Oahu in a nutshell
Oahu is the island with Honolulu, Waikiki and most of Hawaii's flights. Visitors usually think of it in five parts: Honolulu with Waikiki and Diamond Head, Central Oahu with Pearl Harbor and the Dole Plantation, the North Shore with Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach, the windward coast with Kailua and Kualoa, and the leeward side around Ko Olina.
Three of the most popular sights now work with timed reservations, and several fees went up in 2026. This independent guide shows the rules as of October 2026. It is not the official Hawaii tourism website.
Reservations you need
Without them you can wait for hours or not get in at all.
USS Arizona Memorial
The program is free, but tickets are only sold on recreation.gov for $1 each. They are released daily at 3 pm Hawaii time, 56 days ahead and again one day ahead, and often go within minutes. No bags are allowed at the memorial.
Pearl Harbor guide →Diamond Head
Non-residents book entry and parking online up to 30 days ahead: $5 per person and $10 per car. Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your slot. The trail is 0.8 miles each way with 560 feet of climb.
Diamond Head hike →Hanauma Bay
Open Wednesday to Sunday. Reservations open two days ahead at 7 am, entry is $25 for non-residents aged 13 and over, and parking costs $3 in cash. Everyone watches the short safety video on every visit.
Hanauma Bay →Getting in from the airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) has had its own Skyline rail station since October 2025. For Waikiki you change to the W Line bus. Older guides still mention bus route 20, which no longer serves the airport.
Honolulu Airport →Our picks: Oahu tours
Pearl Harbor with transfer, a helicopter flight and snorkeling off Waikiki.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
45-minute helicopter flight, doors off or on
You choose doors off or on; live commentary and phone mounts are included, tips are not. No landing and no hotel transfer, and a seat right at the open door is not guaranteed.
Check availability →
Turtle Canyon snorkel trip off Waikiki
Snorkel gear, fins, a safety diver and guide, and soft drinks. Remember to keep your distance from the turtles.
Check availability →Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial tour
Pick-up from selected Waikiki hotels, an introduction at the visitor center and the boat to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Check availability →Oahu tours and activities
Pearl Harbor trips, circle-island tours, snorkeling and luaus, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
The big sights and the practical details.
Things to do in Oahu
Fifteen experiences from Pearl Harbor to the turtles on the North Shore.
North Shore Oahu
Haleiwa, Waimea Bay and the winter surf, with the lifeguarded beaches.
Waikiki Beach
Surf lessons, the hotel strip and what to know after the 2026 storms.
Weather and best time
Month by month, the dry summer and the wave season in winter.
Where to stay
Waikiki, Ko Olina, Kailua or the North Shore: which area suits you.
Tours compared
When a guided trip beats driving yourself, and what is included.
Changes older guides miss
Paradise Cove Luau at Ko Olina closed at the end of 2025, even though some sites still list it. The Polynesian Cultural Center is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays, not only on Sundays.
TheBus raised fares on 1 July 2026; a single cash ride now costs $3.25. Hawaii's hotel tax rose to 11 % from January 2026. Kualoa Ranch and the Polynesian Cultural Center are not on the rail line, so plan a car, a tour or a bus with a change.
Places on Oahu
Where people go beyond Waikiki.
Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona Memorial, the Missouri, the Bowfin and the Aviation Museum.
Hanauma Bay
Reservations, opening days and the rules inside the bay.
Kualoa Ranch
The valley tours and the film locations on the windward coast.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Tickets, the evening show and the closing days in Lāʻie.
Lanikai Beach and Kailua
Parking rules, the Mokulua islets and Kailua Beach next door.
Dole Plantation
The train, the maze and the garden tour on the way north.
Oahu: frequently asked questions
How do I get tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial?
Only on recreation.gov. Tickets are free plus a $1 booking fee and are released at 3 pm Hawaii time, 56 days and 1 day ahead. Same-day tickets are no longer handed out at the visitor center; a standby list may be offered.
Do I need a reservation for Diamond Head?
Yes, if you do not live in Hawaii. You book entry ($5) and parking ($10 per car) online, up to 30 days ahead. Visitors without a reservation are turned away.
When is Hanauma Bay open?
Wednesday to Sunday, with entry between 6:45 am and 1:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
How close can I get to the turtles?
Stay at least 10 feet from green sea turtles and 50 feet from monk seals, on land and in the water. Volunteers often watch over the turtles at Laniakea Beach.
Is visitoahu.org the official tourism site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. The official Hawaii tourism website is run by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.