Choose from 76 Fun Things to Do in Oahu
ShowingFilter 41-60 of 76 listings.
Kaneohe Bay
The best stretch of sand in Kaneohe Bay is out on the middle of the sea. That’s where the sandbar, or “Sunken Island” emerges during low tide, and its sugary white sands are like a floating cay that was made especially for you. Kayaking to the sandbar is one of the most popular activities on the Windward Side of Oahu, and while the beaches along the shoreline aren’t great for swimming, the protected waters make the perfect spot for paddling, boating, or kayaking.
In addition to the sandbar, five islands poke above the turquoise, reef-fringed waters. The tallest of the islands—Chinaman’s Hat—rises 200 feet from the northern edge of the bay and offshore of Kualoa Park. Known to Hawaiians as Mokoli“i, the island resembles a large straw that seems to be floating on the surface of the water. While there may or may not be a Chinese man underwater (according to local legend), one thing that’s found on the Kaneohe seafloor is tens of thousands of sea urchins—imported by scientists to help stave off the growth of highly invasive algae. While the water around the sandbar offers nice swimming and has a soft, sandy bottom, much of the shoreline is rocky, slippery, and potentially covered in urchins. A better bet is to stay in the kayak and enjoy the view of the mountains, which explode from the shoreline with a rugged fury, their peaks outstretched toward the clouds.
Practical Info
Kaneohe Bay is on the island’s eastern shore about 30 minutes from Waikiki. Morning hours offer calmest conditions for paddling, swimming, and boating, and check the tide charts for low tide for the best time to visit the sandbar. Private boats and charter boats can be rented in Kaneohe, and kayak rentals are offered in the neighboring town of Kailua.
Address: Oahu 96744, USA
From $ 48
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
There are only 15 American submarines that remain from World War II, and the most-heralded of them—the USS Bowfin—now sits in Pearl Harbor, where the war American’s war first started. Known as the “Avenger of Pearl Harbor,” the USS Bowfin was built in Maine and sailed the South Pacific. It set off on its mission exactly one year after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, and 44 different enemy ships would eventually succumb to her guns.
Today, visitors to Pearl Harbor can walk inside the submarine to see the cramped metal quarters, and get an authentic feel for the daily hardships of the boys in the “Silent Service.” In nine tours of duty only one crewmember died from injuries in battle, and when visiting today, you can stand in the chambers where these brave sailors celebrated a successful strike. Once finished with the tour of the ship, learn the fascinating history of submarines in the accompanying Bowfin museum, where exhibits range from a ballistic missile that was once housed on the ship, to a 54-foot, human-guided torpedo known as a Japanese Kaiten.
Practical Info
The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is open from 7am-5pm daily, with the exception of Christmas, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children—and only $5 and $4, respectively, to visit the museum.
Address: 11 Arizona Memorial Dr, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818, USA
Hours: Daily 7am-5pm, Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day
Admission: Adults $12, Children $5
From $ 15
Waikele Center
If it’s a rainy day in this island paradise, or you forgot your bathing suit at home, the Waikele Center is a sprawling sanctuary of classic retail therapy. Located in Waipahu in Central Oahu, the outlets here provide an affordable alternative to the larege scale malls in town. You’ll find global classics such as Armani, Converse, Adidas, and Michael Kors, as wells as shops with island flare like the Local Motion surf shop. There’s a popular food court for re-fueling so you literally don’t shop ‘til you drop, and even a trolley connecting the two sides of this sprawling commerce compound.
Practical Info
The Waikele Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm and on Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Stores are often open later during holidays, with the exception of Christmas when all stores are closed. The Waikele Center is about 35 minutes from downtown Waikiki and 20 minutes from West Oahu resort such as Aulani and Ko Olina.
Address: 94-849 Lumiaina St, Waipahu, Hawaii 96797, USA
From $ 18
Mt Tantalus
A not-so-well-kept local secret, Mt Tantalus (Puʻuohiʻa) looms behind Honolulu offering stunning skyline panoramas. The nine-mile Round Top and Tantalus Drive loop snakes up its side with attractive pull-offs overlooking the city’s high rises, Punch Bowl Crater, iconic Diamond Head, the homes dotting Manoa Valley, as well as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in the west.
