Top Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii's main island of Oahu, also known as "The Gathering Place," offers a wide assortment of visitor activities, sights, and attractions. We list some of the best things to do on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center

Located on the North Shore of Oahu in Laie, the Polynesian Cultural Center offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Polynesian culture and history. Villages from Samoa, Maori New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Tahiti, Tonga, and Rapa Nui are recreated along with exhibits and interactive hands-on activities. The Polynesian Cultural Center also offers one Hawaii's most authentic Hawaiian luau, IMAX theatre, shops, and the largest Polynesian revue in the world featuring song and dance of over 100 native performers from all corners of the Pacific.

Polynesian Cultural Center Package - Includes Transporation

Check Out the Surf on the North Shore

Oahu's North Shore, also known as the seven mile miracle, produces some of the world's best waves for surfing. Every winter, giant open ocean swells from the north Pacific produce breathtaking surf. Some of surfing's most prestigious professional contests are held at big wave surf spots including Waimea Bay, Haleiwa, Sunset Beach, and the most famous surf spot in the world, the Banzai Pipeline. Large winter swells can often produce wave face heights of 20 ft + with occasional giant surf of over 40 ft +. A must do for first time visitors to Oahu.

Oahu Circle Island Tour - Includes tour of north shore surfing beaches and Waimea Bay

Take the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial Tour

One of Hawaii's most visited attractions, the USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for the ship's fallen crew members who lost their lives on the fateful day of December 7, 1941. The Arizona Memorial's guided tour includes a short documentary film and boat trip to the Memorial which rests above the sunken ship while the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center offers a museum and Remembrance Circle.

Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbor - City Tour

Stars & Stripes - USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri

Visit the Pali Lookout

The Pali Lookout is one of Oahu's favorite scenic stops offering breathtaking panoramic views of windward Oahu including Kaneohe Bay and Kailua. The Pali Lookout, which is situated on a windward cliff in Nuuanu Valley, is just a short bus ride from Waikiki. The area was also the site of the Battle of Nuuanu where King Kamehameha the Great conquered the island of Oahu and brought it under his rule.

Oahu Circle Island Tour - Includes tour of Nuuanu Pali Lookout

Snorkel at Hanauma Bay

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is one of the most scenic natural spectacles in Hawaii. This protected sanctuary is home to an abundance of colorful reef fish, turtles, and other sea creatures. The Bay's outer reef provides relatively calm waters perfect for snorkeling, wading, and fish viewing. Haunama Bay was the first Marine Life Conservation District in the State thereby ensuring a peaceful sanctuary for its marine life at the same time providing an enjoyable marine adventure for its visitors. A must do for first time visitors to Oahu.

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Adventure

Go on the Circle Island Tour of Oahu

Another must do for visitors to the island is the Oahu circle island tour. A few sights visitors will experience include Diamond Head, Pali Lookout, Exclusive Kahala Estates. Hanauma Bay, Halona Point (Blow Hole), Byodo-In, North Shore surfing beaches, Waimea Bay, Pineapple fields, and the Mormon Temple. These sights are also accompanied by live narration from friendly tour guides provide interesting cultural and historical insights. This is definitely one of the best ways to experience Oahu's numerous points of interest in a single day.

Oahu Grand Circle Island Tour - Includes Transporation

Experience a Hawaiian Luau

All visitors to Hawaii at some point in their trip should make time to experience an authentic Hawaiian luau. The island of Oahu offers a variety of Hawaiian luaus complete with dinner and show. View all Hawaii Luaus.

Polynesian Cultural Center - Admission/Show/Transportation

Polynesian Cultural Center – Ali'i Luau

Polynesian Cultural Center – Ambassador VIP Luau

Polynesia Cultural Center – Ambassador VIP Prime Rib/Seafood Dinner

Germaine’s Luau

Paradise Cove Luau - Deluxe Luau

Paradise Cove Luau - Royal Ali'i Luau

Paradise Cove Luau - Hawaiian Luau Buffet

Other Things to do on Oahu

Enjoy an Oahu Catamaran Dinner Cruise