Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a special anniversary trip or special occasion, or are just looking for a romantic getaway, this list of can’t miss things to do in Oahu for couples has you covered.
While there are many Hawaiian islands to choose from, Oahu is the perfect place if you’re looking for a mix between city life, beautiful beaches on the Pacific ocean, and a lush natural habitat.
Hawaii is such a magical oasis. From the natural beauty of sunset beach walks, to lush tropical plants, to white sand beaches where sea turtles sunbathe, Oahu, Hawaii is the perfect setting for any love story.
Here are some of our favorite romantic things to do in Oahu for couples.
Hike to a Stunning Waterfall
What could be more romantic than visiting a waterfall?
Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking to Manoa Falls. It’s a great way to burn off all the delicious local meals.
Manoa Falls is a relatively short, 0.8 mile hike up towards the 150 foot tall waterfall.
The trail starts somewhat flat as you pass through a lush, green rainforest that was even featured in the film Jurassic Park.
As you continue, the terrain progressively gets steeper. The final stretch of the hike is a bit of a workout, but it is well worth the view.
The best part is when you arrive at the top of the hike and you encounter a vista of 150 feet of water tumbling down rocks and creating a mist in the treetops.
We were considering a number of hiking options including the Leahi or Diamond Head hike and Makapu’u Lighthouse Point Trail, but were happy we settled on Manoa Falls for our adventurous workout.
The park is open from sunup to sundown and a sunrise hike is the best way to avoid the crowd and the heat.
Be sure to pack plenty of water and appropriate shoes for the trek.
Relax with a Romantic Couple’s Spa Treatment
We love when a spa treatment transports you to a full relaxing day spa ambiance.
The Kahala Spa experience included so many personalized touches so that the feel and scent was immersive, even when your eyes were closed.
The Oli Oli Lomilomi couple’s treatment started as we were escorted into a private couples room with a balcony overlooking greenery.
We changed into matching robes in the private changing area, complete with a shower and some toiletries.
The treatment started by being seated in wicker chairs with wooden bowls at our feet.
Local Hawaiian salts were poured into the foot bath for a relaxing soak.
Next followed a lilikoi passion fruit scrub. After lots of exploring and our hike to discover a waterfall, the foot treatment felt amazing.
After our tootsies were revived, we retreated to the couple’s massage tables and enjoyed a traditional Hawaiian massage that used forearms, wrists and elbows to permeate sore muscles.
We melted into the adjustable table as Hawaiian volcanic mud masks were slathered on our legs and feet, which worked magical wonders while the rest of our bodies were pampered.
Finally, the crown jewel was a soothing scalp massage.
As we arose from the massage tables, we were elated to learn that our service wrapped up with an escape to a private cabana.
We were led to another tranquil area and were greeted with a green tea peach beverage and some cookies.
Talk about icing on the cake after an amazingly romantic and relaxing retreat.
Swim with Dolphins Together
Oahu is the perfect place to have an animal encounter!
While the winter months bring in an opportunity for some amazing whale watching, unfortunately our trip to Hawaii was right before whale season.
A lovely substitute was swimming with dolphins!
Swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest at the Kahala hotel.
Six dolphins ranging in age from 16 to 39 years old, reside in the lagoon outside of the hotel.
During your intimate experience with these gentle creatures, you’ll learn about the animals, have an opportunity to pet them, swim alongside them, see their tricks, and even feed them fish.
Take a Day Trip to North Shore
If you’re staying in Waikiki, as most visitors do, take a scenic drive up the Northeastern side of the island of Oahu to the North Shore.
You’ll take in breathtaking views of lush forest alongside the coastline during your drive.
The North Shore is known for the best beaches to watch surfers conquer the waves of crystal-clear waters.
In fact, when we visited there was even a surfing competition being hosted on the beach.
The North Shore has a very relaxed, almost hippie-like attitude which is such a contrast from lively Waikiki.
