10 Best Things To Do in Oahu

Oahu, the third largest island in Hawaii after Maui and Big Island, has it all. With breathtaking nature, a vibrant cultural life and multiple leisure options for a great holiday, what to do in Oahu on a trip to Hawaii? I'll tell you all about it in detail!

Honolulu, the state capital, is located south of the island of Oahu. Although it's Hawaii's largest city, compared to other cities in the United States it's a small city but it's packed with tourist attractions and you can take a brief tour of the South King Street area. Here are some of the must-see sights on Oahu:

Iolani Palace

A great thing to do on Oahu is to join one of the guided tours of Iolani Palace, the only palace where a king once lived in the United States and where Hawaii's last monarchs - King Kalakaua and his successor Queen Liliuokalani - resided.

During your visit you can see the American Florentine style in which the palace was built (unique in the world) and learn about the Hawaiian monarchy. Here you will see the royal portraits, the gold crowns of the kings, their robes and jewellery, the private rooms of the royal family, the throne room and other rooms.

The statue of King Kamehameha

In front of Iolani Palace stands the statue of King Kamehameha I, the 19th century unifier and peacemaker of Hawaii. Every year on 11 June, he is honoured with an offering of lei flowers, the most typical flowers of the archipelago.

If your trip to Honolulu coincides with this celebration, attending it is one of the best things to do on Oahu, as it will allow you to get in direct contact with the local history and culture.

Hawaii's Capitol

Behind the Iolani Palace is the Capitol, the seat of the Hawaiian government. Its architecture is striking because it doesn't resemble Washington's, nor does it mimic its great domes, but has a unique post-modernist style to highlight Hawaii's uniqueness.

I recommend a walk around the grounds of Hawaii's Capitol to appreciate the architecture of this unique building, which was designed to allow wind, rain and light to pass through as a symbol of unity with nature. It also features a reflecting pool representing the Pacific Ocean.

Washington Place

Washington Place is the current home of the island's governor. The grounds are home to the governor's residence and a National Historic Landmark, where Hawaii's last queen, Liliuokalani, lived shortly before her overthrow.

The palace is open for tours every Thursday at 10am, so take the opportunity to see the inside of the palace on a free one-hour guided tour of the grounds. It's one of the most interesting things to do on Oahu!

Who hasn't heard of Pearl Harbor? It is the famous American naval base that was bombed by Japanese aircraft during World War II and whose destruction caused the United States to enter the conflict.

Films and documentaries have been made about this event, but nothing compares to seeing the place where the events took place in person. If you like history, this is one of the must-see sites on Oahu.

What will you see during your visit to Pearl Harbor?

Visiting Pearl Harbor is an experience that will not leave you indifferent. You will be able to see the various exhibitions with photographs and videos about Pearl Harbor, where the survivors narrate what happened on the morning of December 7, 1941.

The highlight of the visit comes with the subsequent documentary on the attack on the naval base and the ferry ride to the Arizona USS Memorial to see the remains of the ship that was sunk by the bombs as well as the memorial to the victims of the attack.

It is a site that truly impresses and moves one to imagine the tragedy that happened there and how many lives were lost. It is certainly a place to reflect on the catastrophic effects of war.

It has child-friendly tours, so don't exclude this plan if you are travelling to Oahu with children.

How to book your tickets for Pearl Harbor?

Since it is one of the most visited places by tourists who go to Hawaii, my recommendation is that you book your tickets online before travelling so you don't run out of tickets. In the post Pearl Harbor Tours I explain you all the options to visit the naval base.

If you are interested in the World War II period as well as the world of aviation and navigation, to complete your visit to Pearl Harbor there are some other things to do in Oahu that you might like to do:

If you want to enjoy a bit of the city atmosphere and mingle with the locals, then you need to head to the Waikiki area, which is the centre of tourist life on the island. The main avenue is lined with restaurants, shops, skyscrapers and nightclubs where you can party in the Pacific as the sun goes down. Dare to check out the Luau or Hawaiian shows, because there's plenty to do at night on Oahu.

As for Oahu's beaches, Waikiki is one of the most famous in the world and the first one that comes to mind when you think of Hawaii. It's a great place to start your adventures in Honolulu's waters, whether it's diving or surfing.

If you're new to water sports, don't worry because there are great schools offering classes for all levels, but if you already have some experience you can also join a snorkelling cruise or go on a scuba diving tour in Oahu.

So don't hesitate, seeing the depths of the island is one of the most fun things to do on Oahu and one of the most enjoyable things to do on holiday.

If you feel like experiencing strong emotions during your holidays in Hawaii and you have plenty of courage, one of the most exciting experiences you will never forget is swimming with sharks in Oahu.

You will feel the adrenaline rush when you are immersed in the ocean inside a cage and they approach you to look at you with curiosity! If you want to know more, in the post Diving with sharks in Oahu I tell you all the details.

