20 Things to do on Oahu, Hawaii in 2024

Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Tori’s VA

Oahu is a hopping island full of outdoor adventure, delicious food and relaxing beaches. Whether you have 2 days or 10 days, I will help you plan the best trip and make the most of your time. That’s what I think is the most important thing when going on vacation, making the most of YOUR time. This looks so different for everyone. What is important is that you have done your research, know what your priorities are, and have several backup options.

A perfect vacation doesn’t mean that nothing goes wrong. That is life; things will go wrong! Or, you will be exhausted one day and not feel like walking across town to get lunch at the super popular spot you planned on going. Having a backup plan means you will still end up doing something awesome or eating delicious food instead of winging it and ruining your day. The perfect vacation also does not mean doing everything that Oahu has to offer. It means finding the things that are your cup of tea, what you would truly enjoy. This post, along with all of my other Oahu blog posts, will help you have the best trip ever.

Relax on a Sunset Cruise

My absolute favorite thing to do on Oahu is a Sunset Cruise. I beg you to add this to your itinerary and make this a priority! I decided to add this to our vacation because it seemed like something many people do, and thought it would be fun. What I did NOT expect was for it to literally be the best part of our time in Hawaii. We chose to do Mai Tai Catamaran’s “Sunset Mai Tai Sail” which ran from 5pm until about 6:30pm. It launched from Waikiki Beach, right in front of the Sheraton Waikiki, and rode along the coast and around Diamond Head.

The views are epic. The ride was $79 per adult ($40 per kid) and was worth Every. Single. Penny. The cost included an open bar of freshly made Mai Tai’s and a variety of beer, wine and seltzers. The Mai Tais were of course delicious and all you needed, but if you prefer something else they had a really nice selection. If that isn’t enough, the music will get you feeling alllll of the island vibes, and the people around you are fun to chat with and get to know! The staff is so much fun and are there to make sure you have an awesome time.

Now, I must be honest. We have seen “booze cruises” in the past that we are very glad we did not go on. Some of them can be very much of a club environment with a DJ and where people get a liiiiittle too wasted for our liking. All of the ones we saw on Oahu were nothing like this. They are definitely lively, and there is plenty to drink, but it is also relaxing and something that you could definitely bring your kids, parents or whoever on with you.

While our experience with the Mai Tai company was amazing and I highly recommend them, there are several other companies that offer the same thing! Last little note; they also offer cruise times in the morning, mid-day and night, so if that works better with your schedule or sounds like a better experience for you then that is an option as well!

Be Adventurous and Take Surf Lessons

Arguably the most cliche’ thing there is to do in Hawaii is surfing, but I don’t think many people realize that EVERYONE who travels to Hawaii can actually go surfing! I had zero experience surfing and am quite honestly not a huge ocean lover (Shhhh please don’t tell on me!) and this was such an incredible experience. I will surf every single time I visit Hawaii going forward.

I booked a 1 hour lesson through Ty Gurney Surf School and I added the photo package. I do a LOT of research on companies and activities before I book them, but honestly I could not narrow down the surf schools because they all seemed to have equally amazing reviews. I could not have gotten more lucky with that decision. First, the shop was located just about 2 blocks from our hotel (Sheraton Waikiki) which is right in the hub of Waikiki Beach. And then the instructor and photographer were friendly, down to earth and so patient.

I was pretty nervous going into it, because honestly I didn’t think I’d be able to ride a single wave in, but they made it so relaxed and somehow managed to make me look like a pro! You can do lessons longer than one hour, which definitely would have been fun, but I was exhausted after the hour so it was the perfect length, in my opinion. One last note, I would definitely recommend having a private instructor for you and/or your family. It IS worth the money if it is your first time surfing, you won’t regret the one-on-one attention.

