Oʻahu is the island of stories: of the Hawaiian kingdom and its last queen, of the morning in 1941 that changed the world, of the surfers who turned a seven-mile stretch of coast into a legend. It is also an island of reef-filled bays, green cliffs and some of the best food in the Pacific. Here are the best things to do on Oʻahu.
The best things to do on Oʻahu
1. Pearl Harbor
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial (free, timed ticket), the Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin submarine and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Allow half a day.
2. Diamond Head
Climb the 1.6-mile round-trip trail inside the crater to the old military lookouts for the classic view of Waikīkī. Non-residents need a reservation.
3. Hanauma Bay
A nature preserve inside a volcanic crater, with calm, clear water and colourful reef fish. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; reservations open two days ahead.
4. The North Shore
Haleʻiwa's shave ice, turtles at Laniākea, Waimea Bay, Pipeline and Sunset Beach: huge surf in winter, snorkeling in summer.
5. ʻIolani Palace
The royal home of King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani, with electricity before the White House had it. Tours run Tuesday to Saturday.
6. Kailua and Lanikai
Turquoise water, soft sand and the Mokulua islets offshore; rent a kayak to paddle to them.
7. Kualoa Ranch
A cattle ranch in a dramatic valley where films such as Jurassic Park were shot, with tours by bus, horse or e-bike.
8. Bishop Museum
Hawaii's great museum of culture and natural history, with royal feather cloaks and a planetarium.
9. The Polynesian Cultural Center
Villages from Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti and Aotearoa, a luau and an evening show in Lāʻie. Closed Sundays.
10. Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail
A paved path to a red-roofed lighthouse above the windward coast; in winter, a great place to spot whales.
11. Learn to surf in Waikīkī
Where Duke Kahanamoku surfed, on gentle waves perfect for beginners.
12. Chinatown and Kakaʻako
Lei shops, markets and some of Honolulu's best restaurants in Chinatown; murals, breweries and cafés in Kakaʻako.
13. Kaʻena Point
The wild western tip of the island, a coastal walk to a seabird sanctuary where monk seals rest and albatrosses nest.
14. Byodo-In Temple
A replica of a 950-year-old Japanese temple beneath the Koʻolau cliffs, with koi ponds and a peace bell.
15. Ko Olina lagoons
Calm, lifeguarded lagoons and some of the island's best sunsets on the sunny west coast.
What to book ahead
- Pearl Harbor: USS Arizona timed tickets, released 8 weeks and 24 hours ahead ($1 fee).
- Diamond Head: non-resident entry ($5) and parking ($10), up to 30 days ahead.
- Hanauma Bay: $25 for non-residents, released 2 days ahead at 7 am; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Haleakalā sunrise: $1 per car, released 60 days and 2 days ahead, plus the $30 park entry.
Plan your days with our Oʻahu itinerary, snorkeling map and hiking map.
Why Oʻahu?
Oʻahu was the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the 19th century, and the place where the United States entered the Second World War. It is home to about two-thirds of Hawaii's people, so it has the islands' best museums, restaurants and nightlife. Yet much of it is wild: the Koʻolau cliffs, the windward bays, the North Shore and Kaʻena Point. In a single day you can stand at Pearl Harbor, snorkel in a crater and watch the sun set behind the waves.
When to go
Oʻahu is good all year. In winter (November to March), the North Shore has huge waves and whales pass the south and east coasts. In summer (May to September), the North Shore is calm for snorkeling and Waikīkī gets small south swells. The best-value months are late April to early June and September to early November.
Where to stay? See where to stay on Oʻahu.
Getting around Oʻahu
Waikīkī is walkable, and TheBus ($3 a ride with a HOLO card) reaches Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Kailua and the North Shore. For the windward coast and North Shore, a one- or two-day rental car is easiest; avoid rush-hour traffic into and out of Honolulu. The Skyline train serves the airport and west Oʻahu but not yet Waikīkī. See do you need a car in Hawaii.
Quick answers
What is the best thing to do on Oʻahu?
Pearl Harbor is the most important visit; Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head and the North Shore are the most popular natural highlights.
How many days do you need on Oʻahu?
Four days for the highlights, a week to explore the whole island.
What is Oʻahu famous for?
Waikīkī Beach, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore's giant winter surf, Diamond Head and Honolulu, the state capital.
Do you need a car to explore Oʻahu?
Not in Honolulu and Waikīkī. A one- or two-day rental makes the North Shore and windward coast easier, though TheBus reaches them too.
Keep exploring: free things on Oʻahu, Oʻahu at night, Honolulu, Waikīkī.
Facts checked October 2026. Opening days, prices and closures change, so check with each attraction before you go.
