Heading to Oahu? Keep reading do discover the ultimate go-to guide for the top must-do’s!
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OAHU MUST DO’S: TOP ACTIVITIES YOU MUST DO
Known as “The Gathering Place,” Oahu is a popular destination for tourists of all kinds, myself included! This island is known for its beautiful beaches, surf spots, and historical significance. There is no shortage of fun activities to partake in, and there is truly something for everybody. Between the fresh & delicious food, natural beauty, and the wonderful people, I had the most amazing time here and hope you do too. 🫶🏽
OAHU MUST DO’S
SOAK UP THE SUN AT THE BEACHES
Let’s get the obvious out of the way – if you are visiting Hawaii you have to spend time at the beautiful beaches. There are so many to choose from, all of which are beautiful. Here are my top picks:
Lanikai Beach
Lanikai is known to be one of the most, if not the most beautiful beach on the island. Crystal clear water for snorkeling, Lanikai Pillbox hike nearby, and soft, white sand – it is the the pinnacle of beauty. Located in Kailua on the Windward East side of the island.
Ala Moana Beach Park
This stunning beach park is located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, near the Ala Moana Mall. It is filled with lines of palm trees, plenty of picnic tables, food options, grassy areas, and beautiful views.
Halona Beach Cove
Also known as “Cockroach Cove,” Halona Beach Cove is located on the southeastern side of the island between the Halona Blowhole and Hanauma Bay. You might recognize this place from 50 First Dates or Pirates of the Caribbean!
Chuns Reef Beach
A beautiful North Shore beach known for its good surfing. This stunning beach is also a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and snorkeling as well.
Māʻili Beach Park
A less crowded beach with beautiful water, mountain views, and public restrooms?! Say less. Located on the west side of the island.
Nanakuli Beach (Kalaniana’ole Beach Park)
Also located on the west coast of Oahu, this sunny beach is the perfect place to lay out and soak up the rays.
Paradise Cove Beach
This small beach has shallow water, but gorgeous views! This is where our luau was located and the sunset was stunning.
Waikiki Beach
An extremely popular beach for good reason. It’s on the south shore of Oahu, famous for its white sands and view of Diamond Head.
Other Beach Reccommendations
Kailua Beach, Sunset Beach, Secret Beach, Ko Olina Beach, Ma Ili Beach, Makaha Beach, Laniakea Beach
TAKE A SURF LESSON
Learn how to surf? Check that off my bucketlist! This was such a fun activity, one that I highly recommend if you are even the slightest bit of interested in surfing. I went with the DFC Surf Academy, and shoutout to my wonderful instructor Jacob! There are many surfing academies on the North Shore and around the island with options to have private, semi-private, or group lessons. I loved doing this so much that I am hoping to go surfing again this summer and keep getting better at it.
Pro Tip: If you’re staying in Honolulu, take a surf lesson on the north shore in the morning, and stop by Dole Plantation on your drive back – it’s on the way!
VISIT THE FAMOUS KUALOA RANCH
*cue the Jurassic Park theme song*
Alright this is a must-do activity if you are a Jurassic Park, Lost, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, or Kong fan. This famous ranch has many activities to choose from, and you’re able to customize your packages based on your interests. From ATV-ing, Hollywood Movie Site tours, ziplining, horseback riding, and more – this nature reserve is a must see (if you’re a tourist…). The views were so stunning and we also learned a lot about the ranch’s history, as well as agricultural and aquaculture practices.
We booked the Oahu: Kualoa Movie Sites, Jungle, and Buffet Tour Package (7 hours) which included: the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour, Jungle Expedition, and the Kualoa Grown Tour. It even included a delicious, free buffet lunch.
If you’re looking for adventure, I highly recommend the UTV or Zipline tours. If you’re interested in sustainable tourism, I would urge you to take the Grown Farm & Secret Island Tour.
HAVE AFTERNOON TEA ON THE BEACH
If you know me, you know how much I love high tea. The Veranda, located in the Moana Surfrider Hotel offers a delightful, oceanfront afternoon tea served from 11:30AM-2:30PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
GO TO A HAWAIIAN LUAU
Learning about the rich cultural traditions of the Hawaiian people is truly a special experience. We chose the Paradise Cove Lūʻau where we learned about Hawaiian history and Polynesian culture, ate traditional Hawaiian food, and watched so many amazing performances. I could not recommend this enough! We chose a night time slot which ran from about 5:00PM – 8:30 PM.
VISIT PEARL HARBOR
Located slightly west of Honolulu is the famous Pearl Harbor. I’ll be honest I didn’t know very much about the Pearl Harbor history or attacks until visiting the memorial & museum, but after going I felt very informed and educated on the historical context and significance.
GO THROUGH THE HO’OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN
Stroll or drive through the tranquil, tropical region of greenery. Entrance to the garden is free and while you can’t stop to take the iconic palm-tree lined photo anymore (there is a security guard standing by, along with multiple signs), there is still so much nature to appreciate and take in.
STOP AT THE BYODO-IN TEMPLE
Experience a little slice of Japan at the Byodo-In Temple, a non-denominational Buddhist temple located at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains. Entrance is $5 USD and we stopped here shortly after visiting the Kualoa Ranch. It really did feel like I was back in Japan!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
While we were only here for a week, here are some additional bucket list items that I recommend!
- Dole Plantation
- Snorkeling
- Diamond Head Trail
- Night time paddle on the North Shore
- Look for sea turtles
- Boat Cruise
- Cage Dive with Sharks
- Kaneohe Sandbar
ENJOY!
I hope you enjoy Oahu, and please remember to be a responsible tourist. Hawaii is a gorgeous place to visit, and it should stay that way! Before booking your trip, be mindful of the ongoing issues there and read up on how to travel in the most responsible way possible.
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