Free Activities on Oahu, Hawaii

By: Leah Shoup

Explore the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Make a reservation for Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s USS Arizona Memorial Program, and your ticket is free! You'll only have to pay a $1 service fee.

Visit Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is one of the best free activities on the island. We recommend arriving as soon as it opens at 9 a.m. to avoid the crowds.

Stop for a photo at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue.

Take a self-guided walking tour to this bronze statue of “the father of modern surfing.” Visitors often leave leis on this statue in Duke's honor.

Check out the Royal Hawaiian Center.

Save money with activities here like free hula shows, live music performances, and lessons in playing the ukulele, hula dancing, and lei making.

Hike Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail.

This easy 2.5-mile hike is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Honolulu and provides an incredible view of the ocean and landscape.

Sunbathe at the famous Waikiki Beach.

It's one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii due to its history within the surfing world and its accessible location.

Watch the free Friday fireworks show.

We recommend the Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks show each Friday. It's one of the best free things to do in Honolulu at night!

Relax at Sunset Beach Park.

Sunset Beach is famous as a big wave surfing destination on the North Shore– especially during the winter. Watch the surfers and the sunset for free!

Hike Honolulu’s free trails.

The Manoa Falls and Koko Head Lookout trails are both free. Although Diamond Head isn't free, it's still one of the best cheap things to do on Oahu!

Tour Aloha Tower’s observation deck.

One of our best Oahu travel tips is to check out this 10th-floor view, providing incredible views of the Honolulu Harbor and the Koʻolau Mountain Range.