The scenic drive to the top drive lingers in lush forests but is not for the faint of heart—steep and narrow passages are frequent and sheer drops loom around abundant curves. Trailheads for a handful of hikes begin along this route and lead into valleys often shrouded in mist and topped by Honolulu’s famous rainbows. At the summit, Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park has a small cement walkway with commanding views of all of southern Oahu. There’s also a grassy lawn popular with picnickers. Though the drive is equally spectacular when buildings cast shadows and city lights glow at night, the summit park closes at sundown.
Tantalus is the first in a series of peaks that form the imposing green wall of the Koolau range, which hugs the Windward coast. Near the mountain’s base on Makiki Heights Drive, the Spalding House museum and galleries features local and international artists and boasts similar views from its trellised café.
Practical Info
Tantalus Drive is accessed via Makiki Street, two miles inland from Waikiki. The road becomes Round Top Drive halfway up amid a residential neighborhood. Numerous land-based Honolulu tours include the drive. Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park is open from 7am-6:45pm. If you visit in your own vehicle, it’s best not to leave valuables in your car.
Address: Makiki Street, Oahu, USA
From $ 120
Valley of the Temples
An ethereal Japanese temple, immaculate zen landscaping, a palm-lined drive, memorial gazebos overlooking the Pacific and a Koolau mountain backdrop conspire to create one of Oahu’s most peaceful settings. The valley is a memorial park and the final resting place for thousands of Shinto, Buddhist and Christian Hawaii residents, including early Honolulu developer Walter Francis Dillingham (1875-1963) and Zhang Xueliang, a warlord and northern China Army General who died in 2001 at age 100. Visitors explore the grounds, especially to see the bright red Byodo-In temple that looks like it was dropped in front of its reflecting pond via some portal to ancient Japan.
The temple was built in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first wave of Japanese immigrants in Hawaii and is a replica of the nearly 1,000-year-old Byodo-In temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uji, Japan. Here, incense wafts from the main temple building and peacocks strut in front of the waterfalls that trickle into koi-filled ponds. When visitors ring the temple’s giant brass peace bell, the sound resonates along mountain walls. In summer and fall, the park hosts annual Japanese Obon dance festivals honoring ancestors here.
Also within the Valley are a triangular-shaped Christian church with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the green mountain face, statues of the Virgin Mary and unique memorial displays including markers shaped like aloha shirts—the Valley is a multi-denominational place of rest for both the living and the dead.
Practical Info
The Valley of the Temples is north of downtown Kaneohe off Highway 83 (47-200 Kahekili Hwy). The memorial park is open from 6 a.m. til dusk daily and the Byodo-In temple keeps regular business hours (9 a.m. til 5 p.m.). There is no admission to explore the Valley of the Temples, but there is a cash-only admission charge for the temple ($3 adult, $2 seniors and $1 child). To access the Byodo-In Temple, follow the entrance road up the hill to the back of the valley.
Address: 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, USA
Hours: Open from 6 a.m. til dusk daily and the Byodo-In temple keeps regular business hours (9 a.m. til 5 p.m.)
Admission: $3 adult, $2 seniors and $1 child
From $ 79
Iolani Palace
Much more than just a popular Honolulu visitor attraction, Iolani Palace is the only royal palace to exist within the United States of America. Constructed in 1882, this ornate palace served as the political centerpiece for the Kingdom of Hawaii, and monarchs such as King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani ruled the kingdom from its luxurious halls.
During the time it was constructed, Iolani Palace was considered to be one of the most modern buildings in the world and even boasted electricity and telephones prior to the White House in Washington D.C. The palace also featured indoor plumbing, and large galas were thrown to welcome visiting dignitaries to the modern and sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii. Since King Kalakaua was the world’s first monarch to circumnavigate the globe, the palace was also adorned with decorations and memorabilia acquired during his travels around the world.
In the overthrow of 1893, however, possession of the palace was transferred to Sanford Dole and a group of Western businessmen who formed the Republic of Hawaii. During this time, Queen Liliuokalani was sentenced to house arrest in an upstairs bedroom of the palace, and despite the fact that she firmly believed the United States would grant power back to the monarchy, the start of the Spanish-American war resulted in Hawaii being acquired as a territory, and the palace (and the Kingdom), has remained in American hands ever since.
