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Oahu, Hawaii | Guide to The Best Activties
Photo by Max Takudo Nishio | Unsplash
In my humble opinion (me writer of this article), Hawaii is one the most beautiful places on our large and round planet. The people, the landscapes, the history, Hawaii is an awesome place that is possibly on your bucket list. What is there to do in Honolulu? What are the best activities in Oahu? This article will answer these questions.
Updated: 6/8/2026
Oahu's Regions
Hawaii is not really a single island with everything on, but rather a group of islands. There are 8 major islands and the most populous is Oahu where the capital, Honolulu lies. This article will focus only on Oahu and the activities found through the island.
You may read and hear of the “North Shore”, “Windward Coast”, etc… These are specific areas of Oahu, and you can see them on the illustration.
Do you need a car in Oahu? This question is answered in a different article which you can read by clicking here.
1. Waikiki
Waikiki is the most popular and well known neighborhood of Honolulu. It is where most tourists stay, and where plenty of activities and sights can be found. There is already plenty to do in Waikiki, although we highly encourage you to get around Honolulu (Waikiki does not necessarily reflect the entire identity of Hawaii).
The Best Beaches in Waikiki
Photo by AussieActive | Unsplash
If you visit Hawaii, there are great chances that you will be looking for beaches you can go to. What are the best beaches in Waikiki? Here is a list of beaches.
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Royal Hawaiian Beach – the most popular. We do not recommend it as it is pretty small, and often crowded. Not really the most relaxing experience.
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Fort DeRussy and Kahanamoku Beach – These two beaches are adjacent to each other and offer much more space than Waikiki Beach. Great spot to watch the fireworks.
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Queen’s Beach – Another very popular beach, this one is a very popular spot for surfers. Great spot, but can get crowded easily.
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Kaimana Beach – The southernmost of the beaches described here, Kaimana beach is a little bit more relaxed than the one we mentioned above. Nonetheless, it is fairly small, and being there early is recommended.
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Ala Moana Beach Park – One of our favorite spots. The Ala Moana Beach and Magic Island Lagoons are some of the most peaceful beaches. The big downside is their more remote location. Getting there requires some walking.
The Waikiki Surf Alley leads to Waikiki Beach. Photo by Russnoor Sihota | Unsplash
Sightseeing in Waikiki
As you get through Waikiki, you will be able to see plenty of great places. This include the very popular statue of Duke Kahanamoku, The Royal Hawaiian, the biggest mosaic in the world at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki
Shopping
There are several malls and stores to shop in Waikiki. These include the Ala Moana Center, International Market Place or Royal Hawaiian Center. This article goes more in depth in the shopping options around Honolulu.
Participate In a Tour or Activity
Many private companies offer tours for visits out of Honolulu, or activities like snorkeling lessons and more. You can check the tour offered by Get Your Guide.
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The Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki
Waikiki Friday Fireworks
Every Friday between 7:45 and 8pm, fireworks are held by the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. It can be seen from many places in the area. People often like to sit in the sand at Fort DeRussy Beach to enjoy the show.
2. Pu'Uloa (Pearl Harbor)
Waikiki aside, let’s talk about another major site in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor. The bay in the area known as Pu’Uloa in Hawaiian attracts many tourists in Honolulu. It features the free USS Arizona Memorial and three additional museums; Pacific Fleet Submarine, Battleship Missouri and the Aviation Museum. The tickets for each museum need to be bought separately.
Know Before You Go
There are many important things to know before you visit Pearl Harbor, but for the sake of time here is a simple summary.
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Do not cross the bridge! You would be entering the military base, and unless you have family (or are working) there, a friendly officer will ask you to turn around and go back. The correct entrance is located along the road.
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Bags are not accepted. But do not worry, a baggage keeping service is available next to the building. However, know that they charge.
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For the two museums located on Ford Island, you will need to take the free bus that makes a loop through the different sites. Know that pictures on board are prohibited.
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A pass called “Passport to Pearl Harbor” is available and include one visit of each museums over a period of two days.
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Overview:
Admission - Free (Museums not included)
Address - 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818
3. Honolulu Zoo
The Zoo is without doubt one of the best activities for families in Honolulu. The Zoo is not very large, but features a wide variety of animals. The zoo also has the advantage of being located in Waikiki, meaning it can easily be walked to. In addition to the regular admission, the Zoo of Honolulu offers evening tours featuring some unique insights into the backstages of the zoo. So if you would like to spend more time with our little (or big) friends, why not take a walk there?
The Zoo of Honolulu is AZA accreditated, meaning it respects high standards of care for animals.
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Overview:
Admission - $21 for Non-Residents Adults (13+)
Address - 151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
4. Waikiki Aquarium
If you’re like me (writer of this article) and don’t really like diving, but enjoy the sea life, know that you can do just that at the Waikiki Aquarium. The small aquarium features plenty of local species that you and your family will be able to admire through the rooms of the Hawaiian aquarium. Fun fact! The Waikiki Aquarium is the second oldest aquarium still operating in the United States. In addition, the aquarium holds some activities for people to discover the local animals. These are generally inexpensive and very nice for children (and older childrens)!
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Overview:
Admission - $12 for Adults
Address - 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
Photo by Chase O | Unsplash
Overview:
Admission - $5 per person (non-residents) + parking
Address - Diamond Head Tunnel, Honolulu, HI 96815
5. Le'ahi (Diamond Head)
It is difficult not to mention Diamond Head when talking about the best things to do in Oahu. The diamond head crater is a national natural landmark and a Hawaiian state park. Its trail to the top is a very popular attraction, offering one of the most stunning views over Honolulu.
