The Ultimate OAHU Guide

You’re planning your next trip to Oahu, Hawaii but are overwhelmed with all the options and don’t know where to start? You just found THE Ultimate Oahu Guide for first-timers and anyone who loves exploring the island in its natural beauty!
In this post, you’ll learn about where to stay in Oahu, what to do/see, and you’ll get a sneak peek into where to eat vegan in Hawaii. Stay tuned for some HIDDEN gems & tips…

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What you need to know

Oahu is the most visited island in the Hawaiian archipelago, and for good reason: it’s home to Hawaii’s state capital Honolulu. Combining rich culture & history, modern high-rise buildings by beautiful beaches, and stunning nature – a mix that makes the island one of the best tropical yet developed places to visit. And even though Oahu is only the third largest island in size, it’s also the most populated because of these reasons.

The great city life and the natural aspects like hikes, beaches, waterfalls, and activities make Oahu the perfect travel destination for everyone. So when trying to find something to do or explore you will definitely not run out of options. Since there are too many things to actually do in a short amount of time, this guide here summarizes THE ABSOLUTE BEST THINGS TO DO IN OAHU.

Where to Stay

Oahu has five main areas to stay in: the South aka Honolulu – with the neighborhoods Waikīkī / Ala Moana / Diamond Head, the North Shore, and the West. Each of those has its pros and cons.
Generally speaking, Oahu has plenty of hotels, resorts, and Airbnbs. If you love exploring and are thinking of being on the go most of the time, I’d recommend staying at an Airbnb.
We stayed at a beautiful Airbnb in the heart of Honolulu and found the location to be great!

Here’s where I’ve stayed before: Airbnb in Honolulu

Waikīkī | Honolulu

As the hub for Oahu’s tourism, Waikīkī is by far the most popular place to stay.
The beautiful beach, plenty of places to shop/eat, and bustling city (night-) life make this area ideal for first-timers wanting everything nearby. It also offers the most options for hotels, resorts, or Airbnbs.
This also means that Waikīkī is extremely touristy and crowded though, more than other areas in Honolulu / the South.

Ala Moana | Honolulu

If the overcrowded touristy atmosphere isn’t for you (who can blame you?), consider Waikīkī’s West.
Similar to Wakīkī, Ala Moana also offers city life by the beach with amazing things to do nearby. This neighborhood is actually home to America’s largest outdoor shopping mall – the Ala Moana Center.

Diamond Head | Honolulu

This area is named after the volcanic tuff cone and state monument Diamond Head.
Since it’s still part of Honolulu, many food spots and things to do are located nearby, but without the hustle and bustle city feel. Quieter beaches, parks, and the famous Diamond Head Hike await you here.

North Shore | e.g. Hale’iwa

Heading about 1.5 hours out of Honolulu, you’ll find yourself on the beautiful North Shore.
Stunning beaches, waterfalls, hikes, and a rich surfing culture are essential to this part of the island. Especially the historic town of Hale’iwa is a great place to stay if you want to experience a more laid-back Hawaiian lifestyle with small boutiques and food trucks. You’ll find the North Shore to be quite far from other parts of O’ahu, thus I’d only recommend a short visit here.

Here’s an example of a 1-day trip to the North Shore: How to Spend a Day on the North Shore

West Oahu | e.g. Ko Olina

This part of Oahu’s biggest pro is probably the great / mostly dry weather and amazing nature.
If staying and relaxing at a resort is your main goal, Ko Olina is a great place for you. Aside from that, the West is more rural and doesn’t have many stores or restaurants within walking distance.

How to Get Around

With all the attractions and things to see on Oahu, knowing how to get around places is super important. Even though the island isn’t that huge, popular spots can be rather far apart making them hard to get to.

As Hawaii’s most developed island, there luckily is a public transport option known as The Bus. The biggest downside is that it is pretty slow, therefore it’s only a viable option for getting around the city of Honolulu.
Waikīkī also has a Trolley that stops at famous spots around the area and is a fun option for families or sightseeing purposes.

If you’re feeling active you can also consider bike sharing or scooter rentals. These are available in cities like Honolulu and Kailua.

