Hawaii is a destination that’s on almost everyone’s bucket list. It’s a state rich in culture, gorgeous beaches, incredible hikes, delicious food, and a never-ending list of must-do activities when you finally visit for that very first time.
I finally got to check Hawaii off of my bucket list this past July and it was a trip of a lifetime! There are so many incredible things to experience here and so many ways to make the most out of a trip to Hawaii.
We choose to stay on the Island of Oahu for our 8-day trip. Instead of island hopping, which we thought about doing, we opted to fully experience the island of Oahu and get the most out of our time there- which we definitely did!
Why Oahu? I obviously can’t speak for the other islands since I haven’t been to them, but Oahu seemed like the perfect island for our first trip to Hawaii. Oahu has an incredible mix of city and nature. We had every amenity we could have possibly needed without sacrificing any of the beauty you expect to see when visiting Hawaii.
So let’s jump into it! If you’re planning your first trip to Oahu, Hawaii, be sure to add these must-do activities to your itinerary to make the absolute most out of your time there:
1. Have a Beach Day on Waikiki
Waikiki Beach is one of the most iconic locations on the island of Oahu, and for good reason. With its crystal clear waters and its gorgeous skyline, you’d be crazy to not spend a day soaking up the sun here.
The crowds can be a little overwhelming because it is such a popular spot, but getting there earlier in the day can make a difference. If you get there before 9 am you might even get a chance at renting out chairs and umbrellas for the day!
Along the beach, you’ll have everything you need for the day, including restaurants, shopping areas, fun attractions, and the opportunity to rent surfboards and boogie boards. You can even take a surf lesson!
Location: Waikiki Beach
Price: Free!
Pro Tip: WEAR SUNSCREEN! Bring a hat to protect your face and stay hydrated.
2. Take an ATV Tour at Kualoa Ranch
Did you know that Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Godzilla, Jumanji, and a handful of other movies were all filmed in Oahu? Well, you can tour the incredible Kualoa Ranch where these filmings took place.
Kualoa Ranch is an expansive 4,000-acre sacred, private nature reserve. Their mission is to keep these lands preserved and protect the natural beauty so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.
The ranch is located about 40 minutes outside of Honolulu. They offer an array of different tours depending on your interests. If you like a little bit of a thrill, I would highly recommend the ATV tour! It’s a 1 hour guided tour, perfect for a group- the ATVs hold up to six people and you and your friends get to be the drivers.
The views are absolutely breathtaking and there are some unforgettable photo ops along the way!
Location: 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy
Website: https://www.kualoa.com/
Price: $89.95
Pro Tip: Wear sunglasses or some sort of eye covering. The trails are extremely dusty!
3. Get a Massage at Abhasa Spa
Some of your time in Hawaii should be spent relaxing and getting pampered. For all of your pampering needs, head to Abhasa Spa. Located in The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, this spa is incredibly peaceful, tranquil, and clean. The employees were all fantastic and very professional. I can honestly say, I received the best massage of my life at Abhasa Spa!
We opted for their signature treatment “Abhasa Harmony” massage which is Hawaiin-inspired infused with Japanese Shiatsu. They focus on the pressure points along the meridian of your body which ultimately melts tension away. My favorite part about Abhasa Spa is that you get your massage outside in the spa garden under tropical trees and to the beautiful sounds of nature.
They also offer facial treatments, body treatments, and spa packages.
Location: 2259 Kalakaua Ave
Website: https://en.abhasa.com/
Price: Varies depending on service
Pro Tip: Make your appointments in advance! Due to COVID, they are not currently accepting walk-ins.
4. Take a Helicopter Tour
If you’d like to get the full Hawaii experience then you have to see it by air. This is the ultimate bucket list item! And if you’ve never done a helicopter tour before, then there’s no other place like Hawaii to do it.
We went through a great company called Rainbow Oahu Helicopter Tours and opted for the “doors off” experience. It was exhilarating, a little terrifying, and something I will never forget!
Our pilot was very knowledgeable about the island and shared interesting facts throughout the tour. More than anything though, we felt very safe. We got to see views you could only dream of and saw the island from a completely different perspective.
If you want a true experience of a lifetime, there’s nothing else I could recommend more!
Location: 155 Kapalulu PI #197
Website: https://rainbowhelicopters.com/
Price: $275 for the 30 min “Path to Pali Passage” Tour
Pro Tip: If you’re also opting for the doors off tour, wear something warm! It gets extremely windy and chilly once you’ve taken flight.
5. Have Lunch at Ono Seafood
We had so many incredible meals in Hawaii I could do a whole blog post just about that- and I probably will- but there’s only one place we returned to multiple times and that’s Ono Seafood.
Ono Seafood is a no-frills, walk-up-to-the-counter, laid-back kind of place. The menu has a variety of different poke and tako options served over rice. It’s simple, to the point, and out of this world. They’ve also won countless awards for their poke and once you’ve tried it, you’ll know why.
