Things to Do in Oahu

Things to Do in Oahu, HI - Oahu Attractions

Things to Do in Oahu

Get the best of both worlds: beaches like Kailua Beach and snorkeling all day, then big-city vibes in Honolulu with Polynesian food and luaus ‘til sunset.

Book these experiences for a close-up look at Oahu.


Top Attractions in Oahu

These rankings are informed by traveler reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travelers are saying

  • DWPCB
    23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    To be honest…we went to Diamond Head to see it up close and never thought for a second we would be hiking it! Lol
    After we arrived there we decided since we were there we should go ahead make the hike to the top! It took us a couple of hours…we stopped along the way to take breaks! We finally made it and the views from the top made it absolutely worth the hike! We are happy to say we did it and we got the t-shirts to say we did!! lol
    Once in a lifetime experience for sure!
    Written March 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Admanasterski
    Fort Erie, Canada163 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just being there brought tears to my eyes, the lives that were lost. The boat ride over the Arizona Memorial was beautiful to see.
    I remember Elvis Presley was instrumental in donating the monies he received from his concert in 1959, to go toward the building of this Memoria.
    Written March 8, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Patricia J
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Always makes you appreciate the sacrifice made by others.
    If you have not been make it be on your top 5 of your bucket list.
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • IshekaOrr
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I definitely recommend this tour! I had a guided tour by Zita. She was a great tour guide and I gained a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian culture and history. It was truly a blessing to learn more about Hawaiian history, steps to preserve history through time, significant historical events/figures and the transition of such as resilient people.
    Written March 17, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Julie MN
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the stop especially if you enjoy history. She is a beautiful ship and should be seen by all. My adult sons felt this was their favorite out of all the sights of Pearl Harbor.
    Written February 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Hrothmir
    Smyrna, GA202 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hanauma bay now requires a timed tickets to enter. At the time of writing, it was closed on Mondays as well as Tuesdays. Prepare/plan well in advance.

    Even with timed tickets, one still has to line up to get in. After one gets in, one listens to a live lecture/presentation and then one goes into a movie theater for another lecture/presentation. There is value in educating folks about protecting vs. damaging the reef; but I was a little surprised that my feet did not actually touch beach until over 45 minutes after my timed ticket time (the time I approached the entrance).

    It's a great and easy area to snorkel. There are sandy areas where you can easily enter the bay. And then you can snorkel in relatively shallow water along the edges of rocks (or coral that looks more like gray rock than stereotypical colorful coral formations) with a good variety of interesting fish.

    There is a booth to rent snorkel equipment and one can also rent lockers. The fee for flippers/fins was $9 at the time I was there (Feb 2024). When you rent equipment they ask for something like a drivers license to serve as a deposit. One option is to give them your car keys instead. If you're worried about someone taking your stuff while you are snorkeling but you don't want/need to rent a locker, using your car keys as the deposit can be a good way to keep those keys safe (and dry) while your snorkel.

    It sounds like Hanauma at one time had far too many daily visitors; and increasing price can be a good way to control demand in many situations. $25 spent per person on snorkeling (plus a $3 parking fee) is much better value than many other experience. But I could imagine a family might balk at a fee for an activity that is free (and good) at other spots in Oahu like Shark's Cove.
    Written March 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BelaN74
    Mississauga, Canada4,241 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Busy but Beautiful! I guess it’s to be expected, going after Christmas and before New Year that it would be busy. I’ve never seen Waikiki beach so busy. It was still beautiful and enjoyable until someone decided to put their towel right on mine. Can we not respect at least a one foot between people. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Personal space people.
    Written January 20, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brian F
    Toronto, Canada22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the few free, but awesome adventures on Oahu. As everyone says...go early, take water, and for any weekend warriors..take your time and rest often, to make sure you get to the top. The look out is great.

    Two days later, and my calves and quads are still burning, buy worth it.
    Written March 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rebekah L
    32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Moderate hike, took us around 1 hour to complete. It does get steep at some parts and a little muddy if it has been raining, but the greenery on the way to the waterfall is gorgeous and there’s a nice viewing platform for the waterfall at the top.
    Written March 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • explorer
    Toronto, Canada2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fully satisfied. __________
    Guest relation war very good
    Amazing experience _____
    Will recomed to our friends and family
    Written March 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Emma W
    Auckland, New Zealand696 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We chose Kailua Beach over Lanikai Beach, as we heard it can be impossible to get parking there. It was a bit difficult getting to Kailua with lots of roadworks in the area. Got a park straight away at Kailua, although it was a weekday afternoon. Lovely big beach and partner even thought he saw a turtle swimming.

    The beach facilities could use some upgrades. We changed as quickly as possible as the changing rooms looked really dirty and smelt disgusting. The beach shower was surrounded by sand so it was difficult to wash your feet. Some workmen were moving sand from a footpath, which seemed like a waste of time as it just blew straight back. Would have been better to clean around the beach shower.
    Written February 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tim H
    New Westminster, Canada1,127 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'd call this a must-see. We didn't see any whales but otherwise it was perfect.

    We had a rental car, and easily found a parking space on the road. As advertised, the walk is a steady, moderate climb on a smooth, wide paved path. We saw a powered wheelchair at the top and there were plenty of strollers.

    You get about ten different amazing views on the way.

    There will, of course, be wind. I'll bet if you set up a team downwind you could run a business selling people their own lost hats.

    There's no toilet facility here, but there is at Sandy Beach Park, just a tad before Makapuu as you come from Diamond Head.
    Written March 3, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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