When you look at Hawaii as a whole, what people do first is always the same—”get into the water”. And snorkeling sits at #1. It’s what most people talk about after they get back. Roughly 7 out of 10 visitors end up doing some form of it.
Now narrow that down to Oahu.
Does anything change?
Not really.
Whether you say “Hawaii” or “Oahu,” what you do first doesn’t change.
You start where everything happens… out there on the water.
The Real Magic Is Happening Out on the Water
The ocean here isn’t gray or cold. It’s blue—sometimes electric. On many days, you can see straight through it.
Ask visitors why they came and you’ll hear the same thing over and over: “The water looks unreal.” “It’s so warm.” “You can actually see your feet.”
Whether it’s whale watching during migration season, snorkeling over reef systems, or boarding a sunset cruise as the sky turns orange, most activities here orbit one thing—the Pacific.
That said, the #1 thing people do once they’re out in the ocean… you can probably guess. And if you only have five days in Waikiki, do these things—and preferably in this order.
1. Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure by Living Ocean Tours
Turtle Canyon is where many visitors go first. It’s one of the main snorkeling locations in Oahu, and it’s known for green sea turtles that are regularly seen there. When people plan their trip, this is often one of the first activities they include.
Of course, Oahu gives you many snorkeling tour options. There are several tours with a 5-star rating, so you don’t need to even pick a 4.4 or 4.5 tour just to find something affordable. You can stay at the highest rating level and still keep the price reasonable.
Living Ocean Tours is part of that group. It has a 5-star rating from over 5,000 reviews and costs $79 for a 2-hour tour. Most importantly, you’ll find them on all the “best of Oahu” lists, usually ranked in the top three.
2. Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial
You don’t go to Pearl Harbor because it’s “something to do.”
You go because of a monumental historical event: the Attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
The attack lasted about 110 minutes. And in that time, over 2,400 people were killed.
Around 1.8–2 million people visit every year.
The USS Arizona Memorial is the most famous part of Pearl Harbor. It is a white building floating directly over the wreckage of the battleship USS Arizona, which was sunk during the 1941 attack. Because over 1,000 sailors are still entombed in the ship below, it is considered a sacred grave site. You reach it by a Navy-operated shuttle boat, and once inside, you can look through the floor at the sunken ship and see a marble wall engraved with the names of those who died.
That said, the memorial sits at roughly 4.8–4.9 stars with tens of thousands of reviews.
In the same harbor, you can walk onto the USS Missouri—the ship where World War II officially ended for the United States.
One site marks the start of America entering the war. The other marks the end of it.
3. Hike Diamond Head
People don’t go to Diamond Head crater, formed around 300,000 years ago, for the Geolology.
So what draws over 1 million visitors a year to the site? It’s the fact that you can walk up a 1.6-mile round-trip trail, climb about 560 feet, and stand above Waikiki in under 90 minutes.
What makes it even more popular is how visible it is before you ever set foot on the trail. You see Diamond Head from the beach, from your hotel, even from the road—and that thought creeps in: should we go up there? Most people answer that question the same way. Yes. And then comes the part they talk about afterward. The stairs—just over 100 steps—the tunnel, the steeper sections near the top. It’s not extreme, but it’s enough to feel like you earned the view at the top.
Add in the fact that the site holds around 4.7–4.8 stars across thousands of reviews. That’s why people keep going—and why, when they get to the top and look out over the Pacific Ocean, they don’t question whether it was worth it.
4. Luau Dinner with Hawaiian Show by Queens Waikiki Luau
5. Hollywood Movie Sites by Kualoa Ranch
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.
