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Oahu is known as the gathering place among the Hawaiian Islands, with
nearly 6 million people visit the island yearly! It is the most popular Hawaiian island for tourism and home to Hawaii’s capital city Honolulu. Here you can find beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and some of the freshest fruit and seafood you’ve ever tasted! There is something for everyone on the island; Pearl Harbor for history buffs, and underwater scooters for the thrill-seekers! In this post we will be compiling the best things to do, where to eat, and the best ways to get around Oahu to help you plan a trip that is worth your wallet!
Where to stay:
Where to stay depends on what you plan on doing, and what you want to get out of your vacation. If you plan on going on a few tours, eating, shopping, and relaxing on Waikiki Beach then you want to stay near downtown Honolulu or Waikiki. If relaxing on an empty beach away from the city is more your style we recommend a stay on the North Shore.
For first-time visitors, we recommend getting a hotel around Honolulu and the Waikiki area, as it is going to be the most convenient. There is an abundance of transportation, food, hotels, things to do, and most tours will pick you up from this area.
We like to stay near Waikiki when we visit for the ease of access to amenities. You are never more than a few minutes walk to a restaurant or the beach. We have stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the Doubletree by Hilton Alana - Waikiki Beach.
Between the two the Hilton Hawaiian Village
has more to offer and is often not much more
expensive.
Hilton Hawaiian Village:
The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a large resort hotel that sits right on Waikiki Beach. They have multiple pools, shopping, and restaurants on-site. Parking and resort fees can add up fast, parking is upwards of $80 a night, and there is a $50 per night resort fee! They have multiple buildings with different room types, some are dated (Diamond Head Tower) and others are more luxurious (Ali’i Tower). The hotel gets busy and lines can get long for check-in, but the staff are always friendly and helpful! We enjoyed our stay in the Ali’i tower, but did not feel the Diamond Head Tower was worth the price!
Doubletree by Hilton Alana - Waikiki Beach:
The Doubletree by Hilton Alana - Waikiki Beach is a short walk from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It is a block back from the beach and close to food and convenience stores. This hotel is not much cheaper than the Hilton Hawaiian Village and lacks the same amenities. The pool was closed during our stay (June 2023), and the hotel was under construction. There is a $35 resort fee per night and the hotel has little more to offer than a pool. Parking is $50 per night.
We have only stayed at these two hotels, but there are plenty of other hotels in the area that have similar amenities. Full hotel reviews for both The Hilton Hawaiian Village and The Doubletree by Hilton Alana - Waikiki coming soon!
Getting to Downtown Honolulu/Waikiki:
Getting to downtown Honolulu does not take long from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), (the main airport on Oahu). It is about a 9-mile drive from the airport to downtown, and it only took us about 15 minutes to get there.
For those staying near downtown or in the Waikiki area transportation is readily available! Ride-share drivers and taxis are always close by making it easy to get a ride, but public transit also runs frequently. Renting a car is also an option, but not necessary (and expensive) if you do not plan to leave the downtown area.
Uber is readily available in Honolulu, and we have always been able to find a ride, but it can get expensive during peak hours. An Uber ride from the airport to Waikiki, with a party of two is anywhere from $25-45 depending on the time of day, traffic, and surge pricing. When we traveled with a party of four, Uber was more expensive because we needed a bigger car, and often cost us between $90-$125 per ride.
Taxis can be more or less expensive than Ubers depending on the time of day! Some taxi companies offer a flat rate from the HNL airport to the Waikiki area, and others have metered rides. The average price for a ride is about $35-$55.
Rental cars are also common on the island, but can get expensive quickly! A small economy-sized car for a week can cost upwards of $750 with insurance!! That price does not include parking, which can be upwards of $80 per night. Turo is also an option for rental cars. It is an app-based rental company that allows users to list and book personal vehicles. Turo can be cheaper than a traditional rental but it is a good idea to shop around for the best rates! You can download the Turo app here!
