A First Timer's Guide to Oahu, Hawaii

Yall, I went to Hawaii in September and I’m finally getting around to sharing this post… I’m sorry! The content has been written for a while now too (I usually document everything while I’m still on the trip or immediately after so everything is still fresh in my mind), but a lot of the lateness has to do with my inability to organize my photos in a timely manner. Deciding on photos and then editing and uploading them takes forever and pales in comparison to my passion for writing. It becomes especially hard when a trip like Hawaii resulted in so my photos because of its length and beauty. Its so hard to narrow down my photo choices because I just want to share everything with yall! Hawaii is a treasure trove of things to do, places to eat, beautiful sunsets to see, and so much more. When I first found out I was going, it was so overwhelming to make decisions to fit the limited week I had! Luckily, my friends and I (we were in Hawaii for a study abroad reunion) had a local Hawaiian telling us what to do and where to go, which really helped narrow down our plans. Hawaii deceptively appears to be a laid back beach vacation, but upon further research you’ll discover that the terrain is not just for sunbathing, but its also perfect for hiking, atv riding, scuba diving, etc… My week in Oahu barely scratched the surface of everything the island has to offer. But below are a few of the basics perfect for a first time Hawaii visitor!

Shark Cages (North Shore)

If you want to see sharks in their natural habitat up close, shark cages are the way to go. I asked about shark diving, but not only can you not use an oxygen tank (meaning you’ll have to keep returning to the surface) the sharks are actually scared of large groups of people so they won’t get too close. The sharks are curious of the giant metal cages, however, and will swim relatively close to it so keep your hands and feet inside! This was one of my favorite experience of the entire trip- most likely because I love water activities and I love trying new things. We had the opportunity to see around 20 sharks big and small swimming and living their lives in the ocean. Beware though- my entire boat (except me) got seasick during the return journey. The waves are STRONG and will push you around a lot when you’re in the cage. My friend booked the experience for us via TripAdvisor and it cost about $100 per person for a 2 hour roundtrip tour. There are about 14 people on the boat and 7 people enter the cage at a time. Because you’re given a snorkel to use, you can technically stay in one spot, breathe, and hold on to the cage while viewing the sharks. However, the tour guides will encourage you to dive down to the bottom of the cage because a lot of sharks gather at the bottom and there are fewer people down there. If you can withstand the turbulent waters and the high water pressure, I highly suggest going to the bottom fo the cage as well.

Poke at Foodland

Its hard to believe that the best poke on the island is located inside a grocery store, but it is! There’s always a small seating area nearby the store so I suggest buying your poke at the counter inside and grabbing a drink as well and then taking it outside to enjoy. A poke bowl will cost you $9- a total bargain for the quality and taste. Foodland is located everywhere around the island and its fast and delicious! Something I learned about poke in Hawaii (besides the fact that its always super fresh) is that the poke bowls do not have toppings. Like that just isn’t the point of the poke bowl, which really surprised me because at most Poke chains the toppings are the highlight. Instead, the poke in Hawaii relies on its quality fish to shine and toppings are not only not encouraged, but actually cost extra money.

Pearl Harbor

Our entire Hawaii trip was more about adventures and doing the unordinary, but I knew that the vacation wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Pearl Harbor to pay our respects to the men and women who died on December 7, 1941 when Japan bombed one of America’s biggest military bases. Pearl Harbor is a free, but ticketed meaning that unless you come early to get a timed ticket there won’t be a chance to see the USS Arizona Memorial (which requires a short ferry ride out). There are two exhibits that provide a wealth of information about what it was like on that fateful day as well as World War II and what life was like back then. The memorial pays tribute to every individual who was killed and lists their names on plaques near the water. We also found out that servicemen who did not die that day but belonged to the ship can choose to be buried alongside their members upon their deaths. These members are lowered by divers through a hole in the memorial to the wreckage that exists below.

Island Vintage Shave Ice

Everyone knows Hawaii is one of the best places to eat shave ice so I made it one of my food goals to try as many different shave ice stands as I could on the trip. Island Vintage (which also has a coffee stand and a bar) was by far the tastiest ice. Although it didn’t come cheap, the flavors were so vivid and didn’t taste like simple sugar syrup. For an extra dollar there’s also the option to add a homemade mochi- totally worth it! The shave ice is served in a tiny platter instead of the typical cone, making it a little hard to eat, but that just means you’ll have to gobble down your ice before it melts! Island Vintage Shaved Ice is located on the main strip of Waikiki. Its a tiny stand though so easy to miss- keep your eyes open!

Ala Moana Shopping Center

I must have gone here 4-5 times, but every time I discovered something new. During my week it became a place I could find civilization, but not be crowded with people. The Shopping Center has everything you need- a Japanese food village (complete with Hello Kitty snacks!), tons of trendy stores, famous cookie shops like Honolulu Cookie Company, and the delicious taro bagel at Island Brewhouse. The mall is also outdoors and drenched in sunshine so just walking around made me feel more Hawaiian!

Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay

Hanuama Bay is one of those must see tourist attractions, It was built for the sole purpose of snorkeling so its crowded on a daily basis (make sure to arrive early) and the natural sealife that exists in the bay is so plentiful. Visibility is great too making it one of the highlights of my trip. I loved swimming around and getting a peak of purple sea urchins swaying in the waters, a school of giant rainbow fish moving around, and beautiful corals standing still amidst the waves.

Koko Head Trail

Not for the faint hearted! Its not a scary or long hike, but it does go straight up the side of the mountain! Koko head hiking trail was built using abandoned railroad tracks and is vertical upwards so it does require some physical endurance to reach the top, but it is completely doable. And the views at the top are worth it!

Diamondhead Trail

This is THE hike to do on Oahu because its tourist friendly (the hike is paved) and there are gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) views at the top so expect crowds. Make sure to come early! It costs $5 to park inside the crater where the hike is located. We just got dropped off however, and only had to pay $1 each to enter the hike. Diamondhead is probably the only hike on the island that costs money, but I guess that’s why its so well maintained. There is even an audio tour you can listen to as you go up the hike. Personally, I felt like this hike had the best views because it was possible to see the beach, the city, and the crater all at once.

Lankai Pillbox Hike

Our local friend recommended this hike to view the sunrise and it was amazing! This was the very first hike we went on and since it was for the sunrise we had to wake at… 3am. The 3am wakeup call wasn’t the greatest (even for a morning person like me), but boy was it worth it. There’s just something so magical about Hawaii sunrises- the sky is filled with giant bursts of orange and yellow and pink, all against the backdrop of the gorgeous ocean and lush scenery. In the end, it was a good thing we got an early start because the hike gets packed with tourists and becomes too crowded after a while. Its also located in a wealthy neighborhood and parking is a huge problem (there are so many no parking tow away zones so be careful).

I’m so ready for my next Hawaii trip- where should I go next?