Hawaii (Oahu)
Hawaii's island of Oahu — Waikiki's white sand and Diamond Head, the big waves of the North Shore and snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.
Hawaii (Oahu) right now · July
In season now: ☀️ Dry season
Coming up
- 🏄North Shore big surfNov 1–Feb 28in ~13 weeks
- 🐋Whale watchingDec 15–Mar 31in ~20 weeks
- 🏮Honolulu Festival~Mar 7–Mar 9in ~31 weeks
Travel videos from Hawaii (Oahu)
Videos belong to their respective creators
Diamond Head at sunrise — hiking vlog
▶ Kelly and Vanessa Travel
Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial — visit vlog
▶ Adventure Is Out There
Oahu — 15 best things to do (+ travel tips)
▶ World Wild Hearts
Oahu Hawaii in 8K — island in the sun
▶ devinsupertramp
Oahu, Hawaii 4K — stunning scenery
▶ Explore World 4K
Flying over Oahu — 4K aerial
▶ —
Scenes of Hawaii (Oahu)
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Top spots
- 1
Waikiki Beach
The heart of Hawaii tourism — a white-sand beach lined with hotels and shops, a cradle of surfing.
2Diamond Head
A volcanic crater above Waikiki; the summit trail offers famous views (reservation required).
3North Shore
A world surfing mecca in winter, calm in summer — and home of the garlic-shrimp trucks.
4Hanauma Bay
A reef-ringed bay famous for snorkeling among colourful fish (reservation required).
5Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona Memorial — a moving WWII site set over the harbour.
6Lanikai Beach
Often called Oahu's finest — clear water, white sand and the twin Mokulua islands offshore.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
When to visit Hawaii (Oahu)
Best months & festivals — filled = recommended
🐋Whale watching
Humpback whale season.
🏄North Shore big surf
Winter brings world surfing contests.
☀️Dry season
💃Merrie Monarch (hula)
Hilo's celebrated hula festival.
Key events & festivals
- 🐋
Whale watchingDec 15–Mar 31
Humpback whale season.
- 🏮
Honolulu Festival~Mar 7–Mar 9
A Pacific-Rim cultural exchange event.
- 💃
Merrie Monarch~Apr 20–Apr 26
Hilo's celebrated hula festival (week after Easter).
- 🏄
North Shore big surfNov 1–Feb 28
Winter brings world-class surf contests.
What to eat in Hawaii (Oahu)
Signature local dishes to try
🐟Poke
Cubed raw fish tossed with soy and sesame - Hawaii's everyday bowl.
🍳Loco moco
Rice topped with a burger patty, fried egg and gravy - local comfort food.
🍤Garlic shrimp
A North Shore food-truck staple - shrimp drenched in garlic.
🍧Shave ice
Powder-fine shaved ice doused in colorful syrups.
🍙Spam musubi
Grilled Spam over rice, wrapped in nori - Hawaii's soul-food snack.
About Hawaii (Oahu)
- 🌺 Best season
- Warm year-round; the dry season (Apr–Oct) is sunniest. Winter (Nov–Mar) is wetter, with North Shore big waves and whale watching.
- ✈️ Getting there
- Many direct flights from Japan to Honolulu (HNL), ~7–8h; ~20 min to Waikiki.
- 🚗 Getting around
- Trolleys and TheBus cover Waikiki; a rental car helps for the North Shore and Hanauma Bay.
- 🕒 Time & currency
- Hawaii Time (UTC-10). Currency: US dollar (USD).
Tips & hidden gems
💡 Hanauma Bay needs a reservation
The famous snorkeling bay requires advance reservations and closes Mon–Tue; use reef-safe sunscreen.
💡 Reserve Diamond Head too
Non-residents must reserve the Diamond Head hike in advance; go early for cooler air and clear views.
💡 North Shore: winter swells
Winter brings huge surf and competitions to the North Shore; summers are calm for swimming.
💡 ABC Stores & local food
ABC Stores dot Waikiki; try poke bowls, loco moco and garlic shrimp.
Travel essentials
Payments, transport, connectivity and safety — before you go
Payments
Cards and mobile pay everywhere; little need for cash.
Getting around
Uber and Lyft both work.
SIM / eSIM
eSIM or prepaid US SIMs.
Plugs & voltage
Types A/B, 120V.
Tipping
Tipping is expected — about 15–20% at restaurants.
Tap water
Tap water is safe.
Safety
Generally safe; beware car break-ins and valuables on the beach.
Suggested routes
Waikiki & Diamond Head — full day
~1 day / walk & trolley
Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head hike — the classic Oahu day.
- 1Diamond Head hike (early)
A volcanic crater above Waikiki; the summit trail offers famous views (reservation required).
- 2Beach time at Waikiki
The heart of Hawaii tourism — a white-sand beach lined with hotels and shops, a cradle of surfing.
- 3Sunset & dinner
East Oahu snorkel — half day
~half day / rental car
Snorkel Hanauma Bay and the east-shore coves — a half-day drive.
- 1Hanauma Bay (reserve)
A reef-ringed bay famous for snorkeling among colourful fish (reservation required).
- 2Lanikai Beach
Often called Oahu's finest — clear water, white sand and the twin Mokulua islands offshore.
- 3Lunch in Kailua town
North Shore & history — full day
~1 day / rental car
Pearl Harbor, North Shore surf and the Dole plantation in a day.
- 1Pearl Harbor & Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial — a moving WWII site set over the harbour.
- 2North Shore surf & garlic shrimp
A world surfing mecca in winter, calm in summer — and home of the garlic-shrimp trucks.
- 3Stroll Haleiwa town
Live highlights
Live24/7👁 17Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Live24/7👁 17Wailea Beach, Maui Hawaii
Live24/7👁 9Waikiki South Shore Surf, Hawaii
Live24/7👁 3Oahu Waikiki Webcam Hawaii
Live24/7👁 101Humpback Whale Underwater, Hawaii
Plan your trip to Hawaii (Oahu)
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