First Timer’s Guide to Oahu
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that Hawaii is my happy place. In fact, all I wanted for my birthday this year was a trip to Hawaii. Of course, my husband happily obliged. This makes it our third annual trip to the islands and I couldn’t be more happier! What I love the most about Oahu is that there’s a little bit of everything. Out of the three we’ve visited (Kauai and Big Island), Oahu is the only island that gives you the best of both worlds – city life and nature. I admit, it wasn’t love at first sight. But after experiencing the island as a whole, I’ve come to appreciate everything about Oahu. And yes, that includes the overcrowded Waikiki beach.
Things to know before you go
Weather: Average temperature is around 75-85F.
Best time to go: May, August, September or October.
Population: The third largest Hawaiian island and the most populous.
Language: English and Hawaiian.
Currency: US Dollars.
Transportation: Rental car or Public Transportation – buses, trolleys, taxis or shuttles. (I recommend renting a car to make it easier for you to get around the island.)
Stay
We usually stay at resorts whenever we visit Hawaii. But this time we stayed at an Airbnb, located a few miles away from Waikiki. The main reason why was because of the ridiculous fees the hotels are charging. Aside from the unavoidable resort fees around $25-40 per day, they have a separate parking fee for $25-$30 per day. I just couldn’t justify paying for all those fees when we can use it for something else like food or activities. But if that’s not an issue for you then by all means go ahead and splurge! You’re on vacation after all. Here are some hotels that almost made the cut:
- Turtle Bay Resort
- Sheraton Waikiki
- The Royal Hawaiian
- The Modern Honolulu
I love this place! Next time we visit Oahu, we’re definitely staying here even for just a day or two.
Turtle Bay 
Watching the sunset
Play
Beaches
Waikiki Beach
Our first stop was Waikiki Beach for sunset. I just had to see what the fuss is all about. I must say it’s definitely the busiest beach I’ve been to in Hawaii. Since it was too crowded to go for a swim, we just took a stroll down the beach walk and enjoyed the view of Diamond Head from afar.
I know some people (including myself) may judge Oahu hastily based on Waikiki. My advice to you is rent a car and drive around the island. Don’t spend all of your time here. You have to explore the other parts of Oahu!
Tip: Parking can be a bit difficult if you’re not staying at one of the hotels in the area. Your best bet would be parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center located on Royal Hawaiian Avenue. Parking is free for the first hour with validation. After that, it’s $2/hour for the next two hours.
Lanikai Beach
Nestled in a residential neighborhood in Kailua, you’ll find the serene Lanikai Beach. When I think of the ideal beach, Lanikai definitely comes to mind. I can see why its regarded as one of the best beaches in Hawaii. The sand is white and powdery. The water is calm and crystal clear with a vibrant shade of blue and green. Plus you get a striking view of the Mokes/Molokua Islands that houses bird sanctuaries. We spent an afternoon here relaxing and watching a few kite surfers having a great time in the water.
Tips: Two things to remember: 1. Finding the entrance to the beach can be a bit tricky since there are no signs. We found access via an alleyway between the residential houses. 2. Parking is a challenge. You can street park but make sure you read the signs to avoid getting a ticket.
Sunset Beach
One of my favorite memories from our trip was watching the sunset at Sunset Beach in the North Shore. It definitely lived up to its name! We spent 2 hours here just basking in the sun, watching surfers from a distance and soaking in the breathtaking views of the ocean, all the while waiting for the sun to set.
Laniakea Beach/Turtle Beach
If you’re like us and love seeing sea turtles then this is the surest place to see them. Of course you may spot one or two while snorkeling at one of Oahu’s amazing beaches but from what I was told, its not uncommon to find sea turtles here. Hence the name, Turtle Beach.
Reminder: Pls be respectful and don’t harass or touch the sea turtles.
Hanauma Bay State Park
Home to a plethora of fish and marine life, this protected conservation area is the best place in Oahu for snorkeling! We saw so many fishes that we’ve never seen before! The beach can be crowded but there’s plenty of space to snorkel without bumping into someone. Make sure you arrive early to get a parking space. We got there around 7:20 am and it was almost full.
