Top Oahu Culture in 2026

Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Hawaii with this unforgettable luau experience. Indulge in a delicious Polynesian dinner while witnessing Polynesia's history of wars and warriors through hula and fire dancing, embracing the spirit of aloha. Taking place on the sacred site of the Battle of Kipapa, enjoy music, warm hospitality, and connect with the heart and soul of the islands. The experience typically lasts about 4 hours.

See Pearl Harbor and learn all about its vital role in U.S history with the help of a local guide to pick you up straight from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the cruise port, or your Waikiki hotel. After you’ve had time to reflect, your guide takes you on a quick driving tour around historic Downtown Honolulu.

Discover the haunted past of Hawaii’s capital as you embark on a spooky walking tour through Honolulu. Visit a few of the city’s most haunted locations such as Iolani Palace, the Merchant Street Post Office, and the Hawaii Supreme Court, and listen to eerie stories of ghost sightings, lingering spirits, and tragedy.

Experience a traditional Hawaiian Luau in a scenic location. The evening begins with a variety of cultural activities ideal for all ages. Learn how to make a coconut headband, string flower lei, or dance hula, and then sit down for a buffet dinner with a large selection of Hawaiian specialties like Kalua pork and Huli Huli chicken. Then settle in for the main event: an award-winning Polynesian fire dance performance.

See three of Oahu's most important cultural attractions in just one day with his small-group tour. You'll visit historic Pearl Harbor where you'll learn about WWII history in the US, continuing to the Dole Plantation to learn about the history of the state's pineapple industry. You'll then visit the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about local traditions in Hawaii and across the Pacific Islands before returning to your hotel.

If you have just one day to explore Oahu, the Circle Island Drive is a must—taking in all the island’s highlights in just one day. This full-day tour from Honolulu visits Nu’uanu Pali, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm, the Dole Plantation, and Waimea Valley. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Get a different perspective on Waikiki—and explore the underwater world without getting wet—on a glass-bottom boat cruise from Honolulu. Learn about Hawaii past and present from the crew as you venture onto the ocean in search of dolphins, sea turtles, and (during the season) migrating whales.

Enjoy a traditional lei greeting and experience a luau on Oahu. Hosted by Chief Sielu, Original World Fire Knife Dance Champion, this event provides the ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in island culture. Watch a Polynesian show, learn headband weaving before indulging in a Hawaiian feast, including pineapple glazed chicken and kalua pork. Upgrade to include priority access and convenient pickup, for a hassle-free experience.

Set out from Oahu’s scenic North Shore to the depths of the big blue Pacific, where you have the chance to observe wild sharks from inside an underwater shark cage. Thanks to your professional, experienced crew, the Oahu shark dive is completely safe as they know the predators’ behavior, and the underwater cage provides proven safety against all different species of sharks. Whether you’re in the cage with sharks right in front of you or watching from up in the boat, Oahu shark diving is a Hawaii activity you’ll definitely never forget.

Come experience a celebration of Hawaiian cuisine, live music, and festive hula at the Waikiki Luau. Relax with a Hawaiian welcome and tropical mai tai before dining on a lavish Luau-themed buffet dinner with island-roasted whole suckling pig and roast beef. Then, find your premier seats for the onsite "Rock-a-Hula" show, which features everything from hula and fire-knife dancing to rock n' roll.

The island of Oahu is full of history and culture; discover its highlights on a full-day tour from Waikiki. Join a small group and visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, to learn about the surprise attack during World War II. Then, it’s on to the Dole Plantation for a look at Hawaii’s pineapple growing history, before concluding at the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about Hawaiian heritage.

Experience the natural beauty of Kualoa Ranch on this exhilarating UTV tour through Oahu's Ka’a’awa Valley. Meet your guide and the rest of the group at Kualoa Ranch and learn about UTV safety before setting off on this unforgettable adventure. This excursion provides a unique opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Oahu beyond the typical resort and beach scenes. Next, follow your knowledgeable guide through a lush paradise, visiting iconic filming locations from Hollywood movies like *Jurassic Park*, where you'll conquer streams and muddy terrain to access remote areas. You'll feel like you're in your own adventure film as you journey along picturesque trails and wild hills. After a day of thrills, you'll return to the starting location. UTVs can accommodate groups of two to six people, depending on the number of children in your party.

