Yes, I have done every single thing you’ll find on this page. But it took me YEARS of living here to get to it all. So, do yourself a favor and don’t try to squeeze in all the beaches, hikes, day trips, etc. listed below.

Here are the Top 3 things (outside of Waikiki) that we always recommend to friends and family when they visit for the first time:

  1. A day trip to the North Shore
  2. A day trip around the South & Windward coasts
  3. Morning Kualoa Ranch Tour + the Windward coast on the drive back

If you’re short on time, that’s where I’d recommend you start. When it comes to the South/Windward (eastern) sides of the island, you can combine the highlights of those two in a super fun loop from Waikiki. Here are all my favorite things to do around Oahu…

Best of Oahu

Honolulu & Waikiki

Best of the North Shore

Best of the South Coast

Best of the Windward Side