Cheap (and Free!) Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii

It’s no surprise that Hawaii is expensive! In fact, it’s probably one of the most expensive places in the United States. If you’re planning a trip to the island of Oahu, you’ve probably already realized this. But the good news is, there are plenty of cheap things to do on Oahu too.

For those traveling to Hawaii, you can expect to pay a pretty penny on flights, hotels, food, and activities. When I visited Oahu in 2022, I was shocked by the cost of everything: the breakfast buffet, the hotel parking, everything was insane! So I don’t blame you for wanting to save money where you can.

In this post, I’ll cover tons of cheap things to do on Oahu, including some free things as well! So keep reading if you are planning a trip to Oahu and trying to figure out where you can save. I’ll also cover things I recommend splurging on at the end of this post.

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A Complete List of Cheap Things to Do on the Island of Oahu (Including Some Free Things!)

Renting a Car on Oahu

The island of Oahu is quite large and spread out. This list includes spots outside of the Waikiki area like Kailua and the North Shore, so you will need to rent a car!

I highly recommend using RentalCars.com. They allow you to compare prices across all of the major rental car companies. Plus, they have a great cancellation policy (typically free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance). Oh, and they price match!

General Tips for Saving for Money on Oahu

Before we get into the list of all the cheap things to do on Oahu, let’s talk about some general money-saving tips for your trip!

First, if your priority for visiting Hawaii is to save money, I recommend avoiding peak season. In Hawaii, this typically means December – February. In addition, summer in Hawaii can be busy with family. To save money, I would visit in March – May or September – November to avoid the crowds and high prices. During peak season, you can expect inflated hotel prices and more people!

For Oahu specifically, another tip for saving money is to avoid staying in the Waikiki area. Waikiki is the most popular neighborhood on Oahu, and maybe in the entire Hawaiian Island chain. It is by far the most expensive place to stay on the island. Hotels like the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Sheraton Waikiki, and the Moana Surfrider are beautiful but will cost a pretty penny.

Not only are hotel prices higher here, everything is higher here. That includes food, parking, shopping, etc. If you are a budget traveler, I recommend staying in a less touristy area of Oahu like North Shore on Kailua. You can look into vacation rentals instead of hotels to save money as well!

Alright – let’s get into the list of cheap things to do in Oahu, starting with Waikiki!

Cheap Things to Do in Waikiki

As I mentioned above, Waikiki is easily the most popular area of Oahu, and also the most pricey! If you choose to stay here, you will benefit from all the incredible things to do in the area. Luckily, you don’t have to fork out a ton of money to have fun in Waikiki. There are plenty of cheap things to do in this part of Oahu!

Hit the Beach

Not only does Waikiki have some of the best beaches on the island, but they are totally free! This was definitely my favorite part of staying in Waikiki. I spent every morning and evening walking along the famous Waikiki beach.

Waikiki faces the west, so you will be spoiled with some incredible sunsets. You can skip the expensive Waikiki sunset cruises and watch nature’s work for free with a drink in your hand. Plus, you find yourself on the beach on a Friday night at 7:45pm, you’ll be able to watch the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s epic weekly firework show!

Waikiki also has some great swimming areas. The main Waikiki Beach right in front of the main hotels will have plenty of people swimming. However, if you continue south towards Diamond Head, you will find Kuhio Beach. This beach has a long seawall in front of it that protects it from the wave. This creates a perfect, calm swimming area (great for small children!)

Go Surfing

While you’re at the beach, another classic activity to do on Oahu is to go surfing! Waikiki Beach is the perfect place to surf, as the waves are modest year-round (even in winter). It’s the perfect spot for beginners!

Taking a surf lesson definitely doesn’t make the list of cheap things to do on Oahu, as this will run you anywhere from $100 to $200. However, you can rent a surfboard for cheap and take to the waves yourself!

Star Beachboys is located one block off Waikiki Beach and only charges $10 for your first hour, then $5 for each additional rental! If surfing isn’t your thing, you can also rent a standup paddle board (SUP) for $20 per hour, then $10 for each additional hour!

Hike Diamond Head Crater or Koko Crater

If you’re into hiking, there are some great options just outside of the Waikiki area. Diamond Head State Monument is of course the most famous option. This volcanic crater is only 3 miles south of Waikiki Beach, and hiking to the top offers iconic views of the Waikiki coastline, Honolulu, and the Pacific Ocean.

