Things to Do on Oahu with Family

There are so many fun things on Oahu to with family! These were some of our favorites during our recent vacation.

We just spent our spring break on Oahu, exploring the stunning island. It felt amazing to finally return to Hawaii after our last trip there was cancelled due to the pandemic. Oahu is one of the main islands of Hawaii and is also the home of the state capital, Honolulu. Honolulu is an iconic place, and we were excited to visit at least once!

Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian islands and is home to around one million permanent residents. It’s no surprise that the main industry on the island is tourism, with around five million visitors every year, mainly from the continental U.S. or Japan.

The heart of tourism in Honolulu is the neighborhood of Waikiki, where we stayed. Waikiki has everything you could want, from beautiful beaches to great restaurants and shopping, and everything is within walking distance. However, most of the high-rise hotels in Waikiki date back to the 1980s and do not offer resorts with large outdoor water areas.

Things to do on Oahu with family

Enjoy Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is the main beach in Honolulu and stretches in front of most of the Waikiki hotels. It actually has eight different beaches, all of which are very nice and suitable for kids as well.

Waikiki Beach is a man-made beach and over time, it has been suffering from erosion. In order to fix this, they have imported more sand to the beach, for example, from California. You should definitely try out different areas along the beach to find the one you like the most.

Find the Statue of Duke Kahanamoku

Duke Kahanamoku was a legendary Hawaiian competitive swimmer who helped popularize surfing both in Hawaii and around the world. His influence on the sport is particularly evident in Southern California, where he lived after his swimming career. In fact, he is often referred to as “The father of modern surfing.”

If you’re a fan of surfing or just interested in Hawaiian culture, then you should definitely check out the Statue of Duke Kahanamoku. This impressive statue is located by Kuhio Beach, which is situated along the main strip of Waikiki.

The statue depicts Kahanamoku standing with his arms outstretched, as if welcoming visitors to the island. It’s a great spot for taking photos and learning more about this iconic figure in Hawaiian history.

Go Snorkeling

Our absolute favorite activity in Hawaii is snorkeling. We just can’t get enough of it! However, just like anywhere else, you need to know where the best snorkeling spots in Oahu are in order to get the best experience.

For example, during the winter months, the North Shore is often too windy for snorkeling or even swimming. Additionally, many spots at Waikiki Beach don’t actually have any underwater life to see.

The most popular snorkeling place in Oahu is Hanauma Bay State Park. It is, in fact, so popular that they have had to restrict visitors in order to protect the natural ecosystem. All guests need a reservation to enter the park, and the reservation calendar opens online only two days prior at 7 a.m. local time.

Hanauma Bay reservations literally sell out in minutes, and we were not able to get a reservation on our first try. Also, the parking lot fills up quickly, so it is always a good idea to go early. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

However, we received a tip from locals that Queen’s Beach, located near our hotel, is also a great spot for snorkeling. We ended up going there almost every day and found that it was a hidden gem. Many times, it was just us, a few other families, and a couple of locals there. They all seemed to agree that while snorkeling at Queen’s Beach, you will see almost all the same fish as at Hanauma Bay.

And we did see a lot of fish! Although the corals didn’t seem as healthy and beautiful as in other spots, most of the fish were found along the rock barrier called Waikiki Wall. We stayed on the Kuhio Beach Park side of it, and the water there was very calm and suitable for kids.

Other popular snorkeling spots at Oahu are Shark’s Cove, Kuilima Cove and Turtle Cove.

Visit Pearl Harbor

If there is one place everyone should see while in Oahu, it’s the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. On December 7, 1941, Japan unexpectedly attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, which became the last resting place for 2,403 soldiers and marked the United States’ entry into World War II.

Visiting this memorial site is a deeply moving experience and offers a poignant reminder of the sacrifice and bravery of those who served and died for their country.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is still an active military base, with several museums and exhibits commemorating the events that took place during the attack. These include the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, among others. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore the site on their own.

It is highly recommended to plan your visit to Pearl Harbor before your trip to Oahu because tickets tend to sell out quickly. As one of the most visited attractions in Oahu, it’s best to secure your spot as early as possible.

Climb up to Diamond Head

Climbing up to Diamond Head is one of the most popular hikes in Oahu. Diamond Head is an extinct volcanic crater and tuff cone. The trail is only about 0.8 miles long but it is steep. From the top, you will get an amazing view of Honolulu and Makapuu Lighthouse.

