Things to do in Oahu in the Morning

Oahu’s breakfast scene is quite something, with a frankly wild variety of belly-busting options to set you up for the day. Hit up Honolulu institution Café Kaila for towers of Belgian waffles smothered in fruit and whipped cream; mosey over to residential Kaimuki where the signature cornflake French toast topped with bacon and gelato at Koko Head Café promises quite the sugar rush; or try the Sunny Side, a delectable combo of bacon, eggs and greens served with parmesan-crusted sourdough at Over Easy in Kailua. Or simply grab a takeout acai breakfast bowl and a punchy Kona coffee in time to catch sunrise from your nearest beach.

There are many fine places to catch the sunrise on Oahu: on the lip of the Diamond Head crater, or from lovely Lanikai Beach as the sun comes up over the Mokulua Islands. But the view from Makapu’u Lookout on the island’s windward coast may just be the finest. Better yet, it’s an easy walk up a paved track to this picture-perfect spot, where pink, orange and purple morning skies reflect in the shimmering ocean, and the distinctive red cap of the nearby Makapu’u Lighthouse provides further Insta eye candy.

Top tip: return bus transfers to from many Oahu hotels to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail are included with the Oahu pass from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on 40+ top Oahu attractions, tours and activities. Find out more about the types of pass available and bag yours here.

Waikiki is Oahu’s most famous – and popular – beach, thanks to its golden sands, lively tiki bars, and unparalleled views of Diamond Head. Secure yourself a refreshing shave ice and a prime people-watching spot on the sand from where, behind Jackie Onassis-sized sunglasses, you can peer at rapidly reddening sunseekers, wannabe catwalk Kardashians, and novice surfers looking for their sea legs in the shallows. Heck, you can even have a go at surfing yourself: board rental is included with the Oahu pass!

Hanauma Bay has a long-extinct volcano to thank for its delicate wine-glass shape and sheltered shores. And morning, when the waters here are at their clearest and calmest, is prime time to don your snorkel and meet the 400+ colorful marine species that call the cove home. Eyes peeled for green sea turtles munching on the seagrass beds as rainbows of wrasses, butterflyfish and tangs flit past. You might also spot barracudas, moray eels, box jellyfish and flamboyant spinner dolphins in this widescreen underwater world.

Top tip: access to the emerald-green hills and crystal-clear waters of this stunning cove is limited to protect the reef and its resident wildlife, so make sure to book your slot well in advance.

Diamond Head is perhaps the quintessential Oahu hike and, like many of the most popular Oahu attractions, is best visited in the morning in order to get ahead of the crowds (and midday heat), so be sure to book one of the earliest available slots. This former volcano’s Hawaiian name, Lē‘ahi, is said to have been bestowed by Hi'iaka, sister of the fire goddess Pele, due to the summit’s resemblance to the forehead of the ahi fish. Come over all Moana as you ascend its densely forested slopes. Your reward on reaching the peak, 760 feet up? Sensational sunrise views across the crater’s broad rim to Waikiki, Honolulu and beyond. 

Top tip: shuttle trips to/from the Diamond Head trail from any Waikiki hotel are included with the Oahu pass. What can we say except you’re welcome!

Ok, so the windward coast’s so-called ‘Secret Island’ beach is anything but secret. But the sands here at Kualoa are some of the island’s finest, and views of Kaneohe Bay and the conical Mokoli’i Island (aka the Chinaman’s Hat) are all but guaranteed to set your heart aflutter. Bag a morning slot here with the Oahu pass and you’ll have the run of the place, as well as a frankly mind-boggling range of activities to indulge in. We’re talking swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach ping-pong and volleyball, or just snoozing in a hammock beneath swaying palms. Heck, you can even kayak (or walk during low tide!) out to marvelous Mokoli’i for even more secluded coves in which to top up your Hawaii tan.

Oahu’s warm golden sands, gently rolling surf, and softly swaying palms are manna for mindful meditation types. Grab your mat and make for secluded spots along the North Shore or windward coast for a solo sunrise yoga sesh, or hit up popular hotspots like Waikiki Beach, where you can join like-minded yogis for guided sunrise (and sunset!) workouts. With the Oahu pass you can even join a yoga group that busts its moves on stand-up paddleboards in Oahu’s calm waters! Namaste.

Morning tends to be the best time to visit the most popular Oahu attractions if you want to beat the crowds – and the midday heat. You’ll likely want to spend some time exploring the various monuments and museums at Pearl Harbor, including the sunken USS Arizona battleship’s final resting place and the Aviation Museum. Most of the Pearl Harbor attractions are included on the Oahu pass, or you can book a tour of its highlights that departs just after breakfast. Then there’s the epic Sea Life Park Oahu and the ostentatious American-Florentine confection that is Iolani Palace (pictured), built for Kamehameha III in Honolulu in the mid-19th century. 

All these attractions and more are included with an Oahu pass from Go City. Want to discover more cool things to do in Oahu in the morning, and save up to 50% on admission to top tours, activities and attractions? Of course you do! Hit the buttons below to make it so…