See where famous movies such as "Jumanji", "Jurassic Park", "Jurassic World", and "50 First Dates" were filmed. A guide leads you to Hollywood hot spots and provides background on the history of the ranch. Travel by vintage school bus past some of the island’s most stunning natural attractions, such as Mokoli’i Island, Kaneohe Bay, and the Ko’olau Range.

Experience the thrill of meeting sharks face-to-face in the pristine waters of Oahu on this cage-diving adventure. See Hawaii's majestic hunters — Galapagos and Sandbar sharks in their natural environment — surrounded by the deep blue of Oahu’s North Shore. Observe from the safety of a floating cage. Stay on the surface, then using a mask and snorkel, look through large polyglass windows to watch the sharks as they gracefully glide by.

With just one day, you can see 16 of Oahu’s greatest sights and still have time for snorkeling—if you hop on this tour. Across one whirlwind day, you’ll witness Diamond Head State Monument, the Halona Blowhole, the Dole Plantation, and so much more. You’ll capture fantastic photos, learn all about the island’s history, and go snorkeling, topping off the day surrounded by Oahu’s colorful marine life.

Explore Oahu's waters on this submarine-style ride aboard the Atlantis Submarine. During this family-friendly adventure, learn about the local fish, coral, and other animals in this marine habitat through your guide's informative commentary. Descend 100 feet (30 meters) under the surface of the water without getting wet in a vehicle that is quiet and pollution-free, so marine life is undisturbed.

Get a different perspective on Oahu by riding your own self-propelled electric submarine scooter through Maunalua Bay. Cruise past Diamond Head Crater, Koolau Mountain Range, and Koko Crater on a comfortable catamaran before an underwater adventure spotting green sea turtles, tropical fish, and coral reefs. After diving, relax on the boat with snacks and drinks while enjoying island stories.

Soar over the sparkling waters of Oahu, and check off a major Hawaii bucket-list item, on this small-group parasailing excursion in Waikiki. Hop aboard your boat; when it's your turn, soar up into the skies with one or two other people for five to eight minutes. Then, spend the rest of your time on the water admiring the scenery, and looking out for dolphins, sea turtles, and other wildlife.

Enjoy an Hawaiian experience that combines history, agriculture, and delicious beverages. Oahu’s first and only rum tasting room, Ko Hana. Try fresh pressed cane juice and learn about the history of sugar cane in Hawaii; walk through a garden of native Hawaiian sugar canes, and finish with a tasting of four rums accompanied by a selection of barrel-aged snacks.

Spend a day exploring the highlights of Oahu without the hassle of driving on this full-day island tour. As you circumnavigate the island, you'll stop at key landmarks like Diamond Head, Makapu’u Point, and the Dole Plantation. While you drive, take in the beautiful scenery of white sand beaches, lush valleys, sacred Hawaiian grounds, and the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Pearl Harbor is an essential Oahu experience, and exploring its history is hassle-free with this tour. With pickup from your Waikiki hotel, you’ll embark on a guided journey, witnessing the sunken USS *Arizona* and exploring the entire Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Complementing your WWII experience, you’ll get a short tour of the island’s most historic sites, seeing Iolani Palace, Washington Place, and beyond.

The Pearl Harbor National Monument is a must-visit when coming to Oahu, but it can be difficult to reach without a car. Book this half-day tour with convenient round-trip transport for a hassle-free day. Watch a short film and explore exhibits that recount the infamous morning of December 7, 1941, followed by a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Gain a deeper understanding of World War II history without the hassle of arranging transportation, tickets, and site visits on your own. This guided tour combines Pearl Harbor’s most significant attractions with expert historical context, helping bring the events of December 7, 1941, to life. Included admissions and Waikiki transportation make for a convenient and enriching visit.