Tuesday, November 12th 2024

"I'm a travel junkie who's hooked on deals from airports that start with Y."



2018
2
September
Any tips for first-time travelers to Oahu, Hawaii in November?

Question:

Profile picture of Tami

Tami

My husband and I are travelling to Oahu, Hawaii for a week in November; this will be our first trip there. Other than the obvious things, ie. Pearl Harbor, luau etc., what are some must see sights and activities or tips for first-timers, we should be aware of? Any info is appreciated

Humans say...

Profile picture of Art

Art

Drive the north shore. Sea turtles food trucks etc

Profile picture of Kirsty

Kirsty

Take a wander through Haleiwa.

Profile picture of Jesse

Jesse

Hawaii Kai's Boston Pizza

Profile picture of Mike

Mike

I second this.
Highly recommended pizza.
Dare I say, best on Oahu.

Profile picture of Jesse

Jesse

Best in the pacific?

Profile picture of Mike

Mike

Jesse hard to tell. But I bet it's up there

Profile picture of Kristina

Kristina

Kailua Beach

Profile picture of Ashley

Ashley

Kawela Bay

Profile picture of Lavi

Lavi

Hike up Diamond Dead, rent a car or take city bus around the island to Hanauma Bay for amazing snorkeling and also go to Lanikai Beach for one day, it is extremely beautiful and calm. You can also rent sea kayaks there and paddle over to the 2 islands at the horizon (if you’ve paddled before - not a beginners trip)

Profile picture of Mindy

Mindy

Hanauma Bay is amazing!! Best snorkelling of my life. Diamond Head hike (pack lots of water! They only have a fountain at the very bottom so bring more than one per person, you'll need it!) You can get a lot of places by taking the bus also. North beach

Profile picture of Jennifer

Jennifer

Rock escarpment just past Hanauma Bay. Beautiful. Found it by accident

Profile picture of Benjamin

Benjamin

Polynesian cultural centre is really cool! And the North Shore

Profile picture of Lisa

Lisa

Barbara Neistat

Profile picture of Muna

Muna

following! we will be in Oahu Dec 8 - 19th

Profile picture of Art

Art

Do Pearl Harbor in the morning. If it gets too windy they stop the boats to the Arizona

Profile picture of Shannon

Shannon

Agreed, I went an hour before they open and stood in line (yes theres a line then),did not prebuy a ticket. Just go straight to the first come first serve desk on the left and they'll give you whatever the earliest ticket is that's available. I was on the very first boat...and happened to be the first person onto the memorial that day. It was something I'll never forget. The silence and feel of the memorial...the sun shining...

Profile picture of Janna

Janna

Shirokiya Japan Village Walk in the Ala Moana Centre is amazing if you like authentic Japanese street food! We returned there a few times. ATV Tours in Kuoloa Ranch was a major highlight too.

Profile picture of Selena

Selena

Teds bakery on the north shore, and the dole plantation for some dole whip!!

Profile picture of Lisa

Lisa

The Arizona memorial is closed until March I believe. You can still sail out but no getting off due to repairs.

Profile picture of Tami

Tami

Point taken and very appreciated however, there will be no 'opportunities' as our home will be occupied the entire time and our neighbors are also aware as well. We also have two very large dogs that are very territorial

Profile picture of Michelle

Michelle

Tami I’d like to see the silly fool that tries to get into your house! Lol

Profile picture of Christin

Christin

Following.

Profile picture of Steph

Steph

If you're into hiking, definitely recommend the following:
Haiku Stairs (Stairway to heaven) - very intense, but absolutely stunning.
Pali Notches - when I went, I had
Twu Yong Tan as a guide, he takes awesome photos and does pickups and dropoffs!

Profile picture of Marta

Marta

We rented a car for the whole time being . Drive around the island and explore as much as you can . We stay away from Honolulu as I found the beach overcrowded touristy and with the view of skyscrapers . In Honolulu Waikiki and diamond head . Maybe dole plantation if it’s on your way, Pali lookout . I personally loved the beach on very west end of the island . Few ppl big mountains and big waives .

Profile picture of Marta

Marta

Also Oahu was the only island that our car was about to be robbed not one but twice . Both times on the parking lot at the lookout area where you just grab camera and leave everything in the car . Don’t leave purses wallets camera gear in the car

Profile picture of Hellen

Hellen

We've been to Oahu and loved it! We stayed in the heart of Waikiki, and although touristy, we enjoyed the convenience of being able to walk to many attractions and having amenities galore all around. Having a car in Waikiki can be a headache, so we rented only for a few days and planned our out-of-town day trips for those days, The island is small enough that you can go to the farthest point you want to visit and still come back to "base" on the same day. Here's our trip guide and itinerary www.vivahappy.com/Hawaii with a lot more info/details
VIVAHAPPY.COM
Hawaii – Oahu | Travel Guide, Tips and Itinerary

Profile picture of Tami

Tami

Great blog, lots of good information

Profile picture of Hellen

Hellen

Tami, thanks! Feel free to msg me if you have any questions.

Profile picture of Dan

Dan

Rent a car. Drive the entire island. Every corner is a new postcard. There is a ton of things to do for free and on the cheap, luau isn’t one of them. Be prepared to pay. You can drive from the tip of the North shore (make sure you check the waves at the banzai pipeline) to Honolulu in about an hour. Touring the island doesn’t take long at all. Royal Hawaiian pineapples are a meal in itself.

