Budget-Friendly Oahu: 10 Affordable Activities for Thrifty Travelers
What are the Cheap Things to Do in Oahu?
The best budget-friendly activities in Oahu welcome you to enjoy this fascinating island without making a huge dent into your bank account. With a bit of planning, a vacation in Oahu doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Its most enticing features, powder-soft beaches, fiery sunsets, and lush volcanic landscapes, are free to enjoy, while many of its cultural and historic sites like Pearl Harbor and the Hawaii State Art Museum charge little or nothing to enter.
Those who venture off the beaten paths of Oahu and choose to visit during off-peak months are often rewarded with lower prices for accommodations. Read on to learn about our best tips to help you enjoy the best of Oahu on a small budget.
1. North Shore for affordable accommodations
You don’t have to stay in Honolulu
Good for: Budget, Photo
The lesser-traveled North Shore of Oahu offers a good retreat for those hoping to avoid the crowds and find hotel bargains. Located about an hour’s drive from busy Waikiki, the North Shore has laidback beaches and some of the world’s top surfing sites, including Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay Beach. You get a chance to see and marvel at massive waves, along with the gutsy surfers who ride them.
There’s a good choice of low-key vacation rental condos, hostels, and guest houses. Time your visit to Oahu between November and April, and you might get to enjoy lower hotel rates. Read more
North Shore for affordable accommodations
2. Beach-hopping by bus
Exploring Oahu like a local
Good for: Adventure, Budget
Oahu has an efficient bus service, which is a cheap and easy way to get around the island and explore its stunning beaches. Buy a day pass and climb aboard for a trip to Waikiki and out to the more distant beaches in Lanikai, Kailua, or the North Shore. Other sites that can be reached by bus include Bellows Beach, Hanauma Bay, the Halona Blowhole lookout, Sandy Beach, and Waimanalo Beach.
Traveling by bus is a great way to get a glimpse of the everyday life in Oahu and connect with locals for their best beach tips. Plan your day ahead, check the timetables, and then just sit back to enjoy the ride.
Beach-hopping by bus
3. Shark’s Cove
A gorgeous swimming and snorkeling spot
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
Shark’s Cove is a small rocky bay brimming with colorful sea life on the North Shore. Set between Waimea Bay and the Banzai Pipeline, the cove is a snorkeler’s dream location. It has clear waters and marine creatures to see, including parrotfish, keeltail needlefish, butterflyfish and turtles. The best time to go is during the summer months when the sea is calmer.
There’s no charge to enter the beach and free public toilets and showers can be found in the car parking area. There aren’t any shops at Shark’s Cove, but shops across the road from the beach sell food and drinks. If you’re planning on snorkeling, do bring your own mask and flippers.
Shark’s Cove
4. Feasting in Chinatown in Honolulu
Lively markets and cheap eats
Good for: Budget, Food
Honolulu’s Chinatown serves up some great food at budget-friendly prices as well as being an eye-catching place to explore. The neighborhood has transformed from its gritty past as a red-light and gambler’s haven to a thriving center for art, food and shopping.
Hungry travelers might want to visit Chinatown Marketplace at City Square Shopping Center. It offers a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, seafood and snacks for sale. Check out Maguro Brothers at Kekaulike Market that serves cheap and tasty lunches like yellowtail tuna or try the tiny Lam’s Kitchen on Maunakea Street, a local favorite for its hearty Hong Kong noodles. Read more
Feasting in Chinatown in Honolulu
5. Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki
Free daily cultural classes and shows
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
The Royal Hawaiian Center is an excellent place for delving into Hawaiian art and culture. Make your way to The Royal Grove to take a free course on ukulele, hula, and lei-making. Classes last about 1 hour and accept a maximum of 25 people.
Storytelling sessions by master storytellers take place at the Royal Hawaiian Center on most days, and you’ll also find live entertainment here on a couple of nights a week. Be sure to check online for the latest updates and schedules. Read more
Location: 2201 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 808-922-2299
Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki
6. Diamond Head Trail
Spectacular views from the crater’s edge
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
The Diamond Head crater is one of those must-see sights in Hawaii. Its convenient location, a 30-minute drive from downtown Honolulu, makes it an easy climb to conquer. The trail to the top is only about 1 mile (1.6 km) long, but it’s steep in places. There are also many stairs to navigate so be sure to wear good shoes and bring bottled water along with you.
Once you reached the top of this extinct volcano, majestic views over the 3,200-ft (1,000 meters) wide crater, the Pacific Ocean and the Honolulu city skyline greet you. Be sure to have your camera ready for some epic landscape photos. Read more
Location: Kapahulu, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 4 pm
Diamond Head Trail
7. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Free daily tours of the USS Arizona Memorial
Good for: Families, History, Budget
Pearl Harbor Nationalhas served as a somber reminder of the horrors of war since it was attacked by Japanese forces in 1941. Daily tours of the harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial site are free but get there early as tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The tour lasts about 75 minutes and includes a boat ride to the memorial site and a documentary film. You could pay a small fee for an audio tour headset. The memorial site is suspended over the wreckage of the USS Arizona, a battleship that was sunk during the attack. Book your tour in advance as the spots fill out quickly. Read more
Location: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
Open: Daily from 7 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 808-422-3399
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
8. Hawaii State Art Museum
Modern art museum with free entry
Good for: Budget
Hawaii State Art Museum in Honolulu highlights the works of contemporary artists with a connection to Hawaii. Among its eye-catching displays are temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection of more than 6,000 works of art. Visitors have a chance to buy the works of local artists at the onsite shop and relax at the museum café.
To learn more, you can book guided tours of the museum for a small fee. On some evenings, live entertainment is also available as well as “meet the artist” lecture sessions and art workshops. Visit the museum’s website to check the latest program and exhibits. Read more
Location: 250 South Hotel St Second Floor, 250 S Hotel St #5, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed Sunday–Tuesday)
Phone: +1 808-586-0900
Hawaii State Art Museum
9. Kailua
A bike-friendly town and beautiful beaches
Good for: Budget, Photo
Kailua, a town just a half-hour away from Honolulu, offers many stunning beaches and lush landscapes for outdoor lovers to explore. Rental a bicycle from a rental shop in town and set off for a ride along scenic stretches of road and miles of bike trails. Many shops will deliver bikes to your location by request.
With a mostly flat landscape, such sights as Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach, the Kawainui Marsh and Mokulua Islands are easy to reach by bike. Back in town, check out boutiques and tasty dining spots or browse the Kailua farmers’ market on select evenings.
Kailua
10. Aloha Tower Marketplace
Stellar dining and shopping
Good for: Budget, Food, Shoppers
Aloha Tower Marketplace with its tower has been a prominent landmark in Honolulu since it was built in 1926. Found within walking distance of downtown Honolulu and Chinatown (15 minutes away from Waikiki), it’s easy to include a stop at the tower when you’re sightseeing around the city.
Though it’s no longer the tallest building in Honolulu, Aloha Tower remains a standout building with its Hawaiian Gothic design and large clock. Stroll around the marketplace and browse its shops and boutiques for unique souvenirs or stop at cozy restaurants for a relaxing lunch or dinner. Read more
Location: 1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 808-544-1453
Aloha Tower Marketplace
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.