Top 10 Things To Do In Oahu
Hiking Manoa Falls Trail is a great start towards a dream vacation on Hawaii’s main island, Oahu.
You coupled a rainforest trail hike with viewing one of the best waterfalls on Oahu, two of the best things to do in Oahu!
Adventure tourists and hands-in-the-air roller coaster lovers can enjoy extreme parasailing and ziplining, or riding ATVs if you want to stay grounded, or riding submarine scooters, surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing if you love the water.
Seeking an adrenaline rush without the physical exertion? Maybe cage diving with sharks or an Atlantis submarine deep underwater dive tour are more your type of gigs.
Families with kids will enjoy Turtle Canyon snorkeling and Hawaiian luaus. For the romantic honeymooning couple, a sunset cruise with your loved one will make the vacation memorable.
Laid back tourist wanting to just enjoy what Oahu has to offer? A tour of Pearl Harbor or an island tour taking in the main scenic lookouts and attractions may be your cup of tea.
Foodies must try the local Hawaiian cuisine, heavily influenced by Asian and Polynesian flavors. Risk-averse foodies can join guided tours.
Read on to explore all these options on the below list of top things to do in Oahu, and some will offer memories that will last a lifetime!
Tried and tested: the top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Oahu experiences!
Top Things to Do in Oahu
Take a sunset cruise from Waikiki
Whether you are a romantic couple honeymooning in Hawaii or just an average tourist vacationing in the tropics, viewing sunsets are one of the best free things to do on Oahu!
Waikiki Beach, the tourist mecca, offers excellent vantage spots including Kuhio Beach, one of the central Waikiki Beaches, and the Magic Island Lagoon at the adjacent Ala Moana Beach Park.
Obviously, you are not the only one with that idea, and these vantage points can get really crowded!
And that’s why a sunset cruise is well worth the splurge – what’s dreamier than standing on the deck of a luxury catamaran, sipping a mai tai and watching the golden orb glide gracefully into the ocean waters to the tune of a spectacularly colorful sky?
And head back to harbor marveling at Honolulu’s dramatic skyline, all lit up, with the iconic Diamond Head looming darkly in the distant background, in the corner.
The Moana’s Sunset Cocktail Sail along Oahu’s Waikiki Coast is one of the most popular sunset cruises, with the first round of drinks complimentary.
The cruise starts from the Kewalo Basin Harbor (an easy walk or Uber ride from Waikiki Beach), and sails along the Waikiki coast towards Diamond Head and back.
>> Check pricing and availability on the 5-star rated, highly popular, Moana’s Sunset Cocktail Sail along Oahu’s Waikiki Coast now!
Moana’s cruise sold out? Here are some other excellent options, but make reservations early since these are all popular cruises.
Snorkel with turtles in Turtle Canyon
Hawaiian green sea turtles are an amazing conservation success story. Hunted nearly to extinction, they were placed under the protection of the endangered species act in 1978.
Now, you can spot many of these gigantic turtles (some weigh 400 pounds and more) resting on the sandy beaches of Hawaii.
On Oahu, Laniakea Beach, aptly nicknamed Turtle Beach, is where you can typically spot dozens of these gentle creatures, usually later in the afternoons, in summer.
While you can marvel at these giants on the beach, the real fun is to see them in their natural habitat, gracefully gliding majestically under the ocean surface.
And yes, you can! Turtle Canyon, about 2.5 miles off the coast of Waikiki Beach, is a “cleaning station” for turtles.
Turtles routinely frequent the area, seeking out the fish that live here to clean their shells of algae. Snorkeling at Turtle Canyon virtually guarantees sightings because the turtles are so abundant here.
While you cannot swim to Turtle Canyon, many snorkeling cruises stop here for visitors to get their fill of Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Though you need basic swimming abilities to enjoy snorkeling in the open ocean waters, most cruises offer flotation devices along with the snorkeling equipment.
One of the most highly rated cruises is the Turtle Canyons Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii, that starts from the Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, a short distance from Waikiki Beach.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Turtle Canyons Snorkel Excursion from Waikiki, Hawaii now!
Here are some other excellent options if the above is sold out (make reservations early since these are popular cruises):
Admire Hawaii’s underwater marine life without getting wet!
Don’t like getting wet, can’t swim or can’t snorkel for other reasons?
