5 of the Best Places to Watch the Sunset on Oahu

For romantic sunset spots, you're spoiled for choice in Oahu!

Oahu is one of the best places to watch the sunset. We asked a 5th generation local what her top 5 favorite places to watch the sunset are. Enjoy.

Oahu is one of the best places to watch the sunset at the end of the day. We asked Kathy, a 5th generation local expert, about her top 5 favorite places to watch the sunset. Here are her picks!

Ala Moana Beach Park

For a picturesque sunset experience, head over to Ala Moana Beach Park. Walk out to the end of the dreamy island, take a seat on any one of the many benches and watch the sun slip below the horizon.

Kakaako Waterfront Park

Down the street from Ala Moana is a great waterfront park with a perfect view of the sunset. With endless rolling hills and a long walkway to the water, you'd never guess that this park was once a dump site! It's now the perfect spot to sit and reflect while watching a beautiful pink and purple sunset.

Sunset Beach or Shark’s Cove

The sunsets from the north shore are spectacular year-round. Depending on when you visit the island, you'll see one of two different types of sunsets: the winter season will give you a powerful wave display while the sun sets, and the summer season makes for a more serene and calm day's end. Neither will disappoint you, as this spot offers one of the best sunset views in Oahu.

Tantalus Drive

For a view of the sunset, certain spots on Tantalus Mountain offer a unique elevated inland view. Head to one of the pull-offs along this narrow mountain road for a rare view of the sun dipping into the ocean.

Waikiki

Visitors can see the "green flash" from Waikiki as the sun hits the horizon which makes it one of the best places to go to watch the sunset. Make it a special event with a Mai Tai or a glass of wine at The House without a Key, Halekulani Hotel, or Dukes at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel. Or, check out one of Waikiki's many other resorts with a beachside bar or café.

There are plenty of great contenders to watch the best sunset in Oahu but we hope these suggestions help you choose your spot.

See it all with Go City®

Discover our full line-up of Oahu attractions including a Makani Catamaran sail, the Polynesian Culture Center, Hawaiian Lei making, and more.

🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.

😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.

Whichever Oahu pass you pick, you're in for a treat!

Casey Makovich

Go City Travel Expert

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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.

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Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in May

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Things to Do in Oahu in Summer 2020 - Attractions, Activities & More

Oahu is a tropical paradise year-round, but it's no surprise that it’s still a popular destination in the summertime. From sunny beaches with gentle waves to exotic ocean life, the great outdoors in Hawaii is a thing of beauty. This year, there are plenty of festivals, summer events, attractions, tours, and more to enjoy in addition to your quality beach time. If you’re planning to visit and are looking for things to do in Oahu in summer 2020, check out our list of the top attractions and activities going on this year, including... Sunset Dinner Sail on Makani Catamaran Picnic on the Pier at the Mighty Mo Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay Hike Diamond Head Crater Polynesian Cultural Center and more... Heading to the area to celebrate Independence Day? Then check out our post on things to do in Oahu 4th of July Weekend. Coming to the island over Labor Day weekend? Here are a few fun things to do in Oahu Labor Day Weekend - enjoy! Save on Summertime Activities Regular admission to a number of these attractions is available on the Go Oahu pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all Oahu tourist passes, attractions and prices. Please note, some of these special summer events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go Oahu pass. Honolulu Museum of Art Paradise inspires a lot of great art (just ask Georgia O'Keeffe), and the Honolulu Museum of Art sure has a lot to show for it. Featuring one of the best collections of Asian art and artifacts in the country, this museum includes over 16,000 pieces from China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and India. A visit here is another way to immerse yourself in local heritage and to expand your horizons. Some special exhibitions open during the summer include Presence: African American Artists from the Museum’s Collection (March 04 - July 05, 2020); O Kalani: Sean K.L. Browne and Imaikalani Kalahele (April 11 - August 09, 2020); and Utagawa Kunisada and the Spectacle of Kabuki Set Design (May 30 - July 26, 2020). Getting In: Honolulu Museum of Art tickets are included with the Go Oahu pass. King Kamehameha Floral Parade Waikiki June 13, 2020 This year marks the 104th anniversary of this favorite local parade. It celebrates the reign of King Kamehameha, who united the Hawaiian Islands in the late eighteenth century. Enjoy vibrant floats, talented performers, amazing musical groups, and more. Stick around for the festival afterward! Getting In: The King Kamehameha Floral Celebration is free to attend. Prince Lot Hula Festival Iolani Palace July 18 - 19, 2020 As you may have guessed, this delightful festival is dedicated to the fine Hawaiian art of hula dancing. This is the largest non-competitive hula event in the state and is an excellent opportunity to see both modern and traditional iterations of this amazing art form. The event is held within the grounds of the historic Iolani Palace where troupes of hula dancers perform for spectators, showcasing their talents in this traditional dance. You’ll enjoy spotlights on Native Hawaiian culture through crafts, games, and more. A great family event. Getting In: The Prince Lot Hula Festival is free to attend. Haleiwa Arts Festival Summer ArtFest Haleiwa Beach Park July 2020 (Dates TBC) If you love art, then this is the event for you. It’s filled with locals artists, musicians, dancers, storytellers, artisans, and much more. Artists hail from Oahu, the other Hawaiian islands, the mainland, and beyond. You’ll be able to observe their works and even purchase unique pieces for your home or as gifts. Getting In: The Haleiwa Arts Festival is free to attend. Duke’s OceanFest Waikiki August 15 - 25, 2020 Duke’s is truly a summer event, dedicated to exciting watersports from around the globe, including the quintessentially Hawaiian art of surfing. This lengthy festival features a variety of exhilarating competitions, from surfing and swimming to standup paddling and beach volleyball. This festival is held in honor of the Olympian Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, called the greatest Hawaiian waterman who ever lived. Getting In: Duke's OceanFest is free to attend, although registration is required to participate in certain sporting events. Let's Recap So there you have it. Our picks for some of the top things to do in Oahu in the summer. Please note, the summer events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go Oahu pass. Plan to visit some of these top attractions during your trip. Whether you are traveling with your family or a couple of friends, we're sure you will have a great time.

Katie Sagal

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