15 Places You Can’t Miss in Oahu (Hawaii)

Oahu, Hawaii has a reputation for being the ultimate tropical paradise. If you have ever been there then you know that this reputation is well deserved. 

None of the Hawaiian islands are that big, but they are all packed with unique and amazing things to see and do for everyone from beach bums to adrenaline junkies. Not only is Hawaii a dreamland of natural geography, but the Hawaiian people show what a gem Polynesian culture really is.

I am especially grateful for the Hawaiian islands as I partially credit them for the ability to “trick” my now-wife into marrying me. I scored some free flight buddy passes to Oahu and immediately invited her to join me on a quick weekend getaway. I knew she couldn’t resist a free trip to an exotic paradise, even though she may have had concerns about me being the company. 

Once we were there, I think she wrongfully applied her love of Hawaii to me, and thankfully I was able to keep those positive associations going straight through our wedding!

Curious what you should not miss on Oahu? Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Oahu.

Where to Stay on Oahu

We stayed in the Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach Hotel and we loved it! The location was right by the beach and price was perfect! You can book and check out current prices here.

Staying right on Waikiki Beach was a dream!

What to Pack? Before traveling to Oahu, make sure to read my Hawaii Packing List guide so you can know exactly what you need to bring to Hawaii.

Best Things to do on Oahu

There is no way to choose just 15 things to do in Hawaii, so this post focuses on the top 15 things to do on Oahu (the most commonly visited island). 

1. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

2. Waterfalls at Ko’olau Mountain Range

This mountain range was formed by ancient volcanoes erupting. Today, there are dramatic cliffs left on the Eastern side of Oahu. On a rainy day water pools at the top and you can see spectacular waterfalls coming down the cliffs.

Planning a trip to Maui? Check out the most amazing waterfalls >> 6 Easily Accessible Maui Waterfalls

3. Polynesian Cultural Center (Best luau in Oahu)

The Polynesian Cultural Center is the perfect place to experience traditional Polynesian Culture. They have recreations of traditional villages and an amazing luau with native Polynesian dancers. Honestly, it is probably the best luau in Oahu.

Here are some other extremely popular luaus in Hawaii:

• Paradise Cove Luau – 5.5 hour experience. You will watch the sunset and enjoy entertainment from fire twirlers, hula dancers, and Hawaiian musicians. Includes an authentic Hawaiian buffet dinner – including fresh seafood, kalua pork, and tropical fruit. Yes, please!
• Toa Luau at Waimea Valley – This Luau includes entrance to Waimea Valley and falls. Life jackets will be provided if you want to go swimming in the falls. And of course, traditional Polynesian dancing and cultural performances while you taste Hawaiian specialties and sip tropical cocktails. Read more about Toa Luau at Waimea Valley 2022.

4. Take an Open Door Helicopter Tour of Oahu

You have to do this! Get your adrenaline pumping with this 60 minute open door helicopter tour over Oahu (if you prefer to have the doors you can do that to).

With this tour you will fly over Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, North Shore’s Banzai Pipeline, the Chinaman’s Hat, Makapu’u Lighthouse, the Sacred Falls, Kaneohe Bay and so many more famous landmarks!

They will even give you a complimentary recording of the flight afterwards. This tour is one of the best-rated tours on Oahu.

Click Here to check the rates and availability.

5. Cliff Jumping at La’ie Point

(this picture isn’t actually from La’ie Point, but you get the idea)

While visiting Oahu there will be lot of places one can cliff jump; some are actually pretty dangerous.  The one where I safely jumped was La’ie Point on the North Shore. Not for the faint of heart!

You might also be interested in: What to expect from each Hawaiian Islands

6. Go Shark Diving

This incredible 2-Hour Shark Dive is one of the most popular tours on Oahu.

An Oahu shark dive in infested waters while you are protected in an underwater cage sounds like something that only National Geographic researchers would get to do right? 

Shockingly, shark cage diving in Oahu really is something that you can book here!

At first I didn’t actually believe it was a real, but if you are brave enough you really can literally swim with sharks off of Oahu’s North Shore.

You take a boat ride out to the shark hot spot and if you aren’t too afraid you can get in the safety cage where you will be mere inches away from sharks that grow up to 15 feet. One caveat is that you won’t be in the shark cage for the full two hours (that part only lasts for about 20 minutes).

Full disclosure, I was too scared to do shark cage diving Oahu when there, but I still regret it today. The guides train you on the essentials to ensure your safety.

Make sure to bring your underwater camera so that you can capture the moment, otherwise, most people won’t believe you actually did it.

Full disclosure, I was too scared to do shark cage diving Oahu when there, but I still regret it today. The guides train you on the essentials to ensure your safety.

Click here to check rates and availability. Equipment is included.

Here are more of the most popular Shark Diving Tours on Oahu:

• *Top rated Oahu Shark Dive – This Shark Dive has over 1,100 positive reviews and it one of the top rated tours on Oahu.
• Shark Cage Diving In Oahu
• Swim with Sharks (cage-free) – For the adrenaline junkies.
• Incredible 2-Hour Shark Dive on the North Shore

7. Visit Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941 Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This devastating attack pulled the United States into World War II, which ultimately changed the entire face of the globe. 

The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is a sobering reminder of what we have come through. Though this changes the tone from the rest of Hawaiian vacation, it needs to be included.

Book your tour: Pearl Harbor and Honolulu City Tour

Book your tour: Salute to Pearl Harbor half day tour

8. Go Snorkeling at Turtle Canyon

The warm waters of Oahu feature some of the most stunning giant sea turtles in the world. In order to do this you do need to go on a cruise, but I promise you, it is well worth it!

This Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise is incredible if you want to swim with turtles in Oahu.