There are lots of shuttle services that run to and from the airport as well. On our first trip to Oahu, we took a shuttle with Speedi Shuttle, and would recommend just taking an Uber/taxi. It was about $40 for two people ($20 per person), and it is a shared Sprinter van. The pickup was unorganized and confusing and ride share is more convenient. We ended up sharing the van with five to six other people and sat in the van for an extra 15 minutes as we circled the airport picking them all up. It is cheaper, more convenient, and more efficient to take Uber!
Public transportation is available as well! There is a bus route that runs from the airport to downtown Honolulu, the Honolulu Civic Center, and Ala Moana Shopping Center and ends in Waikiki. There is a $3 cash fee, (unless you have a bus card) upon each bus boarding. Children under 5 with a paying adult ride for free. You can find detailed information about the various bus routes, fees, and discounts here on TheBus website!
The city is walkable on foot once you get there! We enjoy walking around in the morning and evening when the sun is not too bright. It is relatively flat in most spots, especially near the coast, and makes for a nice walk!
Getting to The North Shore:
Getting to the North Shore of the island is a little more challenging and expensive than getting to the Honolulu area. Taxis and rideshares are available to get you to the North Shore from the airport/Honolulu area, but it can be difficult to get a ride back. The easiest and most reliable transportation method to get to and from the North Shore is driving yourself in a rental car.
There are two ways to book a rental car on the island, either through a traditional rental car company like Hertz or Enterprise or through Turo. Turo is an app-based rental service where users can list their private vehicles for rent and can sometimes be cheaper than using a traditional rental car company. We have rented from Turo before and had great experiences! You can download the Turo app here!
Activities to Do in Oahu:
Visit Pearl Harbor:
Pearl Harbor is one of the top activities to do in Oahu, with as many as 4,000 people visiting daily! The Pearl Harbor Memorial site allows visitors to learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entrance into World War II. The National Park Service is in charge of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and the museums therefore there is no fee to visit.
The USS Arizona is by reservation only and has a $1 per ticket reservation fee (you can make your reservation here) standby is also available on a first come first served basis.
The only way to see the USS Oklahoma and the USS Utah Memorials on Ford Island is to take the Ford Island Bus Tour (unless you have a military ID). These sites are on an active duty military base, and tours are escorted by the National Park Service. Reservations are required to join the bus tour, and a $1 per person reservation fee is required.
For those who may be interested, paid guided tours are available as well.
Snorkel Hanauma Bay:
Hanauma Bay is one of the most famous snorkeling spots in Hawaii. Only 1,400 guests are allowed entrance to the park to snorkel each day and there is a competitive online reservation system to try and get a time slot. The bay is now closed to the public every Monday and Tuesday. Reservations open two days out, for example, beginning Monday at 7 am Hawaii Standard Time you can begin to reserve a time slot for Wednesday. Reservations will remain open until the spaces are filled or until midnight the day before. Once you have a reservation there is a $25 fee per person. We have not gotten a reservation yet, but best of luck to those who try!!
Submarine Scooters with Island Water Sports Hawaii:
Island Water Sports Hawaii has a unique experience where you can submerge yourself in a small personal submarine and explore the ocean. It is $180 per person, and we had a blast! You are on a personal submarine scooter and can navigate through the water and get up close to sea life.
We would not recommend this activity for those who get seasick! We went on a rough day and almost everyone on our tour got sick. We are not prone to getting seasick, and even we felt a little unsettled!
It was such an amazing experience, if you do not get easily seasick you’ll surely enjoy it! If you are interested in riding a sub-scooter you can book tickets here!
See Spinner dolphins in the wild:
Seeing dolphins play in the ocean around you is a captivating experience. It is easy to see why they are called Spinner Dolphins after you see one jump into the air! We chose to go with Dolphins and You on their spinner dolphin sightseeing and snorkeling tour to see dolphins on our trip. It cost $189 per person and included snorkeling gear and lunch. When we took their tour in 2021, we could get in the water with the dolphins, however, they no longer offer that experience due to the safety and conservation of the animals. It is now purely viewing them from the boat, and then moving to a snorkeling spot. We felt the tour was geared towards families with children, and although we enjoyed our time we were not their target audience! If you want to see Spinner Dolphins in the Wild click here to book tickets!
