We travel to Oahu annually and always come home wishing we lived there. Well that’s the plan one day. Until then, we’ll keep exploring as much as we can with each visit.
Here is a round-up of our top things to do when visiting Oahu, Hawaii–AKA the “Main Island.”
What Trails to Hike
When visiting Oahu, you have to take a hike. We’ve listed some of our favorite hikes in Oahu for you to try. Visit Oahu Hike for more hiking options.
- Lanikai Pillboxes (1.2 miles) – The Pu’u O Hulu or ‘Pink Pillbox’ Hike is a short ridge hike on the West Side of Oahu that overlooks the surrounding suburbs and beautiful stretches of beaches that Oahu is known for. The hike extends along the ridge between the Nanakuli and Maili suburbs and can be seen clearly from the Farrington Highway below.
- Makapuʻu Point – Come here for a view of the lighthouse and to whale watch.
- Moana Falls Trail (1.6 miles) – Very short and easy hike located close to Waikiki in Moana.
- Seven Falls Hike (2.1 miles) – The Seven Falls Hike follows a rocky stream through a narrow gorge. You definitely should only bring a dry bag for this hike because there are parts where you will be swimming! You will find yourself wading through water and clambering over rocks for the majority of the trail and at some parts of the trail it becomes very narrow and the water deepens. At these points, you actually need to swim through the trail for a short distance before climbing up waterfalls with ropes. It is one of the most adventurous waterfall hikes I’ve ever done.
- Stairway to Heaven or Haiku Stairs (2.4 miles) – 3,922 stairs lead up the imposing mountain ridge, often at a vertical incline, with only a hand-rail to catch you if you fall.
- Waimea Falls Park (3.5 miles) – This is one of the great Oahu hikes/strolls for the whole family! You mainly walk along a flat road that is surrounded with clean botanical gardens, that will keep you entertained until you reach a bold 50 ft Oahu waterfall.There is a small entrance fee to enter the Waimea Falls Park, but well worth the bang for the buck. It will take you about 30 minutes to reach the waterfall.
Where to Surf
- North Shore – Best season to surf is between September and January. The waves swell up and people (well more like professional surfers) from around the world come to surf during the surf competition in November through December.
Where to Snorkle
- Hanauma Bay – Here you’ll see the most fish in one area. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a turtle too. There is a park entry fee and you can rent snorkels if you forget to bring yours. It’s located near Koko Head and is considered great for beginners.
- Kaena Point State Park – Blue waters and white sand create a great background for snorkeling. Ka’ena means “the heat” and is considered great for intermediate to advanced swimmers and divers.
- Shark’s Cove – Located in the North Shore, this is one of the most famous places to snorkel. It’s best to visit during the Summer months when the water does not swell too much.
Sightseeing
- Aloha Tower
- Byodo-In Temple
- China Man’s Hat
- Diamond Head
- Dole Plantation
- Green World Coffee Farm – A short distance from the Dole Plantation. You can sample and buy coffee here. Don’t forget to visit the coffee farm where you can see chickens running around.
- Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
- Kaka’ako Street Art Village – Check out the beautiful street art and dine at some delicious restaurants in the area. There’s a Boiling Crab restaurant if you’re into cracking some seafood with your hands.
- King Kamehameha Statue – Located in Waikiki along the main road.
- Pearl Harbor
- Polynesian Cultural Center
- Sunflowers at DuPont Garden – July to November are the best dates.
Beaches
- Haunama Bay
- Lanikai
- Mokoli’i
- Sunset Beach
- Waikiki
- Waimea Bay
Entertainment
- Luau – We always recommend going to a Luau if you’ve never gone before. It’s a Hawaiian tradition. We recommend Paradise Cove Luau. It’s very romantic and at the same time great for families and kids.
Where to Shop
If you’re into shopping, visit the Ala Moana Mall and shop the high-end stores along Waikiki’s main road.
Where to Eat
Here are the restaurants that we also recommend in Oahu.
