Things you can't miss in

Oahu, Hawaii

"Above all, be the kind of traveler who welcomes others with open arms -for every journey is a chance to share the spirit of Aloha.

- Hawaiian Proverb

Top things to do in Oahu

1. Visit the Duke at Waikiki Beach

It’s no question that the surf capital of the world is Hawaii. The most iconic legend of surf can be found on Waikiki Beach, the ‘Duke Kahanamoku’. Most visitors to Waikiki’s beautiful central beach will eventually come face to face with ‘The Duke’s’ statue that stands proudly facing the city. We joined in like the many others in ensuring the Duke was properly lei’d. A common misconception (thanks to Hollywood) is that the moment you land in Hawaii you are presented with a necklace made of flowers called a ‘lei’. Unfortunately this is not the case and you are only to get “lei’d” if you have purchased one which can range from $15-60 USD.

2. Have dinner at Dukes Waikiki

After taking your picture with the Duke on Waikiki beach, head up Kalakaua Ave into the heart of Waikiki a few blocks until you reach The Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. Inside this hotel you will find the Duke’s Waikiki restaurant. This restaurant is quite busy so make sure you show up early or spend some time waiting in line. The restaurant is divided into two sections- the dinning room with a fancier menu where there is wait list seating or first come first serve section with a burger/sandwhich menu. We sat in the waitlist area on the beach. There was an awesome live, local band playing out on the back porch with nothing but views of sandy beach and oceanfront. The food was pretty good, the local fish tacos and nachos were delicious.

3. The Diamond Head Hike

If the 760 feet to the top doesn’t have you sweating, the 360 degree views from the top of Diamond Head will take your breath away!! It is about a 40-60 minute moderate hike to the top with: diamond head crater views, waikiki/honolulu views, gorgeous Pacific Ocean/beach views and a world war II bunker.

Easy to get to just take bus number 23 departing from Kuhio Ave (1 street up from the beach) to Diamond Head State Monument stop. It costs $1 USD per person entrance fee and they only have refreshments/washrooms at the bottom of the trail so make sure you have what you need before you begin. Should be physically fit and able to walk up steep stairs to do the Diamond Head hike.

The Diamond Head crater is a beautiful volcanic landmark that draws over 3,000 tourists and visitors everyday; making it one of Hawaii’s most heavily visited destinations. In the 1800s, British sailors were fooled by the glittering stones at the top of the crater- thus earning its name ‘Diamond Head’. The Diamond Head trail was built by the US army in 1908, which included artillery cannons, cement bunkers, as well as an observation deck.

#4. Pearl Harbour & the USS Arizona Memorial

This is a must see if you are on the island of Oahu- pay your respects to the innocent soldiers who lost their lives in a surprise attack by the Japanese on December 7th, 1941. Entry to the Pearl Harbour visitor centre and the USS Arizona Memorial is free, including access to two museums and exhibits along the harbour.

1,300 tickets to the memorial are given away on a first come first serve basis everyday and another maybe 750 tickets through online reservation ($1.50USD each). We went on an overcast mid week day and were lucky to have reserved as they were fully booked. Come early to take in the museums and all the history they have to offer! Bus #20 & #42 will take you directly from downtown Waikiki (Kuhio Ave) to Pearl Harbour. It is a fairly long bus ride from 1hr-1.5hrs.

5. Soak up some sun or go for a surf at Waikiki Beach

Head down to the bustling street of Kalakaua Avenue, where you will find many unique shops and a long stretch of sparkling sand that is Waikiki Beach. The breakwater and lifeguards on duty give you confidence to go for a comfortable swim in the warm Pacific waters. Or perhaps you would prefer to bury your feet in the soft sandy beach while the sparkling rays of sunlight bronze your skin? Either way you can people watch the hundreds that roam the streets next to you. Walking down Kalakaua Avenue next to the beach, you’ll find multiple surf board rentals & rental holding areas for your personal boards. Most surfers are up with the crack of dawn, trying to catch the best wave of the day!