Parasail over the Pacific:
Parasailing in Hawaii was an unforgettable experience! Seeing the city and the water from so high up was amazing. Xtreme Parasail offers multiple daily excursions starting at $67.50 for 700 feet per person (must be tandem with another person). We have gone on two separate occasions and had good experiences both times! The captain and crew were fun and helpful and made the experience enjoyable. You may get wet so come prepared to get dipped in the ocean!
Take Surf Lessons in Waikiki:
Surfing is an iconic Hawaiian pastime and has a long and rich history. Surfing is a symbol of Hawaiian cultural heritage and identity and has helped preserve and promote Hawaiian values like respect for the ocean. Name a better place to learn!
Big Wave Dave offers group, semi-private, and private surf lessons near Waikiki Beach, and we had an incredible time surfing with them! The staff was amazing, and they were they were such great teachers! By the end, we could both stand up and ride a wave, and they all cheered us on.
A group lesson with a handful of people costs $129 per person. The area we surfed in was a little rocky and over a reef so we did get a little scrapped up when we fell, and we fell a lot! We chose to pay for the photo package for an additional fee and enjoyed dozens of images of us surfing (or at least trying to).
Explore the ocean in a submarine:
One fascinating way to explore Hawaii is underwater! With Atlantis Submarines you will explore depths up to 100 feet and see an abundance of sea life up close through the sub's portholes. Tickets cost $148.00 for adults and $66 for children 12 and under. On our tour, we saw stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of colorful fish!
The sub offers bench seating and large windows so everyone can see out. We enjoyed our tour! The staff were very knowledgeable about the vessel, and the sea life we saw. We felt secure while in the submarine, and getting in and out was relatively simple. You take a shuttle boat out to the submarine and then board through the top of the sub. You must be able
to climb down/up the vertical 11-step ladder
on your own to go on the tour! If you want to
Take a guided tour of the Island:
One of the best ways to see some of the island's biggest attractions in one day (especially if you do not rent a car) is to take an island tour! Oahu Nature Tours offers a full circle island tour and covers things like Halona Blowhole, Nuuanu Pali Lookout, Byodo-in temple, lunch in the North Shore, Waimea Valley Arboretum/Waterfall, and the Dole Plantation. Tickets for the full circle island tour are $149 per person. The plus of this tour is that it covers a lot of ground quickly, the negative is that it felt slightly impersonal and rushed at times due to the large group size and short visits at sites. This tour may not be for everyone, but we think it would be great for first-time visitors to help give them an idea of the island and what it has to offer! To book tickets for the full circle island tour with Oahu Nature Tours click here!
Nuuanu Pali Lookout (Free):
Nuuanu Pali Lookout is a breathtaking lush overlook facing the botanical garden and Pacific Ocean. There is great cultural and historical relevance to the area as well. This area was the site of the battle of Nu'uanu, where King Kamehameha (the first ruler of the kingdom of Hawaii) won the battle that united the island of Oahu under his rule. There are plaques around the overlook with really great historical information! There is a parking lot nearby, and you can find it on Google Maps here!
Visit Byodo-in Temple:
A beautiful Japanese-style temple at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. You can go inside the temple and light incense and hit a gong for good luck outside the temple. There is a small admission fee of $5 for adults (no cash) and $2 for children 2-12. It does not take long to see the entire temple, and the recommended time to allot for a visit is 30-45 minutes. We enjoyed our visit, and thought it was a unique experience on the island! You can book your tickets to the Byodo-in Temple here!
Waimea Valley Arboretum and Waterfall:
The Waimea Valley Arboretum and Waterfall is an outdoor botanical garden and cultural center with a waterfall. Admission to the park is $25 per adult, $8 for seniors and students, and $6 for children 12-4. There is a small paved trail throughout the property leading to the waterfall and it is about 3/4 of a mile long. The walk is not super difficult but is slightly hilly. For those who do not want to walk, there is a tram available for an additional $10 per person (each way). Once you get to the waterfall (conditions permitting) you can swim in it! It is a fun spot to relax and cool off. Also on the property are a few snack bars with light bites and drinks.