It reminded us a little bit of the Volcanoes National Park in Big Island with its crater. It is always quite hombling to think about the strengt of a volcano.

Hiking up to Diamond Head is a nice activity that doesn’t take all day. Our kids, who are 5 and 10, had no problems on this trail or getting all the way up. Also, a visit to Diamond Head State Monument requires a reservation.

Do the Circle Island Tour

While visiting Oahu you should definitely see the island and not just stay at Waikiki. The Circle Island Tour can be bought from tour operators or you can just rent a car and drive it yourself. Driving around the island takes few hours but I recommend reserving the whole day for this. There are so many beautiful places to see along the road.

There is also many great beaches and hiking trails at the North Shore.

Go see some turtles

Hawaii is the perfect opportunity to see some turtles in their natural habitat. You can encounter turtles practically at any beach in Hawaii or while snorkeling.

While we were driving around the island, we stopped at Laniakea Beach, which is known for its turtles. It is so popular that it has been given the nickname “Turtle Beach”. Although the water was too rough for snorkeling when we were there, we saw multiple turtles laying on the beach and resting.

Turtle in Hawaiian is “honu”.

Visit the Dole Plantation

Dole Plantation is one of the most popular stops while driving around the island. It was established by James Dole in 1899. After studying agriculture at Harvard University, he moved to Honolulu and decided to plant some pineapples on the land he purchased. The small fruit stand by the road quickly grew into a bigger business, and the pineapples were shipped all over the world.

After James Dole’s death, the plantation was transformed into a museum. You can purchase either a walking tour or tour it by train, or visit a pineapple maze. Most people come there for their famous Dole Whip. It looks just like soft-serve ice cream but it’s actually pure pineapple and is dairy-free.

You can visit the plantation on your own or get a ready tour with transportation.

Tour around the Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace was built by King Kalakaua in 1882. It was the home of the Hawaiian royals until the final days of the monarchy in 1893. Today, it is a museum that offers visitors a glimpse into Hawaii’s royal past. You can explore the palace’s grand rooms and galleries, and learn about the fascinating history of Hawaii’s monarchy.

The palace is located in downtown Honolulu, right next to the Capitol Building, and is easily accessible by public transportation or by car. I recommend taking the guided tour, which is available in several languages and provides a wealth of information about the palace’s history and architecture. The audio tour is also a great option if you prefer to explore at your own pace.

This is great attraction for anyone interested in Hawaii’s history and culture. If you want to learn more about the history and visit historical places in Oahu then Hawaiian History and Heritage tour is great.

Banyan Trees

Right by the Iolanin Palace as well as the Waikiki Beach are some amazing Banyan trees that are worth seeing. If you walk between the State Capitol Building and the palace you can find two trees planted by Queen Kapiʻolani of Hawaii. They have been there since 1880’s.

Some of the trees are so big that they have had to trim them so they wont block the walkways. They create a nice shade for hot days both at beach and downtown.

Go see a luau or a hula show

I recommend everyone visiting Hawaii to experience a traditional Luau at least once. They can be a little bit pricey but they are usually a really fun way to learn about the Polynesian culture.

The night often starts with some activities. They might teach kids how to do origami or do hula dance. There often is a ceremony by the underground oven called imu, where they dig out the cooked whole pork out to eat. After that, the dinner starts, and it usually has some really delicious local foods.

The highlight of a luau is the show with songs and dances from Hawaii and other Polynesian islands. The show is often educational and a great opportunity to learn about the history. The night usually ends with everyone dancing or even fireworks. When choosing a luau, it’s worth reading all the reviews to see which one sounds like the one for you. There are many different kinds.

If you are not interested in a luau or they are over your budget, you should consider a hula show instead. We found several in Honolulu, and they were all free. Kuhio Beach Hula Show is every Tuesday and Saturday by the Duke Kahanamoku statue. There is also a hula show twice a week at Royal Hawaiian Center, which is the biggest shopping mall in Waikiki.

We went to see a show at the International Market Place and enjoyed it a lot. It is done three times a week and lasts for half an hour. You can find more details about the free shows at GoHawaii.

