10 Best Tours on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
From private hiking guides to Hollywood movie tours to the best shark tours across all of Hawaiʻi, there are truly countless incredible excursions to consider when visiting Oʻahu, which can make it difficult to decide which tours to prioritize.
That said, I have been fortunate to experience firsthand a number of the best and most popular excursions on the island, which has helped me narrow down all the options to what I see as the best of the best, with a focus on guided tours that visitors generally have the most positive experiences with!
Considering all this, there are a number of Oʻahu experiences that either require a tour, make the activity more hassle-free, or simply make things safer by booking a local guide.
Therefore, while I love recommending things to do in Hawaiʻi that can be explored on your own, I strongly suggest making reservations for these activities at the very least, as all these options either require or are better experienced with a professional guide.
Why am I Recommending these Oʻahu Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
10 Best Tours on Oʻahu
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, as I personally believe that there are amazing tours and activities on all sides of Oʻahu!
1. Oʻahu Helicopter Tour
There’s truly nothing better than seeing the island of Oʻahu from the air!
That being said, I recommend that you don’t book a helicopter tour out of Turtle Bay, being that Turtle Bay helicopter tours are only 20 minutes long.
However, if you’re willing pay a little more, you can fly over Oʻahu for up to an hour out of the Honolulu Airport.
2. Mokoliʻi (Chinaman’s Hat) - Kayak & Hike
Mokoliʻi, more commonly known as Chinaman’s Hat, is a small islet located right offshore from Kualoa Regional Park near the tours on Kualoa Ranch.
That being said, Mokoliʻi is one of the best east Oʻahu islands to kayak to, but there is a lot to know before making trip if it’s your first time!
Therefore, I highly recommend reading my separate article to learn more about how to get to the island, as well as how to rent a kayak to Mokoliʻi.
Read My Separate Post: Mokoliʻi (Chinaman's Hat)
3. Private Oʻahu Hiking Guide
I provide a lot of Hawaiʻi hiking information throughout my blog, but even then, many of these adventures could be more comfortably done with a local guide.
The reason I like these guided options below is because they can be tailored to different levels of experience. If you’d like a guide for an easier adventure near Waikīkī, the first few options would be the right choice for you. However, some of the others are really what you’re looking for when you want a true Hawaiʻi hiking experience, including one on private property that can only be experienced by booking below!
In any case, you should be able to communicate with your guide about what you are looking for, and if you have a specific suggestion, like something from my blog, let them know! They should be able to accurately evaluate your level of experience to find the right fit for you!
4. Pearl Harbor National Memorial (USS Arizona)
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial, along with the USS Arizona Boat Tour, is without a doubt one of the best things to do on Oʻahu—especially if you’re a first-time visitor!
That being said, Pearl Harbor is, for obvious reasons, the single most sought-after tour on the island, meaning reservations can be hard to come by. This is even more true around specific times of the year, like the anniversary on December 7th, holidays, and summer travel, when Hawaiʻi receives the most visitors. This is why I highly recommend booking your seat on the USS Arizona shuttle boat as soon as you know your dates.
In any case, Pearl Harbor is so much more than the small, publicly accessible side of the National Memorial, which is exactly why I wrote a separate post about visiting. Here, you can learn about little-known secrets, hidden gems, and, most importantly, how to access Ford Island—the active U.S. military installation where the 1941 attack took place. It is on Ford Island where more than half of all the best things to see and do at Pearl Harbor are located, which is why I highly recommend reading my separate article if you're interested in the full Pearl Harbor experience!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do at Pearl Harbor
5. Private Surfing Lessons
If this is your first time learning how to surf, I highly recommend private surfing lessons.
Waikīkī is the best place on Oʻahu to learn how to surf, and it’s always where I take first-time visitors because the waves in Waikīkī are relatively harmless for beginners.
Generally speaking, 2-3 ft. (1 m) waves are a perfect size to learn on, but if it’s your first time, I would not recommend going out on your own. Instead, I recommend learning from one of the full-time instructors in Waikīkī.
All things considered, book either of the first two options if you’d like to learn in Waikīkī, or check out the third option if you’re interested in learning at a much more local beginner surf break on the North Shore.
6. North Shore Shark Diving
Out of all the islands, Oʻahu has the best shark tours!
I have a good friend who works for the most popular Oʻahu shark tour company, and this is how he describes the difference between a cage and cageless experience.
In terms of safety, there is no difference between a cage and cageless tour. It’s purely about your comfort level. From what my friend has said, the sharks get a lot closer to you during a tour with the cage than without. Without the cage, they tend to circle at a deeper depth below your feet.
In any case, choose a time for the first boat of the morning. Compared to later in the day, the morning is typically when the water is the most glassy, and the winds are the calmest. This is to say that you have less of a chance at getting seasick if you go early.
I hope this helps with making your decision!
7. Kayaking to the Mokulua Islands
The Mokulua Islands are the two neighboring small islands that you can see from the beautiful Lanikai Pillbox hike, located just off of Lanikai Beach, and they are accessible to the public by kayak only!
If you’re interested, I recommend booking one of the options below, so you don’t have to worry about transporting a kayak from elsewhere to the beach!
8. Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch is one of those places that simply can’t be seen without booking one of the tours below.
This is because everything that makes Kualoa Ranch so popular is located entirely on private property, meaning it’s not a place that you have the option of exploring on your own.
All being said, the Kualoa Ranch movie and jungle tours are a great way to spend part of your day, but if you want the best of both worlds, including roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Waikīkī, the last option is the best choice for you!
Read My Separate Post: What are the Best Kualoa Ranch Tours?
9. Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar Tour
Of all the tours on this list, the Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar is easily one of the best, and surprisingly, very few visitors choose to make the journey!
I say this because the sandbar is such a beautiful place to swim around in the shallow water, while looking back at the stunning mountain backdrop that spans across east Oʻahu.
Moreover, the easiest and most hassle-free way to visit the sandbar in Kāneʻohe Bay is by booking the tour below, as the Kāneʻohe Sandbar is not nearly as close to shore compared to Mokoliʻi or the Mokulua Islands.
10. Dolphin Snorkeling (North & West)
Since whales in Hawaiʻi are seasonal to the winter only, they are not always a guarantee when you may be visiting.
However, dolphins in Hawaiʻi can be seen at all times throughout the year, which in my opinion, are best enjoyed on the West Side of Oʻahu.
I say this largely because the beautiful mountain backdrop as you swim with the dolphins in the crystal-clear blue water is second to none!
As you consider which tour will be best for your group, I highly encourage you to read my separate article about the time I went out with Aloha Ocean. I think you’ll quickly see why they have the best tour operating out of West Oʻahu, which is the last tour of the three linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Aloha Ocean Tour
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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Disclosure
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