For more information: LINK
Tips and Fees:
- Entrance fee is $7.50. CASH ONLY.
- Parking lot fee is $1.
- Tram ride (down) $1, Tram ride (up) $1.25.
- Parking lot only has 300 stalls so make sure you arrive early.
- Park hours are 6am-7pm daily.
- The park is closed every TUESDAY.
- Kailua Beach
- Electric Beach
- Makapuu Beach
- Ko’olina Beach
- Sandy Beach
- Waimanalo Beach
- Waimea Bay
Hiking spots
Diamond Head Trail
One of the most rewarding hikes in Oahu, the Diamond Head trail boasts panoramic views of Waikiki. Is it just me or was this hike a bit strenuous? I’ve heard people say it’s fairly easy but that wasn’t the case for me at all. Maybe I’m just really out of shape? I had to stop a few times to catch my breath after climbing several flights of stairs. My calves were burning after doing this hike! The best time to hike this trail is early morning to avoid crowds. It was way too crowded when we hiked before sunset.
Tips:
- Entrance fee is $5 per car or $1 per person. CASH ONLY.
- Park is open from 6am-6pm daily.
- Trail entrance closes at 4:30 pm. Which means you have to be out of the parking lot by 6 or you’ll get locked in. If you’re doing a sunset hike, make sure you park outside.
- Make sure you wear a hat and sunscreen because it can get really hot.
- Don’t forget to bring water.
Manoa Falls
The trek to Manoa Falls was my least favorite but I still included it anyway just because you need to see at least one waterfall when you visit Hawaii. We hiked the day after it rained so the the trail was very muddy. Surprisingly, the waterfall was running a little low despite the rain the previous day which made it not worth the hike for us. Overall, an okay hike for a mediocre waterfall. The only part that I liked was the lush tropical rain forest that looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park.
Tips:
- Parking costs $5. No entrance fee.
- Make sure you wear proper footwear because the trail can get really muddy.
- Don’t forget to apply insect repellent.
Lanikai Pillboxes
We hiked this trail during my birthday and it gave me sweeping views of Lanikai and Kailua beaches down below. The trail can be intimidating at first since it starts with an uphill climb on loose gravel and dirt but after you get past that, the trail opens up and rewards you with stunning ocean views. If there’s one hike that you should do in Oahu, I definitely recommend this!
Tips:
- Parking is scarce. You can park your car in the neighborhood but just make sure you read the parking signs to avoid getting a ticket.
- The trailhead entrance is located across the golf course .
- Wear proper footwear as the trail is unpaved.
- Maunawili Falls
- Makapuu Lighthouse
- Crouching Lion
- Koko Crater Trail/Koko Head Stairs
- Haiku Stairs
horseback riding or atv
Kualoa Ranch
One of the highlights of our trip was horseback riding at Kualoa Ranch. It was me and my husband’s first time and we loved every minute of it! I was definitely scared at first but after getting a feel for it and ultimately bonding with my horse Frodo, I was riding like a “pro” in no time. We crossed creeks and rode through forests while savoring the fresh, crisp air.
Kualoa Ranch is breathtaking! I found myself oohing and aahing a couple of times. I can see why Hollywood is so enamored by this place. The stunning mountain ridge amidst the lush valley created the perfect backdrop for some of my favorite movies such as 50 First Dates, Jurrasic Park and Jurassic World.
See
Pearl Harbor
Your trip won’t be complete without visiting this historical site. The National Park Service hands out 1,300 free walk-in tickets daily on a first come, first served basis. So make sure you arrive early. We arrived there shortly after it opened and was able to get an 8:30 am tour. We walked around and explored some of the museums and exhibits before watching a 23-minute documentary about the the attack. Afterwards, we took a short boat ride to the memorial where we saw the remains of the USS Arizona below and a shrine for the 1,177 sailors and marines that perished during the attack.
For more information: LINK
Tips:
- Bags are not allowed inside. However, cameras, water bottles and wallets can be brought inside. Lockers are available for $3.
