16 of Our Favorite Things to Do on Oʻahu

While growing up on Maui, it was always a treat to visit Oʻahu. Here, the energy is electric, from the crazy shorebreak at Sandy Beach and the bustling nightlife of Waikīkī to the trailblazing adventures of Kualoa Ranch.

Oʻahu is the third-largest Hawaiian Island. However, it’s also “the Gathering Place,” home to about 1 million people, or more than two-thirds of Hawaiʻi’s total population.

Since moving to Oʻahu, I’ve come to understand it’s not special just because of its towering buildings and busy streets. From ʻIolani Palace, once home to the Hawaiian monarchy, to Waikīkī’s legendary beach boys, the island is rich with Hawaiian history and culture. And far from the city streets, it’s home to natural wonders like Hanauma Bay and the Kāneʻohe Sandbar.

Today, community members and local businesses are preserving the island’s heritage while stringing a new legacy into its lei of stories.

With its picturesque beaches, diverse dining scene, museums and activities, it’s no wonder that Oʻahu is a top travel destination—there’s more to do here than on any other island.

Here are just 16 of our favorite things to do on Oʻahu.

1. Surf in Waikīkī

Waikīkī is considered the birthplace of modern surfing and legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku is credited with spreading the sport and its unique culture around the world. Today, Waikīkī is one of the most popular spots for learning to surf, with schools like Waikīkī Beach Services and Faith Surf School ready to help you catch your first wave.

2. Hike Lēʻahi

The trek to the top of Lēʻahi, also known as Diamond Head, is one of the most popular hikes on Oʻahu. The 0.8-mile hike is steep as it ascends from the crater floor to the summit. But once you reach the top, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views of Oʻahu’s south shore and Honolulu’s skyline.

Reservations are required for out-of-state visitors; they can be made here.

3. Enjoy Cocktails from House Without a Key at Sunset

Sipping a cocktail (preferably a mai tai) while enjoying a beautiful hula performance as the sun sinks below the Pacific is a quintessential experience in Hawaiʻi. And it’s hard to beat the setting at House Without a Key at the opulent Halekūlani. Every night guests enjoy live Hawaiian music and hula performances at the outdoor restaurant with views of Lēʻahi.

halekulani.com

4. Witness the Sun Ascend above Lanikai

Whether you’re sitting on the sand at Lanikai Beach or reaching the top of the Kaʻiwi Ridge Trail, witnessing the sun rise above Nā Mokulua is a beautiful way to start the day.

READ MORE: The Best Places to Catch the Sunrise on Oʻahu

5. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

The views of Hanauma Bay are simply breathtaking and when I finally went snorkeling there, I was completely captivated by the reef and all of its marine life. After all, Hanauma Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on Oʻahu.

The bay, once a favorite spot for paddlers and a fishing area for Hawaiian aliʻi, also holds historical and cultural significance. In 1967 the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was designated as Hawaiʻi’s first Marine Life Conservation District. Today, the county and state work together to preserve the place and to mitigate human impact. Reservations are required for out-of-state visitors; they can be made here.

READ MORE: 12 Tips for Spending the Day at Hanauma Bay

6. Tour ʻIolani Palace

Located in Downtown Honolulu, ʻIolani Palace is the only royal residence in the U.S. The palace, which was completed in 1882, was home to the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs: King Kalākaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani. After the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, it was used as the capitol building for the provisional government, the U.S. territory and later the state, until 1969. The palace was then restored and reopened as a museum in 1978.

Today, you can tour the palace and see how it implemented cutting-edge technology during its time. ʻIolani Palace featured flush toilets and intrahouse telephones upon its opening, and just a few years later, Hawaiʻi’s first electric light system.

iolanipalace.org

READ MORE: How the Legacy of Hawaiʻi’s Monarchy Lives On

7. Drive the Windward Coast

Taking a road trip on Oʻahu—or on any island for that matter—may not be the first activity that you think of while in Hawaiʻi. But it’s a great way to see the communities, businesses and sites in the area.

