Top Things to Do in O’ahu, Hawaii

I didn’t think we’d be back so soon, but I guess it was inevitable. The endless rolling turquoise waves, island-inspired beers, colourful acai bowls, endless beaches and that classic Hawaiian vibe never really left us. Sure, we’d returned home in early 2020, spent a few years (like everyone else) isolating due to COVID-19, and then set back out into the world with a journey to Italy, but we always kept thinking about Hawaii. And, to be more specific, the island of O’ahu and its most famous beach town, Waikiki.

When we booked our original trip to Hawaii back in late 2019, we were told by others that we wouldn’t really like Waikiki. They said it was too commercial and touristy, and that, given our love for the great outdoors, we would be happier once we left Waikiki for the “real Hawaii.”

To be honest, though, we loved Waikiki. During our stay there, we surfed while the sun rose over Diamond Head, lounged in the sand all day, and then headed to Maui Brewing Company and Tiki’s Bar and Grill for happy hour drinks every evening.

Yes, Waikiki is very crowded with tourists no matter the time of year, but that’s part of its charm. And that’s also what makes O’ahu such an incredible destination. You can hangout in the splendour and action of Waikiki one day, and then head out to the north or east sections of O’ahu the next day and experience a quieter, more wild side of Hawaii. It’s this balance of Hawaii as the tourist destination, and Hawaii as the remote island paradise, that we loved and kept us yearning for more.

So, three years after our first trip to Hawaii, the island of O’ahu and Waikiki, my fiancé and I booked a second trip there - and it was just as great and iconic as we’d remembered.

So, if you’re heading to Hawaii, make sure you give both the island of O’ahu and Waikiki a chance. Waikiki’s colourful vibe will give you a great taste of what Hawaii’s all about, and the rest of the island will provide you with more of that wild and remote island paradise that most travellers to Hawaii are looking for. To help you plan your itinerary and inspire your travels there, here are our top 5 favourite things to do in O’ahu, Hawaii.

The Seven Mile Miracle on the North Shore of O’ahu

This seven mile stretch of ocean offers some of the best surfing waves in the world, including the Banzai Pipeline. The waves tend to be the largest here during the winter months. Check the surf report before you head out there, though, to make sure there will actually be waves to watch. The winter months between December and March generally bring the largest swells to the North Shore, while the summer months generally provide calmer conditions.

On large wave days, get there early, as the area tends to become pretty crowded with spectators. Just a word of caution, though, the waves and current here are very powerful, and you should avoid going into the water unless you’re confident in your surfing abilities. Click here for a list of the best surf beaches along the Seven Mile Miracle.

Shark Diving on the North Shore of O’ahu

After you spend some time watching the surfers out in the ocean, head out into the ocean yourself with a trained crew to see some of Hawaii’s most incredible marine creatures. This excursion may seem scary, but, once you witness these majestic animals in their natural habitats, you’ll come to realize why you shouldn’t fear sharks, as well as why they should be protected. We went with One Ocean Diving, who I’d highly recommend as a tour operator for this. Click here to learn more about our experience free diving with sharks!

Surfing in Waikiki

If watching the surfers on the North Shore and diving with sharks got you hyped to spend more of your Hawaiian vacation in the water, definitely give surfing a go while you’re in Waikiki. The waves are generally pretty chill here, and most of the time you’ll need a longboard to ride them. Luckily, there are tons of board rental shops in the area, as well as surfing lessons if it’s your first time, so there’s no excuse to not give surfing a try here.

While you’ll generally find chill waves here all year round, the summer months tend to bring larger swells to the south shore. In addition, we rented our boards from Moniz Family Surf during our last stay in Waikiki. They offer an array of cool, colourful longboards, and they’re a short walk from the beach!

Waimanalo Beach

The east side of O’ahu has arguably some of the nicest beaches in Hawaii - if not the entire world. None of the east side beaches are more famous than Lanikai Beach, but that usually means it’s packed and parking is hard to find. Instead, head to Waimanalo Beach, which is just a short drive down the road. The waters here are very turquoise just Lanikai, however it tends to be less busy here, so parking shouldn’t be much of an issue. When we went, we practically had the beach to ourselves. And, of course, the waters are just as pristine and turquoise as its more popular neighbouring beach.

Watch the Sunrise Over Diamond Head

If you’re staying in Waikiki, which is where most people stay when visiting O’ahu, set your alarm and head out for sunrise. The sun rises right over Diamond Head during the winter, offering one of the best sunrise views you’ll see anywhere in the world. Bonus tip: if you enjoyed surfing in Waikiki, head out for a morning surf. There’ll be less people in the water, and you’ll get one of the best views of diamond head.

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