
Watch big wave surfing on North Shore Oahu at some of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, Waimea Bay and Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline); then grab a tasty cone of chocolate Haupia (coconut) shave ice at Matsumoto’s.
Do something rewarding. Our favorite activities come with spectacular payoffs well worth the effort. Get a new spin on a personal favorite, or have fun discovering something new.
Watch big wave surfing on North Shore Oahu at some of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, Waimea Bay and Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline); then grab a tasty cone of chocolate Haupia (coconut) shave ice at Matsumoto’s.
Hike the easy, scenic Lanikai Pillboxes trail in Kailua. The path leads to Lanikai beach; the perfect place to trade your hiking boots for a bathing suit and cool down.
Shop til you drop or sip a pineapple cocktail on the beach in Waikiki. Later, dance the night away at one of its many music venues.
Bite into a sweet, doughy, crispy malasada and savor succulent pork that has been slow-roasted for over 8 hours above in an underground Imu (underground oven). Ono! (Delicious!) Hawaii's cuisine is a great journey for your palette as well as your soul.
Learn to surf where the locals do at Hans Hedemann’s surf school in Honolulu, then hit up the calm waves at Laniakea and world class surf at Ehukai beach. If stand-up paddleboarding is more your speed, go to the local favorite, Kailua beach. Want to experience something new? Snuba, a supercool hybrid of scuba and snorkeling, allows you to experience the thrill of scuba diving without any lengthy lessons or certification.
Trek to the top of Diamond Head trail to see a panoramic view of the city and ocean. If you are seeking a more challenging trail, hike Kaena Point to view tiny pools of crustaceans and other small fishes.
See Iolani Palace. The royal residence of Hawaii’s last two reigning monarchs, King Kalakaua (1874-1891) & Queen Liliuokalani (1891-1893) until the overthrow. The palace was reopened as a museum in 1978 and features important Hawaiian cultural and historical artifacts.
We assembled a list of the top six things to do on Oahu in 2020, from touring Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial to exploring the Polynesian Cultural Center, with its seven authentic Polynesian villages representing traditional life in Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, the Marquesas, Tonga, Tahiti and Aotearoa (New Zealand).