How to access the diamond head crater trail?
The access to the park is located within the crater. To reach the entrance, you will need to drive the small road accessible from Diamond Head Rd. The road will get you to a tunnel which you will need to cross. The entrance gate is in it. Note that admission fees and parking fees are separate. Once entered, the trail is located on the left of the little shop.
Is the diamond head crater trail difficult?
The trail to the top of Diamond head can be difficult for untrained individuals. It is paved, but involves a constant incline. The path has handrails, but is narrow in some parts, meaning you might have to step aside when people come the opposite way. At the top, you will need to climb several stairs to the viewpoint. In our opinion, it is not a very difficult trail, but it can be cardio.
6. Hike to Manoa Falls
If you’re familiar with Hawaii, you might feel like many – if not too much – travel guides talk about Manoa Falls. It’s understandable, but Manoa Falls has so much to offer. The beautiful fall is accessible via a trail of easy to medium difficulty that takes hikers through the tropical jungle of Hawaii. Most of the difficulty of the trail comes from the humidity and the incline, and the viewpoint is sometimes a little bit too crowded. Nonetheless, you should definitely try to visit Manoa Falls at least once.
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Photo by Edmund Garman | Wikimedia Common Attribution 2.0
Overview:
Admission - $7 per vehicle (non-residents)
Address - Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822
7. Hike!
Are you looking for the best trails in Hawaii? Well, the island of Oahu has plenty to offer. We have already mentioned Diamond Head, Makapuu Point and Manoa Falls, but here are some more you may want to discover.
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Koko Head (Koko Crater Trail)
A difficult 1.6 mile roundtrip taking you to the top of Koko Head and offering stunning views over Hanauma Bay and the surroundings.
Likeke Falls Trailhead
An easy 0.9 miles trail taking you to the Likeke Falls. The trail to the falls involves little elevation gains and features some views on the surrounding mountains. Likeke Falls is a great trail for families and those seeking short hikes.
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Photo by Phil Whitehouse | Creative Commons 2.0
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail
A moderately difficult hike, 2.6miles long, taking you near the Makapuu Point Lighthouse. The trail is paved and involves some elevation gain. On a clear day, hikers might be able to see the island of Molokai!
8. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
If you are looking for a more natural and peaceful environment on the island of Oahu, you may surely like the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. The botanical garden is popular for its incredible scenery and wide variety of species. But because it is popular doesn’t mean you will be overwhelmed by other visitors. The botanical garden is vast and you should easily be able to enjoy some peace. Cherry on the top, the garden is only half an hour from Waikiki, and free.
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Photo by Daniel Ramirez | Creative Commons 2.0
Overview:
Admission - Free
Address - 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744
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Photo by Vitor Rosseto| Unsplash
Overview:
Admission - Free (Activities not included)
Address - 49-560 Kamehameha Highway
Kaneohe Hawaii, 96744
9. Kualoa Ranch
Far from the fast paced environment and tall concrete building of the city lies the more laid back area of the north shore and Windward coast. That’s in this environment of lush tropical forests and tall mountains that is located in Kualoa Ranch. The place is well known to tourists for offering plenty of activities (tours, ziplines, horseback riding, etc…) and also being the filming location of quite a bunch of movies. It was a great experience for our group when we visited, and we would definitely recommend it for both loners and families. Also, never forget to tip your guide!
10. Bishop Museum
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii and don’t know anything about Hawaii, please learn a little bit about the interesting history of the island. Here is a quick summary (forgive me, I am not a professor). Polynesian first came to Hawaii and arrived in Hawaii… From Big Island, they moved to other islands and all formed chiefdoms. King Kamehameha I unified all the islands under one kingdom, the Kingdom of Hawaii. Eventually, it was overthrown and the islands were absorbed by the United States. Do you want to know more? If you do, we highly encourage you to visit the Bishop Museum which focuses on both natural and cultural history.
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Photo by Daniel Ramirez | Creative Commons 2.0
Overview:
Admission - From $39
Address - 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu, HI 96817
11. Iolani Palace & Ali'Iolani Hale
Did you know that Hawaii was once a kingdom with a monarch? Well, whatever is your answer, know that Iolani Palace was for many years the residence of the royal family. The palace can be visited, and even if you don’t get in, you may like to at least see the building from outside. And you will not get there for nothing since not far away from it lies the Aliiolani Hale building, another administrative building of Hawaii. The building features a statue of King Kamehameha I. And if you want more in the area, you may want to take a look at the Aloha Tower nearby.
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Overview:
Admission - Varied
Address - 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813
12. Waimea Valley
After the beach, let’s now get into the rainforests of Hawaii. Waimea Valley is large parkland with paved walkway, falls (you can swim around) as well as a botanical garden and many historical structures of Hawaii. It’s a great destination to enjoy some beautiful scenery while not having to walk too much.
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Photo by Daniel Ramirez | Creative Commons 2.0
Overview:
Admission - From $26
Address - 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Explore Maui, Malokai and Lanai With Maverick Helicopter.
See Hawaii from the Sky
This is a bit outside of the activities mentioned here, but you may like to take a helicopter tour. We are happy to be affiliated with Maverick Helicopters who offer tours over the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. It may not be Oahu, but if you’re thinking about it, take a look.
