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There is so much to do in Oahu that most tourists don’t know about. Places that offer a more authentic experience, but also, less crowds. Don’t we all love that? Get to know the cultures of Oahu and the people who live there better. Experience Oahu through their eyes and see why Hawaii is a special place. Nikki and I have lived in Oahu for 1 year, so we got to explore the local areas of Oahu. The places that residents mostly know and tourists might visit after their third or fourth trip. Oahu has many of these unique things to do and we’ve compiled a list to get you started exploring. So, what to do in Oahu? Here is 11 non-touristy things to do!

What to do in Oahu for culture

Find authentic souvenirs at Na Mea Hawaii

Na Mea Hawaii is a shop that showcases local artist’s paintings, authentic Hawaiian crafts and much more. We really enjoyed looking over the numerous books about Hawaiian history and culture.

You won’t find a selection like this outside of Hawaii. We picked up some hand sewn bags and soaps to take home to our families. You’ll soon notice that most hand-made products are natural and made with flowers and fruits from the island.

The best part of shopping here is that you’ll give back to small businesses and local artists. Most items are made in Hawaii and directly help the community. Go beyond coffee cups and coconut bras and take home some Ni’ihau leis, Hawaiian history books, handmade soaps and much more. We really enjoyed our time here and recommend it over the common ABC stores and swap meets!

Learn some history at Plantation Village

A guided tour of the plantation workers’ houses was an eye-opening experience. Hawaii has a long history of plantation workers from around the world, such as China, Japan and Puerto Rico. They came to the islands to work on farms and many stayed and built lives in Hawaii. This is why you see many different cultures in Oahu today.

Our favorite part of the tour was viewing the old houses where the workers used to live. The organization maintains it well and displays original household items, such as Chinese clothing or paintings. Everything you spend at the plantation goes to support the organization and further help their education programs.

There are many touristy tours you can do on Oahu, such as the Dole Plantation. We didn’t really enjoy that, since it was really crowded and had an amusement park feel. That’s why we recommend doing this tour instead. A perfect activity to do when you ask yourself… What to do in Oahu that’s not touristy?

Find peace at Mu-Ryang-Sa Korean Buddhist Temple

It’s free to enter and tucked away in a neighborhood in Honolulu. You’ll find temples on Oahu, but the Mu-Ryang-Sa temple will give you a different experience. This temple is the definition of tranquil and you will have this place all to yourself. It’s the largest Korean temple outside of Korea and focuses on sharing the teachings of Buddha. You don’t have to be Buddhist or Korean though to explore this temple.

When we visited, we were the only people there and got to explore it’s architecture alone. There are rooms, gardens and statues to explore. We especially enjoyed the garden of Ji Jang Bosal, which shows over a thousand little statues peaking over a ledge. Some other rooms not to miss is the Gate of the Heavenly Kings and the Great Hero Hall.

Mu-Ryang-Sa is a perfect place to spend time meditating and contemplating. You can arrive to meditate independently or take classes to learn about the practice. Check their website for new classes.

What to do in Oahu for adventure

Explore your own private island!

Any list on what to do in Oahu needs an island adventure! The two most popular islands on Oahu are Mokoli’i (Chinaman’s Hat) and Moku Nui (Mokes). They are amazing islands to explore, but both can get crowded anytime of the year.

If you want an island all to yourself, head up the windward coast to visit Goat Island (Moku’auia). This island is a bird sanctuary just off the coast of Malaekahana Bay. It’s an easy swim over to the island. Make sure to swim though, as walking can damage the reef (and your feet!).

The outer edges of the island are easily walkable, but the middle is for nesting seabirds. The best thing about this island is that you will have it all to yourself!

Nikki and I have only seen a few fisherman on the island, not a lot of people make it out there. But what if you get there, and you’re not sure if you want to make the swim over? No worries, you can just relax on the gorgeous beach instead of swimming over to Goat Island. While you’re relaxing on the sandy beach, you have the view of Goat Island and the birds flying above it.

Snorkel the clear waters of Sharks Cove

This snorkeling paradise is your best alternative to Hanauma Bay, which has recently been very difficult to get tickets for. You will see much of Oahu’s sea life here. Expect to see sea turtles, eels and the state fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. We know, it’s a mouthful!

The area is made-up of reef and volcanic rock, which means there will be an endless amount of tunnels and rock formations to explore underwater. Smaller tide pools make up the first few feet of Sharks Cove, but it gets deeper as you swim closer to the reef wall. Experienced scuba divers might enjoy swimming outside the reef wall to explore more tunnels and wildlife.

