Oahu Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Play & EAT
By far the most visited Hawaiian Island, Oahu is home to Waikiki (Hawaii’s bustling tourist hub), Honolulu, (the state’s capitol), and over 1 MILLION PEOPLE.
The island sometimes gets a bad reputation as just being a giant city, and while Honolulu and Waikiki is a lot more “city like” than most people expect Hawaii to be, there’s so much to love about Oahu.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time on Oahu this year (way more than I usually do) and while it may have started because I felt like I needed to update some of my content, I kept going back because I remembered how much I like it ; )
I’m working on updating my blog with all of my new favorites, recommendations, and opinions (there’s over 30 posts here already!), but this is the best round up of everything you need to know:
Oahu Travel Guide
More than any of the other islands, Oahu really feels like two islands in one.
You have city (or “town” as the locals call it) and country.
Most people expect the city part of Oahu so I’ll start there. Honolulu has a very international feel. World famous Waikiki Beach is where most of the visitors to Oahu settle. It’s the hub of tourism on Oahu and where about 90% of the hotel rooms on the island are located.
Waikiki is great if you want to be in the center of the action and you like hustle and bustle. So much shopping, dining, and nightlife!
Once you get away from Waikiki, Oahu feels a lot more “country” and similar to the other islands. The north shore and the windward side of the island (around Kailua) are home to some of the prettiest beaches in Hawaii and those gorgeous jagged green mountain “Jurassic Park” backdrops.
The big downside of Oahu is the traffic. Even when you’re away from Waikiki, expect traffic when traveling from one part of the island to another.
I think Oahu is perfect if you like to be “busy” on vacation. While you can stay on the north shore or in Ko Olina and avoid the city, most first time visitors to Oahu want to see the sites so plan on plenty of time getting around the island, and dealing with crowds.
Oahu Travel Logistics
Before we get into the FUN stuff, here are the basics you need to know about planning a trip to Oahu:
Flying to Oahu
Oahu’s main airport is the Honolulu International Airport (HNL).
From HNL, it’s about a 20 minute drive into Waikiki, about 40 minutes out to Ko Olina, and about an hour up to the north shore.
I generally fly Southwest to Hawaii (because I have a free companion pass plus for reasons detailed here) and they usually have non stop flights to Oahu from Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC), Los Angeles (LAX), Long Beach (LGB), and San Diego (SAN).
United Airlines usually has non stop flights to Oahu from Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Houston (IAH), Orange County (SNA), and Washington Dulles (IAD).
American Airlines usually has non stop flights to Oahu from Dallas (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), and Phoenix (PHX).
Delta usually has non stop flights to Oahu from Atlanta (ATL) and Los Angeles (LAX), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (EWR), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Seattle (SEA)
Hawaiian Airlines usually has non stop flights to Oahu from Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), New York (JFK), Oakland (OAK), San Jose (SJC), San Diego (SAN), San Francisco (SFO), Long Beach (LGB), Phoenix (PHX), Sacramento (SMF), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), and Boston (BOS).
And Alaska Airlines usually has non stop flights to Oahu from Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Diego (SAN).
When to Go to Oahu
Good news…there’s never a bad time to go to Oahu! The weather is pretty much consistent within a few degrees (air and water temperature) all year round.
The seasons follow the seasons in the northern hemisphere (mainland US) and “winter” means more rain and slightly cooler temperatures. Plus big waves breaking on the North Shore. If you want to see the surfers, go in the winter. If you want to snorkel and swim at North Shore beaches, go in the summer.
Summer means less rain and slightly warmer temperatures.
Locals are very attuned to subtle shifts in weather/temperatures but whether it’s winter or summer, resort areas (Waikiki and Ko Olina) are built on parts of the island that are sunny and dry 90% of the time.
Whale season is December through April with peak season being February.
Any time kids are out of school is high season. The winter holidays (mid December through New Years) and summer are the high season.