Iolani Palace today is an enduring symbol of the Hawaiian monarchy and the greatest physical representation of the overthrown Kingdom. The palace is now a popular visitor attraction which is open from Monday through Saturday, and hour-long tours are offered which detail the history of the royal palace.
During the time it was constructed, Iolani Palace was considered to be one of the most modern buildings in the world and even boasted electricity and telephones prior to the White House in Washington D.C. The palace also featured indoor plumbing, and large galas were thrown to welcome visiting dignitaries to the modern and sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii. Since King Kalakaua was the world’s first monarch to circumnavigate the globe, the palace was also adorned with decorations and memorabilia acquired during his travels around the world.
In the overthrow of 1893, however, possession of the palace was transferred to Sanford Dole and a group of Western businessmen who formed the Republic of Hawaii. During this time, Queen Liliuokalani was sentenced to house arrest in an upstairs bedroom of the palace, and despite the fact that she firmly believed the United States would grant power back to the monarchy, the start of the Spanish-American war resulted in Hawaii being acquired as a territory, and the palace (and the Kingdom), has remained in American hands ever since.
Iolani Palace today is an enduring symbol of the Hawaiian monarchy and the greatest physical representation of the overthrown Kingdom. The palace is now a popular visitor attraction which is open from Monday through Saturday, and hour-long tours are offered which detail the history of the royal palace.
Address: 364 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA
Hours: Mon–Sat 9am–4pm
Admission: Guided Tour: Adult $21.75, Child $6. Self guided tour: $14.75, Child $6.
From $ 25
Waikiki
Waikiki, where most Hawaii vacations get their start, is everything at once: white sandy beaches, swaying palms, high-rise accommodations, world-class shopping, top-notch and seaside dining, local culture, and excellent surfing. It’s no wonder this former playground for Hawaiian royalty continues to be an oasis for global visitors.
The Basics
Waikiki is Honolulu’s city within a city dedicated to fun and sun. Stroll down the main oceanfront thoroughfare, Kalakaua Avenue, and place a lei on the Duke Kahanamoku surfer statue; splash in the surfer’s namesake Kahanamoku Lagoon; shop in one of several open-air malls; grab lunch along the way for a picnic in Kapiolani Park; and see the sunset behind the profile of Diamond Head.
Waikiki sightseeing tours by trolley or Segway are a great way to learn about the area and cover greater distances than you can on foot. For a different perspective, take to the water aboard a sunset dinner cruise, or get on the water in this watersports wonderland: Learn to surf, take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson, or try kayaking, parasailing, or scuba diving. Many Oahu tours, including circle-island tours and helicopter tours, depart Waikiki and allow visitors to see sights beyond Waikiki Beach.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Waikiki is a must-see for first-timers to Oahu, families, sunbathers, and more.
- Oahu enjoys daytime temperatures that hover around 80°F (27°C) year-round. But come nightfall in spring and winter, it can get cool—bring an extra layer if you plan to be out past sunset.
- Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen. and sunglasses. Though if you do, several ABC Stores—a Hawaii retail chain—offer replacements along Kalakaua Avenue.
How to Get There
Waikiki, a 3.4-square-mile (8.8-square-kilometer) neighborhood in southeast Honolulu, encompasses everything between Ala Wai Boulevard, Kapahulu Avenue, and the oceanfront. It is serviced by several local bus routes, including the 2, 8, 9, 13, and 22. By road, the area is within 30 minutes of most main Oahu attractions, including the 23 sites covered by the Waikiki Historic Trail, Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri and Arizona memorials, Iolani Palace, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, the popular snorkeling haunt of Hanauma Bay, and Sea Life Park Hawaii.
When to Get There
Waikiki’s peak season coincides with the United States’ spring, summer, and winter school holidays. If you plan to visit during these times, it pays to book tours and hotels well in advance. Several of the region’s best (and most unusual) festivals, such as the parades and cultural demonstrations of the Aloha Festival in September and the Waikiki Spam Jam in April, beckon in the off-season.
Waikiki in Winter
Balmy Waikiki provides a tropical respite to the mainland’s chilly winters, but in these months the rains are more frequent, the waves can be wilder, and temperatures still dip a bit—expect 77 to 82°F (25 to 28°C) as opposed to summer’s 82 to 89°F (28 to 32°C). Still, warm-weather seekers will be in good company: Between November and March, hordes of humpback whales migrate down from chilly Alaska to mate, splash, and put on a show for eager onlookers.
