The most cosmopolitan of the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu offers a plethora of attractions for every type of traveler. Whether you want to relax on a beach, engage with water sports, shop, eat, hike or visit World War II sites, it can all be done here. Below are suggestions for 10 great things to do on Oahu in a week. We have visited Oahu on two separate occasions, first in 2016 for 4 days and in December 2022 for 5 days, so my recommendations are based on both trips. You can easily combine some of the activities into a day long outing, so all the 10 suggestions are doable in a week.
10 Great things to do on Oahu in a week
Before I discuss the 10 great things to do on Oahu in a week, I want to share my observations on best areas to stay. If you’re staying in Waikiki, I recommend staying more towards the southern end. The first time we visited Oahu, we stayed near the Hilton Hawaiian Village and, to be honest, had to walk a bit toward the business area of Waikiki. This time, we stayed right by Kuhio Beach and thought it was a perfect location, near restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and great beaches. If you don’t want to stay on Oahu, I would absolutely recommend Kailua. The scenery is lovely there, the beaches magnificent, and there are certainly fewer people than in Waikiki. Had it not been so expensive, we would have stayed there this time.
1: Enjoy Waikiki Beach
Waikiki is perhaps one of the most famous beaches in the world. Two miles long, Waikiki is actually divided into several beaches, all with white sands, turquoise waters, and lovely tropical vegetation. While it is a paradise for sunbathers, swimming, surfing, and paddle boarding are equally popular. I loved Prince Kūhiō Beach with shallow protected waters as well as Royal Hawaiian Beach with spectacular views of Diamond Head. Waikiki Beach is lined with luxury hotels, fancy restaurants, and world class shopping, so when you get tired of lying in the sun, you won’t need to look far for a refreshing drink or a bite to eat. In fact, I recommend heading to one of the beach-front restaurants for happy hour drinks and sunset views. They are lovely!
2. Visit Pearl Harbor
I feel like you can’t come to Oahu and not visit Pearl Harbor. The National Park Service has done a fantastic job preserving the sites and retelling the history of the pivotal events of WWII. Set aside at least half a day to visit the Arizona Memorial and explore the museums. You can find more information here. If you don’t have a car, you can take a public bus from Waikiki (bus #20, $3.00 each way). It’s easy and convenient, and we didn’t mind it at all.
3. Walk through the Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Once you have visited Peal Harbor, I recommend heading to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Originally created as burial grounds for the American soldiers killed in the Pacific during WWII, the cemetery is now a resting place for those who served in the United States Armed Forces. The cemetery is located in Punchbowl Crater with beautifully landscaped grounds. Several viewing platforms offer expansive views of the city. To get to the cemetery, we took a public bus #8 from Waikiki. We had to hike up for about 20 minutes once we got off the bus, but it was easy, and we basically followed the street. I believe there may be a bus that might get you closer to the cemetery but you’d need to transfer midway from Waikiki, so we decided to take the direct bus and then walk a bit. It worked out just fine.
4. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life ecosystem that offers great snorkeling with an abundance of colorful fish. Even if you don’t snorkel, you’re guaranteed to see schools of fish in shallow waters. The bay itself is lovely, so visiting Hanauma Bay is a wonderful way to spend a half a day or a whole day while on Oahu. Because of its popularity and the subsequent damage to the coral, the park now limits the number of people that can visit the bay each day. You have to make reservations and pay the day use fee (+parking fee if you have a car), so plan accordingly.
5. Hike to the top of Diamond Head
While in Waikiki, the view of the Diamond Head Crater was absolutely my favorite. I loved looking at it from the beach and the beach-front restaurants. If you have time, I definitely recommend hiking to the top of the crater. If you are a non-resident, you now have to make a reservation ahead of time, so plan accordingly. Hiking Diamond Head is a fun thing to do while on the island. The hike isn’t long, only 0.8 mile each way. It is, however, pretty steep, so I recommend wearing good sturdy shoes, and not flip flops. The views are beautiful and well worth the climb.
