1/9: Best of Oʻahu
Top 5 Sights and Destinations
Oʻahu could fill a whole trip on its own. If you only have a few days, these five are the ones we would not skip. Full guides live on loveoahu.org.
2/9: Popular Themes
Culture, Natural Wonders, and Culinary Explorations
Dig into the island’s roots, get out into its natural wonders, taste what grows here, and find the sights worth building a day around. Deeper guides are on loveoahu.org.
Few places pack in more Hawaiian and American history than Oʻahu: the wartime story at Pearl Harbor, the royal history at Iolani Palace, and the deep Pacific collections at the Bishop Museum.
Dig into Oʻahu’s history and culture over on loveoahu.org:
From Honolulu’s food scene to the pineapple and coffee fields of the central plateau, Oʻahu has plenty to taste. Farm tours, food halls, and shrimp trucks are all in reach.
See what Oʻahu grows and cooks:
Beyond the city, Oʻahu is lush: windward jungle, botanical gardens, seabird sanctuaries at Kaʻena Point, and reef life in protected bays.
Get outside on loveoahu.org:
Want more than the highlights? loveoahu.org compares the island’s most popular sights and destinations, sorted by what you are in the mood for.
The island’s top sights, compared on loveoahu.org:
3/9: Curated Tours
Popular Tours that look good on ANY bucketlist
Explore some of the most loved tours on Oʻahu:
4/9: Sort out the basics
Best practices for planning your trip
Planning a trip from scratch can be overwhelming. These guides take you by the hand: island hopping is ours, the rest live on loveoahu.org.
Island Hopping in Hawaiʻi
Dos, don'ts, and money saving tips
Fly away
Free Itinerary
A full 7-day Oʻahu itinerary for first-time visitors
Get started
Getting around Oʻahu
Rental cars, TheBus, rideshare, and when you need which.
Hop On
Where to Stay on Oʻahu
Waikīkī, the North Shore, Ko Olina, and the windward side compared.
Stay a while
5/9: All Activities
Oʻahu Things to Do
Welcome to Oʻahu. We leave out the fluff. Our sister site loveoahu.org compares every option on the island.
6/9: Our blog
Oʻahu blog posts
From local insights and travel tips to must-try activities and hidden gems, discover the best of Oʻahu with our straightforward guides and recommendations.
7/9: Regions
Tourist destinations in Oʻahu
Oʻahu spreads its highlights across five distinct regions. Here is a quick overview; the full regional guides live on loveoahu.org.
8/9: Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions about visiting Oʻahu (5)
Q: How many days should I spend on Oʻahu?
We recommend at least 4 days on Oʻahu, and more if you can. It is the most developed island, so it packs a lot in, from Waikīkī and Pearl Harbor to the North Shore and the windward beaches.
Q: Is Oʻahu too busy or touristy?
Oʻahu is the most developed island and Waikīkī is genuinely crowded, but the island is also the most diverse. Head to the windward coast, the North Shore, or the leeward side and you will find quieter, more local corners.
Q: Do I need a car on Oʻahu?
You can get by in Waikīkī and Honolulu with TheBus, rideshare, and walking, but a rental car makes the North Shore, windward coast, and leeward side far easier to explore.
Q: What are the must-do activities on Oʻahu?
For a first visit we would prioritize Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, a day on the North Shore, and the beaches around Kailua and Lanikai.
Q: When is the best time to visit Oʻahu?
Oʻahu is good year-round. Summer brings calm North Shore water for snorkeling; winter brings the famous big surf. Spring and fall tend to be the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices.
9/9: Free monthly newsletter
The only spam we like comes from a can.
Seriously though, one of the ways we stay as up-to-date as we can on all things Hawai’i as we can is by reading many Hawaiʻi newsletters. Letʻs say we were not happy by how many of those are mostly written to sell, not to inform.
We decided to do better.
Our newsletter is written to add value to your inbox.
Created for those people wanting to keep up with what’s happening on the Hawaiian islands and published once a month, here is what you can expect:
- Upcoming local events
- New and noteworthy places and restaurants and other venues
- Our take on current affairs (what about those hotel prices!)
- Volcano updates
- Upcoming astronomy events (think about meteor showers and lunar eclipses)