Oahu Travel Guide (20 Epic Things to do)

Planning your visit to Oahu this year? Check out this Oahu Travel Guide!

Planning or dreaming of a visit to Oahu? Whether you’re craving the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, the laid back towns of the North Shore, relaxing on sandy beaches, climbing up volcanic craters, hiking to thundering waterfalls, or enjoying the tasty food, there’s something you’ll enjoy!

However, isn’t visiting Hawaii expensive? And with a limited amount of time, how exactly do you prioritize what to see and do? Well, that’s what this comprehensive Oahu Travel Guide is for!

Here you’ll learn everything you need to know about traveling to Oahu! This includes:

• The best places to visit
• The tastiest places to eat
• How to fly to Oahu for cheap
• How to get around the island
• Some tips and tricks to save money while visiting
• What to bring
• And more!

So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out more about how to visit Oahu…

Oahu Travel Guide

#1: Walk down Waikiki Beach

You can’t possibly miss Waikiki on a visit to Oahu! This popular and bustling beach is popular with surfers, swimmers, tourists, and just about everyone. No matter what your interests are, there is something to do in Waikiki.

#2: International Marketplace

Get your shopping fix in Waikiki by visiting International Marketplace, a multilevel indoor-outdoor shopping mall right in the middle of Waikiki. Abundant clothing stores for all price ranges, a food court, upscale restaurants, and Mitsuwa Market – a Japanese grocery store – are some of what you’ll find. Don’t miss the large Banyan tree right in the middle of the mall, too!

#3: Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

Excellent American, Vietnamese, Japanese, and more in the food court. Plus, an ABC store and many clothing stores.

#4: Maguro Spot

Serving up Japanese and Hawaiian fare, Maguro Spot is a quaint joint with reasonable prices, just 3 blocks from the King Kameahea statue in Waikiki. Grab a curry bowl bowl for something affordable and filling, or a poke bowl to try some traditional Hawaiian food. All around, you can’t beat the location, good prices, and friendly customer service.

#5: Lahaina Shave Ice

Lahaina Shave Ice is both the tastiest and best-valued shave ice I’ve found anywhere in Hawaii to date. The massive portions come in multiple flavors, with everything from Mango to Banana to Guava and more! Plus, you can add toppings, such as ice cream, mochi, caramelized milk, and more.

For sizes, you can get regular or ‘keiki’ (small). Both sizes are dramatically larger than other shave ice places around Oahu, not to mention more affordable.

#6: Cheeseburger in Paradise

One of the two Cheeseburger in Paradise locations is located right across Kalakaua Avenue from Waikiki Beach. A lovely island themed ambiance, and above-average delicious burgers await!

#7: Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is one of those places you just can’t miss on a visit to Oahu. See where history was made on December 7, 1941, when a preemptive Japanese bombing attack would cause the US to enter into the second world war.

#8: Koko Head Crater

Koko Head is hands down the most fun hike on Oahu, and one of the most unique trails you’ll come across in the US! Essentially, you’ll climb along a former railroad track straight up the side of a volcanic crater, gaining an elevation of 1,000 feet along the way.

They call it “Nature’s Stairmaster” for a reason – you’re bound to get a great cardio workout going up! You’ll feel your legs a bit sore in a way that leg day at the gym or a 5 mile run just won’t reach.

#9: Hanauma Bay

Right across the highway from Koko Head is Hanauma Bay. Here, you’ll find the absolute best snorkeling on Oahu in a partially-collapsed crater, which has now become a large bay. If you want great views, don’t miss the Hanauma Bay ridge hike!

#10: Wailua Beach (Aweoweo Beach Park)

Wailua Beach is a lovely getaway from the overcrowded Waikiki Beach. On the northeastern shore of Oahu, Wailua Beach has abnormally soft and cool sand, calm waves, and sea life. I saw two turtles while there. The distant lush mountains add another appeal to the overall scene, too.

#11: Diamond Head

You simply can’t miss diamond head on a trip to Oahu! Inside the large crater, you’ll ascend WWII era forts and batteries overlooking the sea, get great views over Waikiki and East Honolulu, and feel some of that glorious breeze at the top, which will cool you down.

If you’re in decent walking shape (at least going on 3-5 mile walks a few times per week), you can walk to Diamond Head no problem from Waikiki. Otherwise, you can drive and park, or take TheBus.

#12: Leonard’s Bakery

There’s just about nothing that beats holding a warm, soft, decadent malasada in your hand, while watching the sunset on Waikiki Beach. If you’re wondering what a malasada is, it’s a fluffy Portuguese style donut with sugar on top, and in some cases, filling in the middle.

Leonard’s Bakery is the place to go for dessert in Honolulu! If you take the 13 line bus out of Waikiki, it should take 10-20 minutes each way, depending on where you’re staying in Waikiki. If you drive, it’s a bit faster. There’s also a food truck in Hawaii Kai, which is more convenient if you’re going to Koko Head or Hanauma Bay.

#13: Kapi’Olani Regional Park

Sandwiched between Waikiki and Diamond Head, Kapiolani Park is the place to go if you have kids, or you want to see some beaches that are a bit quieter than Waikiki.

#14: Sunset Beach

On Oahu’s North Shore is Sunset Beach, a very large, sandy beach which in the wintertime has great waves. It takes a while to drive to, but it’s certainly worth it!

