictures with parrots!

They also have a little bit of time where they teach you a Hula Dance.

After everyone has entered you will get to witness the Imu Ceremony. They have an amphitheater set up where you will go watch the entire ritual. You’ll see beautiful performances and witness them putting the pig in the imu (an underground oven) to cook for the feast you will partake in later that night.

Then once it’s time to take your seat you’ll enjoy entertainment from their award-winning performers. The show is INCREDIBLE.

This part is where the deluxe package seemed well worth it. With this ticket you get table service, so you don’t have to go up to the bar yourself. You’ll also have the best seating. You’ll be able to pick a seat that is either right by the stage or in the “royal box.” We chose the front stage and the views were incredible.

All in all, if you visit Hawaii make sure you make a Luau a top priority. You will not regret it!

5.) Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor marks a memorial for one of the biggest moments in US history – and world history. What happened at Pearl Harbor had such an impact on the entire world, marking the United States’s entry into World World II.

Visiting Pearl Harbor was such an incredible experience. The amount of history and stories of heroes you’ll get to hear is beyond belief.

Pearl Harbor is the most visited spot in all of the Hawaiian Islands. When you get there, I highly recommend making sure you see the USS Arizona Memorial.

You’ll take a short boat ride out to the memorial, and be able to look over the edge at the sunken ship from 1941. Your guide is available to answer any questions you may have. It’s a wild feeling to be able to take in all the history right on the grounds of where it happened.

6.) Byodo-In Temple

Another unique experience in Oahu, Hawaii is the Byodo-In temple. It’s a very spiritual experience. The temple is located among the Ko’olau Mountains, creating the most beautiful backdrop when walking the grounds.

The temple is now a non-practicing Buddhist temple. There are many highlights to see:

Amida Buddha – This is a 9-foot sculpture that has a ton of Japanese history.

Bon Sho (Sacred Bell) – There is a massive bell, also with lots of Japanese history, that you are welcome to come up and ring.

Meditation Pavillion – A beautiful pavilion where you can take time to meditate and take in the beauty of the pavilion.

The ponds – there are beautiful ponds surrounding the temple. You’ll find a great assortment of fish and other wildlife that add to the serene experience.

Remember that this place is a place of worship – and welcomes all different types of faith. Do your best to treat it with the utmost respect.

7.) Take a Day Trip to Another Island

One of the coolest things about the Hawaiian Islands is how close together they are! When I visited, I stayed in Oahu, but we took one day to travel to the big island.

While the big island doesn’t have a ton of shopping and restaurant options – it has some of the most beautiful outdoor options. We really wanted to see waterfalls and volcanoes, so traveling for the day to the big island was a clear choice.

Each Hawaiian Island has its own personality so do you research on them all and maybe swing over to one for a day or two on your journey!

Flights are cheap and quick! So if you leave first thing in the morning you can easily get a full day of adventure on whatever island you choose and still be back in time to sleep in the hotel you have on Oahu!

8.) Take a Helicopter Tour

I had so many firsts while in Hawaii – and this was another one! We actually did our helicopter ride when we took our day trip over to the big island, but you can do one around Oahu as well!

Anytime you get a chance to take a helicopter ride of course it’ll be an amazing experience, but when you can do it in a place with such beautiful scenery… that’s even better! There’s just something about the ocean views mixed with the incredible terrain that makes the aerial view out of this world.

We opted to do it on the big island so that we could fly over the volcanoes and waterfalls, but I promise anywhere in Hawaii is going to have some amazing viewpoints from up in the air.

9.) Explore the North Shore

While I will admit I often hate having to get a rental car, getting one in Hawaii is well worth it. Most people stay around Waikiki – and I do recommend staying there just because there is so much in walking distance. But, the north shore has a totally different feel and it’s really just a short drive away.

When we went we rented a Bronco with a convertible top. We took a big portion of one of our days to cruise around and literally just pulled over whenever we found a beach we wanted to stop at. There were plenty of amazing stands to stop for coconuts as well 🙂

If you go in the winter there’s a good chance you’ll see some wild waves. We went in February and several parts of the north shore were blocked off to swimmers and surfers because of how high the waves were.

It’s so incredible to see waves like that so I highly recommend checking it out. If you go in the summer you’ll see calmer waves so if you’re a beginner in the world of surfing, snorkeling, or swimming that would be your best bet to hang out in the waters!

Always check the weather and water conditions before you do anything in the water or even on the shore just to make sure!

10.) Shop!

I was absolutely shocked at how amazing the shopping was in Oahu! There is a ton of amazing shopping right near Waikiki Beach.

Let me just say window shopping is so much fun, so even if you’re not willing to shell out a bit of money for a designer item, just know you’ll still have the best time checking out the shops they have to offer.

While I did make some purchases, the staff was incredible everywhere I went (even where I wasn’t buying!!) and made it a great experience.

But if you ARE wanting to spend a bit of money – or even better if you’re a little on the fence on whether you want to take a little splurge – I have good news for you. There’s a little thing called “Hawaii prices.” Not only are sales taxes lower than in a lot of places in the US, but several of the luxury brands have lower retail prices than if you bought the same item from somewhere on the mainland.

So if you’re on the fence and have been thinking about a certain designer piece… check out some places in Hawaii – you might be able to find a pretty good deal!

11.) Check Out Diamond Head

Diamond Head is probably one of the most recognizable spots on Oahu. It’s always a stunning view. If you’re feeling like getting a little workout, you can take a hike on the Diamond Head Summit Trail. It’s about a little over a mile and a half round trip. The views are totally worth the hike!

You’ll be able to check out the Diamond Head State Monument in the state park. There are tunnels, spiral staircases, and remnants from bunkers dating back to World War II. You

In the end, you can relax at Diamon Head Beach Park! Check out some of the food trucks while you’re there.

12.) The Bishop Museum

This museum has been around for over 130 years and has 25 million artifacts to explore all the surrounding history and culture of the Pacific. Check out their website because they have several different programs and exhibits that you may be able to check out during your trip to Oahu!

13.) Kualoa Ranch

You could spend your whole day experiencing all kinds of adventures at Kualoa Ranch! I would highly suggest checking out their website to figure out which package would be the best for you.

Some of the packages include getting to see “Jurassic Valley” where over 250 movies and television shows have been shot – including, you guessed it, Jurassic Park!

There are horseback riding tours, UTV tours, zip lines, tours of their amazing 1,000-year-old Hawaiian fishponds, and so much more. Depending on how much time you have to spend there you can plan your day around plenty of these activities!

I hope this post really helped you decide on what adventures to plan for your trip to Hawaii! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

You’ll be counting down the days until you can go back I promise!

13 of the Best Things to do in Oahu, Hawaii: Ultimate Guide