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Oʻahu

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Koko Head Crater and Hanauma Bay at dawn on Oahu, Hawaii

©Leigh Anne Meeks/Shutterstock

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Overview

Oʻahu attacks your senses. Tropical aromas and temperatures, turquoise waters, a kaleidoscope of colorful fish, verdant rainforest and sensuous scenery, plus so much to do.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Shangri La

    Shangri La

    Oʻahu

    In the shadow of Diamond Head, the former mansion of billionaire tobacco heiress Doris Duke is a sight to behold for art-lovers and celebrity hounds…

  • The Stones of Life - four stones on Waikiki Beach that were placed there as tribute to four legendary mahu.

    Stones of Life of Kapaemahu and Kapuni

    Waikiki

    Near the police substation at Waikiki Beach Center, four ordinary-looking volcanic basalt boulders are actually sacred and legendary Hawaiian symbols…

  • There is a fisherman about to cast his line in the water over a tall cliff. Spitting Caves Hawaii is a hidden gem of East Oahu.

    Spitting Cave

    Oʻahu

    This impressive, little-known viewpoint is at the end of Lumahai St in Portlock, makai (toward the sea) from the traffic lights at the Koko Marina Center…

  • Interior of Bishop Museum, main gallery with sperm whale hanging from ceiling.

    Bishop Museum

    Honolulu

    Hawaii’s version of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, the Bishop Museum showcases a remarkable array of cultural and natural history exhibits…

  • iolani palace honolulu hawaii usa

    ʻIolani Palace

    Honolulu

    No other place evokes a more poignant sense of Hawaii’s history. The palace was built under King David Kalakaua in 1882. At that time, the Hawaiian…

  • The Honolulu Museum of Art

    Honolulu Museum of Art

    Honolulu

    This exceptional fine-arts museum is among the best of its kind anywhere. The collection is effectively a 'best of' summary of major art movements…

  • Hawaii State Art Museum, Foundation on Culture and the Arts, gallery, paintings, sculpture, adult adults woman women

    Capitol Modern

    Honolulu

    With its vibrant, thought-provoking collections, this public art museum brings together traditional and contemporary art from Hawaii’s multiethnic…

  • Buddha Statue Daibutsu Replica The Great Buddha of Kamakura Foster Botanical Gardens Honolulu Oahu Hawaii. Oldest botanical garden in Hawaii established 1853. 1866021444 foster botanical garden, buddha statue, colorful, daibutsu, daibutsu replica, foster, hawaii, hawaiian, landmark, tropical

    Foster Botanical Garden

    Honolulu

    Tropical plants you’ve only ever read about can be spotted in all their glory at this spectacular botanic garden, which took root in 1850. Among its…

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