Reservations are required for non-Hawaii residents to enter the State Monument, which can be made up to 30 days in advance. It costs $5 per person to enter (free for 3 and under), plus $10 per vehicle. Compared to other activities on Oahu, this won’t break the bank!

However, if you are looking for a FREE hike, you can head a little bit further to the south side of the island. There are two free hikes here that are sure to take your breath away: the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail and the Koko Crater Railway Trail.

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is a 2,5-mile out and back trail that offers stunning views of one of the l hiking trails on its southeastern coast, offering spectacular views of the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. You might recognize this Lighthouse if you have ever seen 50 First Dates! It’s a moderately challenging route with a paved walkway, making it a good option for children.

For those looking for something more challenge, the Koko Crater Railway Trail is another free trail. However, I don’t recommend Koko Crater if you have a fear of heights or are not in the best physical condition. The hike is extremely steep and along old railroad ties. It can be dangerous, so proceed with caution!

Go shopping

One of the best parts about visiting Waikiki is the multitude of shopping areas! If you don’t buy anything, this can be a great free thing to do on Oahu! However, it will be hard not to, as there are tons of amazing stores.

For example, the Royal Hawaiian Center is right in the heart of Waikiki. There’s over 100 stores, from designer boutiques to local spots, like the Honolulu Cookie Company, Crazy Shirts, and Island Vintage Coffee!

You can also check out the International Marketplace, a global shopping hub with vibrant stalls and artisanal treasures. This outdoor shopping area is a great place to visit for the whole family. You might even stumble upon live entertainment or a free hula show as you wander!

Lastly, there’s also Hawaii’s largest shopping center, Ala Moana. This is located right outside Waikiki, and there is a trolley between the shopping center and several spots in Waikiki. The open-air shopping oasis is open daily and has over 190 stores!

Hike to a Waterfall

Another activity you can’t miss while visiting Hawaii is hiking to a waterfall! Luckily, there is a gorgeous waterfall just outside of the Waikiki area – Manoa Falls.

Hiking to the Manoa Falls is completely free. However, if you want to park in the lot at the trailhead, it will cost $7. However, you can park a little further away in a neighborhood for free.

This hike is moderately easy and a 1.7-mile out-and-back trail that should take around an hour to complete. The trail is open year-round, but the waterfall will be most impressive during rainy season! It’s a great Oahu hike that doesn’t require too much work, good for the whole family.

You can read more in my guide on the Best Hikes on Oahu with Waterfalls!

Visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial

You can’t visit Oahu without visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Plus, it’s completely free to visit! The memorial is located about 20-30 minutes away from Waikiki (depending on traffic),

There’s no entry fee for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and no ticket is required to see the museums. However, to see the USS Arizona Memorial (via a short boat ride), you can wait in the free standby line or secure a reservation for $1. Either way, this is one of the top cheap things to do on Oahu!

Cheap Things to Do In Kailua Area

If you are visiting Oahu, you absolutely must get out of the Waikiki area and see the rest of the island. I fell in love with the Kailua area on the southeast side of the island when I visited. Plus, there’s tons of cheap and free things to do in this area!

Drive the Pali Highway

As you make your way from Waikiki to Kailua, I recommend taking Hawaii Route 61, also known as the Pali Highway. There are some incredible look out points along this route, some of which are free. However, I do recommend making a stop at the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout.

This scenic spot costs $7 for cars to enter, but it is absolutely worth it. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Koʻolau cliffs and the lush Windward Coast. You may even see a rainbow or two!

Relax on the Beach (Again!)

Okay, I know you went to the beach in Waikiki, but the beaches in Kailua are so so beautiful! Plus, there are way less people on this side of the island. I highly recommend going to at least one beach over here to experience it.

The most popular beaches on this side of the island are Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach.

Lanikai Beach is stunning, with clear turquoise water and soft white sand. It’s famous for its epic view of the two Mokulua Islands, known as “The Mokes”. If you want to get out on the water, kayaking to the Mokes is a very popular activity! You can rent kayaks, paddle boards, and more from Kailua Beach Adventures starting at around $69. While it’s definitely not the cheapest thing to do on Oahu, it is absolutely stunning!

Kailua Beach Park is just up the road from Lanikai Beach and is another great (and free) place to visit. Kailua Beach is a bit bigger than Lanikai. It also has amenities like bathrooms, showers, etc. There is also a dedicated parking lot at Kailua Beach, so it’s easier to access! Lastly, Kailua Beach has no coral so it’s great for swimming but not so great for snorkeling like Lanikai.

