Even though the island of Oahu is the most populated island in Hawaii, it’s just as beautiful as the other islands, and there are so many good things to do in Oahu for every kind of traveler.
Some of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii include hikes, beaches, waterfalls, botanical gardens, water sports, wildlife sightings, and more.
There are also some less conventional things to do in Oahu island, like seeing lighthouses, visiting the Pear Harbor memorial, or touring the Jurassic Park film site.
I’ve been privileged to visit the Hawaiian islands many times (often for months at a time), so I’ve done a bunch of hiking, exploring, and sightseeing all over Oahu, including some of the most far flung corners of the island.
1. Hike The Trails
Oahu island has almost 300 documented hiking trails, featuring jagged green mountains, coastal views, jungles, and waterfalls.
Many of these hikes are easy and doable for all ages or fitness levels, although Oahu also has epic and dangerous hikes for the serious thrill seekers.
Some of the best hikes in Oahu include Ka’ena Point, Koko Head, and the Crouching Lion hike. Easy trails for families include Diamond Head and the Pu’u Ma’eli’eli hike.
2. Visit The Pillboxes
During World War II, the U.S. military built concrete bunkers all around the island of Oahu as lookout posts for spotting enemy activity.
These bunkers, or ‘pillboxes’ as they’re called, usually have stunning views of the Oahu coastline and some of them are nicely perched for watching the sunrise or sunset.
The two most famous pillbox hikes in Hawaii are the Diamond Head Lookout and the Lanikai Pillbox Trail, although they can get a bit crowded. Visit some of the others (like the Ma’ili pink pillbox) if you want to escape the crowds!
3. See The Waterfalls
There are dozens of nice waterfalls on Oahu island, and they can usually be reached with a short, easy hike through the jungle.
Don’t expect any giant Jurassic Park-style waterfalls like the ones on Kauai or the Big Island, but Oahu’s falls are still worth a visit.
It’s a fun change of scenery from the beach and mountains, and sometimes you can swim in the water too. Two of our favorite waterfall hikes are Maunawili Falls and Lulumahu Falls, which are both very scenic but require a bit of work to reach.
The most popular and family friendly waterfalls to visit in Oahu are Waimea Falls and Manoa Falls, although the latter one (Manoa) is a bit seasonal and it tends to dry up easily, so you’ll want to check the conditions before you go.
4. Climb The Stairway To Heaven
This hike is so amazing it deserves a special mention. It’s also epic, scary, and slightly illegal. Still interested?
The infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’ takes you to the top of the Ko’olau mountains via 3,922 metal stairs of pure adrenaline and doom. At some points, the stairway is almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain.
There’s an old World War II radio station at the top of the mountain, but the stairway has been closed since the 1980s, and fines of up to $1,000 have been given out to people caught climbing it. The area is even patrolled by security guards around the clock.
Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason — it’s one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth!
5. Climb A Volcano Crater
Another famous hike in Oahu that deserves a special mention is the Koko Crater Trail! This one is an endurance test that takes you up 1,048 stairs on the steep slope of an extinct volcano crater.
The island of Oahu doesn’t have any active volcanoes with lava flows like the ones on the Big Island of Hawaii, but it does have several dormant volcano craters left over from ages past, and it’s fun to visit them even if it’s just for the novelty of walking on a volcano!
Many Hawaiian locals and tourists alike enjoy the Koko Head stairs for the good workout and calorie burn, and the sunrise and sunset are also known for being spectacular. It’s not a dangerous hike, but it’s a real fitness test and this slog may not be enjoyable for everyone. It’ll definitely make your legs sore the next day!
Two other extinct volcano craters you can climb in Oahu are Diamond Head and the Ka’au Crater. Diamond Head is family friendly and relatively easy, while Ka’au is long and difficult. Both are great!
6. Visit The North Shore
The north shore of Oahu island is known for its fantastic sand and waves, snorkeling and sea turtle spotting, bargain food trucks, and overall laid back vibes.
To be fair, the north shore is no secret anymore, and there’s plenty of tourist traffic here, but it still manages to be one of the more quiet and undeveloped corners of Oahu island. Compared to Waikiki, it’s a totally different experience.
During the winter, the north shore is also known for having some of the biggest waves in the world, and it’s fun to watch the pro surfers riding the giant swells at the Banzai Pipeline.
Whether you’re a surfer, a snorkeler, or a family with kids, you should definitely check out the north shore at least once while visiting Oahu!
7. Relax On The Beaches
There are so many white sand beaches in Oahu it’s hard to choose a few to highlight, but I’ll try.
On the windward side of the island, Lanikai Beach has powdery white sand and it’s ranked as one of the best beaches in the world.
On the north shore, two great choices are Laniakea Beach (where you can spot sea turtles) and Sunset Beach.
Even the touristy beaches at Ala Moana and Waikiki are pretty nice if you can handle the crowds. Regardless of which side of the island you decide to explore, you’re sure to encounter some fantastic beaches!
8. Stroll A Botanical Garden
The island of Oahu is home to a bunch of different botanical gardens — at least eight of them!
Aside from having thousands of interesting plant and tree species, these gardens are nice for taking a stroll or snapping photos, usually featuring their own ponds or waterfalls.
Arguably the best botanical garden in Oahu is Ho’omaluhia, which has walking paths that wrap around a koi pond, and stunning green mountain backdrops that are fit for Jurassic Park. It’s one of our favorite free activities in Oahu.
Here are a few other great botanical gardens to check out in Oahu:
- Lyon Arboretum — Located right outside Manoa Falls, this is a 194-acre tropical rainforest featuring 5,000 exotic plants, singing birds, and a self-guided hike.
- Wahiawa Botanical Garden — You can visit this one on the way to the Dole Plantation, or the north shore. It’s a 27-acre high elevation garden that’s free and underrated.
- Waimea Valley — A beautiful jungle valley on the north shore, and it also has a nice waterfall of its own.
9. Try Shave Ice
You can’t leave Oahu island without trying shave ice, the iconic frozen treat of Hawaii.
They have dozens of fun flavors like bubblegum, guava, lemon, and passion fruit, plus add-ons like ice cream, Azuki beans, and Mochi (Japanese rice balls).
You can find good shave ice shops in every corner of the island, but one of the best (and the most famous) is definitely Matsumoto’s Shave Ice, which is located on the North Shore.
This shop dates back to 1951, and they make some of the best shave ice we’ve had anywhere in Oahu Hawaii!
Here are some other good shave ice shops to check out:
- Island Vintage Shave Ice (Honolulu)
- Shimazu Shave Ice (Honolulu)
- Waiola Shave Ice (Honolulu)
- Banan (Honolulu, Waikiki, Kailua)
- Island Snow (Kailua)
10. See The Lighthouses
Lighthouses may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of tropical islands, but Oahu is actually home to a number of them, including two very photogenic ones.
Makapuu is Oahu’s most famous lighthouse, and you can see it up close by hiking the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail, which is a family friendly hike on the southeast corner of the island.
The Diamond Head lighthouse is another good one. It’s not open to the public, but you can see it from the road nearby, or hike the Diamond Head crater for even better views from above.
If you want to get off the beaten path, check out the Barber’s Point Lighthouse, which is located directly on the beach in Kapolei, with a nice view of the sunset!
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