Address: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
From $ 25
USS Oklahoma Memorial
The only land-based memorial at Pearl Harbor, the USS Oklahoma Memorial honors the more than 400 servicemen who lost their lives aboard the ship during the flurry of attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Second only in casualties to the USS Arizona on that fateful day, the Oklahoma Memorial on Ford Island commemorates each life lost with a tall white marble column, symbolizing a crisp white Navy uniform. Taken together, the low black granite walls etched with stories and towering clean rows of columns symbolize the ship and the crew within standing tall forever.
The memorial’s location, on the still-active military base at Ford Island, is also significant. The USS Oklahoma’s berth was here, just offshore. When the ship was torpedoed, several crew were able to escape by swimming and crawling on the stretch of land the memorial now occupies.
A relatively new Pearl Harbor attraction, the USS Oklahoma Memorial was designated on Dec. 7, 2007.
Practical Info
The Memorial is run by the National Park Service as part of the Valor in the Pacific National Monument. However, it is located across a channel from the park’s popular USS Arizona Memorial and fronting the Battleship Missouri Memorial on Ford Island. Because of its location, and the need to board designated vehicles with access to the base, visits to the free USS Oklahoma Memorial are often combined with the separately ticketed Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum (ticket packages available). A park shuttle departs the Pearl Harbor Visitor’s Center every 15 minutes from 8 a.m til 5 p.m.
Insider Tip: Only one camera and water bottle per visitor are allowed on the military base. It’s best to leave purses and backpacks at home, but if you must bring them a the USS Bowfin Submarine (one of the shuttle stops before the Ford Island entrance) has storage facilities charging $3 per bag.
Insider Tip: Only one camera and water bottle per visitor are allowed on the military base. It’s best to leave purses and backpacks at home, but if you must bring them a the USS Bowfin Submarine (one of the shuttle stops before the Ford Island entrance) has storage facilities charging $3 per bag.
Address: Langley Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818, USA
From $ 125
Sunset Beach Park
White sand, blue sea, great waves and shady palms. If it sounds too good to be true, it must be Sunset Beach!
This 2-mile (3 km) stretch of sand is targeted by swimmers and snorkelers in the calm of summer, and by the world’s best surfers during December and January, when the wintertime waves are at their lethal best for pro surfer tournaments.
Pack a picnic to enjoy under the palms, go swimming in summer under the watchful eye of the beach lifeguards, and collect shells in tidal pools when the tide’s out.
This 2-mile (3 km) stretch of sand is targeted by swimmers and snorkelers in the calm of summer, and by the world’s best surfers during December and January, when the wintertime waves are at their lethal best for pro surfer tournaments.
Pack a picnic to enjoy under the palms, go swimming in summer under the watchful eye of the beach lifeguards, and collect shells in tidal pools when the tide’s out.
Sunset Beach is on Oahu’s North Shore. To get here by public transport, reserve a few hours and pick up the Circle Island via North Shore public bus service from Waikiki. You’ll need to have at least five hours spare.
Address: 59–104 Kamehameha Highway, Sunset Beach, USA
Admission: Free
From $ 79
Manoa Valley
Manoa is both a valley and a neighborhood that's part of Honolulu. It's about three miles from downtown, and less than a mile from Waikiki Beach.
The Manoa Valley neighborhood is largely residential, though there is also a university campus here, and is surrounded by the tall, green mountains of the Ko'olau Range. In the 19th century, Manoa was the setting for Hawaii's first sugarcane and coffee plantations.
Because of the geography and position of the Manoa Valley, it rains at least a little bit almost every day – rainbows occur frequently – and it is always incredibly lush. One of the main attractions is the 150-foot Manoa Falls.
Practical Info
Manoa Falls is only reachable after a hike of roughly 0.8 miles. It's a moderate trail, and most people can make the trip there and back in about an hour.
Address: Manoa Valley, Oahu, Hawaii, USA, USA
From $ 40
USS Missouri
Step aboard the USS Missouri, a hulking, gray battleship also known as the “Mighty Mo," docked at Ford Island in Oahu's Pearl Harbor. More than 70 years ago, it played an important role in history while anchored in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrender documents that ended World War II were signed on her decks. Permanently docked off the active military base and within sight of many memorials that mark the United States' tragic entry into World War II, the USS Missouri (now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial) is a reminder of the war's conclusion.
