10 Best Nature Tours in Oahu

Oahu is one of the favourite destinations for beach and nature lovers, with hundreds of different options to explore. Visiting this island in the Hawaiian archipelago will leave you wanting to stay and live there.

There are many things to see and do in Oahu, from helicopter tours to diving in its crystal-clear waters, swimming with sharks, cruises or surfing lessons. Visiting Oahu is an adventure in itself. Here I have selected the best nature tours that you cannot miss. Let's go!

With this tour departing from Waikiki, you'll get to see some of the most beautiful places on the island. You'll find that there are a surprising number of activities to do on the North Shore of Oahu.

After picking you up from your hotel or Airbnb in a comfortable van or minibus, you'll start your journey north. There you will visit, among other things, the enormous volcanic crater of Diamond Head, which is no less than 100,000 years old. An absolutely fascinating place that will leave you speechless.

You can visit Banzai Pipeline Beach, Turtle Town and the Anahulu River, where you will take a kayak ride through its crystal clear waters. Then you will head south to see Halona Blowhole and Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, two of Oahu's most popular attractions. Here you can dive in one of the most amazing coral reefs in the world.

One of its biggest attractions is that you can see sea turtles and hundreds of colourful fish swimming alongside you.

Useful information

• Price: from £116
• Duration: 8 hours
• Transport: minibus
• Pros: allows you to see both the north and south of the island
• Cons: the itinerary is fixed

If you're looking for a full-day excursion that takes you to most of the island's attractions, this is your best option.

This is a guided tour for no more than 20 people in a comfortable minibus, allowing you to discover all the beauty of Oahu.

The tour starts in Waikiki, then you can visit the Diamond Head volcanic crater and the monument to Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly from Hawaii to the United States.

You will also visit the amazing Halona Blowhole, a lava tube that reaches the sea, the stunning cliffs of Waimanalo and see Rabbit Island from the coast.

You will then pass by Mokolii, a favourite spot for Jurassic Park fans, as many scenes from the popular film were filmed here.

At lunchtime, you can enjoy some delicious Hawaiian dishes at one of the local farms. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so be sure to bring some cash.

Finally, you'll do a little snorkelling in Waimanalo and Sunset Beach, located on the north coast of Oahu.

This is definitely one of the most recommended excursions to do in Oahu in 3 days, as you'll get to see the island's biggest attractions.

Useful information

• Price: from £80
• Duration: 8 hours
• Transport: minibus
• Pros: this is the most comprehensive tour, allowing you to see the whole island in one day
• Cons: it can be tiring for young children

If you're someone who needs to live life to the fullest and can't go without a high dose of adrenaline, this is the excursion for you. Imagine swimming inside a cage while surrounded by a group of sharks.

One of the most thrilling and incredible experiences you can have in Oahu. The excursion also offers the option of seeing the sharks from the boat, which is ideal if you are travelling with children who are afraid of diving. This tour is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Oahu with children.

Needless to say, the observation cage is completely safe, so there is no real danger, although seeing one of the most voracious marine predators at such close range can make you shiver.

Useful information

• Price: from £99
• Duration: 2 hours
• Transport: boat
• Pros: you will experience an adrenaline-filled adventure
• Cons: not recommended for very young children

This is a tour you're sure to enjoy. Departing from Kewalo Harbour in Waikiki, you'll embark on a beautiful 3-hour cruise through Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, where you'll see the stars of the island, Oahu's green turtles.

These large turtles, known as Hono, are extremely calm and happy to be photographed. You can snorkel in the warm, clear waters of Oahu and find yourself surrounded by hundreds of colourful fish, dolphins and, if you're lucky, you might even see a humpback whale.

The tour includes unlimited non-alcoholic drinks and the option of a light lunch if you book at midday. This is undoubtedly one of the best boat trips in Oahu.

Useful information

• Price: from £95
• Duration: 3 hours
• Transportation: catamaran
• Pros: you can enjoy an exceptional show
• Cons: at 3 hours, you may be left wanting more

With this 10-hour tour of the island, you'll have the chance to explore unique places such as Hanauma Bay, the Kaiwi coastal area, and the Pali and Makapu'u lookouts, where you'll get some of the most breathtaking views you can imagine.

Then you'll visit the Valley of the Temples, where you'll have the chance to see the picturesque Byodo-In Temple and other famous places on the island, such as Chinaman's Hat, which owes its shape to the classic Chinese hats used on plantations for centuries.

Throughout the tour, your expert guide will tell you all about each place, its history, its meaning in the local language, and the secrets of the island. Before stopping for lunch at Shrimp Stand, you will see Kahana Bay. Lunch is included in this excursion and is an excellent way to sample the flavours of Oahu.

