If this is your first time visiting Hawaiʻi, here are some tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your stay!

See the Island

If you want to explore the island without the stress of planning, we highly recommend doing an “around the island” tour. These full-day excursions hit many of the major sights and give you a great overview of Oʻahu’s beauty and history.

If you’re interested in visiting Pearl Harbor, you can book tickets directly—but they do sell out quickly. If that happens, a guided tour is a great option and usually includes transportation.

Food & Drinks

Oʻahu has amazing food! Here are some of our favorite local spots:

•Teddy’s Bigger Burgers – Local chain with big, delicious burgers.

•Waiola Shave Ice – Our favorite spot for that classic Hawaiian treat.

•Island Vintage Coffee – Great coffee and açai bowls.

•Leonard’s Bakery – You must try their malasadas (Portuguese donuts)—they’re iconic.

Beach Time

No trip to Hawaiʻi is complete without some beach time. A few to consider:

•Lanikai Beach – Stunning turquoise waters and powdery white sand.

•Waikīkī Beach – Easy to access and full of energy. Great for beginner surfing.

•Sunset Beach – Located on the North Shore, it’s great for watching surfers or catching a beautiful sunset.

Shopping

If you’re into shopping, Ala Moana Center is the place to go. It’s one of the largest open-air malls in the world and has just about every store you can think of.

Local Experiences

•Luau – We’ve personally never attended a luau but we’ve heard they can be a hit or miss so go at own risk

•Hiking – Trails like Diamond Head and Makapuʻu Lighthouse offer amazing views and aren’t too difficult.

•Waimea Valley – A beautiful nature walk that ends with the chance to swim in a waterfall—definitely a highlight!

•Kualoa Ranch – Packed with outdoor activities from ATV tours to horseback riding. (Fun fact: this is where we got engaged!)

Adventure Activities

If you’re looking for thrills, Oʻahu has plenty to offer:

•Snorkeling

•Scuba diving

•Water sports

•Shark cage diving

•Ziplining

There’s something for everyone!

What to Skip

We suggest skipping the Dole Plantation unless it’s part of a tour. It’s more of a glorified gift shop than a must-see attraction.

Getting Around

We don’t recommend renting a car for your whole stay—parking in Waikīkī is expensive and limited. If you need a car, we suggest doing a day rental instead. That’s what we did on our last trip, and it worked out really well! Many rental companies have pick-up locations right in Waikīkī.

Public transit (TheBus) and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are also available and convenient for getting around town or to popular spots.

Tips & Etiquette

•Be respectful of nature, wildlife, and local culture.

•Avoid touching sea turtles or coral—it’s both harmful and illegal.

•Use reef-safe sunscreen (it’s required and protects the ocean).

•You’ll hear “aloha” (hello/love) and “mahalo” (thank you)—feel free to say them too!

•Leave no trace—pack out whatever you bring in.

Oʻahu has so much to offer, and we’re happy to help however we can. If you have any questions or want more suggestions, feel free to reach out—we’re excited for you to experience the magic of the island!