As mentioned above though, public transport, unfortunately, won’t get you far. If you only want to get out of the city a handful of times, getting an Uber or Lyft can be a quick and easy option.
Convenience and cost-wise, like on any Hawaiian Island, renting a car will probably be the best choice.
We rented our car from a local car rental in Honolulu. Turo can have some good rates too.
Not only will you be able to move around more freely, but also have the opportunity to explore all the hidden gems of the island listed below.

If you were just thinking about a simple beach vacation without exploring the island, you might have to reconsider after reading my guide on The Best Things to Do in Oahu!
If you really are only interested in beaches, you might want to check out this blog post.

Where to Eat vegan

This might be surprising but Oahu has an amazing selection of vegan food spots all over the island – from fully vegan food trucks to vegan restaurants – there’s something for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite food spots…

Hale’iwa Bowls:
Located on the North Shore, this place has the best açai bowls almost directly by the beach.

Beet Box Cafe:
A cozy cafe with plenty of vegan options – perfect for a hearty breakfast & lunch!

Floralia Vegan Pizza:
Super delicious and completely plant-based pizza selection on the menu close to Diamond Head in Honolulu.

Curious about more? Check this out:
Vegan Food Guide to Oahu

What to Do in Oahu

Explore Waikīkī

As the most popular neighborhood in Oahu and pretty much all of Hawaii, Waikīkī has a lot to offer:
From relaxing at the beautiful white sand beach and learning to surf to exploring the shops & restaurants right by the ocean. Waikīkī’s mix of vibrant nightlife, cultural/historic sites, and captivating views of the Diamond Head volcanic crater make this a great place to spend your day.
Even though plenty of resorts line the beach, accompanied by tourists, finding a quiet place in the park or beaches nearby won’t be hard.

What to do/see here:

• Waikīkī Beach for relaxing or taking surfing lessons
• Kapi’olani Park
• Kalākaua Avenue / International Marketplace for shopping & dining
• Hike to the Diamond Head Summit (see below)

Hike Diamond Head

Also known as Lë’ahi, this huge 300,000-year-old volcanic crater has to be a must-visit while in Oahu.
Its location near the coastline of Waikīkī grants incredible views of the cities & beaches nearby and makes a great activity outside the city.

The hiking trail itself is considered moderately difficult due to many, sometimes steep, stairs – it’s totally worth the climb though! Reaching the Diamond Head Summit will take about 1 hour, making it a 2-hour roundtrip; just make sure to bring lots of water!

Lanikai Beach

As an island, Oahu is home to many stunning & beautiful beaches. Learn more about Oahu’s Best Beaches here.

Yet, a number one recommendation has to be Lanikai Beach on the east coast close to Kailua. Known to be somewhat of a hidden gem, it’s most famous for the unique views on “the Mokes” aka Mokulua Islands, and the beautifully soft white sand. Additionally, the ocean waters at Lanikai are said to be one of Oahu’s clearest and bluest – definitely a bucket list place!

A short distance away, you can also find the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, another popular spot to explore… (see below)

Visit the Pillbox Hikes

While Oahu is a tropical destination with beautiful natural scenery, it’s important to remember the island’s history as well – luckily, Pillbox Hikes combine both. During WWII the U.S. built military bunkers on elevated viewpoints as a defensive measure. Nowadays, these so-called “pillboxes” are popular landmarks that you can see by visiting their respective hiking trails. What makes these so special is the granted panoramic views of the coast and lush green hills around.

Oahu’s Best Pillbox Hikes:

• Lanikai Pillbox Hike aka Ka’iwa Ridge Trail
• Pink Pillbox Hike aka Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail
• Ehukai Pillbox Hike

You might even discover a pillbox while taking on the Diamond Head Trail!

The North Shore

If there is one place you shouldn’t miss while on Oahu, it has to be the North Shore.
While it’s mostly known as a world-class surfing hub, it certainly doesn’t lack breathtaking nature or Hawaiian traditions. Especially the town of Hale’iwa stands out with a vibrant culture coupled with “hippie” vibes and plenty of boutiques and food spots to explore.

