Oahu Botanical Garden and mountains on a rainy day, Hawaii

Things to do in  Oahu

Aloha state of mind

Most visitors to the Hawaiian Islands make a first stop on Oahu—and many soon find themselves making repeat visits. The island’s white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and verdant rainforest are an obvious attraction, but it’s worth sticking around to immerse yourself in heritage landmarks like the Polynesian Cultural Center. Some of the other best things to do in Oahu include diving into World War II history at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial; embarking on whale watching and North Shore shark diving tours; visiting the botanical gardens at Waimea Bay; and watching big-wave surfers take on the swells at the North Shore.

Top 15 attractions in Oahu

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

star-520,409
Made up of several historic sites and memorials, Pearl Harbor honors and educates the public about the Japanese attack on the United States on December 7, 1941 that propelled the country into World War II. It’s one of Hawaii’s most-visited attractions, and one of the country’s most significant WWII memorial sites.More

Mokolii Island

star-522,710
Located a short distance offshore of Kualoa Point, Mokolii Island is one of Oahu’s most famous landmarks. This small, cone-shaped island attracts adventurous visitors with its secluded coves, rugged hikes, and views of Oahu’s windward coast and the Koolau mountains; the same mountains featured in scenes of the movie Jurassic Park.More

Oahu North Shore

star-537,187
Surfing is king on Oahu’s North Shore, where summer’s placid snorkeling spots are transformed into pounding 40-foot (12-meter) waves come winter. On land you’ll find a peaceful respite from hectic Honolulu, with scenic waterfall hikes, sleepy farms selling tropical fruit, and food trucks doling out garlic shrimp.More

Halona Blowhole

star-546,608
Located near Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole is a natural wonder along the southeastern coast of Oahu. Formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago, waves forced through the underwater lava tubes cause water to shoot up to 30 feet (9 meters) in the air. The lookout also offers scenic views of nearby islands on a clear day.More

Diamond Head

star-539,562
Arguably Hawaii's most well-known sight, Diamond Head Crater is more than just a famous Waikiki backdrop but also an entire attraction unto itself, featuring one of Oahu's best hikes for a panoramic view. From atop the 760-foot (231-meter) summit, visitors can gaze out from Koko Crater to the Honolulu skyline and down on Waikiki Beach, where surfers, paddlers, sailboats, and canoes all splash through the tropical waters.More

Makapuu Lighthouse

star-527,119
Within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline on Oahu’s Windward Coast, the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail is a popular hike ending at the historical red-roofed Makapu’u Lighthouse, built in 1909. Though the lighthouse is not open to the public, the moderately challenging hike attracts travelers and locals alike for its stunning coastal views.More

Dole Plantation

star-547,553
What started out as a Wahiawa fruit stand in the middle of the pineapple fields in 1950 is now an extremely popular Hawaiian attraction. The sprawling Dole Plantation in central Oahu is a rural throwback to a time when the pineapple helped rule the island’s economy. Visitors can sample the sweet yellow fruit, take the famous Pineapple Express train tour and motor out through the fields, take a walk through a huge garden maze, learn how to find fresh pineapple when grocery shopping, and hear how pineapples are grown on plants—and not underground or on trees.More

Waikiki Beach

star-513,558
For decades, Waikiki Beach has been Oahu’s tourist mecca thanks to its palm-fringed white-sand beaches and high-rise luxury hotels that stretch from downtown Honolulu east toward the towering Diamond Head. Here all the spoils of Hawaiian beach life—from sunbathing and swimming to snorkeling and fruity-cocktail sipping—are within steps of world-class shopping and dining.More

Sandy Beach Park

star-522,052
When U.S. President Barack Obama shared that Sandy’s was his favorite Oahu beach early in his presidency, it went from a popular locals’ beach to just plain popular. This public stretch of white sand just north of the extinct Koko Head Crater is no languid oasis, however; it’s one of Oahu’s best—and most intense—spots for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. A fierce shore break best suited for experienced surfers sometimes wells into powerful barrels that can pummel riders trying to catch a wave.The spot is often coupled with a visit to the neighboring Halona Blowhole, a lookout point where waves regularly blow spray up through eroded crevices in the lava rock. And when the wind kicks up, it’s not uncommon to see families flying kites on the spacious lawn fronting the sand.More

Battleship Missouri Memorial

star-512,813
Nicknamed the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri—now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial—is the site where the Japanese signed the surrender documents that ended World War II, on September 2, 1945. The ship is now a museum and a memorial to the war’s conclusion.More

USS Arizona Memorial

star-4.521,270
This national memorial floats in Pearl Harbor above the final resting place of nearly all the sailors who perished during the World War II attack on the USS Arizona. The solemn, all-white memorial features a marble wall etched with the names of those who served onboard, and has openings to look down through the water onto the sunken battleship.More

Kualoa Ranch

star-53,246
Kualoa Ranch is a one-stop adventure playground and a highlight for many travelers to Oahu. Stretching from the verdant folds of the Koolau Mountains to the tropical sea, the 4,000-acre (1,619-hectare) working cattle ranch is one of the largest tracts of accessible nature on Oahu and offers visitors a huge variety of ways to interact with Hawaii’s stunning landscapes, from ATV rides and zipline adventures to film site tours.The property is divided into two areas: the northerly Kaaawa Valley with its many movie locations and Hakipuu Valley, fronted by an 800-year-old Hawaiian fishpond and the site’s Secret Island Beach.More

