Oahu: Pearl Harbor And 3 other Amazing Things You Should Do

Hawaii is a great vacation destination. The islands each have their own personality. When you think of Oahu, you most likely think of Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. The two sites are worth visiting, but there is so much more to Oahu! This post is the run-down on my 2022 trip to Oahu!

A note about traveling to Hawaii

Please be a respectful visitor. This is a playground for tourists to see the wonder offered by the islands. But, many of the locations we love to visit are historical or sacred to Hawaiians. Do what you can do to be a respectful traveler. Be sure to pack or purchase reef-safe sunscreen and follow the regulations set by local authorities. Hawaii has so many tourists; be one of the good ones.

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Where to Stay and for How Long

Most of the accommodations are in Honolulu near Waikiki, but some Air BnB options are on the north shore. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and honestly… it was a lot. There are lots of things packed into a minimal space. After the rest of our time in Hawaii, it was overwhelming. There can be traffic in Honolulu as well. We didn’t have any issues with it, possibly because we went in just after a global pandemic and during the winter.

You’ll need a few days to really see a lot of Oahu. 4 days would be plenty to see everything on my list and then some. Alternatively, you could also see a lot in 2 days if you’re crunched for time. You’d just need to plan strategically and get your tickets worked out early.

You’ll probably want to rent a car while on Oahu. The public transit system is pretty good and can work, but the freedom of having your own vehicle is worth it. If you want to avoid renting a car, there are guide services to take you to most places.

Pearl Harbor

Visiting Pearl Harbor should be on your Oahu bucket list. Visiting the site was only on my list in Honolulu because I felt like it should be. I thought we’d spend 30 minutes walking around and then be done with it. I was wrong. Plan for a couple of hours to explore, learn, and visit the USS Arizona Memorial.

USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial is small but mighty. Tickets are free but required. Tours run every 30 minutes but fill up quickly, so get your tickets early. Visit as early in the day as you are able. The weather is better, and parking is much less stressful before the lots fill up. The tours start promptly, so you’ll need to be there to check in about 20 minutes before your ticketed time. Be on time!

Take a boat ride on a Navy boat to the memorial, spend a few minutes on the floating monument, and then take a boat ride back. This is a visit to a memorial, so plan to be respectful on your visit. You’re basically visiting the grave marker of the soldiers who were killed in the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The memorial is situated over the USS Arizona. You can see parts of the ship from the memorial and read the names of the crew members on the memorial. You’ll have 10-15 minutes on the memorial.

On the boat ride back to shore, the captain will turn the boat in a few wide circles so you’ll be able to get some good pictures of the memorial.

Walk the Exhibit on the Waterfront

There is an exhibit with informational placards along the waterfront. It outlines the timeline of events on the day of the bombing. The display shows pictures of the bay on the day of the bombing, and you can compare it to what it is like today. You’ll also see the Remembrance Circle honoring those who lost their lives in the attack.

Visit the Exhibits: Road to War and Attack

This is the most museum-y thing on your visit. I was very uneducated about Pearl Harbor, so my visit was a learning experience. There are documents and accounts from those who lived through that day. For exhibits like this, those who lived through it have long passed. The displays at Pearl Harbor were built with input from the survivors. It makes it eerie, but I connected more than I expected.

1- Hike Diamond Head

Diamond Head is one of the most iconic hikes on Oahu and Hawaii. The trail takes to the top of a crater with an incredible view of Waikiki and Honolulu. The trail was a military trail originally. It was built to function and is not a trail that meanders. The hike has 560 ft of elevation gain in .8 miles. I didn’t find it as strenuous as the park brochure claims; we also hiked in the winter, so it wasn’t as hot. I can see how it would be brutal in the summer months.

At the top, you’ll pass through a 225 ft tunnel; you then have the option to go to the right and up some steep stairs or left for a more gradual incline to the summit.

The views from the summit are stunning. There are places you can break along the way, but there will be little tree cover or shade; bring water and take your time. When you get to the bottom, there is a truck selling Dole Whip and pineapples. You’ll need a reservation to access the park and the hike. Slots open 2 weeks in advance, but the site will show 30 days, just in case. If you’d like to hike Diamond Head, make your reservations as early as possible.

2- Visit the North Shore

Honolulu is the big city of Hawaii. Hawaiians on other islands often complain about how busy and crowded it is. Compared to NYC, it’s not crowded but compared to the rest of Hawaii…I’ll give it to them. It is definitely a different vibe than the rest of the islands. All of Oahu is not like Honolulu and Waikiki. The North Shore of Oahu has a laid-back surfer feel and is worth checking out.

Some of the best surf spots in the world are on Oahu’s north shore. That doesn’t mean you should head out right after your surf lesson. You should definitely go watch others surf! In the winter months, you get lucky enough to see a surf competition (or at least some pretty great practice runs). I looked for competition information and didn’t find that any were taking place. We got lucky and got to watch part of one!

A surf competition for those participating and watching is a whole event. Plan to bring your beach chairs, cooler, and snacks. You won’t be able to get in the water because, well…surfing… but you’ll enjoy your beach day watching people do crazy things on a surfboard. It’s even more impressive after a surfing lesson because it feels even more impossible.

A surfing lesson note: you can take lessons in Waikiki. If you choose to, make sure to wear water shoes. I cut my toe on lava rock when we were attempting to surf.
If you’re visiting Maui, take your surf lesson in Hanalei. The water is more forgiving, the waves are closer to shore, and the ocean floor is sand.

3- Eat at Food Trucks

No lie, this is not a recommendation I ever thought I’d make. The food trucks in Hawaii are impressive, but Oahu takes it to a new level. The menus at both of my recommendations are pretty small, with only a handful of items on the menu. This means they do what they do very well.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is a must-do. The food truck is in a parking lot surrounded by other food trucks. It is bustling, and there is even a parking attendant to direct you and collect money to park in the lot. It was only $5, worth it; parking around the place is otherwise challenging. Giovanni’s serves garlic shrimp that the north shore of Oahu is known for. The line to order will probably wind along the lot. Place your order, and then keep your eyes peeled for a spot at one of the picnic tables. The shrimp are buttery, garlicky, and served with rice. You’ll use lots of napkins as you remove the shells. The food is worth the wait and the mess. There are several other food trucks around if you’re traveling with people who don’t love seafood.

La Birria is a taco truck in a section of a mall parking lot that has been repurposed for food trucks. Again, there are several around, but this one is incredible. The corn tortillas are fried on the griddle and then served with a consommé to dip them in. It’s a fantastic combination of crunch, softness, and deliciousness. These are the tacos dreams are made of; mouthwatering dreams. You can order 3 regular or hellfire tacos. No mixing and matching; the orders and processes are simple. They sell out, so it’s clearly working for them.

Other Oahu Things

Beach time at Waikiki is certainly worth some of your time. It is a beautiful beach, but you should expect crowds. There are several other hikes on Oahu. Avoid the illegal Haiku Stairs/Stairway to Heaven and opt for one of the pillbox hikes. Try a boat ride with a snorkel to spend some time in the water. In the winter, opt for a hike along the coast so you can whale watch while you explore.

Interested in the Other Islands:

The Big Island
Maui- Road to Hana
Kaui