Get the most out of your Hawaii vacation with the best things to do in Oahu

Hawaii will be warm and inviting no matter what time of year you visit. Spring is an excellent choice; summer tends to be hotter and rainier with more placid seas, while winter blesses visitors with dry, cooler weather and occasional seasonal swells.

The most populous of the eight Hawaii islands, Oahu is a good place to start.  There are endless attractions, whether you’re traveling as a couple or with your kids.

A big part of what makes Hawaii memorable is its blend of ethnic influences and traditions from when Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands migrated to Hawaii more than 1,600 years ago. Today, its rich culture lives on in many ways like the wearing of leis, the art of hula dance and lauhana (the weaving of Hala leaves), and its language comprises only five vowels and eight consonants. A great way to appreciate the Hawaiian culture is to attend the free daily events and classes at The Royal Hawaiian Center, where you learn to dance the hula, play the ‘ukulele, make a lei, and watch hula performances.

Food will be a big part of your Oahu experience and for good reason. Hawaiian cuisine comprises five distinct cuisines reflecting the diversity of the island’s inhabitants. To make the food hunt a lot easier, these are some top local picks.

Ulu: This protein-rich superfruit is native to Hawaii and a very undersung ingredient. It can taste like custard or baked bread, depending on how it’s prepared. At Duke’s Waikiki, the Pono Pie is made with Hawaiian breadfruit, macadamia nuts, toasted coconut, and tangy passionfruit. You can find Pono Pies at Whole Foods and Down to Earth for a takeaway option.

Kalua Pig: The secret to Helena’s Hawaiian Food trademark dish is they cook it traditionally in an imu (underground oven), which explains its unique juicy flavor. It’s one of the reasons they were awarded a James Beard Foundation’s Regional Classics award in 2000. For a takeaway option, look out for May’s Hawaii Kalua Brand Pork which you can easily cook up at home.

Roast Pork and Poke Bowl: Opened in 1949, Alicia’s Market is a family-run Hawai’i general store known for its roast meats and poke bar (they stock over 15 varieties), so this combination is the best of both worlds.

 The Curb Kaimuki, Kai Coffee, and Morning Brew Kailua) offering a taste of this specialty bean only grown on the slopes of two volcanoes on Hawaii’s Big Island. When buying Kona coffee, look at the label to see what percentage of Kona coffee is included; blends must contain at least 10%.

Depending on where you catch a performance, there are two forms, the hula kahiko, often referred to as traditional hula, and the hula’auana, which combines the traditional form with Western influence. More elaborate performances are put on at Paradise Cove as part of a luau or at the Polynesian Cultural Center. However, there are also free performances at the Royal Hawaiian Center‘s Royal Grove on Tuesdays.

No visit to Oahu is complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. If you’re short on time, organize your free tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial beforehand. Few experiences will rival a snorkeling session at Shark’s Cove, home to an amazing array of marine life. Taking a cruise on the Kamoauli—a one-of-a-kind 44-foot long double-hulled Polynesian canoe made almost entirely of Tongan cedar wood—doesn’t just make for a pretty sunset picture; it offers a full Hawaiian history and cultural experience while onboard.

There’s no shortage of dramatic sunset spots, but catching one at Three Tables Beach on the North Shore is pretty special. A popular spot for snorkeling and turtle sightings between May and September, come dusk, the sun setting over the three flat sections of reef that appear at low tide is quite something. 

You won’t have to travel too far from Waikiki to get to the breathtaking Manoa Falls and its 150-foot-tall waterfall. If the lush jungle setting looks familiar, it’s because Jurassic Park and Lost were filmed there. Another popular waterfall is the two-tiered Likeke Falls, located below the Pali Lookout point. A quick hike that can be done en route/back from Waimanalo or Kailua Beach. Park on the road before the gate to Ko’olau Golf Club or risk getting a ticket.

This being Hawaii, surfing will be on the bucket list. Queen’s Beach or Old Man’s Oahu in Waikiki are awesome spots to observe some waves. White Plains’ beach is another option with fewer surfers out on the water and clear signage designating swimming and surfing areas. Paddling out to The Mokes (Nā Mokulua) is a great way to enjoy both Kailua and Lanikai Beach and be out on the water. Located a mile and a half off Kailua beach, getting there will take roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the conditions. Once there, the twin-peaked Moku Nui, a bird sanctuary.

A Waikiki alternative is Ala Moana Beach Park, where the water is calmer, there’s half a mile of golden-white sand, and a high chance of spotting turtles swimming in the water. Ko’olina’s four lagoons are certainly pretty and kid-friendly, but they have restrictions (no non-rented SUP, no kayaks) and limited parking. Up North, Waimea Bay is perfect in the summertime when the water is calm enough for snorkeling.