- Parking is free on site.
- Be mindful that this is an active gravesite for the fallen so please be respectful. No obnoxious selfies and no loud talking while at the memorial.
Dole Plantation
If you love pineapples as much as I do then you have to add this to your list! It’s one of the popular tourist spots in the island so it can be packed but there’s plenty of activities for everyone that you won’t notice it as much. Can you believe it’s my first time trying the famous DoleWhip? I’ve never tried it at Disneyland! It was very creamy and yummy with just the right amount of sweetness. Some of the activities they have are the Pineapple Express train tour ($10.50 for adults), Plantation Garden tour ($7 for adults) and the Pineapple Garden maze ($8 for adults).
Byodo-In Temple
I’m a little obsessed with Japan so visiting this replica was a no-brainer. Located at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, this temple was built to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Walking the grounds of Byodo-In made me feel like I was transported to Japan. It was under renovation when we visited but it was still beautiful nonetheless. The Ko’olau mountains, barely visible through the fog, provided the perfect backdrop to this peaceful setting. I highly suggest visiting this temple on your next trip to Oahu.
Tips:
- Admission to the temple grounds is $3 Adults and $1 Child. CASH only.
- Temple grounds are open 9am-5pm daily.
- Iolani Palace State Monument
Eat
- Fresh Catch
- KCC Farmer’s Market (every Saturday)
- Ono Seafood
- Da Hawaiian Poke Co.
- Matsumoto Shaved Ice
- Maui Mikes Fire Roasted Chicken
- Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp
- Ted’s Bakery
- Rainbow Drive-In
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
- Leonard’s Bakery
- Dat Cajun Guy
- Cinnamon’s
- Fresh Ahi Off the Boat
- Roy’s Hawaii
- Matcha Cafe Maiko
- Hula Grill Waikiki
Did I miss anything? What’s your favorite thing to do in Oahu?
Let me know in the comment section below.
If you’re looking for additional posts about Hawaii, then check these out:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Inspired? Pin it for later!
first timer’s guide to oahu
Hawaii is one of my favorite places to visit. I have been twice and it’s time for me to plan another trip. I had no idea about the horseback riding and Matcha Cafe. I’m def bookmarking this 🙂
Same here Candy! 🙂 Which islands did you go to during your visit? Yeah, they have horseback riding, ATV and movie tours at Kualoa Ranch. Wish we had the time to do all of them. And that matcha cafe is really good. You have to try it when you visit Oahu
Thanks for the list! We actually got married in Hawaii, though didn’t make it to Oahu, we jumped straight over to Maui, and then because everything was hectic we didn’t see any other islands. So I would love to head back – thankyou for the first timers guide!
Aww that must’ve been amazing! What a romantic setting for a wedding! I bet Maui was such a treat though! That’s the next island I’m hoping to visit soon. No problem! Hope you find it useful when you visit Oahu. 🙂
I’ve only visited the Big Island, trying to stay away from the crowds on more popular and beach-y islands like Oahu. Next time.
I love the Big Island! I agree Oahu can be congested but if you go past Waikiki, there are less crowded areas like the North Shore.
I’ve lived in Oahu for 2 years now, and your blog really captures the great things/ places to visit while people are here. My all-time favorite place to get food is onos seafood & steak. Most tourists don’t know to go there, I was suprised you had it listed! My other go-to for guests is always the macadamian nut farm- free samples & a great tour!
I’m happy I was able to capture that! Thank you Jessica. 🙂 I love Onos! I’m surprised not a lot of people know about that place. I came across that Macadamian nut farm but didn’t have enough time to go there. Definitely adding that to my list nxt time I visit.
Wow, this made me speechless. I didn’t know that this island offer so much than what I have expected. There’s just so much to see and do. I’m happy that they also have a hiking spot, since i really love trekking. The beach are really in their innate state and stunning. I wouldn’t not mine spending my time gazing at the beautiful mountain range.