During your time on the North Shore, be sure to stop at Kono’s Northshore to grab a bomber, a loaded breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, potatoes, shredded cheese and the filling of your choice.
Of course we needed to try the “chuns”, which meant our breakfast burrito was filled with 12-hour slow roasted kalua pork as well as bacon.
Taste Your Way Through a Chocolate Factory
Hawaii is the only state in America that grows cacao, so it’s an excellent place to try farm-to-bar chocolate!
Swing by the Lonohana Chocolate Factory Tour & Tasting for one of the more unique things to do in Oahu for couples.
The chocolate at Lonohana is so luxurious because it is handcrafted.
Hawaii sits at the top of the cacao belt, which makes a fattier cacao fruit.
It takes five years for the cacao plant to bear fruit and requires skilled labor to harvest. As a result, chocolate wasn’t even produced until the last 100 years.
Lonohana grows nine acres of organic crops and also uses another farm in Waialua in order to produce 1500 bars of craft chocolate per week.
The harvesting starts by scratching the outside of the skin of the cacao fruit to test if the fruit is ready. If it’s yellow, it’s the indicator that it’s time to be hand harvested.
From there, the fuzzy seeds inside the fruit are put in oak bins with banana leaves for a week to ferment. Then, the seeds continue to dry in the sun for four weeks.
Finally, the dried cacao is put into burlap bags to continue to ferment for another four months.
This is finally the point where the cacao heads to the factory for the cacao nibs to be roasted, shelled, and pressed through heavy stone wheels to turn the hard, bitter nibs into a liquid form.
The addition of sugar and milk creates the chocolate we all know and love, which is then tempered, molded, and packaged for shelves.
At the Lonohana Chocolate Factory tour, you’ll get to see the production process and taste the chocolate every step of the way.
From fruity and fuzzy, to bitter and crunchy, to mouth-wateringly smooth and sweet.
At the conclusion of the tour, you’ll get to taste a number of different types of chocolate.
Armed with a wheel of chocolate tasting notes, you’ll learn to really appreciate the unique tastes depending on the amount of cacao and other infusions in the chocolate.
What a sweet and interesting activity to do with your sweetie.
Enjoy a Libation at Oahu’s Top Cocktail Bars
The health-focused attitude of Hawaiian culture had us early to rise and early to bed.
Although we did more relaxing than bar-hopping, we did seek out some pretty incredible cocktail bars in Waikiki.
Both of these cocktail bars are award-winning and infuse natural ingredients and local distilleries to capture the spirit of Hawaii in a glass.
Mahina & Sun’s
Mahina & Sun’s dishes and cocktails are inspired by Hawaii’s people and places.
Hidden within a little spot called the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, we enjoyed lively live music as the Mahina Lounge offers musical performances every evening from 6:30-9pm.
We even saw a hula dance performance during our visit!
We came to this spot for dinner (a feast meal with a giant fried local fish and tons of accompanying family-style side dishes) but quickly learned how incredible their mixology program is.
In fact, this bar is named as one of the Top 5 Bars in Hawaii.
Mango #5 uses a local Okolehao spirit infused with cardamom and kaffir lime leaves. Then it is mixed with Chinola mango liquor, tangerine, coconut, and cinnamon.
The Kahiko cocktail is their take on an old fashioned, however this rendition is prepared with local Kupu whiskey and was served with a coconut water ice cube.
The dinner was fantastic, but if you’re only coming for their cocktail bar, be sure to savour the banana pudding.
The chef’s mom would prepare banana pudding pies as gifts when they were a child and they have since evolved to a local comfort food that Mahina & Sun’s shares on their dessert menu with guests.
It was the best banana pudding we’ve ever tasted and could feel the love in every bite.
Bar Leather Apron
Another great spot for a craft cocktail is Bar Leather Apron. This bar won a James Beard award in 2023 for Outstanding Bar.
They have an expansive whiskey collection of over 500 labels, including specialty barrels that are made exclusively for the bar.
