Hawaii Adventures: 5 Best Things to Do

Oahu is paradise, and if you love the outdoors, it might just be one of the best adventure destinations in the United States. With crystal clear beaches, lush landscapes (as seen on Jurassic Park) and endless ocean activities, the island offers some of the most unforgettable outdoor experiences in Hawaii. After living in Honolulu for a month with a group of friends, we packed in as many Oahu adventures as possible, and these five stood out the most.

If you're planning your trip and searching for the best things to do in Oahu, this guide covers hikes, water activities, bucket list tours and first-time scuba diving - plus tips to make the most of each experience. This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Tackle Nature's Stairmaster at Koko Crater Railway Trailhead

If you're looking for one of the most iconic hikes in Oahu, Koko Crater Railway Trailhead should be at the top of your list. Known as "Nature's Stairmaster," the trail is equally fun and challenging. It consists of over 1,000 steep steps that run straight up the side of a volcanic crater - perfect for leg day!

For some historical context, the steps are made up of abandoned railroad ties that run along the crater's side, up to the top. They were used by the military during WWII to transport supplies, and have now evolved into a popular hiking trail, at roughly 1.6 miles round trip and taking about 1.5 hours to complete. Those who are up for the challenge are rewarded with sweeping, panoramic views at the top of Hanauma Bay, Maunalua Bay and the southeastern coastline of Oahu. We started the hike at sunrise to catch the morning glow, and watching the golden light spill across the island made it one of my favorite moments in Hawaii.

Tip: Given that it wasn't originally built to be a hiking trail, there are some points of the path that aren't well-maintained. One example is a "bridge track" section with open gaps between the railroad ties. If you want to be extra careful, there's an option to go on a side trail that bypasses this portion.

2. Kayak to Mokoli'i (Chinaman's Hat)

One of the most unique things to do in Oahu is kayaking to Mokoliʻi, also known as Chinaman's Hat. Located in Kāneʻohe Bay, Mokoliʻi is a small basalt islet that's accessible by kayak, making for a perfect half-day adventure. Its name comes from its unique shape, which is said to resemble an old-style Chinese laborer's hat.

We rented a two-person kayak from Kailua Beach, which included paddles, life vests and a quick overview with instructions from the staff. The kayaking itself is self-guided and straightforward, taking only about 20 minutes to reach the small island. Once we arrived, we hiked to the top and were met with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Koʻolau Mountains and the coastline.

Tip: The hike up Chinaman's Hat was only about 10 minutes, but it's extremely steep and requires rope climbing. It's not ideal for those who are afraid of heights. However, for travelers looking for Oahu outdoor activities beyond Waikiki, this experience offers both ocean adventure and scenic hiking in one.

3. Take a doors off helicopter tour of Oahu

If you're celebrating something special or simply want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a helicopter tour of Oahu is unforgettable and completely changes your perspective of the island. We were in Hawaii for Blake's birthday and he's afraid of heights, so naturally, I surprised him with a doors-off helicopter tour of Oahu. This tour was not cheap, but it was worth every penny.

The 45-minute scenic helicopter island tour gives you an epic bird's eye view of the island, flying over Diamond Head, Maunalua Bay, the Ko'olau Mountains and even hidden waterfalls that are inaccessible by land. You can choose between doors on or doors off, but I highly recommend doing doors off for the full experience. We had our seatbelts on and felt safe the whole time, and they also provided lanyards to keep our phones secure while taking photos and videos.

Tip: Try to book the tour an hour or two before sunset to catch golden hour.

4. Snorkel with sea turtles at Turtle Canyon

Spend the afternoon snorkeling in dreamy, turquoise waters with sea turtles and tropical fish. Located near Waikiki, Turtle Canyon is one of the top snorkeling sites on the island, because it's home to a "turtle cleaning station." This is a place where Hawaiian green sea turtles gather to allow reef fish to remove algae from their shells.

We went on this guided snorkeling tour, which I highly recommend, especially for first-timers. They fitted us with snorkeling gear, gave us a lesson on snorkeling safety and pointed out sea turtles and other wildlife that were swimming by to make sure we didn't miss any sightings. In April, the waters were warm enough for us to explore without snorkel suits, making for a perfect afternoon in the sea. And floating in turquoise water while sea turtles glide past you is an experience that feels almost surreal.

Tip: To capture underwater shots, I used a GoPro, but lately, I've seen photographers get some fantastic results with underwater housings for smartphones.

5. Try scuba diving for the first time

Scuba diving has been on my bucket list for years, but I've always been intimidated by it. I'm not a strong swimmer, and the fear of being stuck deep below the water has kept me away from trying it. But for this Hawaii trip, I found a small-group scuba diving tour designed specifically for first-timers and decided to finally face my fears.

For this experience, our instructor guided us through a 45-minute training and safety briefing, showing us all we needed to know about scuba diving. We were then led on a tour in a small, controlled area which made it feel manageable and safe. I found this experience to be an ideal first dive, and it gave me the confidence and knowledge to try scuba diving in deeper waters next time.

Tip: Don't expect to see dramatic deep-sea scenery on this tour, as it stays in relatively shallow waters. The purpose of the experience is to make sure that students get used to proper techniques and build confidence in the water.

These five activities only scratch the surface of the outdoor adventures that Oahu has to offer. With so many choices among the surrounding natural beauty, the island truly has something for every adventurer.