The USS Missouri went on to participate in two more wars, and today the 900-foot decommissioned ship serves as a showcase of what life aboard was like. Visitors can wander the crew's quarters and mess halls, look out from the bridge and touch the 50-caliber deck guns. Exhibits inside the ship's various compartments—restored to look as it did during service—share information and crew artifacts from its various tours of duty. Three regularly running guided tours are included in admission and offer different insights: The main deck tour explores the guns and site of the historic surrender; the below deck tour covers the cabins, berths and mess hall; and the above deck tour offers bird's-eye views from the command and control center, bridge and captain's quarters.
Practical Info
Because the USS Missouri Memorial is located on Ford Island, visitors must take either the designated shuttle (departs Pearl Harbor Visitors Center and USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park every 15 minutes during operating hours) or arrive via organized tour. The memorial is open daily from 8am to 4pm, except in June, July and August when it remains open until 5pm. General admission costs $27 for adults and $13 for children ages 4–12. The ticket gives access to three tour options: self-guided, an informational audio tour with 100 stops, or one of the three guided routes mentioned above (35 minutes).
Did You Know? The Mighty Mo was the last battleship ever built, but there were three other USS Missouris prior to this its commissioning in 1944. The fourth, a submarine, is still an active military vessel.
Address: 63 Cowpens Street, Ford Island, Oahu, Hawaii 96818, USA
Hours: Daily 8am–4pm (June–Aug until 5pm)
Admission: $27
From $ 69
Manoa Falls
Manoa Falls is a beautiful, moderate, 1-hour hike close to downtown Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Thanks to a paid parking lot and gravel path, it is one of the island’s most accessible hikes—and with a 150-foot (46-meter) rushing waterfall at the end, it is well worth the effort.
The Basics
The 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) round-trip Manoa Falls trail is well marked, and while visitors some go at it alone, a number of tour operators offer guided hikes. Parts of the path are paved or lined with gravel, but because of the heavy foot traffic and rainy weather, the trail can be very wet and muddy. As a result the relatively easy hike can be slippery; the last few minutes before the falls are the most challenging. The pool at the bottom of the falls is no longer open for swimming due to falling rocks.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan on getting dirty, and wear sturdy walking shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.
- Bring insect repellent, as mosquitos are out in full force on the trail.
- There is a small snack shop near the trail entrance.
- The force of the waterfall depends on rainfall; expect less water in summer months.
How to Get There
Manoa Falls is located at the end of Manoa Valley, northeast of downtown Honolulu. If driving from Waikiki, take the H1 toward the airport, exit at Punahou Road, and continue on to Manoa Road. There is paid parking near the entrance to the hike.
When to Get There
The Manoa Falls trail is open year-round. Oahu has a mild, tropical climate, with hotter days in summer and a rainy season typically from November to March. On rainy days the waterfall is at its most impressive and the trail is less crowded—yet also very muddy.
Tropical Vegetation
Manoa Falls is full of colorful, tropical plants, and a naturalist guide or book can help you identify what you see along the way. Parts of the trail are lined with guava, eucalyptus, and banyan trees as well as awapuhi, or bitter ginger flowers. It is common to spot tropical birds and insects as well.
Address: Manoa Falls, Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
From $ 40
USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial floats above the watery site where the eponymous battleship was bombed and sunk, taking 1,177 lives with it, in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The solemn, all-white memorial features a marble wall of names of those who served onboard and spans the Arizona’s width, with openings to look down on the sunken hull.
The Basics
The USS Arizona Memorial is free and open to the public. For civilians, the only way to access the memorial is via Park Service shuttle boats that run according to timed tickets. Visit several Pearl Harbor attractions on a guided tour that includes boat tickets and round-trip transportation between Honolulu and Waikiki. Because USS Arizona tickets are limited each day and often involve long waits to procure, booking a tour in advance is a convenient way to ensure you’ll see the memorial. Note that boat tours not run by the Park Service are not allowed to disembark at the USS Arizona Memorial and sometimes skip it; boat tours with Park Service tickets allow you to disembark and take the Park Service’s tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Park Service’s memorial tour includes the viewing of a 23-minute documentary, round-trip boat ride, and time at the memorial. Plan to spend about 90 minutes there.