Explore Real-life Movie Sets at Kualoa Ranch

Okay, so if you are thinking about going to Hawaii, I’m sure you’ve heard about Kualoa Ranch. Is it touristy? Absolutely. So should you do it anyways? Yes, yes yes!!!! I really feel like this place is for everyone. Movie lover? Nature lover? Taking kids? Thrill seeker? Want to relax? If any of these sound like you then you must go to Kualoa Ranch. Basically it is a huge piece of land on the North East side of the island that has epic scenery and many different tour options. The ranch is also known for being a prime movie and TV set location where they have filmed the Jurassic Park movies, 50 First Dates, Hawaii Five-0 and many many more.
The variety of tours that they offer means something for everyone.

We chose the 2 Hour ATV Raptor tour and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Each family gets their own raptor that seats up to 6 people, and you can take turns driving. Throughout the tour you “follow the leader” along dirt paths that wind all around the property. They actually let you go pretty fast despite it being one behind the other, but the dirt flies up like crazy so be sure to wear sunglasses to help shield some of it. Every so often you stop for a photo op, to learn the history of the property, movie facts or to see some of the props and movie sets!

Another great and more budget-friendly option is the Hollywood Movie Sites & Ranch Tour. This 90 minute tour takes you around the property by bus in a larger group where you can learn all about the movies that were filmed at Kualoa. This is definitely the more classic tour option and is much less expensive than most of the others.

There are many other tours to choose from including horseback riding, zip lining, electric mountain biking, boating and more! It can definitely be worth visiting without buying a tour if that doesn’t work for your budget. The entrance to the property is beautiful on its own, sitting just between the ocean and the jagged coast line. You can visit the gift shop or say hello to the farm animals. The China Man’s Hat (famous island formation off the coast) sits right there, and you can chill at the beach and park area right across the street from the entrance to Kualoa Ranch.

Go on Sunrise Hikes

Hikes should be an important part of any Hawaii vacation, but I urge you to do at least one sunrise hike specifically. And it is much less miserable than you think thanks to the time change. Most people from the mainland wake up really early, especially the first few days as your body adjusts, so you might as well use that early wake up call to catch the sunrise!

Plan enough time to drive to the hike, hike up and get in position before the sun starts to rise. My favorite tip for hiking is to use the “All Trails” app to help find trails, read reviews, see photos and find ones that are a good distance, incline and time length for you. The app also tracks where you are throughout the hike so it is almost impossible to get lost or go off trail.

Get your Blood Pumping on Koko Crater Tramway Trail

There are many hikes you can do on Oahu, and we chose the Koko Crater Tramway Trail. This is located on the east side of the island about 30 minutes from Waikiki. The hike is only 1.6 miles out and back, but is 885 feet of elevation gain. If you aren’t sure what that means, it’s basically like climbing straight up…kidding…but man it felt like it. The really cool part about this trail is that you are climbing along old railroad ties up the side of the mountain. The railroad was used many years ago by the military to get supplies up to the pillbox bunkers at the top.

You’ll have to catch your breath when you get to the top, just to have it taken away once you see the views. If you decide to follow my suggestion and go for sunrise, the parking lot will likely not be open yet. There is plenty of street parking in the neighborhood right outside the gate, but be courteous and don’t slam your car doors, people are sleeping! Make sure you don’t leave any valuables in the car just to be safe.

When we hiked, there were others on the trail but not many; we probably saw 10 groups on the way up. The hike only takes about 45 minutes to get to the top, even with several stops to catch your breath. It is HARD, especially if you have any trouble breathing, but completely do-able if you stop every few minutes to rest. For me, it was an awesome challenge and I was so proud when I made it to the top. Speaking of the top, the sunrise and views are incredible.

Hang out up top as long as you would like before you head down. By now there will be hoards of people climbing up, but they didn’t get to see the beautiful sunrise like you did! Another great sunrise option is the Kaiwa Ridge (Lanikai Pillbox) Trail where the sun rises out over the famous islands off the coast.

