10+ Romantic Things to Do in Oahu

There are few more romantic places than Oahu. Swaying palm trees and secluded beaches, activities like surfing and snorkeling, and plenty to keep the culture and art lovers among you happy.

Oahu Sunset

We can hardly think of a better place for a romantic getaway than Oahu. The beaches, the sun, the gorgeous natural paradise, the food, you name it – everything is perfectly calibrated for that ideal vacation. If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Oahu, for Valentine's Day or simply for a romantic outing any time of year, check out a few of our suggested activities.

Our list of things to on Oahu for couples includes...

  • A sunset catamaran sail
  • Relax on the beach
  • Hike or bike
  • Watersports (kayaking, SUP, snorkeling)
  • Visit museums
  • Take a surf lesson

Enjoy a sunset sail

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If spending time on the water appeals to you, but you're looking to kick it up a notch for Valentine's Day, then the Makani Sunset Sail is your must-do activity.

Set sail just before sunset, as your captain will ensure you get to enjoy the striking scenes of fading light over the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Once aboard, you can enjoy a delicious, refreshing drink that's sure to get the romantic vibes going. And of course, don't forget to keep an eye out for local ocean life, from whales (season-dependent) to dolphins, turtles, and more.

Swim with the turtles

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For those of you looking to indulge in something akin to a tropical honeymoon, a chance to snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles should be on your must-do list in Oahu.

Discover Hawaii's underwater residents on a Waikiki Turtle Canyon Cruise and Snorkeling adventure. Sail to the south shore of Oahu and dive into the crystal blue waters – a pretty unforgettable Valentine's Day treat!

Relax on the beautiful beaches

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There’s nothing more romantic than a sunset stroll along the water’s edge – fortunately, Oahu is full of amazing beaches with beautiful views. Whether you want to stick close to home with the beaches in Waikiki or venture out to the North Shore, there are plenty of options to choose from.

If you’re looking for something a little bit wilder, Secret Island Beach offers stunning ocean views and accompanying landscapes. Part of the larger group of attractions at Kualoa Ranch, Secret Island Beach also features some fun activities for the active couples to enjoy, like beach volleyball.

Hike, bike, or stroll along breathtaking trails

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Outdoorsy couples will love the wealth of activity to be found in Oahu, especially during the winter months. The weather will be mellower than it typically is during the heart of summer, but you'll still easily enjoy healthy amounts of sunshine.

Jump on a bike and pedal through the streets of Oahu at your leisure, taking in the breathtaking mountain views and coastal scenery. Whether you want to cruise around the streets of Honolulu to visit popular attractions or go off the beaten path and take on more challenging terrain – the choice is yours with a full-day bike rental!

Or, if you don't fancy two wheels, take a hike to a historic lighthouse at Makapu'u Point, or along the famed extinct volcanic crater known as Diamond Head. Both of these trails offer exciting but relatively easy (to moderate) hikes that can be tackled by everyone from hiking newbies to experienced trailblazers.

Want to take a stroll through nature without the exertion of a hike? Try a leisurely walk through the Lyon Arboretum, a beautiful garden in a tropical rainforest.

Try watersports

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You name it, you can try it in Oahu when it comes to outdoor adventures. You'll get plenty of time out in the ocean, too, so it's a great chance to try something new, and have a blast!

You’ve always wanted to try that Stand-Up Paddleboarding trend. It's a fun activity, and also great exercise for your core muscles, so you're basically working out while having fun.

Or, perhaps you’re dying to see amazing Hawaiian sea life on a snorkeling adventure – no problem. Be sure to bring an underwater camera, as you won't believe the stunning sights you'll see under the waves. And it doesn't take a professional hand to get some great shots, either!

If all you really want is to kayak around the island to your heart's content, we’ve got that covered, too. Just remember a swimsuit, sunscreen, and perhaps some water shoes.

Another one for the athletic couples, a surf lesson is sure to be a great new adventure. This 2-hour private lesson will be an excellent opportunity for you both to experiment with this exhilarating local sport. And don't worry if you've got zero experience in the surfing game – this opportunity comes with basic training, safety instructions, and personalized attention from your trainers.

Explore Hawaii's museums

Queen Emma Summer Palace

If you’re the kind of couple who likes to explore the cultural side of things wherever you go, there are several small museums and other cultural institutions to explore to help you learn the most about Hawaiian heritage and art.

Those looking specifically for art will love the Honolulu Museum of Art, which is the best fine arts museum in Hawaii. While it's best known for its astonishing collection of Asian art and artifacts, the museum also features an impressive collection of Western art, photography, textiles, and more.

Love architecture and historic furniture? Then perhaps a visit to the nearby Iolani Palace or the Queen Emma Summer Palace might be the right choice. They’re stunning buildings with fascinating historical significance and a visit to either one of these sites is sure to be rewarding for culture buffs.

Learn about the natural world

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If your passion for exploring the globe extends to the natural world, then a visit to the Bishop Museum is in order. This fantastic institution is both Hawaii's largest museum and its most comprehensive: featuring everything from art and artifacts of Polynesian culture to millions of plant and animal specimens. One of the finest natural history museums around.

A visit here is a nice complement to the art museums listed above and truly showcases the extent of Oahu's cultural scene. It's also very family-friendly, should you be celebrating Valentine's Day with the kids tagging along.

Bring your love of movies to life

When your favorite shared activity is Netflix and popcorn, you know you have to make a point of enjoying a movie site tour while you’re in Oahu. Some of your favorite movies and shows may have been filmed on location on this lush tropical island, like Lost or the Hunger Games franchise.

