This post is all about 10 Life Changing Things To Do In Oahu, Hawaii For Your First Time

Whether it’s your first time in Oahu Hawaii or you’ve been here before it can be challenging to figure out the many things to do in Oahu Hawaii.

I remember our first time here, I felt so overwhelmed by the options and had no idea what activities were actually worth it or not.

Well, have no fear, I’ve put together the ultimate guide to things to do in Oahu Hawaii. From things to do in Oahu for free, to unique things to do in Oahu and local gems. I’ll answer your question: What should I do on my first trip to Oahu?

This post is all about 10 Life Changing Things To Do In Oahu, Hawaii For Your First Time

10 Life Changing Things To Do in Oahu Hawaii

1.Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

Located only a quick 30 minutes away from Waikiki, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden needs to be on your list of things to do in Oahu for free.

400 lush acres of vibrant flowers, greenery, and majestic palm trees, it is an absolutely stunning place of natural beauty that needs to be on your list of things to do in Oahu Hawaii.

They are open from 9AM - 4PM every day. As you drive there escaping the bustling city, you’ll start to see the beautiful mountains and realize why this is such a dreamy destination.

Tip: go as early as you can to get this place to yourself and if you want those instagrammable photos, I recommend renting a white jeep. There are plenty of places to park your vehicle here for those stunning photos.

For really cute photos, consider grabbing some accessories like a flower hair clips or shell necklace

2. Musubi Cafe Iyasume

Located in the heart of Waikiki, Musubi Cafe was one of the best and most inexpensive meals we had. This needs to be on your list of things to do in Oahu Hawaii, and is perfect for a quick snack or even a meal before an excursion.

They create musubis, which is a Hawaiian tradition, consisting of a block of pressed rice topped with a variety of fillings like salmon or tuna, wrapped in a layer of seaweed.

You can find traditional flavors here like a class spam musubi to creative ones like a shrimp tempura or teriyaki chicken.

My favorites were the shrimp tempura, spam with Perilla leaf, and tuna onigiri.

3. Koko Head Hike

This is a local favorite thing to do in Oahu Hawaii and was one of the best things we did there! If you’re an avid hiker, a nature enthusiast or you’re in for challenge, this magnificent trail offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The Koko Head Hike is more than 1,000 steps up which is a steep and strenuous climb but makes it so rewarding once you reach the top.

Many people come here for the most breath taking sunrises and sunsets and if you’re lucky, you can even see humpback whales in the distance. Grab your hiking boots and your camera to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Grab my favorite hiking shoes here, they’re so comfortable, affordable, and even double as water shoes too!

4. Diamond Head

This is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Oahu, Diamond Head Hike.

It’s a great alternative for those who don’t want to journey all the way up Koko Head. The views are amazing but it tends to get very crowded. Therefore, I would book the earliest or latest times for those who want to avoid the crowds or get some stunning photos.

Tip: Reservations ARE required and you must book online in advance, during busy season these sold out FAST

Book here: BOOK IN ADVANCE

Recommended: When you finish climbing, there is a acai bowl spot that is absolutely delicious called Da Cove Health Bar & Cafe nearby. Finish your hike, grab a bowl, and head to Waikiki beach to enjoy the rest of your day.

5. Cliff Jumping - Waimea Bay Rock

You can’t go to Hawaii without going to the North side! Going to Waimea Bay Rock was one of my favorite things to do in Oahu, Hawaii and there are tons of amazing food trucks and shops in this neighborhood including Jenny’s Shrimp Truck, a local favorite.

Waimea Bay Rock is about hour drive from Waikiki and is a mesmerizing beach with tall colossal formation where you can cliff jump. It’s such a unique thing to do in Oahu Hawaii.

This was also the very first place I saw a sea turtle in Hawaii! If you’re not up for a cliff jumping, you can explore, snorkel, see a sunrise/sunset or enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Grab some snorkel gear before you go as this is an AMAZING place to do some snorkeling and there is no where to rent nearby!

6. Waikiki Beach

Going to Waikkiki Beach needs to be on your list of things to do in Oahu. It’s probably close to your hotel and travelers around the world flock to visit this stunning beach.

Some of the best things to do in Oahu include surf lesson here, snorkeling, stand up paddleboarding, or shopping around the world class shopping centers. There’s so much to do and shop around here from high end fashion boutiques to local traditional Hawaiian crafts.

7.Try The BEST Supermarket Poke

You wouldn’t think trying supermarket poke would something to add to your list of things to do in Oahu but you’d be wrong!

Supermarkets in Hawaii have some of the best poke and it’s super affordable. There’s tons of flavors like salmon wasabi, tuna chili, octopus, and you can try them before you buy. You can eat the poke raw or you can order rice with it for a delicious and affordable meal.

Head to FoodLand to grab some!

8. Halona Blow Hole

Another amazing thing to do in Oahu Hawaii for free is to visit the Halona Blowhole. The waters are crystal clear and the blowhole occasionally shoots water up to 30 feet in the air.

The viewing point give you a breathtaking view of the Halona cove and during the winter time you can see humpback whales in the distance.

9. Go To A Local Farmers Market - Kakakko Market

One of the best things to do in Oahu, Hawaii is to explore the local markets. Every Saturday morning, there’s a local farmers market called Kakakko where you can find amazing Japanese goods, local Hawaiian favorites, artisanal goods (we even saw someone selling butterflies) and a bustling food scene.

Come hungry because there’s so much food like sizzling garlic shrimp, poke bowls, fresh fruit juices, and savory kalua pork.

10. Get the ABSOLUTELY BEST pastries at Kona Coffee

This is truly one of my favorite things to do in Oahu Hawaii and its to visit Kona Coffee.

I haven’t stopped thinking about these pastries since I had them. It’s called kouig amann, and is similar to an inverted croissant. Truly one of the most delicious bites you’ll ever have!

PRO TIP: it gets SUPER CROWDED at this place in Waikiki but to avoid the crowds, go to the side counter where you pick up your coffee and either buy some coffee beans or order a drip coffee. If you buy some coffee beans or order a drip coffee, you get to skip the line AND you can still order your pastries.

And there you have it! From things to do in Oahu for free, to some of the most unique things to do in Oahu, I hope this answers your question of “What should I do on my first trip to Oahu?”. I’ll never forget my first time, it was truly life changing and I know you’ll feel that way after your trip too. I hope you have the best time, check out my other Hawaii posts for more things you need to know.