Another more relaxed option for those adventurers who don't want to come face to face with a shark is to go on a dolphin watching cruise or swim with turtles. It's also a great experience to do on Oahu and a great souvenir to take home with you.

Speaking of seeing animals on the island, if you're travelling to Hawaii as a family, don't miss the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo. The little ones will love seeing so many animals together (some of which are endangered) and will learn a lot about environmental protection.

Another way to get a taste of Hawaiian culture (and a very tasty one at that!) is through the local cuisine.

Poké is the traditional Hawaiian dish that has always been part of the diet of the natives, but as a result of the cultural exchange with Easterners and Westerners in the 19th century, poké went from being a simple morsel of gutted and marinated fish to a salad that combines raw fish, white rice, soy sauce and various vegetable toppings.

And it's delicious! Make the most of your stay in Hawaii to try the authentic poké because the recipe has become fashionable and is crossing borders but none will be like the original, the one from the islands.

If you consider yourself a foodie, don't rule out a Hawaiian food tour. If you enjoy eating, it's one of the best things to do on Oahu.

It's well known that Hawaii is a surfer's paradise, so why not grab a board and ride the waves? It's one of the essential things to do in Oahu... or at least try it.

Did you know that in the past this sport was reserved for the Hawaiian nobility? Who would have thought it, today it is one of the most popular sports disciplines in the world and available to everyone. In fact, almost every beach in Honolulu rents out surfboards to anyone who wants to try their luck with the waves.

If you're new to surfing, I recommend going to the south of the island, specifically Waikiki Beach, where you can learn to surf at one of the island's surf schools. On the other hand, if you already have some notions and surfing is not a secret for you, I recommend going to the North Shore, where the biggest waves are formed. I'll show you the best surfing lessons here.

However, if surfing isn't your thing, you can always paddle a kayak, take a ride on a catamaran or even a leisurely boat trip. There are also numerous sunset cruises and dinner cruises available on Oahu.

The beauty of Hawaii's landscapes has been taken to the movies countless times with films like "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981), "Jurassic Park" (1993), "Pearl Harbor" (2001) or the series "Lost" (2004) and "Hawaii Five-0" (2010), among others.

How about taking a guided tour of the island of series and movies visiting the main filming sites of these productions? Isn't it one of the best things to do in Oahu? If you're a film and movie buff, you'll love this photo-taking experience.

So important was the filming of Jurassic Park on the island that there are unique tours of the film that fans of the saga can't miss.

Touring Oahu by tour bus is a very practical idea to get around the city, as it will allow you to discover the most important areas of the island in a quick and comfortable way. It's a great way to visit Oahu by land in a short time.

However, flying over Oahu in a helicopter and getting a bird's eye view of Hawaii is an incredible experience that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime, even if you have a bit of vertigo. It's really worth it because the views are absolutely spectacular.

If you want to know more about it, check out the articles The best tour buses on Oahu and Helicopter tours on Oahu. Or maybe you're more interested in the Best Paragliding Flights on Oahu.

Although the origin of this beautiful archipelago is volcanic, its landscape hides endless greenery between cliffs, a deep blue sea that bathes white sandy beaches, valleys, bays and countless other places whose beauty will leave you speechless.

Some of the most impressive places to see on Oahu during your stay are Manoa Falls and Waimea Falls, Hanauma Bay, Dole Plantation and the summit of Diamond Head Volcano (where you'll have the best views of Honolulu and the most fascinating sunset over the Pacific Ocean).

To explore the island's nature and these beautiful sites, there's nothing better than a tour of Oahu or even a tour of nearby islands such as Maui or Big Island. If you want to know more about these activities, don't miss the article Island Tours on Oahu, or the one about The best nature tours on Oahu and surroundings.

You might also be interested in The best ATV tours to get around the city or if you are someone who likes to walk the streets, check out our post about The best hikes you can do in Oahu and surroundings.

If you are planning your trip to the island of Hawaii, you are probably thinking about how to enjoy and not miss anything without overspending. Therefore, the first thing I recommend is that you plan your Honolulu airport transfers in advance, so you can choose the best option to get to your hotel early or return without stress.

Secondly, I recommend that you get the Oahu Go Card. With this tourist pass you will have many activities included and you won't have to waste time queuing.

But it is also important to choose the right date for your trip and to know when is the best time to visit the paradisiacal island. That's why I suggest you visit these guides where you can see the best things to do in Oahu by month:

• 10 things to do in Oahu in January
• 10 things to do in Oahu in February
• 10 things to do in Oahu in April
• 10 things to do in Oahu in June
• 10 things to do on Oahu in October
• 10 things to do on Oahu in November
• 10 things to do on Oahu in December

Or you can make a day-by-day itinerary:

• What to see and do on Oahu in 3 days
• What to see and do on Oahu in 4 days
• What to see and do on Oahu in 5 days
• What to see and do on Oahu in 6 days
• What to see and do in Oahu in 7 days
• What to see and do on Oahu in 10 days