- Ahi Assasins
- Alan Wong’s
- Andy’s Sandwiches and Smoothies
- Bread + Butter
- Cinnamon’s – Red velvet pancakes mmm.
- Gina’s Bar-b-q
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck – Finally made it to the original in 2019. To be honest, I felt Fumi’s was much better in taste and I didn’t have to wait 1.25 hours in a long line. Go there instead.
- Helena’s Hawaiian Food
- Highway Inn Kaka’ako – If you want some traditional Hawaiian fare, this is the place to go. Definitely try the Kailua pork, fish with gravy and TARO CHIP NACHOS.
- Home Bar & Grill
- Inaba Restaurant – Soba topped with all the things.
- Koko Head Cafe
- Kyung’s Seafood – Massive pieces of sashimi.
- Lam’s Kitchen
- Maguro Brothers
- Ma’ona Musubi
- Marukame Udon
- Mud Hen Water – Delicious brunch, lunch and dinner menu offered here. They have outdoor seating that is great for families and pups. They are not shy with flavoring their bloody Mary drinks. I ordered a pork cheek fried rice here and highly recommend it.
- Musubi Café Iyasume
- Ono Seafood
- Over Easy
- Pho 97 – Come for the Vietnamese Bun Rieu noodle soup.
- The Pig and the Lady – I recommend coming for lunch and trying their pho roast beef dip sandwich. We went during dinner and totally missed this delicacy.
- Piggy Smalls – The Pig and the Lady’s sister restaurant.
- Roy’s Hawaii The Original – A must visit if you love Roy’s on the mainland. Their BBQ pork is always satisfying.
- Scratch Kitchen and Meatery
- Senia’s
- Tamura’s – Little grocery store filled with craft beer, wine and the best poke on the island! There’s a Tamura’s in almost every major city on Oahu.
- Tikis Grill & Bar – Great happy hour menu overlooking Waikiki beach. We have been to this place on every visit.
Coffee
- Arvo
- Morning Glass Coffee
Sweet Treats
- Artizen by MW
- Banan
- Bubbie’s Mochi Ice Cream – Best mochi ice cream I’ve ever eaten. You can also buy them in limited flavored boxes at the Costco in Oahu. My favorite flavors are cherry, green tea and mango.
- Leonard’s Bakery – They’re known for their malasadas (pao doce), or jelly or custard filled doughnuts. Come during the week and there’s barely a line. The weekends are crowded but still worth the wait.
- Liliha’s Bakery
- Matsumoto’s – Located in North Oahu is this shave ice joint. There’s always a line out the door but it moves fast. Come during the day so that you can enjoy your shave ice in the sun.
What to Drink
- Bar Leather Apron – This swanky bar is located in a corporate building. You’ll need a reservation, so call ahead of time.
- Maui Brewing Co. – Fell in love with their coconut porter and I’ve been coming back since.
- Village Bottle Shop and Tasting Room – We had a dragonfruit cider here and were blown away.
- Whole Foods – For some reason, the Whole Foods in Honolulu always has an amazing selection of craft beer that we can’t get back home.
Accommodation
- AirBnB – AirBnB is a great option for budget travelers.
- Hotels – Can be expensive depending on what part of town you’re visiting. Hotels near Waikiki will run you $300+ per night.
- Couchsurfing – Consider borrowing someone’s couch or spare room for free. Keep your group small (2-3 persons max) so that everyone has a great time. Also, always buy your guests dinner or bring them gifts when staying with them.
Transportation
- By Plane: Fly into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Airport code: HNL), also known as the Honolulu International Airport, is the principal aviation gateway of the City and County of Honolulu on Oahu in the State of Hawaii.
- In between islands, you can take a boat or plane. You will need to fly out of the interisland terminal when going between islands.
- Rent a Car: It’s worth it to rent a car when visiting Oahu so that you can explore all the landmarks, parks and hiking trails.
Join Alex and Larry on our journey, as we find love, eat great food, and travel to beautiful destinations. #weloveeattravel