Profile picture of Brenda

Brenda

Following

Profile picture of Debra

Debra

Limited rental cars....book ahead....also the price to park overnight cost more than the daily rental fee in some cases. We took the bus, handy and inexpensive and did day tours---circle Island tour and Pearl Harbour were two good ones. Our hotel was nicely located so we could walk to a lot of places for dinners and the beach....loved the busy beach, people watching and fun!!

Profile picture of Fiona

Fiona

I took a city bus to Pearl Harbour - the ticket (couple of $) was good for the return journey too (think the time limit was 4 hours). Make a reservation as soon as you arrive.

Profile picture of Lyn

Lyn

Kualoa Ranch!! Great day trip!! They do a wide variety of tours through their properties..

Profile picture of Chris

Chris

The North shore is beautiful and well worth the visit

Profile picture of Bonnie

Bonnie

Northern shore of the island is stunning. Stayed at a cottage right on the ocean.

Profile picture of Alvin

Alvin

If you are planning to check out Waikiki you may as well stop at Leonard's Bakery for their famous malasadas (Portuguese donuts). Lots of tourists taking selfies with their donuts.

Profile picture of Tami

Tami

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions! So much to see and so little time

Profile picture of Michelle

Michelle

North Shore for less crowded beaches and way cheaper to rent surfboards. Couple amazing food trucks on that side of the island (Giovanni’s). Much quieter and less tourists. Check out Chinamens Hat. You can walk across to the island when the tide is low. Check out Turtle Bay Resort.

Profile picture of Marta

Marta

Also I suggest renting apartment vrbo or airbnb . Better prices $$$ , usually it is equipped with beach chairs, beach towels , coolers beach umbrellas etc . Spacious with kitchen and free parking

Profile picture of Fiona

Fiona

Walk up Diamond Head.

Profile picture of Debra

Debra

World famous Hula Pie at Dukes!!

Profile picture of Cynthia

Cynthia

As some have mentioned, parking can be very expensive so when we were there we rented a car from Turo for the day to go around the island and ended up paying like $6 cos it gave coupon for first time user. They deliver car to our hotel and pick it up from there as well. Very convenient!

Profile picture of Rose

Rose

Dole Plantation, Pearl Harbor and Polynesian Cultural Centre


A.I. says...

AI Profile Pic

Must-See Sights and Tips for First-Timers in Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu, the heart of Hawaii, is a paradise offering stunning beaches, breathtaking natural landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. While the Pearl Harbor Memorial and attending a traditional luau are must-do activities, there are many other hidden gems and insider tips that will make your first trip to Oahu unforgettable.

Explore the North Shore

Renowned for its world-class surf spots, the North Shore is a quintessential Oahu experience. Head to Waimea Bay and watch daring surfers tackle massive waves during the winter months. Don't miss the iconic Banzai Pipeline, one of the most famous surf breaks in the world. Other highlights include the charming town of Haleiwa, where you can indulge in shave ice and browse local boutiques.

Hike to Breathtaking Vistas

Oahu boasts numerous hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the island's natural beauty. The Diamond Head Crater Trail is a popular option, leading you to the top of the iconic volcanic crater with stunning vistas of Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean. For a more challenging hike, venture to the Koko Head Crater Trail, a strenuous but rewarding trek up an ancient railway trail with sweeping ocean views.

Snorkel and Explore the Underwater World

  • Hanauma Bay: This protected marine reserve is a snorkeler's paradise, home to vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of tropical fish. Arrive early to secure a parking spot and attend the mandatory educational video before entering the bay.
  • Shark's Cove: Located on the North Shore, this unique snorkeling spot features a protected cove and a variety of marine life, including sea turtles and colorful fish.

Insider Tips for First-Timers

  • Get an early start to beat the crowds and traffic, especially when visiting popular attractions like Pearl Harbor or Diamond Head.
  • Rent a car to explore the island at your own pace and discover off-the-beaten-path gems.
  • Pack reef-safe sunscreen and respect the local environment by avoiding products containing harmful chemicals.
  • Embrace the laid-back "island time" mentality and remember to slow down and enjoy the beauty of Oahu.

With its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and diverse array of activities, Oahu promises an unforgettable vacation for first-time visitors. Embrace the island spirit, explore beyond the typical tourist spots, and create lasting memories in this Hawaiian paradise.









People That Liked This Page Also Liked:

tags for this post You may also want to check out pages that were tagged with:

Be The First To Know About The Next Amazing Deal!

Head to the Ydeals Alerts Page where you can choose to be notified by e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or RSS Feed the moment an amazing travel deal from your city is found.

Setting up alerts allows you to be one of the first to see a new deal, before it sells out.

And don't worry, alerts are only sent when it's truly an amazing deal.

Like Our Site? Follow Us!

Subscribe to Our Feed!

Comments from Facebookers

Comments from Everyone Else

Become a trendsetter and be the first person to make a comment on this post!

Comments are automatically closed 30 days after the post is made.










Join the Facebook Group!
    What happens when over 500,000 Canadians...

    * crowdsource the best travel deals

    * offer up their unbiased travel advice?

      Join the group for your city and find out!



(click 'Join Group', at the top-right, when you arrive)



Follow the deals on Twitter!
      Follow Twitter for the latest deals and       updates from your city...



(click 'Follow', when you arrive)




Follow the deals with RSS!
      Follow the deals from your city with your      favorite RSS reader...