20 Best Free Things to Do in Oahu, Hawaii
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Oahu is a Hawaiian island in the United States that's a favorite vacation destination for many. Oahu is home to well-known towns, like Honolulu, and there are many activities to do on the island, from visiting landmarks to surfing and hiking scenic trails.
You can also find an array of things to do in Oahu that cost nothing, including watching hula shows, visiting cultural sites, and spending the day on stunning beaches. If you are looking for activities to do on the island at no cost, check out this list of the 20 best free things to do in Oahu, Hawaii.
Organizing a last-minute visit to Oahu?
Book your Oahu accommodations and experiences early! Here are some top choices to make your trip enjoyable.
Top Accommodations in Oahu
- Kalani Hawaii Private Lodging (rated highly)
- Kaimana Beach Hotel (stunning ocean views)
- Trump International Hotel Waikiki (5-star rating)
Top Tours and Experiences in Oahu
- Paradise Cove Luau (likely to sell out)
- All Inclusive Ultimate Circle Island Day Tour With Lunch & Waimea Waterfall (likely to sell out)
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial (very popular)
- Star Casual Sunset & Show Cruise (very popular)
- Chiefs Luau Admission (very popular)
- 20 Oahu things to do
20 Free Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii
- View the Duke Kahanamoku Statue
- Take hula lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Center
- Learn how to play the ukulele at Royal Hawaiian Center
- Watch fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village
- Catch a hula show at Ala Moana Center
- Spend the day at Waikiki Beach
- Marvel at the stunning Manoa Falls
- Climb the Diamond Head State Monument
- Stroll around Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
- Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Enjoy views of Hanauma Bay at Koko Head District Park
- Surf at Sunset Beach
- Get creative at Hawaii State Art Museum
- Watch a hula show at Kuhio Beach Hula Mound
- Take pictures at the Royal Hawaiian Beach and Resort
- Wander around Kapiolani Park
- Visit the Halona Blowhole
- Check out the King Kamehameha statue
- Explore the Polynesian Cultural Center
- Hike the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse trail
Oahu Things to Do Map
A map of Oahu. Use the map to explore all the things to do.
View the Duke Kahanamoku Statue
The Duke Kahanamoku statue is a bronze sculpture found in Honolulu, Hawaii. This nine-foot-tall sculpture honors Olympic surfer Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, who is referred to as "The Father of Modern Surfing."
The impressive statue is often adorned with leis, and torches around it get lit at night. Located on Kalakaua Avenue, it's free for all to see and is a must-visit landmark.
Do you want an easy way to visit Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue?
- Exclusive Island Tour Featuring Beaches & Local Cuisine (highly rated)
- Honolulu Trolley Tour - Hop on & Off in Waikiki (popular and sought-after)
Take hula lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Center
The Royal Hawaiian Center is a luxury shopping mall in Honolulu, Oahu. Along with browsing some high-end shops, there are lots of free activities at the mall.
One of these activities is hula lessons. Each week, you can join an hour-long class that will teach you this traditional Hawaiian dance. If traveling to Oahu with children, they can partake in kids-only Keiki hula lessons.
Learn how to play the ukulele at Royal Hawaiian Center
Another of the free activities in Oahu, Hawaii, to partake in at the Royal Hawaiian Center is learning how to play the ukulele. You'll spend time with a seasoned ukulele player and learn some songs on the traditional Hawaiian instrument.
During the lesson, you can also sing along to well-known songs. Learning to play the ukulele is a great skill to gain to remind you of your trip. As doing so costs nothing, it's well worth it!
Watch fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village
Hilton Hawaiian Village is a luxury resort near Waikiki Beach. Every Friday night, the hotel hosts a free fireworks show. The show is open to everyone, not just those staying at the resort.
If you do stay at the resort, you can watch it from one of the outside areas. If not, you can see the show from various places around Waikiki Beach, all the way to Diamond Head. Watching the spectacular show is the ideal way to finish (or begin) your Friday night!
Are you interested in visiting Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort?
- Catamaran Snorkel Cruise to Turtle Canyon From Waikiki (a top tour)
- 60-Minute Helicopter Tour of Oahus Royal Crown With Optional Door Removal (enjoyed by most)
Catch a hula show at Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Center is a large open-air shopping mall in Honolulu next to Ala Moana Beach Park. Along with finding some amazing shops here, the mall hosts a free hula show every day.
