Start with Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head and Manoa Falls for things to do on Oahu. Diamond Head State Monument is open 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, with last entry at 4:30 pm for the 4:00 pm reservation and gates closing at 6:00 pm.
Chinaman's Hat Kayak Rental, run by Active Oahu Tours, takes 4 hours. For a short visit, pick a place near where you are staying.
What are the best things to do on Oahu?
The Bishop Museum says it houses the largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural artifacts and natural history specimens in the world. If you want to hike, Diamond Head is the stop to plan for. Hanauma Bay is a protected bay.
| Place | What you can do | Good to know | Getting there | Hours or entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanauma Bay | Snorkel rentals are available inside the preserve (credit or debit card only). | Visibility is usually best at low tide and early in the day, before snorkelers stir up sediment. | Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is at 100 Hanauma Bay Drive, Honolulu 96825. | The preserve is open Wednesdays through Sundays; entry 6:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; the beach is cleared at 3:30 p.m. and visitors must leave by 4 p.m. |
| Diamond Head | The Diamond Head Summit Trail is 1.6 miles round trip. | - | Visitors with a parking reservation must exit the park by the end time of their reservation period. | Diamond Head State Monument is open 6:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, with last entry at 4:30 pm for the 4:00 pm reservation and gates closing at 6:00 pm. |
| Manoa Falls | Nā Ala Hele lists the length as 0.8 mi (1.29 km) one way. | - | Hikers can park in the Paradise Park lot for a $5.00 fee or park in the lower neighborhood for free. | The trail is open seven days a week, sunup to sundown. |
| Bishop Museum | The museum says it houses the largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural artifacts and natural history specimens in the world. | - | 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817. | Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Iolani Palace | The two main tours are a guided tour with a palace docent and a self-led audio tour; both cover the first and second floors, and the palace suggests allowing about 60 to 90 minutes. | - | ʻIolani Palace is in downtown Honolulu on the corner of King Street and Richards Street. | The palace is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. |
| Polynesian Cultural Center | About 80 percent of the center's paid workforce are BYU-Hawaiʻi students, across the 42-acre campus. | - | 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Lāʻie, Hawaiʻi 96762. | The center opens at 12:00 p.m.; the Island Villages start at 12:15 p.m. and the day ends after HĀ: Breath of Life at about 8:35 p.m. |
How do you get to each place, and where do you park?
Enter each address into your map app before you head out. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is at 100 Hanauma Bay Drive, Honolulu 96825. Iolani Palace sits on the corner of King Street and Richards Street downtown. The palace suggests allowing 1 to 1.5 hours for its tours. The Bishop Museum is at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is at 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy., Laie.
Plan your parking before you go, since the rules differ by site. Diamond Head visitors with a parking reservation must exit by the end time of that reservation. At Manoa Falls, you can park in the Paradise Park lot for a $5.00 fee or park in the lower neighborhood for free. Sharks Cove has its own parking lot at Pupukea Beach Park, reached by the park's access road.
When are these places open, and what does it cost to go?
Snorkel rentals inside the preserve take credit or debit cards only.
The Bishop Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Iolani Palace is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and closed Sunday and Monday. The Polynesian Cultural Center opens at 12:00 PM. The Manoa Falls trail is open seven days a week, sunup to sundown.
What rules and hazards should you know about?
Hanauma Bay's visibility is usually best at low tide and early in the day, before snorkelers stir up sediment. The bay was designated a Marine Life Conservation District in 1967, the state's first.
Visibility inside Sharks Cove is generally poor, but it improves quickly outside the cove. The tidepool area to the left of Shark's Cove suits reef walking or snorkeling, depending on wave and tide conditions.
Pack shirts and footwear for the sites with dress rules. Iolani Palace requires shirts and footwear and does not allow bathing suits or beachwear.
The Manoa Falls trail is 0.8 mile one way and climbs 396 feet.
Which tours go to these places?
For marine life from a boat, pick a whale or dolphin tour from the list below. Dolphins and You, run by And You Creations, is one of the dolphin tours we list. Dolphins and You from And You Creations includes a complimentary lunch.
West Oahu Dolphin Watch and Turtle Snorkel Sail w/ Lunch, run by Hawaii Nautical (Oahu), takes 3 hours and costs from $149.95 per person, with an individually packed sandwich lunch.
Whale Watching + Marine Life Tour, run by Ocean Outfitters Hawaii, takes 1.5 hours and costs from $99 per person.
If you would rather skip the boat, Pearl Harbor City Tour / USS Arizona Memorial, run by Aloha Hawaii Tours, is one of the tours we list. Pearl Harbor City Tour / USS Arizona Memorial from Aloha Hawaii Tours includes transportation and USS Arizona Memorial tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hanauma Bay open every day?
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open Wednesdays through Sundays, with entry from 6:45 AM to 1:30 PM.
How much does parking cost at Manoa Falls?
Parking in the Paradise Park lot costs a $5.00 fee. You can park in the lower neighborhood for free instead.
How long is the Diamond Head summit hike?
The Diamond Head Summit Trail is 1.6 miles round trip.
How long is the Dolphins and You tour?
Dolphins and You, run by And You Creations, takes 3 hours.