Climb Diamond Head

This crater is the most famous, as it sits right next to Waikiki Beach, and is the beautiful background of many of your photos. We were lucky enough to get a hotel room that looked right out at Diamond Head, and I would highly recommend you book a view like this too…It was jaw-dropping. Diamond Head is the most popular hike on the island with its close location to Waikiki, and fairly easy to walk paths. This out and back trail is only 1.8 miles, is 452 feet in elevation gain, takes about 1 hour and is rated “easy” on All Trails. Now, it is still definitely an uphill hike and only recommended for active people.

The views from the top are beautiful and have a great view of the city. It is, however, very heavily trafficked, being the most popular hike on the island and is said to have lines to get up to the top on the busiest days. Another thing to note, this is a state monument and they do charge an entrance fee of $5 per person (non-Hawaii residents ages 4+) AND a $10 parking fee. The last thing to note if you are planning on visiting Diamond Head is that they are only open from 6am until 6pm, with the last entrance allowed at 4pm. This usually means that catching sunrise and sunset are nearly impossible from the top.

Take in Beautiful Views at Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail

Another amazing hike option is the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail, which features the best views of the bright blue ocean, a pretty lighthouse on the coast and whales if you are visiting in the winter!

This hike is especially perfect for families or those who have a little less mobility, because it is a completely paved trail. This being said it is still 2.5 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain, which is still quite steep.

There are several great lookouts along the way, so even if you can’t make it up all the way, it is the perfect option to just do what you can handle. Many families do this hike because you can bring strollers! We loved the incredible sea views all along the way and were so glad we took the time to check this one out. Once you’re done, stop by Kona Brewing Company or one of the other restaurant options on the marina only 10 minutes away.

Eat Some Delicious Hawaiian Food

Now honestly, this could mean a lot of things to different people, but one thing is for sure, eating bad food on vacation is the WORST. To me, the food that Oahu is best known for includes Poke, Acai Bowls, Shave Ice and of course Leonard’s famous malasadas along with traditional Hawaiian food like Poi and Kalua Pig.

Whatever your interest, make sure to eat locally and do your research before just sitting down at a random restaurant in the tourist areas. Some of my favorite spots include The Sunrise Shack, Poke Bar and Doraku Sushi in Waikiki, and around the island we loved Koko Head Cafe and Kona Brewing Co. Be sure to check out my full guide of where to eat on Oahu.

Go Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

If you want to snorkel while on Oahu (and you definitely do, I promise) then the most famous place to go is Hanauma Bay. This nature preserve is located about 25 minutes from Waikiki and is famous for its coral and beautiful marine life. You can see huge varieties of fish and even spot a turtle if you’re lucky! There is a quick video you have to watch before you enter to learn about the reefs and how to safely swim in the bay. There is a lot of great information that you can learn about the ecosystem!

Then you will walk or ride the shuttle down to the beach where they have snorkel rentals, or you can certainly bring your own. We brought our own because we wanted to snorkel many times, and be able to hop in the water and snorkel whenever we wanted around the islands. A few things you MUST bring: towels, a blanket or another towel to sit on the beach, water shoes or flippers, and most importantly, a waterproof phone holder so you can take photos of the beautiful fish!!

It costs $25 per person to enter and $3 for parking and reservations are required. They go on sale at 7am Hawai‘i Standard Time 2 days in advance, and they sell out QUICKLY! Like, usually within 2-3 minutes. Set many reminders, make sure you have the right time for the time zone if you are still at home (We booked while on the flight and managed to get it in the first minute…SCORE!!)

Now, my honest review. I’m very glad we checked it out, it is definitely the most popular place to snorkel in all of Hawaii. It was beautiful and a lot of fun. There were tons of different types of fish and they were beautiful. However, we didn’t see a single turtle and we snorkeled for a few hours, which was definitely disappointing.

It was busy but not too crowded thanks to the limited capacity, you weren’t bumping into people as you swam and there was plenty of space to spread out on the beach. But, overall I was a little underwhelmed, especially for the price point. If you are interested in going, I would recommend you check it out at least once, but there are many other places around the island that are free to snorkel, you just have to bring your own snorkel gear.