6. Hanauma Bay

This beautiful nature preserve is a must see, located on the Southeast side of the island of Oahu. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the island with about 4oo species of fish known to inhabit the bay. It has suffered somewhat from overuse and in recent times the government has enforced nature preservation and marine life conservation. It is an amazing place to snorkel, with visitors witnessing fish, turtles and stingrays among the coral reef. The word ‘hana’ means bay in Hawaiian and ‘uma’ can be interpreted as a curved shape, often used in reference to the shape of indigenous canoes.

There is an entrance fee of $7.50 USD each that goes to the preservation of the bay. Prior to entry, you are required to watch a 10 minute video about Hanauma Bay and the regulations regarding your use of the area. Please obey these rules to preserve this beautiful area- treat this foreign land you are on as if it were your own neighbourhood. Would you appreciate people throwing garbage about? The bay is closed every Tuesday to allow for a rest day between so many guests. There is a cafeteria and a gift shop located before you enter the gates but after that there is no food available. Make sure you purchase food in advance if you need it. A strong current exists in parts of the bay, see photo below.

Getting There: It is super easy to get to Hanauma Bay from Waikiki by transit- no transfers necessary. You’ll want to take bus #22 which departs from kalamakua avenue every hour or half hour. Bus schedules are available at all ABC stores for FREE. It will be about a 45 minute bus ride to the bay, depending on where exactly you get on in Waikiki. There are 2 bus stops that have ‘Hanauma Bay’ in the title; the first one being ‘Kalanianaole Hwy & Hanauma Bay rd’ and the second one being ‘Hanauma Bay Nature Park’. Make sure you get off at the second stop.

7. Have dinner at the Yard House & Hard Rock Cafe

My boyfriend and I travel all around the world collecting lapel pins from countries and Hard Rock Cafes. The Hard Rock Café in Waikiki is located just off the main street of Kuhio Ave, at #280 Beach Walk. This is a rock n’ roll themed chain that offers with a high energy vibe serving burgers and American classics. Each Hard Rock has their own rock n’ roll memorabilia to offer, this one in particular has hundreds of guitars lined up along the ceiling. Good food & drinks, all made with as many local ingredients as possible.

We found ourselves frequent customers to the Yard house, located at #226 Lewers St. This is a high end sports bar with a huge menu of new American fare and has the most draft beer on tap in the world with a 250 tap system. Every night we went there was a line up- that’s when you know the food is good! Worth every minute wait, if you have a larger party you can call and reserve they will cut your wait time in half. There are more than 100 menu items, including a huge selection of ‘gardein’ or vegan style options.

We would definitely recommend the Yard house as our favourite restaurant in all of Waikiki. Happy hour is from 2pm-5:30pm. They have a glass-enclosed keg room showcasing hundreds of steel barrels containing some 4,000 gallons of beer that flow to the center island bar through an extensive network of tubing positioned overhead. Make sure you check out Yard house on your visit to Honolulu!

8. Kualoa Ranch

Nestled in the breathtaking mountains of Oahu, Kuala Ranch offers visitors a unique and authentic taste of Hawaii. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich history, this expansive ranch is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the islands.

During our visit, we embarked on an exhilarating ATV tour that took us through lush valleys and iconic locations known for their major films, including Jurassic Park and Jumanji. The thrill of speeding through the rugged terrain, surrounded by stunning vistas, was an unforgettable experience. We encountered various props left from movie sets such as the massive dinosaur print from Jurassic Park. In addition to the cinematic sites, we explored a WWII bunker. Here we learnt about the historical significance of the area and its role during the war.

Kuala Ranch offers a variety of other activities and tours, catering to visitors of all ages and interests. For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, horseback riding is available. Experience the beauty of the Hawaiian mountains at a gentle trot! Whether you're a movie buff, a history enthusiast, or someone eager to experience the natural wonders of Hawaii - Kualoa Ranch is sure to leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for this incredible destination.

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