27 Top Things to Do on Oahu
From the pristine shores of the North Shore beaches to the views from the summit of Diamond Head, Oahu offers a ton of experiences for every traveler and adventurer! Keep reading to discover our list of 27 Top Things to do in Oahu!
>>> Also going to Kauai? Check out our 42 Awesome Things to Do in Kauai!
*This page contains links to some recommended activities. We receive a small commission for each booking made at no additional cost to you.
27 Top Things to Do on Oahu
1. SWIM THE BLUE WATERS OF LANIKAI BEACH
If you are searching for the “bluest” water coupled with white sugary sand, then Lanikai Beach is the place to start! The waters here also tend to be calm and if you can earlybird it, the sunrises are spectacular! Lanikai Beach is located in the town of Kailua, which is also worth visiting.
>>>Directions to Lanikai Beach
>>>See All of Our Favorite Beaches on Oahu
2. SNORKEL AT HANAUMA BAY
Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular snorkeling sites on the island providing clear waters, beautiful coral formations, and lots of tropical fish to observe. It’s also also great for families with smaller children as the waters are very calm. No new visitors are allowed past 1:30 PM and the beach must be cleared by 3:15 PM. Also, the beach is closed on Monday and Tuesday to allow the reef to rest.
>>>See Our Favorite Snorkeling Spots on Oahu!
3. HIKE DIAMOND HEAD
Complete this fairly challenging hike to the summit of Diamond Head and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Waikiki and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. When you begin on the trail you’ll be greeted by lush vegetation. As you ascend, the trail gradually becomes steeper. Once at the top, the Pacific Ocean will stretch out before you, contrasting with the lush green mountains and the sprawling cityscape of Waikiki. The sight is nothing short of spectacular, making every step of the journey worthwhile!
4. VISIT PEARL HARBOR
Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, and marked the entry of the United States into World War 2 against Axis powers. The site, which is best known for the sunken USS Arizona where 1,177 U.S. sailors are still entombed, is a somber reminder of the sacrifices so many made that day and throughout the war.
5. TAKE A HELICOPTER TOUR
Soar above Oahu’s landscapes on this guided tour from above! There is no better way to see so much in such a concentrated period of time. An absolute must for photographers and those looking for views that couldn’t be had anywhere else!
>>>Book a Helicopter Tour Here!
6. WATCH THE SUNSET ON SUNSET BEACH
Located on the North Shore of Oahu, one could spend a whole day visiting various North Shore beaches, but you may want to cap off the day with a sunset on this particular beach!
7. SKYDIVE ON THE NORTH SHORE
This one is personal for me since it was in 2004 while living in Oahu that I received my skydiving certification. I have long since moved on from the sport, but there are few places more beautiful to experience freefall and a glorious flight under canopy than Oahu! You will be well taken care of by professionals with thousands of jumps under their belt and extensive training as you jump in tandem with them.
>>>Book a Tandem Skydive Here!
8. GO SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS
Oahu has a few dolphin experiences you can participate in, both in the wild and controlled environments. Read our guide to dolphin swimming tours below for more information!
>>>Book Dolphin Tours Here! (Highly Rated!)
>>> See Our Dolphin Swim Tour Guide
9. EXPERIENCE A SUNRISE HIKE ON THE LANIKAI PILLBOX TRAIL
Journey up to these World War II-era hilltop bunkers overlooking Lanikai Beach! It’s beautiful any time of day, but catching the sunrise will be breathtaking! The hike, also known as “Kaiwa Ridge Trail” is 1.6 miles out-and-back with 600 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead can be found on Kaelepulu Dr. next to the Mid-Pacific Country Club in Kailua.
>>>Directions to Lanikai Pillbox Trail
10. GO ON A SUNSET CRUISE
There are several boat tours and cruises in Oahu to choose from, including dinner cruises, private cruises, cocktail cruises, and BYOB cruises! We did a sunset dinner cruise in Kauai and it was incredibly relaxing!
>>>Select Your Sunset Cruise Here!
11. SCUBA DIVE (EVEN FOR THE FIRST TIME!)
Hawaii is one of the finest places in the world to scuba dive. Even if you are not certified, you can go on an introductory dive, where you will be in the hands of highly trained dive masters. Some introductory dives are done from a boat, and others from the shore. Choose whatever you feel most comfortable with. Jess even went on her first dive in Hawaii!
12. VISIT WAIMEA BEACH ON THE NORTH SHORE
Waimea Beach is one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world, and if you come here during the winter and early spring months you will likely see some top surfers in action. In the summer, the waves are much more calm and suitable for swimming and even some light snorkeling. Parking can be limited at the parking lot though, but there is a nearby Catholic Mission (look for the white tower) and for a few dollars, you can park there as long as there are no services taking place.
13. HIKE THE MAKAPU’U LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL
This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail is located near the town of Waimanalo. It’s a very easy hike on a paved trail for those in reasonable physical condition. The view along the coastline walk towards the lighthouse is one of the best you will see on Oahu!
>>>Directions to Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail
14. HIKE THE MANOA FALLS TRAIL
Hike through a lush rainforest to reach the enchanting Manoa Falls, a perfect spot for photos. Fans of Jurassic Park and LOST may want to pay a visit especially since the trail was used as a filming location. The hike is located in the Honolulu Watershed Rain Forest Preserve and is a little over 3 miles total to the waterfall and back. Overall, it can be considered an easy hike for those in decent physical condition.