You have other options to admire Hawaii’s beautiful tropical fish and coral reefs, and some even take you to pristine underwater coral reefs that ordinary snorkelers can’t reach!
A cruise on a glass-bottomed boat allows you to view the underwater marine life, while staying dry on the deck. You may even spot humpback whales (in winter) and spinner dolphins breaking the surface of the ocean.
Underwater visibility will depend on the weather, and if the waves are rough, you may be disappointed, but you’ll still get to enjoy the cruise and the views of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and the Honolulu skyline.
The Waikiki Beach Glass Bottom Boat Cruise leaves from the Kewalo Basin Harbor near Ala Moana Beach, a few miles from Waikiki Beach.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Waikiki Beach Glass Bottom Boat Cruise now!
A more adventurous option is an Atlantis submarine ride that takes you into the depths of the ocean (about 100 feet below the surface).
You get to view fish you rarely see while snorkeling, like rays and octopuses, and even sunken ships and airplane wrecks.
Though more expensive than the glass bottom boat cruise option, the experience is remarkable and well worth it!
>> Check pricing and availability on the Waikiki Atlantis Submarine Adventure now!
Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau
One of the must things to do in Oahu, especially if this is your first visit to Hawaii, is to indulge in a luau – a traditional Hawaiian dinner feast accompanied by music, dance, and story telling.
While each luau will vary, the typical luau starts with a traditional lei greeting and may include interactive classes or cultural demonstrations.
The dinner feast may be seated with full service or buffet-style and will include succulent kalua pig steamed in an imu, an underground oven, lomi-lomi salmon and poi. Exotic tropical fruits and traditional Hawaiian desserts are usually included.
The show is often about the Polynesian voyage and Hawaiian culture told as a story accompanied by music on traditional instruments like the pahu drum and the ukulele and hula dancing.
The finale is often a fire-knife dance in which warriors perform daring feats wielding flaming knives, drawing twirling and spinning patterns of fire against a dramatic dark ocean background!
Many luaus are available on Oahu, the most highly rated ones being the Toa Luau at Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu and the Paradise Cove Luau near Ko Olina.
>> Check pricing and availability for the Toa Luau at Waimea Valley or the Paradise Cove Luau now!
In Waikiki, the Waikiki Luau Buffet with Rock-A-Hula Show Ticket and the Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott are highly rated.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Waikiki Luau Buffet with Rock-A-Hula Show Ticket or the Paina Waikiki Luau at Waikiki Beach Marriott now!
Thrill your teenage kids
Vacationing with teenage kids? If they are the thrill seeking type, you’ll find many options on Oahu to keep them happy.
The 8-Line Zipline Adventure on Oahu’s North Shore includes a short ATV ride to a mountain top, and a series of ziplines with panoramic views of the ocean, rainforest and mountains.
>> Check pricing and availability on the 8-Line Zipline Adventure on Oahu’s North Shore now!
The Honolulu Xtreme Parasail takes you upto 500 feet above the ocean waters off Waikiki to fabulous views of the coast, the Honolulu skyline and the Diamond Head.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Honolulu Xtreme Parasail now!
Part of Oahu’s Coral Crater Adventure Park, the Adventure Tower Experience is a fun obstacle course that includes an aerial element, climbing ropes, walls and ladders, and more – a chance for your kids to play ninja!
>> Check pricing and availability on the Adventure Tower Experience now!
The Kualoa Ranch is a stunning valley on Oahu’s lush windward side, the setting for many Jurassic Park movie scenes.
The Kualoa Ranch UTV Raptor Tour is a family ride through rugged trails over streams and hills.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Kualoa Ranch UTV Raptor Tour now!
The ATV Off Road Adventure, part of the Coral Crater Adventure Park, is for more adventurous teens and young adults. You have your own private ATV that you use to zip through a specially designed adventure course.
>> Check pricing and availability on the ATV Off Road Adventure now!
Taste local Hawaiian food
Foodie wanting to go off the beaten track and try local Hawaiian food?
While some have iron-clad stomachs that can handle street food anywhere in the world, others are much more risk averse and prefer a local guide who can take them to reputable vendors and advise them on what to taste and sample.
The Hawaii Food Tour – Off The Beaten Path is a small group walking tour where a local guide will take you to fresh markets, fruit vendors, exotic eateries and fusion restaurants.
Make sure you start on an empty stomach, you’ll get a whole ton of food to eat on the tour!
