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Things to do in Oahu

There are many things to do in Oahu, and most activities can be enjoyed by the whole family. For most activities advanced reservations are recommended. You can use the activity map (link on the left hand side of the page) to see where each are located. If you're logged-in you can save Activities to your "Saved Favorites".

There are also many excellent places to dine on Oahu, so remember to incorporate that into your vacation plans as well. You can Search restaurants to see what's available on Oahu.

Miscellaneous Fun Activities on Oahu


Activity

Polynesian Cultural Center


55-370 Kamehameha Hwy
A must see for those visiting Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is the top paid Oahu attraction offering visitors a look into Polynesian history and culture. Visit our recreated villages including Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Hawaii, and many more. Chat with village members and try your hand at interactive games and activities.

Activity

Bishop Museum

Call 808-847-3511

1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, 96817
Bishop Museum is Hawaii's State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. The 14 acre campus includes five galleries where visitors can witness an erupting volcano in the Science Adventure Center, learn the legends of the night sky in our Planetarium, explore family friendly traveling exhibits from around the world and discover Hawaiian culture and tradition in the newly renovated Hawaiian Hall. Admission is $15.95 per adult, $12.95 for seniors (65+) and children ages 4 to 12, children ages 3 and under are free.

Activity

ATV Tours
The island of Oahu is a natural for ATV riders. The rugged outdoor environment is ideal for these four-wheeled vehicles and ATV's provide a means to explore areas of the island that would be out of the question for the average visitor. Literally thousands of acres of private property are available to be driven upon varying in topography from cane fields to hills and streams with swimming stops at beautiful waterfalls.

Activity

Bike Tours
Everywhere you go on Oahu you'll find bikers bike riding, bike rides, bicycle rentals, bike rental companies, bike tours, bike eco-adventures, mountain bike tours and virtually everything pertaining to bikes.

Activity

Shark Watching Tours
When was the last time you were in the water with live sharks! Its not as scary as it seems. These are among the most exciting and interesting tours to be offered on Oahu. You will be taken of the North Shore by boat and then jump into a cage that is attached to the stern. You'll get closer to sharks than you've ever imagined. This popular Oahu tour can book up fast so make reservations early.

Activity

Zipline Adventures
Zip lines in Hawaii have been all the rage since about the turn of the century. Zip Lines have been a major part of the activity industry on virtually every island, except remarkably, zip lines on Oahu. Zip lines on Oahu have been noticeably absent from the landscape, taking some additional time to catch up to the zip-line explosion on all the other islands. The fact of the matter is however that the lack of zip line courses on Oahu coupled with the largest visitor capacity of any of the Hawaiian Islands has created an extreme demand for visitor's intent on zip lining on the island of Oahu.

Oahu Air Tours


Activity

Air Tours
Fixed wing air tours on Oahu are fun and they take many forms. One great tour is a seaplane that takes off and lands on the water. Others are glider rides that are towed from the ground to thousands of feet in the air where you glide on the quiet and gentle currents of air viewing the beautiful sites below.

Oahu Boat Tours and Adventures


Activity

Dinner Cruises
If you're looking for nightlife in Hawaii, the dinner shows, dinner theater and evening entertainment in Oahu's Honolulu and Waikiki are the places to be in the islands. Honolulu is definitely the "Broadway" of the Pacific and you should consider taking in one of Honolulu's great shows such as "The Magic of Polynesia", "Cirque" or the "Society of Seven".

Activity

Dolphin Excursions
The Wai'anae coast off leeward Oahu is arguably the very best spot to view dolphins in Hawaii. Hundreds of Spinner dolphins are located just moments from the harbor and trained professionals are there to introduce you to the dolphin environment. A remarkable 95% of the time these "dolphin watches" depart they are successful in finding the dolphins, but what is even more remarkable is that 80% of those times you are able to experience swimming and snorkeling with the dolphins. These dolphin eco-adventures are the best kept secret on Oahu.

Activity

Sunset Cruises
A variation of the dinner sunset cruise is what is fondly referred to in Hawaii as the "booze cruise". This usually includes just "pupus" (appetizers) and an open bar plus entertainment. These "booze cruises" are very popular and are a fun way to begin an evening in Honolulu.

Activity

Sailing Charters
Oahu sailing tours and charters will likely include Mai Tai's and other beverages as a part of your Oahu sailing adventure. If you plan to get out in the stiff Hawaiian tradewinds for an invigorating sail the best time to go would generally be mid-afternoon.

Activity

Whale Watching Tours
The whale watching season is usually under way by the 15th of December and usually lasts through Easter. The best way to observe humpback whales, is by taking one of the many whale watching tours on one of a variety of whale watch boats off the coast of Oahu. Pick-up and return are generally provided from your Waikiki hotel. Whale watch tours usually last about 2 hours which is plenty of time to visit these gentle humpback whales. Almost all whale watching tours will include whale naturalists to explain the fascinating whale behavior such as breaching, sounding and the various mating rituals displayed.

