How do you like to relax? For some, volcano boarding is absolutely the most mindful activity available. For others, bungee jumping from a helicopter barely troubles the heart rate. But for most normal folks, relaxation means vacations! Golden beaches! Cocktails! Stunning tropical sunsets! In other words: the good life! You’ll find all this and then some on Oahu, which remains the Aloha State’s most popular island thanks to world-class natural attractions including Waikiki Beach, the Diamond Head Crater and Hanauma Bay. So, throw on your loudest Hawaiian shirt, fix yourself a Mai Tai, and dive in for our guide to all the most relaxing things to do in Hawaii.
Hit the Beach
This one’s a no-brainer. After all nothing screams ‘relaxation’ quite like lying spreadeagled on sunkissed sands, slathered in factor 50; paperback in one hand and pina colada in the other. Am I right? So here’s the good news: Oahu boasts some 100 miles of coastline, with a wide variety of secluded (and not-so-secluded) beaches, coves and bays to choose from. Here’s are three of the best:
Waikiki Beach
Oahu’s best known and most popular beach is a Hawaii bucket-lister. Can you even say you’ve been to Hawaii if you haven’t sipped fruity, rum-laced Mai Tai from a Waikiki Beach tiki bar, while taking endless selfies against that stunning Diamond Head backdrop? No, dear reader, you cannot. The legendary Duke’s is the connoisseur's choice for classy cocktails with a view. Or don Jackie O-sized sunglasses and bag yourself a choice sandy spot for seafront people-watching: wannabe Kardashians, lobster-colored Europeans and novice surfers wiping out in the shallows are the order of the day here.
Hanauma Bay
Soft golden sand, an appealingly curvaceous shoreline, emerald-green hills and crystal-clear waters: Hanauma Bay has it all. The marine ecosystem here is home to some 400+ species: we’re talking green sea turtles, box jellyfish, tinselly Christmas wrasses and the reef triggerfish (or ‘humuhumunukunukuapuaa’ – try saying that after a couple of pina coladas) making it great for snorkeling. Note that access to this stunning sheltered cove is limited in order to protect the reef and wildlife here, so be sure to book your slot well in advance.
Mokoli'i Island
Make like Moses and stroll across the isthmus to Mokoli'i Island (aka the Chinaman’s Hat) at low tide. This cone-shaped lava formation is accessible from Kualoa Regional Park and promises cute coves, clear waters and kaleidoscopes of marine critters. Note that you can still get there at high tide, but may require a kayak.
Check out our guide to becoming a fully fledged Oahu beach bum here.
Life on the Ocean Wave
Relaxing on the deck of an Oahu catamaran is as much a Hawaii rite of passage as guzzling shave ice, catching a traditional luau show or wearing a floral lei to dinner. There are plenty of catamaran and yacht tours available, from straightforward excursions to snorkeling hotspots like Turtle Canyon and Shark’s Cove to decadent bells-and-whistles experiences fit for a king (or queen): think gourmet seafood lunches, bottomless bubbly, on-board massage and the like (sounds awful, right?). You can access several such sea-faring options and save up to 50% with an Oahu pass from Go City.
Perhaps you also find surfing relaxing? Paddle boarding? Kayaking? Water parks? Well, each to their own, we say. In which case you’ll find you can also make merry with the Oahu pass, with many equipment rental options and even lessons available.
Find out more and get your pass here.
Rather more relaxing than all that (if you ask us) is the opportunity to enjoy live Hawaiian music and dancing as you dine lavishly on steak and seafood (with cocktails, natch) on a sunset cruise around the bay. It’s a fine way to kick off your Waikiki night out, with those fiery twilight skies (and bonus fireworks on Fridays) providing the best backdrop for all those #humblebrag vacation selfies.
Lace up your Boots
Whaddya mean hiking up a mountain in 90-degree heat isn’t your idea of relaxation? Here’s your chance to escape the tanned tourist hordes at Waikiki Beach and instead switch off, commune with nature and generally enjoy some ‘you’ time.
Oahu is a tropical volcanic island so it stands to reason that there are all manner of great hikes to be had, from gentle waterfall wanders to mildly more challenging volcano climbs. Here are three you might fancy trying:
Diamond Head
If you only tick off one Oahu hike, make it the iconic Diamond Head, the dormant volcanic cone whose gentle green slopes dominate the eastern end of Waikiki Beach. Good news: the walk isn’t particularly taxing, and the rewards upon reaching the rim of its 3,500-foot-diameter crater are immense, with panoramic views along the island’s southeastern shores, from Koko Head to Wai'anae. Take a good set of binoculars during the winter months and you might even spot a migrating humpback whale or two in the waters far below.
Note that as with Hanauma Bay, there’s a slot-booking system aimed at preventing overcrowding and preserving the ecosystem. Shoot for the earliest slots of the day for superb sunrise views and more comfortable temperatures.
Makapu’u Lighthouse
The trail that leads along the windward coast, taking in both the spectacular Hālona Blowhole and the gleaming Oahu icon that is the Makapu’u Lighthouse, is another perennial Oahu favorite. A gentle stroll along the paved track reveals extraordinary panoramas of Koko Head, Koko Crater and indeed the entire southern coastline of Oahu. At the summit: an opportunity to climb the 46-foot landmark with its distinctive red cap and far-reaching Pacific views.
Waimea Valley
Here’s one for the botany buffs. The North Shore’s Waimea Valley is 1,875 acres of picture-perfect parkland, with walking trails that take in wildflower meadows, grassy knolls and archaeological sites galore. At the heart of all this is an epic botanical garden that contains around 5,000 species of plants and flowers across 50-or-so themed zones. Ogle everything from delicate hibiscus to gnarly sky-high cacti before following the trail to the mighty Waimea Falls for a cooling and oh-so-relaxing dip. The monthly full moon tour of the garden and falls, accompanied by a specialist guide, is particularly enchanting.
Feeling Relaxed?
Now you’ve got a feel for some of the most relaxing things to do in Oahu, take the stress out of your sightseeing plans with an Oahu attraction pass from Go City. Choose from All-Inclusive or Explorer options for savings of up to 50% on catamaran cruises, snorkeling trips, guided hikes, island tours, and much more, including many of the activities and attractions mentioned above.
