Living in Hawaii isn’t something I’d ever really anticipated doing before. But it happened. And it was unforgettable.  For being such a small land mass, there sure is a lot to do! There are a ton of hikes and beaches to visit and explore, lots of things to jump off of and even more things to eat! links at the bottom of page.

One of the first things I did when I got to the island of Oahu in Hawaii was text all my friends who had lived there and ask them what the Top 10 things they’d do if they got a chance to come back. It was known as my “Oahu Bucket List”.  Here I have a list of 15 things to do.

To help you travel Hawaii in the most affordable way possible, let me share with you the most ultimate Hawaii travel hack! And here it is…

Travel Hint: The bus system on Oahu is AMAZEBALLS. No joke. Very easy to navigate and can go almost anywhere. All you need is google maps on your phone and you’re golden. If you’re going to be there for a week or two and don’t want to rent a car, just buy a bus pass. They’re like $60 for 30 days AND they’ll give you great insight to the Meth and overall drug problem there.

And here is your Oahu Bucket List!

Surfing

Oahu Bucket List item one…. SURFING!

It’s probably cheaper just to rent a surf board and go for it, but I decided to avoid learning bad habits and pay for lessons. I took lessons in Haleiwa on the north shore of Oahu out of a little surf shop right on the beach. Turns out surfing is pretty hard… and also really fulfilling.

My instructor made me practice how to stand up on a deck for almost an hour before he let me get in the water and by the end of the day, I was walking the board, twist jumping on it, as well as actually surfing. So yes! WORTH IT!!

Click HERE to check out their website.

Friday Night Fireworks

On the glorious island of Oahu they start the weekend with a literal BANG! They have a firework show every Friday night in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The night proceeds to be an epic party until later than I like to stay up. There are street performers and food and flea markets and everything wonderful about massive street parties.

Polynesian Cultural Center

This place is cool. It’s located on the North Shore of Oahu and is very easy to get to on the bus.

In high school, I was privileged to get to know a lot about the Polynesian cultures all around the Pacific. (Thus it was definitely on my Oahu Bucket list.) And still, just going there I was able to learn and see that much more! It is definitely worth the money it takes to get in there! It is right next to BYU Hawaii and the Temple; two other must see places. It is amazing and beautiful. Especially at around sunset.

If my memory serves me correctly, you can take a little tour from the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center) to the temple that is free.

Click HERE to check out the PCC!

The Hawaii Temple

This is a beautiful temple to see and once you get all the way down that pathway in the picture and turn around, you will have an amazing view of the ocean. Definitely something you don’t want to miss out on. It is close to BYU Hawaii campus and the Polynesian Cultural Center. It would be a good idea to make a day out of seeing these beautiful cultural wonders!

The temple is in Laie, Oahu and has a beautiful visitors center. Click HERE for location.

Kayaking… But more specifically Kayaking the Haleiwa River

You can basically kayak anywhere in Oahu…whether it be on the ocean or on a river. These pictures were specifically taken on the Haleiwa River. This river enters the ocean and that is where we ended up after we did the river. As you go out into the ocean you can see sea turtles, mermaids, cool birds, and maybe, just maybe, a whale.

Right before this river filters into the ocean there is a bridge. This bridge is perfect for jumping off of. While in Oahu, I made a point of jumping off of as many things as possible. It was an obvious Oahu Bucket List Item.

There are rentals everywhere for this activity and they’re all pretty reasonable priced in my professional travelers opinion.

Click HERE to check out some rentals.

Paddle Board

Uhhhhh… Yes please! Again, sea turtles, whales, corals, water, horizons, random islands…. what more could you ask for? Also, again, Paddle board rentals aren’t super expensive. We rented these from near Lanikai Beach (Other wise renamed by me as the Powdered Sugar Sand Beach) and paddled all over Oahu! Another place easily accessed by bus. We found a super random island as well and went all over that to explore it.

This definitely must make it on your Oahu Bucket List!

We rented our boards from Go Nuts. Click HERE to check them out!

Sharks Cove

If you like snorkeling and food trucks, this is the place for you. It’s right off the Kamehameha highway on the north end of the island. There are even snorkel rentals right there! It’s a beautiful cove full of crystal clear water and awesome fish and a great way to spend your day!

For more information on this natural beauty click HERE!

Pearl Harbor

This is a given. You can’t go to Oahu and not see this. It is one of the most sacred places I have ever been. The sense of peace that one can only find in a place like a graveyard is found here. Make sure you plan enough time in your day to see everything this monument has to offer, because it will give you a new sense of reverence for the people who fought in Pearl Harbor and especially, the people who are still buried in their sunken ships.

Click HERE for more information.

Ride a Moped

My only rational for putting this on my Oahu Bucket List is because… why not? They’re fun, you get to see the island from two wheels, and it’s always moped weather, even when it’s raining.

Parasailing

This is one of those fun and relaxing activities that offers great views of the ocean. Not too extreme… nothing. While we were parasailing we saw whales swimming in the ocean. How often do you get to see a birds eye view of whales swimming? We did this out of Waikiki, but I’m sure they offer it other places. 

Click HERE to make your reservation!

Skydiving

The pictures do this justice. This might have been my favorite thing to do on the Island, but sky diving is my favorite thing to do anywhere really so it was an easy win. Compared to other places I have been, it was fairly priced and the instructors really, really know what they are doing. They are professional and fun.

Since I had been a few times before, Will here let me control the chute on the way down. Please do yourself a favor and GO SKY DIVING! The views are spectacular and if you go the right time of year, you can see the whale migration as you fall. I went in February. And I saw whales migrating.

We went through Skydive Hawaii. I really loved this company and the product they provide. Click here to check them out. 

This will always be on my Oahu Bucket List.

Shark Cage Diving

Don’t ask. Don’t think. Just do. The sharks can’t get you. This picture isn’t even enhanced… this is how blue the water is. Don’t you want to be in that? This is another thing that you can do right off the north shore and… drum roll….. the bus stops right near here as well! See how this whole bus thing will save you hundreds in commutes?

Click HERE to book your tour!

Waimea Bay

This beach is full of fun things to do and see, if the waves aren’t too massive. If the waves are massive, only experienced people can go in the water, otherwise the life guard makes you get out. one of the reasons it hosts the Eddie 500.

Cliff jumping, make sure to ask someone who is experienced how to do this. There is a definite technique. 

Crystal clear waters, and the occasional rock to run around with.

Click HERE to discover Waimea Bay!

Beach Hammocking

Need I say more? You can basically set up anywhere you please and watch the sunset, sunrise, surfers, sea turtles, or simply appreciate the breath of the ocean… if you didn’t do this, did you even go? Add this to your Oahu Bucket List now. Please.

Wanderlust Festival

On the island there are little festivals everywhere. This is not a little festival. This is a big festival and a very fun festival. If you are there in March, you should go to this. And if you are not there in March, you should find one and go to that. There was amazing music by Citizen Cope, local artisans, yogis, food, fire dancers, and other amazing performances.  

Click HERE to check out their schedule!

So to some this all up, there is an endless supply of things to do on Oahu!

I was there for four months and still didn’t get to see all it had to offer! But I sure tried.

Best of luck to you all and as always, I would love to read your stories!

Happy travels Travelers!