Watch the Fireworks Show

Every Friday night, there is a fireworks show in Waikiki by Hilton Hawaiian Village. Depending on where in Waikiki Beach you are, some of the buildings might block the view. We walked all the way to Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park, and the view could not have been any better than that.

The time of the show varies depending on whether it is the summer or winter season, so it is best to check the local websites for that. In April, it was at 7 pm.

Try out some Malasadas

If you’re a fan of sweet treats, be sure to try out some malasadas during your visit to Oahu. These delicious donuts were originally brought to the island by Portuguese immigrants and have since become a beloved local specialty.

Traditionally, malasadas are made with a simple dough that is deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. They are then coated in sugar and sometimes filled with a sweet filling, such as custard or jelly. The flavor options for both the filling and coating can vary depending on where you get them, but some popular choices include cinnamon sugar, coconut, and chocolate.

One of the most iconic places to try malasadas in Hawaii is Leonard’s Bakery, located on Kapahulu Avenue in Honolulu. Their malasadas are a must-try and always draw a crowd, so be prepared to wait in line. The good news is that the line moves quickly, so you won’t have to wait too long to indulge in these tasty treats.

How to Pick a Hotel

Most people visiting Oahu will stay at Waikiki where the beach access and all the services are close by. The most know hotel outside of Waikiki is Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. It is located at Ko Olina, far from the crowds of Waikiki.

However, we often choose a hotel for our stay instead of a resort, because we like to explore places around us as well as different restaurants. We chose to stay at Waikiki and we really liked the ease of going to places there. There are so many restaurants and shops to choose from in a walking distance.

Most of the hotels at Waikiki were built in 1980’s when they didn’t have a lot of big resorts yet with waterparks in them. The only hotel at Waikiki to offer water slides at this moment is Sheraton Waikiki. Our friends stayed there so we got to visit the resort, and it was a beautiful. The infinity pool at Sheraton is said to be one the biggest in the U.S. that has an ocean view.

Another hotel I would recommend is Waikiki Resort Hotel. It is only one block from Waikiki Beach and Duke Kahanamoku Statue, and not as pricey as Sheraton. It is still a quality hotel and they have a car rental place downstairs. We rented our car from there and it worked well.

For those, who like to stay in a hotel but still cook some meals on their own, Pacific Monarch is perfect. It is right next to the Waikiki Resort Hotel. Many of their rooms have a kitchenette and it is so helpful especially when you have little kids.

Final Thoughts and Experiences of Oahu and Honolulu

Oahu is a blend of city life and paradise. The things you’ll always find in Hawaii are the beautiful beaches, Polynesian atmosphere, and great snorkeling opportunities. The weather is pleasant all year round. We visited in April and it was perfect for us. It was not too hot, and we experienced some warm showers every day, but they didn’t last long.

However, after visiting Big Island several years ago, I wasn’t prepared for the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. It’s a big city with non-stop traffic noise and sirens.

My previous experience in Hawaii was more nature-centered where we would wake up to the birds singing. Honolulu has a lot of traffic and not enough parking spots. You need a reservation to get into any attraction or nicer restaurant, and there are so many people everywhere.

It was also a rather expensive vacation destination. I think Hawaii has always been pricey, but now the prices have gone through the roof. You’ll notice it, especially when eating out or grocery shopping. We didn’t purchase many souvenirs, but the best ones were definitely at ABC stores.

The traditional souvenirs are macadamia nuts covered with chocolate and passion fruit or lychee gummies.

Getting around in Honolulu is easy. We loved Waikiki because we could walk to the beach, restaurants, and shopping malls. For things that are further away, you can use a bus, Waikiki trolley, or Uber. We ended up keeping our rental car for only one day because hotels charge a lot for parking, and Waikiki doesn’t have enough parking spots.

Overall, we had an amazing time in Oahu, and we’d love to come back someday. It’s a beautiful island with plenty of things to do and explore. However, if you’re looking for a peaceful and quiet vacation, you might want to consider other destinations in Hawaii.

One of the best parts of Hawaii is that is very family friendly and a safe destination!

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Hawaii is one of our favorite places in the world, but I have to say that I didn’t leave my heart in Oahu. For those who love nature, I would recommend Big Island or Kauai. If you absolutely want to experience Honolulu, I would recommend combining the islands on your trip.

However, for those who are just looking for an easy life at the beach, Waikiki certainly delivers that!