Along the way, you can also enjoy the gorgeous rainforest setting, complete with picturesque waterfalls, exotic plant life, and plenty of great photo ops for that perfect Instagram to prove you were there.

Enjoy island cuisine

shave-ice

Of course, there are few things as romantic as a nice dinner. When you’re in Oahu, that often means enjoying the delicious options island cuisine has to offer, whether you want to go all out at an amazing luau or are just looking for some classic shaved ice.

If you prefer something more traditional (i.e., in a restaurant), Honolulu offers world-class dining with a Hawaiian twist. Expect a lot of seafood and a lot of Asian-influenced cuisine, and be sure to make reservations in advance if you’re planning on dining on Valentine’s Day itself.

Meditate in nature

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This is one for the couple that loves Sunday yoga classes together. Head to the peaceful Byodo-In Temple at the very edge of the Ko'olau Mountains. There, you can spend some time with your loved one meditating together, or just serenely watching the koi flit around their pond.

Enjoy your romantic trip to Oahu

So there you have it. Our list of plenty of romantic things to do on Oahu, just in time for Valentine's Day. From sandy beaches to cool museums to vibrant luaus, Oahu has it all. So when you’re thinking of destinations for your romantic vacation, Hawaii has got to be on your list.

Remember, some of these great Oahu attractions are included with an Oahu Pass, where you can save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. You could save yourself up to 50% on your romantic must-sees – perfect!  

☀️Compare Oahu passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️ 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Go Oahu pass Review - My Wonderful 5 Days in Hawaii

This Go Oahu Card review was submitted by Lisabeth F, as part of our Blog Ambassador Program - a fun way to visit top Oahu attractions for free, share your experience, and be featured on our blog. [clear-line] I used the 5-day all-inclusive Go Oahu Card to create a relaxing, stimulating, and exciting vacation itinerary that allowed me to experience some of the best that Oahu has to offer. Some of the activities I enjoyed are exclusive to Hawaii, and the trip was even better than I had imagined! The Go Oahu card made planning and getting passes to the attractions a breeze, and I saved plenty of money if I were to purchase admission to each individually. My 5-Day Go Oahu Vacation and Itinerary I planned my 5-day Oahu vacation and itinerary to make the most out of the many different kinds of attractions and activities that Honolulu and the nearby areas has to offer. By scheduling a mix of relaxation, excitement, and historical tours, I was able to get a true taste of tropical Hawaiian adventure, aloha, and history. Convenient, practical, and budget-saving, the all-inclusive pass made my itinerary super easy to plan and follow. I never had a problem using the pass, and I received wonderful treatment wherever I went. I flew into Honolulu in the afternoon, picked up my rental car, and headed to my hotel in Waikiki. You don’t necessarily need a car to follow my particular itinerary, but traveling to and from the attractions takes about half the time with one. I scheduled my 5-day itinerary to include... a sunny, relaxing Makani Catamaran Sail a fun-filled Dolphin Encounter at Sea Life Park the informational and leisurely Pearl Harbor Historical City Tour and an emotional and insightful visit to three Pearl Harbor memorials- USS Arizona, USS Bowfin, and USS Missouri Take a virtual mini-tour with me, and I’ll tell you all about it. Pearl Harbor Memorials Day 3 brought an early breakfast and a trip out to Pearl Harbor to relive a day of infamy in Hawaiian and American history. The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument includes the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine, and the USS Missouri. I knew a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial was included with the Pearl Harbor Historical City Tour, so I saved that for the following day, and took self-guided tours of the USS Bowfin and the USS Missouri. I didn’t need to make reservations for either tour, and instead of exploring them on separate days I toured both ships while I was there. Pearl Harbor Historical City Tour The Pearl Harbor Tour was a perfect way to wrap up my planned itinerary. I had to be at my pick-up location at 8:30, so I grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel buffet and was on my way. The driver was knowledgeable, friendly, honest, and forthright. I have to say, this was the real deal, with inside information you wouldn’t normally hear from a corporate tour guide, along with all the standard historical facts. The bus was comfortable, quiet, and smooth. More Stops Around Honolulu Fittingly, the next stop on the tour was Punchbowl Cemetery, where generations of military members rest in peace on the heights above Honolulu. From there, we went past most of the more well-known landmarks of Honolulu, including Hawaiian palaces, government centers, and the Eternal Flame War Memorial before returning to our relative destinations around 3:00 pm. The Flexibility of the Go Oahu Card I chose to leave day 5 wide open for a little flexibility in my itinerary and whatever I felt like doing that day There are many different options to choose from, so it’s all up to you how you spend your time, but no matter what you do the Go Oahu card makes it well worth it. My Tips for Planning Your Itinerary Using a Go Oahu Card Accessing the pass onto your smartphone makes getting into the attractions easy, and will ensure you always have your passes with you. Many of the attractions require reservations, so call ahead of time to book your slot. When making reservations, make sure you are prepared to give the number of persons in your party, mention any children and their ages, and have your Go Oahu pass numbers for all members of your party handy. Browse each attraction’s website beforehand to familiarize yourself with the attraction and any rules and recommendations. Give yourself more time than you think you need to visit each attraction. There are often more activities nearby or within the attraction you’ll want to explore. Plan on getting something to eat or drink nearby before or after each attraction. Activities make you hungry! I hope my Go Oahu Card review helps convince you that the pass is well worth it! The savings alone are reason enough to purchase the pass, but I specifically liked the ease of use from my iPhone. And, since so many attractions are already included on the pass, I really enjoyed the freedom to do, or not do, the attractions that are available to visit.
Lindsay Eagan

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