Ala Moana's hula show is just 20 minutes long but is well worth watching! The dancers will incorporate traditional and more modern variations of hula dance for a memorable performance. The shopping mall also hosts an array of other events, so check their calendar to see what is going on before you visit.
Do you want an easy way to visit Ala Moana Center?
Spend the day at Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Hawaii, that's also close to luxury resorts and hotels. The beautiful Waikiki Beach has white sand shores, crystal clear waters, and mountainous surroundings. You can even see Diamond Head on the horizon.
Spending a relaxing day at Waikiki Beach is one of the popular things to do in Oahu for free. While there, you can sunbathe, swim, surf, and more. It's the ideal spot for a chill beach day.
Marvel at the stunning Manoa Falls
Located a short drive from central Oahu, Manoa Falls is a 150-foot-tall waterfall that you can visit at no cost. To get to the waterfall, you must hike a short and easy trail. This hike is through lush jungle and is a scenic and relaxing experience in itself.
Once at the falls, you can find a few more trails to follow and can, of course, appreciate the stunning natural water feature. Taking lots of pictures is highly recommended too! Swimming, however, is discouraged as the water below the falls could cause disease.
Do you want an easy way to visit Manoa Falls?
- Manoa Waterfall Hike With Included Healthy Lunch From Waikiki (frequently sold out)
- Oahus All-Inclusive Pass - 40 Tours & Attractions With go City (enjoyed by many)
Climb the Diamond Head State Monument
One of Oahu's most famous landmarks is Diamond Head State Monument. This geological feature is a dormant volcanic tuff cone that sits proudly on the Oahu skyline.
A popular and free activity in Oahu is to climb up the Diamond Head State Monument. The trail is moderate; while it does get steep in some places, hiking the trail is achievable for most activity levels. At the top, you can take in the stunning panoramic views of the island.
Do you want an excursion that visits Diamond Head State Monument?
- Full Day Tour of Circle Island With Lunch & Waimea Falls Included (likely to sell out)
Stroll around Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden in Honolulu covers 400 acres and features an array of flora and fauna. Interestingly, the gardens were constructed in 1982 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a form of flood protection.
Despite the garden's practical beginning, today it's a much-loved attraction. When visiting, you can see a variety of tropical plants from across the world. A trip to Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is for sure one of the best things to do on Oahu for free.
Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The tragedy at Pearl Harbor was one of the United States' worst acts of war. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial commemorates those killed by the attack on Pearl Harbor and is now a naval base and National Historic Landmark. While in Oahu, visiting this North American landmark in Honolulu is a must.
There are three areas to see with no admission fee: the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. There is an admission fee for the USS Arizona Memorial, but it's definitely worth it.
Do you want to see Pearl Harbor National Memorial on a tour?
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial (very popular)
- Waikiki Tour - USS Arizona Memorial & USS Missouri Battleship at Pearl Harbor (well-liked)
Enjoy views of Hanauma Bay at Koko Head District Park
Hanauma Bay is one more of the incredible Honolulu landmarks. However, there is an admission fee to access the marine conservation area. If you want to view Hanauma Bay for free, you can do so from certain places in Koko Head District Park.
When here, you must try the Koko Crater Railway Trail. The hike features over 1,000 stairs, and you'll encounter incredible views all the way up. At the top of the trail, you'll get panoramic views of Hanauma Bay and the rest of Oahu. This hike is quite challenging and may not be appropriate for all activity levels.
Do you want an excursion that visits Koko Head District Park?
- Jeep Tour of the Circle Island in Eight Hours (rated very highly)
- Full-Day Oahu Island Small-Group Tour (rated well)
Surf at Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is located on the Oahu North Shore. It's a scenic sandy beach known for being a top big wave surfing spot. If you love to surf, this is one of the best places in Oahu to do so!
Even if you don't want to surf, it's the perfect beach to relax on and watch those who do surf hit the waves. Sunset Beach is a little less known than popular spots like Waikiki Beach, so it's unlikely to be overly crowded.
As the name suggests, this beach is also the ideal location to watch the sunset. Of course, visiting is completely free.
Do you want an easy way to visit Sunset Beach Park?
- Hiking Diamond Head & Experiencing Oahus North Shore (frequently earns a five-star rating)
Get creative at Hawaii State Art Museum
A visit to the Hawaii State Art Museum is a great idea for a fun cultural day out in Oahu. Best of all, admission to the museum is always free. Exhibits on display feature a range of artworks, with many by American artists.
