Hawaii is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world.  We’ve visited four of the islands, and each one has taken our breath away, quite literally.  The island of Oahu is the third largest and most populated Hawaiian island and is home to the only large city in the state, the capital city of Honolulu.  

Oahu is where Pearl Harbor is located, where the Japanese forces first attacked the United States leading them to enter World War II.  Its North Shore is known for being some of the best surfing in the world.  It is also well-known for its many hiking trails, waterfalls, coastal views, and amazing sunsets.

There are many things to see and do on the island, and this Oahu Travel Guide will let you know what you should have on your list.  While you’ll want to fit in as many as possible, you’ll also want to move slowly and relax so you can take in everything around you.

This guide will also help you with how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, how to get around, and how to do it as economically as possible.

Related:
Big Island Travel Guide: Unforgettable Places to See on the Beautiful Island of Hawaii 

OAHU TRAVEL GUIDE

#1 Waikiki Beach

#2 Diamond Head Crater

#3 Pearl Harbor Memorial

Pearl Harbor is the location of the surprise aerial attack by Japan on the United States in 1941 that lead the US to enter World War II.  You can visit the sunken USS Arizona Memorial, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and more.  It’s an attraction that you won’t want to miss.

#4 Iolani Palace

Now a historic national landmark, Iolani Palace is the only official residence of royalty in the United States.  It was home to the last two rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii, King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Lili’uokalani, from 1879 to 1893.  It was restored to its former opulence and opened to the public in 1978.

#5 Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is a 4000-acre nature preserve and cattle ranch that you will likely recognize from numerous movies and tv shows that were filmed there such Jurassic Park, Kong: Skull Island, LOST, Hawaii Five-O, and 50 First Dates to name a few.  It is located on the eastern side of Oahu just north of Kane’ohe.  You can tour these filming sites, ride ATVs, and zipline.  There’s also a petting zoo, a sculpture garden, and more.

#6 Byodo-In Temple

The Byodo-In Temple is a replica of an ancient Buddhist temple that was built in 1968 to mark the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigrants coming to Hawaii.  It is located in the beautifully serene Valley of the Temples Memorial Park on the eastern side of the island.  All faiths are welcome to come and worship, meditate, or just enjoy the peaceful setting.

#7 Dole Plantation

#8 Waimea Valley

The Waimea Valley is an area of cultural and spiritual significance and is home to one of the best waterfalls in Hawaii, Waimea Falls.  Located on the North shore, its a great place for a leisurely hike, for swimming, or just to enjoy Oahu’s natural beauty.  There is also a laua on some evenings (book well ahead).

#9 Makapuu Lighthouse and Trail

Where to Stay

I recommend staying in Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue which is a bustling street filled with numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, and high-end shopping and Waikiki Beach!  The majority of the accommodations on the island are in this area.  If you want to be in the middle of most of the activity this is the place to be.

We stayed at the Luana Waikiki Hotel on Kalahaua Avenue.  It’s a somewhat older hotel, but it was a nice stay and is in an excellent location.  The view from the balcony in our room is pictured above.

If you are a surfer you might want to choose a place on the North Shore since it has some of the best surfing in the world.  If you prefer to be in a quite, more secluded area you might look at the the East or West sides.  The east side is good for swimming, hiking, and golfing and has beautiful small oceanfront towns. The west side has fewer tourist attractions but is a good area for relaxing on a quiet beach, swimming, snorkeling or boating.  Look at the towns of Kapolei, Waianae and Makaha.

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Transportation

You will need to rent a car in order to get around the island.  If you stay in Waikiki you will have to pay for parking at hotels, and be prepared- it isn’t cheap.  Waikiki is very walkable, but a car is necessary when you leave to explore the island.  If you book it well in advance you can usually find a reasonable price.

Food

Some popular local foods in Oahu are loco moco, kalua pork, laulau, poke, shave ice, and pineapple everywhere!  Our favorite drink was the mai tai, of course.  It has to be when you’re in Hawaii!  We loved Aloha Kitchen for breakfast, which was a short walk from our hotel.  Tiki’s Grill & Bar in Waikiki was also a favorite.  The food and drinks were great, and the view was incredible!!

Currency

The national currency in the United States is the US Dollar ($).  Click here to get the daily conversion.