Go for a Hike

Some of the most beautiful hikes on Oahu are located on this side of the island! One of the most popular is the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, also known as Ka’iwa Trail.

This free, 1.6-mile out-and-back trail is considered moderately challenging, as there are some areas with no guardrails where scrambling is required. However, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Kailua, Lanikai, and the Mokes once you reach the pillboxes. The view faces the east, so it’s also a great place to watch the sunset.

Another incredible and free hike in the Olomana Trail, which translates to “Three Peaks”. However, this should only be attempted if you are an experienced hiker. This 4.5-mile out-and-back trail in Kailua can be dangerous, especially after it rains. You can opt to only conquer the first and second peak, as the third is the most challenging.

Hit the Farmers’ Market

Last but not least, another free thing to do on Oahu is to hit the Kailua Farmers’ Market. This market is a great way to interact with the locals and have a more authentic experience. The market is open on Thursdays from 4pm – 7pm and totally free!

At the market, you can find tons of wonderful artists and local growers. There’s donuts, burgers, popcorn, empanadas, pizza, noodles, and everything in between!

Cheap Things to Do on North Shore

Finally, let’s talk about all the cheap things there are to do on the North Shore of Oahu! North Shore is my personal favorite area of Oahu. It’s away from the main tourist area and has that true authentic, Hawaii feel.

Watch the Pro Surfers

Probably the most iconic thing to do on the North Shore is watch some surfing. North Shore waves are no joke, especially in the winter months! In fact, this is where the World Championships of Surfing are held in December, and the waves are just insane.

Plus, watching the surfers is totally free! There are a couple different spots along the North Shore to go. The most famous is probably the Banzai Pipeline, the surf break located off the Ehukai Beach Park. You’re sure to find surfers here year round, and it’s free!

Another great free spot to go is the Waimea Bay Beach Park. I visited this beach park just before sunset and was absolutely blown away by the size of the waves here. There was a lifeguard on duty informing people when large swells were coming in so they could back up. Plus, the sunset was beautiful!

Food Trucks & Shaved Ice

Another very popular and cheap thing to do on Oahu at North Shore is to hit the food trucks. North Shore is famous for some iconic food trucks in the Haleiwa neighborhood, including Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, the Sunrise Shack, and Pupukea Grill. All of these offer incredible food that won’t break the bank!

Just down the road from the food trucks is the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice. This little shop, which opened in the ’50s, has become an iconic spot on the North Shore. Plus, it’s extremely cheap! You can get a large shaved ice for less than $5, and the flavors are incredible!

Make sure to check out my complete list of things to do on the North Shore of Oahu!

Snorkel at Shark’s Cove

You can’t visit Hawaii and not go snorkeling. If you have your own snorkel gear, snorkeling is one of the cheapest things to do on Oahu! Shark’s Cove is one of the best spots to snorkel on Oahu if you are an intermediate snorkeler.

From approximately May through September, the waves should be minimal here, making it the perfect spot for snorkeling. There are lots of coves and crevices, where lots of marine life hang out. You can expect to see butterfly fish, parrot fish, eels, and maybe even a turtle or two! Note that the area is a bit rocky, so it’s not great for small children.

Things to Splurge on in Oahu

While this guide is focused on all the cheap things to do on Oahu, I wanted to highlight some activities I feel are worth splurging on.

If you are visiting Hawaii in the winter, I highly recommend going on a whale watching tour. While you may get lucky and see them from shore, a tour will allow you to benefit from the expertise of a local guide!

One of the most popular things to do on Oahu is to visit Kualoa Ranch, where Jurassic Park and many other movies were filmed. However, all of the tours at Kualoa Ranch cost money, but I still think it is worth visiting! I had a blast on their Jungle Expedition Tour, but they also have UTV’ing, horseback riding, and more!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are tons of cheap things to do on the island of Oahu. In fact, some of the top things to do are totally free! Visiting Hawaii doesn’t have to break the bank, but I do recommend splurging on one or two activities on your trip.

Make sure to check out my other Hawaii travel guides for more travel tips!
13 Best Things to Do in Waikiki
Big Island vs Oahu: Which Island to Choose
Guide to Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Ultimate 3 Day Oahu Itinerary

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