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Top 10 Oahu Must Do’s
Oahu Activities

Top 10 Oahu Must Do’s

A shortlist of my all-time favourite things to do on Oahu.

These must-do experiences are waiting for you on Oahu, social hub of the Hawaiian Islands.

01. Conquer the Diamond Head crater hike
02. Plunge into Oahu’s sparkling waters
03. Relax with a tropical cocktail at sunset
04. Tick off the island’s shopping hot-spots
05. Dip under the wonderful Waihi Waterfall
06. Road-trip to the North Shore surf mecca
07. Engage in a Hawaiian cultural activity
08. Get educated on Hawaii at a major museum
09. Re-visit history at Pearl Harbor Historic Sites
10. Explore the stunning South-East Coast


1. Conquer the Diamond Head crater hike

Diamond Head, Oahu Must Dos
Diamond Head, Oahu Must Dos | @esmichele

Brave the 0.8 mi (1.2 km) hike to the top of Diamond Head, an extinct volcano crater, via 200+ steps and a few tunnels. You’ll be rewarded with postcard views over Honolulu.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Diamond Head

2. Plunge into Oahu’s sparkling waters

Waikiki Beach, Oahu Must Dos
Waikiki Beach, Oahu Must Dos | @_daniblack_

Choose from a raft of ocean activities like kayaking, outrigger canoe riding, parasailing, scuba diving, shark diving, snorkelling, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, windsurfing, banana boating and the list goes on…

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Water Sports in Oahu

3. Relax with a tropical cocktail at sunset

Duke's Waikiki, Oahu Must Dos
Duke’s Waikiki, Oahu Must Dos | @mtatravel

Position yourself at one of Waikiki’s incredible beachfront bars, order a cocktail (try a Mai Tai, Blue Hawaii or Lava Flow) and watch an unforgettable sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

4. Tick off the island’s shopping hot-spots

Waikele Premium Outlets, Oahu Must Dos
Waikele Premium Outlets, Oahu Must Dos | @shoppinggirlgoeshawaiian

Oahu delivers a shopper’s paradise with everything from the world’s largest outdoor mall and duty-free galleria to local boutiques and an open-air factory outlet.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Waikele Center

RELATED >> 12 Top Hawaii Shopping Hot Spots in Waikiki

5. Dip under the wonderful Waihi Waterfall

Waihi Waterfall, Oahu Must Dos
Waihi Waterfall, Oahu Must Dos | @bri_randle

Waihi Waterfall is 45 ft (13 m) piece of paradise in Waimea Valley on Oahu’s North Shore (opposite Waimea Bay). Visit this attraction for a peaceful botanic garden walk and refreshing swim.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Oahu Coach Tour including Dole Plantation and Waimea Falls

6. Road-trip to the North Shore surf mecca

Haleiwa, Oahu Must Dos
Haleiwa, Oahu Must Dos | @chinomoe

Rent a car or take a tour to Oahu’s beautiful North Shore, explore the historic surf town of Haleiwa and famous surf spots like Sunset Beach. Don’t forget to try shave ice and eat at a shrimp truck (my favourite is Fumi’s).

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: North Shore

7. Engage in a Hawaiian cultural activity

Royal Hawaiian Center, Oahu Must Dos
Royal Hawaiian Center, Oahu Must Dos | @miri.sakura

Connect with Hawaii’s host culture through a ukulele, lei making, quilting, lauhala weaving or hula lesson. Royal Hawaiian Center offers complimentary cultural programming Tuesday to Saturday.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Oahu Cultural Tours

8. Get educated on Hawaii at a major museum

Bishop Museum, Oahu Must Dos
Bishop Museum, Oahu Must Dos | @miri.sakura

Carve out some holiday time to delve deeper into Hawaii’s history, people, arts, plants, animals and more, at one of Oahu’s many museums.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Bishop Museum

9. Re-visit history at Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

Pearl Harbor, Oahu Must Dos
Pearl Harbor, Oahu Must Dos | @mmitzi29

Allow ample time at this national historic landmark to visit not only the USS Arizona Memorial but the Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Pacific Aviation Museum and the USS Oklahoma Memorial.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Pearl Harbor

RELATED >> What is the best way to see Pearl Harbor?

10. Explore the stunning South-East Coast

Halona Beach, Oahu Must Dos
Halona Beach, Oahu Must Dos | @sam_the_third

Rent a car or take a tour to Oahu’s south-east coast, snorkel at Hanauma Bay, dip in Halona Beach, hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse, explore Kailua and Lanikai beaches before returning via the Nuuanu Pali Lookout.

SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Hanuama Bay; Halona BlowholeMakapuu Lighthouse; Kailua Beach Park; Lanikai Beach; Pali Lookout


Oahu Bound Itineraries

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