11 Things to Do on Oahu: A Great First-Timer’s Guide
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There are so many things to do on Oahu that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We spent our trip splitting time between Waikiki, the North Shore and the windward side, and a few stops stood out as the best things to do on Oahu for a first-timer. Here are those stops, with what we actually did at each one.
Wondering how we got there from Florida? Here’s how long the flight to Hawaii takes, including our drive to Tampa and our connection in Seattle.
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
Table of Contents
- Visit the Byodo-In Temple: A Peaceful Thing to Do on Oahu
- Bring Home a Kukui Nut Lei
- Tour Kualoa Ranch and See the Jurassic Park Filming Locations
- Spend a Full Day on the North Shore: Top Things to Do on Oahu
- Visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona: A Must-Do on Oahu
- Stop at the Dole Plantation
- Visit a Coffee Farm
- Hike to the Lanikai Pillbox
- Hike Diamond Head
- Recommended Items for Hiking
- Try Zip Lining at Coral Crater Adventure Park
- Watch the Sunset on Waikiki Beach
- Attend a Luau: One of the Coolest Things to Do in Oahu
- A Small Moment I Won’t Forget
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do on Oahu
- Your Turn
- Stay Connected
- More Reads on My Tasteful Threads
Visit the Byodo-In Temple: A Peaceful Thing to Do on Oahu
We loved the Buddha temple so much that we went twice. It’s peaceful, and we picked up a few items to bring home. At the time were visiting, there were local crafters sharing their wares. A local jeweler was making a mix of beautiful jewelry. I was able to purchase several items for family. The temple itself is a quiet serene place, no shoes allowed so they must be removed before entering. The grounds also have a meditation pavilion, a quiet, serene spot.
Bring Home a Kukui Nut Lei
We picked up leis made from the polished nuts of the kukui (candlenut) tree, Hawaii’s state tree. Each one carries meaning, which made them feel like more than a souvenir.
- Light and knowledge: Kukui means “light” in Hawaiian. The oily nuts were once burned for light, so the tree has long been a symbol of enlightenment.
- Protection and peace: Kukui also stands for enlightenment, protection and peace.
- Royalty: In ancient times, only royalty wore leis made of the sleek black nuts, as a sign of rank. Today anyone can wear them.
- Spiritual ties: The kukui is considered a kinolau, or body form, of the god Lono, according to the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens.
We bought ours at the temple from Pomaikai Flowers, a full-fledged flower shop that sells its leis there. The woman who sold them makes them herself. It’s a family business, and she took it over from her parents, which made the leis feel even more special.
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Tour Kualoa Ranch and See the Jurassic Park Filming Locations
This was one of our favorite days. The 90-minute Kualoa Ranch tour was well worth it, mostly because of our guide, Sam, who grew up nearby and lives on a ranch in the area. He was great. If you’re looking for one of the coolest things to do in Oahu, this tour is it. Earlier in the trip we had also stopped at Kualoa Regional Park, where the views across the water toward the Kualoa Ranch area are beautiful.
Spend a Full Day on the North Shore: Top Things to Do on Oahu
We liked the North Shore so much that we went twice. On our first trip, we drove past homes built up the sides of the hills with very steep driveways, and then along the Sunset Beach road watching the waves roll in. On our second visit, we spent the whole day:
- Haleiwa town: A busy little town with cute shops, and a good place to stop for coffee.
- Shark’s Cove: A beautiful water scene. This is a protected area for conserving natural water life, so no fishing, boats or spearfishing. We even spotted whales out on the horizon.
- Pipeline: We watched the surfers at Pipeline. Pipeline was the home break of Derek Ho, the first Hawaiian man to win the surfing world title (1993) and a two-time Pipeline Masters winner. He passed away in 2020 and is still remembered there. We sat on a bench with a beautiful view of the water, and a nearby sign told about him and said this was his surfing spot. A nearby sign shows Derek Ho surfing and reads, “In loving memory of Derek Ho, King of the Pipeline.”
Visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona: A Must-Do on Oahu
We took the USS Arizona tour on Wednesday morning. We booked ahead of time for this, so we had a reserve slot. This tour books up quickly, and the lines are long at Pearl Harbor. The tour of the memorial was about 2 hours which includes the boat ride over. Learning of the history in conjunction what I already knew from history just made me think about lives lost and the how people struggled to stay alive and fight. It’s a bit overwhelming and listening to the guides tell the story and you felt the pain. It was emotional and draws you in. You can schedule your tour with GetYourGuide here.
Stop at the Dole Plantation
The Dole Plantation is a fun stop. We rode the Pineapple Express, which gave us a tour of the plantation and showed us pineapple plants growing in various stages. I also had a dairy-free Dole Whip, and now I’m trying to figure out how to make one at home.
The Pineapple Patch is a shop attached to the plantation, filled with plantation items. That’s where I met Ku’ulie, who was working the shop and explaining the items to me. Many of the pieces are handstitched by artisans in Hawaii and in the Philippines, then brought back to Hawaii and sold in the shop. I told her about the very first quilt I ever made, a baby blanket for my son, stitched by hand from start to finish. It took me four weeks. Her eyes lit up, and she told me she wished she could stitch like that. In that moment we were two people standing in a tiny shop, connecting over the kind of handmade work that takes time, patience and a lot of love. She doesn’t do the stitching for the items in the shop, but the pride she takes in sharing them is unmistakable. I left with one of the handstitched pieces in my bag, and a memory I’ll hold onto long after the trip.
