Oahu Travel Guide: 15 Amazing Things To Do In Oahu, Hawaii

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Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by sydabroad

Looking to plan your trip to Oahu, Hawaii? Well, this Oahu travel guide has all you need to know before visiting.

Hawaii attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world year after year. The island’s beautiful beaches, endless activities, and warm weather year-round make Hawaii the perfect vacation spot. If you are trying to decide on which island to visit during your trip, here’s why I think Oahu is a must for everyone. 

Oahu truly does have it all. Pristine beaches, great hiking, waterfalls, water sports, history, and delicious food just to name a few. On Oahu, you have the bustling city of Honolulu and a more relaxed vibe outside of the city like the North Shore and the west side of the island. Oahu has something for everyone. 

In this post, I’ll share all you need to know before your trip including what to do, how to get around, where to stay, and more. 

Looking for more guides to Hawaii?

• Big Island Hawaii Travel Guide
• How to Spend One Week in Oahu & Maui
• The Perfect Road to Hana Itinerary
• The Best Things to Do in Hilo
• Kona to Hilo: How to Roadtrip the Big Island

Keep reading for the ultimate Oahu travel guide.

THE BASICS 

CURRENCY = USD

The currency in Hawaii is the US Dollar. Almost anywhere you visit will also accept card payments and you can find ATMs just about anywhere. 

LANGUAGE = ENGLISH

Hawaii is the only US state to have two official languages, those being English and Hawaiian. Although Hawaiian is still considered an official language in the state, you’ll find that everyone speaks English. The Hawaiian language is classified as a “critically endangered” language now that there are only a couple thousand native speakers. 

PHONE & INTERNET 

Cell service and wifi are pretty good throughout Oahu, especially in the Honolulu area. You might find weaker signals on more remote parts of the island but all and all just about everywhere has good cell service. And most restaurants, hotels, and cafes have reliable wifi. 

DAILY BUDGET 

Hawaii is not cheap. It’s one of the more expensive travel destinations. Expect to spend around $150 to $250 per day (excluding accommodation) depending on activities and transportation. It is possible to travel on more of a budget (about $70 – $100 per day) if you are eating at local markets and doing minimal costly activities.

TIPPING IN HAWAII 

Tipping in Hawaii, like the rest of the US, is expected when dining out at restaurants and during guided activities. A tip of 15% is standard. 

IS THE TAP WATER DRINKABLE? 

Yes, tap water is safe to drink in Oahu

BEST TIME TO VISIT HAWAII

According to the weather, the best time to visit Hawaii is any time from March through September. This is when the islands have the lowest rainfall and the highest temperatures. However, during the summer months, the islands will be crowded. I suggest going during the shoulder season which is before or at the beginning of March and the end of September. 

I visited Oahu in September and December. Both times I had a great experience. December is usually more crowded but this is the prime whale-watching season which is cool. So if whale watching is on your bucket list, visit during December. 

THINGS TO DO IN OAHU – OAHU TRAVEL GUIDE

1. AN AFTERNOON AT THE NORTH SHORE

I highly recommend spending a day on the North Shore of Oahu. There are so many amazing food trucks, beaches, and surf shops. It’s a nice way to get out of the craziness of downtown Honolulu. On the North Shore, you can watch surfers at the Banzai Pipeline, see sea turtles on the shore at Laniakea Beach, swim with sharks, and more! 

2. SEA TURTLE SNORKEL 

Swimming with sea turtles is a must in Hawaii! These animals are amazing and swimming with these creatures in their natural habitat is seriously incredible. Check out the tour I booked with Get Your Guide here. 

The snorkel adventure was two hours long and included snacks, drinks, and snorkel gear. We were taken out to a popular snorkel spot with so many turtles in the water! At one point I was looking down at seven sea turtles. This was an unforgettable experience

3. CAGE DIVE WITH SHARKS 

Okay, I was so freaking nervous to do this at first but I am so happy I did. If you want an adrenaline rush, swim with sharks on the North Shore of Oahu. 