- Check the weather before you go. Because the memorial must be accessed by boat, high winds and seas may be cause for cancellation.
- There are no restrooms at the memorial, but facilities can be found at the visitor center.
- The USS Arizona Memorial, visitor center, and related facilities are accessible to wheelchair users.
- Because the timed tickets are limited to the number of seats on the boat, crowding is not an issue.
How to Get There
The memorial is located within the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, in Pearl Harbor on Oahu. To reach the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center from Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, take Nimitz Highway to H-1 West and take exit 15-A to HI-99, then turn left at the fourth traffic light.
When to Get There
The USS Arizona Memorial is open daily year-round except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. If you want to visit spontaneously, the site gives away 1,300 tickets each day starting at 7am—arrive early, as they’re given on a first-come, first-served basis. Many visitors opt to start their Pearl Harbor experience with the USS Arizona, making morning tickets the hardest to come by. Other challenging times to get tickets are the weekends on either side of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor (December 7), as well as over busy summer and winter school holidays.
Other Pearl Harbor Attractions
There are four other main sites at Pearl Harbor besides the USS Arizona Memorial: the land-based USS Oklahoma Memorial run by the National Park Service; the floating Battleship Missouri Memorial, aboard which the WWII peace treaty was signed; the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, where visitors can board and see the interior of the sub that avenged the attacks by sinking enemy ships; and the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, home to huge hangars of period aircraft.
Address: Arizona Memorial Place, Pearl Harbor 96818, USA
Hours: Daily 7am–5pm
Admission: Free
From $ 4
Lanai Lookout
Panoramic ocean views, strange rock formations and smoothed shelves with wave-battered edges await at Lanai Lookout. This popular scenic overlook on a promontory north of Kahauloa Cove is so named because it affords sweeping views of the neighboring islands of Lanai, Molokai and Maui on a clear day. Though it may be challenging for visitors to peel their eyes away from the turbulent blue sea, turning 180 degrees provides a rewarding view of the southern slopes of Koko Crater, a dormant volcano climbable via a trail that follows old railroad ties to the summit rim.
Lanai Lookout has little more infrastructure than a parking lot with space for just under two dozen cars, but it’s worth it to circle for a space in the early hours of the morning when the sun rises over the horizon beyond the Oahu’s Windward Coast; visitors don’t stay here long. Another good time to visit? Between November and April, when the lookout becomes one of the island’s best locales for spotting visiting humpback whales—many of which spout, dive and frolic in the waters between Oahu and Maui.
Practical Info
The turnoff for Lanai Lookout is an equidistant mile between Hanauma Bay to the south and Sandy Beach to the north, along Kalanianaole Highway (HI-72). It is the southernmost of three similar lookouts on this stretch of the island. Binoculars will be useful for whale watching. If leaving valuables in the car while taking in the view, it’s advisable to keep them out of sight, even if it’s just a short stop.
Address: Oahu, Hawaii, USA, USA
From $ 79
Lyon Arboretum
Twenty minutes. That’s all the time that is takes to be transported from the white sand beaches of Waikiki, up to the waterfall-laden wilds at the back of Manoa Valley. Here, where cliffs rise vertically over 2,000 feet and it rains nearly every day, visitors will find one of Hawaii’s foremost tropical botanical gardens. Managed by nearby University of Hawaii, the Lyon Arboretum spans 193 acres and has over 5,000 species of plants. Given the cool, wet conditions—it rains over 165 inches per year here—the forested amphitheater is the perfect setting for researching tropical plants.
Take an hour to stroll from the parking lot back to Inspiration Point, and reap the rewards of the casual walk with a view looking out at the valley. Along the journey you might encounter up to 25 species of birds, including the endangered amakihi which calls the arboretum home. There are over 200 species of indigenous plants found growing in the arboretum, and rather than being just pretty to look at, this garden is used to educate landscapers about recognizing species of plant species. While ecologists and botanists will be in plant heaven, other visitors will enjoy the hike back to ‘Aihualama Falls. The trail to this waterfall is just over a mile, and the feeling of sitting by the 40 foot falls, the sound of birdsong raining from the trees, in a garden that’s home to thousands of plant species, really lets you know that you’ve left the city are fully immersed in the forest.