There is additionally a whole section of the museum featuring Hawaiian-themed artworks and pieces by Hawaiian artists. If you enjoy Hawaii State Art Museum, the Honolulu Museum of Art is also free to check out every third Sunday as well.
Watch a hula show at Kuhio Beach Hula Mound
Another great place to watch a music and hula show for free in Oahu is at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound. The hula mound is close to the Duke Kahanamoku statue.
The exciting traditional performance is held right by the ocean, so you can enjoy stunning views of the coast as you watch the show. The hour-long show also opens with torch lighting and conch blowing for an authentic experience.
Take pictures at the Royal Hawaiian Beach and Resort
The Royal Hawaiian Resort is an iconic Waikiki landmark known for its pink facade. When in the area, getting some pictures of this building is a must!
You can see the hotel from Waikiki beach, so taking some photos is one of the fun free activities in Oahu, Hawaii, to try when relaxing at the beach. Having some snaps of this renowned and pretty hotel will be a great reminder of your trip.
Do you want an easy way to visit The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki?
- Oahu Whale-Watching Excursion (a top tour)
- Snorkeling With Turtles on North Shores Circle Island Adventure (enjoyed by most)
Wander around Kapiolani Park
Kapiolani Regional Park is Hawaii's largest park. It's also the second oldest park in Hawaii. There are many attractions in Kapiolani Park, including the Honolulu Zoo. If you want to save money, however, you can simply explore the green public park.
As you wander around Kapiolani Park, you'll get to enjoy vast open green spaces, beautiful trees and plants, and wildlife. The views of Diamond Head from here are also incredible. On Sundays, there are even free concerts in the park bandstand.
Do you want to join a tour to explore Kapiolani Park Beach?
- Electric Bike & Diamond Head Hiking Tour (highly rated)
Visit the Halona Blowhole
The Halona Blowhole is located just off of Hanauma Bay. The landmark is a rock formation and blowhole that costs nothing to visit. When visiting, you may see geysers of water spurting out of the blowhole high up into the air.
You might even see whales from here during whale season. Halona means "lookout," and you can also take in breathtaking views of the coastline from the blowhole.
Are you looking for an easy way to see Halona Blowhole Lookout?
- Nine-Hour Tour of Grand Circle Island & Haleiwa (a top tour)
Check out the King Kamehameha statue
The King Kamehameha statue is located outside of Honolulu's Aliʻiōlani Hale building and opposite Iolani Palace. This historic statue is of Hawaii's King Kamehameha I who aided in the unification of Hawaii.
Although the statue sits in Hawaii, it was constructed in Italy and shipped to Honolulu. The original was actually lost at sea, so the statue you can see is the second commissioned. Viewing this iconic statue is a must-do activity in Oahu.
Do you want an easy way to visit King Kamehameha Statue?
- Exclusive North Shore Tour of Dole Pineapple Farm in Oahu (enjoyed by most)
Explore the Polynesian Cultural Center
Visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the best things to do in Oahu. The center honors Polynesian culture and history and hosts many interesting shows and events. There are also a few free activities at the center.
Hukilau Marketplace is open to the public six days a week and is free to look around. There are many fascinating shops, including one selling just Ukuleles. Kids can also get spray on tattoos here at no cost, and there is a Football Hall of Fame with free admission. Checking out the Polynesian Cultural Center is definitely one of the best things to do in Oahu for free.
Are you looking to discover Polynesian Cultural Center?
- Full-Day Adventure Tour of the Circle Island With Aloha (a sort after tour)
- Full-Day Ultimate Circle Island Tour of Oahu (well-rated)
Hike the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse trail
The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail is located on the east of Oahu and is a relatively easy scenic hike. As you walk along the trail, you'll enjoy breathtaking ocean views. You'll also come across the quaint lighthouse that sits on the path.
Viewpoints along the hiking trail are also the ideal place to spot whales during whale season. If you want to see whales, the best time to visit Oahu, Hawaii, is between December and May. Watching the sunrise and sunset from the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse trail is also well worth it!
In Summary
Oahu is a bucket list destination in the beautiful state of Hawaii. When visiting, there are so many activities to try, many of which are free. From visiting Hawaiian landmarks and museums to hiking scenic trails, watching hula shows, and chilling at the beach, you can have a memorable time on Oahu without spending a penny!
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Written by Alli Sewell
allisewell WRITER Currently based in Canada, Alli has also lived and worked in the UK and Brazil and traveled in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She loves finding the best photo-ops and food and drink locations wherever she goes.
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