Ultimate Oahu Budget Guide: 27 Free Things to Do in Paradise!

Dreaming of Hawaii but worried about the cost? Don’t let budget constraints stop you from experiencing the beauty of Oahu! If Hawaii is your ultimate dream vacation, you deserve to go. We put it off for years, afraid of the cost. Then we finally went to Oahu. Now, I will certainly never say it’s a cheap destination, but we found tons of free things to do in Oahu. We found several cheap things to do in Oahu too, along with some really good food for reasonable prices. This Oahu budget guide will give you all of that well-hidden info!

We want you to live out your dream vacation, to have a trip filled with unforgettable experiences that won’t empty your wallet. We want you to experiences the hidden gems that only locals know about, and be telling your friends about your amazing Hawaiian vacation for years to come. They don’t need to know that you were pinching pennies, and in fact, you may have such an amazing time that you forget that shoestring budget yourself.

Now we know that you have to get to the island, have somewhere to sleep and a way to get around, and those things do cost money. Our Oahu budget guide wouldn’t be much of a guide if we didn’t have some tips for those necessities! First we’ll give you all the free things to do in Oahu, then we’ll give you all the cheap things to do in Oahu. After that, we’ll get into where to have a great Hawaiian meal for less than $20, how to get all around the island for less than $10 a day, and some tips where to stay and how to get there. It really is possible to visit Oahu on a budget!

This Oahu Budget Guide Includes:

Before you dig in and start making reservations, we have lots of info on Hawaii. If you want to check out the other islands to find the one that’s your perfect paradise, start with our Big Island Budget Guide, Big Island 5 Day Itinerary, and our Big Island 3 Day Road Trip, our Maui 5 Day Itinerary, or our Scooter Cruising in Kauai. If you are considering Oahu, and budget is not your main concern, you may want to check out our Oahu 7 Day Itinerary, or our Amazing Things to do in Oahu North Shore. But if you want to be sunning on the iconic Waikiki Beach soon, read on!

Free Things to Do in Oahu

Soak up the sun on the world class beaches!

Most likely, one of the main reasons you are visiting Hawaii is for the beaches. All beaches in Hawaii are public, meaning they are freely accessible to the public no matter where they are located, or what businesses, homes, or resorts appear to be on them. Wherever you find the sand along the water, you can enjoy it! That makes the many beaches the most iconic and plentiful of the free things to do in Oahu.

Let yourself be enveloped in fragrance in a botanical garden.

Many visitors have an expectation of seeing lots of tropical flowers and breathing in their scents. Unfortunately, in most of the developed areas, you will not find this. But there are at least eight individual botanical gardens on Oahu, and at least half of them are free, including Ho’omaluia. The remaining gardens are very cheap. Each of them features different types of flowers, trees, and other plants, so you may want to visit them all! They are among the most beautiful of the free things to do in Oahu, and you’ll take home some excellent photos.

Chase down the stunning waterfalls.

There are at least a dozen waterfalls on Oahu, located on almost every part of the island, excluding the leeward coast. Some of them are even within the city limits of Honolulu, such as Manoa Falls, seen above. Hikes to get to each range from 20 minutes to a couple of hours, so do your research before setting out. Any hike in Oahu requires sunscreen, bug spray, good-traction shoes, and plenty of water.

Be awed by some of the stunning look-outs on the island.

I love a good lookout point! Wherever I travel, I have to find that vantage and take in that amazing view! Oahu is filled with some of the most stunning viewpoints I have seen. The combination of coastal flats and central mountains results in a dramatic vertical rise on the island. This means there are a lot of high places with overlooks onto the valleys.

Some of the tourist favorites are the Diamond Head Lookout, the Makapuu Lookout, and Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. Sadly, we got pelted with rain and whipping winds on our way to Nu’uanu Pali and missed the view. A local favorite with fewer tourists is Tantalus Lookout, which is especially amazing at sunset.