LaiAriel R. Samangka
Same here! That’s exactly what I thought at first but what a pleasant suprise. Oahu has some of the best hiking spots in the US. Hope you get to go since you love trekking. Thanks for visiting LaiAriel!
I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. It looks like a perfect place to stay on holiday. I love this post and the useful information that you give such as best times to go etc. I don’t know much about Hawaii or Oahu so this is great 😀 Thank you
I’m glad you found it useful. Hope you get to visit someday! 🙂
Hawaii, the name itself conjures up images of exotic islands and pristine beaches. Hawaii is a dream waiting to flower into reality for us. In the interim drew vicarious pleasure from your post, reading about it and looking at the stunning pictures. The beaches are awesome and I also loved the fact that there is a Japanese temple there. I find Japanese temples fascinating and surreal.
Me too Sandy! I’m obsessed with Japan so imagine my surprise when I found this temple. Hawaii is my dream place and I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of visiting this paradise!
This is an amazing guide! We stayed there, at one of the resorts, a couple years ago, but I desperately want to go back again. The sunsets are amazing every night it seems and oh the beaches and the views. You’ve definitely been able to get around on your trips there! Have you been to any of the other islands though?
Aw thanks Hallie! You’re right about those sunsets. Pretty amazing every freakin night! We’ve been to Kauai and the Big Island and loved both islands as well.
My husband and I went to the Big Island and Kaua’i last year and totally fell in love. I’m dying to get to Oahu, but not trips in the near future. However, my brother is heading here in June and I’m going to have to send this to him! That bakery looks INCREDIBLE!
I’ve been to those two islands as well! I’m in love with Kauai the most! Oh that’s awesome, thank you for the support. Hope he finds it useful for his trip in June. 🙂
Oahu is such a special place. When I visited last year I was not entirely sure what to expect but was blown away 🙂 So many wonderful places to see, activities to do, and foods to try. I hope to return to Hawaii one day.
This post is incredibly informative and I love your pictures!
Lucy x
Aw thank you for liking the post and the pictures Lucy. I totally agree. I didnt expect it but I was completely blown away with scenery in Oahu. Although I’m still partial to Kauai and would love to go back there someday!
Thanks for such a detailed post, it really makes me want to visit. What time of year can you see sea turtles, that must be amazing. The pineapple farm looks like great fun too!
No problem at all Suze. Hope you make it to Hawaii someday!
I’m so jealous you’ve been to Hawaii so many times! Lanikai beach looks gorgeous and I was really surprised to read about hiking. I suppose it’s obvious with those mountains, but I had never really thought about it.
Haha oh man I consider myself lucky! I still have to visit Maui though. Hopefully soon! Lanikai was so nice. The water was so inviting.
Lovely photos! I’d love to visit Hawaii some day. Currently, it’s the costs that are keeping me away – waiting to become a millionaire! 😀 But it does truly look gorgeous.
Aw thank you Zascha! Yeah I get what you mean. It’s pretty expensive especially accommodations! But hopefully you can visit Hawaii someday.
This is a really informative and well thought out post – amazing. You really know your stuff about Hawaii and have Move it a few steps up my bucketlist!
Thanks Natasha! Just goes to show how much I love Hawaii right? haha
Great article about Oahu. Hawaii is absolutely on my bucket list. And I actually thought that it’s more expensive, but apparently, it is not. (I mean the activities) Thank you for the tips.
Beautiful photos btw. 🙂
It can be quite expensive but if you do more outdoor activities like hiking then you can definitely save money. No problem! I’m glad you found the tips helpful Bilyana! 🙂
The beaches and the hiking viewpoints are gorgeous. Surprise elements like horse ranches and Japanese inspired temples too! And the food heaven? Wow.
You got that right Punita. Definitely Food Heaven!
Somehow, as we don’t hear much about Hawaii on this side of the world, I imagined Hawaii just to be beacheds and a little bit of Jurassic Park. However now that I read your blog and those of other bloggers too, I see that there is so much more to see than what I mentioned above. The Byodo-In Temple looks totally gorgeous!
There’s certainly more to Hawaii than beaches. So many beautiful landscapes like Kualoa Ranch. Byodo-In temple was such a surprise to me, so beautiful right?
