Hawaii had been on my travel list for a while, so finally making my first trip to the islands was pretty exciting. For my first visit, I chose Oahu, and as someone who is very much a beach girl, Hawaii catered to me perfectly.
Beautiful beaches, turquoise water, and amazing food made Oahu an easy place to fall in love with. Here are some of my favourite things to see, eat and do.
Beach Hop Around Oahu
If you’re a beach person like me, Hawaii will make you very happy.
- Waikiki Beach: You can’t visit Oahu without making a stop here. Yes, it’s busy and touristy, but it’s a classic for a reason. With Diamond Head in the background, beautiful water and plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, it’s the perfect introduction to a Hawaiian beach day. Tip: If you’re in Waikiki on a Friday night, make time for the fireworks on the beach.
- Lanikai Beach: The water is that gorgeous blue-green colour you see in Hawaii photos, and the scenery is even better in person. It’s the kind of beach where I could spend hours doing absolutely nothing which, honestly, is my idea of a good vacation.
- Tip: Get there early! Parking close to Lanikai Beach can be difficult, especially later in the day.
- Ala Moana Beach Park: For a beach so close to Honolulu, this is another great option. It’s convenient, more relaxed, beautiful and easy to combine with shopping or exploring nearby.
Tip: Don’t limit yourself to one beach. Oahu has so many beautiful stretches of coastline that it’s worth exploring a few and finding your favourite.
Explore the North Shore
The North Shore was a highlight of the trip. We spent the day at Sunset Beach, which was beautiful and had some of the best water I’ve swum in the Pacific. I could have easily spent the whole day there.
We then headed to Banzai Pipeline to watch the surfers, and seeing them take on those waves in person was incredible.
And, of course, you can’t visit the North Shore without checking out the food trucks. They’re perfect for grabbing a casual lunch while exploring the area and, honestly, part of the fun is seeing what catches your eye along the way.
Tip: Get there early! The North Shore gets busy, especially around popular beaches and surf spots.
Hike Diamond Head
Want to see Oahu from above? Diamond Head is worth adding to your itinerary.
The hike takes some effort, but the views of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean from the top are incredible.
Bring water, wear comfortable shoes and don’t underestimate the Hawaii sun! Book an early time slot if you can, reservations can fill up quickly.
Eat Your Way Around Oahu
I’ll be honest, the food was a major part of my Hawaii experience. Here’s a few favourites:
- Da Seafood Cartel: The blue crab dip and ceviche were delicious. If you’re a seafood lover, add this one to your list.
- Leonard’s Bakery: You can’t leave Oahu without trying a malasada! These warm, fluffy Portuguese-style doughnuts are coated in sugar. Go for one fresh out of the fryer!
- Asahi Grill: We had the kalbi ribs and oxtail soup, and both were so good.
- Liliha Bakery: For breakfast, I tried garlic fried rice with eggs and Spam, and the loco moco. If you’ve never tried a Hawaiian breakfast like this, give it a try!
- Foodland: Get your poke here if you can, they have tons of options. It’s casual, easy and delicious; the perfect meal between activities. Try it with a Lychee Hawaiian Sun. Thank me later.
Some of my favourite meals weren’t fancy at all. They were the casual local spots where we grabbed something delicious and immediately thought, we need to come back here.
Visit the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
For a break from the beach, head to Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden. Surrounded by the dramatic Koʻolau Mountains, the garden is filled with tropical plants, towering trees and beautiful walking paths. It’s peaceful, scenic and a great way to see a different side of Oahu.
Rent a Car Strategically
Here’s one of my biggest Oahu tips: you don’t need a rental car for your entire trip. If you’re staying in Waikiki, you can get around without a car, and overnight parking can be expensive. Instead, rent one for a day or two when you want to explore outside Honolulu. That’s what we did, and it worked perfectly.
Tip: Oahu also has a really good public transit system, and depending on where you’re going, taking transit can sometimes be more affordable than an Uber.
One thing I learned is that you don’t need to do everything. Oahu gave me a little bit of everything, and I left already knowing this wouldn’t be my last trip. If you’re planning your first visit, my advice is simple: explore, eat well, beach hop and don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the island.
Happy travels,
Monique
