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There are so many things to do in Oahu! This island has some of the best hiking spots, beaches and adventures on the planet. We were lucky enough to spend an entire year on Oahu, which meant our weekends were filled with trying new activities. 

We’ve made a list of our favorite things to do and we noticed that many people really enjoy these activities! We aren’t a fan of tourist attractions, expensive or crowded places, so you will not find any of those things in our post.

Instead, our activities are focused on true gems, local experiences and are spread out over the entire island (to get the full Oahu experience). The best part is that everything on our list is under $100. Many of them are actually free, even better.

Article contents

Best things to do in:

1. Honolulu, Oahu (4)
2. East-Oahu (8)
3. Central Oahu and North shore (3)
4. West-Oahu (2)
5. South-Oahu (3)
6. In general (5)

Best things to do in Honolulu, Oahu

Explore the Kaka’ako neighborhood

This is the only neighborhood on our list of best things to do in Oahu! It’s a trendy, hip neighborhood that has beautiful murals and so much good food. Murals are such a great way to understand the issues and mood of a city.

In Kaka’ako, you can find murals of indigenous history, ocean conservation, surfing and famous Hawaiian social movements. The murals are big and colorful, and to explore all the murals is a fun way to explore Honolulu.

While you’re there, enjoy the trendy bars and shops that have popped up during the previous decade. Kaka’ako has some of the best chocolate, coffee and specialty shops anywhere in Honolulu. You will also find many events and festivals, such as lei day in May! We’ve seen a lei workshop (Lei’s are the flower garlands), street dance competitions and food expositions.

Experience the history of Oahu

There are some great museums around the island that teach about the cultural history of Hawaii. Everyone who visits Oahu will have heard of the infamous Pearl Harbor. It’s a touching experience to take the boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Pearl Harbor has more than just the USS Arizona Memorial though, there are plenty of exhibits that explain the WWII timeline and life on the home front. You can also spend time touring the USS Missouri and USS Bowfin!

Read our post on visiting the USS Arizona Memorial.

The lesser known museum, but one that cannot be missed is the Bishop Museum. The museum shows Polynesian history, including Hawaii’s history.

It will truly enrich your trip to the Hawaiian islands! One exhibit that we recommend is the modern sailing exhibits, which talks about Polynesian voyaging history. It brings to life the massive journey Polynesian ancestors accomplished! Don’t leave the island without visiting this museum.

Watch the sunset from Tantalus Point

The Tantalus lookout has one of the best sunset views on the island. You will look out over the entire city of Honolulu, as the setting sun colors the city orange and yellow. Endless views of Waikiki, Diamond Head and the Manoa Valley!

“This is a great spot to schedule at the end of your trip, so that you can spot all of the familiar places you’ve visited.”

Get here early though, because there is usually limited parking for the sunset views. If the parking is full, there are many more lookouts on the way to Tantalus lookout that you can visit.

Eat at the famous Helena’s Hawaiian Food

Helena’s Hawaiian food is a family owned restaurant that’s been going strong for decades. The modest restaurant is known across the island for it’s delicious short ribs, which you can see drying behind the kitchen.

“This is your best place for authentic Hawaiian food in the city.“

The restaurant is small with an aloha vibe that you can’t explain, you just have to experience it for yourself. Before ordering, ask for recommendations from the staff. You might find something interesting on the menu, as I did with the stripe stew… yum!

Best things to do in East-Oahu

Kayak to the twin islands, the Mokes

The Mokulua islands (aka the Mokes) are a treasure on the Windward side of Oahu! You will see them on the most iconic and popular beach on Oahu, Lanikai Beach.

“It’s one of the best kayaking adventures on Oahu”

Grab a kayak from a local company and launch from the world famous Lanikai beach. It will take you about 20 minutes to reach the island. When you’re there, you can lounge all day on the beach, surf some waves or explore the island. We saw two sleeping monk seals on our trip!

You can also kayak from Kailua Beach for a longer kayaking experience, which will take you about 40 minutes.

It’s also common to see honu (green sea turtles) swimming alongside you. The Mokulua Islands is a bird sanctuary that is home to unique Hawaiian birds.

Read our detailed and informative post about kayaking to the Mokes!

Hike the Moanalua Valley Trail

The world famous stairway to heaven is an illegal hike that tempts many people from around the world. Many decide to take a different route to the stairs, which takes you on the Moanalua valley trail.

To be completely honest, we liked the views of the Moanalua valley trail much better than the actual Haiku stairs. The mountains and ocean views are from another world, especially from the top of the mountain. You cannot beat this view.

A chocolate tasting at the Manoa Chocolate Factory

Who knew there was a whole world of chocolate that we were missing? The tasting at the Manoa Chocolate Factory changed our perspective on Hawaiian chocolate.

The tasting is free, but it’s pretty darn good for a free tasting. The employee guided us through all the subtle differences in the chocolates. And after the tour, we’ve decided there will be no more Hershey’s for us!

