Surfer awaiting big wave

Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in February

Visit Hawaii in February for surfing contests and some of the year’s best whale-spotting opportunities.

The Hawaiian islands are at perhaps their least crowded in February, making this a great time to visit. Experience traditional Polynesian luaus, catch a wave at the North Shore and check out some of Hawaii’s most popular attractions, all without having to jockey for position with the swelling summer crowds. Read on for our guide to all the best things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in February.

Visiting Oahu and Hawaii in February

Smiling woman in yellow raincoat

Visiting Oahu and Hawaii in February

Temperature: 68-81°F • Average Rainfall: 13 days/month • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day • Sea Temperature: 75°F

Let’s address the elephant in the room first and wrestle that pesky fly out of the ointment. So ok, February is among Hawaii’s wettest months, with rainfall on an average of 13 of the 28 days. Sounds high for sure, but often it takes the form of a a rapid cloudburst or short shower, rather than a biblical deluge that lasts all day. Those who make the leap of faith are often rewarded with mostly dry and sunny weather, with pleasantly balmy temperatures and seas still just about warm enough to comfortably swim in.

Pearl Harbor memorial at USS Arizona

Heck, even if you do get unlucky, Hawaii – and especially the island of Oahu – has plenty of fantastic indoor attractions to explore, from art museums and aquariums to regal palaces and moving monuments and memorials to the victims of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attacks. You can save up to 50% on admission to many of these, plus whale-watching excursions, island tours and more with the Oahu pass from Go City. Click here to find out more and choose your pass, or read on for more info on our favorite February Hawaii activities!

Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in February

Have a Whale of a Time!

Whale breaching beside a sightseeing boat

Whales are as much a part of traditional Hawaiian culture as poke bowls and hula dancing. Visit the islands in February to find out why, as these majestic creatures make the long annual pilgrimage from Alaska to the (much) warmer breeding and calving grounds of the Hawaiian islands.

By February, humpbacks will already have arrived in their thousands, and the likelihood of spotting one (or several) is frankly way higher than your chances of not seeing any at all. Take a guided boat trip from any of the four main islands for the win.

Makapu'u Lighthouse

There are many whale-spotting excursions available, from brief encounters to extended experiences that include lunch and the chance to snorkel with native sea turtles and other colorful critters.

You can, of course, also go it alone. Just grab a decent pair of binoculars and make for one of the many prime whale-watching spots on the islands, including Oahu’s Makapu’u Lighthouse, Kapa’a Overlook on Kauai or, best of all, any point on Maui that affords views of the shallow Auau Channel, home to one of the planet’s largest humpback whale communities during the Hawaiian winter.

Take a Bus Tour of Honolulu

Pearl Harbor USS Arizona memorial

Take a Bus Tour of Honolulu

So your plans to sip mai tais on Waikiki Beach all day have been rained off. What better opportunity to take a guided bus tour of Honolulu? This comprehensive five-hour experience (included with the Oahu pass, natch) takes you on an immersive journey through Hawaii’s history, including visits to the memorial marking Pearl Harbor’s sunken USS Arizona battleship and a stop at the National Cemetery of the Pacific, set atop an extinct volcano in the extraordinary Punchbowl Crater. Photo opportunities abound in Chinatown and at opulent Iolani Palace and Chinatown, and there’s a chance to grab a selfie with the famous 18-foot bronze statue of King Kamehameha.

Hit the North Shore

Woman surfing

Hit the North Shore

Surf’s up in Hawaii in February, when winter swells all but guarantee top conditions for pro boarders. Take lessons along the North Shore, and look out for February’s Buffalo Big Board Surfing Classic, a major competition that takes place just around the coast at sunny Makaha Beach.

Prefer to stay on dry(ish) land? Visit the technicolor botanical fever dream that is the Waimea Valley, all tropical plants, archaeological wonders and thundering waterfalls. Or drop by the world-conquering Dole pineapple plantation, where a taste of these golden and oh-so-sweet fruits may prove life-changing. 

Pineapple plantation in Hawaii

There’s plenty more to do along the North Shore in February, too, including guided hikes along the stunning Mokuleia Trail, shoreline fishing experiences, fun hula classes, and cleansing tours of the North Shore Soap Factory set in the historic Waialua Sugar Mill. 

Take in a Luau

Polynesian fire dancers

Take in a Luau

Oahu attractions don’t get much more iconic than the traditional Polynesian luau. These celebratory banquets come with a generous dollop of Hawaiian theater, from hula dancing to explosive pyrotechnics. The best luaus invite guests to join in the fun, donning floral garlands and embracing the aloha spirit with music, dance and – if you’re game – even singing. Unsurprisingly, luaus are hugely popular year-round. But February – low season with fewer tourists around – may be your best time to secure ringside seats and experience the fun without the crowds.

