Hawaii Spring Break

Spring break is a wonderful time to visit Hawaii, especially Oahu and Maui. You'll see fewer crowds and enjoy stunning springtime weather. There's more to Hawaii than just spectacular beaches - here's our lowdown on the best museums, historical tours, and cultural experiences.

Published: July 18, 2024
Hawaii spring break

What better place to spend a Hawaiian spring break than the lush tropical paradise of Oahu? It’s got everything you could ask for – sunny beaches, impressive waves, luxurious plant life, fascinating cultural events, great museums, and unbeatable cuisine.

If you’re planning on heading to Hawaii this year on your spring break vacation, you’re probably looking for ways to keep the group occupied. For ideas, check out our top selected Oahu attractions and activities:

  • Authentic Luaus
  • Snorkeling in Waikiki
  • The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites
  • Wet n’ Wild Hawaii
  • Makani Catamaran Sail
  • And more!

Many of the attractions listed here are included on the Go City® Oahu pass. Choose as you go from dozens of top Oahu attractions and save up to 50% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. 

Experience an authentic luau

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If you really want to experience authentic Hawaiian culture with the whole family, then a visit to a real live luau is a must. Many options are geared toward visitors of all ages, and many of the dances and other cultural performances are enchanting for all.

Choose an option that combines the best of Oahu cuisine and dancing while truly reflecting Hawaiian culture. The Polynesian Cultural Center offers a famous luau and dinner show nightly, and it's a favorite among visitors.

Getting In: Ka Moana Luau tickets are included as a Premium option on the Go City® Oahu All-Inclusive Pass only.

Swim & snorkel with the turtles

Snorkeling with sea turtles

Another one of the must-dos in Oahu is a snorkeling adventure in Waikiki. Enjoy this fun activity with a twist worthy of your bucket list: the chance to snorkel alongside giant Hawaiian green sea turtles and learn all about them.

You'll stop at Waikiki Turtle Canyon, a well-known 'turtle cleaning station', where you're guaranteed to spot a Green Sea Turtle or two as they congregate above the reef to have the algae on their shells eaten by Hawaiian reef fish. It's an amazing experience that everyone loves. How could you possibly pass it up? 

Getting In: Waikiki Cruise Snorkeling with Turtles is included on the Go City® Oahu Explorer Pass only.

Relax in Waikiki

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Of course, regardless of what else you want to do on your perfect Hawaiian vacation, you have to go to the beach. Whether you want to do nothing but sunbathe and swim, or are looking for something more active like snorkeling (a bit more low-key this time) or surfing, there’s something to suit every taste in Waikiki. Just remember to put on sunscreen!

There are also some convenient public transportation options to get you around town if you decide you’ve seen enough sand for one day and want to explore other parts of the neighborhood. 

Getting In: Waikiki snorkel gear rentals are included with the Go Oahu® Card.

Hop Aboard a Cruise

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You simply can't leave Oahu without taking advantage of being out on the water as much as possible. Adults and kids alike will relish the opportunity to embark on an exciting cruise; an excursion aboard a luxurious catamaran vessel.

This two-hour tour escorts you along miles of the Oahu coastline, where you can see the city skyline and the sandy beaches from afar. You'll also be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature all around you, from seabirds to dolphins to even whales (in season)! 

Getting In: Makani Catamaran tickets are included with the Go Oahu® Card.

Explore Honolulu

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There’s more to Oahu than just beaches and trees – so head into downtown Honolulu to prove to your parents and friends that you did something more than sunbathe. To see the full breadth of the city's offerings, both cultural and architectural, then why not take a bus tour of the city? As a bonus, it also includes a little bit of Pearl Harbor.

This tour can take up the entire day, so plan for around 5 hours if you’re interested in this comprehensive and popular tour. It sounds long, but everyone who takes the tour finds it worthwhile.

Getting In: Honolulu City tour tickets are included with all Go City® Oahu passes.

Visit Oahu Museums

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Do you love arts and culture? Then spend some time at the fascinating and serene Honolulu Museum of Art. They’ve got an amazing collection of Asian and American art, especially featuring art inspired by Hawaii. History lovers won’t want to miss the Queen Emma Summer Palace, a lovely historical abode that served as a summer home for Hawaiian royalty in the mid-nineteenth century. You’re also right nearby the Iolani Palace, another majestic royal residence with a ton of history. 

Getting In: Admission to the Honolulu Museum of Art is separately ticketed, the Queen Emma Summer Palace and Iolani Palace are both included with all Go City® Oahu passes.

