Must-Dos in The Gathering Place
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There’s no place quite as magical and beautiful as Oahu. From Waikiki Beach to the North Shore, Oahu is filled with pristine beaches, hidden waterfalls, and stunning views. Here are the top sites to see to make the most of your time on Oahu!
Relax at Waikiki Beach
One of the best things to do on Oahu is visit Waikiki Beach – one of the most famous beaches in the world! With its light blue water and Diamond Head in the distance, Waikiki Beach is a great spot to relax all day. Visitors can rent surfboards, hop on a boat for a sunset cruise, or try one of the many famous restaurants lining the beach.
Hike Diamond Head
No Oahu bucket list would be complete without including Diamond Head. Created over 300,000 years ago in a single eruption, the crater is now a state monument that offers excellent views of Oahu from the summit. The trail to the summit is about 0.8 miles long and it takes about 40-50 minutes to reach the top. Diamond Head requires entry and car reservations to be made in advance; more information can be found here.
Visit Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a somber place where visitors are able to learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into World War II. The main point of interest is the USS Arizona Memorial Program, where visitors can take a boat ride out to the memorial built over the sunken ship. The USS Arizona program does require visitors to have a free ticket in order to get onto the boat. These tickets should be booked in advance here. Same day standby to see the USS Arizona is available, but visitors are not guaranteed to get on the tour. Visitors can also see the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum while at Pearl Harbor. These three attractions are not managed by the National Park Service and have their own admission rates. Operating hours for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and more information, such as the bag policy, can be found at this link.
Go to a luau
Attending a luau is definitely a top Oahu bucket list item! A luau is a great way to experience Hawaiian culture. Luaus are usually accompanied by traditional Hawaiian food such as poi and poke. Ka Moana Luau and the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center are two great options on Oahu.
Try surfing
Hawaii is one of the top surfing destinations in the world, so why not try it out while you’re there? There are many vendors along Waikiki Beach where you can rent a surfboard and sign up for a lesson. We always recommend going surfing with an instructor as Waikiki Beach is quite rocky and can be dangerous to surf in some spots.
Stroll down Kalakaua Avenue
Kalakaua Avenue is the main street in the Waikiki area. The palm tree-lined thoroughfare is home to multi-level luxury shopping centers and plenty of famous restaurants. The Royal Hawaiian Center, International Market Place, and Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue are some great stops along the avenue. If you stroll along Kalakaua Avenue at night, you might be able to see some street performers.
Swim at the base of a waterfall in Waimea Valley
Located along Oahu’s North Shore, Waimea Valley is a beautiful park consisting of a botanical garden and waterfall. The park is quintessential Hawaii with its light blue water, greenery, and tropical flowers. At the end of the path through the botanical garden is Waimea Falls, a gorgeous 45-foot waterfall. Visitors are able to swim at the base of the waterfall as long as lifeguards are present. Waimea Valley can be visited as part of a circle island tour. Admission information can be found here.
Get Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation
Located near the North Shore, the Dole Plantation is a great stop while you’re out exploring the island. The most famous item to get at the Dole Plantation is Dole Whip, which is delicious pineapple-flavored soft-serve ice cream. It’s served up in a variety of options, including a pineapple split and pineapple float. The Dole Plantation has plenty of fun activities to do while you’re there, such as a garden tour and pineapple maze.
Snorkel with wild dolphins
If you’re the adventurous type, going snorkeling with wild dolphins is the perfect Oahu bucket list item for you. We highly recommend this tour off the west coast of Oahu. We had an awesome time getting to snorkel with wild dolphins, green sea turtles, and a shark! Make sure to bring a GoPro so that you can record your adventure!
Check out our snorkeling adventure:
Try a Mai Tai cocktail
Trying a Mai Tai is a must while in Hawaii! Made of rum, Curaçao liqueur, orgeat syrup, and lime juice, this cocktail is the perfect drink to have after a day at the beach. You’ll find Mai Tais on the menu at most restaurants. The Mai Tai Bar located at The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach is the perfect place to sip on one while admiring Diamond Head in the distance.
Check out our 4 Days on Oahu itinerary for more details!
Check out our TikTok to see what our trip to Oahu was like!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited May 2022 | Posted October 2022
[…] after a day at the beach. You’ll find Mai Tais on the menu at most restaurants. Check out our Oahu bucket list post for more bucket list […]