I was enamored the first time I drove up Oʻahu’s Windward Coast. The Koʻolau Mountains to my left and the turquoise ocean on my right took my breath away. And it still does.

To drive the entire coast, you’ll take Kalanianaʻole (U.S. Route 61) and Kamehameha Highway (U.S. Route 83). The roads mostly hug the coastline from Hanauma Bay to the North Shore. You’ll pass spots like Sandy Beach, Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse, Kahana Bay and Kualoa Beach Park, and through towns like Waimānalo, Kāneʻohe and Lāʻie. Be sure to pull over at Waiāhole Poi Factory for some of the best authentic Hawaiian food.

READ MORE: These Are 5 of Our Favorite Scenic Roads in Hawaiʻi

8. Visit the Byodo-In Temple

Nestled on Oʻahu’s Windward Side in the foothills of the Koʻolau Mountains is a surprising and striking structure: the serene Byodo-In Temple in Kāneʻohe’s Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. Built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaiʻi, the temple is a replica of the 950-year-old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the nondenominational temple is a peaceful place to reflect.

READ MORE: The Byodo-In Temple is a Hidden Gem Flanked by the Koʻolau Mountains

9. Ride UTVs at Kualoa Ranch

You’re in for an adrenaline rush when you ride UTVs through Kualoa Ranch’s rugged terrain and verdant forests. And the place doubles as a movie set: Hollywood blockbusters like “Jurassic Park,” “Pearl Harbor” and “50 First Dates” were filmed here.

10. Embark on a Boat Tour

From snorkel excursions and shark dives to sunset cruises, charter companies around the island offer unique opportunities to explore the ocean around Oʻahu. Whether you’re looking to swim with schools of fish and honu—or apex predators—or just want to enjoy a cocktail at sunset, embarking on a boat tour is a must-do while visiting Oʻahu.

11. Soak in Sunset from Sunset Beach

One of the best places to watch the sunset on Oʻahu’s North Shore is aptly named Sunset Beach. Famous for its world-class waves in the winter, the beach hosts competitions like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. In the summer, the water here is calm, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Year-round, it’s a spectacular place to end the day.

12. Venture to Historic Haleʻiwa

Haleʻiwa is Oʻahu’s historic surf hub and often considered the epicenter of the North Shore. You can easily spend a morning or afternoon exploring the charming town. Its colorful plantation-style buildings are filled with swim and surf shops, art galleries and local eateries. Be sure to stop at famous Matsumoto Shave Ice for a refreshing treat.

13. Indulge in Oʻahu’s Iconic Foods

Some of the Islands’ most well-known restaurants are on Oʻahu. From hearty plate lunches at Rainbow Drive-In and ultra fresh poke bowls at ʻOno Seafood, to Leonard’s Bakery malasadas, there’s plenty to choose from.

14. Stroll Through a Botanical Garden

People often forget that there’s much more to see and explore beyond Oʻahu’s beaches. The county features five botanical gardens, full of tropical flora and fauna. Opened in 1931, Foster Botanical Garden is the oldest, and offers a serene escape in Downtown Honolulu. On the Windward Side, the beautiful 400-acre Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is the most popular. My favorite is the quaint and quiet Wahiawā Botanical Garden.

15. Appreciate Art and Culture at Local Museums

You don’t have to be a history or art aficionado to appreciate the island’s museums. Oʻahu is home to an amazing array of them, all with impressive collections. At Bishop Museum, the largest museum in the state, you can see artifacts from early Polynesian settlers, while at the Honolulu Museum of Art you’ll find more than 50,000 pieces from across the world, some dating back 5,000 years.

READ MORE: 10 Hawaiʻi Museums to Visit on Your Next Trip to the Islands

16. Enjoy the Friday Night Fireworks

Watching fireworks light up the sky on Friday night is a tradition on Oʻahu. Every Friday since 1988—except for two years during the pandemic—the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī has lit up the sky with fireworks just after sunset. Locals and visitors can watch the show from the beach, restaurants and even the water.

READ MORE: The Best Places to Watch the Friday Firework Show in Waikīkī

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Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.