Honolulu
With Hawaii opening up for travel, travelers have flocked to experience the best beaches in the US. This blog will walk you through our featured things to do and eat in Oahu. You’ll also hear it referred to as Honolulu and it’s most famous for its main city, Waikiki. We find it to be the most touristy island but still plenty of ways to find peace and vacay vibes during your stay.
Oahu is known for its beautiful beaches, good surf, sea turtles, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor. We love it here and always have a hard time leaving at the end of our trips. There are so many fun activities around the island. It is best island for all ages and all budgets. Lots to do on land and in water.
Things to Do:
Diamond Head State Monument: About a medium intensity hike but the view of the island from up there is breathtaking! There are places to stop/pause along the way for a break. I don’t remember a ton of shade, so bring water and beware that the trail can be closed on Mondays.
Zip Lining: While on the North Shore, we spent a few hours zipping through about 8 ziplines. We had a really fun set of guides throughout. We felt super safe and enjoyed all the views while nestled between the trees.
Luau: Experience Nutridge is such a special experience. It is a much smaller luau experience that is a bit more intimate and personal. The food was awesome.
Snorkeling with Turtles: Take a boat ride and swim with the turtles. Don’t expect a ton of turtles but they are large, beautiful creatures. We prefer smaller group tours so you can stay in a closer range to your guide and react to sightings faster.
Dole Plantation: Also on the North Shore, near some awesome food trucks and ziplining, is the world famous Dole Plantation. If you have a chance, it is worth waiting to take the Pineapple Express train to tour the huge land and diverse crops. Mostly pineapple of course. Take a quick stroll through the garden to find beautiful native flowers and other tropical scenery.
Afternoon Tea: I highly recommended having Afternoon Tea at the Orchid overlooking the beach at the Moana Surfrider.
Where to Stay:
The Kahala Hotel & Resort: This is by far my favorite hotel on the Island. It is about a 10 minute drive from Waikiki beach so you really get a sense of isolation. The beaches are quiet, soft, and sandy. There is no wonder why tons of celebs stay here. It’s hard to believe, but they also have dolphins in a lagoon o the property. My favorite thing was room service on balcony. If room service isn’t your thing, Plumeria is perfect for breakfast and lunch right next to the ocean. Hoku is the best choice for dinner, with a ton of creative seafood dishes.
Lotus Diamond Head: If you are looking for the best ocean and Diamond Head view with only a short drive to Waikiki, Lotus is the perfect Japanese oasis for you. The rooms are minimalist and pristine. To dine, they have TBD... by Vikram Garg, which makes delicious lamb shake, ahi tartare and uniquely designed desserts.
Halekulani Hotel: Most centrally located in Waikiki and nice spot to stay right in the hustle and bustle of the city. I love the views here and the service is high end. We like it because it can be a bit quieter than some of the other Waikiki hotels. Beaches are crowded over here, and the sand is a bit too rocky for comfort.
Places to Eat:
Sushi Sasabune: Absolutely the best sushi on the island. The sushi is super fresh and each plate has a unique flavor profile. It is “trust me” setup where the chef sends over a series of local, seasonal dishes. Expect to spend a few extra bucks here but you won’t forget it.
Island Vintage Coffee: Not only do they have great lattes, but their acai bowls were unforgettable. We really enjoyed the Island Latte and the Hawaiian Honey Latte. For the main event, we loved the Haupia Moana and the Liliko'i Moana bowls.
Matsumoto Shave Ice: This was our favorite shaved ice. Note that the line can be incredibly long. Expect about 1/2 hour in line. They have lots of recommended flavor combos. Don’t be afraid to experiment with add-ons like mochi balls and ice cream.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck: We think Giovanni’s is the best shrimp truck on Oahu. Try the Shrimp Scampi or the spicy version if you want more of a kick. Huge shrimp and so much flavor! Aloha Shrimp Truck is an awesome backup option if you’re closer or looking for somewhere with a shorter wait.
Side Street Inn: The ultimate Hawaiian comfort food. We loves the pork chop and fried rice. Huge portions so show up as a group or share 2-3 dishes with a partner.
Maguro Brothers: Last, but not least, you can’t leave Hawaii without poke. We found this spot to have the freshest and juiciest fish. There are a couple locations so you’re never too far away from one.
