Things to Do in Oahu: Tours, Tickets & Boat Trips
Wondering what to do in Oahu? The Grand Circle Island tour (about $85–118) is the most-reviewed experience in Hawaii — a full day around the island from Hanauma Bay and Makapu‘u to the Byodo-In Temple, Kualoa, the North Shore beaches and the Dole Plantation — and it is the best first day on Oahu. Then the classics: Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial ($55–149 with transport), the Turtle Canyon snorkel sail off Waikiki ($85–90), a luau ($145), the North Shore shark dive ($99), Diamond Head at sunrise and a surf lesson on Waikiki Beach. Give yourself five to seven days: two for Honolulu and Waikiki, one for Pearl Harbor, one for the circle island, one for the windward side and Kailua, one for the North Shore. Much is free: Waikiki Beach, Lanikai, the North Shore beaches, the Makapu‘u lighthouse trail and the Friday fireworks cost nothing. Below you can compare every Oahu tour and ticket by rating and price, with free cancellation on most.
1,302 tours · prices per person, book with partner
All experiences in Oahu — FAQ
What are the top things to do in Oahu?
By traveller reviews: the Grand Circle Island tour, the circle island tour with snorkelling, the Waikiki Trolley, the circle island tour with the Waimea Valley waterfall, the Turtle Canyon snorkel, the Toa and Mauka Warriors luaus, the Magical Mystery Show at the Hilton, the North Shore shark dive, whale watching from Waikiki in winter and Pearl Harbor. Compare all of them below.
How many days do you need in Oahu?
Five to seven days. Day one: Waikiki, a surf lesson and sunset. Day two: Pearl Harbor and downtown Honolulu. Day three: the Grand Circle Island tour. Day four: Diamond Head at sunrise, then Hanauma Bay or a Turtle Canyon snorkel. Day five: the windward side — Kailua, Lanikai and Kualoa Ranch. Day six: the North Shore for Haleiwa, the beaches and the shark dive. Add a luau on any evening.
What can you do in Oahu for free?
Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach and the Pillbox hike, Kailua Beach, the North Shore beaches — Waimea Bay, Sunset and Pipeline — the Makapu‘u Point lighthouse trail, the Halona Blowhole, the turtles at Laniakea Beach, the free hula show at Kuhio Beach, the Friday fireworks off the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the USS Arizona Memorial (free with a $1 reservation), the Iolani Palace grounds, Chinatown and Kaka‘ako’s murals. Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay charge non-residents a small entry fee and need reservations.
Do Oahu tours offer free cancellation?
Most experiences listed here can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time; boat trips are refunded if cancelled for weather. The policy is shown on each tour before you book.