ALOHA!
Welcome to Oahu!!
First, the quick list of the top areas to know about on Oahu when you’re planning your first trip to Hawaii.
Then, the quick list of the top 5 things to know about on Oahu.
And then, where to find more info for some more Oahu travel planning tips, including things to do like short hikes with the best views, beaches, snorkeling spots, how to spend your time when you have 3 days or 2 weeks or even just 1 day, and how to get around on a budget (aka without a car!) by taking the bus and where to go by bus.
And then finally… a map of Oahu hotels with hotel prices so you can see at a glance what you can expect for the costs of staying in Hawaii!!
The Oahu travel tips are below!
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Here are some popular activities you need to know about to get some very-Hawaii experiences! Read the reviews on the partner websites listed below!
🐢 You can swim with turtles in Waikiki!
Read the reviews for the turtle canyon tour on viator and the turtle canyon tour on getyourguide.
🌺 Eat Hawaiian food at a luau with a fire show! Have a look at the Mauka Warriors Luau or the Toa Luau.
🐠 If you're going snorkeling (or to the beach!), here are things you must consider packing for Hawaii!
You can find these things on Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate.
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel
- walking sandals perfect for Hawaii
- teva is a popular outdoor shoe brand
- teva sandals for women
- teva sandals for men
I also don't go snorkeling in Hawaii without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.
Search for the cheapest car rentals at the Honolulu airport.
/end side note
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So now…
Top areas of Oahu
1. Waikiki
Waikiki is the main tourist hotspot on Oahu.
The vast majority of hotels are located in Waikiki, which means the vast majority of visitors to Oahu stay in Waikiki.
This is where you’ll find a variety of beachfront hotels and resorts right on Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches on Oahu.
As a tourist area, it can come with conveniences to stay in the Waikiki area.
There are a few hostels in Waikiki if you’re traveling to Hawaii alone.
Waikiki is very walkable and there are a lot of things to do in Waikiki for VIEWS!
2. Kailua
Kailua is a beach town on the east side of Oahu (aka windward Oahu), located about a 1 hour drive from Waikiki.
This will get you a different island feeling compared to Waikiki.
There are a lot of things in East Oahu that just might have you thinking this is the most beautiful part of Oahu!
3. North Shore
The North Shore of Oahu is the surfing hotspot in the winter, known internationally as one of the best.
No matter what time of year you visit, the North Shore will also give you a different sort of island feeling compared to Waikiki.
Top 5 activities on Oahu
1. Diamond Head hike
A walk, trolley ride, bus ride, bike ride, or short 10 minute or so drive from Waikiki.
The Diamond Head crater is one of the most famous icons of Oahu.
2. Hanauma Bay snorkeling
The most popular marine life conservation district for snorkeling on Oahu.
3. Waikiki Beach sunset hula show
A convenient way to take in a little bit of Hawaiian culture in Waikiki… for free!
4. Circle island drive
Explore different parts of the island in one day.
5. Pearl Harbor
The serious side of Oahu to be in a spot where tragedy occurred that had a national and global impact.
It’s popular to go here as part of a tour, but you can visit Pearl Harbor on your own without a tour too.
Plan your trip to Oahu
- Day 1: Waikiki
- Day 2: North Shore
- Day 3: Windward coast (east side of Oahu)
How to spend 2 weeks on Oahu without a car
How to spend one day in Honolulu (like if you have a Honolulu airport layover!)
- Diamond Head hike
- Lanikai pillbox hike
- Makapuu point lighthouse trail
- Koko Head hike
- Ehukai pillbox hike
- Manoa Falls Trail
- Hanauma Bay
- Shark’s Cove on the North Shore
- Queen’s Beach in Waikiki
- Best snorkeling spots in Waikiki
Best beaches on the windward coast
- Lanikai Beach
- Kailua Beach
- Waimanalo Beach
Best beaches on the North Shore
- Laniakea Beach aka Turtle Beach
- Shark’s Cove
- Waimea Bay
- Sunset Beach
- Kuilima Cove
Where to see turtles on the North Shore
How to get around Oahu without a car
- How to take the bus around Oahu
- Things to do in Waikiki without a car
- Where to go by bus from Waikiki
- How to use bike sharing in Waikiki and Honolulu
Best places to go by bus from Waikiki
Where to go using a bike share bicycle in Waikiki and Honolulu
Hiking the Diamond Head crater
How to get from Honolulu airport to Waikiki
What to pack for Hawaii
- Top essentials for a trip to Hawaii
- What to pack in your Hawaii daypack
- What to wear hiking in Hawaii
Where to stay on Oahu
Put in future travel dates below (partner website) to explore the cost of hotels in Waikiki!
HAPPY OAHU TRAVEL PLANNING!
Plan your day on Oahu!
- Things to do in Waikiki (for VIEWS!)
- Fun Waikiki snorkeling spots
- Free hula show in Waikiki
- Cheap way to get to the Diamond Head hike