Oahu in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Of the islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago, Oahu is the most famous and where most travellers spend the most time exploring. You'll soon realise that the island is very touristy - follow this three-day itinerary and make the most of Oahu!

On your first day on Oahu, I recommend exploring the areas closest to Waikiki, as this part of the island is where the vast majority of hotels and accommodation options are located. Spend the day getting to know the most visited monuments, exploring the city and taking advantage of the good humour of its people.

Take the Pearl Harbor tour

Start your first day's adventure on Oahu with a tour of the island's most visited historic site, Pearl Harbor. Although the attraction is primarily a Memorial in honour of the many victims who lost their lives in the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, there are many other sites and museums within the complex worth exploring.

In addition to the Pearl Harbor bus tour, you will find numerous companies in the Honolulu area that offer guided tours of Pearl Harbor with round-trip transportation and a historian guide who is a specialist in the subject and language of your choice. I recommend booking this type of experience as far in advance as possible, especially if you are going to Hawaii with friends and family and want to make sure no one is left out.

Get to know Honolulu on the Honolulu Tour Bus

Booking a bus tour of Honolulu will introduce you to a new destination and a special service for travellers that takes tourists through the highlights of the city. For those visiting the city for a short time, I recommend spending the afternoon of the first day exploring Honolulu and Waikiki using this service.

On the Oahu sightseeing bus you can buy a nine-hour pass that allows you to hop on and off the bus as many times as you like (while the pass is valid), saving you time and money as you move around the city.

On your exploration on the sightseeing bus I recommend paying attention to the following highlights: the Hawaii Capitol, the Iolani Palace, the statue of King Kamehameha or Washington Place.

• Hours: From 7am.
• Price: From 68 €.
• Duration: From 5 to 9 hours.

Enjoy the sunset at Magic Center

End your exploration of the city as close to Ala Moana as you can and head to Magic Center Park to watch the sunset over the Waikiki coastline. Bring your camera as the sunset over the waters of Kahanamoku Lagoon is a sight to behold.

Get ready for dinner and a night of shopping in Waikiki.

After sunset, head to Waikiki, on the opposite side of Kahanamoku Lagoon. Kalakaua Avenue, located along Waikiki Beach, is a long shopping avenue lined with restaurants, bars and high-end shops. You can take advantage of this time to shop for souvenirs and enjoy a typical Hawaiian meal.

• Hula Grill Waikiki Located at 2335 Kalakaua Avenue,Hula Grill Waikiki is a Hawaiian restaurant serving tropical drinks, fish tacos and more.
• LuLu's Waikiki At 2586 Kalakua Ave, offers a variety of dishes and includes American food and drinks.
• Oahu Mexican Grill Mexican food restaurant located at 2520 Kalakaua Ave, first floor.
• Duke's Waikiki Located on the oceanfront at 2335 Kalakaua Ave, this is a seafood restaurant with a laid-back surf and turf atmosphere.

You can visit this area by booking an Oahu Island tour.

For the second day, my suggestion is that you spend time exploring the natural areas closest to Waikiki. This includes hiking trails to see the city of Honolulu from the top and, of course, fun in the sea.

Take a hike to Diamond Head

Diamond Head is among the most visited mountains on the island, as it's located in a really accessible spot very close to Waikiki. I recommend venturing to the top early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler hours and avoid the heat of the strong Hawaiian sun. Although the trail is fully paved and easy to walk, there are no trees to provide shade.

The Diamond Head hiking trail is considered one of the best hikes on Oahu. The trail takes you to the top of a dormant volcano where you can get fabulous views of Honolulu and the beautiful Waikiki Bay. If you want to take aerial photos of the island's surroundings, take advantage of these incredible views!

And if you decide to travel on your own, parking is available at the trailhead. You can also book a tour to Diamond Head with a round trip transfer and an audio guide explaining the route.