Explore the melancholy magic lighthouses of Oahu.

There are six lighthouses on the island, each with a distinctive style, but all with the sense of solitude that seems to epitomize lighthouses. Diamond Head Lighthouse has the nostalgic look most of us expect, while Barber’s Point exudes the loneliest feeling. Pyramid Rock, Makapu’u, and Kaena Point have the more unusual modern designs.

Visit the most iconic building on the island, Aloha Tower.

You may have noted that I said there were 6 lighthouses in Oahu, but only named 5. That’s because Aloha Tower once served as the lighthouse for Honolulu Harbor. Today it still welcomes those who come by ship to the island but also serves as student housing and an event venue. You can still visit the observation deck for the city’s best view over the harbor to the south and the cityscape to the north.

Be wowed by traditional hula dancing.

Our absolute favorite free thing to do in Waikiki is to watch the traditional torch lighting ceremony and dance performance on Kuhio Beach. At 6:00 in the winter months (Nov-Jan) and 6:30 the rest of the year, the performances take place on Thursdays and Saturdays. They have become pretty popular, so head to the beach early with your towels so you can get a good seat. To find it from the main section of Waikiki Beach, walk towards Diamond Head until you see the grassy mound with large banyan trees and a statue of Duke Kahanamoku.

A luau is the ultimate splurge in Hawaii, and one of the few that we think are definitely worth the money. It brings together so many elements of Hawaiian culture into an entire night of entertainment, and delicious food. However, if you cannot justify spending that amount of money, bring a traditional plate lunch to the torch lighting ceremony, and it is almost the next best thing!

Learn to hula dance, or make a lei.

Sometimes the tourist saturation pays off, and this is one of those times. The west side of Waikiki is saturated with shopping venues, to the degree that each of them goes to great lengths to attract potential buyers, including offering a variety of free classes in Hawaiian arts. You can learn to hula, make a lei, play the ukulele, and even start a Hawaiian quilt, for free (you must purchase a supply kit for the quilt-making classes) at the Royal Hawaiian Center, the Waikiki Beach Walk, or the International Marketplace. Be sure to check their schedules or classes available during your visit! Of all the free things to do in Oahu, this one is so cool because you can take a new skill home to show your family.

Feel the spirit, and the spirit of Aloha – Kawaiaha’o Church

On the second and fourth Sundays of the month you can attend a worship service in the Hawaiian language at the historic Kawaiaha‘o Church. The church, which has been referred to as the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii, will celebrate 200 years of a church standing on this site, although the current structure was built in 1842. The church was the spiritual home of the Hawaiian royal family, who worshiped there, sometimes married there, and in some cases were interred.

Watch free fireworks from the beach.

Every Friday evening at 7:45, the Hilton Hawaiian Village puts on a fireworks display. Even though you might catch a glimpse from elsewhere in the city, the perfect viewing location is right on Waikiki Beach. Bring a snack and a drink, and enjoy the show!

Come face to face with the Hawaiian Royalty.

The Hawaiian Islands were once a proud and noble kingdom, with a unique and rich culture. Important members of the royal family are immortalized throughout Honolulu and Waikiki. Before my visit, I never realized that coming face to face with royalty would be among the free things to do in Oahu.

You can find statues of King Kamehameha the Great at 447 S. King St., King Kamehameha III at Thomas Square 925 S. Beretania St., Queen Liliuokalani between Iolani Palace and the Capitol Building, Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert at the Royal Marketplace 2330 Kalakaua Ave., Queen Kapiolani at Kapiolani Park. 2686 Kalakaua Ave., Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole at 2537 Kalakaua Ave., King David Kalakaua statue at the intersection of Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues, and Princess Ka’iulani at 150 Kaʻiulani Ave.