Oahu Car Touring


Activity

Land Tours
Oahu is the perfect size island for bus tours and van tours. It is just the right size to circle the island in one day and many varied tours are offered. Probably the most famous Oahu tours however are the bus and van tours that take you to Pearl Harbor to visit the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri. Many Oahu land tours will also take you through Honolulu and Punchbowl, the Cemetery of the Pacific.

Activity

Discount Hawaii Car Rentals

Call 1-800-292-1930
Discount Hawaii Car Rental makes renting a car affordable, with rates up to 70% off. Now you can experience all the beauty the Hawaiian islands have to offer at your own leisurely pace. The road to Hana, the gorgeous H1 freeway, Waimea Canyon, or Volcanoes National Park. No deposit, no booking fee, guaranteed reservations, and cancel anytime. Yes, it truly is that easy and convenient!

Oahu Helicopter Tours


Activity

Helicopter Tours
Helicopter and air tours are undoubtedly the most spectacular way to see the island of Oahu. Most people think of Oahu as just Honolulu and Waikiki but its scenic North Shore and beautiful Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges are truly spectacular. Our favorite Oahu tours are the full island which include a return to the heliport in the valley between the two mountain ranges in the same path that was taken by the Japanese when they bombed Pearl Harbor. Other helicopter tours on Oahu include an evening flight which highlights the Honolulu city lights.

Oahu Horse Back Riding and Ranch Adventures


Activity

Horseback Riding
You will have to drive to the more remote areas of Oahu, far from the streets of Honolulu and Waikiki, in order to search out your horseback riding adventure but when you arrive at your horseback riding stable you'll be able to enjoy a more "laid back" Oahu experience. Some of our horseback rides on Oahu are on a working cattle or horse ranches on the North Shore and others are in a scenic East Shore location that is famous for the blockbuster films that have been filmed their over the years.

Oahu Kayaking


Activity

Kayaking Tours
Although the beaches off Waikiki and Honolulu are the most frequented by visitors, some of the most exotic waterscapes can be found on Oahu's eastern and northern windward coasts. The Mokulua Islands just lie about a mile or so off the coast of windward Oahu and the shallow water in between provides excellent coral formations and plenty of sea life within a few minutes kayak paddle.

Oahu Luauas and Nightime Entertainment


Activity

Luaus
Oahu is the home of three of the most famous Hawaiian luaus; the "Polynesian Cultural Center" Luau, Germaine's Luau and Paradise Cove Luau. The Hawaiian luaus and feasts on Oahu are heavily steeped in Hawaiian history, Polynesian history, hula dancing and all facets of Hawaiian culture. Luaus on Oahu are all similar to the extent that they all include a full compliment of Hawaiian foods such as lomi lomi salmon, chicken long rice, kalua pork (prepared underground in a pit or "imu") haupia and of course poi. Some of Oahu's Hawaiian luaus include various options that allow for special seating and upgraded food choices.

Oahu Nature Tours & Botanical Gardens


Activity

Senator Fong's Plantation & Gardens


47-285 Pulama Road
Senator Fong's Plantation & Gardens in Oahu, Hawaii, is a 700 acre, family owned Tropical Garden named for former US Senator Hiram Fong, offering guided tours through scenic valleys and plateaus. Tours start at $14.50 adult, $9 child.

Oahu Scuba Diving


Activity

Scuba Diving
Diving on Oahu can include beach dives, boat dives, multiple dive sites and dive locations, scuba certification, night dives and PADI courses. Some of the scuba dives available on Oahu are dives to shipwrecks, a Corsair Fighter plane wreck, cave dives and dives to lava tubes and beautiful coral reefs. Many of the scuba dives on Oahu are off the coast of Waikiki and the South Shore, but some of the more adventurous scuba diving is off the coast of the North Shore.

Other Fun Activities on Oahu


Activity

Snorkeling Tours
Great Oahu snorkeling spots can be found off the coast of Waikiki and Honolulu but many excellent snorkel areas can be found off the coast of Waianae, Kailua, and Haleiwa as well. One such trip takes you over the mountains through the Pali Tunnel to Kaneohe Bay where you'll sail to a sand bar that overlooks the film site of Gilligan's Island and the picturesque island called Chinaman's Hat. There are numerous snorkeling boats on Oahu and many will include round-trip transportation from your Waikiki hotel.

Oahu Sport Fishing


Activity

Fishing Charters
Head out in search of the legendary blue marlin or to troll the schools of ahi or aku that swim the channel between Oahu and Kauai. While Oahu is well - known for its nightlife, the Arizona Memorial and other world-class attractions, it is also known as a great location for sport fishing charters and deep sea fishing charters.

Oahu Surfing Lessons


Activity

Surfing Lessons
Surfing fans and observers flock to Oahu's famous surfing beaches every year for the best waves in the world. Don't feel that you have to be a pro surfer to enjoy the fun. Oahu has a number of great surf schools to assist you in learning how. One Oahu surfing school's instructors are Honolulu fireman and in another all instructors are women.