Destinations / Hawaii / Oahu
Oahu Travel Guide
The easiest island to do without a car if you stay in Waikīkī, and the best food in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay all need reservations, so book those first.
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Where I'm sending people now
Waikīkī for walkability and restaurants, Ko Olina for a resort stay with calm lagoons, Turtle Bay for the North Shore.
April to May and September to October. November to March if you want to watch big waves on the North Shore.
Halekulani and The Royal Hawaiian average roughly $550 to $900 a night, Four Seasons Ko Olina about $1,000 to $1,400, plus 18.7% tax. Waikīkī parking is $55 to $72 a night.
Hanauma Bay is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and books only 2 days ahead. USS Arizona tickets release 8 weeks out and there are no more walk-ups. North Shore surf is dangerous in winter.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) is Hawaii's main hub, with nonstops from across the US, Canada, Japan, Korea and Australia. Waikiki is 25-40 minutes away, Ko Olina about 30, and the North Shore about an hour.
Getting around
If you're staying in Waikiki, skip the car for most of the trip: Uber, Lyft, TheBus and Biki bikes cover it, and hotel parking can run $50+ a night. Rent for a day or two to see the North Shore and windward side. Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay both need reservations.
Money and tipping
US dollars and cards everywhere; tip 18-20% at restaurants and leave something for valets and housekeeping. Check whether your Waikiki hotel's resort fee includes anything useful before you pay separately for beach gear.
How I'd spend 5 days
Day 1 Land, Waikiki beach afternoon, sunset mai tai
Day 2 Pearl Harbor in the morning (book timed tickets), Chinatown lunch
Day 3 Diamond Head sunrise hike, Hanauma Bay snorkel
Day 4 Rental car to the North Shore: Haleiwa, shrimp trucks, turtle beaches
Day 5 Kailua and Lanikai beaches, then fly out from HNL
Hotels I'd book in Oahu
Things to do in Oahu
Where to eat in Oahu
La Mer
Senia
Mud Hen Water
Helena's Hawaiian Food
ʻOno Seafood
Leonard's Bakery
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Oahu FAQ
Do I need reservations for Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbor?
Yes for all three. Diamond Head opens 30 days ahead ($5 per person plus $10 parking). Hanauma Bay opens only 2 days ahead at 7 a.m. ($25 per person). USS Arizona tickets release 8 weeks ahead, with more released the day before.
Is Hanauma Bay open every day?
No. It's closed Mondays and Tuesdays, plus Christmas and New Year's Day.
Can I get same-day USS Arizona tickets?
Walk-up tickets have ended. Try the day-before release at 3 p.m. Hawaii time, or the standby list at the visitor center.
What can I bring to Pearl Harbor?
No bags bigger than a small wallet. Bring a clear bag, arrive an hour early, and use the restroom first because there aren't any on the boat.
Do I need a car on Oahu?
Not if you're staying in Waikīkī. You'll want one, or tours, for the North Shore, the Windward side and Ko Olina. Hotel parking in Waikīkī runs about $55 to $72 a night.
Is it safe to swim on the North Shore in winter?
Often not. From November to April the surf is huge and unpredictable. Watch from the sand and swim only at lifeguarded beaches. In summer, Waimea Bay is usually calm.
Can I take the train from the airport to Waikīkī?
Partly. The Skyline train stops at the airport but doesn't reach Waikīkī yet, so you transfer to a bus. With luggage, a car or shuttle is easier.
Which luau should I book on Oahu?
The Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie is the big one and a full day out. Paradise Cove closed for good at the end of 2025, so skip any listing that still sells it.