You can also find statues of other Hawaiian national heroes, including Duke Kahanamoku mentioned above, Saint Damien at the Capitol Building, Blessed Saint Mariane Cope at Kewalo Basin Park, and Don Ho under the banyan tree in the International Marketplace. Additionally, statues of Gandhi, Elvis, and no less than six replicas of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, founder of the People’s Republic of China, can be found.

Pay your respects to the royal family.

After becoming familiar with the Royal Family through statues and other locations like the Bishop Museum or Iolani Palace, you may feel moved by their beautiful yet tragic history. If you’re compelled, you can visit the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna ‘Ala (the Fragrant Hills), where the spirits of eight of the monarchs reside according to Hawaiian tradition. When visiting, you may note that the Kingdom of Hawaii flag flies alone here, without an American flag beside it, as this land still legally retains the territory of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Discover the ancient history.

Before Hawaii became a US state, it was the Kingdom of Hawai’i, and before that, the islands were inhabited by a number of indigenous tribes, each with its own form of rule, religion, and tradition. The remains of these tribes are found across the Hawaiian Islands, and archaeologists continue to make discoveries in remote locations.

On the island of Oahu, you can see these remains in a handful of locations. Some are not free, but you can visit Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site, which contains the largest heiau (religious site or temple) on Oʻahu. The name means “hill of escape,” and this heiau played an important role in the social, political, and religious system along the North Shore.

You can also visit Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park, a living park that contains a heiau (religious temple), koʻa (fishing shrines), fishponds, house sites, stone-walled enclosures, ʻauwai (irrigation channels), agricultural terraces, walls, and planting areas. We recommend seeing the Huilua Fishpond!.

Take a walking tour of historic downtown Honolulu.

Downtown Honolulu includes former royal structures, state government buildings, and a number of other important historic sites. You can take a self-guided outdoor tour, or you can also step inside and explore the Hawaii State Capitol Building, as well as Aliiolani Hale, now referred to as the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, which houses the Hawaii State Supreme Court.

Tour the Royal and Gubernatorial residence.

Washington Place was the home of Hawaii’s last royal leader, Queen Liliuokalani, who lived there for 55 years. In 1922, it was repurposed as the Governor’s Mansion, becoming a central figure in Honolulu politics for nearly 150 years. Free docent-led tours are conducted on Thursdays at 10:00. Check-in shortly before at the front security gate on Beretania Street. The tour lasts about an hour.

Enjoy the sounds of the Royal Hawaiian Band.

A long-standing tradition from the kingdom’s era, the Royal Hawaiian Band once performed at official ceremonies and events. Although there is not as much pomp and circumstance today, the band still performs for the pleasure of the Hawaiian people. Free performances are given every Friday from noon to 1:00 in the courtyard of Iolani Palace, and occasional performances are also held at the International Marketplace.

Walk the Waikiki Historic Trail.

Hawaii has a rich history and culture, and the the Waikiki Historic Trail shares pieces of that story in the locations where they took place. Points along the trail are marked by bronze surfboards that share details of the location. Guided tours along the trail are also offered in two sections, Monday through Saturday from 9 to 11.

Explore some of the unique Honolulu Museums.

Most museums in Honolulu have a fee, but a few are among the free things to do in Oahu. Be aware that the hours are sometimes limited.

• The Honolulu Fire Museum and Education Center showcases the award winning fire department and its methods in the 1928 fire station. Admission is free, but it is only open the third Saturday of the month from 9:00 to 2:00.
• The Lucoral Museum features rocks and minerals from the sea, and the volcanic island, and has exhibits on endangered plants and animals of the island.

Cheer on the yacht races.

At 4:00 every Friday, members of the Waikiki Yacht Club gather at their headquarters in Ali Wai Harbor for traditional races. You can view the races from Ala Moana Park, Fort DeRussy Park, Magic Island, or the west end of Waikiki Beach.

Explore the sweet history of pineapple processing.