Visit Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is likely the second most popular beach in Hawaii after Waikiki. If you haven’t heard of it, you probably have at least seen pictures. It’s the iconic beach with the twin islands right off the coast. It makes for the perfect tropical photo, proving you are indeed in Hawaii and not just the many beaches of boring old Florida. Just kidding, Florida is wonderful, it’s just not Hawaii, if you know what I mean.

This beach is located on the eastern coast of the island in a residential area. There is lots of street parking close by, however they often restrict the times you can park here to help reduce the traffic for the locals who live here. When we visited in 2021 you could not park there Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4pm, but it appears that the rule changes often. We arrived right at 4 and enjoyed some afternoon time at the beach. Just be sure to check the rules in advance, or take the bus there!

The beach itself was pretty quiet and felt extremely local. There were people with dogs, and no huge beach set-ups. Mostly just people walking and running along the water, and kids running around laughing. It made us feel like we lived on the island for a few sweet hours. All that to say, I highly recommend you visit this beach. Bring a towel and your camera, snap some insta-worthy pics and take a nap on the beach.

Experience a Traditional Luau

Okay we have to talk about luaus. It is definitely the most “classic” Hawaiian thing that you can do on the islands. I was beyond excited to go to a Luau and did a lot of digging to figure out which one I should go to. The most obvious thing that I found from my research was to definitely not do one at a hotel. (Many people do, and some people actually love them) What I learned was that they are usually very touristy and not super authentic.

I heard from a ton of people, including people who live on the island, that the best place for a Luau was the Polynesian Cultural Center. When you buy a ticket to the luau here, you get access to the entire massive property. This place is basically like a small amusement park, with a focus on educating people about the cultures of the Polynesian islands. It is an amazing mission and I think that education and learning about the culture of the place you are visiting is SO important. For that reason alone, I think this place is worth visiting. If you have kids with you, this is a full day experience for them to watch shows, experience hands-on activities and learn about Polynesia.

In the evening comes the luau, which is a grand experience consisting of a buffet dinner, show during dinner and an evening show after dinner. The best part? Everyone gets a fresh flower lei! I was thrilled when we got there and we got lei’d. (sorry, I had to make the joke) But seriously, I wanted a lei so bad but wasn’t interested in spending the money on it. I also was excited by the pineapple drinks we got served in a fresh pineapple!! I started off the night wow’d by the over-the-top details like this.

But then dinner time came and the buffet was not great. Nothing was necessarily bad, it was all just super bland and underwhelming. They had a large variety, plenty of options for everyone and any diet, but it just didn’t have much flavor and I was left unsatisfied. Even the dessert wasn’t good! How can you mess up dessert?! Lastly, they don’t serve alcohol, which to me wasn’t a big deal, we had plenty of opportunities to drink throughout the rest of the trip, and the 45 minute drive back to Waikiki is reason enough to not be drinking. But, I understand that might be important to some people.

The dinner show told a lot of history of the island of Hawaii and the princess who once ruled. It was great to learn about the culture, and watch the hula dancers, but I think it was geared too much for kids, and not for adults. I was a little bored. Last came the evening show, “Ha: Breath of Life” which was definitely more interesting and entertaining than the first. It was lots of hula dancers and fire breathers and depicted a family living on all of the different Polynesian islands, letting you see how some of the lifestyles are on each. It reminded me of a lot of Disney shows, which I would say is a compliment! They definitely invested a lot of time and work into the show and the performers were extremely talented.

Overall, I was not very impressed. I had much higher hopes for the food, and was just generally pretty bored. I will definitely come back with kids one day, but I would not recommend this for adults only. Next time, we will try a much more local and small luau to see if that has better food and a more exciting atmosphere!