For a cocktail with true wow-appeal, order the E Ho’o Pau Mai Tai. This was named the 2015 World’s Best Mai Tai award.
Raisin-infused aged rum is blended with coconut water syrup, spiced orgeat, vanilla, ohia closson honey, lime, and absinthe.
The tiki-shaped smoking vessel is even hand-carved by the owner.
Once the cocktail is constructed, the wooden tiki frame encases the glass, then is filled with smoke.
The local kiawe smoke (which is much like mesquite) fills the vessel and flows out of the tiki man’s nostrils creating an impressive show as well as adding delicious, subtle smoke flavor to this classic Hawaii cocktail.
Swim inside an Old Volcano at Hanauma Bay
Head to Hanauma Bay State Park for the opportunity to swim in a volcano cone and snorkel among coral reefs.
Swimming is calm within the bay thanks to the crater walls and expansive coral reef.
This bay has been protected since 1967, so tickets are required to explore the bay.
The 48-hour advance reservations for Hanauma Bay start at 7am daily, so be sure to set an alarm two days prior to your desired visit to secure tickets.
It’s incredibly important to only wear reef-safe sunscreen in this protected conservation park.
In fact, upon our arrival to Hanauma Bay, we were greeted by local elementary children who explained the importance of protecting the reefs and how non reef-safe sunscreen kills the living creatures.
Next you’ll watch a short, nine-minute video on the history of the park and conservation rules.
Finally, it’s time to enter the park.
Choose to take in the stunning view during the short walk down to the beach or hop on the tram.
Visiting Hanauma Bay is one of the best activities to swim inside a natural wonder.
You can either rent snorkeling gear from the kiosk to explore on your own, or hire Hanauma Bay snorkeling tours for a guided adventure.
Experience a Cirque du Soleil Show with Hawaiian Flair
Located in the heart of the city at the Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomer Hotel, Hawaii’s first Cirque du Soleil show, ʻAuana captures the magic of Oahu.
It’s an amazing experience that encapsulates Hawaiian culture and history.
If you already secured Oahu luau tickets in the past, ‘Auana is a great option that celebrates Hawaiian culture in a format that is different from a typical luau.
In addition to some traditional Hawaiian dance performances, you’ll be treated to some unique acrobatics and jaw dropping visuals.
We think it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture.
We also highly recommend securing a ticket to the ‘Auana VIP Experience with Maui Brewing.
Guests can enjoy unlimited craft beers and cocktails alongside island-inspired cuisine for a full 90 minutes prior to the show.
It’s a delicious start to a lovely date night in Waikiki.
Stay at a Secluded Romantic Oceanfront Hotel
We had the pleasure of staying half of our trip at the Kahala Hotel & Resort.
For 60 years, this resort has hosted royalty, dignitaries, celebrities, and even presidents.
What makes the Kahala unique is that it is so much more secluded than other hotels, but still close enough to Waikiki’s top destinations.
The Kahala features five star, white-glove service, but still warm with Hawaiian hospitality.
From fine dining restaurants, to a robust spa menu, to pools, hot tubs, and a lovely beach that is way less crowded than the heart of Waikiki, it’s easy to find yourself not needing to leave the resort.
We even enjoyed beachfront yoga on the property.
CHI Fitness Class: Aloha Yoga is gentle and relaxing, the perfect way to solve any sore muscles from a long flight or a challenging hike.
The hotel has a tall, traditional hotel tower with balconies showcasing the secluded beach, Diamond Head, or their immaculate golf course.
In addition to a two-story building where rooms open up right to the beach.
Our room featured traditional Hawaii luxury, with two large closets, a soaking tub, and a private patio, complete with our own lounge chairs and umbrella, opening right up to the serene beach.
We woke up around sunrise each morning, thanks to the slight jetlag, and were treated to a blissful morning enjoying our coffee in plush bathrobes on our private patio as we watched the sunrise paint the ocean in colors of orange and yellow sunlight.
