Things to do Alone in Oahu and Honolulu

Let’s be honest: solo traveler or not, you can’t go to Hawaii and *not* spend at least some of your vacation spreadeagled on sunkissed sands, electric fan in one hand, mai tai in the other, a heady whiff of factor 50 drifting on the warm tropical breeze. There’s over 100 miles of pristine Oahu coastline to choose from, with most opting for tourism hotspots like Waikiki, Lanikai, Kailua and the North Shore. Waikiki Beach has it all: golden sands, rolling surf, hip tiki bars and, of course, those swoonsome views of Diamond Head. Feel the warm powdery sand between your toes and cool off with a refreshing shave ice. Heck, you can even try your hand at surfing, should the mood take you – board hire is included with a Go Oahu pass. Don’t miss the chance to hit up island institution Duke’s at golden hour for some of the best sundowners (and sunsets) in town.

Taster tours of the island’s highlights are a great way to get a real flavor of Hawaii – with absolutely minimal effort on your part. They’re also a fine way for solo travelers to meet people and make new friends. Or y’know, just keep yourself to yourself if that’s your vibe. You could, for example, visit the famous North Shore Dole plantation for a summery taste of honey-sweet pineapple, visit Honolulu highlights like Pearl Harbor and the opulent Iolani Palace, or come over all Tarzan (or Jane) on a jungle adventure through Oahu’s lush rainforests. Some of the very best tours visit ‘hidden gems’ – tranquil temples, glorious gardens and epic natural blowholes. Or go full relaxation mode on a decadent catamaran cruise of the coast, exploring secluded bays and snorkeling hotspots like Shark Cove and Turtle Canyon along the way. You can book island tours with your Oahu pass from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on top Hawaii attractions, tours and activities. Find out more and choose your Oahu pass here.

Experiencing a traditional luau show is practically a rite of passage when visiting Hawaii. Featuring live music, fire-dancing and great Polynesian feasts, these lavish ceremonies are at their most impressively bombastic in the major resorts, but you can get closer to the real thing at more intimate, family-run events. A visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center also includes the traditional luau, as well as the opportunity to get hands-on with Pacific Island traditions. We’re talking hula and lei-making classes, munching aromatic Tahitian coconut bread, learning the Samoan art of knife-twirling and dancing like a Tongan. Entry to the Polynesian Cultural Center is also included with the Go Oahu pass, along with many more fun cultural activities and classes.

Make friends of the non-human variety on a solo snorkeling day in and around pristine Hanauma Bay, a protected marine ecosystem that’s home to more than 400 species. Critters you might expect to encounter on a casual snorkel of these gin-clear waters include box jellyfish, green sea turtles, ornately patterned butterflyfish, colorful tangs and wrasses, and the national fish of Hawaii – say it with us – the ‘humuhumunukunukuapuaa’ (or reef triggerfish, if you insist). Flanked by soft white sands and sheltered by velvety green hills, Hanauma is an Insta addict’s paradise. Bring a waterproof camera for the win, but don’t forget to book your place here in advance: daily visitor numbers are carefully controlled in order to protect this natural beauty spot and its many inhabitants.

There are hundreds of insanely good hiking opportunities in the Hawaiian islands, and Oahu boasts some of the very best. Botany buffs will find much to enjoy in Waimea Valley: nearly 2,000 acres of picture-perfect parkland, complete with a vast botanical garden and glorious waterfalls. Enjoy some alone time among the delicate hibiscus and gnarly cacti (plus several thousand more species of plants and flowers!), and freshen up with a dip at Waimea Falls. Then there’s Diamond Head – *the* essential Oahu hike. If you only do one, make it this one. As with Hanauma, you’ll need to book a slot in advance but, boy, is it worth it. Go at sunrise or sunset for some of the most memorable views across the crater’s 3,500-foot diameter to Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and beyond. Visiting between December and May? Take a decent set of binoculars on your Diamond Head hike and you might even spot a migrating humpback whale cruising the coastline far below.

There’s really no end to the things you can do alone in Oahu and Honolulu. Treat yourself to a traditional Polynesian lomilomi massage or seaweed bath at one of the island’s many excellent spas; grab your yoga mat and hit the beach for some serious sunset meditation; paddleboard the tranquil waters; stuff your face with shave ice; doze in a hammock (always with a pina colada just within reach); sample the lively Oahu nightlife in Kaka’ako’s cool dive bars, Honolulu’s hottest cocktail joints, and the Hawaii outpost of NYC’s legendary Blue Note for some of the best live entertainment on the island. And, best of all, there’ll be no nagging voice in your ear wondering aloud whether they turned the cooker off before they left home...