They have different tours with a cage and without a cage. I of course did the cage tour because I would be too afraid to do the free snorkel. Lol. Once I got into the cage I was pretty relaxed. We swam with Galapagos sharks and they were pretty much just doing their own thing as we were in the cage watching them. It was quite a bucket list experience. 

4. VISIT PEARL HARBOR 

I have yet to visit Pearl Harbor but I have always wanted to go. Pearl Harbor is located on the West side of Oahu and there is no ticket required to visit the museums. The Pearl Harbor visitor center is open seven days a week from 7 am to 5 pm.

5. TAKE SURF LESSONS

You can find surf lessons all around the island. There are plenty of surf school options around Oahu, many are located on Waikiki Beach. Surfing in Hawaii is a bucket list thing to add to your Oahu travel guide! 

6. SEA TURTLES AT LANIAKEA BEACH 

You have to visit Laniakea Beach when you go to the North Shore. I didn’t know about this place beforehand and decided to stop as we drove by the beach because we saw so many people standing around and we were curious. 

The beach is famous for its sea turtles right on the shore! It’s a very rocky beach so not one to layout and swim at but there were so many turtles here. The turtles were laying out on the shore and there were so many swimming in the water. It was such a unique place to be! 10/10 recommend adding it to your Oahu travel guide. 

RELATED POST: 7 DAY ITINERARY TO OAHU & MAUI

7. HO’OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDENS

For the Jurassic Park vibes, head to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The park is free to enter and it’s stunning. The interior of Oahu is so green and lush. This botanical garden is the perfect spot to take in all of the views.  

8. KUALOA RANCH 

If you are a Jurassic Park fan you have got to visit Kualoa Ranch. This is where the Jurassic Park movies were filmed along with many others! 

If you are in the area I think it’s worth it to stop in, check out the gift shop, and see the grounds. You can do several activities here but in my opinion, the activities are an overpriced tourist trap. However, if there is an activity you are dying to do then do it!

If you are just stopping by to check out Kualoa Ranch all you need is about 30 minutes or so here. I recommend Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens over Kualoa Ranch because the views are better and it’s free to enter. I’m sure if you paid to go into Kualoa Ranch, it’s probably just as beautiful as the botanical gardens.

9. SPEND TIME AT THE BEACH

There are some beautiful beaches on the island of Oahu! My number one tip for the island is to stay away from Waikiki Beach. Trust me, it’s freaking packed with tourists and you will find much prettier beaches elsewhere. Here are some of my favorites.

Best beaches in Oahu

LANIKAI BEACH

Arguably the prettiest beach on the island, Lanikai Beach is seriously a dream. The water is crystal clear and the sand is bright white – you have to visit this beach if you are in Oahu. 

SUNSET BEACH 

Sunset Beach is a quiet beach on the North Shore of Oahu. It’s located right across from the original Sunrise Shack so I suggest picking up a smoothie bowl and taking it to Sunset Beach to enjoy!

MAKAPU’U BEACH

This is a tiny secluded beach on the east side of the island. You’ll have to hike down a bit to get to the beach but even if you don’t spend time at Makapuu beach the view from above is beautiful. 

WAIMEA BAY

Waimea Bay is located in Haleiwa on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s a pristine beach with turquoise water and is known for its massive waves in the winter months. It’s a great place to watch some of the world’s best surfers during the winter but in the summer the water is much calmer and is a great beach to swim at and enjoy the water. 

10. MAKAPU’U HIKE 

There are so many amazing hikes on the island of Oahu. Makapu’u lookout point is one of them! It’s an easy hike, it’s all paved, and the view at the top is great. Here are a few other hikes around the island to check out: 

• Pillbox Hike
• Diamond Head
• Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead

11. VISIT TANTALUS LOOKOUT

Tantalus Lookout is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the city of Honolulu along with the Ocean. The views are amazing and it’s a quick drive to the top. The road is pretty steep but our tiny rental car could do the drive, so you shouldn’t have a problem.  

12. MAKAPU’U BLOWHOLE 

Located right next to Makapu’u beach, is Makapu’u blowhole. If you are driving this side of the island it’s a cool spot to stop at and take in the views. Make sure to have your camera ready. 