Visit a Coffee Farm
We also toured Green World Coffee Farm on Oahu. This is located in Hawaiian Village and worth a stop. It was busy and provided me with the hugest section of coffee. Card explained the flavor, the roast, how the coffee beans were made, where they were grown, and the best way to drink the coffee. I think we left with about 4 different types of coffee for ourselves and gift for a coffee drinking friends.
Hike to the Lanikai Pillbox
This hike, also called the Ka’iwa Ridge trail, is not an easy one. It’s a long hike, so be prepared for a lot of walking, and wear proper shoes that keep you balanced and supported. Be prepared in case you fall, too. We came back with some scratches and a few bruises. A sign on the trail said there had been many rescues there and reminded hikers to hike safe and know their limits. If you’re up for a challenge, it’s one of the coolest things to do in Oahu, but go prepared.
Hike Diamond Head
My family hiked Diamond Head while I took a quiet day and a spa facial. Diamond Head is the stop that takes the most planning. Non-residents need advance reservations, and reservations open about 30 days ahead. The listed fee for out-of-state visitors is $5 per person, plus $10 per vehicle for parking. Check the official Hawaii State Parks reservation page for current prices before you go. The hike was long and exhausting. Definitely recommend good women’s lightweight hiking shoes or men’s waterproof hiking shoes, as well as a good lightweight hiking backpack and insulated water bottle.
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Try Zip Lining at Coral Crater Adventure Park
Zip lining is fun for anyone daring enough to try it. I wasn’t brave enough, but it was great to cheer everyone else on. My daughter and son went and loved it. They said it was totally safe, but I was too scared, so it wasn’t for me. I was happy to stay on the ground and cheer them on.
Watch the Sunset on Waikiki Beach
We watched the sunset on Waikiki Beach. It’s a simple thing to do, and it’s one of the best parts of the day. Waikiki also has a lot more to explore. We visited Cat Cafe MOFF at the International Market Place and spent plenty of time in the pool at our hotel. I’m not a fan of the water, but I sat in the pool and did it anyway. Nice weather, a good breeze, and a lounge chair is my idea of vacation.
Attend a Luau: One of the Coolest Things to Do in Oahu
We went to the Ka Moana Luau and I’d recommend it. The food, the drinks and the show were spectacular, and we had a wonderful time. We learned about the history of Hawaii, the dances and the battles of the early Hawaiian people. We even took part in the hula dancing and watched how people climb the trees to get to the coconuts. The food was great too, though I’ll admit I don’t remember much of it, because the show kept my attention. If you’re in Hawaii, I highly recommend going to a luau.
A Small Moment I Won’t Forget
On our rest day, we gave two beach chairs to another family to “pay it forward.” It was a small thing, but it felt good, and I shared it on my Facebook page. The weather was gorgeous the whole trip. It never seemed to rain on me, but I saw rainbows everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re short on time, start with Kualoa Ranch, the North Shore and the Byodo-In Temple. Those were our top three for a first trip. Add a good meal at each stop and you have a great trip.
Yes. Non-residents need advance reservations, and they open about 30 days ahead. The fee is $5 per person, plus $10 per vehicle for parking. Check the official Hawaii State Parks page for current prices before you go.
We thought so. It was one of our favorite days. The tour took about 90 minutes and took us to the Jurassic Park filming locations, and our guide, Sam, who grew up nearby, made it even better.
It’s a long hike and not an easy one. Wear shoes with good support, be prepared for a lot of walking, and take care on the trail. We came back with some scratches and bruises. A sign on the trail reminds hikers to know their limits.
We went in late November and had gorgeous weather the whole trip. For a month-by-month look at weather, crowds and prices, see my Best Time to Visit Oahu guide post.
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do on Oahu
If I had to pick the top things to do on Oahu for a first trip, I’d say Kualoa Ranch, the North Shore and the temple. If you want the coolest things to do in Oahu, add a luau and the Dole Plantation. Add a good meal at each stop and you have a great trip. I hope this Oahu travel guide helps with your first time on Oahu. I explain more in Best Time to Visit Oahu, Hawaii: A Month-by-Month Guide.
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Your Turn
Have you been to Oahu, or are you planning your first trip? I’d love to hear which stop is at the top of your list, or what I missed. Drop a comment below and tell me about it.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Mary Ann, creator of My Tasteful Threads, a cozy lifestyle blog where I share left-handed crochet, meaningful travel ideas, from-scratch recipes, and simple everyday living. Most evenings you’ll find me with yarn in one hand, a cup of tea nearby, and a good book within reach.
I spent many years as an IT project manager, so I love a good checklist, and these days I put that planning to work in my kitchen, my travels, and my crochet basket. I’m also a grandmother, and when I’m not stitching or stirring, I’m sharing budget-friendly ideas at my sister site, The Frugal Nook.
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