Location: 747 Kapahulu Ave.
Price: Priced by weight (but very affordable)
Pro Tip: Get the combo bowl, which allows you to try two different varieties of poke. It also comes with a free drink!
6. Go Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
So we’ve discussed amazing experiences by land and by air, but if you’re in Hawaii, you also have to explore by sea! We spent one of our days on a Catamaran cruise sailing the beautiful ocean and admiring the Waikiki skyline.
We went through a company called Hawaii Nautical and they offered a fantastic tour! They provide snorkeling gear, lunch, a few free drinks, and a guarantee of seeing sea turtles.
Almost immediately upon entering the water, we saw them! It was a really cool, magical experience witnessing these creatures in their natural habitat. And it’s one of those things you should definitely do when you’re in Hawaii for the first time!
Location: Kewalo Basin Harbor
Website: https://www.hawaiinautical.com/
Price: $96.75 for the Turtle Canyon Catamaran Snorkel Cruise (other tours are offered)
Pro Tip: If you tend to get seasick it’s worth taking a Dramamine before getting on the boat. It can get a little rocky at times!
7. Hike Diamond Head
One of the most popular hikes in Oahu is Diamond Head, the crater of an inactive volcano. It’s easily the most iconic volcanic formation in all of Hawaii and the views from the hike made it obvious as to why.
A trip to Hawaii isn’t really a trip to Hawaii if you haven’t gone on at least one hike, and in my opinion, Diamond Head is the one to do! This is a perfect hike for everyone regardless of your age or fitness level. It is a very moderate trail that’s 1.6 miles round trip. Even with taking time to stop and get photos along the way, we finished it in under two hours.
The views are incredible as you make your way up, but from the very top, they are breathtaking!
Location: Diamond Head Crater Hike
Price: $5 entrance fee (CREDIT CARD ONLY)
Pro Tip: Parking is an absolute nightmare, regardless of how early you get there. Do yourself a favor and take a taxi or Uber to the entrance. You’ll be saving yourself time and a lot of frustration.
8. Explore Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is a lush, 400-acre, perfect representation of Hawaii’s natural beauty. They offer walking tours on certain days of the week but it’s really one of those places you can go to with absolutely no plan, walk around aimlessly, and be completely amazed by the scenery around you.
The Botanical Garden is surrounded by the Ko’olau Mountain Range, which is viewable from most directions. This was once part of a volcano that dominated the island of Oahu.
This garden is home to a wide variety of plants from all over the world including Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Africa. How impressive!
Located about half an hour outside of Honolulu, visiting the Botanical Garden is a perfect day activity. And it’s also free of charge.
Location: 45- 680 Luluku Rd.
Price: Free!
Pro Tip: Make this an “earlier in the day” activity. The Garden is open from 9 am – 4 pm.
9. Attend the Paradise Cove Luau
A trip to Hawaii is not complete without attending a traditional Luau and Paradise Cove does it like no other!
We were greeted with beautiful flower leis and calming Hawaiian music. After receiving a complimentary Mai Tai we strolled the stunning grounds and got to take part in interesting arts & crafts of the island. We learned how to hula and witnessed an Imu Ceremony.
After sitting down for an excellent dinner and watching the incredible sunset over the ocean, the show began! It blew each and every one of us away. It was such an incredible experience getting to be immersed in the beautiful Hawaiian culture and taking in the phenomenal dancing, singing, and traditional costumes.
This was truly an experience like no other! When visiting Hawaii for the first time this is an activity you do not want to miss.
Location: 92-1089 Ali’inui Dr.
Website: https://www.paradisecove.com/
Price: Starting at $107
Pro Tip: Book this activity as early as possible! The Paradise Cove Luau is a very popular experience and they sell out far in advance.
10. Go to the Polynesian Cultural Center
When visiting a place as beautiful and diverse as Hawaii, it’s rewarding to learn about the culture and traditions as well as enjoy the beaches and the hikes.
There’s no better place to do this than the Polynesian Cultural Center. PCC is a cultural theme attraction dedicated to preserving the heritage, arts, and traditions of Polynesia.
You can walk through six different islands and learn more about the culture through interactive learning. Some of the activities included cooking, spear throwing, traditional dances, and so much more.
There are also really cool gift shops, plenty of food options, and tons of friendly people along the way that are happy to answer questions about their very rich culture.
Location: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy
Website: https://www.polynesia.com/
Price: $69.95
Pro Tip: Take the guided boat tour! The views are beautiful, the guides are very entertaining and informative, and you’ll get a great overview of the entire center. The lines are a little long, but it moves fast and it’s worth the wait.
Our trip to Hawaii really was a trip of a lifetime. It’s such a diverse, breathtaking part of our country with a million things to offer. I hope this post has helped you get an idea of the amazing experiences that await you in Oahu and has made your trip planning a little easier.
Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below and happy travels!
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