5 Free Things to do in Oahu, Hawaii

The island of Oahu is the most visited and populated island in Hawaii. It exudes a tropical paradise with swaying palm trees, pristine beaches and the Aloha spirit. But, vacationing here also comes with a hefty price tag. It isn’t a cheap place to visit especially with kids in tow. After airfares, meals and hotels, there isn’t much room for attractions and activities. Luckily, there are some free attractions to help with the budget and they’re all worth visiting.

1. Hit the Beaches

Of course, the highlights of this island are its beautiful beaches along 112 coastline miles. The most famous one is the two-mile stretch of Waikiki Beach which is filled with resorts, tourists and activities. It’s a great place for a stroll along the boardwalk but we’ve always found it too crowded. We have visited Oahu several times and lucky enough to have family and friends there. So, we’ve also been taken to some beaches frequented by the locals.

If you don’t have a rental car, we highly recommend getting one to further explore the island. This would also give you the chance to test the waters on these beaches. Gather a picnic basket or get some to-go items from local favorites like Zippy’s, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue or from local grocery stores and head to these beaches for a few hours.

Check out Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach that are both in the town of Kailua in the windward side. Parking is a little tough here but the town and beaches are worth the trip.

Our favorite is Bellows Field Beach Park near the Bellows Air Force Station. If you have the chance to get inside the base, the beach is even better there. We like the many shaded areas and the long stretch of white sand. Waimanalo Bay and Waimanalo Beach Park are also nearby.

We also like the man-made lagoons along the Ko Olina Resort and Marina near Disney’s Aulani. Pupukea Beach Park at the North Shore area includes Shark’s Cove for great snorkeling and tide pooling. Don’t let its name scare you!

2. Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and USS Arizona Memorial

Oahu’s most popular attraction is Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona National Memorial. This National Historic Landmark is home to four unique attractions that commemorate the War in the Pacific that led to America entering World War II. This was such an important piece of American history that it needs to be visited.

The USS Arizona Memorial was constructed over what was left of the USS Arizona battleship and the “final resting place” of 1,177 sailors killed during the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. The tour involves watching a 23-minute documentary on the history and events here and a boat ride to the memorial. Of course, older school age kids will benefit more from a visit here.

Over 1,300 free walk-in, time-stamped tickets are available everyday for the USS Arizona Memorial. They are on a first-come, first-served basis and available at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. There can be long waits at times so get there early and it opens at 7AM. Visitors are given movie and boat tickets to the memorial. Don’t forget the other sites and museums here like the Bowfin Submarine and the USS Missouri Battleship Memorial. They’re not free but offer a wonderful educational experience.

3. Free entertainment

There is always some sort of event or festival going on around the island. It’s a great way to hang out with the locals and learn more about the Hawaiian culture.

• Go to the Hilton Hawaiian Village every Friday night to watch the free fireworks. It’s best viewed from the beach.
• Kuhio Beach Torch lighting and Hula show. Go here for Hawaiian music, history and hula shows. The event starts with a torch lighting and conch shell blowing. Shows are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This is conveniently located at the Kuhio Beach Hula mound across from Hyatt Regency Waikiki. Get there early since it gets crowded.
• Check out the Royal Hawaiian Band concert at Iolani Palace on most Fridays from 12-1 PM. The band promotes and preserves Hawaiian cultural music.
• Aloha Friday at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. This weekly event features Polynesian show, lei-making demos, hula and even a fire dancer. It’s every Friday from 4:30 PM – 6PM near the Great Hall waterfall and not limited to hotel guests.
• Sunset on the Beach. This event is held 3-4 times annually. It starts around 4 PM with live music performances. A free movie is shown after sunset on a 30-foot screen. Various vendors are around selling food. This is located at Queen’s Beach  across from the Honolulu Zoo. We’ve attended this once and there was a great feeling of community. It’s hard to beat watching a free movie at a beach in Hawaii.

4. Enjoy the Views

Oahu’s scenery can be awe-inspiring. The island has several lookout points with incredible views. Our favorite is Nuuanu Pali Lookout. The panoramic views of the Koolau cliffs, the ocean and the verdant landscape. This was also a historic site of a local battle. It can get very windy here so brace yourselves.

Another favorite scenic lookout is the Makapu‘u Point trail which involves a hike. There are some outstanding views of the coastline here and the Koko Crater. But, many come for a look at the historic Makapu‘u Lighthouse from afar. This is also a great place to see migrating whales from November to May.

Halona Blowhole, located north of Hanauma Bay, shoots up to 30 feet of water into the air. Kids love seeing this and I’ve always found it amusing to listen to the gasps of surprise from visitors when the blowhole “erupts”. The height of the eruption depends on the waves. This is a natural phenomenon due to molten lava tubes.  This scenic lookout is a great place to spot humpback whales in the winter.

5. Day Trip to the North Shore

The North Shore area is the best day trip and only 90-minutes away from the resorts of Honolulu. Located on the island’s northwestern coast, it offers many free and unique attractions. The first one to see along the road is Laniakea Beach or Turtle Beach to watch the Hawaiian Sea Turtles or honu bask in the sun. My kids can sit here all day watching them. Conservationist volunteers ensure visitors don’t bother the turtles.

This area is also surfers’ paradise. The winter months are the best times to watch them brave the bigger waves. Sunset Beach was a great stop to gawk at these surfers in action. Don’t miss the historic town of Haleiwa for stroll through its streets to see charming shops, street art and many galleries.  Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site is also a great stop to see Oahu’s largest religious site.

End the day trip with a stop at the historic Dole Plantation. While some attractions like the maze and train ride aren’t free, the gardens and koi pond are. My kids enjoyed exploring the garden and seeing the various pineapples growing and seeing the oversized koi fish scrambling for food.

*Any other suggestions for free things to do in Oahu with kids? 

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This is a part of a series called Five Free Family Friday which is a collective guide of free family-friendly attractions from places all over the world.  If you’d like to contribute with the free attractions in your home city, I would love your guest posts. Thanks!

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