So you're planning a Honolulu trip? Let me tell you, I've been living here ten years and still find new adventures every week. Forget those generic travel lists - here's what you'll actually enjoy doing between sunrise surfs and sunset mai tais. Honolulu's not just Waikiki beach, though we'll start there obviously.
Ocean Adventures That'll Make Your Instagram Jealous
Honolulu's waters are ridiculous. Seriously, I take morning swims before work and still get stunned by the blues.
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Yeah it's touristy, but for good reason. Last Tuesday I saw three sea turtles before lunch. The coral restoration here is working better than I expected.
Address: 7455 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 6:45am-4pm (closed Mon/Tue)
Entry: $25 non-residents | Parking $3
Reservation Tip: Book 2 days exactly at 7am HST on hanaumabaystatepark.com
Surf Lessons at Waikiki
My first lesson was brutal - swallowed more saltwater than a jellyfish. But now? Best stress relief ever. Go with Hawaiian Surf Adventures - they've got instructors who actually care if you stand up.
Meeting Point: Behind Moana Surfrider Hotel
Rate: $85 for 2-hour group lesson (board/wax/shirt included)
Best Time: 7-9am when waves are gentle
Dolphin Tours from Kewalo Basin
Okay confession: I cried when a spinner dolphin jumped beside our boat last month. Wild dolphins, not captive ones. Tours run by marine biologists who won't harass them.
Tour Operator: Wild Side Specialty Tours
Price: $195 for 4-hour eco-tour
Bonus: Includes snorkeling with sea turtles
Local Tip: Rent gear from Moku Hawaii in Kaimuki instead of Waikiki shops - half the price and better equipment.
Hiking Trails With Payoffs That Beat The Gym
Honolulu's ridges will destroy your thighs but oh man those views.
Diamond Head Summit Trail
Most popular for a reason. That postcard view of Waikiki? Yeah you'll take 300 photos. But go EARLY. Last Sunday I counted 27 people in my summit selfie background.
Entry Fee: $5 per car | $1 per pedestrian
Hours: 6am-6pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Parking Hack: Arrive before 7am or use ride-share
Manoa Falls Trail
Jurassic Park vibes without the dinosaurs. So muddy after rain though - ruined my favorite sneakers last monsoon season. Bring real shoes.
Address: End of Manoa Road
Fee: Free (parking $7)
Conditions: Closed during heavy rain - check dlnr.hawaii.gov
Cultural Experiences That Aren't Cheesy Luaus
Skip the hotel luaus with soggy kalua pig. Here's where real Hawaiian culture lives.
Iolani Palace
Only royal palace on US soil. Pro tip: The docent-led tours are worth every extra penny. Learned more in 90 minutes than four years of Hawaii history classes.
Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4pm
Tour Prices: Self-guided $20 | Guided $32
Chinatown Market Dive
Saturday mornings at Kekaulike Market - my ritual for dragon fruit and fresh poke. Warning: Auntie Mei's lychee samples will ruin grocery store lychees forever.
Location: Between King/Kekaulike streets
Hours: Saturdays 7am-11am
Must-Try: Poi mochi from Rainbow's booth ($6)
Traditional Lau Lau Making Class
Took my mainland cousin last year - we still laugh about my lopsided pork bundles. Hands-down tastier than resort luaus though.
Operator: Mauka to Makai Experiences
Cost: $110 for 3-hour class
Bonus: You eat what you make!
Honolulu Activities For Families That Won't Bore Parents
Got kids? These beat hotel cartoons every time.
Honolulu Zoo After Hours
Thursday night zoo events saved my sanity when my nephew visited. Less crowds, cooler temps, and the lions actually move around.
Address: 151 Kapahulu Ave
Hours: Normal hours 10am-3pm | Twilight Thursdays 5:30-8:30pm
Admission: $19 adults | $11 kids
Kualoa Ranch ATV Tour
Where Jurassic Park was filmed. My 12-year-old declared it "better than Xbox." Prepare for dust in places dust shouldn't be though.
