Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii, the world’s longest island chain and a favorite playground for many.
Oahu, the third-largest and most populous of Hawaii’s seven islands, is the capital of Hawaii, which became the 50th U.S. state in 1959 after existing as a monarchy and later a U.S. territory.
The island’s major city, Honolulu, is world-famous for Waikiki Beach on the south shore of Oahu, a neighborhood as well as a 2-mile stretch of eight beaches with soft, white sand.
But, there is much more to Hawaii than beautiful beaches. Here’s the ultimate list of things to do in Oahu.
1. Go to a Luau
Can you imagine Hawaii without Polynesian food, dancing and flower wreaths around your neck? Of course, you can’t because it’s a trademark of Hawaii.
A Luau is a traditional Hawaiian celebration held to commemorate special occasions, such as birthdays and weddings. However, you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a wonderful evening on the beach with rhythmic music and dancers.
Some of the best of these events in Oahu are the Paradise Cove Luau and the Royal Hawaiian Luau. Alia Luau, which is held at the Polynesian Cultural Center, is also worth seeing.
2. Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial
On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese planes sank 12 ships in the surprise bombing attack of Pearl Harbor. Bombs killed more than 2,000 Americans. This tragedy marked the entry of the United States into World War II.
You can see the USS Bowfin Museum and learn more about the submarine used in the war. There is also the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the USS Battleship Missouri, the site of the surrender of Japan, which ended World War II.
The USS Arizona Memorial, which straddles the sunken hull of the battleship, is visited by approximately 2 million people annually, who wish to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers from the ship of the same name. These memorials make up the unique Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which you can visit for free.
3. Tour a Pineapple Plantation
When James Dole started selling pineapples at a roadside stall, he had no idea his business would become one of Hawaii’s symbols. Located on Oahu’s North Shore, Dole Plantation is a popular place where you can learn all about this delicious tropical fruit.
The Pineapple Express Train will take you on a guided tour of the property. As a part of the Plantation Garden Tour, you will learn more about the development of the plantation and pineapple cultivation.
Here’s a quiz question: Do you know where the world’s largest maze of pineapples is located? The answer is Oahu, Hawaii. The Great Pineapple Garden Maze was included in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008 as the largest labyrinth.
Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, and Polynesian Center from Waikiki
4. Visit Waikiki Beach
Since 1901, when the first hotel was built, Waikiki Beach has become the most-visited place on Oahu. Waikiki consists of eight smaller beaches and is known for its calm water and numerous hotels, shops, and nearby restaurants.
In Waikiki, you can see a statue of Duke Kahanamoku, who grew up here and was a champion swimmer and surfer who introduced Hawaii to the world as an excellent destination for surfers.
Other attractions worth visiting, which are a minute or two from the beach, include the Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo, located in Kapiolani Park.
5. Go on a Whale Watching Tour
From December to April, many whales come from Alaska’s cold water to the warm waters of Hawaii to breed during the winter months. This makes for the perfect opportunity to book a boat ride to see large humpback whales emerging from the water.
For the locals, this is the biggest attraction of the year. Ideal places for whale watching are on the southeast side of Oahu, near the coast.
Waikiki Deluxe Catamaran Whale Watch
6. Go Snorkeling or Diving
Hanauma Bay is where you can best experience Hawaii’s picturesque underwater world and see a wide variety of tropical fish and stunning corals.
Sharks Cove and Kahe Point are also great places for diving and snorkelling. You can rent a snorkel, mask and fins and embark on an exciting underwater adventure.
Oahu also has excellent locations for scuba diving. One of the best diving spots is Magic Island, on the south shore, where you can see green sea turtles and manta rays.
You’ll also find excellent scuba diving or fishing near the famous Makaha Beach on the leeward coast.
Read More: Best Places to Snorkel in Hawaii
7. Visit the Best Beaches on Oahu
Can you imagine yourself on a beach with fine white sand, looking at the calm turquoise ocean and a backdrop of mountains?
Lanikai, which means “Heavenly Ocean,” is located on the Windward coast of Oahu and is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you are looking for a nice place to relax, swim or snorkel, Lanikai Beach is a great choice.
Nearby, Kailua Beach boasts an almost constant water temperature throughout the year, making it a fantastic spot for water sports like surfing and kayaking.
On Oahu’s north shore, surfing reigns supreme. At Waimea Bay Beach Park, you can watch top surfers ride the high waves.
8. Take a Helicopter Tour
The best way to experience the beauty of the magnificent island of Oahu is from the air. A helicopter ride over Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head is an unforgettable experience worth every dollar.
The Oahu Helicopter Sunset Tour offers an extraordinary journey where the sky comes alive with color over the ocean. Book a romantic flight for moments that you will remember for the rest of your life.
9. Go Ziplining on Oahu
The excitement and adrenaline rush you feel during the zipline ride cannot be put into words. The island of Oahu features several great zip line locations. Although there are no ziplines in Honolulu, excellent options like Climb Works, Kualoa Ranch and Coral Crater are just a 30-90 minute drive from Waikiki Beach.
Please note that you must book the Kualoa Ranch zipline at least two to three weeks in advance. Kualoa Ranch is a nature reserve where Jurassic Park was filmed.
