From February 11-15th, 2026, I went to Oahu in Hawaii. In this article you can read what there is to do if you visit the island. We did many different activities, from visiting a temple to swimming with turtles.
This article is your sign to book that trip with Hawaii!
On the first day, we went whale watching. This is really fun since you get to see the island from the waterside. But sometimes you don’t get to see the whales since it depends on where they are, so we only saw the spout of the whale. We did, however, see dolphins jumping out of the water right beside the boat, so it ended up being really fun. But be prepared. If you get seasick easily, take something before going on the boat – it can get really wobbly.
On the second day, we got up early to do a ten-hour bus tour around the island. I know – ten hours sounds way too long – but it was my favorite part of the trip!
We stopped at different spots with beautiful views and at small Native Hawaiian shops where you are able to try the best pineapple in the world, with a local seasoning.
Our first big stop was Byodo-In, a beautiful Buddhist temple, where you can admire the architecture, the Buddha inside the temple, and ring the bell. The six- foot- tall bell is called bon-sho or ‘sacred bell’ and was cast in Japan. It is believed that the unique tones of the bon-sho clears the mind of negativity, imparts peace and brings happiness, blessings, and a long life.
You can also buy jewelry there, or feed the birds and fish. Just remember that if you walk inside the temple, take your shoes off to respect the Buddhist religion.
During the bus rides between the stops, you are able to see the island’s different parts, including the city and the countryside. The tour guide explained a lot about the places we passed and about the history of the island.
The next big stop was the beach! We got to snorkel in the water, and there was even a turtle beside me when I swam through the waves. But be careful: if you come too close to a turtle, or if you even touch them, you either have to pay a fee of 10,000 dollars or go to jail for five years. So just enjoy the warm water and admire these wonderful sea animals from afar.
After being at the beach, we stopped at the famous Dole Company, a pineapple plantation company that has been on the island for 36 years, since 1989. You get to see the pineapple plants and, most importantly, you have to try the famous Dole Whip. It is truly the best sorbet you’ll ever eat!
On our last day before we had to go back, we went hiking.
We have friends on the island, so we were lucky and able to stay on the side of the island where there aren’t any hotels. It was really interesting to see how locals and natives live. Our friends took us hiking on the Lanikai Pillbox Trail where they got engaged, and later, married. After doing that hike, I definitely understood why they chose that place. The view was breathtaking, with huge mountains and forests on one side, and the turquoise water with big waves and surfers on the other side.
Overall, the trip was pretty amazing. I learned so much about Hawaiian history and about their traditions and rituals. It felt healing just being there and being surrounded by nature and the water and all the wild chickens running around the island. I can definitely recommend going there at least once in your life!
