Top 10 Oahu Activities for First-Timers

With exclusive access to a secluded part of the sandbar, you’ll enjoy crowd-free surroundings and live Hawaiian music during your journey on a comfortable catamaran. Choose from several tour packages, each including basic activities and options for thrill rides like banana boats or tubing, ensuring a personalized and memorable experience. This tour accommodates all ages and preferences, culminating in a scenic ride back with more live music to enjoy.

Explore the diverse cultures of the Pacific across 42 acres of tropical landscape, where you can visit six island villages representing Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, the Marquesas, Tonga, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Tahiti. Engage in a variety of interactive activities and witness traditional presentations that bring the traditions of these islands to life. Enjoy one of Oahu’s best dinner buffets featuring over 30 Polynesian dishes, and end your day with the renowned “Ha: Breath of Life” luau show, complete with a breathtaking fire knife performance.

Discover the pivotal events of World War II at Pearl Harbor, the only U.S. naval base designated as a National Historic Landmark. Visit key historical sites including the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri Battleship, USS Bowfin Submarine, and Pacific Aviation Museum. This solemn and educational experience offers a unique opportunity to pay respects to the soldiers who served in the Pacific during the war.

Experience the majestic Diamond Head Crater, an iconic 760-foot volcanic peak that enchants visitors with its history and panoramic vistas. Once believed by 19th-century sailors to contain diamonds because of its sparkling calcite crystals, it now offers an accessible and rewarding hike with stunning views from Waikiki Beach to Oahu’s south shore. The hike is a gentle 0.8 miles ascending 560 feet through intriguing landscapes, steps, and tunnels, taking roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.

Choose from a diverse array of Honolulu sunset cruises, including a sleek catamaran, a lively party boat, a unique glass-bottom boat, or an authentic double-hulled sailing canoe. Witness the stunning view of Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline as the sky paints itself with shades of pink, orange, and purple, possibly catching a glimpse of the rare “Green Flash” as the sun vanishes.

Experience the thrill of parasailing, a safe and exhilarating adventure that requires no prior experience. Securely harnessed and tethered to a speedboat, you’ll soar up to 1,000 feet above the stunning coastlines of Waikiki or Hawaii Kai. Fly solo or tandem with a companion and let expert captains and crews ensure your safety and enjoyment. Your flight duration will vary with the length of the tow line chosen.

Explore the rugged landscapes of Kualoa Ranch, North Shore, and other iconic locations on Hawaii’s premier ATV routes. These tours offer breathtaking views of mountains and ocean, letting you either drive full-throttle or enjoy the ride as a passenger. Oahu offers a variety of ATV experiences for all ages and skill levels, from traditional solo rides to Utility Terrain Vehicles that can accommodate up to five people.

You’ll be confidently “hanging ten” before you know it! Experience the thrill of surfing where it all began! Surfing lessons are straightforward, enjoyable, and designed to help you start riding the waves swiftly, no matter if you’re in Waikiki, on the North Shore, or in Ko Olina. Suitable for all ages, including children, these lessons offer the option for personalized, one-on-one instruction for those seeking extra guidance.

Explore the vibrant underwater world of Turtle Canyon on one of Honolulu’s premier snorkel cruises. Dive into the open ocean and swim alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles as they rest on the reef, surrounded by schools of colorful tropical fish that clean the algae from their shells. This unique and beautiful symbiotic relationship offers a spectacular opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Manoa Valley, a residential neighborhood near Waikiki and Ala Moana, is celebrated for its daily rain showers, creating frequent and picturesque rainbows. This lush valley is surrounded by mountains and dotted with hiking trails, the most famous being the trail to Manoa Falls—a 150-foot waterfall accessible via a 1.5-mile hike. Also nearby is the Lyon Arboretum, which houses over 5000 species of native and introduced plants, making Manoa Valley a verdant escape in the heart of Honolulu.