The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide

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Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and North Shore surfing make Oahu the most visited Hawaiian island.

While many scoff at the crowds and traffic, most cannot resist visiting this island paradise for the nightlife, history, and beaches. Oh, those gold-sand beaches of Oahu.

We called Oahu our home for two years and it was hard to leave. Oahu is full of hidden gems and remote beaches that will leave you daydreaming about your next trip back. Let us show you around our old home. 

Want to hop around? Use our handy table of contents below to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Oahu Facts

Impress your seatmate on the plane or win trivia night with these facts about Oahu: 

Oahu Geography

While Oahu is the most populated island, it’s not the largest. It’s smaller than both the Island of Hawai’i (Big Island) and Maui. 

Like all of the Hawaiian islands, there are two sides: a leeward side and a windward side. The leeward side of the island is drier and the windward side is wetter. 

There are five main areas on Oahu: Honolulu, the North Shore, the Windward Coast, Central Oahu, and Leeward Oahu. 

What about Waikiki? Waikiki is actually a neighborhood in greater Honolulu, so we’ll cover that in the Honolulu section.

Honolulu

This is the cosmopolitan capital of Hawaii. Here you’ll find historical sights, a busy downtown, beautiful beaches, and the world-famous Waikiki. Honolulu is located on the southern leeward coast of the island and stretches from Pearl Harbor in the north to Makapu’u Point in the south. 

Most visitors stay in Waikiki, a bustling neighborhood in Honolulu. Whether you’re looking for great shopping, delicious restaurants, a night scene, or beach activities, you’ll find them all in Honolulu.

The North Shore

Welcome to the country. Located one hour north of Honolulu, you’ll find the North Shore, made famous by big wave surfing. During the winter months you can find waves that reach over 30 feet, and the famous Eddie Aikau big wave invitational. In the summer, the waves die down and you’ll often find good swimming conditions at the beautiful beaches. 

On the north shore you’ll enjoy a slower pace, more greenery, fewer accommodation options (so fewer crowds), and a bit more rain. 

The Windward Coast

As you exit the tunnel from Honolulu to the windward coast you’ll be met with unbelievable views.

Jagged green mountains surround you with sparkling turquoise waters ahead of you. The windward coast is spectacularly beautiful and worth a day trip. From the beautiful Lanikai Beach to the fun adventures at Kualoa Ranch, there is so much to do and see. 

Central Oahu

Central Oahu stretches from Pearl Harbor through the central valley up to the North Shore. As you drive through the Waianae and Koolau Mountains, you’ll find a fertile valley and fields of pineapples and the popular Dole Plantation.  

Leeward Oahu

The western side — leeward side — of the island is home to the luxurious resort community of Ko’Olina. In Ko’Olina you’ll find Disney’s Aulani Hotel, the Four Seasons Oahu, and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. This side of the island is sunny and dry and while it is home to large resorts, it’s less crowded and busy than popular Waikiki.

Make sure you don’t miss our full Ko’Olina Guide to help you plan your trip to the leeward side. It includes the need to know information on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.  

What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Oahu?

While you may be visiting from a place that has four seasons each year, in Hawaii there are just two: summer (kau) and winter (hooilo). Summer runs from May to October and winter lasts from November to April. 

Luckily, the weather on Oahu is warm and pleasant year-round, so there’s truly no bad time to visit. But our favorite months to visit are April/May and September/October, because there are fewer visitors, the weather is great, and it’s a little less expensive to travel in this off-peak season period.

While the winter months get slightly cooler temperatures and there is a little more rain, staying in Honolulu or Leeward Oahu will increase your chances of sunny days and tank top temperatures. That’s why Oahu is such a great place to visit year-round. 

And if you’re curious about ocean temperatures and conditions, we have good news. The ocean temperature is always between 75 to 80 degrees, year-round. That means you can swim comfortably in January and in June.

But aside from temperature, consider waves. During the summer months, you can usually find calm water in many places around the island. The exception is if there is a storm (or remnants of a storm) passing by or if the island is getting a south swell. 

In the winter, north swells can bring choppy water and large waves to the north, west, and east side of the island, while down in Honolulu (and Waikiki) things usually stay a bit calmer. 

This site from the Hawaii Department of Health gives a great overview of when you typically see swells in what areas of the island. 

Getting to Oahu

There is one commercial airport on Oahu: the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). This international airport welcomes flights from around the world and flies to all of the neighbor islands. You may even have a layover here if you’re flying to one of the other islands for your vacation. 

The airport is located on the leeward side of the island. It’s approximately 25 minutes from Waikiki, 30 minutes from Ko Olina, and 40 minutes from Haleiwa on the north shore. 

Planning on island hopping while here? Read our full guide on inter-island travel. 

Renting a Car and Getting Around Oahu

Should you rent a car on Oahu? That depends on your vacation style and your budget. Oahu is the only Hawaiian island where it’s actually somewhat easy to get around without a car. There’s a bus system, taxis, car-sharing, a Waikiki Trolley, full island circle tours, and more. 

There are three big reasons we recommend getting a rental car on Oahu:

1. If you are staying in Ko’Olina or on the North Shore: When you’re staying in Waikiki, getting around without a car is easier. You have options to catch a trolley, rent a bike, or grab an Uber. But when you’re in Ko’Olina or the North Shore, getting around isn’t quite as easy. You can ride The Bus, but if you don’t want to spend time waiting for public transportation every time you want to go somewhere, a rental car is definitely needed. 
2. If you are planning on doing big sightseeing days: There is a lot to see on Oahu and while you can definitely do some of it without a car, if you want to see different parts of the island, a rental car is one of the easiest options to do that. (Another easy option is a guided tour.)
3. You just want ease and accessibility: If you don’t mind paying the hotel parking fees and you just want to be able to grab your car and go where you want to whenever you want to, renting a car is the right choice for your trip. We often fall in this third category because we like to maximize our time. 

If you do want to rent a car, we use and love Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They offer great rates with large, national carriers and you aren’t required to pre-pay. We’ve easily saved thousands of dollars using them over the past few years. We have a full rental car guide to help you find the right rental car for your vacation. 

Where to Stay on Oahu

Ready to book your stay on Oahu? Oahu has plenty of five-star resorts, outstanding vacation rentals, and a range of options in between. But what is right for you? 

Should you stay in a hotel or vacation rental on Oahu?

Go for a hotel if you’re looking for the traditional resort experience with big pools, nearby beaches, and restaurants within walking distance.

Opt for a vacation rental if you want access to a kitchen, are looking for space, or are looking to save money. 

We routinely stay in both. We’ll book a vacation rental for the majority of our stay so we have access to a kitchen and a little more space for the kids. Then we’ll treat ourselves to a great resort for a few days to enjoy the pool and other amenities. This has been a winning combo for us recently. 

If you’re still not sure what you want to do, we break down the difference between choosing a hotel and a vacation rental in Hawaii. 

You may have heard the headlines that Oahu has banned vacation rentals. That’s not quite accurate — they have banned short-term rentals outside of specific hotel districts. You can get all of the information on these short-term rental restrictions and make sure you’re staying at a rental that is legal. 

Should you stay in Waikiki, Ko’Olina, or the North Shore?

There are three main areas where visitors like to stay when they visit Oahu: Waikiki, Ko’Olina, and the North Shore. 

The majority of visitors stay in Waikiki. It’s a central location and you’ll find so many different hotel options — from budget motels to luxury accommodations. And Waikiki is small and walkable, so no matter where you’re staying you’re just a short walk from the beach. 

Newer to the hotel scene is the development of Ko Olina. Here you’ll find a few large resorts, like the Four Seasons Oahu, Disney Aulani, and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. These resorts are located on man-made lagoons, for easy swimming and there are a number of restaurants located in the central shopping area, Ko Olina station. But it can be quite a drive to the other sights on the island.