Hit the North Shore

You can’t leave Oahu without having explored the area beyond Honolulu and Waikiki, and a trip to the North Shore is the perfect way to do that. It’s a more isolated part of the island and is less popular with tourists, but it’s breathtakingly beautiful and is well worth the drive up there. For example, spend an hour or two roaming the natural wonderland that is Waimea Valley and you’ll never want to leave.

Secret beach

Another great outdoorsy option is Secret Island Beach, one of the most enchanting beaches on the North Shore. As a bonus, there are also plenty of activities to enjoy like beach volleyball, paddle-boarding, ping pong, and more.

Getting In: Admission to Waimea Valley and Secret Island Beach are both included with all Go City® Oahu passes.

Go on a fishing excursion

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If you're the type that loves nothing more than relaxing with a fishing pole in your hands, then this guided tour sounds perfect for you. You'll head to the North Shore, where your expert guide will point out the most fruitful places to fish. If you're a pro, then you can just sit back and relax. New to fishing? Your guide is there to help you do everything, from how to line up your pole to how to properly execute the catch-and-release technique. 

Getting In: North Shore Fishing Tour tickets are included with all Go City® Oahu passes.

Embark on a movie sites tour

Another excellent North Shore option is a movie sites tour. As America's tropical paradise, Oahu often plays host to several different filming crews and sets. This tour not only covers major sites and backdrops from popular shows and film franchises but also significant historical landmarks, such as the oldest sugar mill on Oahu and a WWII bunker. One for film buffs and TV lovers, this tour is a great way to experience the natural world of Oahu, too. 

Getting In: Oahu Movie Sites Tour tickets are included with all Go City® Oahu passes.

Visit Pearl Harbor

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One of the must-see sites in all of Oahu is fun and informative for the whole family. Explore the fascinating heritage and history of Pearl Harbor with visits to the different museums and memorials that make up the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.

From the Battleship Missouri Memorial to the Pacific Aviation Museum, you can spend a few hours at each attraction and make a day of learning all about the history of the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, and the events of 1941 and beyond. Don’t forget a narrated tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, which has been consistently voted a top Landmark in the U.S. in TripAdvisor polls. 

Getting In: Admission to the Pacific Aviation Museum and Battleship Missouri Memorial are both included with all Go City® Oahu passes. Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial is free; the Go City® Oahu pass covers the cost of the audio tour.

Get wild at theme parks

Now that you’ve had your fill of history, culture, and perhaps even relaxation, it’s time to breathe some more excitement into your vacation. Amp up your energy levels with a trip to some of the state’s most thrilling attractions like Wet n’ Wild Hawaii. Why visit a water park when you’re already surrounded by water?

That’s easy – there are no thrilling rides, slides, tunnels, rafts, or fountains found in nature. Wet n’ Wild is the perfect option for the adrenaline junkie, and their amazing rides will make the whole family wish they could come back time and again. Of course, there are plenty of options appropriate for your smaller children as well, like gentle wave pools and supervised swimming areas. 

Getting In: Admission to Wet n' Wild Hawaii is included with all Go City® Oahu passes.

Save on admission to top Oahu attractions

While you can’t cover everything with a discounted attraction pass, products like the Go Oahu® Card can save you some serious cash when it comes to attraction visits. It includes admission to the best local attractions, from luaus and museums to snorkeling and hiking, plus extra discounts on select dining and shopping options.

Like these ideas? Snag a Go City Oahu® pass and get ready to have the best family-friendly spring break ever!

☀️See all Oahu attractions ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a Oahu pass ✈️ 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Honolulu Oahu

