The Hawaiian island of Oahu, known as “The Gathering Place,” is the third-largest in the state and beloved for its vibrant city life and lush natural beauty. From iconic Waikiki Beach and historic sites like Pearl Harbor to endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, Oahu offers something for everyone. You’ll find everything from world-famous surf breaks on the North Shore to rainforest hikes and hidden coves – making it the perfect place to experience the Aloha spirit for the first time.

And while it might seem like the farthest place from Europe, from Seattle it was just a seven-hour flight away. After nearly two weeks of gray skies and rain, I couldn’t wait to swap my winter coat for flip-flops and beachwear once I touched down on Oahu.

On the island, I stayed in the Waikiki neighbourhood at The Beach Waikiki Hostel, just steps from the shore and due to its social atmosphere the perfect choice for solo travelers. Rooftop gatherings, sunset drinks, and hostel-organized excursions made it easy to meet fellow adventurers. Getting to Waikiki from the airport on the local bus (Line 20, $3 one-way) was surprisingly easy too.

Since I was traveling solo, I always love to join different tours to explore other parts of the island. Thus, on my first full day I joined the hostel’s tour to Oahu’s famous North Shore. There, I watched surfers tackle the waves at Pipeline, one of the world’s most famous surf spots and home to major surf competitions. We also hiked up the hill at Pūpūkea-Paumalū Forest Reserve and got rewarded with stunning views of Banzai Beach.

Afterwards, we cooled off while snorkeling at Shark’s Cove, a fantastic spot for diving and spotting marine life among the coral reefs followed by a visit at Waimea Bay. The highlight of the tour to the North Shore was however a stop in Haleiwa for the iconic Matsumoto Shave Ice. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the North Shore also offers shark diving tours, where you can safely swim and snorkel with native sharks out in the open ocean.

Back in Waikiki, I spent my days tanning at the beach, strolling along the shore at sunset, and enjoying rooftop drinks with fellow travellers. For stunning views over Waikiki Beach, you can also hike up Diamond Head at sunrise or sunset. While I didn’t make it up there this time, I instead hiked the Manoa Falls Trail, which winds through rainforest and leads to a beautiful waterfall.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, Oahu also has plenty of adventurous hikes, including the Stairway to Heaven via the legal Moanalua Valley Trail, or scenic routes like the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail and the Olomana Trail. But if you’d rather swap hiking boots for a cold beer, Oahu also has plenty of excellent breweries such as Aloha Beer Co., Waikiki Brewing Co., Kona Brewing Co., Honolulu Beerworks, and Lanikai Brewing Co.

For a change of scenery, I spent my last afternoon on the other side of the island in Kailua, where you can swim in calm, turquoise waters and soak up the peaceful, less-touristy atmosphere. As my trip came to an end, a sunset stop at Pearl Harbor followed by one last dinner by the beach wrapped up my stay on Oahu before heading off to the next Hawaiian adventure.

Although I tried to fit in as much as possible during my time on Oahu, I still missed a few places like Turtle Beach in Kawela Bay, known for its quiet, rugged cove where sea turtles rest, or the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, a lush, expansive park that’s free to visit. But honestly, that’s just one more good reason to return for even more exploring next time.

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