Oahu is far and away the most popular of Hawaii’s ‘big four’ islands, with attractions including Waikiki Beach, the Diamond Head Crater and state capital Honolulu pulling in twice as many tourists as its next-nearest competitor every year. Alas, even the sun-soaked paradise of Hawaii is not immune to the scourge of tourist traps because, well, where there are relaxed vacationers, there will always be someone ready to take advantage and make a quick buck. Read on for our guide to the big four Oahu and Honolulu tourist traps to avoid and what you should do instead…
Waikiki Beach
The first thing you need to know about Oahu is that there’s more to it than Waikiki alone. Much more. Not that you’d know it from the number of visitors that arrive in the resort by cab from Honolulu Airport and never venture further than the beach or overrated Cheesecake Factory for the duration of their vacation. Frankly, they don’t know what they’re missing.
Sure, Waikiki is beautiful; the rolling surf, golden sands and spectacular views of Diamond Head being some of the most Instagrammable on the island. But it’s also an overcrowded tourist trap, where you’ll often have to jockey for position on the beach, and where prices in shops, bars and restaurants are artificially inflated to give you way less bang for your buck than elsewhere on Oahu.
Sidestep the worst of the crowds in this Oahu tourist trap by striking out for beaches on the island’s east and west shores with their calm, gin-clear waters that are great for swimming. Or hit up Hanauma Bay for some of the island’s best snorkeling. Set in the cone of a long-extinct volcano this pristine marine ecosystem is home to colorful critters galore. Spot yellow tangs, eagle rays and green sea turtles as they glide over the coral reefs. Check out our guide to beach safety in Oahu here.
Polynesian Luaus
For those unfamiliar with the term, a luau is a traditional Hawaiian banquet accompanied by live music and eye-popping cultural performances including fire dancing and hula. Or at least, that’s the general idea. But let’s be honest: this is pure theater designed with the tourist dollar in mind, not authentic Polynesian culture. In short: expect to pay eye-watering prices for some decent entertainment and a large side of so-so Hawaiian food. It’s not that luaus are bad per se, it’s that they’ve become ubiquitous, making it very tricky to sort the wheat from the chaff. Most of the major resorts run slick, high-budget stage shows, some of which are included with Oahu attraction passes from Go City. But if you want to get as close to the real thing as possible, check local reviews and seek out smaller, family-run experiences for aloha spirit in spades, and a chance to get involved in the dancing and dressing up.
For another side of Oahu, make for trendy Kaka’ako, with its colorful street art and lively dive bars, or hit up the Hawaiian outpost of NYC’s legendary Blue Note at the Outrigger resort. Less an Oahu tourist trap than a rite of passage for vacationers here, the Royal Hawaiian Center’s Rock-A-Hula show is also worth checking out.
Shave Ice
There are many ways to cool off under the hot Hawaiian sun: a dip in the ocean, a pina colada sipped beneath spreading palms, invigorating waterfall pools high in the hills. But, when it comes to beating the heat, you just can’t top a classic Hawaiian shave ice. These refreshing snacks are exactly what they sound like: small shavings of ice doused in fruit-flavored syrup; a dairy-free cousin to ice cream, if you will. North Shore stalwart Matsumoto’s – operating here since 1951 – is the most famous purveyor of shave ice on Oahu, and has the long lines to prove it. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth the wait. Sure, its natural passion fruit, yuzu and lychee flavors are among the best on the island. But there are countless alternatives that may be just as good, if not better, and crucially don’t have those long lines. Try Ululani’s, Waiola or Shimazu for a taste of the good stuff minus the epic queues.
Pro-tip: it’s shave ice not shaved ice. Any vendor that didn’t get the name right on its sign probably won’t get the snack right either. Avoid.
Diamond Head
Ok, so hiking the Diamond Head crater at the eastern end of Waikiki Beach is bucket-list level stuff, and you’ll definitely want to do this at some point on your Hawaii vacation. Oversubscription to this iconic attraction has led to stricter controls on who gets in and when, which should give you some idea of how crowded it can get up there. You’ll need to book a slot to guarantee entry, with the first hike times starting at sunrise. If you are going to do it (and you should: those views across the crater’s 3,500-foot diameter to Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and beyond are nothing short of epic), we’d recommend bagging as early (or late) a slot as possible, when the crowds are relatively small. Shuttle trips to/from the trail from any Waikiki hotel are included with a Go City Oahu attraction pass.
Alternative classic Oahu hikes include the Lanikai Pillbox trail – especially magical at sunrise – and the picturesque walk to Makapuu Point Lighthouse and Hālona Blowhole at the island’s southeastern tip.
Indeed, there are so many things you can do beyond the typical Oahu tourist traps of Waikiki and Diamond Head, that it’s often difficult to know where to start. Get some inspo from our guide to things to do on Oahu here.
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