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45 Things to Do in Oahu Hawaii

Sherianne Higgins·
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Top Things to Do in Oahu Hawaii

If you are planning a trip to Oahu Hawaii and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. The Island of Oahu has it all. You will find tropical breezes, rain forests, bamboo forests, waterfalls, volcanoes, big waves, calm beaches, sea turtles, coral reefs, street art, culture, and history. The area is popular and busy. Honolulu is located on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. It is the capital of Hawaii and the largest city on the Hawaiian Islands. The city is diverse with a blend of American and Asian influences. I suggest staying on Waikiki Beach due to the central location and using the hop-on-trolley to explore the area. Consider renting a car to visit Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, and the East Shore. Hanauma Bay is especially popular and the parking closes very early; take a shuttle to ensure entry. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Oahu Hawaii bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Oahu Hawaii trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

READ Honolulu Street Art
READ Things to Do on the Big Island Hawaii

East Shore Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
East Shore

Downtown Honolulu

Pay respect at Pearl Harbor Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine

Visit the Izumo Taishakyo Mission in Chinatown

Head up to the observation deck of the Aloha Tower

See the statue of King Kamehameha

Tour the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the US

Explore Honolulu’s street art

King Kamehameha Statue Honolulu Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
King Kamehameha Statue

Waikiki Beach

Splash around in the water along Waikiki’s 1.5-mile beach

Take a Hulu lesson at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

Hang out on the porch of the historic Mona Surfrider

Shop for souvenirs at the International Marketplace

Stop by the Duke Kahanamoku Statue

Submarine Scooter Adventure

Eat a Cheeseburger in Paradise

Check out the pavement stamps and high-end shops along Kalakaua Ave

Watch the Friday night fireworks at the Hilton

Drink a Mai Tai on the beach

Watch the sunrise from Magic Island

Shop at Ala Moana Center, the world’s largest open-air shopping center

Walk on the Waikiki Wall for a photo of the beach

Enjoy a sunset sail

Snorkel with Dolphins and Turtles

Waikiki Beach Honolulu Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
Waikiki Beach

Near Honolulu

Visit the colorful Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist Temple

Hike through a rainforest to Manoa Falls

Take the Pu’u Ohia trail through a bamboo forest

Explore the Polynesian Cultural Center

Drive up to Tantalus Viewpoint for a unique look down onto Waikiki

Check out the Hawaiian Reef Aquarium at Sea Life Park

Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist Temple Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
Mu Ryang Sa Buddhist Temple
Halona Cove Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
Halona Cove

East Shore

Climb to the rim of Diamond Head

Hike the 1,100 steps to Koko Head Crater

Snorkel Hanauma Bay’s coral reef of colorful fish

Walk down to Halona Cove

Watch the Halona Blowhole erupt

Relax on Sandy Beach

Check out the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse

Go for a swim at Makapu’u Beach

Take the Pillbox Hike

Walk along Lanikai Beach

Visit the Byodo-In Temple

Take photos at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout

Byodo-In Temple Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
Byodo-In Temple

North Shore

Have lunch in the surf town of Haleiwa

Look for turtles on Laniakea Beach

Take a surfing lesson

Take the plunge off Jump Rock on Waimea Bay

Wander the botanical garden and waterfall in Waimea Falls Park

Watch the surfers at Banzai Pipeline

Relax on Sunset Beach

Have a Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation

Check the Hawaii Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

Waimea Bay Jump Rock Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
Waimea Bay Jump Rock
North Shore Oahu Hawaii Things to Do one week itinerary
North Shore

My Favorite Booking Resources

  • Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
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  • Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
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  • Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
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  • Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
  • Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home. 

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12 Responses

  1. Hawaii and the Waikiki Beach maintains its serene charm despite all these years. Beautiful!

  2. It seems that Oahu has something (or lots of things) for every taste! I would like to see the volcanoes and hike through the bamboo or rain forests but your only royal palace in US suggestion also attired my attention. Mai Tai is a cocktail? I need to check this . .

  3. The deep blue waters are stunning. So much to see beyond the beaches. The Buddhist temple looks like a great place to check out as well as exploring Pearl Harbor. Great tips, thank you.

  4. That is a great checklist. The Oahu Island has so much to offer and from your post I can say this beauty is really impressive. Walking along the shores, learning surfing, seeing eruption are some of the things I would love doing. The Buddhist temple too looks quite colorful and impressive.

  5. This is an epic list! I would love to go to the Royal Palace and do all of the hikes on this list. My brother did the Pillbox Hike this summer and he loved it! I have to go to Oahu!

  6. Obviously I’ve heard of the wonderful beaches in the area, but I had no idea there were temples to see as well! I think those would be really cool to visit. I’d also love to stop by Pearl Harbor and pay my respects.

  7. So many great things to see and do. I think I’d pick a sunset sail, followed (and perhaps also preceded) by a mai tai on the beach. Can’t beat that!

  8. The turquoise and azure waters are a treat to the eyes! what a pristine beauty Oahu is! And there is just so much to do beyond the shores. The Buddhist temple architecture looks very authentic and vibrant. Chasing turtles on Laniakea Beach and Snorkelling in Hanauma Bay’s coral reef are bucketlist items! 😀 Thanks for this super awesome checklist!

  9. Absolutely amazing that you did beach bumming across this amazing piece of earth. My sister had been here and was floored by the people and culture there! Would love to check this paradise myself sometime! Nice turquoise pics too!

  10. We are going to Hawaii next year for two weeks. We just brought our tickets and after reading this post, we can’t wait to get out there 🙂

  11. Hi Sherianne,

    Everything looks fun but I’d enjoy walking down by Halcona Cove. For both some chilling in the water and also watching the Blowhole erupt. Oahu on the whole looks inspired. You cannot beat that remote island feel.

    Ryan

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