Aptly nicknamed “the gathering place,” O’ahu Hawai’i is the most-visited island in the Sandwich Islands archipelago, and hosts more visitors every year than all of the other Hawaiian islands combined. It is easy to understand why it is such a popular travel destination – from beautiful beaches, to adrenaline-inducing ridge hikes, to ono (delicious) grindz, to crystal clear waters, to vibrant museums and street art, the island of O’ahu has something to offer to every type of traveler.
Whether you are looking to have the adventure of a lifetime, indulge in a relaxation-and-romance-packed week of beach hopping, or celebrate your honeymoon (or 30th wedding anniversary) – O’ahu has something for you. We’ve had the privilege of calling this island home for over a year and have narrowed down our favorite things to do into a list of ten must-have experiences:
Learn about Hawaiian History + Culture
If you ask us, a trip somewhere new isn’t complete without spending some time learning about the culture and history of the destination. Our favorite places to do that on O’ahu include the Bishop Museum (a natural/cultural history haven for both children and adults) and the Iolani Palace (the former residence of Hawaiian royalty and the only royal palace in the United States). If you enjoy art, the Honolulu Museum of Art is also a must. The museum is home to an impressive collection of art from Asia and the Pacific Islands and hosts a happy hour with live, local music each Friday.
Hike a Ridge
The hiking trails on O’ahu are unlike any other that we have ever experienced. But while they are breathtakingly beautiful, they can also be dangerous, even for experienced hikers. If you are in search of a short and fairly easy hike with spectacular views, we recommend both Diamond Head Summit Trail and Lanikai Pillbox Trail. If you are looking for something a bit longer and more challenging, but less popular/crowded, Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail is one of our favorites. You can find a video version of what to expect on an O’ahu ridge hike here.
Swim with Sharks (or Dolphins, or Turtles, or Seals )
O’ahu is known for her plentiful marine wildlife, and running into a turtle or dolphin while you are snorkeling is always a treat. That said, it is critically important to remember that when you encounter an animal in the wild, you are entering their habitat. Never swim towards, startle, touch, or feed wild animals. If an animal decides to come near you, remain calm but still be mindful not to touch, startle, or add any unwanted stress. When it comes to viewing marine wildlife there are also various laws in place, see NOAA’s guidelines here, and find more tips on ethical wildlife tourism here.
If you are looking to go on a curated whale, dolphin, or shark excursion, see Sustainable Tourism Hawaii’s list of Certified Sustainable Tour Operators here.
Snorkel or Dive in Crystal Clear Waters
During the summer months, Shark’s Cove is one of our favorite spots on the island for diving and snorkeling. The waters here are crystal clear and and protected by surrounding cliffs and reefs. When you go, be sure to arrive early – the location is popular and parking is limited, and while there are no food stands on the beach itself, if you get hungry the food trucks nearby will surely satisfy your appetite. Hanauma Bay State Park is also a super popular snorkeling spot.
Kayak to an Islet or Sandbar
One of our favorite ways to see the island is from the water, and we couldn’t recommend renting a kayak and paddling out to the Mokes, Chinaman’s Hat, or the Sandbar for a day of adventure.
Sample Hawaiian Food + Local Staples
There are certain traditional Hawaiian dishes and local staples that shouldn’t be missed. You can find a list of ten of our favorites and where to find them below:
Savory Meals:
Many of these options are considered to be “plate lunches” aka the unofficial state food of Hawaii. Plate lunches have their roots in the 1880s, when pineapple and sugar plantation workers would bring their lunches (composed of rice and leftovers from the previous night’s dinner) to work with them in bento boxes. Over time, similar meals began being served on compartmentalized paper plates, and now plate lunches are sold in restaurants, food trucks, and drive-ins across the state.
• Steak and garlic shrimp plate lunch: Skip the popular Giovani’s Shrimp Shack on the North Shore and head to Ono Steaks and Shrimp Shack in Waimanalo instead. Pro Tip: When given a choice of plate lunch sides, always go for the Hawaiian mac salad.
• Mochiko chicken: This dish is made of chicken fried in sweet rice flour which gives it a (delicious and addicting) sweet and salty flavor. Our favorite mochiko chicken is from Oh My Grill.
