About Oahu
Oʻahu, sometimes written Oahu, is the third-largest and most populated island of the Hawaiian Islands and of the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital, Honolulu, is on Oʻahu's southeastern coast. The island of Oʻahu and the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands constitute the City and County of Honolulu. In 2025, Oʻahu had a population of 988,703, a decline of 27,791 from 1,016,494 in 2020.
Cheap flights to Oahu
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,261 from London, travelling 11 Dec – 17 Feb. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Oahu11 Dec – 17 Feb · HNL from$1,261
- MAN Manchester to Oahu12 Jan – 9 Feb · HNL from$1,374
- DUB Dublin to Oahu1 Dec – 13 Dec · HNL from$1,675
- PRG Prague to Oahu24 Jan – 7 Feb · HNL from$1,682
- HEL Helsinki to Oahu20 Nov – 27 Nov · HNL from$1,583
- CPH Copenhagen to Oahu13 Apr – 20 Apr · HNL from$1,618
- EDI Edinburgh to Oahu1 Mar – 8 Mar · HNL from$1,655
- GOT Gothenburg to Oahu13 Feb – 21 Feb · HNL from$1,534
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Finnair.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to OahuPlaces to visit in Oahu
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Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Historic · 8 mi from centreThe site of the 1941 attack that drew the United States into World War II, including the USS Arizona Memorial. Reserve boat tickets online well in advance; bags are not allowed, so bring only essentials.
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Waikīkī
Beach · 17 mi from centreHonolulu's famous beach district, lined with hotels and backed by the silhouette of Diamond Head. The gentle waves suit beginner surfers, and lessons and board rentals are available all along the sand.
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Diamond Head
Viewpoint · 19 mi from centreA volcanic cone above Waikīkī with a steep trail to old military lookouts on the crater rim. Out-of-state visitors must reserve an entry time online, and early morning hikes avoid the worst of the heat.
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Hanauma Bay
Beach · 23 mi from centreA curved bay inside a volcanic crater, protected as a nature preserve for snorkeling over coral reef. Reservations are required and go quickly, and every visitor watches a short conservation video before heading down.
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ʻIolani Palace
Historic · 14 mi from centreThe royal residence of Hawaii's last monarchs, standing in downtown Honolulu. Guided and audio tours explain the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom; book ahead, as the number of visitors each day is limited.
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North Shore
Beach · 12 mi from centreA stretch of rural coastline famous for huge winter surf at spots such as Waimea Bay and Pipeline. Watch the pros ride the big waves in winter, and plan to swim in summer, when the ocean is usually calm.
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Polynesian Cultural Center
Entertainment · 11 mi from centreA cultural park in Lāʻie with villages representing Pacific island nations, craft demonstrations, canoe shows and an evening performance. It takes most of a day, so plan it as a full outing from Honolulu.
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Kualoa Ranch
Nature · 9 mi from centreA private ranch in a dramatic valley on the windward coast, used as a filming location for many movies. It can only be explored on its guided tours, which include horseback, off-road vehicle and film-site options.
Top experiences in Oahu
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 47 available.
Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, and Diamond Head Lookout or Punchbowl - Small Group
From $82 per adult
Arizona Memorial, Missouri Battleship and Honolulu City Tour
From $169 per adult
Explore Royal Crown of Oahu - Helicopter Tour
From $468 per adult
Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower
From $88 per adult
Sun, Sea and Snorkel: Oahu Catamaran Adventure
From $169 per adult
Oahu Island Tour
From $82 per adult
Sail into the Sunset: Hawaiian Catamaran Escape
From $113 per adult
Deluxe Oahu Island Tour
From $110 per adult
Arizona Memorial and Oahu Island Tour
From $126 per adult
Tribute To Pearl Harbor - Half-Day Tour
From $33 per adult
USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine and Honolulu City Tour
From $134 per adult
Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, and Oahu Island Tour
From $169 per adult
Best time to visit Oahu
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Oahu is February to March, June to July, September and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 78–86°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Oahu weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 75° 68° 78%
- Thu 12 Nov 73° 68° 92%
- Fri 13 Nov 72° 67° 91%
- Sat 14 Nov 75° 66° 88%
- Sun 15 Nov 74° 67° 92%
- Mon 16 Nov 75° 67° 45%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Pacific/HonoluluUTC−10
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Oahu
These are the airports closest to central Oahu. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HNL Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam10 mi (15 km) from the city centre
- JRF Kalaeloa Airport14 mi (23 km) from the city centre
- MKK Molokai Airport60 mi (97 km) from the city centre
Getting around Oahu
Bike sharing services are available to visitors via Biki. Visitors can pick up a bicycle from one Biki station and drop it off at a different station. A one-way ride with Biki costs $4. Biki also offers subscription plans starting from $15 per month.
Major highways
The following are some of the more important major highways on Oahu. Both the common name and the state route number are given here. With the exception of H-1, H-2, and H-3 locals refer to most state highways by name, rather than route number.
Interstate highways
A common question that mainland visitors ask is why Oahu has Interstate highways when they don't cross state lines (or even county lines for that matter). The answer lies in the full name of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Each of the Interstates has a current or former military base at or close to its terminus, and all of them run close to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. (In any event, there are a number of Interstates on the mainland that also run entirely in one state.)
Oahu travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Oahu?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Oahu is February to March, June to July, September and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 78–86°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Oahu?
September is usually the warmest month in Oahu, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 66°F (19°C). The wettest month is typically January, with about 123 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Oahu?
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (HNL) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (15 km) from the centre of Oahu. Other nearby airports include Kalaeloa Airport (JRF, 14 mi) and Molokai Airport (MKK, 60 mi).
How much are flights to Oahu?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Oahu in the last 30 days was $1,261 from London, travelling 11 Dec – 17 Feb. December is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,261.
What time zone is Oahu in?
Oahu uses the Pacific/Honolulu time zone (currently UTC−10). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Oahu?
Bike sharing services are available to visitors via Biki. Visitors can pick up a bicycle from one Biki station and drop it off at a different station. A one-way ride with Biki costs $4. Biki also offers subscription plans starting from $15 per month.
What are the best places to visit in Oahu?
Top sights in Oahu include Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Waikīkī, Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay. The site of the 1941 attack that drew the United States into World War II, including the USS Arizona Memorial. Reserve boat tickets online well in advance; bags are not allowed, so bring only essentials.
What are the top things to do in Oahu?
Popular experiences you can book in Oahu include Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, and Diamond Head Lookout or Punchbowl - Small Group, Arizona Memorial, Missouri Battleship and Honolulu City Tour and Explore Royal Crown of Oahu - Helicopter Tour. Destina Holidays offers 47 tours and activities here.
