7 Must Do Tours & Attractions on Oahu
- Eric Beuning
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Oahu is the vibrant heart of Hawaii, and when I first landed there back in 2007, I was overwhelmed by the number of things to see and do. I admit to not having much of a plan or even knowing how to make a plan back in those days.
If you’re also trying to wrap your head around everything Oahu has to offer on a Hawaiian Vacation, I recommend making sure the following things fit into your itinerary. Depending on where you’re staying on Oahu some of these tours naturally pair with each other to create an easy one-day itinerary.
Pairs With: Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower
Visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial is to Oahu what visiting the Statue of Liberty is to a New York vacation. There are a bunch of different tour options, but I think the one that includes the USS Arizona Memorial, and the Battleship Missouri Tour gives you the most comprehensive World War Two experience.
I loved how it delved into a pivotal moment in U.S. history with details you don’t really get on TV documentaries of Pearl Harbor. This comprehensive tour includes a poignant stop at the USS Arizona Memorial, honoring those lost during the 1941 attack, and a guided exploration of the Battleship Missouri, where the Japanese surrender was signed in Tokyo Bay. It’s a great full-circle World War Two Battle of the Pacific historical experience.
Pairs With: Pearl Harbor: USS Arizona Memorial & Battleship Missouri Tour
This Oahu Luau gives you the chance to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with an evening at the Ka Moana Luau. Held at the historic Aloha Tower, this event features traditional Polynesian performances, including hula and fire dancing, accompanied by a delicious island-inspired buffet. It's a festive celebration of Hawaii's rich heritage.
I think this luau dinner show pairs perfectly with the USS Arizona Memorial Tour. You can spend the morning or early afternoon at Pearl Harbor. Then take time to rest at your hotel and get to the luau at Aloha Tower using public transport.
👉 Book the Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower
Pairs with: Driving to explore the scenic North Shore Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach.
The Kualoa Ranch Film Tour offers you a cinematic adventure that feels like you’re literally driving through a scene in Jurassic Park. This area is known as "Jurassic Valley" and this guided bus tour takes you through lush landscapes. I thought it was cool that I also was able to spot scenes from other movies like Jumanji, and Godzilla.
If you’re renting a car, you can do this tour in the first half of the day, and then just drive half an hour to the North shore of Oahu. You can hang out at Sunset Beach or even watch some epic surfing with your toes safely in the sand.
👉 Book the Kualoa Ranch: Hollywood Film Locations Tour
Pairs with: Diamond Head Hike
If you told me I could only pick one Oahu snorkeling adventure, I would pick this Waikiki turtle canyon one. Not only do you get to experience the vibrant marine life of Oahu and the world-famous Turtle Canyon, but it’s also part of a cruise.
It’s two hours on the water with the chance to swim alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles and explore colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish. I also appreciated the expert guides who provided all the equipment. And as a big guy, they did a great job of making sure I could get back into the boat with my dignity firmly intact!
Pairs with: Waikiki Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure Cruise or Honolulu Sunset Catamaran Sailing Experience.
Diamond Head is to Honolulu and Oahu what the Empire State Building is to New York City. As one of Oahu's most iconic landmarks. This guided excursion includes roundtrip transportation and offers panoramic views of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean from the crater's edge.
I’m an avid hiker, and I appreciated that the hike was just slightly challenging enough that getting to the top felt rewarding. Not to mention you also get to see Oahu and the landscape of Waikiki from a completely new perspective.
Pairs with: Diamond Head Hike or Waikiki Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure Cruise.
If you’re going to spend more than one day on Oahu, you have to end at least one of them with this Honolulu sunset sailing experience.
It’s a 1.5-hour catamaran cruise filled with stunning views of the southern Oahu coastline, capped off by watching the sun dip below the horizon, with the Honolulu skyline and Diamond Head as your backdrop.
If you said to me “Eric I only have a day or two to visit Oahu, what’s the best way to see as much as possible?” I would tell you to take the Oahu Ultimate Grand Circle Tour. It’s a comprehensive 10-hour guided tour that showcases the island's most iconic sights along with some of its best hidden gems.
They pick up at most of the major hotels around Waikiki, so you don’t have to rush around to catch a morning cab or figure out a rental car. It starts with panoramic views from the Amelia Earhart Lookout on Diamond Head followed by the Halona Blowhole. It continues along the scenic southeastern coastline to Makapuʻu Point which has breathtaking vistas of Rabbit Island. The tour proceeds to the lush Windward Coast, with photo opportunities at Chinaman's Hat with the majestic Kualoa Mountains as a backdrop.
What I think really takes this tour to the next level, is the stop Puaʻena Point Beach Park. You get the opportunity to swim, snorkel, or stand-up paddleboard. It’s a great chance to get a little bit of a feel for the Hawaiian relationship to the ocean, without spending a week falling on your face trying to learn how to surf.
From there you visit the renowned Dole Plantation to sample sweet treats and learn about Hawaii's pineapple history. The entire day is loaded with natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and recreational activities. It’s great if you only have a limited time to visit Oahu, or it’s your first time, and you want to really get a feel island life.
👉 Book the Oahu: Ultimate Grand Circle Island Tour
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