Practical Info
The Lyon Arboretum is open for self-guided tours from Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm, and from 9am-3pm on Saturdays. There are also one-hour guided tours at 10am each day the park is open, and self-guided visitors are requested to leave a donation of $5/person.
Address: 3860 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9am-3pm
From $ 40
Waikiki Aquarium
Have you been wondering the name of the bright yellow fish or strange eel that you saw snorkeling? Wonder no longer—the small but lively Waikiki Aquarium has dozens of tanks that recreate area reefs, as well as unusual ocean habitats in the remote Northwest Hawaiian Islands, with informative signage. The aquarium boasts half a dozen species of butterflyfish (your yellow fish could have been one of these), the fun-to-say state fish of Hawaii— humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua’a, sharks, puffers, turtles and even two resident specimens of the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Watch jellies float in black-lit tanks, see a nautilus use jet propulsion to move through the water, or find strange seadragons camouflaged in seaweed. The aquarium also hosts after-hours programming, including the popular Reef After Dark, which takes participants to explore area tide pools with experts by moonlight.
Practical Info
Waikiki Aquarium is located 2777 Kalakaua Avenue at the Diamond Head side of Waikiki beyond the Honolulu Zoo. The building is open daily from 9 a.m. with the last person admitted at 4:30 p.m. (building closes at 5 p.m.); special holiday hours or closures may apply. General Admission tickets are $12 adults, $5 kids ages 4-12 and children under 3 are free, discounts are available for seniors, Hawaii residents and military with ID. The aquarium is serviced TheBus routes 19,20 and 22, the hop-on, hop-off Waikiki Trolley and is within walking distance of many Waikiki hotels.
Address: 2777 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 96815, USA
Hours: Open daily 9am-4:30pm
Admission: Adults: $12; Children: $5
From $ 25
Pali Lookout
On Oahu’s Windward (or east) Coast, Nuuanu Pali Lookout stands sentinel over the 1,200-foot (360 m) cliffs of the Koolau mountains.
One of the best viewpoints on Oahu, the lookout provides panoramic vistas across the island. You can also see Chinaman’s Hat and Kaneohe Bay.
In 1795 the lookout was the site of a massacre, when King Kamehameha defeated the island’s warriors by forcing them off the treacherous cliff top to their deaths.
Hold on to your hat, as it can get extremely windy up here, and bring a warm coat and your camera.
Practical Info
The Nuuanu Pali Lookout is on Oahu’s east coast. It’s on Highway 61, four miles (6.5 km) north-east of Honolulu. The Circle Island bus from Waikiki runs through the Pali tunnels, it’s a very scenic drive.
Address: Huuanu Pali State Park, Highway 61, Nuuanali 96817, USA
Admission: Free
From $ 50
Statue of Duke Kahanamoku
A landmark stop on almost every organized Honolulu tour is the nine-foot-tall bronze statue immortalizing Hawaii’s original ambassador of aloha, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku. One of those guys who was seemingly good at everything, Kahanamoku wore many hats. He was a Hollywood actor, a full-blooded Hawaiian descended from alii (the royal class), an Olympic swimmer who won gold in both the 1912 and 1920 games, an Olympic water polo player, a 13-term sheriff of Honolulu and one of Waikiki’s first surf and canoe instructors. Kahanamoku used his charm and personable nature to popularize surfing and was later the first person to be inducted into both the Surfing and Swimming Halls of Fame.
Poised in front of a longboard and welcoming visitors with open arms, the Duke statue has enjoyed a prime seaside spot across from popular Waikiki breaks since it was installed on what would have been Duke’s 100th birthday in 1990. Many visitors honor Duke’s memory by draping floral and kukui nut lei around his neck and from his arms, or just pause long enough to take a shaka selfie. Making this stop even more popular is the fact that one of Honolulu’s live city cameras is constantly trained on the statue and the palm-lined sands of Waikiki behind it — a great tool for making family back home jealous in real time.
Each summer, Duke’s OceanFest honors the waterman’s memory with ceremonies at the statue and a series of ocean sporting events including longboard surfing, paddleboard racing, swimming, surf polo and beach volleyball.