You can also enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking and kayaking at the ranch. For example, you can go on a kayak adventure to Kaneohe Bay and see the famous landmark of Chinaman’s Hat up close.
Local agencies also offer adventure packages that, in addition to the zipline, include ATV rides.
Ziplines are usually set at a height of 10-40 meters (32-131 feet) and the length varies from 120 to a fantastic 800 meters (393 to 1,968 feet).
You will fly above beautiful green landscapes overlooking the ocean. With the North Shore Zipline, you may even see whales in the Pacific Ocean during the winter months.
10. Visit Diamond Head
Diamond Head is a volcanic crater in the city of Honolulu. It has been declared a State Park and is a trademark of the island of Oahu.
Have you heard the story about the origin of the name “Diamond Head”? The locals call it Le’ahi, but British sailors thought they had found diamonds because of the glittering calcite crystals. That is how the term Diamond Head came into use.
Diamond Head Trail is the most popular hiking tour in Hawaii, which takes you to the top of this volcano in just two hours, offering a fantastic view of the ocean as you climb.
You can take this walking tour on your own, following the provided directions. However, if you want to learn more about Hawaiian history and the natural beauty of Oahu, we recommend that you hire local hiking guides.
11. Take a Dinner Cruise or Boat Ride
There is nothing more enjoyable than a relaxing catamaran boat ride on the calm ocean. For a cruise around the island of Oahu, you can choose from a dozen sunset cruise packages.
Remember that from November to March, you may be able to observe humpback whales during a sunset cruise.
A Sunset Dinner Cruise is the most popular sailing tour on Oahu. Onboard, you will have the opportunity to attend a luau entertainment program and enjoy a delicious dinner, all with a view of the fireworks above Waikiki Beach.
If you want to enjoy the sunset without dinner, we recommend the Waikiki Sunset Catamaran Sail Tour. You will sail the most beautiful parts of the Pacific coastline and be mesmerized by the beautiful landscapes. The Sunset Cocktail Cruise and Honolulu Sunset Cruise are other good options.
12. Play Golf
Even a bad game of golf, on the island of Oahu, is a good experience because the scenery around the courses is impressive.
Oahu has as many as 40 golf courses of various categories and the incredible landscape is a reason why many people want to play a game of golf right here.
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club holds an attractive location, just 20 minutes from Waikiki Beach. Ko Olina Golf Club is one of the premier resort courses, offering a comprehensive experience with modern locker rooms, a top-notch golf shop, sauna, jacuzzi and restaurant.
The list of Oahu’s best resorts and golf courses also includes Turtle Bay Golf, located on Oahu’s North Shore and Hawaii Prince Golf Club with beautiful views of the Waianae Mountains.
13. Learn About Hawaiian Culture
Suppose you want to learn more about the Hawaiian people and their history. In that case, you can visit Iolani Palace, which was once home to King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, located in downtown Honolulu.
It’s one of the most important places in Hawaii and the only official royal palace in the U.S. It was built in the 19th century as the royal family’s residence, and today it has been turned into a museum. Here, you can learn more about the royal family itself and the national identity of the Hawaiian people.
The Bishop Museum originally contained objects of the royal family. Today, it houses Polynesian cultural artifacts, documents and photographs. Additionally, one of the world’s largest insect collections is housed here, comprising 13 million specimens.
Hawaii Plantation Village is an open-air museum in Waipahu, in central Oahu. During the 19th and 20th centuries, hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Japan, the Philippines, Polynesia and other countries worked on sugar plantations. They brought a part of their culture to Hawaii and influenced the multi-ethnicity that makes up Hawaii today.
In this museum, you can see the workers’ personal belongings from the plantations and the tools they used. You can also visit the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art and the Honolulu Museum of Art.
14. Go Hiking on Oahu
Don’t miss the sunrise in Hawaii. Just a 30-minute drive from Honolulu is one of the best hiking trails in Oahu. The almost 3-kilometer-long (1.86-mile) lighthouse trail will take you past the Makapu’u Lighthouse and several great lookouts. At the end of the trail, a reward awaits you.
From the Makapu’u Lookout, you can see the coast of Oahu, Koko Head, Makapuu Beach, two small islands and the turquoise ocean. During the winter months, you can whale watch from this place.
You can also hike the Manoa Falls Trail to see the beautiful waterfall or the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, with impressive views of Coco Crater, Kailua Coastline, and the sandy beaches.
If you’re not up for a challenging hike, choose the Nu’uanu Oahu trail. This easy trek leads you to the Kaniakapupu Ruins, also known as King Kamehameha III’s summer home, and Luakaha Waterfall.
15. Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the biggest attractions in Hawaii. This theme park is located in the northern part of Oahu and consists of several authentic villages.
Each village is dedicated to a certain Polynesian people, and you can explore the cultural heritage of Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and others. You can also attend a luau and learn more about folk customs and musical instruments like the ukulele.
The Polynesian Cultural Center’s biggest attraction is the spectacular “Ha: Breath of Life” show with more than 100 participants, live music and special effects.
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Author Bio: Marija Stojanovic Petkovski is a writer based in Serbia in Europe. Marija worked as a journalist but realized writing about the most beautiful places in the world is something that inspires her. She is sure that a pint of good craft beer perfectly accompanies a tasty home-made lasagne. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her children and spending time outdoors with her family.
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