The Hawaiian island of Oahu is a great destination if you enjoy the outdoors and astonishing scenery, along with beautiful beaches and amazing hiking routes. Along with nature, Oahu also offers the amenities of a big city and plenty of historic landmarks. Get up early for a spectacular sunrise over the tropical landscape or explore the turquoise waters surfing and snorkeling. Finish your day watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean. With our guide, you can enjoy all the top attractions around Oahu. This way you can choose the spots that suit your needs as well as the type of visit or vacation you’re looking for.
Oahu has a good bus system to get around the island, but renting a car is really the way to experience it. Book a convertible to enjoy the sea breeze in your hair, or an SUV to have room to carry more people and equipment. To enjoy the trip for a longer time, choose the best deals from SIXT weekly rental cars.
- 1. Diamond Head
- 2. Lanikai Beach
- 3. Waimea Bay
- 4. Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
- 5. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- 6. Byodo-In Temple
- 7. Ko Olina Lagoons
- 8. Kualoa Ranch
- 9. Hanauma Bay
- 10. Hawaii’s Plantation Village
- Best Places to Eat & Drink on Oahu
Must-see attractions on Oahu
1. Diamond Head
Diamond Head is a dormant volcano just on the outskirts of Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu, that has become one of Oahu’s most iconic landmarks. The Diamond Head State Monument allows visitors to hike to the summit of the crater where you can get panoramic views of the ocean and the city below. This is one of the top picks if you’re deciding what to do in Honolulu.
Address: 4180 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Allow about 2 hours for the round-trip hike to the crater summit.
2. Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches Oahu has to offer. This is where you’ll want to go to enjoy a long stretch of white sand and aqua blue waters. You just have to look for one of the beach pathways squeezed between residential homes along Mokulua Drive. The waters are calm but there aren’t any lifeguards on duty.
Address: Mokulua Dr., Kailua, HI 96734
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: 2-3 hours
3. Waimea Bay
Waimea Bay is famous for having 30-foot waves in the winter, which attract some of the world’s best surfers. During the summer, the waters calm down and it becomes an ideal destination for travelers of all ages. Bring your snorkeling gear and plenty of sunscreen for a day in the sun at Waimea Bay Beach Park.
Address: 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Entry fees: Free
Hours: During the daytime
Time required to see the attraction: 2-3 hours or longer
4. Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
In the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden you’ll find plant species from all over the world. It makes for a very peaceful environment and beautiful scenery. If you’re up for it, camping within the garden grounds is a unique experience for families and couples. The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is the place to go to slow down the pace of your trip and relax.
Address: 45-680 Luluku Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: ou can spend from 20 minutes to around 2 hours exploring the gardens, depending on whether you drive or walk.
5. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
This memorial commemorates the Americans who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It’s a popular destination for history buffs, but it’s worth visiting for at least a couple hours and taking a boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial. Leave your backpacks and personal items in the car if you don’t want to wait in line for a locker.
Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, HI 96818
Entry fees: Free
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: You can spend between 2 to 6 hours exploring the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.
6. Byodo-In Temple
Experience walking through a replica of a historic Japanese Buddhist temple and the perfectly manicured grounds surrounding it. This restful destination in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park welcomes everyone to meditate, worship or simply appreciate its beauty. The memorial park also sometimes hosts concerts and special events.
Address: 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Less than 1 hour
7. Ko Olina Lagoons
The Ko Olina Lagoons are made up of four different lagoon beaches. These are perfect spots to enjoy some time swimming or snorkeling in the clear warm water. Some of the lagoons are part of resorts but open to the public. This could be the place to bring children since the waves are milder due to the protective lagoons.
Address: Alinui Dr., Kapolei, HI 96707
Entry fees: Free
Hours: During the daytime
Time required to see the attraction: You can spend 2 hours or more here.
8. Kualoa Ranch
The Kualoa Ranch is a unique nature preserve in Oahu where multiple Hollywood productions have been filmed, including the iconic Jurassic Park. You’ll need to book a tour to explore past the Kualoa Ranch restaurant and Kualoa Beach. Whether you opt for ziplining through Jurassic Valley or a Jungle Jeep Expedition, it’ll be a worthwhile adventure.
Address: 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Around 2 hours
9. Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a state park popular for its coral reef. Those who want to snorkel at this beautiful beach, be sure to make a reservation beforehand so you don’t miss out on witnessing the incredible marine life. Protecting this incredible natural resource is essential, so check out Hanauma Bay’s recommendations on reef-safe sunscreen.
Address: 100 Hanauma Bay Road, Honolulu, HI 96825
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Between 2-3 hours
10. Hawaii’s Plantation Village
This sugar cane plantation village is a historical spot where one can learn about the early days of life in Hawaii. The attraction is a recreation of different village homes of the workers who dedicated their work to cane plantations, displaying Hawaii’s agricultural development over time. It is both educational and relaxing, suitable for families with kids to visit.
Address: 94-695 Waipahu St., Waipahu, HI 96797
Entry fees: More information
Hours: When to visit
Time required to see the attraction: Tours are just over 1 hour; you can spend as much time here as you want other than that.
Best Places to Eat & Drink on Oahu
When visiting Oahu, part of the fun will be trying some of the delicious traditional meals and beverages. Oahu, and the rest of Hawaii, is known for poke, loco moco and laulau, among other dishes. Also, find a tiki bar to have a drink by the water to complete your tropical paradise experience.
Romy’s Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp: If you find yourself looking for something to eat in Oahu’s North Shore, it’s mandatory to get your hands dirty and try their fresh shrimp and seafood.
The Pig and the Lady: Check out this hip spot in downtown Honolulu to enjoy some top-notch Vietnamese cooking.
Bevy: This bar with a pleasant laid-back vibe has some amazing cocktails. Complete your tropical styled drink with something from their farm-to-table menu.
Haleiwa Beach House: This is the best spot in the area to order a drink and enjoy the sunset. It’s also a great place to indulge in some fresh grilled seafood.
