Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Hawaii Vacation Blog

TOP 5 Things to Do on Oahu

a sign on the side of the road

Hawaii is truly a paradise for visitors from all over the world. Unlike many destinations, Hawaii is not really one destination – but six unique and diverse island destinations. In this article, we will highlight our favorite things to do on one of the Hawaiian islands – Oahu. Oahu is definitely a hot spot for Hawaii activities, tours, shopping, surfing, nightlife, and dining. Here are the top 5 things to do on Oahu:

Eat the Street on Oahu

Top Food Trucks Oahu
Top Food Trucks Oahu

Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures, that is why here you can try a diversity of exotic cuisines. Food trucks play a big role in Hawaiian culture. Therefore, being on Oahu you should definitely experience eating true Hawaiian food from a variety of food trucks all over the island. Here are some of our favorite trucks on the island:

Enjoy Top Sunrises and Sunsets on Oahu

Top beaches on Oahu
Sunset Beach Oahu

Sunrises and sunsets in Hawaii are always breathtaking and different. And they are also a cause to stop for a while and appreciate the beauty of the world. The angles and edges of Oahu create different views of the sun, and there are plenty of places to view the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. So, here are the top places to view the sunrise or/and sunset on Oahu.

  • Koko Head
  • Sandy Beach
  • Lanikai Pillboxes
  • Kapiolani Beach Park
  • Ala Moana Park
  • Puu Ualakaa State Park
  • Sunset Beach North shore

 Stop at one of the best lookouts on Oahu to watch a beautiful sunset with us! Interesting historical facts and insider tips from our local tour guide will help you to explore REAL Hawaii.

Surfing on Oahu

Surfing Oahu enjoys a tremendous reputation. Why? Because surfing has been in the blood of Hawaiian natives for centuries. Traditional stories talk about Hawaiian kings who gracefully and majestically rode across the waves cheered by the crowd. Moreover, Duke Kahanamoku, “Ambassador of Aloha,” Olympic medalist, and avid waterman, helped expose surfing to the world.

If you want to try surfing in Hawaii, Waikiki is definitely a great place to start. Waikiki with its many surf spots for beginners is great to give it a shot. But PLEASE, take a surf lesson on Oahu to get used to the surfboard and get a feel for the board. You can book a surf lesson here.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling Oahu

Snorkeling in Hawaii is fun and there’s lots to see – fish, turtles, monk seals, dolphins, and more. If you love seeing fish up close and personal while immersing yourself in the deep, then finding the best snorkeling in Hawaii is going to be on your bucket list. So, let’s have a look at the top locations on Oahu for observing natural and rare inhabitants:

  • Shark’s Cove
  • Kuilima Cove
  • Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
  • Kahe Point Beach Park – Electric Beach

Get your snorkeling gear from Amazon. Link here! And if you want to actually know what fish you’re looking at,… this cheap chart helps to identify fish in Hawaii!

Explore the North shore

Haleiwa North Shore
Haleiwa town

North shore is one of our favorite locations on Ohau. Since, it is famous for its surfing, snorkeling, and of course the fifty-one beaches that stretch for more than 11 miles along this incredible expanse of Oahu coastline. Oahu’s North Shore has plenty to offer every visitor. Take a trip to the North shore to explore turtle beaches, Haleiwa town, surf spots, and more. Furthermore, there are also plenty of historical and cultural locations to enjoy. 

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Group Tour with Downtown Honolulu From $79 $59

Enjoy an interesting 5-6 hour excursion to Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona and Downtown Honolulu. ONLY Pearl Harbor Tour including a guided walk through Downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue and other Hawaiian sites. Small Group Self-Guided Pearl Harbor Tour with exclusive service.

Private Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Tour From $500

Private Pearl Harbor Tour & USS Arizona visit (Tickets Upon Availability). During this ~6-7 hour tour you have enough time to explore ALL of Pearl Harbor National Park. See Pearl Harbor, visit the USS Arizona Memorial, step on the submarine USS Bowfin, take a free guided tour on the Battleship USS Missouri and visit the Aviation Museum.