We are only sticking with the local Manoa Chocolate, which you can find around the island. Our recommendation is the breakfast bar to enjoy with your morning coffee.

A sunrise hike at the famous Lanikai Beach

Oahu’s most picturesque beach has the best sunrise views on the island. You will see the sun rise behind the two twin islands, the Mokulua Islands.

Get up early to get your parking spot (extremely limited in the Lanikai neighborhood!). It’s a short hike to the top, where you will find pillboxes. You immediately have an amazing view of the rising sun between the two islands.

You really can’t take a bad picture here! Just point your camera and shoot! It truly is one of the best things to do on Oahu and therefore a must-do.

Experience dinner at Haleiwa Joe’s in Kaneohe

Who doesn’t want to have dinner on a tropical island? One of our favorite dinner spots is at Haleiwa Joe’s in Kaneohe.

It’s a perfect setting for a family dinner or a romantic getaway. An amphitheater carved in the Ko’olau Mountain Range is the backdrop for your dinner! The setting sun will provide an orange glow that stretches across the mountain. It’s an amazing experience on Oahu!

Make sure to get to the restaurant early, because they don’t take reservations for small parties. We have seen them open the doors up to 30 minutes early.

Another tip is to request a seat near the balcony, so that you can look our over the mountain (this is non-negotiable). Everything on the menu is delicious, but they’re known for the massive prime rib. Enjoy!

Get your zen on at the Byodo-In Temple

Find some peace at this Japanese temple surrounded by the Ko’olau Mountain range (the prettiest mountain range on the island, in our opinion).

This temple is located in Kaneohe at the Valley of the Temples. The temple is a replica of a 950 year old temple in Uji, Japan.

You can admire the Amida Buddha, the Koi fish pond and ring the Bon-sho (bell). This is a perfect side adventure to your trip to the windward side of Oahu.

Eat the best ice cream you ever had at the Waiahole Poi Factory

Okay, the Waiahole Poi Factory is one of our favorite Hawaiian restaurants on the island. It’s a simple shack on the side of the road on the Windward coast. Aren’t all the best food spots in shacks?

They have some of the best LauLau on the island, a signature Polynesian dish. But we go there for the Sweet Lady, a coconut haupia ice cream with warm kulolo.

They take pride in the Hawaiian dishes here and we can’t recommend it enough! For the best experience, pick up your food at the poi factory and drive to the Kualoa Beach Park. You can enjoy the dishes while looking out at Chinaman’s Hat.

Go to the sandbar in Kaneohe Bay

Wow, do not miss this on your trip to Oahu. It’s the definition of paradise. You can reach the sandbar by boat or kayak. We prefer the latter and it takes about 45 minutes of paddling.

The sandbar in the bay is magnified by the landscapes around it, which includes the Ko’olau mountains, Mokoli’i (chinaman’s hat), and Coconut Island. Pictures don’t do this landscape justice.

This sandbar is the definition of paradise!

Some activities at the sandbar include snorkeling with Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), floating across the football sized sandbar or setting up your hammock to relax on your beach in the bay.

We recommend combining this with eating at Haleiwa Joe’s in Kaneohe for one of the best days on the island!

Best things to do in Central Oahu and North Shore

Get local coffee at the Greenworld Coffee Farm

You are on island time now, but the jet lag is real! Get some caffeine at Greenworld Coffee Farm to keep you going.

This is our favorite coffee spot on the island, because they grow their own coffee beans and are willing to explain to you the process. If you’re interested in the most famous coffee from Hawaii, this is also a great place to order 100% Kona Coffee.

Greenworld Coffee Farm coffee is wonderful, but they sell other options as well. Their lilikoi pastries are some of the best we’ve ever tried! It’s a perfect combination with your morning coffee. We normally stop here on our way to North Shore or the Dole Plantation.

Admire turtles at Laniakea Beach

You will see turtles rest on Laniakea beach throughout the day, which makes this a perfect beach to spot your first green sea turtle. You will see volunteers who tell you to keep your distance, they can also tell you things about the turtle (such as their name) and their lifestyle.

Do keep a safe distance from all animals you see on the island, such as monk seals, birds, fish and turtles. Sometimes you will see tourists who try to touch the animals or take selfies with them. This disturbs them greatly! They are just as beautiful when you admire them from a good distance.

Watch professional surfers on North shore

Waikiki is the birthplace of surfing and North Shore on Oahu is home to big wave surfing! If you visit during the winter months, you will see some of the best surfers in the world riding monstrous waves! This is an experience you can only get in a few places around the world, so take advantage of it if you can.

Watch the best surfing by walking or biking the 7 mile miracle on North Shore. Along the way, stop at famous spots such as Rocky Point, Banzai (Pipeline), and Waimea Bay. You won’t regret it!

