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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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!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.