6. Visit downtown Honolulu
Many tourists don’t venture outside of Waikiki but checking out downtown Honolulu with its historic sights may be an interesting experience. Some of the more significant sights to see are the Iolani Palace, the statue of King Kamehameha, and the State Capital Building. We spent some time walking the streets, checking out the Chinatown area, and eventually caught the bus back to Waikiki. Visiting downtown is only going to take you a couple of hours, and you can easily be back in Waikiki in the early afternoon with plenty of time left to do other things.
7. Take a trip to the North Shore
While on Oahu, we rented a car for 2 days and decided to spend one day exploring the North Shore. This area of the island is known for big waves in the winter time and great surfing. We had done this drive once before and enjoyed seeing surfers riding the waves. This time, however, we had a really stormy day, so there was not a single surfer in the water. We made Haleiwa our first stop where we had lattes and local pastries at the Coffee Gallery. Waiting out the rain, we explored the different shops and galleries, and once the rain subsided we headed north towards the famous surfing beaches. We stopped at Waimea Beach, Pupukea, Banzai Pipeline, and Ehukai. Due to the storm, there wasn’t much going on and the waves weren’t actually that big. Still, we checked out the beaches, took some pictures and headed back south along highway 83. The stretch between Laie and Kahaluu is quite scenic, with mountains and the ocean lining the road. Don’t miss the great views of the tiny Mokolii Island from Kāneʻohe Bay. With multiple stops along the way, the trip will take you most of the day. We got back to Waikiki in time for dinner.
8. See amazing beaches on Oahu's Windward (East) Coast
Oahu’s Windward coast is definitely my favorite part of the island. The area offers magnificent scenery of lush mountains and beautiful beaches. I recommend renting a car and slowly exploring this section of Oahu. Drive past Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay, which deserve a separate outing, in my opinion. Make sure to stop by Makapu Lookout to view the little lighthouse perched on a rock. Further up the road you’ll have 3 spectacular beaches to visit – Waimānalo, Lanikai, and Kailua Beach. All three have absolutely gorgeous water, white sand, and lush vegetation. Moreover, they have views over little islands, which only add to their charm. Choose one of the beaches, bring your beach chair and enjoy the scenic views away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. The town of Kailua offers a variety of food options, so stop along the main street and grab a bite to eat.
9. Visit the Valley of Temples, Botanical Gardens, and Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
These three sites are all beautiful and worth a visit. What’s more, they are located in close proximity to each other, which makes for an easy sightseeing tour. Driving from Honolulu along Hwy 61, you’re going to come to the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout first. Stop here (parking $7) for lovely views of the lush Ko’olau Mountains and the Windward Coast. Next, drive north on Hwy 83 to see Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens (free). The palm-lined entrance into the botanical gardens offers spectacular views of the verdant Ko’olau Mountains. The botanical gardens showcase a wide variety of palms and other trees from around the world, so it’s a joy to walk along the trails admiring the vegetation. We took a short hike to the lake and back, which I definitely recommend. The views are amazing. Finally, drive further north along Hwy 83 to the magnificent Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. The Byodo-In Temple is located within the cemetery, just follow the signs along the road. This spectacular structure is a replica of the Japanese temple on the outskirts of Kyoto. The grounds are beautiful and the surrounding mountains add to the serenity of the place. Once in the temple, you’ll see a statue of a sitting Buddha. Before leaving, make sure to ring the bell outside the temple for happiness and longevity.
10. Go shopping
If you’re a shopper, you’re going to love Honolulu and in particular Waikiki. International Market Place and the Royal Hawaiian Center are just two malls a block away from Waikiki Beach. Ala Moana Center is another big mall. Additionally, Kalakaua Avenue offers world class shopping, so if you’re tired of the beach head to one or all of the shopping areas.
Are you visiting other islands?
If you’re visiting other Hawaiian Islands, you may want to read my recommendations below:
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