Hanauma Bay

star-529,166
Hanauma Bay State Park is a protected marine-life-preservation area with clear water ideal for snorkeling and a vast array of tropical fish and coral reefs surrounded by volcanic rock. Once used by the Hawaiian royal family for fishing, it is now one of Oahu’s top tourist destinations with about 1 million visitors each year.More

Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm

star-537,560
Located on the east coast of Oahu, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Honolulu, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts is set in the shadow of the mountains of the Koolau Range and is a stop on many circle-island tours. It’s a great place to enjoy a Hawaiian treat and shop for gifts and souvenirs.More

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

star-513,786
Better known as the Punchbowl Cemetery, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a United States Armed Forces cemetery located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery draws millions of visitors every year, who pay their respects to the men and women who served their country.More

Trip ideas

Must-Try Street Food on Oahu

Must-Try Street Food on Oahu

Top activities in Oahu

Paradise Cove Luau
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Paradise Cove Luau

star-4.5
3869
From
$150.00
Star Casual Sunset and Show Cruise

Star Casual Sunset and Show Cruise

star-4.5
1650
From
$141.00
Chief's Luau Admission

Chief's Luau Admission

star-4.5
2549
From
$140.00
All Inclusive Ultimate Circle Island Day Tour and Waimea Falls
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Oahu Shark Dive
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Oahu Shark Dive

star-5
2085
From
$94.25
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial

star-4.5
2627
From
$69.00
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Toa Luau at Waimea Valley
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Toa Luau at Waimea Valley

star-5
1877
From
$133.00
Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure

Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure

star-5
1890
From
$188.49
Waikiki Atlantis Submarine Adventure

Waikiki Atlantis Submarine Adventure

star-4.5
1028
From
$182.90
Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

star-4.5
709
From
$55.99
Kualoa Ranch: Hollywood Movie Sites Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

All about Oahu

When to visit

Oahu promises sun and warm temperatures all year long. But the best time to visit is outside of the peak winter and summer seasons, between mid-December and late January and from mid-June to August. Visiting during the spring (March to early June) or fall (September to early December) shoulder seasons will mean that attractions are less crowded and rates are lower, but the weather is still pleasant. Expect temps ranging from around 70°F (21°C) to 88°F (31°C).

Getting around

Oahu’s public transportation system, TheBus, is cheap and efficient, but getting around the island entirely by bus can be time-consuming. If you are planning to venture beyond Waikiki and Honolulu, you should rent a vehicle or book a guided tour. Within Waikiki, the trolley is a great way to get to the main attractions. You can purchase a ticket that gives you unlimited rides over a certain number of days.

Traveler tips

Oahu has a packed calendar of events and festivals throughout the year. Attending one of these festivities is among the best cultural things to do in Oahu. Some of the best annual events are the Honolulu Festival in March, which features art, music, and dance from across Hawaii and Asia; the Lei Day Celebration on May Day; the King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade in June; and the Aloha Festival of Hawaiian culture in September.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
HST (UTC -10)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
81
Tours
1,208
Reviews
176,384
EN
0bdfb647-6fc3-46b6-b4b2-910f369550c6
geo_hub

People Also Ask

What should you not miss on Oahu?

Most visitors head straight for Waikiki Beach, but once you’ve soaked up the scene there, you should visit the North Shore of Oahu for top-notch beaches and cliff jumping spots, and head to Lanikai on the slower paced west coast. Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is one of the best things to do in Oahu, as is hiking up Diamond Head Crater.

...More
What is there to do in Oahu besides the beach?

You can dive into the cultural history of the Hawaiian Islands by visiting the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace, which was home to the Hawaiian monarchy. Keen hikers can follow the trail at Koko Head Stairs, shoppers can visit the Ala Moana Center, and travelers of all stripes can embark on a 30 minute helicopter ride.

...More
Are Honolulu and Oahu the same?

No. While the words are sometimes used interchangeably, Honolulu is the name of the capital of, and largest city in, the US state of Hawaii. Honolulu is located on Oahu, which is one of the eight main islands of Hawaii—the others are Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Ni’ihau, and the Island of Hawaii (“Big Island”).

...More
What do locals do on Oahu?

A favorite thing to do is to grab some snacks from a local Foodland supermarket and spend a day with friends on the beach—though typically not on the crowded beaches such as Waikiki. On the first Friday of the month, the Honolulu Arts District and Chinatown host a street festival filled with art, music, and food and drink specials.

...More
Why is Oahu so popular?

Oahu holds a place in travelers’ imaginations because, for so long, it has been immortalized in travel brochures and movies. For better or worse, Oahu—with its beautiful beaches and swaying palm trees—is the embodiment of the tropical island paradise so many travelers are looking for.

...More
What is the prettiest part of Oahu?

Above the white sands of Lanikai Beach, Kaiwa Ridge, or the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, offers some of the best views on Oahu. From the top of the trail you can take in sweeping views of the Windward Coast, over its deep blue water and offshore islands, to Chinaman’s Hat and Waimanalo.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Oahu?
Q:
What are the top activities in Oahu?
Q:
What are the top things to do near Oahu?
A:
Check out things to do near Oahu:
Q:
What do I need to know before visiting Oahu?