• Opening hours: Diamond Head is open to the public daily from 6am to 4pm.
• Price: About €39 per person.
• Duration: You will need to book around 3 hours for this tour.

Take a turtle and dolphin watching tour

Snorkelling on Oahu is one of the most fun water activities on the island, due to the many calm, swimmable beaches and abundant marine life that characterise the coastline. I recommend spending the afternoon of the second day exploring as much of this beautiful ocean world as you can. Book a bus tour of Oahu and snorkel with turtles.

Turtle Canyon is an area off the coast of Waikiki famous for being a favourite haunt of turtles and other marine life, including the famous flying fish. If you like photography, bring your equipment ready.

• Opening hours: From 7am.
• Price: From 90 €.
• Duration: It has a duration of 8 hours.

Attend a traditional Luau party in Oahu

End the night of your second day on Oahu in style by booking a Luau show at one of the many venues on the island that offer this entertainment activity. Famous for its fun and varied Hawaiian Luau shows, Honolulu is the best place to enjoy the show.

In the Polynesian islands, the luau is an important part of the lives and traditions of its people. It is a celebration that includes food, music and dance. For centuries it has been used to celebrate important milestones such as a baby's first birthday, a wedding or a young person's graduation. The people of Oahu have expanded the tradition to include the many visitors they welcome.

Paying for a Luau party gives you access to the facilities of an entertainment centre offering a Hawaiian buffet-style open bar menu, plus entertainment that includes a variety of traditional entertainment, games and dances.

• Opening hours: These types of activities generally take place from 5pm onwards.
• Price: Adult tickets start at €128; young people aged 13-20 pay €105, while children aged 5-12 pay €90. Under the age of 5, admission is free.
• Duration: The dinner and show lasts 2 hours.

After enjoying all the things to see, do and enjoy throughout Oahu, I recommend spending your last day on the island exploring the natural wonders hidden there.

As you'll soon realise, the North Shore of Oahu is far less crowded than the Honolulu area, yet the natural wonders and beautiful scenery are far more impressive. That's why I recommend booking a North Oahu tour to make sure you don't miss a thing. And if you feel like three days is too short, don't hesitate to check out the following itineraries:

• What to do in 4 days on Oahu.
• What to do in 5 days in Oahu.

The idea is that you can complete your stay with other excursions to see more interesting destinations in the archipelago such as the Big Island and, of course, the beautiful island of Maui.

Take an organised tour to North Oahu

Since getting around Oahu using public transport can be tricky, my recommendation is to book a tour of North Oahu.

An experienced guide will take adventurers to see various sites along the North Shore. While the itinerary can change a lot from company to company, some of the most interesting experiences may include one or more of the following activities.

• Waimea Valley: This is one of the best natural parks on Oahu. Here you will find a fantastic hiking trail that leads to a famous waterfall known as Waimea Falls. The facilities here are excellently equipped with everything the traveller needs for a few hours of fun alone or with the family.
• Visit Lanikai Beach: Rated as one of the best beaches on Oahu, this is the perfect place to watch turtles and marvel at the island's wildlife. If you like snorkelling, you might want to be prepared to go swimming in this area.
• Visit the Dole Plantation: Some North Oahu tours include a stop at the Dole Plantation, a historic pineapple plantation where you'll find family games and outdoor fun activities.
• Tour Price: Available from €127 per traveller.
• TourDuration: This type of experience usually starts early and lasts approximately 8 hours.

Take a dinner cruise on the Waikiki Shores

Finish off your 3-day trip to paradise on a high note by booking a dolphin and snorkelling cruise in Oahu or a glass-bottom boat tour in Oahu.

From the sea, you'll have a full view of the beautiful coastline with its many hotels, the town of Oahu and, of course, the mighty Diamond Head Mountain. In addition, almost every Friday there is a fireworks display at nightfall, which you can take into account when making your reservation.

• Tour Price**:** From 36 €.
• TourDuration: 1 to 3 hours.