On top of the sea turtles, you can also expect to see a plethora of tropical fish as well as some of the most beautiful spots on Oahu.

This is a great snorkeling trip to take if you don’t want to spend the entire day out on a boat. You will get picked up from your hotel and taken out for a short boat ride. Click Here to check the rates and availability of this tour on the booking website.

Another popular snorkeling tour on Oahu is this one where you get to snorkel with dolphins and sea turtles! Click here to check out the details.

9. Hike Diamond Head

This mountain/volcanic crater is one of the best spots in Hawaii for a quick hike. It is only about a mile long and not difficult (seriously Grandmas do it). Once at the summit you have breathtaking views of Waikiki and the endless blue ocean.

Book your tour: Diamond Head Hiking and Waikiki Tour

10. Oahu Ziplines and Rope Bridges Through the Rainforest

Though there are many places in Hawaii that you can zipline above and climb up platforms via rope bridges through the dense rainforest canopy, Climb Works is one of the best. They feature zip lines, ATV rides, rappelling, and suspension bridges.

Another one of the best places to zip line in Oahu is in Kualoa Ranch. The area looks just like Jurassic Park.

It is one of the most beautiful places in Oahu and has even been used as the backdrop for multiple movie sets, including Jurassic Park. Reserve your spot in advance here.

11. Stairway to Heaven Oahu

Ha’iku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven) Hike is now illegal due to private land ownership and liability issues, though I know some people are still choosing to do it. I include it because it is something you will hear about when planning a trip to Hawaii and should know that it is currently off limits. The metal stairs and ladders created a challenging but dangerous hike for those that got to experience it.

11. Surf Lessons at Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular Oahu attractions. This is the busiest tourist spot in Hawaii. 

The white sand, clear blue water, and never ending small waves make this a perfect spot for beginners to become a grommet (supposedly this means beginning surfer). Great instructors make this possible for even the least athletically inclined. Check out some of the most popular surf lessons I could find here.

Book your tour: Oahu: Group Surfing Lesson in Waikiki Beach

12. Dole Plantation Hawaii Tour

Some people think the Dole Pineapple plantation Hawaii is dull, but I loved learning about the agricultural history of Hawaii, getting lost in the garden maze (like a corn maze, but bigger), and the samples of fresh island fruit (the fruit samples alone make it worth the stop).

Book your tour: 120-Mile Full-Day Circle Island Tour of Oahu. This best selling tour includes a visit to the Waimea Valley and Dole Pineapple Plantation.)

13. North Shore Surfing

The Northern shore of the island is not nearly as developed as other parts of Oahu, but should also be on your list. Each winter the shore is pounded with 30 ft tall waves that make it a surfers’ paradise.

It is easy and fun to spot professional surfers riding the waves all day. Even though I promised to remain a spectator I tried to ride the waves myself. This was a big mistake as I got tossed like around a rag doll. If you are a beginner but still want to learn to surf on the North shore of Hawaii these beginner surf lessons come highly recommended.

Looking for some Oahu hidden gems? Read >> Best Things to do in Oahu (You Probably Haven’t Heard of)

15. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Beach

Frequently Asked Questions about Oahu

What to pack for Oahu

• Quick Dry Travel Towel – This quick dry towel is amazing to travel with. We honestly usually travel with 2 of them. It really will come in handy when you need extra room in your suitcase.
• Snorkeling gear – for obvious reasons.
• Sandals – LOVE these Tevas sandals. You can actually hike in them which is perfect for hawaii if you don’t want to bother with hiking boots.
• Hiking Boots – The hikes in Hawaii are MUDDY. Make sure to pack a nice pair of waterproof hiking boots so trekking through the mud and puddles doesn’t make you miserable. Nothing worse than wet socks. These are my favorite hiking boots. They are cute and comfortable. I never go hiking without them! Buy them from DSW here.
• Tank tops – Free people is my go to place to buy cute and affordable tank tops (Depending on the style of course). I have this tighten up tank in almost every color.
• Shorts – Anyone who is traveling to Hawaii needs a good pair of shorts. Khakis are great for guys. For women, cute athletic shorts or denim shorts are perfect for a breezy summertime look.
  • These denim shorts are my current favorites!
  • These high waisted athletic shorts have gone viral on instagram and for good reason, they are AMAZING.
  • Hat – essential. Shop my favorite hats at Nordstrom here.

• Dresses for Hawaii – Packing a few good dresses is essential for Hawaii. Dresses have become my go to on trips to help quickly put an outfit together.
• Tennis Shoes – I guess you could wear sandals hiking this trail but I would recommend tennis shoes. It can get narrow and slippery in parts. I never go anywhere without my white Air force ones. They are the most versatile shoe I own.
  • These Nike tennis shoes are also my current favs. Only bummer is they sell out so fast! If they are sold out I would check out the newest released Nikes here. They look so cute with shorts too!
• Beach cover-up – Having at least one good cover-up is essential on any beach trip. Amazon actually has amazing ones at really affordable prices. If you aren’t a fan of buying clothes off Amazon I recommend ASOS, Nordstrom and Revolve as well.
• Camera Gear – The iPhone 13 Pro is amazing and probably all that most people need. BUT, if you want something more I can’t recommend the Sony A7IV mirrorless camera enough. It is AMAZING. If you are more into video than taking photos I recommend the Sony A7SIII or the Canon R5 for you Canon lovers.
• Travel tripod – This Peak Design travel tripod is the best I have ever used. It is so easy to carry around because it is literally the size of a water bottle. Fits perfectly in a backpack. I have never seen a tripod so compact. It’s life changing. You can check it out here if you’re interested. Note – It isn’t cheap, but that’s why I bought it from backcountry.com. They frequently have 15% off sales so I was luckily able to purchase during a sale.