It’s a Funny Thing, the Word “Cheap”
What feels affordable to one person barely registers to someone else. A $79 boat tour? For most travelers, that’s “cheap.” But what would make it great? A 5-star rating.
Now take something like a helicopter tour. Imagine a billionaire flying in for 48 hours—say, a founder or CEO with a nine- or ten-figure net worth—a helicopter tour over Oahu is “pocket change” for them.
Whether you’re counting every penny or don’t have to count at all, a “cheap” tour is only great if it gives you an experience that makes you forget what you paid.
When You Go to Paris, You Must See the Eiffel Tower; When You Go to Hawaii, You Must Visit Turtle Canyon
Green sea turtles are found in tropical and subtropical waters globally, but seeing them in Hawaii is different because of their unique behavior here.
Are they a sight to behold? Yes, but for a specific reason. In most parts of the world, green sea turtles are skittish. At Turtle Canyon, they are often seen hovering in mid-water at a depth of about 20 feet.
Because they are at a “cleaning station,” they enter a trance-like state. They extend their flippers and remain perfectly still while fish pick at them.
The reason people flock to Hawaii to see turtles is due to the legal and cultural protection. Since the 1970s, the Honu (green sea turtle) has been a protected “Aumakua” (ancestral spirit). This decades-long lack of hunting has made the Hawaiian population exceptionally tame. They do not view humans as predators, allowing for close-range observation that is virtually impossible in other regions.
1. Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure by Living Ocean Tours
2. Luau Dinner with Hawaiian Show by Queens Waikiki Luau
When people picture Hawaii, one of the images that comes to mind is hula dancers—grass skirts moving in rhythm, hands telling a story, flower leis, music in the background. It’s a familiar scene, and for many visitors, it’s something they want to see in person at least once.
The Queens Waikiki Luau is a sit-down restaurant where you eat and watch a luau performance. You’re there for a few hours, and the show runs alongside dinner.
The food is traditional Hawaiian-style, so you’ll see dishes like kalua pig, which is slow-cooked until tender, along with rice, island-style sides, and local desserts. There are also tropical drinks served during the evening. Some people go mainly for the show, others for the food, but most end up paying attention to both.
3. Walk Kalākaua Avenue
Kalākaua Avenue is directly opposite Waikiki Beach. You can walk past stores, cross the road, and be on the beach in seconds.
During the day, the street fills with beachgoers—people carrying towels, wearing flip-flops, and walking with surfboards. But at night, the atmosphere changes. You start to see live music, street performers, and the glow of lights from hotels and restaurants.
In essence, Kalākaua Avenue is the image many visitors associate with Waikīkī. Palm trees, ocean views, people walking in swimwear with shopping bags—it’s been that way for decades. If someone says “Honolulu,” this scene is often what they picture.
Kalākaua Avenue is “great but cheap” because what makes it enjoyable doesn’t cost anything. You can walk right alongside Waikīkī Beach, so you see the ocean, waves, sunsets… all there without a ticket.
Ultimately, you can walk the entire stretch, sit on the sand, and leave having spent nothing. Or you can stop for a drink, buy something small, or eat along the way. It gives you something memorable without asking much in return.
4. Oahu Doors Off Helicopter Adventure Tour by Magnum Helicopters
Like I said before, “cheap” depends on who you’re talking to. Some people look at a helicopter tour and write it off immediately. Others see it differently. For them, a helicopter ride over Oahu is worth it. Not cheap in the everyday sense… but affordable for what you get.
The Magnum Helicopters Oahu Tour is popular because it shows you parts of the island you can’t see from the ground. You fly over the coastline, into the mountains, and across valleys that are difficult to reach any other way. If you’ve seen Magnum P.I., that’s part of the appeal too—the helicopter style and routes lean into that same visual. Doors-on or doors-off options change the experience completely. Some people want the comfort of being enclosed. Others want nothing between them and the view.
The price usually is between $250 and $400 per person, depending on the flight time and options.
If you compare it to smaller activities—meals, snorkeling, shows—it’s expensive. But if you compare it to what you’re actually getting… a full aerial view of Oahu in under an hour… many people decide it’s reasonable.
5. Waikiki Sunset Cruise by Living Ocean Tours
When you take a sunset cruise in Hawaii, you see the full curve of the Waikīkī shoreline, the skyline opening up from the water, and Diamond Head sitting off to the side instead of behind you.
The city lights come on, the sky softens, and there’s a moment where you think, I’m actually in Hawaii.
Roughly 1 to 2 million people do sunset or evening boat cruises around Oahu each year. Not all of them are in Waikīkī, but a large share are. It’s usually something people book toward the end of a trip, or for a birthday, anniversary, or just one evening where they want something more.
This one is with Living Ocean Tours. Again, why take a 4.9-star-rated sunset cruise when you can take a 5-star-rated one?
What to do in Oahu Island FAQs
What are the top things to do in Honolulu Waikiki for first-time visitors?
For first-timers, the top things to do in Waikiki usually include walking Waikiki Beach, hiking Diamond Head, taking a snorkeling cruise, and exploring local shops and restaurants along Kalakaua Avenue.
Are there free things to do in Honolulu Waikiki?
Yes. Some of the best things to do in Honolulu Waikiki cost nothing at all. You can relax on Waikiki Beach, watch the sunset over the Pacific, hike Diamond Head (small entry fee for non-residents), or explore Kuhio Beach and its evening hula shows.
What are the best evening activities in Waikiki?
Popular evening things to do in Waikiki include sunset catamaran cruises, beachfront dining, live music along the strip, and the Friday night fireworks display.
Do you need a car for things to do in Waikiki?
Not necessarily. Many things to do in Waikiki are within walking distance of major hotels. For activities outside the immediate area—like North Shore tours or Pearl Harbor—shuttles are widely available.
What outdoor activities are popular in Waikiki?
Outdoor things to do in Honolulu Waikiki include surfing lessons, snorkeling tours, stand-up paddleboarding, hiking Diamond Head, and boat cruises along the coastline.