Practical Info
The Statue of Duke Kahanamoku fronts Kuhio Beach between Kaiulani and Uluniu avenues off Kalakaua Street, Waikiki’s main drag. The Duke Kahanamoku statue live cam can be viewed online from anywhere in the world.
Address: Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
From $ 25
Kapiolani Park
Even as early 1877, the Hawaiian Royalty recognized the need for preserving open space. With the city of Honolulu rapidly growing, King David Kalakaua—the last reigning King of Hawaii—allocated 130 of Waikiki’s acres towards a park for the people of Hawaii. Naming it after his beloved wife—Queen Kapiolani—the park today offers sprawling green fields for locals, visitors, and families.
In addition to the soccer fields, tennis courts, and jogging paths, the park also houses the Honolulu Zoo and public art shows on the weekends. For special events, the Waikiki Shell is a performance venue set in the middle of Kapiolani Park, where some of the world’s largest musical acts will throw concerts, benefits, and shows just minutes from Waikiki Beach. The Honolulu Marathon—held every December—usually finishes at Kapiolani Park, and even during other times of the year, this is a happening place for Honolulu residents to escape the city rush.
Practical Info
Kapiolani Park is on the eastern edge of Waikiki between Kalakaua Avenue, Monsarrat Avenue, and Paki Avenue. There is free parking and metered parking along the streets bordering the park, as well as next to the Honolulu Zoo. Hours for the zoo are from 9am-4:30 pm daily, and the zoo admission fee is $14/adult and $6/child.
Address: 3902 Paki Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
From $ 80
Lanikai Beach
While we can’t exactly claim it as fact, there’s a good chance that at some point in time Lanikai Beach was a finalist for a Corona commercial. With sand as white as the clouds above and water which is a welcoming and rich shade of turquoise, this tranquil beach on Oahu’s windward shore is the Hawaii you’ve always dreamed of.
Because it’s on the island’s eastern shore, Lanikai is often graced with gentle tradewinds which cool you just to the point of comfort. Afternoons in the summer months can get a little blustery, although kitesurfers and windsurfers who have launched from Kailua Bay opt to make the most of the wind and zip across the turquoise waters which are capped in flecks of white.
Since Lanikai is set in a private neighborhood the beach is accessed by simple footpaths and isn’t too visible from the road, and while this semi-isolation thins out the crowds, it also means there aren’t any facilities and parking can come at a premium.
Nevertheless, Lanikai is the perfect place for a comfortable chair, a good book, and the view looking out at the Mokulua islands graces the cover of many Oahu postcards. The white sand of Lanikai is the perfect place to spend the morning, or, if you happen to time it right, watch the full moon rise over the eastern horizon and as illuminates the cliffs of the Ko’olau Mountains.
While nowhere near as developed as Waikiki Beach or as family-friendly as Kailua Bay, Lanikai Beach is a place you come if you simply want to the put the world on pause for a while. It’s as idyllic a stretch of shore of you could ever hope to find, and it’s no wonder why Lanikai consistently ranks as one of the nicest beaches in the world.
Because it’s on the island’s eastern shore, Lanikai is often graced with gentle tradewinds which cool you just to the point of comfort. Afternoons in the summer months can get a little blustery, although kitesurfers and windsurfers who have launched from Kailua Bay opt to make the most of the wind and zip across the turquoise waters which are capped in flecks of white.
Since Lanikai is set in a private neighborhood the beach is accessed by simple footpaths and isn’t too visible from the road, and while this semi-isolation thins out the crowds, it also means there aren’t any facilities and parking can come at a premium.
Nevertheless, Lanikai is the perfect place for a comfortable chair, a good book, and the view looking out at the Mokulua islands graces the cover of many Oahu postcards. The white sand of Lanikai is the perfect place to spend the morning, or, if you happen to time it right, watch the full moon rise over the eastern horizon and as illuminates the cliffs of the Ko’olau Mountains.
While nowhere near as developed as Waikiki Beach or as family-friendly as Kailua Bay, Lanikai Beach is a place you come if you simply want to the put the world on pause for a while. It’s as idyllic a stretch of shore of you could ever hope to find, and it’s no wonder why Lanikai consistently ranks as one of the nicest beaches in the world.
Address: Lanikai Beach, Mokulua Drive, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
From $ 79