Things to Do in Oahu

Oahu is Hawaii’s most developed island, as well as the center of its government and culture. 75% of Hawaii’s population resides here, so it’s the place to go if you want to explore a wide range of restaurants and a thriving nightlife scene. Most tourists in Oahu choose to stay in a hotel on Waikiki Beach, but there’s a lot more to the island than the chain hotels and crowded shores of Waikiki. Just a short distance away, you’ll also find stunning mountains, sparkling coral bays, and lush forests. Here are some of the most popular things to do in Oahu.

Climb Diamond Head

The path to the Diamond Head Crater is well-worn, and the hour-long trail to the top is worth the stunning, panoramic view of Honolulu that it provides. There are handrails on the 1.4-mile round-trip trail, as well as plenty of benches where you can take a break if necessary.

Visit the North Shore

Oahu’s North Shore is known as the surfing capital of the world and is about an hour’s drive away from Waikiki. Some highlights of visiting the North Shore include attending an authentic luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center, eating freshly-caught shrimp at Fumi’s Shrimp Truck, and watching surfers tackle the Banzai Pipeline, the world’s deadliest wave.

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is a crystal-clear ocean crater that is teeming with tropical fish, manta rays, turtles, octopus, crabs, and eels. This marine life conservation area is one of the best snorkeling spots in Oahu, particularly for novice snorkelers.

Explore Historic Downtown Honolulu

Honolulu’s historic downtown area is home to several sites of historical and cultural interest. Some attractions worth visiting during a self-guided tour through downtown Honolulu include Iolani Palace, a palace once that was once the home of Hawaiian royalty; the Aliiolani Hale, which once housed the government offices of the Hawaiian kingdom; and the Bishop Museum, which features the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts.

Honor Our Veterans at Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial

Visited by more than a million people on an annual basis, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial are top tourist destinations in Hawaii. The memorial commemorates those who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The memorial spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship.

Hike to Waterfalls

Oahu boasts several spectacular waterfall hikes. For example, the hike to Manoa Falls is easy and winds through bamboo forest and rainforest. At Waimea Falls, you can see professional cliff divers jump from 45 and 60 feet into the pool below. The volcanic soil that flows down from the mountains via the Waimea River gives the water a reddish tint due to the iron oxide it contains.

Go Shopping

Shopping is a popular pastime in Oahu, and the island offers everything from aloha shirts and beautiful local crafts to sophisticated designer goods. Major shopping venues in Oahu include the International Marketplace, an open-air market built around a 100 year old Banyan tree that sells a variety of trinkets and souvenirs; the Aloha Tower Marketplace, an oceanfront market bazaar; and the Ala Moana Shopping Center, one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the world that’s home to over 200 shops.