What to do/see here:

• Hale’iwa Town
• Waimea Valley (waterfall hike & beach)
• Pūpūkea

Check out a perfect day on the North Shore, if you’re looking for a detailed itinerary.

Make sure to pack properly when heading on the road – Click to get my Road Trip Essentials List! (FREE)

Stairway to Heaven aka Ha’ikū Stairs

Even though these stairs are actually illegal to climb, this breathtaking viewpoint of Oahu’s green mountains had to make the list.
What many don’t know, is that there is a legal backway to the Ha’ikū Stairs called the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail. It takes you all the way to the top of the stairs, where you can take amazing pictures and have 360 views of Oahu’s mountain ridges. Since going on the stairs is illegal, it’s basically a dead end from there, making you have to turn around and go the same way down you came from. Completing this hike will take about 8-10 hours, so it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

Visit Waterfalls

It’s an absolute must-activity to visit at least one waterfall while in Hawaii! And Oahu’s natural beauty for sure doesn’t fall short here. The island has hundreds of waterfalls, but only a few are easily accessible, while some are hidden away at the end of longer hiking trails. Depending on your adventurous level, you will have plenty of options here.

Oahu’s Best (easily accessible) Waterfalls:

• Mānoa Falls
• Waimea Falls
• Lulumahu Falls

Kualoa Ranch

My number one recommendation in Oahu will have to be Kualoa Ranch.
This privately owned nature reserve is located in Ka’aawa Valley, also known as “Jurassic Valley” since the actual Jurassic Park movies were set here. The ranch offers plenty of experiences – from exploring the valley on horses and visiting movie sites to learning about Hawaii’s farming practices and tasting traditional foods.

What to do here:

• Adventures: Horseback Riding, UTV, Ziplining, …
• Tours: Farming Tour, Hollywood Movie Sites, Jungle Expedition, …
• & more

Visit their website to learn about everything they offer and to book your experience.

Byodo-In Temple

This replica of a classic Japanese temple is super popular on Oahu and a great place to see something a little different. The traditional architecture combined with captivating natural beauty allows for a great day trip. Plenty of picture opportunities await you here, as well as ponds with koi fish to feed!

Whale Watching

Between December – May, Oahu is home to humpback whales. And the chances of spotting them aren’t even that slim! If you’re visiting Hawaii during that time of the year, consider looking out into the ocean every now and then. Going on a whale-watching boat tour can also be a great thing to do and almost guarantees views of the majestic creatures.

Check Out Viewpoints

Like waterfalls, hikes, and beaches, you will find plenty of breathtaking scenic viewpoints on the island. Many of these can be found by just driving down the Kalanianole Hwy and stopping by the small parking lots.
If hiking is a little too much physical activity for you, you will LOVE this alternative. These designated lookouts offer stunning views of Oahu without having to break a sweat.

Oahu’s Best Viewpoints/Lookouts:

• Hālona Blowhole & Cove
• Lāna’i Lookout
• Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside
• Makapu’u Point

Or see the island from above on a helicopter tour!

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

As mentioned above on the pillbox hikes, sometimes it’s also good to learn about Hawaii’s history.
Pearl Harbor played a huge role in the United States’ entry into WWII as it was attacked by Japanese forces unexpectedly. The National Memorial stands as a tribute to the devastating events and the lost lives that came with it.

Koko Crater Trail

Lastly, ending with another breathtaking hike as a great activity on Oahu.
Koko Head is a volcanic crater hike similar to Diamond Head, granting panoramic views. What makes Koko Head so special and popular are the steep 1,048 stairs that go up the crater. Enjoy this place for its nice picture opportunities and experience the beautiful Hawaiian nature from above. The hike takes about 1-2 hours roundtrip on a 1.6-mile trail.

You made it! This was The Ultimate Oahu Guide with things to do that you definitely don’t want to miss the next time you visit Hawaii.
No matter if you like your trips more laid back or adventurous, this bucket list should have something for everyone.

Leave your suggestions and must-dos in the comments. 🙂

Wondering what’s next in Oahu? Check out these:
Vegan Food Guide to Oahu || Best Hikes & Viewpoints || Oahu’s Best Beaches

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