Things To Do
HONOLULU
Waikīkī Beach – Most popular beach in Waikiki. Watch surfers, grab food. Family friendly. Ala Moana Beach Park – Calm waters, perfect for swimming, picnics, and sunset views. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve – Protected bay with calm waters, perfect for snorkeling and guaranteed spotting of colorful fish. Reservations required: https://www.honolulu.gov/dpr/hanauma-bay-nature-preserve/ Moana Falls Hike – Short, easy hike through the jungle to a pretty waterfall. Diamond Head Crater Hike – Steep but short 1.5-mile hike with incredible views of Honolulu and the ocean. Reservations required: https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead/about Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail – Paved, moderate hike with sweeping ocean views and a historic lighthouse at the top. Family friendly. Halona Blowhole – Scenic lookout where waves shoot through a natural lava tube. Kokohead Hike – Steep stair hike, extreme cardio workout, 10/10 views. Pearl Harbor – Historic site with museums and memorials.
NORTH SHORE
Haleiwa Beach – Very swimmable, family-friendly beach. Puena Point Beach – Small, cute, quaint beach on the North Shore, swimmable for kids. Lanikea Beach – Stop in to see if turtles are sunbathing. Waimea Bay – Historical, beautiful beach with cliff jumping. Eddie Big Wave Surf Competition takes place here. Sharks Cove – Popular snorkeling spot, very safe for kids. Waimea Falls – Short, easy walk to a beautiful waterfall. Haleiwa Town – Charming surf town with shops, food trucks, and a laid-back vibe. Dole Plantation – Fun stop for kids to explore pineapple gardens, try treats, and ride the train. Green World Coffee Farm – Coffee samples, shop, and farm tour. Polynesian Cultural Center – Cultural village with tours, shows, hands-on experiences, and an evening luau.
EAST SIDE
Kailua Beach – Spacious beach with calm waters, great for swimming, plus easier parking. Lanikai Beach – Arguably Hawaii's most popular beach. Small, stunning beach with clear blue water and calm swimming. Gets crowded, so arrive early! Pali Lookout – Drive-up lookout with views of windward cliffside and coast. Lanikai Pillbox Hike – Steady moderately steep uphill 1–2 mile hike with rewarding views of the small Mokulua islands. Crouching Lion Hike – Close to Kualoa Ranch, short but uphill hike with rewarding views. Byodo-In Temple – Peaceful Japanese temple with beautiful grounds. Kualoa Ranch – E-bike tours, ATV tours, and train tours. Popular filming location (e.g., Jurassic Park). E-bike tour recommended. https://www.kualoa.com/
WEST SIDE
Electric Beach – Great snorkeling and scuba diving spot to see turtles and Hawaiian monk seals Tracks Beach – Beautiful beach, popular for watching surfers, always sunny. Makaha Beach – Gorgeous beach on the west side, a bit further out. Makua Beach – Great snorkeling spot for dolphins if you go early in the morning. Pink Pillbox Hike – Short sunset hike with awesome views; sometimes see wild goats (1 mile round trip). Kaʻena Point Hike – Coastal hike to a scenic wildlife reserve at the western tip of Oʻahu; great for spotting seabirds and monk seals (5 miles round trip).