The tour then continues to such iconic places as Sunset Beach and the pineapple fields and Dole plantations, Waimea Valley with its magnificent waterfall and much more.

This is a very complete experience that you will never forget. This tour to Waimea Falls is absolutely worth it and is one of the best things to do in Oahu.

Useful information

• Price: from £128
• Duration: 10 hours
• Transport: minibus
• Pros: this is a very comprehensive tour and lunch is included
• Cons: it is a fixed itinerary

Take one of the best helicopter tours in Oahu, flying over the island for a full hour while the pilot tells you about each of the places you see.

You'll get unbeatable views of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, the Dole plantations, the monumental volcanic crater of Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay, the sacred waterfalls, Ka'a'awa Valley and the Ko'olau Mountains, among other things.

This type of experience is absolutely worth it. Although it is one of the most expensive excursions and one of the shortest, taking a trip and enjoying the whole island and its majesty will leave you amazed. From the air, you can also see the best beaches in Oahu, with their white sands and crystal-clear waters.

Useful information

• Price: from £28
• Duration: 1 hour
• Means of transport: helicopter
• Pros: there's no comparison with any other land tour
• Cons: at only 1 hour, you'll be left wanting more

Taking a surf lesson on Oahu is one of those experiences you can't miss for anything. With some of the most famous waves in the world, surfing here is almost a must.

Surfers and lovers of this sport come from all over the world to enjoy its beaches and waves that can reach several metres high. But don't worry, lessons take place on Waikiki Beach, where the waves are calm, ideal if you're just starting out or just want to get a taste of this popular sport.

Your instructor will be patient, and while teaching you how to ride the waves, you'll learn a little about Hawaiian culture and the importance of this discipline to the islanders, as it can be considered the national sport.

Useful information

• Price: from £113
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Pros: you'll learn not only how to surf but also a little about the national culture
• Cons: could be longer

Embark on this cruise to experience one of the natural spectacles that will remain etched in your memory forever. Watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean while enjoying a gourmet dinner prepared by the chef on board is an experience like no other. The sunset cruise in Oahu is one of the most popular tours.

You'll also get views of the island, with the lights beginning to come on as the sun sets, and of course, millions of stars twinkling in the sky. The starry nights of Oahu are truly wonderful. Thanks to the lack of light pollution, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful skies in the world.

The tour departs from Waikiki Harbour and goes to Lēʻahi, known to tourists as Diamond Head. The Prince Kuhio is a comfortable boat where you can relax and enjoy yourself. This is one of the best things to do if you don't know what to do in Oahu at night.

Useful information

• Price: from £90
• Duration: 2 hours
• Transport: boat
• Pros: you'll see one of the best sunsets you can imagine
• Cons: at just 2 hours, you'll be left wanting more

Ideal for adventure lovers, take one of the best paragliding flights in Oahu and enjoy the sensation of soaring through the air in one of the most beautiful natural settings our planet has to offer.

You will see Honolulu and Maunalua Bay, as well as Koko Head and the Ko'olau mountain range. Paragliding is for two people, so it's ideal for couples. You'll soar more than 200 metres above the crystal-clear waters of Hawaii.

If you wish, you can add a Go-Pro camera to record your experience and have a first-hand souvenir. There is an extra charge for this, but I must say it's totally worth it.

Useful information

• Price: from £75
• Duration: 1 hour
• Means of transport: paragliding
• Pros: it's an extremely fun experience
• Cons: not suitable if you suffer from vertigo

Sign up for one of the best kayak tours in Oahu, where you can discover paradise beaches aboard your small rowboat.

The tour includes Kailua Bay, the Mokulua Islands or Popoia Island (Flat Island), where you'll see a beautiful bird sanctuary. At Lanikai Beach, you can dive in and enjoy the spectacle of the local wildlife, such as the beautiful Hono, the world-famous green sea turtles.

You can opt for a guided kayak tour, where a specialist will show you all the treasures of the island, or you can choose the self-guided tour, where you are the explorer and decide where to go.

Kayaks and snorkelling equipment, as well as lunch, are included in this 5-hour excursion. Transfers from Waikiki are also part of this incredible excursion.

Useful information

• Price: from £112
• Duration: 5 hours
• Transportation: minibus or van and then kayak
• Pros: you can enjoy the best natural surroundings while paddling yourself
• Cons: not recommended for young children

A guided tour is always the best option, as you will learn much more about all the corners of the island. Whether you opt for a tour of the entire island, a helicopter ride, shark diving or a kayaking excursion, it is always a good idea to have the advice and guidance of a local specialist. If you choose to go it alone, you may miss out on some things and not get the most out of your trip.