The Back Story
This past year my friend and I were using google flights and searching locations to see where we could travel to over spring break for the cheapest. We searched Hawaii and saw a round trip flight for $475! Well that is still a lot of money, we couldn’t pass up the deal because flights are usually like $800!! And guess what? The plane ticket was the most expensive part of our entire trip! I wish I would have seen something like this Oahu Travel Guide like this one with locations and all to help plan the trip.
I am a full time college student and know that money and time are two big commodities. So when I have the opportunity to travel, I want to use my time to the fullest, and not drain my savings! In this post I’m going to be giving you tips on how to do both of those things! And just remember, traveling does not need to be flying across the country to get to sunshine and a beach, it can be going to explore a new city 10 minutes from where you live! Find an adventure that works for YOU, and make the absolute most of it!
First, here are three very important factors that contributed to making this trip WAY less expensive!
- We found a great flight
- Didn’t need to rent a car!
- Didn’t stay at a resort or hotel!
You can check out how we did this, and more money-saving tips on my post: The Best Way To Travel On A Budget!
Now let’s get into the beautiful island of Oahu with the Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide!
There is so much to do and see on this island, chances are you will not have time to do everything. Prioritise what you want to see and what activities you really want to do.
We won’t be getting into the most ‘well known’ places on the island, or what’s in the city of Honolulu as much. These are places that will make you feel like a local and are too good to pass up. Here are some things on the island of Oahu that you won’t want to miss!
Oahu Travel Guide
Hikes on Oahu
Diamond Head Crater
Location: Kapahulu, Honolulu, HI 96815
ʻEhukai Pillbox Hike
Location: 59-178 Ke Nui Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712 – North Shore
The entrance is right next to the parking lot of an elementary school. If you go during winter, expect it to be a very muddy and slippery hike!
Maili Pillbox Hike
Location: Waianae, HI 96792 – Southwest side of the island
Stairway to Heaven
Location: Near Honolulu, start at Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven)
Warning: Technically, being on the Haiku Stairs at any time is trespassing on government property, and you may be subject to a hefty fine if guards are there. Many people still complete this hike, just do your research before you go!
Couching Lion
Location: 51-676 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaaawa, HI 96730 – Northeast side of the island
Koko Crater Railway Trail
Location: 7604 Koko Head Park Rd #7602, Honolulu, HI 96825
Excursions on Oahu
Waimea Valley
Location: 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 – Just past Waimea bay
It is a $20 general entrance fee for the day to walk through the valley. Spend a couple of hours there looking at the unique flora, learning about history, and swimming under a waterfall. Life jackets are mandatory to swim and are included in your entrance fee.
Pearl Harbor
You could easily spend a few hours, or a full day at Pearl Harbor. Boating out to the memorial or just walking through the museum and reading the plaques. It’s definitely a special place you should consider visiting. It’s free, but if you have any bags (backpacks, luggage) you have to check them in for $5.
Other popular things to do while in Hawaii:
- Helicopter Tour
- Cage Dive with sharks
- Snorkel
- Scuba Dive
Eats on Oahu
Ted’s Bakery
Location: 59-024 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 – North Shore
A must if you’ll be in Haleiwa! The best BBQ short ribs I’ve ever had with white rice and macaroni salad. Oh, and chocolate cream pie!
L&L’s Barbeque Grill
Multiple locations on the island, I just don’t think you can go wrong with Hawaiian barbeque!
Sunrise Shack
Location: Haleiwa by Sunset Beach and Shark’s Cove, and Honolulu
A fun coffee/smoothie/clean eats shack with a cool story behind in. You won’t be hungry for awhile after enjoying one of these huge acai bowls!
North Shore Shrimp Truck
Location: In the group of food trucks across from Shark’s Cove.
Lots of good stuff here, but hard to pass up this shrimp!
Motsumoto Shave Ice
Location: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Arguably the best shave ice on the island!
Beaches on Oahu
Waikiki Beach
While it is in the city, it’s pretty cool being in the water looking back at the skyscrapers on shore. Also a great place to learn how to surf with places to rent a board or purchase a lesson right on the beach.
Waimea Bay
Location: Haleiwa on the North Shore
As known in the famous Beach Boys song ‘Surfin Usa’ it’s a beautiful beach, and some people do some rock jumping there.
Sunset Beach
Location: Pupukea
The name and this picture speak for themselves 😉
Banzai Pipeline
Location: 59-473 Ke Waena Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Dangerous for the average swimmer in winter months, but a pro surfer’s playground. It’s incredible to just hang out and watch these huge waves come in.
Yokohama Bay
Location: 81-780 Farrington Hwy., Waianae, Hawaii 96792, USA – West point of the island
This beach is out of the way of most other things you’ll be doing in Oahu, but in my opinion, just the trip there is worth it. You travel past the beautiful mountains on the right hand side, and the ocean on the left. Yokohama Bay is great for swimming and snorkeling, and early in the morning, it’s an incredible place to see dozens of dolphins!
Makaha Beach
Location: 84-450 Farrington Hwy. Waianae, Hawaii 96792, USA – On the way to Yokohama
A more secluded beach with an incredible view of the mountains and ocean right next to each other.
Where do you want to stay on Oahu?
For The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide would say the most popular places on the island of Oahu are Honolulu, Waikiki, and North Shore (Haleiwa).
We stayed at Waikiki Beachside Hostel just 30 minutes from the airport. It was around $45 per night. We were most excited about staying in the North Shore of Oahu in Haleiwa, so we did spend a bit more ($100 per night) to rent a room on Airbnb. But let me say.. BEST decision of the whole trip. Our hosts were the coolest people, they opened up their home to us, let us use all of their beach equipment, their bikes, their surfboards, and we were maybe a two minute walk from Sunset Beach!
Do your research, read the host’s reviews, message the host with any questions you have, and it is a super great alternative to a hotel. We wanted to see many different parts of the island so we split the trip and stayed at another Airbnb ($60 per night) and my friend and I split all the housing costs, so it worked out great.
You can check out how we did this, and more money-saving tips on my post: The Best Way To Travel On A Budget!
If you have any travel tips of your own I would love to hear them in the comments below! And if you’ve been to any of the Hawaiian islands, let me know what your favorite part of the trip was in the comments!