>> Check pricing and availability on the Hawaii Food Tour – Off The Beaten Path now!
An alternative food tour that covers more ground by biking is the Hawaiian Food Tour by Bike in Oahu.
The guide will take you to local restaurants, bars and cafes for samples of local favorites.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Hawaiian Food Tour by Bike in Oahu now!
Remember Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is one of the must see places on Oahu for history buffs.
Franklin Roosevelt’s characterization of Sunday, December 7, 1941, as a “date which will live in infamy,” truly reflects the tragedy perpetrated by the Japanese with their unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor.
More than 20 American ships and 350 aircrafts were destroyed, and more than 2,400 Americans were killed, and the Pearl Harbor attack triggered America’s entry into World War II.
Both the start and end of America’s involvement in World War II are captured at the Pearl Harbor: a stunning pure-white memorial built over the USS Arizona that was sunk during the December 7, 1941 attack, and the Battleship Missouri on which Japan surrendered, finally ending the world war.
If you want to see both of these, pick the longer Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri tour, else the popular and shorter Salute to Pearl Harbor Including USS Arizona tour may suffice.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship tour now!
>> Check pricing and availability on the Salute to Pearl Harbor Including USS Arizona now!
Cover the island with a tour
Oahu, though a small island, has many things to do on the north shore and the east coast, must see places that you shouldn’t miss!
With limited vacation time, a guided island tour may be exactly what you need. These tours are structured and take you through the highlights, the main Oahu attractions!
While you have many choices, here are the most highly rated tours.
The Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa 9 Hour Tour is the most popular, includes pickup and dropoff from main Waikiki locations, and covers Halona Blowhole, Nu’uanu Pali, Byodo-In Temple, tropical farms, Haleiwa and the Dole Plantation.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa 9 Hour Tour now!
The North Shore Circle Island Adventure Including Snorkeling with the Turtles includes a stop at a north shore beach for some snorkeling (gear provided) while covering the main island highlights including Diamond Head State Monument, Halona Blowhole, tropical farms, Sunset Beach and the Dole Plantation.
>> Check pricing and availability on the North Shore Circle Island Adventure Including Snorkeling with the Turtles now!
The Tour of North Shore & Waimea Waterfall includes a stopover at Waimea Valley (admission included – check days when the valley is closed) and covers Diamond Head State Monument, Halona Blowhole, tropical farms, Nu’uanu Pali and Dole Plantation.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Tour of North Shore & Waimea Waterfall now!
The very popular Oahu Circle Island – North Shore Snorkeling Tour (Dole & Temple) is a full day (about 10 hours) tour that offers pickup from Waikiki hotels.
Among the highlights covered include the Diamond Head State Monument, Halona Blowhole, Byodo-In Temple, the North Shore and Haleiwa, and tropical farms.
>> Check pricing and availability on the Oahu Circle Island – North Shore Snorkeling Tour (Dole & Temple) now!
Create unique memories
Thrill seeking tourists will love what Oahu has to offer with ziplining, parasailing, surfing and more.
But to create unforgettable memories consider some of these unusual and unique things to do in Oahu!
Ride a submarine scooter
Tired of snorkeling near the ocean surface? A submarine scooter, a self-propelled electric underwater scooter, can take you deeper into the ocean to pristine coral reefs where beautiful tropical fish are abundant!
The wildly popular, 5-star rated Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure allows even non-swimmers to go underwater and explore!
A catamaran will take you towards Diamond Head Crater and Maunalua Bay where you can don the provided wetsuit top and snorkel gear and ride your own scooter underwater to view turtles, schools of tropical fish and more!
>> Check pricing and availability on the 5-star rated Oahu Submarine Scooter Adventure now!
Cage dive with sharks
Drop down into the ocean in a sturdy cage to view sharks up close!
Most shark viewing cruises start from the Haleiwa harbor on the North Shore of Oahu and take you to shark-infested waters in the open ocean.
This highly popular, 5-star rated Oahu Shark Dive offers a safety briefing, provides breathing masks, and lowers you in a protected cage underwater where sharks can come as close as a few feet!
Seeing these magnificent apex predators up close is on the bucket list for many Oahu visitors.
You are likely to see Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks and sandbar sharks that are about 5-15 feet long.
What’s more, the tour offers you a money-back guarantee if you don’t see sharks!
>> Check pricing and availability on the 5-star rated Oahu Shark Dive now!
Here are the options again.