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Oahu is one of the best adventure destinations in the world. There are A LOT of thrilling activities to do when you’re here, so I created the ultimate guide of extreme things to do in Oahu.
The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide
Know Before You Go: a car is essential on Oahu. Renting a car saves you money because rideshares and hired drivers are expensive. Plus, a rental car gives you flexibility over your itinerary and room to store and transport your belongings. I drove all over Oahu on my five-day trip, and I only had to fill up my gas tank once.
Here are the most extreme things to do in Oahu!
Hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail. To beat the crowds, arrive as early as possible in the morning.
Go skydiving.
Scuba dive at night.
Go outrigger canoe surfing.
Go parasailing
Do a zip line and raptor tour at Kualoa Ranch. The raptor tour is with UTVs, so you’ll get VERY dirty.
You should do the UTV as your last activity of the day and bring face wipes with you. The food isn’t great at Kualoa Ranch, but there are food trucks and local restaurants nearby. All tours start and end promptly from the same place, so you don’t need to schedule a lot of time between tours.
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Hike the Moanalua Valley Trail. This is the only legal way to get to the ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ and climbing down the stairs is prohibited.
Sail and snorkel along the coast.
Hike to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse.
Ride on the Waikiki Atlantis Submarine.
Go surfing or take a surf lesson.
Hike to Manoa Falls.
Swim with sharks.
Go on a no-doors helicopter ride.
Suggested Itinerary
If you can’t stay on Oahu for this long, I’d prioritize days 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7.
Day 1: Check into your hotel in the Waikiki Beach area, then do a sunset sail that includes snorkeling, drinks, and dinner.
Day 2: Hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail early in the morning. Next, grab some lunch. Then hike to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse.
Day 3: In the morning, go on a no-doors helicopter ride. Then in the afternoon or evening, ride on the Waikiki Atlantis Submarine.
Day 4: Hike the Moanalua Valley Trail. This is the only legal way to get to the ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ and climbing down the stairs is prohibited.
Day 5: Check out of your Waikiki Beach hotel and head to Kualoa Ranch for zip lining and a UTV raptor tour. Then check into your hotel or Airbnb on the North Shore.
Day 6: In the morning, go outrigger canoe surfing, take a traditional surf lesson, or go surfing. In the afternoon or evening, go skydiving.
Day 7: Go parasailing in the morning and rest in the afternoon. Then go night diving.
Day 8: Hike to Manoa Falls in the morning. Then Swim with sharks (you can cage or free-dive) later in the day.
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What would you add to this list of extreme things to do in Oahu? Share with us in the comments!
Recommended Tours on Oahu
For Planning The Rest Of Your Hawaii Trip
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Extreme Things To Do in Oahu
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oahu safe at night?
I felt very safe during my entire trip to Oahu. But, as with any destination, you need to take precautions to keep yourself safe. Don’t walk by yourself at night, stay in a secure and well-located hotel or vacation home, use slash-proof, lockable, and RFID-protected bags and purses, and always have a charged cell phone with you.
What should you not miss on Oahu?
The Best Things To Do in Oahu:
1. Hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail
2. Go outrigger canoe surfing
3. Tour the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and take the ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial
4. See a luau
5. Visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
6. Enjoy the views at Pali Lookout
7. Sail and snorkel along the coast
8. Spend some time at Waikiki Beach and Halona Beach Cove
9. Do at least two activities at Kualoa Ranch. I highly recommend the zip line and raptor tour. The raptor tour is with UTVs, so you’ll get VERY dirty. You should do the UTV as your last activity of the day and bring face wipes with you. The food isn’t great at Kualoa Ranch, but there are food trucks and local restaurants nearby. All tours start and end promptly from the same place, so you don’t need to schedule a lot of time between tours.
10. Go on a scenic drive along the North Shore that includes stops at Kahuku Point, Ehukai Beach (where the Banzai Pipeline is), Waimea Bay Beach Park, and Matsumoto’s Shave Ice.
What can couples do in Honolulu?
The Most Romantic Things To Do on Oahu:
1. Visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
2. Go ziplining at Kualoa Ranch
3. Go outrigger canoe surfing
4. See a luau
5. Hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail
6. Do a helicopter tour
7. Go on a scenic drive along the North Shore
8. Do a food and drink tour
9. Sail and snorkel along the coast
10. Go parasailing
Is a Hawaiian luau worth it?
Yes! An authentic Hawaiian luau is worth doing. Tickets are usually less than $100/person, and you get all the food you could eat and incredible entertainment.
What's better Maui or Oahu?
Oahu and Maui are both incredible destinations that will give you very different experiences. Oahu is usually cheaper and more popular with adventure travelers. While Maui is usually more expensive and popular with couples. But I highly recommend visiting both of these islands if you get the chance!
Can you see Kauai from Oahu?
No, you can’t see Kauai from Oahu.
Is Oahu pretty?
Yes! Oahu is a stunning island to visit, especially if you go to the North Shore and get off the beaten path away from Waikiki.
What is the best month to go to Hawaii?
Hawaii is made up of micro-climates, so the weather varies significantly from island to island and from one side of an island to the other. The year-round warm weather (rarely going below the mid-70s or above the mid-80s) means Hawaii is a great destination any time of the year. So Hawaii doesn’t have an off-season.
April – September is the most popular time to visit Hawaii because these are the warmest and driest months. The ocean is calmer, giving you access to more water activities with better sailing conditions. Be prepared to pay the highest prices during these months. The islands will also be crowded, so book accommodation, tours, and rental cars in advance.
The weather in Hawaii is marginally cooler from October – March, and these are the wettest months of the year. Pro Tip: the islands’ west coasts are significantly drier than their east coasts.
October – March is whale-watching season, and the crowds and prices will be lower (though not significantly). These months have some of the largest swells of the year, so surfers will swarm the beaches.
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This list of extreme things to do in Oahu is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this list of extreme things to do in Oahu are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this list of extreme things to do in Oahu.