>>>Directions to Manoa Falls Trail
15. GO ON A ZIPLINE TOUR
See Hawaii from a bird’s perspective soaring over the treetops! There are a few tours around Oahu on the North Shore, the South Shore in Kapolei, and East Shore in Kaneohe. Check out these below!
>>>Select Your Zipline Adventure Here!
16. VISIT FAMOUS FILM SITES AT KUALOA RANCH
Kualoa Ranch is located on Oahu’s eastern shore near the town of Waikane. There are a few excellent tours you can check such as Hollywood movie site tours (Jurassic Park, Fifty First Dates, and Magnum P.I.), Horseback riding, and an offroad ATV tour.
>>>Book a Tour at Kualoa Ranch!
17. KAYAK TO “CHINAMAN’S HAT”
Mololi’i Island (AKA “Chinaman’s Hat) draws its name from the distinct shape of Asian farming hats worn in the fields. The island is off the shore of Kualoa Regional Park which is also a fantastic place for a picnic! You can Kayak out to the island and climb to the top, although it can be rather sketchy, so come prepared if you do.
>>>Directions to Chinaman’s Hat
18. KAYAK TO THE MOKULUA ISLANDS OFF LANIKAI BEACH
The Mokulua Islands are located off the shore of Lanikai Beach in Kailua. I have very fond memories of kayaking out to the islands in the early 2000s when I resided on Oahu. You can rent a kayak in Kailua or reserve one with the link below. The only restriction is that the smaller island is off-limits since it is a protected bird habitat. Feel free to kayak around it though!
>>>Directions to Lanikai Beach
19. VISIT THE DOLE PINEAPPLE PLANTATION
The Pineapple used to dominate the economy of Oahu not too many decades ago. At the Dole Plantation, you can take a tour of the pineapple fields, run through the massive garden maze, and enjoy delicious food and snacks featuring pineapple! The plantation is located near the town of Wahiawa, about 7 miles from the North Shore.
>>>Book a Tour at the Dole Pineapple Plantation Here!
20. ENJOY A HAWAIIAN LUAU
Enjoy the festivities of a traditional Hawaiian luau with music, and hula performances, while enjoying an island-style feast with pork, seafood, fruit, and more!
21. GO STARGAZING AT KAENA POINT
Kaena Point is the westernmost point of the island that looks out over the vast Pacific Ocean. Given its direction, the minimal light pollution, and the vast ocean that lies beyond, the sky is incredibly dark at night! I know I have referenced my time as a resident on Oahu a couple of times already, but camping on the beach near Kaena Point was another highlight of my time living on the island! Trust me, the stars are truly amazing on a clear night!
22. HIKE AT KAENA POINT
While on Kaena Point, I might as well suggest the Kaena Point Trail. This trail is an out-and-back coastal trail totaling 6 miles. There is no shade so be sure to bring some water. There aren’t any serious elevation changes so as long as you can handle 6 miles, it is a fairly easy hike. Even if you decide to only hike part of the way the tranquility along the path will be worth it.
23. HIKE THE KA’AU CRATER HIKE
The Ka’au Crater hike is a bit more challenging than some of the other hikes included in this blog post, but many find the effort well worth it. The trail will take you past three waterfalls and measures a total of 5.2 miles in length with a total incline of 1,971 ft. Check out Jackson Groves’ coverage of this hike on his hiking-centric blog at journeyera.com.
24. EXPERIENCE PARASAILING IN WAIKIKI
Experience floating hundreds of feet above the ocean while grabbing some great island views around Waikiki!
25. TAKE A SURFING LESSON
Learn the basics of surfing under the care of a professional who will teach you how to paddle out to sea, stand up, balance, and ride the waves. There are multiple locations for surfing lessons around the island, but most are in Waikiki with some on the North Shore as well.
>>>Choose Your Surfing Lesson Here!
26. VISIT THE PALI LOOKOUT
The Pali Lookout is a beautiful lookout facing Kaneohe and the Windward side of the island, but it is also the location of one of the largest Hawaiian battles in 1795. It’s a short drive from Waikiki, Kailua, or Kanehoe, so if you are staying in any of those towns it’s definitely worth the trip! To get here, simply take route 61 (Pali Highway) and look for the signs that will veer you off the main highway.
>>>Directions to the Pali Lookout
27. EAT AT THE LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS ON THE NORTH SHORE
Hawaii’s food truck scene is one of the best I have ever experienced. There are food trucks located all around the island, but the North Shore is the prime spot where the smell of their delicious cooking attracts hungry surfers and beach bums after a long day in the sun.
The first grouping of food trucks can be found on Kamehameha Hwy in Haleiwa. The second grouping of trucks on the North Shore is located further east on Kamehameha Hwy just past Waimea Bay Beach.
WRAP UP
If you’re planning a trip to Oahu soon then we hope this list of activities on the island can give you some great ideas to build your itinerary around. There is much more to do, but between my time living on the island and our return as visitors, these were some of our favorites!
See More of Our Oahu Travel Guides!
Renting a Car in Hawaii: 9 Tips You Should Know
12 Best Beaches on Oahu
Ultimate Oahu Dolphin Swimming Guide
