Explore Oahu from Waikiki: The Best Things to Do Around the Island

The classic Oahu hike: a 1.6-mile round trip up an extinct volcano crater with sweeping views over Waikiki and the Pacific. Go early — trailhead parking fills fast, and reservations are required for out-of-state visitors.

Oahu's premier snorkeling spot, a protected marine reserve teeming with reef fish and green sea turtles. Entry reservations are limited, so having your own car for an early arrival makes all the difference.

A paved, family-friendly trail along Oahu's southeastern tip with lighthouse views, tide pools below, and whale watching in winter. Pair it with a stop at Sandy Beach on the drive out.

Visit the USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. A rental car lets you arrive for the first tours and skip expensive shuttle packages.

Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the U.S. — powdery sand, calm turquoise water, and the famous Mokulua Islands offshore. There's no direct bus from Waikiki, so driving is by far the easiest way there.

The dramatic Ka'a'awa Valley you know from Jurassic Park, Jumanji, and Lost. Book an ATV, zipline, or movie-sites tour and drive yourself instead of paying for pricey Waikiki hotel transfers.

A peaceful replica of a 950-year-old Japanese temple at the foot of the Ko'olau cliffs, plus one of the most dramatic lookouts on the island. Combine both for a stunning windward half-day loop.

Big-wave surf at Pipeline and Waimea Bay in winter, turtles at Laniakea Beach, garlic shrimp trucks, and Matsumoto's shave ice. This is the quintessential Oahu road trip — nearly impossible to do well without a car.

A botanical garden walk through a historic Hawaiian valley ending at a waterfall you can actually swim under. An easy add-on to any North Shore day.

The famous pineapple maze, plantation train, and Dole Whip on the drive up to the North Shore through central Oahu's pineapple fields.