Things To Do in North Shore & Waikiki: Activities, Etc.

Things to do in North Shore and Waikiki are plentiful. While a trip to Oahu typically means staying in Honolulu, be sure to get out of the busy tourist area and explore more! In this guide, you’ll find activities to do in North Shore, the laid back end of Oahu, as well as fun things to do in tourist central Waikiki. At the end of this article, there is additional helpful info including:

• A word on safety in Oahu.
• Activities you may enjoy (especially as a solo traveler)
• Helpful resources for planning your trip
• Items you may wish to add to your packing list.
• FAQs about things to do in North Shore and Waikiki.

North Shore is, as it sounds, the northern end. While most people think of Honolulu when they first think of Oahu, I personally feel North Shore is the star of the island. It is an easy drive to North Shore from Honolulu, taking about 45 minutes straight on the highway. You can elect to rent a car.

Alternatively, there are plenty of tours that head out daily from Waikiki. Most companies call this the circle island tour. The best things to do in North Shore are listed below.

I have to mention this first because it is my favorite thing to do in Oahu. If skydiving is on your bucket list, then there is no better place to do it than in North Shore with Skydive Hawaii. Plus the views of the coastline from up above were just incredible! From my personal experience, the staff were friendly, I felt completely safe, and the prices are quite reasonable. Check out their website for full details. And you do get a discount for booking online. And to top it off, they provide a free shuttle service from Waikiki.

Turtle Beach which is officially known as Laniakea Beach is located in North Shore. The nickname is fitting since it is known for a resting spot for sea turtles. They are such majestic creatures! I was lucky to see one sunning on the sand. But do not forget to be respectful and keep your distance from the sea turtles.

Sunset Beach is definitely one of my favorite beaches in Oahu. It is a hot spot for surfers with some huge tides. (I accidentally showed up on the beach on the day of a massive surfing competition which was pretty a pretty cool experience). And like the name sounds, it is the place to catch sunset in Oahu. The views from this end are spectacular.

Read more: 10 Benefits of Traveling Alone

If you are an experienced surfer, then catching waves at Pipeline Beach is a must to do in Oahu. But do your research ahead of time. The waves in the water can get pretty powerful to the point that the entire beach gets closed off. And if you are not like a surfer like me, you can simply just get caught up in watching the high waves crash.

Waimea Bay is a great place to spend a few hours. It is well known for snorkeling and diving, especially during the summer months. But in the winter the waves can be pretty intense here though. Moreover, this is a popular spot for cliff jumping. To add, I do not know all the rules around cliff diving in this area so do you research before you go.

The Dole Plantation is of course known for its pineapples. It is located in Wahiawa, which is about 40 minutes from Waikiki. You can add this on your itinerary when visiting beaches in North Shore. Plus, entering the grounds is free. There are a ton of activities for kids such as riding the Pineapple Express train and competing a garden maze. But my personal favorite thing? Getting the pineapple ice cream. It is delicious, fresh, and the portion size is massive.

Honolulu is the most famous city in Oahu and where most tourists spend their time. There is tons to keep you busy in this area. Here are five must do’s in Waikiki.

Diamond Head is an old volcano that has been turned into a state park. It is a straight-forward hike up which leads to amazing panoramic views of Honolulu. Getting to Diamond Head is easy by both foot and car. Entry is $1 per person on foot or $5 per car. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the top. While you can expect crowds, but there are some little nooks you can tuck away to if you want to sit and enjoy the view.

Combine the rush of surfing with an outrigger canoe! This is a fun group activity and can last anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on weather conditions.

Yes, the infamous Waikiki Beach. I could not write a “things to do in Oahu” post without mentioning it! There is always tons happening on the beach, from free shows to grabbing cocktails at the resorts. And the beach is a great spot to catch sunset as well.

Every Friday at 7:45PM, you can catch a 5 minute firework show on Waikiki Beach. The fireworks go off from the Hilton Hawaiian Village but you can see them from tons of places throughout the beach.

For anyone not familiar with U.S. history, Pearl Harbor is a naval base that was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in 1941. The attack led to the U.S. entering World War II. The National Memorial includes the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Museums, & USS Arizona Memorial. All of these are free to visit and you learn about an important part of U.S. history. If you wish to have a guided tour which includes transportation and skipping the line, check this one out.

And there is of course loads more things to do in Oahu, especially these things to do in Waikiki.

What is your favorite thing to do in North Shore or Waikiki? Share in the comments!
Follow @RexAngelTravel on Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok.

Oahu is a relatively safe island but you should still be alert, especially if walking alone at night. As a solo female traveler, I was completely fine but I did have a friend encounter a possible roofie situation (thankfully she was unharmed). Use the same street smarts you would anywhere. I suggest reading about Hawaii safety tips, especially ocean safety. And as always, the concerned parent in me does advocate for travel insurance. If applicable to you, check with your employee benefits to see if you are covered. Otherwise, I like World Nomads as it’s quite reputable and provides 24-hour assistance.

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h4″ question-0=”Best Things to do on Oahu?” answer-0=”Hiking up Diamond Head, hanging in Waikiki Beach, and visiting the North Shore.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h4″ question-1=”Is 4 days enough in Oahu?” answer-1=”Yes, 4 days is a good amount of time to spend in Oahu. You can visit most attractions, relax at the beach, and explore the island within four days.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h4″ question-2=”What is the best month to visit Oahu?” answer-2=”The best months to visit Oahu is from April to June or September to November. The island is less busy during this time and the weather is amazing as usual.” image-2=”” headline-3=”h4″ question-3=”What is the best area to stay on Oahu?” answer-3=”Honolulu is the best area for tourists, but staying in North Shore is also recommended for a quieter getaway.” image-3=”” headline-4=”h4″ question-4=”What is the best way to get around Oahu?” answer-4=”Renting a car is the best option to get around in Oahu, but there are several tour buses that operate as well.” image-4=”” count=”5″ html=”true” css_class=””]