Oahu, Hawaii is my favorite destination, hands down! My husband and I spent 7 days here on our honeymoon and we had the time of our lives! This island has so much to offer! Oahu is ideal for families or couples seeking a romantic getaway. We fell in love with the Hawaiian culture and breathtaking views.
We loved that Hawaii felt like you’d traveled to a foreign country, with the convenience of it being in the U.S.- no language barriers and no need for a passport! In this guide, I’ve included 8 must-to activities while in Oahu, Hawaii or Waikiki Beach.
Where is Oahu, Hawaii?
Oahu is a Hawaiian island that is home of the state capital, Honolulu, as well as the infamous Waikiki Beach. Oahu has the largest population and the best nightlife that Hawaii has to offer. To travel to Oahu, you must fly into Honolulu International Airport (HNL). We chose to travel to Oahu to not only relax, but to explore bars and nightclubs. Waikiki seemed like the best fit!
Top Things to do in Oahu, Hawaii
1. Trekk through Kualoa Ranch
If you don’t do anything else on this list, you must visit Kualoa Ranch! This incredible nature preserve is home of popular movies like Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, and Mighty Joe Young! The views are absolutely stunning from mountains, Pacific Ocean, and the Valley Floor.
We opted for the 1-Hour ATV tour. The tour was magical and is something we will never forget! All tour information is available here.
2. Set Sail on a Catamaran (Booze Cruise)
This was such a fun activity for us! We hopped on a big yellow catamaran and set sail! This sunset cruise was not only affordable, but a lot of fun! We danced to music while sipping Mai Tais and enjoying the magnificent sunset. We booked the Na Hoku II Catamaran.
3. Take a Hike at Diamond Head
Okay, this is typically not an activity I would enjoy, but I’m so happy we did this hike! Diamond Head Crater is a volcanic cone on and is the most popular Hawaii State Park. Diamond Head offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean that you can hike that takes you to the edge of the 300,000-year old crater.
4. Snorkel with Fish at Hanauma Bay
If you’ve ever wanted to snorkel with fish, this is the activity for you! Hanauma Bay is a nature preserve that is home to thousands of species of fish. You can rent snorkel equipment onsite.
5. Eat, Drink and Learn about Hawaiian Culture at a Luau
Attending a Hawaiian luau is a fascinating experience! Guests enjoy a huge spread of food, hula performers, and fire dancing all while enjoying Mai Tais! Throughout the show, you will learn about Polynesian culture and Hawaiian history. We attended the Paradise Cove Luau and were pleasantly surprised with how much fun it was!
6. Grab a Ocean-Front Dinner
Waikiki Beach is a very romantic destination. If you can, reserve one night for a beach-front dinner. We decided on Duke’s Restaurant! Great food paired with breathtaking views, who could ask for more? After dinner, head over to RumFire for delicious cocktails and music!
7. Relax at the Beach or your Hotel
There’s no doubt that while on vacation, you’ll need some time to relax! Waikiki Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so take some time to enjoy it! Oahu is also home to many other beaches including: Sunset Beach or Kailua Beach.
Make sure to also check out the amenities of your hotel. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort. This resort includes 20 restaurants, 90 shops, and 5 pools! Even if you are staying at an Airbnb, you can book a lounge chair or cabana at the hotels in Waikiki Beach.
8. Travel to the North Shore
Get out of tourist-filled Waikiki and hit the North Shore! Roughly a one-hour drive from Waikiki, the North Shore will make you feel like a local.
We decided to visit the North Shore Food Trucks, which included a huge variety of food options from seafood to Hawaiian BBQ. The fan-favorite seemed to Giovanni’s Food Truck, which is famous for their Shrimp Scampi and Lemon Butter Shrimp.
From there, we traveled to Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach), hoping to spot a few sea turtles. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any turtles, but we still enjoyed the beautiful beach. Driving to the North Shore gave us an opportunity to see the entire island of Oahu and all of its natural beauty. This is definitely something you should include in your itinerary!
What are some of your favorite activities to do in Oahu? Please comment and share! Happy Travels!