Pineapple is synonymous with Hawaii, and the history of pineapple processing is fascinating. John Dole’s vision brought pineapple availability around the world, with a huge cannery facility near downtown Honolulu. Today, that facility serves as an office and retail space, including the Regal Dole Cannery Theater. Take a walk through the facility to see exhibits and memorabilia from the cannery glory days.

Learn the history of Japanese citizens in Hawaii.

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii shares the long history of Japanese citizens in Hawaii, including exhibits on the Honouliuli National Historic Site. While not every exhibit at the center is free, the Honouliuli exhibits are, and they offer free educational tours in conjunction with the US National Park Service. Honouliuli was the longest-running WWII detention camp on the Hawaiian islands. A National Historic Site will at to the experience soon.

Savor the sweet tastes of the Farmers Markets

For those who love farmers markets, Oahu may be the mother lode. There are farmers markets across the island, literally every morning, and every weekday evening. The only time of day when there might not be one in full swing somewhere on the island, is early to mid-afternoon.

Visiting a Farmers Market is one of the best free things to do in Oahu, and can give you a true Hawaiian experience, as you mingle with local shoppers and local farmers. And, you will probably get a meal at a bargain price.

Get your art love on.

Hawaii is the only state in the US with a state-operated art museum. The Hawaii State Art Museum features exhibit halls with themed displays from Hawaiian and international artists, along with a sculpture garden. It’s open Mondays to Saturdays from 10:00 to 4:00, and entrance is always free.

The Honolulu Museum of Art offers a more global and historic collection and is generally not free, but admission is free on the third Sunday of the month from 10:00 to 4:30. The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts also features free exhibits by local artists and students in its public buildings, open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 04:30.

Get a bit raucous.

Oahu hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, including parades, hula competitions, ukulele performances, and other festivities. Some notable festivals include: Honolulu Festival, Prince Kuhio Day, King Kamehameha Celebration, Prince Lot Hula Festival, Aloha Festivals, Waikiki Spam Jam , and the Pan-Pacific Festival.

Learn the secrets of Hawaiian Military History.

The Hawaiian islands not only have and intriguing political and battle history as the Kingdom of Hawaii, they have also been a stronghold of the US military because of their strategic location. Explore Hawaiian military history for free at the Hawaii Army Museum, located in Fort DeRussy Park, at the far western end of Waikiki Beach.

Pay your respects to Hawaiian soldiers.

Visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, located in a dormant volcano crater overlooking Honolulu. Over 13,000 soldiers lost in the Pacific during WWII are interred here, along with honorary markers for soldiers from the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. The site includes memorials for soldiers from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

Visit Pearl Harbor.

For us this was the one absolute must do of all the free things to do in Oahu. Obviously as an American, this was an important experience. I won’t go into a lot of detail here, except to say it is a sobering experience, one that I will never forget.

A Few Cheap Things to do in Oahu

After exploring the multitude of free attractions Oahu has to offer, you might be looking for more budget-friendly options to continue your adventure. Here are a few inexpensive activities that still offer a rich experience of the island.

Explore Diamond Head, the iconic landmark of Oahu.

Diamondhead is the iconic Oahu natural wonder, defining the profile of the island. You can drive to the interior of the crater, explore the information kiosks and exhibits, see the military history sites, or make the strenuous but scenic hike to the top to see this stunning view. Cost is $25.00 per carload, or $5.00 per person.

Feel the spirit of peace at the Byodo-In Temple

Named by National Geographic as one of the 20 most beautiful Buddhist Temples in the world, Byodo-In is one of the most stunning and peaceful locations on Oahu. It has been featured in episode plots of Hawaii 5-0, Magnum P.I. and Lost. There are lush surrounding gardens, a reflection pond, and quiet meditation areas. Entrance is $5.00 per adult, and $2.00 for children. Guided tours are also available.

