Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in July

Temperature: 75-88°F • Average Rainfall: 9 days/month • Average Sunshine: 11 hours/day • Sea Temperature: 79°F

July sees the start of Hawaii’s peak summer season, with more or less wall-to-wall sunshine and temperatures that soar into the 80s and largely stay there. Suffice it to say you can probably leave the thermals at home. Instead, pack your smartest Waikiki Beach swimwear, plus loose linens, floaty cottons and several gallons of sunscreen. A hat the size of Saturn’s rings and sunglasses that would leave Jackie O in the shade also won’t go amiss – the glare from those powdery sands can be quite full-on in the midday sun!

The cost of hotel rooms in July – around a third higher than during the shoulder seasons – stings every bit as much as your second-degree sunburn, so try to book well ahead to bag the best possible bargains. An attractions pass from Go City can also take the edge off, saving you up to 50% on top Oahu attractions including the Pearl Harbor museums, Polynesian Cultural Center and several island tours. Click here to find out more and get your Oahu pass.

Just in case you hadn’t heard: Hawaii ain’t short of a beach or two. And they’re arguably at their sun-drenched best in July. Think warm golden sands, azure seas that seem to sparkle like a thousand jewels, and of course, the refreshing midday hit of a tiki-bar mai tai or blue Hawaii cocktail.

Oahu’s Waikiki Beach is perhaps the most famous. Set on the shores of Honolulu, it’s a mecca for people watchers, bar flies and novice surfers. Head up to the North Shore beaches for superior surfing conditions, a more laid-back vibe and… turtles, so many turtles.

IG addicts make a beeline for the emerald mountain backdrop of Hanalei Bay over on Kauai, while the Big Island’s Punaluʻu Beach (pictured) is where it’s at for otherworldly volcanic black sands fringed by vivid tropical jungle. 

There are many ways you can cool off beneath the hot Hawaiian sun: a dip in the ocean or in invigorating waterfall pools high in the hills; a pina colada sipped in the shade of a swaying coconut palm. But when it comes to beating the heat, there’s nothing quite like the classic Hawaiian shave ice. These life-giving cups of fruit-flavored ice shavings are ubiquitous year-round, but really come into their own in high summer, when the lines outside beloved North Shore stalwart Matsumoto’s (here since 1951) speak for themselves. Can’t face the wait? Up-and-comers including Ululani’s, Waiola or Shimazu are (whisper it) every bit as good, and roadside vendors will also suffice in a pinch.

Read our guide to staying cool in the Hawaiian heat.

Like fireworks? You’re in for a treat if you’re spending Independence Day in Hawaii, when the skies come alive with colorful displays across all the main islands. Some of the best include the annual show at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu and the Kailua-Kona extravaganza on Big Island, which includes a parade along Ali’i Drive and an explosive display over Kailua Bay.

The biggest and most popular event takes place at Magic Island in Oahu’s Ala Moana Beach Park, a family-friendly spectacular that attracts some 30,000+ revelers.

But for sheer cuteness factor, you can’t top the annual Turtle Independence Day celebrations at the Mauna Lani resort on Big Island, when young turtles nurtured in the resort’s saltwater ponds are released back into the ocean. Adorable.

You don’t really need an excuse to hula in Hawaii, but here’s one for you anyway. The annual Prince Lot Hula Festival honors Prince Lot Kapuāiwa, who reigned as Kamehameha V from 1863 to 1872, and was instrumental in the dance form’s revival. The festival includes non-competitive hula showcases galore, with ample opportunity for even the clumsiest two-left-feeter to join in, plus crafting, Polynesian foods and live music.

Over at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Big Island, the Hawaiian Cultural Festival offers more of the same but with (marginally) less focus on the rump-shaking national dance. Expect live arts and crafts demonstrations, traditional Polynesian music and more, all set against the distinctive lava-molded landscapes of this extraordinary island.

There’s no hiding the fact that costs on a July vacation to Oahu and Hawaii can soon mount up. Hotel prices are at their highest during peak season, and those mai tais and poke bowls ain’t gonna buy themselves.

But it’s not all bad news for your wallet. The Oahu pass is a great way to tick off some big Hawaii bucket-listers and can save you up to 50% on the regular cost of entry to major museums, galleries, tours and activities. You could, for example, take an epic guided tour of Honolulu and key Pearl Harbor sites. Or go it alone, choosing individual Pearl harbor monuments, memorials and museums and adding the likes of the opulent Iolani Palace and fascinating Bishop Museum to your sightseeing itinerary.

And the list of must-see Oahu attractions doesn’t end there. Immerse yourself in island tradition at he Polynesian Cultural Center, where a near-infinite roster of activities includes Hawaiian hula lessons, Tongan spear-throwing and the chance to sample moreish Tahitian coconut bread. Take a day tour around Oahu that includes turtle-spotting on the North Shore, Japanese gardens, a trip to the Halona Blowhole (pictured) and lunch at a traditional Hawaiian restaurant. You can even take surfing lessons, go whale-watching (in season) and try your hand at making the iconic Hawaiian lei garland. 

To find out more about the Oahu pass and choose the one that’s right for you, just hit the buttons down below…