January through mid March is technically less crowded and not “high high” season, but it’s still the optimal time to leave cold weather on the mainland to head for warmer weather so it’s not inexpensive.
Generally speaking, I’ve found April/May and September/October to be the best months to find deals.
September/October is my personal favorite time to visit because it’s when I find the best deals on resorts and there are fewer kids/people in general on island since the kids have just gone back to school. They call it “couples season” for a reason.
August through October is also technically hurricane season, but they’re pretty rare.
How Many Days to Spend on Oahu
Well, you’ve only got however many days you’ve got, but if you’re wanting the best overall vacation, I wouldn’t suggest less than one week (probably 6 full days, but you could do a lot in 5 full days too).
If you’re short on time (doing a quick long weekend getaway from the west coast), you can still have a great trip just as long as your expectations are more about resting and relaxing.
Or if you’re spending a week on another island and want to hop over to Oahu for a few days to do some sightseeing, you can see the island’s popular historic spots in a day or two.
But in general, if you’re wanting to explore the island and still feel like you’ve had a relaxing vacation, you’ll want at least 6 full days.
Do You Need a Rental Car on Oahu?
I think so. A lot of people don’t rent a car on Oahu if they’re staying in Waikiki, but I don’t think a trip to Hawaii just staying in Waikiki is the way to go.
Oahu is the only island with any kind of reliable public transportation. The Bus and trolley system is pretty good for getting around Waikiki and ok for Honolulu, but if you’re wanting to venture much beyond the city (and you definitely should) you’re going to need a car.
If you’re staying at a beach resort in Waikiki and planning to spend some days just at the resort then you may only want to rent a car for certain days of your trip.
Whatever you decide, you’ll definitely want to rent a car for at least part of your trip. I always book through Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.
Where to Stay on Oahu
I think this is where it all starts when you’re planning your trip. The big question is whether to stay in Waikiki or not.
I have a love/hate relationship with Waikiki. The beach and area itself is BEAUTIFUL and it definitely has its attractions, but a lot of people (usually ones who don’t do their research before their trip) end up disappointed because it’s not what they expected Hawaii to be like.
Why You Might Like Waikiki
First things first, Waikiki Beach is seriously STUNNING. The view down Waikiki with Diamond Head in the background is probably the most iconic view in Hawaii and it’s one that many people grow up imagining. The water is calm, warm, clear, and blue. The sand is soft and white. Palm trees are swaying. There are views for days. You get the picture.
Some of the most legendary hotels in Hawaii are on Waikiki Beach. It’s Hawaii’s oldest resort area so there’s a lot of history. The Moana Surfrider (built in 1901) was Hawaii’s first hotel and it’s still a major draw today. And the Royal Hawaiian, nicknamed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” and made famous by Hollywood in the 1960s is everything you associate “old Hawaii” with.
You can also find cheap hotels (by Hawaii standards). A lot of them. Just like any major city, the more hotel rooms there are, the more competitive prices are.
You can get around the area without a car. Shuttles/Taxis/Ubers are a dime a dozen from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki and most visitors tend to stay in Waikiki/Honolulu and not venture out to the rest of the island much (or only on excursions). Oahu also has a decent bus system and there are frequent tourist oriented trolleys that have good coverage of Waikiki and certain places in Honolulu. Since parking at hotels can run you up to $60/day, not absolutely having to have a car (at least every day) is attractive.
Waikiki is pretty densely populated with attractions. There are tons of museums, historic and cultural sites, the zoo, aquarium, etc. as well as companies that pick up for excursions like snorkeling, ziplining, luaus, ATV tours, etc. making it a central station for activities and entertainment on Oahu.
There’s a LOT of shopping. From luxury designer brands to major chain stores to cheap souvenir outlets, Waikiki is a shopper’s paradise.
There are a ton of restaurants. You’ll find major chains (Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock Café, etc.) and pricey resort restaurants as well as local joints (as you venture away from Waikiki into Honolulu). Honolulu is also something of a foodie’s paradise (especially if you love Asian cuisines) if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path.
Why You Might NOT Like Waikiki
It’s very crowded. Like…very, very crowded. There are over a million people that live on Oahu PLUS droves of tourists and they all seem to concentrate in Waikiki and Honolulu. It is not an undiscovered Hawaiian paradise.
Even the nice beachfront resorts are crowded. Also, for the price I don’t generally find the nicest places in Waikiki to be as nice as comparable resorts in other parts of Hawaii.
There’s soooo much traffic! You’d expect traffic in the city, but even if you have a car and you’re willing to get out and explore the rest of the island, there just always seems to be traffic everywhere. And I guess you really shouldn’t be surprised with over a million people on a small island.
There’s so much to see on the island besides Waikiki (the truly beautiful parts!) and getting around by bus isn’t too convenient. Which means you’ll most likely want to rent a car (at least part of the time) and most resorts charge about $50/day for you to park it (but if you can find a resort anywhere in Hawaii that doesn’t charge for parking let me know ; )
You may come home feeling like you’ve had more of a city vacation instead of a beach vacation. Most people expect Hawaii to feel like an island getaway. And it certainly can. But that’s not at all the vibe in Waikiki. It’s tall buildings, endless shopping, traffic, people everywhere, and all of the trappings of a tourist destination (timeshare pitches, cheap souvenir shops, etc.).
BUT if you’re okay with a more crowded, city vacation on one of the world’s most iconic beaches, then a Waikiki vacation can be really fun!
If I was planning a once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii, I would NOT make Waikiki the destination (I just think there are a dozen better places to stay in Hawaii), BUT if you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing and exploring on Oahu, you’ll find the best hotel options in Waikiki.
When people are wanting to experience “vacation Hawaii” but taken aback by the prices at places like Disney’s Aulani Resort or Turtle Bay on the North Shore, I usually suggest staying part of the trip in Waikiki and doing all of the adventuring and sightseeing and then moving to the nicer resort for a few days at the end to save some money.
Check out these posts for specifics on where to stay on Oahu:
My Favorite Boutique Hotels in Waikiki
Where to Stay on Oahu Besides Waikiki
Turtle Bay Ritz Carlton Review
Oahu Hotels on Points
If you’re a “travel hacker” and you play the credit card points game, here’s a little more info:
Marriott Bonvoy has the biggest presence on Oahu. The Ritz Carlton Oahu Turtle Bay is probably my favorite resort in Hawaii and 100% worth blowing a good chunk of points on.
The Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider in Waikiki are also very charming for a few days. The Sheraton Waikiki has one of the best pools in Hawaii (reserved for guests 16+) so it’s worth considering.
The Laylow in Waikiki is one of my favorite “city hotels” if I’m mostly going to be out and about exploring. And the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is usually a bargain if you’re using points.
For Hyatt, there’s nothing special that I love but there is a Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, and Hyatt Place if you’re really committed to the brand.
And for Hilton, there’s the wildly popular Hilton Hawaiian Village (which they’d have to pay me to stay at ; ) The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki is a Tapestry Collection, the Ka La’i recently reopened as an LXR property after a big renovation, and The Modern Honolulu is now operating as a Hilton Vacation Club. There’s also a smattering of other properties like the Hilton Waikiki Beach, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, and a handful of Hilton Vacation Club properties.
Condos & Vacation Rentals
I lean heavily towards preferring hotels and resorts on vacation, but if you’re looking for a condo for budget reasons, definitely read this post. They’re starting to crack down on illegal vacation rentals in Hawaii (estimated that there were as many as 10,000 on Oahu alone), so be aware of what areas are zoned for them.
Things to Do on Oahu
I’ve written a TON of posts on this blog about the best things to do on Oahu.