Or Stay in the Heart of Waikiki at ‘Alohalani Resort
If you’re looking for lodging in the heart of the action in Waikiki, ‘Alohalani Resort is a great option since so many sights and shopping are just a short walk from the hotel.
The ‘Alohalani is an award-winning contemporary resort that features lovely oceanfront balconies that make prime viewing to catch hundreds of surfers floating in the sea, just waiting for the perfect wave to come their way.
The lobby area features a two-story, 280,000 gallon saltwater aquarium on display.
We loved that the Alohalani offered multiple fitness areas and a robust wellness program with a variety of fitness offerings each day, from pilates, to yoga, to even water zumba!
The ‘Alohalani is also a great place for a group celebration.
The poolside cabanas seemed to have some sort of celebration with DJs and dancing almost every night of our stay.
If you’re a fan of celebrity chefs, this hotel also features Morimoto Asia which features menu items from the iron chef himself.
Be sure to try the sticky ribs, no matter what you do!
Embark on a Farm Tour
While most people would assume a tropical paradise like Hawaii would be an optimal place to grow produce, they couldn’t be more wrong.
Lots of rain brings mold, the lack of freeze brings pests, and strong winds from the ocean can damage crops.
As a result, 90% of the food in Hawaii is imported.
Farmers who bring locally-grown food to their residents, especially in challenging conditions, should be regarded as heroes, creating independence and fueling health to residents.
While most people think of the Dole Plantation, we passed by their massive acreage to visit smaller, family-owned Kahuku Farms and we’re so glad we did.
The Kahuku Farms Grand Wagon Tour is a unique experience that combines sightseeing activities with learning and eating!
You’ll hop on board a wagon being towed by a tractor to learn about the farm and taste local apple bananas (a much smaller, sweet and tangy version of the bananas compared to what most people are familiar with) picked fresh right from the banana tree.
As an added treat, the guide poured fresh estate-grown chocolate sauce on the bananas.
Then, you’re led to a grove to taste fresh fruits as well as some of their lilikoi (passion fruit) butters, syrups and sauces.
Another tractor ride immersed us in rows of papaya crops, and we tasted the juiciest, sweetest papaya harvested right from the farm before our eyes.
Finally, the last stop on the tour was in a cacao grove where we tasted the various varieties of chocolate that are produced from their crops.
This family-run business leverages biodiversity by planting cacao, passion fruit, and açaí as well as other crops, to naturally manage pests and to block wind from other more delicate crops.
In addition, they are the only farm growing, processing, and serving local açaí.
After the tour we took some time to savour a number of items from their farmstand cafe.
The açaí bowl was incredible with locally grown açaí, alongside cacao nibs, macadamia crumble, and their homemade lilikoi butter.
The veggie sandwich was also one of the best things we ate all trip.
Whether or not you take the full tour, we highly recommend stopping at the farm if you’re in North Shore in order to enjoy this truly farm-to-table fare.
It’s one of the best things we did in Oahu.
Explore Hawaii’s Food Culture
Now that you know that 90% of Hawaii’s food is imported, you can understand how important local food producers are to the island.
While in Oahu, we had the chance to visit the Hawaiian Chip Company factory.
One of our favorite foods from Hawaii, taro chips are flavorful and crisp, without being greasy.
Taro is a root vegetable that is purple or white in color. It is less starchy than a potato and carries a sweet, nutty flavor.
Made by hand in small batches, enjoying a taro chip right after they come out of the fryer is heavenly.
The secret that all the locals know is that you can visit the factory to get hot, fresh-from-the-fryer taro and sweet potato chips at the factory.
There is even a spot outside to then shake them with the seasonings of your choice right at the Hawaiian Chip Factory.
You can also pick up some Holly’s Chips where proceeds go to Holly’s Fountain of Hope for Rett Syndrome Research, a disease that the owner’s daughter fights.