Visits the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden (FREE):
The Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden is located about 15 miles (45 minutes) from Waikiki, and offers free admission and parking to guests! The park is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day. It is a huge park with abundant lush greenery, walking trails, and a lake. We enjoyed our time walking around and taking in the gorgeous views. It is a great place to take pictures, you are surrounded by green hilltops and lush plants. There are multiple parking lots near the various trails, and public bathrooms/porta potties throughout the park. It is worth a visit, especially since it is free!!! Find it here on Google Maps!
See the city skyline from Tantalus Lookout - Puu Ualakaa State Park (FREE):
A nice spot to have a picnic and watch the sunset, or check out the city skyline from up in the hills. This vista point offers expansive views of the city, the ocean, and Diamond Head. Many people came close to sunset with food and had picnics on the grassy hill. It's a relaxing spot to kick back and watch the sun touch the horizon! There is a small parking lot, and the drive is a little windy (not too bad). Find the Tantalus Lookout on Google Maps here!
Have a beach day:
Some of our favorite beaches for swimming and snorkeling on the island.
Waikiki beach
Lanikai Beach
Kailua Beach
Where to eat:
Eggs n Things
Eggs n Things is our go-to breakfast spot when staying near Waikiki. They have delicious pancakes piled high with fresh fruit, whipped cream macadamia nuts, and an amazing loco moco. There are two locations but we prefer Eggs n Things Saratoga. At the Eggspress location, you order before you sit, and we prefer to order at the table. They are always busy, so make sure to join the waitlist early online, you can do so here. They do not offer reservations, so joining the waitlist online can help cut down how long you wait outside the restaurant. Find Eggs n Things on
Dave’s ice cream
A local and tourist favorite on a hot Hawaiian day! Dave’s has ice cream, shaved ice, and dole whip on the menu and unique flavors like lychee and haupia. It is a great place to grab a sweet treat, and even won the best ice cream shop in Hawaii in 2021!
Zippy’s
Zippy’s is a Hawaiian chain restaurant with multiple locations throughout the islands. They offer a variety of local favorites like chicken katsu, mac salad, spam, and so much more.
The Signature Prime Steak & Seafood
The Signature Prime Steak and Seafood is on the top floor of the Ala Moana Hotel and offers some of the best views for sunset! It is a perfect backdrop to a special event with expansive views, live music, and tasty steaks and seafood. It is on the expensive side but makes any occasion feel special! You can find The Signature Prime Steak and Seafood on Google Maps here!
Food trucks
Food trucks are a popular place to grab a quick bite to eat on the island, and you can find just about everywhere. We have tried a few different ones and got some delicious food!
Ruka Bowls was one of our favorites and we found it by chance. We were leaving the botanical garden and saw it parked on the side of the road. The acai bowls were so good!
A good spot downtown to find food trucks is the food truck park. We tried a few things here and enjoyed Trydis Barbecue.
Other advice/tips:
Bring cash for tipping staff/crews on tours.
Bring an umbrella, the weather changes fast and there is always a chance of rain.
Use reef-safe sunscreen, it is better for the sea life.
Avoid spray bottle sunscreen if you are going out on boats! Most boats will not allow you to use spray sunscreen because it makes the boat' floor slick.
Costco is the same price on the Hawaiian islands as on the mainland making it cheaper than grocery stores. We like to buy a pack of water and some snacks here when we land!
Summary:
Oahu has so much to offer that you could spend a week there and still not get to experience everything! We recommend five to seven days on the island, but even that may not be enough to see everything on your list! One of our favorite things to do is visit the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, it is a lush park with hiking trails and amazing views. A bonus is that it is free! Some popular destinations like Pearl Harbor and Hanauma Bay are reservation-based and sell out quickly! Making reservations ahead of time, and knowing when reservation times are released can help ensure you get a spot. We hope this Oahu travel guide can help you plan a trip that is worth your wallet! Let us know below if you have any questions about planning your trip to Oahu, or with suggestions for things we should do on our next visit!
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