Make sure to get to Sharks Cove early to beat the crowds and find parking. There isn’t much of a beach at Sharks Cove, so expect to lay out on the grass. Not to worry though, as North Shore is filled with amazing beaches that you can enjoy after your snorkeling adventure. Sharks Cove is a must-do for snorkeling on the island.

Test yourself with the Olomana hike (3 Peaks)

Everyone is interested in hiking the Stairway to Heaven when they visit Oahu, until you find out it’s illegal to climb the stairs. A great alternative is the Olomana trail, also known as the Three Peaks hike. We have only hiked to the first peak, but that view is the most beautiful on the island (in our opinion, and the other hikers’ opinions that we spoke to on the trail!). You have a great view of the entire windward coast (Kaneohe Bay, Kailua, Waimanalo).

But why does this hike have the most beautiful view? Because you are just high enough to see everything, but not so high that everything beneath you looks extremely small (this is the case on the Stairway to Heaven hike). In other words, it’s the perfect height! Many adventurers take on the second and third peak, but then it becomes more dangerous. We aren’t ready to play with our lives (I don’t think we ever will be), so we play it safe and only hike to peak #1.

For more adventures, check out the best hikes on Oahu!

Find a secluded beach on the Westside

Okay, this one is a bit different. But the westside beaches are completely overlooked by many visitors. We think the most beautiful beaches on the island are on the westside. These include beaches like Yokohama Bay, Makua beach, and Makaha’a beach. They have a wide and huge sandy beach, so you can find your own private spot for the day. During the summer months the waters are calm, while the ocean gets rougher during the winter months. And…. the best part is that there are no crowds!  

The westside has gotten a bad reputation over the years for crime and homelessness. While we do see the homelessness problem on the westside, we have never had any issues ourselves. Always be smart and leave nothing visible in your car.

What to do in Oahu for relaxation

Spend an afternoon at the spitting caves  

This is one of our favorite places on the island. During our first visit, we saw a mother whale and her calf jumping and playing offshore. That view combined with the spraying water of spitting caves was surreal. We spent a few hours just taking in the moment on the rocks.

The volcanic coastline is large and again, with barely any people. So you can enjoy this spot in peace. Spitting caves is also a spot for some of the best pictures on the island. If you’re lucky, a rainbow will appear over the cave entrance, which makes for amazing photographs. We’d recommend bringing lunch and spending a few hours on this beautiful volcanic coastline.

China walls is close to spitting caves, which is another one of our favorite places. We just can’t get enough of the dark volcanic rock and deep blue ocean views. The water is so clear and deep, turtles are swimming around and even monk seals! Wow, wow, wow, we cannot get enough of this place.

Enjoy a stroll in Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

This is a huge garden built by the US Army Corps of Engineers to protects against flooding. There are plants from all over the world, from countries such as Sri Lanka, Brazil and the Philippines. The best part about the park is that it’s free! You could spend days exploring the 400 acres of plants. Because of the size of this garden, you can have certain spots and hikes all to yourself.

The garden is in front of the majestic Ko’olau mountain range, which makes it extremely picturesque. For the best pictures, visit just before the sun sets behind the mountains. If you are really adventurous, you can take the hiking trails all the way to Likeke falls. We enjoy the garden for picnics and walking around the pond, which is filled with koi fish. This garden is a great alternative to Waimea Valley, which can be crowded and charges an entrance fee.

Enjoy a beach day at Ala Moana beach park

Waikiki beaches are beautiful, but extremely busy which can make it stressful to lay there for an entire week. Instead, try out Ala Moana beach park in Honolulu. It’s a perfect place for swimming, paddleboarding and relaxing. The beach is protected by a small reef, which means that you don’t really have to worry about sharks (even though Nikki stays worried)! Apart from the calm waters, the park has banyan trees and palms to relax under and many families spend the day barbecuing and chilling. This is one of our favorite beaches on the island. The vibe is amazing. Check it our for yourself.

Do you want to travel for free? Check out our beginners guide to travel hacking!

Enjoy a calm day of swimming at Magic Island 

Close to Ala Moana Beach Park is Magic Island. It’s a perfect alternative to the crowded and touristy Ko’olina lagoons, which is known for terrible parking! Magic Island is a calm lagoon with stunning views of Diamond Head. It is attached to a large green park with many picnic tables and facilities. The sea walls also make it a great place for swimming and snorkeling (even for children). The lagoon is close to Waikiki (about 2 miles), which means you can get there quite easily from any hotel if you are staying in the resort area.

Let yourself be heard!

Have you been to any of these spots? Let us know what your experience was, or even better, if you know more spots that are not so touristy. We can’t wait to hear from you!