What to Do In Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is the perfect mix of bustling city and laid-back local beaches. Get all the best recommendations on where to eat and what to do in Oahu, Hawaii!

Things To Do on Oahu
Things To Do on Oahu
Things To Do on Oahu

Before we get too far into this, let’s be real – Mr. Lovely and I went to Hawaii to chill out on the beach together. And that’s mostly what we did.

But we did have a rental car and got around quite a bit as well, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite stuff to do on Oahu in the summer. It’s such a cool spot because there’s plenty of city life and also lots of tucked away places that make you feel like you’re a million miles from civilization.

This post gets a little long but I wanted to give you all of our favorite tips! xoxo

Psst — before you dive in, check these other Hawaii posts out as well! We’ve got tons of recommendations for food, travel, lodging, activities, shopping, and more.

Things To Do on Oahu

Don’t Miss These Oahu Spots

North Shore. Hands down, my favorite area of the island. It’s away from crazy Waikiki and makes you feel like a local.

Go into Haleiwa and check out some local shops, then head further up the highway to the beaches. One of our favorite beach days was spent on Waimea Bay, reading and swimming and watching kids do flips off of the cliffs into the water.

Parking tip for Waimea! If there aren’t any spots, hang out in your car near where people are leaving the beach and ask if you can have their place.

In the winter, the North Shore water is actually crazy with huge waves but in the summer it’s calm enough for paddleboarding and snorkeling in lots of spots.

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Things To Do on Oahu

Outdoor Activities In Oahu

Snorkeling. You guys! I was so proud I conquered my snorkel fear.

One of my highest recs is to head to Snorkel Bob’s to rent gear – so much nicer than the rental shacks on the beaches. The equipment is cleaner, cheaper, and they fit you for size.

So we rented from Snorkel Bob’s in Honolulu and took our gear to Three Tables on the North Shore. It’s a good option if you want to avoid the crowds at Hanauma Bay.

Just be sure to enter the water where it’s sandy rather than rocky.

Hiking. We ended up just doing one hike during our stay – the Diamondhead crater. But there are tons of beautiful hiking spots, and lots I would love to still try!

Diamondhead was just right. Challenging enough to feel like a little workout, easy enough that I could haul the baby tummy up the side of that hill, and with a crazy view at the top as a reward.

You definitely want to go in the morning before the heat and the crowds arrive. We started hiking at about 6:15, just after the trail opened.

For what it’s worth, I did this hike about 5 months pregnant and it was manageable. It’s not terribly strenuous.

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Things To Do on Oahu

Oahu Sites

Central Oahu. If you’ve got a rental car, drive up the center of the island and hit the Dole Plantation. I was loving running around taking photos of pink pineapples and tasting pineapple everything.

Pineapple tip! If you don’t want to pay for the tours, just keep driving a little past the tourist center. You’ll be able to see a zillion pineapple fields right on the road. Seriously, pineapples as far as the eye can see.

On the way back, try to stop at the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones. Starting in the 12th century, Hawaiian royalty would come to this spot to have their babies. We actually stumbled on it by accident but were totally in awe.

Things To Do on Oahu
Things To Do on Oahu
Things To Do on Oahu

Ko Olina. Tossing this one in there if you’re traveling with kiddos! On the west side of the island (near the Disney Aulani resort, which is so beautiful it’ll make your eyes sick), there are a few man-made lagoons where you can go and chill out.

They’re blocked from the waves so it’s nice and safe for little ones to play on the beaches or in the water.

Lagoon tip! If you go to Lagoon 3 you can probably snag a free beach chair. Or if shade is more your thing, try the umbrellas at Lagoon 2.

Waikiki. And duh you can’t go to Oahu and not hang out on Waikiki! It’s jam-packed with tourists but also lots of fun stuff – free hula shows, upscale shopping, and Waikiki beach.

You can rent all kinds of equipment or just hang out in the waves and people watch, which was my fave. We loved it best in the early morning or the couple of hours before sunset when it wasn’t totally packed.

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Things To Do on Oahu
Where to Eat on Oahu

Where to Eat in Oahu

Marugame Udon. We stopped here on our first night in town for some freshly made udon noodles, and it was insanely delicious.

The line looks long but moves really quickly, and it’s pretty affordable for a Waikiki meal. Get the kamaage udon or the niku udon and a few pieces of tempura. Yum.

Where to Eat on Oahu
Where to Eat on Oahu
Where to Eat on Oahu

Eat the Street. If you happen to be in town during this outdoor food truck festival, hit it up! It’s every last Friday of the month. There’s every kind of street food you can imagine, with music and entertainment. Best chicken pot pie I’ve ever had.

Where to Eat on Oahu

Leonard’s Bakery. When I heard that this place’s specialty was Portuguese donuts, I put it at the top of my list. Go and get a few malasadas and congratulate yourself for knowing what’s up. We loved the classic and the li hing.

Where to Eat on Oahu

Cinnamon’s. If you’re up for a morning drive to the east side of the island, head to Cinnamons! We heard they were famous for their red velvet pancakes, but we were bigger fans of the Portuguese sweet bread French toast. Seriously.

Food Trucks. If you find yourself on the North Shore, head to Haleiwa and stop at the food truck spot with Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. We split a plate of the shrimp scampi and never wanted it to end.

If you eat there, be sure to save some room for the Snow truck. Snow is like Hawaiian shave ice but mixed with frozen yogurt. Try the li hing mui flavor!

Where to Eat on Oahu
Where to Eat on Oahu
Where to Eat on Oahu

Fruit Stands. Keep an eye out for fresh fruit stands on the side of the road! Grab some fresh pineapple or a coconut.

Where to Eat on Oahu

Happy travels! xoxo

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8 Comments

  1. Yes!! Giovanni’s was my favorite meal on Oahu, hands down. My sister lives there, so I’m hoping to get back, and I’ll definitely try some of the things on this list.

  2. Aw I’m glad you shared this!!! Leonard’s is a classic!! Luckily I don’t have to sit in traffic to Waikiki and they have a truck out on my side of the island at the Waikele shopping centers.

    Also – glad you were able to make it out to Cinnamon’s in Kailua! Haven’t tried their french toast, but I do love the guava pancakes.

    One of my favorite places to go is to Soul de Cuba and REAL gastropub.

    Did you get to try some traditional Hawaiian food as well?

    – Aukele

  3. My boyfriend and I have always wanted to try Marukame Udon but the line always looks ridiculously long. Maybe we’ll try since you said it moves pretty fast! Your pictures look delicious! xo – Jessika

  4. Yay! So glad you tried and dug the kamaage udon! I’m craving it right now.

    And thanks for the other tips. I’m headed to Oahu again next year; nothing like planning my food stops a year in advance!