Heading to the North Shore, you’ll find two main spots for accommodation: Turtle Bay and the Courtyard Oahu North Shore. The North Shore has a completely different vibe, with more rain, lush landscape, and some of the best big-wave surfing in the world. 

Before you make your decision on what area to stay in, read our full guide on where to stay on Oahu. 

Once you know the area you want to stay in, we have some resources to help make finding a hotel even easier: 

• Our five favorite luxury hotels in Waikiki
• Review and tour of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (a favorite of ours!)
• The best value Waikiki hotels to help you stretch your travel budget further
• Where to stay on Oahu with kids: our seven favorite family friendly hotels

How Many Days Should You Spend on Oahu?

According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the average visitor to Hawaii stays for approximately 9 days (from the March 2022 visitor statistics). While you might not be able to get away for that long, we recommend starting with 5-7 days on the island. There is so much to see and that gives you time to balance relaxation with adventure. 

If you are visiting multiple islands, five days on Oahu might be enough. If you’re planning on just visiting Oahu, seven days is a better timeline. 

No matter how long you’re staying, don’t miss our Hawaii packing list as you’re getting ready to go.

Beaches and Snorkeling on Oahu

If you are coming in search of beaches, Oahu has some of our absolute favorite spots. A few of our favorites to add to your vacation list are: 

If you want to see all of our favorites, we’ve got you covered with the 10 best beaches on Oahu, including need-to-know information like parking, lifeguards, and shower/bathroom access. 

Planning on snorkeling while you hit the beach? We have you covered with our five favorite snorkeling spots on Oahu. 

Remember that while the beaches in Hawaii are beautiful, they are not without risk. Currents, dangerous shore break, and changing ocean conditions make swimming in any ocean dangerous. Practice beach safety by swimming on beaches with lifeguards, obeying lifeguard flags, and when in doubt, don’t go out. This website has more excellent information to help keep you safe. 

Things to Do on Oahu

There is no shortage of fun to be had on Oahu. Below are some of our favorites but see our 40 Things to Do in Oahu and 23 Things to Do in Oahu with Kids for a lot more!

A luau is also a popular thing to do on Oahu. We share the best Oahu luaus per our review here but get out and about on Oahu for the many museums and cultural sites like Waimea Valley.

Here are some highlights you don’t want to miss: 

Want help figuring out how to fit in the best sights, restaurants, and beaches into your trip? Our Oahu itinerary was designed just for that.

The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. With the download, you’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t-miss stops no matter how limited your time is. 

Don’t just take our word for it! See what others have to say:

Best Tours and Activities on Oahu

While we embrace DIY travel, there’s something to be said for a great tour when you’re in Hawaii.

Not only are you supporting a local business, but you’re getting time with a guide who truly knows the island.

Whether they’re teaching you the history of the islands during a canoe tour or they’re educating you on the marine life during a snorkeling trip, a good tour experience can stick with you for years. 

We’ve done the hard work for you by finding the best of the best tours on the island. Here’s a sampling of our favorites to get started, but don’t forget to check out our full list. 

Popular Oahu Videos

Get to know Oahu and see some of our best recommendations with our most popular Oahu videos.

Or, explore our full library of videos on Hawaii.

Full Library of Oahu Articles

Want to binge-read everything we’ve written on visiting Maui? Pour yourself a Mai Tai and browse all Oahu articles here.

The Oahu Itinerary

If you’re planning a trip to Oahu, we’ve got you covered. Our island itineraries help you navigate the planning process and make your trip smooth once you’re on-island. Thousands of customers have loved them, whether they were planning for a trip that was a year away or a trip that was a day away.

Thousands of customers have loved them, whether they were planning for a trip that was a year away or a trip that was a day away.

We hope you have an amazing trip!

~Jordan & Erica