We would love to visit Hawaii, we will hopefully combine it with a trip to New Zealand and fly west instead of east from the UK. It looks an amazing place.
You guys should definitely do it! New Zealand sounds amazing! Hoping to visit that place someday.
Oh So beautiful! I guess all the islands in Hawaii are as pretty. I have never been to that part of the globe yet. I hope I do and as a fist step I have stored this link.
Awesome, Nisha! Thanks for reading. xx
Such a lot to see and experience in Hawaii Islands! I love beaches and the ones here are exciting.
Hope to get there some day.
Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world! I hope you get to go someday! 🙂
That’s pretty awesome place to explore… nature and outdoor activities im in! Oh lazying around the beach its a bonus.
That’s actually the best part..hanging out by the beach. 🙂
Hawaii is like heaven on earth. It is such a beautiful place. The State Park is so amazing. The food also looks yum. Great article, very nicely written.
Thanks so much for reading guys! xx
I was on Waikiki Beach in 2003 and visited many of the sites you listed in the post. I feel like I need to go back again after reading your post.
Oh its time to go back Barb! Maybe find new spots to visit? 🙂
Thank you Janna for introducing me to this lovely place…looks too serene to be true! Should be on my list when I visit Hawaii 🙂
You’re welcome! I’m quite surprised actually that not a lot of people have heard or have been to Hawaii. So much beauty that people are missing out on. 🙂
This is really a great guide for first timer’s! I love how you break down the costs of little things I wouldn’t have thought of like parking. I just saw photos for Diamond Head Trail and seeing it here makes me really want to go. I will Pin this for the future. Thank you!
Thanks Sarah for liking the guide and noticing the details. Sometimes those little things like parking fees and places that only accepts CASH can get overlooked. So hopefully this guide will be helpful to those who are planning to visit Oahu for the first time.
This is a great guide for Hawaii. I’ve been there once but only to Maui, which I really liked. Thanks for this guide to Oahu. I’m really impressed with the temple by the way, totally unexpected for North America. Great read.
Ahh I still need to go to Maui! And thanks for reading Rosemary! 🙂
I’ve never been to Hawaii but your photos make me want to go! It’s so beautiful. The food looks great also. I’m always down for Cajun food.
Ahh you and me both Nathan! I’m always down for Cajun food too. 😀
Oahu looks like a cosmo city that has something to offer to everyone. Aside from its nature, it also has activities and attractions that tell more about the culture and the island. And one can experience the Hawaiian culture even through their cuisines. Really cool.
Exactly what I love about Oahu! I love that it has so much to offer. Thanks for reading Trisha. xx
Hawaii looks incredible! I’ve always wanted to visit since I was a little kid, but living in the UK it’s quite far away and therefore flights are super expensive. I’ll make it there one day though haha! The trails and beaches look amazing though, and so does all that food! It looks like you had an amazing time!
xo April | http://www.aprileveryday.com
Flights from the mainland can be quite expensive too so I can only imagine how expensive it is for you guys living in Europe. Hope you get to make it out there someday. On the other hand, I need to visit UK soon! Thanks for reading April. xx
Isn’t Hawaii so magical?! I love this post Janna – so informative and your images are just stunning. It has made me SO excited to return <3
It sure is! I’m super in love with Hawaii. Thanks for liking the post Renee! <3
This must have been a memorable birthday, I went for my first Solo trip on my last birthday. I would like to check out the Diamond Head Trail, looks like a scenic hike.
It sure was a memorable trip! Thanks for reading!
Your posts are super informative. Keep it up! And re Oahu, I’ve always wanted to go there. Gonna go back to this post next time when I finally get the chance to do so.
Thanks so much for appreciating the post. Hope you make it out there someday! 🙂
Thank you so much for this wonderful post! Great pics and it will help us plan our upcoming visit ?
Oahu looks soooo beautiful! Every one of those beaches looks awesome, I think I’d have to try turtle beach for a chance to see the turtles! And horse back riding too, I love it!