Address: 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe (45 min from Waikiki)
Tour Length: 90 minutes
Price: $149 per driver | $139 passenger
Foodie Adventures Worth The Calories
Forget pineapple pizza. Here's what locals actually eat.
Rainbow Drive-In Plate Lunch
Loco moco that'll put you in a coma. Worth it. Cash only though - learned that the hard way.
Address: 3308 Kanaina Ave
Hours: 7am-9pm daily
Must-Order: Mixed plate with mahi mahi ($13.75)
KCC Farmers Market Saturday
Best $6 you'll spend: fresh lilikoi malasadas. Get there before 9am unless you enjoy human traffic jams.
Location: Kapiolani Community College
Hours: Saturdays 7:30am-11am
Pro Tip: Try the Molokai sweet potato hash from Green Truck
Hole-in-the-Wall Poke Spots
My personal rankings after eight years of poke research:
| Rank | Spot | What to Order | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh Ahi Off The Boat (Pier 38) | Shoyu Ahi Bowl | $16 |
| 2 | Ono Seafood | Spicy Ahi Half/Half | $13-$18 |
| 3 | Tamura's Market | Limu Poke by the pound | $22/lb |
Free Activities To Do in Honolulu That Don't Suck
Because Hawaii's expensive enough already.
Hitting Waikiki Beach? Obviously free but towel space gets competitive. My go-to is Queen's Beach near the zoo - fewer instagrammers.
Friday night fireworks at Hilton Hawaiian Village. Pack a picnic - resort drinks cost more than my water bill.
Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail - paved path with whale watching December-May. Saw a calf breach last January and screamed like a kid.
Honolulu Museum of Art free days: First Wednesday and third Sunday monthly. Their Asian collection beats most mainland museums.
Honolulu Activity Costs At A Glance
Budgeting for activities to do in Honolulu? Here's real pricing:
| Activity Type | Budget Range | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Activities | Snorkel rental $10/day | Group surf lesson $85 | Private catamaran $400+ |
| Land Tours | Bus to hiking trails $3 | Small group island tour $120 | Private helicopter $350+ |
| Food Experiences | Food truck plate $12 | Farm tour with tasting $75 | Chef's table dinner $250 |
Honolulu Activities When It Rains (Which Happens)
Sudden downpour? Don't hide in your hotel room.
Bishop Museum's planetarium show - way cooler than Netflix. Learned traditional navigation from a dude who sailed here from Tahiti.
Kaka'ako street art hunt. Murals change monthly - my favorite's the giant honu near Salt Complex.
Ala Moana Mall food court. Seriously. Poke bowls and people-watching goldmine.
Honolulu Activity Booking FAQs
Do I need reservations for activities to do in Honolulu?
For popular stuff like Pearl Harbor? Absolutely. Hikes? Usually not. Food tours? Book weeks ahead.
Best months for outdoor activities to do in Honolulu?
April-May and September-October. Avoid summer crowds and winter swells unless you're pro surfer.
Can I do Honolulu without renting a car?
Yep - TheBus goes everywhere slowly. But for North Shore adventures? Splurge on the rental Wednesday when rates drop.
What safety gear do I need?
Reef shoes for rocky beaches. Sun shirt unless you want to glow red. And for god's sake don't touch sea turtles - $15k fine isn't a souvenir.
Activities Locals Actually Do On Weekends
Secret beach alert: Lanikai Pillbox hike at sunrise. Bring water - last time I forgot and hallucinated waterfalls.
Yoga on Magic Island at sunset. Free classes Sundays 6pm.
Catch live music at Blue Note Hawaii - saw Jack Johnson play unannounced last month. Paid $25 for $250 worth of vibe.
Final Reality Check: Everyone wants perfect Honolulu activities. Truth? Sometimes Diamond Head is fogged in. Sometimes rain cancels your boat tour. Roll with it - grab malasadas and watch the waves anyway. Aloha means going with the flow.
Look, after a decade here, my biggest tip is this: Schedule fewer activities to do in Honolulu. Leave room for spontaneous shave ice stops and beach naps. Because honestly? Watching sunset colors bleed into the Pacific while feet dig into warm sand? That's the activity you'll remember.
Comment