In short, my don’t miss list is:
Sunset Mai Tais on Waikiki Beach (House without a Key & Monkeypod are my go to spots)
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
North Shore
Driving the Windward Coast
Kualoa Ranch
Shangri La
Lanikai Beach
But if you’re like me, and you want DETAILS, peruse THESE posts:
Things to Do in Waikiki & Honolulu
“Secret” Things to Do on Oahu (Off the Touristy Beaten Path)
Things to Do on Oahu’s Windward Coast
Jurassic Park Hawaii: The Best Tours at Kualoa Ranch
Tips for Visiting Pearl Harbor
Visiting Shangri La (My Favorite Hidden Gem in Hawaii)
Is the Aloha Swap Meet Really Worth It?
Snorkeling Sharks Cove on the North Shore
Interested in a Luau?
I’ve been to a bunch of luaus on Oahu and written quite a bit about them:
6 Best Luaus on Oahu (+ 3 I’d Personally Skip)
Paradise Cove Luau Review (It’s the Most Popular Luau on Oahu)
Is the Polynesian Cultural Center Worth a Visit?
Paradise Cove vs Polynesian Cultural Center
Disney’s Aulani Luau Review (Surprisingly One of the Nicer Luaus on Oahu)
Oahu Restaurant Recommendations
If you’re anything like me, your vacation probably revolves a bit around where you’re going to eat. Oahu has the best food scene of all the islands. Read up on some of my food recommendations:
Where Do Locals Eat in Waikiki? Places to Try That Aren’t the Cheesecake Factory ; )
My Favorite Spots to Eat on Oahu (The Places I Keep Going Back)
Where to Eat on Oahu’s North Shore (SOOOO Many Food Trucks)
Best Places for Sunset Drinks in Waikiki
P.S. One of the reasons I’m able to travel to Hawaii so often is because I get free flights with my Southwest credit card AND I can fly someone with me for free with my Companion Pass.
I have this Southwest Premier Rapid Rewards Visa card through Chase. The current sign up offer is 50,000 points. Depending on where you live and fly from, that’s at least one completely FREE ticket to Hawaii and it could be two depending on the time of year (or more if you catch a crazy sale).
But the real pro travel hack is getting the Southwest Companion Pass.
If you acquire a certain amount of annual points with Southwest (either through flying or credit card spend), you get a companion pass where you can bring someone with you on every flight you take FOR FREE for the entire year. I can’t tell you how many thousands of dollars I save using this every year.
What makes this doable is that the sign up bonuses from Southwest credit cards goes towards the point requirement.
By far the quickest way to qualify for the companion pass is by signing up for a personal AND business card through Southwest.
**Besides being a business owner, if you’re self-employed, a freelancer or contractor, a gig economy worker, if you own rental properties, etc…you qualify for a business card.
Sign up for >>this<< Southwest personal card for 50K points.
Sign up for >>this<< Southwest business card for 60K points.
And you’ll be most of the way towards qualifying for a Companion Pass PLUS you’ll have 110K points to book flights to Hawaii. That’s enough points to book 3-4 flights to Hawaii! AND you can take someone with you for FREE.
P.P.S. Here’s one more really important thing you need to know before your Hawaii trip…
You’ve got your airfare, hotel, rental car and your big activities booked, so you should be good to go, right? Wrong!
Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii and a lot of state and national parks have instituted reservation systems at some of the island’s most popular spots to help manage the crowds and make things a little more sustainable.
That means that there are now over half a dozen sites (beaches, trailheads, etc.) that require advance reservations. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan.
I recently saw somebody in a Hawaii travel group post in a panic that they didn’t know they had to make reservations for things in advance…they thought they could just show up and “go with the flow.” I was tempted to say, well, “as long as the flow doesn’t take you somewhere that requires reservations, you can!” ; )
But I don’t want YOU to be that person, so I’ve pulled together a list of all the places you need to reserve entry in advance (plus all the details on booking windows, price, links, etc.) and a handful of popular tourist hotspots that book out really far in advance too.
Get that info >> HERE