Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in August

Temperature: 75-90°F • Average Rainfall: 8 days/month • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day • Sea Temperature: 81°F

With average temperatures that tickle the high 80s during the day (and don’t get a whole lot cooler at night), it’s easy to see why August is a popular time for Hawaii vacations. That’s especially true of the first two weeks of the month, when school holidays haven’t yet come to an end and sun-seeking families are still out in full effect.

Now for the good news: the second half of the month sees a significant drop-off in the number of tourists on the islands as lobster-hued kids return to the classroom. That means lower hotel rates, less crowded beaches, fewer lines at the bigger attractions and a better chance of snagging ringside seats at the big-ticket luau shows. Plus the weather’s still at its sunny annual peak. What’s not to like?

An attractions pass from Go City can help you save even more on your Hawaii vacation, knocking up to 50% off the regular price of top Oahu attractions like the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor and the Bishop Museum, plus boat tours, snorkeling trips and more. Click here to find out more and get your Oahu pass.

It’s the height of August, beaches are so busy you can smell your neighbor’s tanning lotion and that tiki bar queue just doesn’t bear thinking about. What better antidote than a gentle cruise around the topaz waters that surround these majestic volcanic islands?

Go big or go home: the luxury yacht or catamaran is the connoisseur’s Hawaii cruise of choice. Let the sea breeze ruffle your hair and cool your fevered brow as you step aboard and accept your complimentary glass of bubbly, looking for all the world like some 1950s Hollywood starlet in your oversized hat and giant sunglasses.

As sightseeing tours go, these cruises are among the most effortless. All you need to do is look glamorous as you gaze back at the emerald-green islands and keep eyes peeled for the occasional flying fish or native green sea turtle in the clear waters below.

Take your pick from basic excursions to decadent day-trip adventures that include lunch, snorkeling and bottomless bubbly. Or complement traditional Hawaiian dishes with fruity tropical cocktails on a sunset cruise beneath flamingo-pink and bruised-purple skies.

Pro-tip: there are several cruise options available with the Oahu pass.

Boat tours can also be a great way to reach otherwise inaccessible snorkeling hotspots including Waikiki Turtle Canyon, the Molokini Crater and the Lanai reef. But there are also plenty of ways to ogle the native marine life straight from the beach.

Located on Oahu’s windward coast, Hanauma Bay is one of the most famous snorkeling sites in the Hawaiian islands. This sheltered cove is home to some 400 species of marine creature, meaning you might spot flamboyant butterflyfish, green sea turtles, triggerfish and even dolphins in its gin-clear waters. However, advance booking is essential, especially during peak season.

No need to panic if you can’t get into Hanauma though; these islands positively fizz with fine snorkeling sites. Hit up Oahu’s North Shore or make for Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island and Honolua Bay on Maui for the win.

Hawaii’s festival season is still in full swing in August, and Duke’s OceanFest at Waikiki Beach is one of the best and most accessible. A celebration of the legacy of Hawaiian surfer (and Olympic swimmer) Duke Kahanamoku, it includes activities like paddleboarding, swimming, beach volleyball and, of course, surfing. There will be hula shows and live music and it would be remiss if you didn’t also toast the legend with a sundowner at the famous Waikiki beach bar named in his honor.

Also in August, Honolulu’s Made in Hawaii Festival is your opportunity to pick up unique souvenirs from hundreds of vendors, including locally made artisan jewelry, art, food, textiles and more. Meanwhile over on Kauai, the International Tahitian Dance Competition is precisely what it sounds like: a thrilling celebration of Tahitian culture with a strong focus on lively dancing and drumming.

It’s August so you’re going to want to spend some time on the beach. You might also want to seek shade in the heat of the midday sun. The Kualoa Ranch on Oahu’s windward coast offers the best of both worlds. First up, its not-so-secret Secret Island Beach is an exclusive tropical paradise of powder-white sands, clear waters that teem with colorful marine life, and lazy palm-slung hammocks with views of the iconic Mokoli’i Island (aka the Chinaman’s Hat, pictured). There are oodles of fun activities here, too. Heck, even Duke Kahanamoku might balk at the long list of water sports available. And you can even join a friendly ping-pong tournament should the mood take you.

Suitably relaxed/exhausted, mosey on up to the ranch’s rustic Hawaiian-style restaurant for lunch, then take to the hills on an epic horseback adventure. The sweeping valleys and lush jungle-clad slopes – so authentically prehistoric-looking that they’ve featured in Jurassic Park and Godzilla movies – may have you nervously looking over your shoulder for hungry velociraptors. 

Kualoa Ranch is just one of dozens of attractions included with the Oahu pass, which could save you up to 50% on Oahu and Hawaii sightseeing. Find out more and choose your pass by hitting the buttons down below…