If you are planning to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center for the luau, you should definitely buy tickets in advance. It appears they sell out at least a month in advance for some dates, so get them in advance to be safe. The tickets that include access to the luau start at $185 per person, which is fairly normal for a luau, but some can be less expensive. No matter what luau you select, you must book in advance! Some other Luau options that I have heard are good include: Paradise Cove Luau and Toa Luau.

Learn About Our History at Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Located on the southern central side of the island near the airport is this super special historical memorial. Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the site of the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Visiting this site does not require a reservation, but it is definitely recommended, especially so you don’t have to wait around until there is availability. It is completely free to enter, but will cost $1 per person if you reserve a spot in advance.

Make sure to check the website ahead of time, because they will occasionally close access to the USS Arizona due to weather and/or other reasons. We were super bummed because we had reservations while we were there, but the docks had been damaged and they shut down access just a few days before our visit. You can also see the Battleship Missouri while you are in the area, but this does require a separate ticket and is not free.

Wander through Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

Photographers and Instagrammers, perk up now! Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is the place that you want to go for the most epic Hawaii foliage, mountains and florals! The 400 lush acres are located on the eastern side of the island, and a perfect stop on the way to Kualoa Ranch or the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is open from 9am until 4pm and is completely free to enter.

The most famous Insta-pic as far as I’m concerned, is located here, but they do monitor this famous road and don’t let people stop along the road for this photo. We unfortunately weren’t able to go during our trip, but I would highly recommend checking it out and see if you can manage to get this famous photo! If you are able to, send me a message with the details!!

Go Whale Watching

Of course, Hawaii is known for whale watching!! This is only going to be applicable for people visiting the islands from December 15 until May 15. We went to Hawaii in September, so were unfortunately not able to see any whales. But I will make sure we go during the winter next trip, because whales are top of my list!!

There are some great spots to view them from land including Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail, Hanauma Bay, or the Diamond Head area. But I also highly encourage you to take a whale watching tour by boat! These tickets can range from $40 to $200 for most tours and vary depending on length of time, size of the boat/group, and other various amenities.

Visit Oahu’s North Shore

If I haven’t given you enough reasons why you need to rent a car in Hawaii, visiting the North Shore is a must and you really need a car in order to visit. This area alone is worth visiting but there are also sooooo many cool places to visit, fun things to do and delicious food to eat.

With so much to tell you, I guess I will start with the town of Haleiwa. This little beach town is perched along the north shore, directly where the highway leads from Honolulu. It is a very easy drive to get there and only takes about 45 minutes from Waikiki. The town has some yummy little restaurants like Haleiwa Joe’s and Haleʻiwa Beach House or Kono’s for fabulous breakfast burritos. Then, check out North Shore Marketplace for a handful of cute shops and art galleries. I encourage you to buy a piece of art, even a small one to reminisce about your trip when you get home!

The most famous place to eat on the North Shore is Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, located in a little food truck park just as you are entering Haleiwa. You will likely be charged for parking, so you will need cash for that, but also Giovanni’s is cash only, so bring plenty! This little truck is insanely popular, and known for their garlic shrimp and rice. A plate will set you back $15 which I found about normal for Hawaii prices. Yet again, I was a little disappointed.

We took our plates to the beach and set up a little picnic in the sand on our own little cove, and it was a beautiful memory, but I had much higher hopes for the meal. The shrimps were definitely big and cooked pretty well, but the flavor was just okay. I think I just had extremely high expectations because I had read EVERYWHERE that it was amazing. Do I recommend you try it? Of course, it’s famous. And it is good, just not the best meal ever.

A few other things to check out – Bonzai pipeline, if you are interested in surfing, especially in the winter when the waves are huge you can catch some surfing competitions here. We did not go but make sure to do your research before you do. I have heard there are some back roads that you have to take where many people get their cars stuck, even in jeeps and trucks, so be careful!

