My parents live near Honolulu and it is so much fun to go visit them! Every time I visit, I get requests for an Oahu travel guide- read on for my favorite spots.
Waikiki
Waikiki is the downtown area of Honolulu and is a bit touristy- but it’s popular for a reason! There is great shopping, restaurants, and several beach-front hotels. I would skip the beaches as they are crowded and have limited snorkeling, but it’s a great spot for dinner out and a drink after.
Banan: This ice cream has all the aesthetic of an açaí bowl without the sugar- it’s made from bananas! There is a wall of surfboards right behind the stand, making for a great photo op.
Duty Free Store: I love buying makeup and skincare at the Duty Free Store downtown- it is like the ones at airports without the time pressure of shopping right before a flight! This one is very large and a great way to find deals if all the high-end shops of Waikiki are outside your budget.
Wasabi Bistro: This hidden gem is widely known as the best sushi in Oahu. The fish is delivered daily from Japan and the menu is filled with unique creations. Make a reservation- there are only a few tables! We called ahead one evening right as they opened and got lucky with a cancelation.
Lewers Lounge Jazz Bar: If you are in the mood for a fancy night out, the Lewers Lounge tucked away in the Halekulani Hotel is the perfect spot for great live music.
Tip: Hawaii isn’t known for its nightlife (the island tends to be pretty quiet after dark), but this is a fun spot that stays “happening” pretty late.
Roy’s Restaurant: Roy’s is a fantastic place for great food, cocktails, and people watching- it is one of the best dinner spots in Waikiki. Make a reservation for outside on Friday for the best experience- from the corner you will be able to see the weekly Hilton fireworks at 7:45!
Places Near Honolulu
If you have a car, you likely don’t want to spend more than a night or two in Waikiki. These are fun spots close to Honolulu if you don’t travel to other sides of the island.
Ko Olina lagoons: These four lagoons are man-made beaches that are great for a low-pressure day of snorkeling or swimming, since they are enclosed in a semi-circle shape. Most have hotels in front of them, but the last one is public if you want a quieter day.
Tip: Walk down to the Disney hotel for Dole Whip, and to the Marriott for their shave ice. The Marriott also has free water-filling stations and an outdoor restaurant.
Skull & Crown Trading Company: Skull and Crown is in Chinatown and is the perfect spot for a trendy tiki bar with great food- it feels like a Disney park but elevated. If you go for a drink only, Chinatown also has a lot of great restaurants nearby!
La Marina Restaurant and Bar: This is a fun tiki bar that is a hidden gem surrounded by warehouses- some claim it is Hawaii’s first Tiki bar. It is very close to the airport and great for classic Hawaiian cocktails.
Island Soul Shave Ice: This is a newer spot a bit out of the way in Honolulu with organic shave ice- I loved that everything is homemade with local fruit! Do not get the salty lemon flavor though, it was way too salty.
Kailua and Lanikai
This stretch of beaches is considered one of the beaches in Oahu and is located on the Winward side. Both Lanikai and Kaloua beaches are the perfect spot to spend the day- visit each and see which one you prefer! I recommend bringing a change of clothes so you can spend the afternoon in town after. Depending on your route, you will take the H3- keep your eyes out for beautiful scenery and what is left of the Stairway to Heaven. In the rain, you can see waterfalls down the mountains.
Lanikai brewing: We like to go to Lanikai brewing for lunch after a few hours in the morning- they have Valentino’s pizza truck which is delicious!
Lauren Roth Art: After lunch, explore Kailua and start with Lauren Roth Art- her pieces capture Hawaii in the most colorful, original way! I always pick up a piece when I am in town. Next door are several cute boutiques as well.
Tokyo Central Kailua: This shop is not your typical cute boutique- but if you are looking for unique souvenirs or want to make the most of Hawaii’s amazing Japanese food at good prices, this is a great visit! It’s a grocery store but has a sushi and poke bar as well.
Tip: this would make a great picnic to take to the beach if you stop before. Bring a cooler though!
The North Shore
The North Shore is the classic Hawaiian surf town with beautiful beaches and impressive waves. Most tourists don’t realize, though, that you can’t swim there (safely) in the winter- the waves are stories high! No matter when you go, Hale’iwa (pronounced Hale-eva) and a beach or two are worth a visit. If you want to see surfers closely at the beach or the Banzai Pipeline, bring binoculars.
Waimea Falls: This is a beautiful botanical garden worth a visit- you can swim in a waterfall and it’s a great way to experience beautiful local Hawaiian plants. Go first thing in the morning before the tour buses arrive for the best experience.
Sharks Cove: This is the best public spot for snorkeling on the island- it is an amazing place to see fish! There little coves so it’s very shallow gentle water (in the spring and summer!) with amazing visibility. Do not go in the winter- it is very unsafe.
Hale’iwa Bowls: This is my favorite spot for Acai bowls- they are large and fresh, and eating them at the atmosphere of cute little stand in town always give me that classic “Hawaiian” vibe! If Shave Ice is more your speed, there are several spots in town, too.
Dole Whip
This is my guide to Hawaii, so of course Dole Whip had to be mentioned! I love Dole Whip and go a few times every visit. There are only a few places on Oahu to get Dole Whip, and the only two worth visiting are the Dole Plantation and the Disney resort at Ko Olina- the rest are simply not as good!
Dole Plantation: Dole is fun to visit and has a cute gift shop, and there are several activities for kids. I usually skip the add-ons (they are pricey) and buzz through the gift shop and then get my Dole Whip and leave- it can be very crowded. If you really just want the Dole Whip, don’t go inside at all- the Dole Whip atr food truck in the left of the parking lot is far better than what they serve inside.
Tip: If you visit with a car, stop by Green World Coffee Farm next door for a fun shop and coffee. Don’t skip their beautiful garden out back!
Disney Resort at Ko Olina: You can find Dole Whip here at the stand closest to the lagoon itself, near the path. It is not as good as Dole Plantation, but it is fun to enjoy beach-side.
Where to see Turtles on Oahu
I will happily share that one of my favorite things to do in Hawaii (besides eat Dole Whip!) is find sea turtles! They are beautiful, magnificent creatures- just remember that is illegal to get close or approach. Here are few spots to view them in Oahu.
Turtle beach: Turtle Beach on the North Shore is great viewing turtles, and is right off the road- likely on your way to Shark’s Cove or town. However, if it’s fall or winter, you won’t be able to swim as the water is too rough.
Aweoweo Beach Park: This remote beach park is a real hidden gem, and turtles feed here at sunrise by the rocks. It’s worth getting up early, and if you are a patient snorkeler they pop their head up during the day as well. Generally the beach is empty, too!
Scuba diving: If you really want to see turtles, then scuba is truly the best way- and they are much, much larger once you are 50 ft under. Read my post about becoming certified and scuba diving in Hawaii here.