Best things to do in West-Oahu

Explore the Mermaid Caves

This is a local gem on the Westside of Oahu! You will find the mermaid caves along the coast near Nanakuli beach park. As you’re walking, you’ll come across some large holes that lead to this underwater cave. It’s a bit of a drop to get into caves, but well worth it!

Try to time your visit for low tide and during calm waters. This destination can get a bit dangerous, so visit with some friends for safety. Make sure you are able to climb your way out of the caves, this is not as easy as it looks.

For a perfect day, combine this stop with a trip to the Pink Pillbox hike, Makua Beach or Ka’ena Point!

Visit the corner of the island at Ka’ena Point

Is this the best hike on the island? Probably. It’s filled with wildlife, black lava rock and epic views of the Hawaiian coastline.

What makes this hike so special? The deep blue ocean crashes into the black lava rock shoreline, which is just spectacular.

Follow the westside road until it literally ends and begin your hike past Yokohama Bay, towards the trail entrance. The end of the hike is a bird sanctuary, where you can find the Laysan Albatross and the Wedge-tailed Shearwater.

We also wrote a full guide on Kaena Point to prepare you for the hike!

Best things to do in South-Oahu

Snorkel Hawaii’s iconic Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is popular for a reason! It’s filled with unique ocean life that you can easily snorkel with. The waters in Hanauma Bay start out pretty shallow, so you don’t have to snorkel in deep waters.

You might see green sea turtles, eels, parrotfish and the state fish humuhumunukunukuapuaa (tongue twister)! We’ve snorkeled all over the island and Hanauma Bay had the most fish.

Hanauma Bay also has a beautiful beach, with very thin and high palm trees. Yes, it can get crowded and be a pain to get tickets, but it will be worth it. Check out the state website for information on tickets.

Climb to the top of Kuli’ou’ou Ridgeline

This is a relatively easy hike to the top of the mountain, with beautiful views of East Oahu.

The trail itself is magical, as you are walking through pine forests and wildflowers. Your reward for reaching the top of the Ko’olau Mountain Range is sweeping views of Waimanalo, Kailua and Kaneohe!

It’s also very easy to plan into your itinerary, as it’s simple to park and it won’t take you all day! Make sure to put this on your list for things to do in Oahu.

Enjoy China Walls

The first time we laid eyes on China Walls, we were amazed! The waters were so clear, that we could see straight to the bottom.

We jumped off the cliffs and snorkeled the deep blue ocean. But beware, the waters at China walls can be pretty scary.

If the waters are rough, you will see surfers and bodyboarders do their thing. If the water is calm and clear, it’s one of the most beautiful spots on the island. But still, it can be difficult to get back on the rocks. It’s slippery and there aren’t clear steps to step on.

Best things to do in Oahu (General)

Hike to a pillbox on the island

There are so many pillbox hikes around the island. The pillboxes were constructed during WWII by the US military. The pillboxes served as lookout stations for incoming Japanese attacks.

Now, they’ve become popular hiking trails and you will find them all around the island. Koko Crater is a great option for anyone looking for a workout, while the Pink Pillbox is the best for overall views and the Lanikai pillbox hike is great for sunrise.

Explore the beaches

I mean, this one might be obvious. But we recommend trying out a beach on all shores of Oahu (North, East, West and South). Try out Ala Moana in the city of Honolulu, Ka’iona beach on the Eastside, Makua Beach on the Westside and Kawela Bay on the North shore.

Remember that the time of year can determine which beach you visit. The Northshore and Westside beaches will have larger waves during the winter, while rough waters can be common during summer on Southshore.

We’ve lived on Oahu for one year and have visited a new beach every weekend. We wrote a detailed guide on the best beaches on Oahu, the beaches we kept coming back to.

Go jungle trekking to find a waterfall

Hiking to a waterfall in Hawaii is magical. The waterfalls are prettier during the rainy season (Oct-Apr), but they can be fun anytime of the year. Some of the hikes to put on your bucket list are Manoa falls, Lulumahu falls and Waimano Falls. For a real treat, drive on the H3 during a rainy day! You’ll witness many waterfalls pouring down the mountainside.

Eat at a local farmers market

The local farmers markets around the island are filled with local fruits and vegetables, some of which are handpicked from the mountains on Oahu. Go hungry and enjoy everything from fried mochi balls to local Kona Coffee.

Our two favorite farmers markets are the Kailua Farmers Market (Thursdays/Saturdays) and the KCC Farmers Market (Saturdays).

Experience the jungle nature at a Botanical Garden

Hawaii is home to many tropical plants from around the world. The best way to experience them is by visiting a botanical garden. We recommend trying out Waimea Valley, which has full facilities and a waterfall, or Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe. Both of them have amazing views and you can spend an half the day there.

We want to hear from you!

Do you have anything to add to this list? Or have you done some of the things in this post? Let us know in the comment section below.