Meander through Lyon Arboretum

A University of Hawaii research unit, Lyon Arboretum is a series of gardens with an emphasis on trees, and native Hawaiian growing, although there is an herb and spice garden, as well as some memorial garden areas. Hiking trails lead through the various tree growing areas, for an all around stunning, and educational experience. Technically, the Arboretum is free, but a $5.00 donation is suggested.

Get Up Close to the Marine Creatures at Waikiki Aquarium

There is nothing quite like a good aquarium. Explore marine life from around the world, but with a big focus on the southern Pacific and the islands at the Waikiki Aquarium. Special exhibits and hands on experiences are an extra price, but regular admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children.

Discover Hanauma Bay

One of the most beautiful bays on the island, Hanauma Bay has been featured as the setting in several movies over the decades. It offers the perfect beach to swim with quiet water, and an ideal snorkeling environment. Unfortunately as it gains in popularity, prices keep increasing, and we should probably remove the lovely bay from this article. At our first visit, entrance was $5 per person, and post Covid it has increased to a whopping $25 per person. This does not include snorkeling gear, if you don’t have your own.

Take a scenic Ride on TheBus.

For a $5.50 day pass you can ride the Windward Coast. Lanai Lookout, the Lava Tube, Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach and Makapu’u Lookout, Lighthouse and Tide Pools.

Eating on a Budget in Oahu

With all these free things to do in Oahu, you are going to work up an appetite! Like everything else, eating can be quite expensive in Hawaii, but you do want to enjoy some of the delicious island cuisine. Eating out on Oahu for 3 meals a day could run about $100 a person, on the low end of the spectrum, without alcohol. That could for a pricey trip, even if you do nothing other than the free things to do in Oahu.

Start with the obvious things – lodging that provides breakfast, or happy hour snacks, although that is less common in the high traffic areas. Some travelers opt to skip a meal every day, having only breakfast and dinner. But there are ways you can eat 3 squares, and still save.

Back to the Farmers Markets

Not only do the many farmers markets on Oahu offer a fun and authentic Hawaiian experience, they also offer an economical way to breakfast or lunch. Almost all have fresh baked goods and local produce, so you may opt to pick these up for your breakfast the next day. Some also have fish and locally produced meats.

Others have a variety of food stalls, with an emphasis on Asian food, as a percentage of the Hawaiian population is Asian, and Japanese tourists are as frequent as American tourists; poke, a raw tuna Hawaiian specialty; and plate lunches, a traditional Hawaiian meal that stems from the plantation days. You can enjoy a meal onsite, while mingling, and often listening to traditional live Hawaiian music.

Restaurants

We stayed directly across the street from Marukami Udon, where there was a line out the door from 11 to 5 every day!

Believe it or not, there are restaurants in Oahu where you can get a meal at a good price, and they are not fast food restaurants. General fast food restaurants run at a higher price than mainlanderss are accustomed to. If you are going to spend $15 or $20 on a meal, which is what the fast food will cost, you are better off getting something tasty and Hawaiian.

We have put together a list of restaurants where you can get a meal for under $15, and added a few additional that are a bit more, running about $20. Obviously we have not tried all of these restaurants. However, they come very well recommended. In some cases, we have seen the lines day after day, which tells the story itself! .

As a side note, some of these restaurants do not have websites, although we have linked to those that do. Others have only a Facebook page, which we have also linked to. More importantly, some of them take cash only.

Restaurants where you can get a meal for about $15

• Rainbow Drive In
• Marukami Udon
• Ono Seafood
• Diamondhead Market
• Maguro Brothers Hawaii
• Steak Shack
• Tanto
• Lams Kitchen
• South Shore Grill
• Pioneer Saloon
• Andy’s Sandwiches
• Konos North Shore
• Serg’s Mexican Kitchen
• Restaurant 604
• USCG Club 14
• Helene’s Hawaiian Food

Restaurants where you can get a meal for about $20

• Nico’s Pier 38
• La Mariana Sailing Club
• Surf N Turf Tacos
• Govinda’s Restaurant
• Waikiki Beachside Bistro

Buy Groceries

While none of us really want to spend our time in paradise grocery shopping or cooking, but the simple fact is, if you want to visit Oahu on a budget, it can add up to HUGE savings. I can pick up groceries for two people for $150 for a week. That would save at least $1,000 compared to eating in restaurants.