• Teri(yacki) cheese burger: Snag one from L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, a Hawaii-based plate lunch icon that has made it’s way across the mainland as well.
• Loco Moco: Composed of white rice, topped with a hamburger, an over-easy egg, and brown gravy, loco moco is a simple, yet delicious Hawaiian comfort food that is worth every calorie. Our favorite is from Keneke’s Grill – a locally-owned plate lunch spot in Waimanalo.
• Spicy ahi poké bowl: Poké, which is diced raw fish, was invented in Hawai’i and has long been a staple in Native Hawaiian cuisine. While you can eat poké on its own, we love eating it over white rice in bowl form. When it comes to finding the best poké bowls on the island, everyone always recommends Foodland, but our favorite place to find them is Fort Ruger Market located just outside of Waikiki.
• Laulau: This Polynesian dish is made from cooked taro leaves containing a pork or fish filling. We recommend snagging some from Waiahole Poi Factory, and while you’re there trying some poi (another Hawaiian staple) as well.
• Lomi Salmon: Composed of salted salmon, tomatoes, onions, and green onions, ordering this Hawaiian side dish from Helena’s Hawaiian Food is a must.
Be sure to save room for desert, because these sweet treats are almost too delicious to be real:
• Pineapple-Shaped Shortbread Cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company
• Haupia pie from Ted’s Bakery
• Açaí bowl from Banan or Sunrise Shack
• Shave ice from Matsumoto’s Shave Ice
• Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery
• Mochi Donuts from MoDo
Bonus tip: don’t sleep on 7 Eleven – their spam musubi is our absolute favorite!
Chase Waterfalls
As a result of the combination of ample spring and winter rainfall and significantly varying elevation on the island, O’ahu is home to dozens of waterfalls – and between January and March, they are usually raging! If you are looking for an easily-accessible waterfall hike, we recommend Waimea Falls. If you are looking for a more intense experience, we recommend searching/reading the reviews on All Trails, to find the hike that is best for you. Regardless of which waterfall(s) you choose to explore, be sure to arrive early, as they can get pretty crowded.
Go Beach Hopping
From barrels to beach swings and turtles to tide pools, O’ahu’s beaches are both plentiful and diverse (click here to see what we mean), yet so many people visit the island and spend the majority of their time lounging solely on the sands of either Waikiki or Lanikai. While both places are absolutely iconic and should be visited, there are so many more beautiful beaches to experience on O’ahu. We recommend spending a day driving along the coast and stopping at all the beaches you stumble upon along the way – we’ve found some of our favorite “secret” spots this way.
If you are interested in giving back to the beaches and communities that you’ve visited, we’ve compiled a list of 10 ways to make your next beach trip more sustainable.
Drive Kalanianaole Highway
While this highway may not be as famous or well known as Maui’s Road to Hana, taking a scenic drive along the coastal Kalanianaole Highway should not be missed. Built into sea cliffs and spanning the area between Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo, this drive hosts several scenic lookouts including Lanai Lookout, Halona Blowhole Lookout, and Makapu’u Lookout. We recommend stopping at them all, and if you are visiting between November and March, keep an eye out for whales that frequent the waters close to the shore.
Search for the Best Sunrise/Sunset Spots
Golden hour on O’ahu is pure magic, and you should try to catch it as many times as you can during your time here. While we haven’t decided whether we prefer dawn or dusk, we have been actively trying to seek out our favorite spots to watch the sun set and rise over the island – and couldn’t recommend the experience more! If you’re looking for somewhere to start, our favorite sunrise spots include Lanikai Pillbox Trail, Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, and Tantalus Lookout. If you are looking for a great, but challenging sunrise hike, we recommend Koko Head Railway Trail. For sunset, the sky over both Sunset Beach on the North Shore and China Walls on the South Shore has been known to put on a show.
When you visit the island, we recommend that you both rent a car to allow for easy access to all corners of the island and that you spend some time staying on at least two shores (i.e. don’t spend all of your time in Waikiki). Also, just like any vacation, a visit to the O’ahu can be relaxed or packed with adventure. If you’re looking for the latter, we have just the adventure-packed itinerary for you, and you can find a video version of our O’ahu bucket list here.
So insightful thank you!
So glad you think so! Thanks for stopping by guys!