10 Best Budget Friendly Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii (Honolulu & North Shore)

If you're planning a trip to Oahu, chances are you've noticed how expensive tours and adventures around the island can be. Even though we loved exploring Oahu, we noticed prices can add up quick. However, if you look hard enough you'll find there are actually quite a few free and budget friendly things to do around the island. Below, we've gathered our favorite budget friendly things to do in Oahu.

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, we recommend Hopper to compare the cheapest travel dates.
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Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you!

We always use Expedia's easy to use platform for hotels.

To keep cell service while traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi.

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Get Your Guide also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for any international or domestic travels.

Getting Around Oahu (on a budget)

The best way to get around Oahu is to use their public bus system. In busy areas like Waikiki buses typically run 24/7, usually about every 20 minutes. In more remote areas, buses aren't as frequent and usually don't run at night. However, since prices are only $3 per adult for a single ride (or $7 for an unlimited day pass) it can be a lot cheaper than booking private transportation or scheduling an Uber.

​Our Favorite Tours on Oahu : 
- Oahu North Shore Shark Dive
- Full Day Tour Oahu Top Sights
- Kualoa Ranch & Movie Filming Locations

Best Budget Friendly Activities on Oahu

1. Waikiki Beach
This free, 2 mile stretch of beach has beautiful sand and is great for swimming. It's also the most popular and famous attraction on the island, so you can expect it to be pretty busy.

2. Diamond Head
This popular hike is about 1.6 miles roundtrip, and climbs about 560 feet. Reservations are required for visitors, and it costs $1 per walk-in or $5 per vehicle, making it a pretty cheap hike with incredible views. You'll also want to try to go early to avoid the crowds and heat of midday.

3. Pearl Harbor
Visiting the Pearl Harbor National Park Monument is actually free, although there are some extra things you can pay for. Parking will cost $7 if you don't take the bus, otherwise you can visit the USS Arizona Memorial (reservations required or you can wait for stand by tickets), visitor center, museum, and walk the grounds all for free. It's also worth noting that they have a strict "no bags" policy and in order to check your bag it'll cost $7 per bag.

4. State Capitol
The Hawaii State Capitol is a unique stop, especially if Hawaii is your 50th state, and is within walking distance to the nearby King Kamehameha Statue and Iolani Palace (featured in multiple TV shows). During their public hours Monday - Friday, you can head inside on a self guided tour to see legislative galleries and rooms.

5. Friday Night Fireworks
Every Friday night on Waikiki Beach the Hilton Village hosts free fireworks on the beach! There's a lot of spots you can watch from, and they usually begin around 7:45 or 8:00 pm.

6. Day Trip to the North Shore
​We already mentioned this above, but you can take Oahu's public bus for only $3 each way, meaning it's the perfect way to spend a day on the North Shore! There's lots of local beaches this way, and fun little food stands to eat at.

7. Watch the Surfers
Hawaii is known for having some of the best waves, and the North Shore is typically buzzing with surfers and knee boarders looking to catch a wave. You can check schedules, but you can also often find competitive events out this way too.

8. Visit Sea Turtles
The most famous spot to visit the Sea Turtles is at Laniakea Beach, but recently it's become pretty popular. If you do decide to visit, please be respectful of the turtles, and do not approach or touch them.

9. Hit the Beach
While we were visiting Oahu we made stops at Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Beach and Hale'iwa - all of them were beautiful with great sand beaches! It's the perfect way to enjoy the day, have a picnic, and take in some vitamin D.
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10. Go Snorkeling
If you have your own gear, you can head out in a few different spots. We recommend going out at Shark Cove, a popular spot for beginner snorkelers and some tidepooling!

Watch our Oahu Adventures here!

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Other Hawaii Blog Posts :
-> 15 Best Places to Eat on Oahu
-> 10 Best Things to Do on Maui
​-> Complete Road to Hana Guide

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