#15: Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

This lush bay on Oahu’s North Shore is a tranquil getaway from the cityscapes of Honolulu and Kaneohe! Don’t miss Kahana Bay Beach Park, a nice sandy beach with great swimming and breathtaking mountain views. Miles of hiking trails will take you through the lush jungle terrain.

#16: Dole Plantation

Ever wondered where the canned pineapple from your local grocery store ever came from? Well, now’s your chance. Taking a tour of the Dole Plantation is a great activity for people of all ages.

#17: Catamaran

Taking a catamaran ride is an excellent way to get out on the water for an hour or two while in Waikiki!

#18: Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

This Waikiki shopping mall has an excellent food court with a wide variety of cuisines, including American, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian, and more! If you’re looking for a filling meal that’s not overpriced, definitely swing by the second level food court for a tasty dinner.

How to Visit Oahu on the Cheap

How to Get Free Airfare to Oahu:

When flying to Oahu, why pay when you can score FREE airfare?  When you use Swagbucks, you can get free gift cards for Southwest Airlines and Delta, which both fly into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.  Overall, this is the the best way to reduce the cost of your airfare to Oahu.  I’ve been a member of Swagbucks for about 10 years now, and it’s still one of my favorite ways to earn Free airline gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up with Swagbucks
• Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points.  There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks!  You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc.  I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
• Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Southwest Airlines Gift Cards and Free Delta Gift Cards!

How to Get Free Uber Rides in San Francisco:

If you’re flying into Oahu for a quick city break; or you have an extended layover and you don’t plan on renting a car, you can simply call an Uber to come pick you up from the airport and take you into the city.  My favorite trick is to cash in Swagbucks points for Free Uber gift cards!

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up with Swagbucks
• Then start earning Swagbucks SB Points.  There are so many EASY ways to earn Swagbucks!  You can earn by Searching the Web {just like you would using Google}, Taking Surveys, Using Coupons, Shopping Online, Watching Videos, etc.  I typically earn an easy $25 each month on Swagbucks!
• Cash in your Swagbucks SB Points for Free Uber Gift Cards!

Ride TheBus.

TheBus is Oahu’s main form of public transportation. For $5.50, you can get a one day pass with unlimited rides and go pretty much anywhere on the island!

You’ll need to buy a ‘Holo Card’, which you can reload at a number of stores around the island.

For example, while staying in Waikiki, we hopped on the bus at a number of stops on Kuhio Avenue, and went to Pearl Harbor, Diamondhead, Koko Head Crater, and Wailua Beach. If you’re staying in Waikiki and want to grab some groceries or do some shopping, just catch the X line from Kuhio Avenue to Ala Moana Mall and the Walmart/Sam’s Club there. 😉

Riding TheBus can take you to cool places like Pearl Harbor from almost anywhere on the island, for only $5.50 per day.

Shop Cheap on Oahu – Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco.

Looking for ways to save money on groceries while in Oahu? Don’t miss Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Costco! If you’re staying in Waikiki, the Sam’s Club/Walmart in Ala Moana are your closest option. As for Costco,

Walmart Locations:

Kapolei, Village Park, Mililani, Pearl City (adjacent to Sam’s Club), Downtown, Ala Moana (adjacent to Sam’s Club)

Sam’s Club Locations:

Pearl City (adjacent to Walmart), Ala Moana (adjacent to Walmart)

Costco Locations:

Kapolei, Waipio, Kalihi Palama, Hawaii Kai

What to Bring to Oahu – Oahu Packing List

Now you’ve seen all the epic things to see + do on Oahu, as well as how to save money Now, the next step is to create a packing list!

When it comes to packing for Oahu, think about the activities you want to do, and plan around that. Most visitors around naturally going to visit the beach, so a swimsuit is a must for them. If you want to take advantage of Oahu’s excellent hiking, you’ll want to pack along some old comfortable clothes and hiking boots, for instance.

For walking around Waikiki, Ala Moana, Pearl Harbor, and any of the North Shore towns, a casual outfit will probably work. How formal you dress will depend on if you want to visit formal restaurants/stores or not.

Normally, I’d recommend the following:

Swimsuit

T-shirts

Khaki shorts

Hiking shirts, shorts, and shoes.

Other Hawaiian Islands to Visit:

#19: Kauai Budget Travel Guide

Dreaming of a visit to Kauai?  When you have the urge to escape to tropical island paradise, Kauai is the place to go! There’s something about the island that keeps drawing visitors back over and over again.  Perhaps it’s immersing in the slow place of life and enjoying the Aloha Spirit that the island is famously known for.  Now, whether this will be your first visit or your tenth, there’s one thing for certain: you’ll already be planning your return visit before you leave!

#20: Maui Travel Guide

Dreaming of escaping to a serene tropical island paradise?  Maui is one of my favorite island destinations.  I’ve personally loved every single trip to Maui and simply cannot get enough of this amazing place. From chilling on the long, sandy beaches to snorkeling through coral reefs, Maui is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway.

So, now that you’ve seen these things to do on Oahu plus ways to make your visit more affordable, go check out even more travel tips below…

San Francisco Travel Guide

Seattle Travel Guide

San Diego Travel Guide

Bucket List Trips

Now that you’ve seen this Oahu Travel Guide, don’t miss out on anything else!  Follow along with Never Ending Journeys for more fun Travel Inspiration and Ideas!

Have you been to Oahu before?  What are YOUR favorite things to see or do??

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