Polynesian cultural performance

Small, family-run luaus around the islands are often the most authentic. But if it’s pure bombast and top-tier professional live entertainment you seek, you’re more likely to find it in the big resorts and other major attractions including the Polynesian Cultural Center and Ka Moana Luau at the landmark Aloha Tower.

Read our comparison of Ka Moana Luau and the Polynesian Cultural Center here.

Explore the Great Indoors

Bishop Museum exhibit

Explore the Great Indoors

Don’t let rain stop play on your February Hawaii vacation. For these magical islands contain more excellent indoor attractions than you can shake your hula at. Immerse yourself in the natural history of the Hawaiian islands (and beyond) at the quite excellent Bishop Museum (pictured above), where exhibits include several million seashells, invertebrates and Pacific and Hawaiian artifacts, plus an extraordinary ‘active’ volcano.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu Museum of Art is one of the largest repositories of Pacific and Asian art in the world. In addition to landmark pieces by the likes of Hokusai and Imaikalani Kalahele, the museum also has plenty of European and American art to ogle, including Matisse, Warhol, O’Keeffe, Bacon and many more.

Turtle at Maui Ocean Center

Last but by no means least, say hey to the many residents of the vast Maui Ocean Center, including everything from shrimps and sea cucumbers to sharks and stingrays.

Looking for even more things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in february? The Oahu pass from Go City has your back, with access to dozens of tours, activities and attractions for one low price. Hit the buttons below to find out more and buy your pass.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

Continue reading

Blog

2 Days in Oahu - A Weekend in Oahu Itinerary for a Fun Hawaii Island Hopping Vacation

Planning a trip to Oahu and don't know where to begin? Or, maybe you're visiting a few different islands during your Hawaiian vacation and want some ideas for spending a weekend in Oahu. Whatever the case may be, we put together a fun itinerary for 2 days in Oahu that features a variety of popular attractions and activities. This Oahu itinerary includes things to do that will appeal to families, couples, or any Hawaii-bound traveler. This itinerary includes: Diamond Head Hike Waikiki Beach Activities Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor Battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour at Pearl Harbor USS Bowfin Submarine at Pearl Harbor We’ve also put together a 1 day in Oahu itinerary, a 3 day itinerary, and one week in Oahu Hawaii itinerary - for a fun-filled activity packed vacation. Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a 2-Day Go Oahu® Card and save off combined admission prices vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 2 days in Oahu itinerary is just one of many ways to experience the island. The Go Oahu® Card gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Let’s Recap So if you’re trying to figure out what to do during 2 days in Oahu during your Hawaiian island hopping vacation, try out this popular itinerary. It’s filled with great things to do and places to see that encompass cultural, educational, and just plain enjoyable elements. If you visit all of these attractions on the Oahu itinerary with the 2-Day Go Oahu® Card, you’ll save on combined admission prices! Go Card holders can save even more with the included extra Go Oahu Card discounts on dining, shopping, and additional attractions.
Casey Makovich
Blog

5 of the Best Oahu Snorkeling Beaches for Your Vacation

Go snorkeling and explore Hawaii's vibrant coral reefs and unique sea life. We put together a list of a few of our favorite and best snorkeling beaches on Oahu. Snorkeling is a great activity for visitors of all ages and skill levels. There are lots of places to rent equipment throughout the island so all visitors need to do is set aside some time, find a good spot, and spend the day scoping out the vibrant sea life and beautiful shorelines of Hawaii. Hanauma Bay Kuilima Cove The gentle surf, clear shallow waters, and sheltered shoreline make Kuilima Cove on the north shore a great place for novice or first-time snorkelers. Pack your beach gear and relax on the white sandy beaches after your snorkeling adventure. Kahe Point Beach Park Sharks Cove Kaena North Shore What to bring snorkeling Bathing suit Towel Sunscreen and/or consider wearing a layer of UPF clothing to protect yourself from the sun (your back will be very exposed as you swim). Bring a waterproof camera to get pictures of the vibrant sea life. Tip: make a day of it and pack a beach bag. Equipment to rent Face mask or goggles Snorkel Flippers Life vest or floating device (optional, but recommended) Get a discount on your snorkeling Save up to 55% on snorkel gear rentals in Oahu and admission to over 30 additional activities for one low price with the Go Oahu® Card All-Inclusive Pass. The more you do, the more you save. Or, pick and choose things to do in Oahu when you build your own Oahu pass and save 20%, guaranteed when you buy 2 or more attractions.
Casey Makovich

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon