Things to do in  Oahu

Made up of several historic sites and memorials, Pearl Harbor honors and educates the public about the Japanese attack on the United States on December 7, 1941 that propelled the country into World War II. It’s one of Hawaii’s most-visited attractions, and one of the country’s most significant WWII memorial sites.

Diamond head is impressive, and Waikiki is fun for families. But surfing is king on the North Shore of Oahu. Here, summer’s placid snorkeling spots are transformed into pounding 40-foot (12-meter) waves come winter. On land you’ll find a peaceful respite from hectic Honolulu, with scenic waterfall hikes, sleepy farms selling tropical fruit, and food trucks doling out garlic shrimp faster than you can say “mahalo.”

Located a short distance offshore of Kualoa Point, Mokolii Island is one of Oahu’s most famous landmarks. This small, cone-shaped island attracts adventurous visitors with its secluded coves, rugged hikes, and views of Oahu’s windward coast and the Koolau mountains; the same mountains featured in scenes of the movie Jurassic Park.

What started out as a Wahiawa fruit stand in the middle of the pineapple fields in 1950 is now an extremely popular Hawaiian attraction. The sprawling Dole Plantation in central Oahu is a rural throwback to a time when the pineapple helped rule the island’s economy. Visitors can sample the sweet yellow fruit, take the famous Pineapple Express train tour and motor out through the fields, take a walk through a huge garden maze, learn how to find fresh pineapple when grocery shopping, and hear how pineapples are grown on plants—and not underground or on trees.

Arguably Hawaii's most well-known sight, Diamond Head Crater is more than just a famous Waikiki backdrop but also an entire attraction unto itself, featuring one of Oahu's best hikes for a panoramic view. From atop the 760-foot (231-meter) summit, visitors can gaze out from Koko Crater to the Honolulu skyline and down on Waikiki Beach, where surfers, paddlers, sailboats, and canoes all splash through the tropical waters.

Located near Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole is a natural wonder along the southeastern coast of Oahu. Formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago, waves forced through the underwater lava tubes cause water to shoot up to 30 feet (9 meters) in the air. The lookout also offers scenic views of nearby islands on a clear day.

Within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline on Oahu’s Windward Coast, the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail is a popular hike ending at the historical red-roofed Makapu’u Lighthouse, built in 1909. Though the lighthouse is not open to the public, the moderately challenging hike attracts travelers and locals alike for its stunning coastal views.

For decades, Waikiki Beach has been Oahu’s tourist mecca thanks to its palm-fringed white-sand beaches and high-rise luxury hotels that stretch from downtown Honolulu east toward the towering Diamond Head. Here all the spoils of Hawaiian beach life—from sunbathing and swimming to snorkeling and fruity-cocktail sipping—are within steps of world-class shopping and dining.

Nicknamed the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri—now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial—is the site where the Japanese signed the surrender documents that ended World War II, on September 2, 1945. The ship is now a museum and a memorial to the war’s conclusion.

Renowned for its powerful shore breaks, Sandy Beach Park is one of Oahu’s most popular bodyboarding destinations. However, it is colloquially known as “Break Neck Beach” for good reason, so novices should avoid the beach’s treacherous waters and soak up the sun on its long stretch of fine white sand.

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Banzai Pipeline, also known as Pipeline or Pipe, is one of the most famous surf reef breaks in the world, known for its massive barreling waves that break over shallow reefs. Every winter, visitors flock here to watch some of the best surfers in the world ride and compete on Pipeline.

Hanauma Bay State Park is a protected marine-life-preservation area with clear water ideal for snorkeling and a vast array of tropical fish and coral reefs surrounded by volcanic rock. Once used by the Hawaiian royal family for fishing, it is now one of Oahu’s top tourist destinations with about 1 million visitors each year.

Located on the east coast of Oahu, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Honolulu, Tropical Farms (The Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet), sometimes called Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts, is set in the shadow of the mountains of the Koolau Range and is a stop on many circle-island tours. It’s a great place to enjoy a Hawaiian treat and shop for gifts and souvenirs.

This national memorial floats in Pearl Harbor above the final resting place of nearly all the sailors who perished during the World War II attack on the USS Arizona. The solemn, all-white memorial features a marble wall etched with the names of those who served onboard, and has openings to look down through the water onto the sunken battleship.

Waikiki, where most Hawaii vacations get their start, is everything at once: white sandy beaches, swaying palms, high-rise accommodations, world-class shopping, top-notch and seaside dining, local culture, and excellent surfing. It’s no wonder this former playground for Hawaiian royalty continues to be an oasis for global visitors.