13. THE GALLERY WAIKIKI

My friend and I stumbled upon this place one night out in Waikiki. It was so cool – it’s a bar, an art gallery, and a cafe all in one! The Gallery Waikiki had a fun atmosphere, good drinks, and a great DJ. It was such a unique spot to come across, definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something to do in Waikiki!

14. BYODO-IN TEMPLE

The Byodo-In Temple is a Buddhist temple in Oahu, Hawaii located in the Valley of the Temple Memorial Park. It’s such a beautiful, peaceful place to visit with black swans, koi fish, and peacocks. The lush landscape of Oahu is seriously incredible. General admission is $5. You only need 30 minutes to an hour here.

15. WAIKIKI CATAMARAN CRUISE

Okay, I highly suggest doing a catamaran cruise while you are in Hawaii. And there are a lot of different options in Oahu. I did a cruise that went out from Waikiki Beach and it was pretty wavy the entire time. I don’t know if it was the weather that evening or what, but it was kinda rough.

If you book a catamaran, I suggest taking a catamaran out from a bay or making sure the weather is great during the evening of your cruise. Everything else about this cruise was great though! We got to watch the beautiful sunset and enjoy unlimited drinks onboard. I have listed a few cruise options below. If you are visiting during the winter months, make sure to book a whale-watching cruise!

TRANSPORTATION IN OAHU 

You’ll want to rent a car in Oahu. Uber is also an option but there is just too much to explore on the island, having a car to go at your own pace is essential. 

HOW TO GET TO OAHU

Fly into Honolulu International Airport. If you are flying from island to island, you can find affordable flights on almost any day. I flew Southwest to and from Oahu and my internal flights were less than $30. 

OAHU TRAVEL GUIDE – WHERE TO STAY

I love Oahu because there are so many hotel/accommodation options. If you want to enjoy the nightlife and endless restaurant options I recommend staying in the Waikiki area. 

I know earlier in this guide I said to avoid the Waikiki area but I liked it as an area to stay at. It’s a great base for exploring the rest of Oahu. There are plenty of hotel options, shopping, and some great restaurants nearby. I enjoy staying in this area and then spending the day exploring other parts of the island.

I stayed at Prince Waikiki and Hotel Renew. Both were great. Prince Waikiki was more upscale and their pool is unreal. Hotel Renew was right near Waikiki Beach and more of a boutique stay in Honolulu.  

If you want a quieter place to stay in Oahu, I suggest looking for hotels and Airbnbs on the North Shore.

TIP: If you want to experience Oahu’s nightlife, I suggest staying in Honolulu. There are plenty of bars in the city, we went out to a couple of bars in Chinatown and it was a fun night.  

RELATED POST: MAUI – THE BEST STOPS ON THE ROAD TO HANA

FIND A PLACE TO STAY IN OAHU 

Booking.com

EAT + DRINK IN OAHU 

• Sunrise Shack: The best acai bowls and smoothies 
• Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck: the shrimp plates are SO good 
• 7/11: Get the spicy tuna hand rolls. SO GOOD
• Coffee Talk: Great coffee
• Hawaiian Aroma Cafe: A yummy breakfast spot  
• Paia Fish Market: Probably my fav restaurant in Oahu. Go for dinner and get the passion fruit margarita! 
• Arvo Cafe: Perfect breakfast spot
• Olay’s Thai-Lao Cuisine: Delicious Thai food 
• Marugame Udon: The udon is so good and this place is really affordable. The line is also SO long but worth the wait. The line went pretty fast for us.
• Buzz Steakhouse: Known for their strong mai tais. I also had a salad with steak and it was delicious!  

TIP: Hawaii is known for its macadamia nuts. Pick up some macadamia nut dark chocolate while you’re in Hawaii! It’s the perfect snack.

And that completes this Oahu travel guide! I hope this gave you some ideas for your trip to Hawaii. If you have any questions about Oahu, comment below, DM me on Instagram, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com.

RECOMMENDED TOURS IN OAHU

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