Nestled right along the southeastern shore of Oahu, Honolulu has long been one of America’s most beloved tourist hotspots. A town of sun-soaked beaches, captivating scenery, and seaside cocktail shacks, the capital of Hawaii draws in millions of visitors each year – and it’s easy to see why. Still, there’s a lot more to love about the city than its laid-back beach vibes. One of the reasons why Honolulu is such a great place to visit is because it offers so much to explore. Whether you’re looking to see Diamond Head, explore ʻIolani Palace, or just simply kick back at Waikiki Beach, you’re sure to find something to suit you. If you’re planning to make the visit, have a read through our list of the best places to discover in the area. Whatever you choose to do, we promise you won’t leave disappointed! Explore the Area With its beautiful beaches and tropical rainforests, Honolulu is the perfect destination for all nature lovers. To soak up the true beauty of the area, we strongly recommend checking out the Manoa Falls Trail. Offering a paradisial retreat in nature, this stop is one of Honolulu’s most popular tourist attractions, period. Along the route, you’ll no doubt be wowed by the beautiful vegetation which flourishes from all angles. This is also generally considered to be one of the city’s easier hiking trails, taking around an hour to complete. However, it can get pretty slippery along the way, so we suggest wearing appropriate footwear for the occasion. The path culminates at Manoa Falls, a 150-foot waterfall, plummeting into a gleaming rock pool. Though it’s off-limits for visitors to swim in the pool, the breathtaking view and refreshing mists make the journey more than worth it. If you’re looking to spend time in the great outdoors, there’s no better place to be than Honolulu. For a fantastic day trip to remember, you couldn’t do much better than the Diamond Head Trail. Originally constructed in 1908, the route was developed as part of Oahu’s coastal defense system. Today, this U.S. National Natural Monument welcomes thousands of visitors each day as one of the island’s most iconic tourist attractions. At 560 feet high, this trail might sound pretty daunting to some – but at just 0.8 miles long, it's actually a pretty short climb. Along the route, you’ll catch stunning views of the city from way up high. The crown jewel of the Diamond Head Trail is, of course, its famous volcanic tuff cone after which the hike is named. A defining feature of the city and a total sight to behold, this natural wonder is well worth the journey. Don’t forget to bring a camera – you'll definitely want to get some snaps of this! Get Cultured Though Honolulu is perhaps best known for its golden beaches and cascading waterfalls, there’s so much more to be discovered. Trust us when we say that there’s a lot to love about the city. Those looking for history and culture in Hawaii’s capital will be more than happy with what the area has to offer. Located just downtown, ʻIolani Palace makes an ideal tourist attraction both for its unique structure and fascinating background. Exhibiting a distinctive blend of Italian Renaissance and Hawaiin architecture, the palace is known for its design, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Visitors should take time to appreciate its beautiful stonework outside. Upon entrance, you’ll be able to enjoy its rich interiors, including a breathtaking koi staircase, preserved furniture, and portraits of Hawaiin royalty. You’ll also be led by a tour guide, so you can learn more about the history of the building and the royal and governmental figures who called the palace home. Utterly magnificent and dreamlike, this place should rank right at the top of your itinerary. For those interested in learning more about the history of the area, don’t worry – we've got you covered. Originally named for the wealth of pearl oysters found within its protected waters, Pearl Harbor is the state’s largest natural harbor and a popular tourist experience for many. Well-suited to visitors with a thirst for knowledge, this famous lagoon harbor is of course known for its tragic past which changed the course of history. Today, it is one of the top visitor destinations in Oahu, with millions coming from all over the globe to see the site of the surprise attack and its collection of memorials and war museums. Whether you’re a history buff, or just plain curious, you’ll find that there’s plenty to see and do here. Tour the USS Missouri Battleship, which is famous for bringing WWII to its end in 1945. Hear first-hand stories from those who survived the attacks on Battleship Row. Walk through an airplane hangar pierced with bullet holes from the battle. As fascinating as it is moving, this stop is a fantastic educational experience for those of all ages. Relax! Of course, a trip to Honolulu wouldn’t be complete without hitting the beach! Stretching for two full miles along the south Oahu coast, Waikiki Beach has long served as the perfect stop for recreation and relaxation. Going way back to the 1800s, you could even find Hawaiin royalty trying their hand at longboarding here. Today, the beach lives up to its Hawaiin name, meaning ‘’spouting waters’’, with its rolling surf and salt-sprayed shores making it one of the biggest draws of the city. Among the various things to do here, you’ll find that Waikiki beach is a pretty popular destination for swimming, surfing, snorkelling, and more. Dotted along the beachfront, there are countless restaurants, stores and bars. Comes nightfall, the fun never stops coming in Waikiki since it's such a big tourist hotspot. Whether you’re looking to catch some rays, try your hand at a new water sport, or just simply grab a drink, this place truly does have it all. Vibrant and bursting with culture, Hawaii’s state capital never fails to impress. The best things to do in Honolulu run the gamut – from seriously beautiful to fantastically educational, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. For sunseekers and anybody looking to take a break, the city’s idyllic beaches are where you’ll want to be. Still, anybody with even a cursory interest in history and culture should make time to see the sites. With fantastic attractions like ʻIolani Palace. Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, you’ll be glad you did! To find out how to save money on your trip, check out our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

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