Another stop is Waimea Falls, open 9am to 4pm and will cost you $20 per person to visit. I think it’s a little steep which is why we did not, however we met some people who had done it and they raved about it, saying how beautiful and fun it was. We were heading to Maui next where there are a billion waterfalls, so we decided to skip it this time, but next time it will certainly be on our list. Another thing that the North Shore is known for is the turtles who sunbathe on the beaches. Turtle Bay and Laniakea Beach are great spots for your best chances for turtle spotting!

Eat Dole Whip at Dole Plantation

Last up on the North Shore is The Dole Plantation, home of the famous Dole Whip…I mean a pineapple farm. Honestly, I only came here for the Dole whip. Did I have it for breakfast? Absolutely. Would I recommend that you come here just for the Dole Whip? Ten times over. Need I say more? I, along with millions of Disney fans alike, have a dangerous obsession with Dole Whip. I even make it at home on occasion.

The Dole Plantation is where the Dole company grows their beautiful golden pineapples, and they have a variety of activities to choose from while you are there. A train ride, maze, huge gift shop, and DOLE WHIP! Okay, I’m done, I promise. But seriously, go getcha some. This would be a super great spot to take kids, give them something other than beaches and pools for a little while, but the activities are not exactly great for adults. We walked around, learned a little about pineapples, ate our dessert and left. Definitely worth the trip, but not something you need to plan loads of time for.

Experience the energy of Waikiki Beach

The most touristy part of Hawaii is Waikiki Beach. It is indeed touristy for a reason, the views are beautiful, waves are great for surfing, and there is so much to do and food to eat. We stayed right in the heart of Waikiki at the Sheraton Waikiki, and I highly recommend it. Just look at the view from our balcony!!!

The beach is about 2 miles long and has hotels and restaurants located all along the sand. The beach itself is always packed, the water is warm and clear and there are hundreds of surfers sitting out on their boards from before the sun rises until after it sets.

Staying in the heart of Waikiki means walking to everything you will ever need, breakfast, lunch and dinner, surf lessons, boat rides, and of course, lots and lots of shopping. This area is great for all types of people, young couples, families, solo travelers, retired folks, and anyone else vacationing to the island.

Spend Some Time and Money at The International Marketplace

Located right on the main strip in Waikiki, the International Marketplace is a large outdoor mall featuring a great variety of some of the biggest chain stores along with some shops that are unique to the islands. You can definitely spend many hours (and dollars) here shopping, but there are also a variety of restaurants and market style food options.

The best part is the variety of events that are held in the center of the mall. They host the classic hula shows (and classes!!) along with concerts, artist appearances and more. In the center of it all, the 160-year-old Banyan Tree, creating a tree-house-like ambiance and just all around special feature that they built the marketplace around years ago.

Visit a Family Friendly Beach at Ko’olina

The other area of the island where many tourists stay is called Ko’olina. Located on the western side of the island, this area is typically much more expensive and laid back. There are not nearly as many places to stay, or things to do. However, it is definitely a wonderful option if you want a more relaxed atmosphere, and is awesome if you have young kids.

The Disney Aulani Resort is located here, so even if you don’t stay in this area, you might want to visit to check it out! The Ko’olina area is known for the lagoons, man-made areas where the ocean creates little pools. It makes the waves much safer for kids and the water even warmer! A great part of this area are the walking paths along the beach, perfect for family strolls and watching the sunset.

Experience More by Visiting Other Islands

Last recommendation for things to do on Oahu…is to leave Oahu!! This island is incredible and you can certainly spend your whole vacation here, but there are several other islands so close by that also have so much to share! It is typically incredibly cheap to fly to the other islands, on Hawaiian Airlines, usually as low as $40 or so. Check out my other Hawaii posts to learn more about things to do on other islands.

Well there you have it! Planning the perfect trip does not have to be overwhelming, pick the things from this list that are the most important and interesting for YOU and the people you are traveling with. Make sure to read the rest of my posts about Hawaii including where to eat on Oahu, what to bring, what to wear, and what to do on Maui and more!! Reach out to me directly if you have any additional questions, need help creating an itinerary, or have any other suggestions to add to this list!