However, if saving the dollars is the biggest goal, you can make it happen. There are 2 Sam’s Clubs, 3 Costcos and 7 Walmarts on Oahu, so there is probably one near your lodging. Four of these are in the downtown Honolulu or Waikiki area. There are also a number of Safeways and Foodland Farm options across the island.

Getting Around in Oahu on a Budget

With all of the fantastic free things to do in Oahu, and the know how on where to eat on a budget, you are going to need to get around the island. The most economical way is the use of the City and County of Honolulu public transit, referred to as TheBus. A single ride is $3.00, while a1 day pass for 24 hours of unlimited use is $7.50. A full week maximum cap is only $30 per person.

Full maps, routes and schedules are available on the website. TheBus goes all over the island, so you can get to any hot spot you want, from Pearl Harbor to Diamondhead, even all the way to the North Shore. (Route 52)

Another option is the Waikiki Trolley, which is essentially a hop on hop off service. While not nearly as cost effective as TheBus, it is still far cheaper than a rental car or ride share service. There are 4 different lines, each with a different focus and area of coverage. Buying the full 7 day pass for $78.75 is the only way to make the trolley a bargain.

Getting to Oahu Economically

Traveling to Oahu can be pricey due to its remote location. However, there are strategies to save on flights. Southwest Airlines offers affordable flights from cities like Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, and San Diego to Honolulu, often for less than $100.

Additionally, flights from certain cities like San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Sydney tend to be more budget-friendly, especially when booked separately from continental flights through budget airlines. Utilizing discount flight search engines like Skyscanner can help you find the best deals and save on your journey.

Finding Budget Accommodations in Oahu

While resorts in Waikiki can be expensive, there are budget-friendly lodging options available. Camping is an adventurous and economical choice, with campgrounds like Sand Island State Park offering affordable rates, ranging from $40 to $60 per night.

Hostels are concentrated in Waikiki and the University of Hawaii area, providing convenient access to free activities on the island. Guest houses, condos, and Vrbo listings offer a range of options, with prices starting as low as $120 per night for rooms that accommodate multiple guests. Consider booking a private vacation apartment for a comfortable and cost-effective stay.

You Really Can Visit Oahu on a Budget!

Our Oahu Budget Guide shows that visiting Hawaii doesn’t have to break the bank. With numerous free activities, affordable flights, and budget accommodations, exploring Oahu on a budget is entirely feasible. From exploring stunning landscapes to savoring local cuisine, there’s plenty to experience without overspending. Start planning your budget-friendly Oahu adventure today and share the guide with friends to help them discover the island’s charm without the hefty price tag.

Don’t keep this Oahu Budget Guide to yourself! Your friends want to enjoy the free things to do in Oahu too!

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Want more Hawaii??

If this Oahu Budget Guide and Free Things to do in Oahu has left you wanting more Hawaii, don’t despair. We have a load of other Hawaii stories and information. We truly want your Hawaiian vacation to be the trip you have always dreamed of. Here are some other options:

• A Week in Oahu- a 7 Day Oahu Itinerary
• Fabulous Things to do in North Shore
• The Big Island Budget Guide
• A Big Island 3 Day Road Trip
• A Big Island 5 Day Itinerary
• A Fabulous 5 Days in Maui – A Maui 5 Day Itinerary
• Cruising in Kuaui
• The Scenery of Waimea Canyon- Grand Canyon of the Pacific
• A NaPali Coast Boat Tour
• A Lifelong Dream and a Dying Wish (a narrative about getting our friend Sue to Hawaii when she was terminally ill.)

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