My Top 7 Adventures while Visiting Wakiki Beach on Hawaii’s Island of Oahu
I recently visited the island of Oahu with my boyfriend and four of our mutual friends. We all stayed at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Over the course of a week, we experienced so many amazing activities, and I wanted to round up my top 7 favorite things to do on this beautiful island.
7. Byodo-In Temple
We rented a car for a day, and this stop was absolutely worthwhile. A peacock even opened its feathers at the sight of us and we joked that it was our spirit animal for the day. We rang the peace bell, walked around the serene grounds, visited the Buddha statue inside the temple, and explored the gift shop. I bought two $2 fortunes, one for me and one for my boyfriend. Mine said I was extremely lucky, which made me love this place.
The Byodo-In Temple was built to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants on Oahu. It’s a beautiful and peaceful spot that’s definitely worth a visit.
6. Swim in Wakiki Beach or watch Swimmers at Sunset.
I spent time by the beach every day, whether swimming, eating a taro donut from Liliha, snacking on random Japanese candies, relaxing in the sand or watching surfers against the backdrop of the sunset. This is magical.
5. Foster Botanical Garden
We walked through various sections of this garden and discovered the island’s wild vegetation.
One of my favorite moments was sitting on a bench under a cinnamon tree.
4. Visit Pearl Harbor
This is a must-do experience to pay your respects to the victims of World War II and gain a deeper understanding of Hawaii’s history. Visitors are very respectful here, and the atmosphere is somber yet powerful. The Arizona was bombed in 1941. Today you can take a ferry out to a memorial above above the sunken battleship and visit installations with artifacts and written timelines around the WWII timeline.
3. Koa Luau
On our last night in Oahu, we attended an authentic Luau held on a beautiful property, complete with a walkable trail to a waterfall. I recommend getting there a little early to take a stroll to the falls before joining the festivities.
The Luau included two drink tickets, a well-rounded Hawaiian dinner, and a delicious coconut dessert. Before the meal, there were cultural activities to enjoy. My activity was favorite was learning to dance the Hula!
The full Luau performance during dinner was engaging and great for families and travelers of all ages. I was worried it might be a bit kitschy, but I actually learned a lot about Hawaiian culture and had a fantastic time.
2. Lei-Making at the Hyatt
The Hyatt offers several complimentary activities for guests including sessions like ukelele lessons and a weaving class. I made a point to attend the lei-making session.
I sat with an instructor who asked me to handpick 40 orchids to string into a lei using a needle. They import hundreds of orchids each week just for this activity! You can wear your lei for 3 to 7 days, just make sure to store it in the mini fridge at night.
When you’re ready to throw your lei away, you can place it on one of the statues that line the beach as a sign of respect. I loved this activity because it made me feel feminine, creative, and completely in tune with the island’s tropical energy.
1. Learn to Surf with Jamie O’Brien School of Surf on Wakiki Beach
Although we didn’t plan this as a group, I was inspired last-minute to take a local surf lesson by myself. I found a Groupon for a lesson and everyone thought it was a little too last minute so I went by myself!
While I had surfed before in Los Angeles, it had been over 10 years, and I needed a refresher. The instructors were amazing, helping push you into waves, telling you when to paddle, and offering great tips after every wave surfed.
I had such a blast, I wanted to go again and again. This was by far my favorite activity and, in my opinion, a must-do on Oahu.
Bonus Conent! My Favorite Eats on Oahu
Acai Bowls & Breakfast Burritos at Oahu Mexican Grill
This acai bowl had mint and cacao nibs, which really took the fruit filled acai bowl experience to the next level. Take a look, this is nature’s glory.
Roy’s Wakiki
We had dinner at Roy’s one night and all ordered different fish dishes. It was definitely a splurge, but the food was absolutely worth it. I highly recommend the escargot, which came in a garlic butter sauce instead of the traditional pesto. For dessert, my boyfriend and I shared a lava cake, which made for perfect ending to a memorable meal.
Mitsuwa Market Place
This Japanese curry spot is tucked away in the back and absolutely worth finding. The market also has an amazing selection of Japanese candies. Japan truly has the best snacks, and everything was reasonably priced. I can’t say you’ll feel really healthy after eating these treats but that depends on what you purchase from this spot!
Aloha!