From there, head across the street to ʻUlu Mana to try breadfruit hummus and breadfruit chips.
Breadfruit is a locally grown fruit that most people haven’t tried, but it is one of the highest-yielding food plants, which makes it a very sustainable option especially in a region that depends so heavily on imports.
The breadfruit hummus sold at ‘Ulu Mana is naturally gluten-free, comes in a variety of flavors and is incredibly delicious.
We even liked it better than traditional hummus made of beans!
The breadfruit chips are also a favorite local snack while in Hawaii.
‘Ulu Mana also sells a variety of locally-produced goods in their retail store, so it’s a great place to visit to support local growers and makers and to bring home some tasty souvenirs to your foodie friends.
Share a Romantic, Fancy Meal
When sharing the top things to do in Oahu for couples, of course some romantic meals are going to make the list.
Here are three of our favorite upscale restaurants in Waikiki for a date night.
Hoku’s
If you’re looking for the ultimate dining experience from a renowned chef, head to award-winning Hoku’s at the Kahala for their tasting menu.
The dining room offers spectacular views of crystal blue water and sparkling sand beaches as the sun sets over the horizon.
You can order a la carte or there are two tasting menus to choose from: the four-course tasting menu or the grand tasting.
We enjoyed the four-course tasting menu, each with different course options, alongside their perfectly-curated wine pairings.
Chef Jonathan Mizukami has trained in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world and pairs french-inspired cuisine with Hawaii flavors.
One of our favorite dishes was the smoked foie gras.
Arriving under a cloche filled with smoke from local, Hawaiian wood, the Hudson Valley foie gras was served with coconut and pineapple, a combo we never would have dreamt up but it was somehow spectacular.
The sweetness of the fruit offset the richness of the foie gras.
The lobster risotto was presented with an impressive whole lobster on top of the plate.
And the chef put on a show when shaving fresh truffles tableside, to accompany the hand cut moringa tagliatelle.
Finally, the entree of Japanese A5 wagyu was so rich in marbling it completely melted in our mouths.
Hoku’s oozes romance and the food is mindblowing, it’s an unforgettable romantic experience that we’ll never forget.
The Veranda
We experienced happy hour at The Veranda while staying at the Kahala.
The Veranda inside the lobby area even has an outdoor patio with rocking chairs and tables that overlook the dolphin lagoon and the shore.
When we were visiting, The Kahala was celebrating their 60 year anniversary. Opening in 1964, the Kahala has been a luxurious destination for six decades.
We had to try their Millenium Star, a $64 martini to commemorate their anniversary.
This spendy cocktail featured Stoli Elite vodka, a caviar-stuffed olive, and a sparkling champagne gelee cube.
If you’re feeling extra wealthy, you could spring for the $1964 martini which comes with a gold, gem crusted martini pick that you take home as a souvenir.
The real show stopper was the 24k Magik Mushi. This ahi poke musubi was wrapped in edible 24k gold leaf, topped with black truffles, sweet soy, ogo, and an Asian remoulade.
Although some could see this as a gimmick, it was actually our favorite dish at The Veranda and we’d say it’s worth the extra cost.
The flavors of the tuna-stuffed, deep-fried musubi paired wonderfully with the fresh truffles and sweet and savory sauces.
The Veranda is a great place for a cocktail and a snack because they feature live music most evenings of the week.
Arden
Arden was without a doubt one of our favorite restaurants in Oahu.
Although it is not oceanfront, the decor was updated and modern and the food was exquisite.
Arden has a strong commitment to local farmers and purveyors, with a list of 15 local makers that they support and feature in their cooking.
Our favorite dish was the foie gras terrine which was served in a traditional covered butter dish and looked like a stick of butter.
It was served with an onion jam and homemade Asian bread from Honolulu’s Chinatown.
It was rich, creamy, and so nostalgic of an elevated PB&J.
We also loved the braised oxtail, which was served with udon noodles, peanuts, cilantro and a chili pepper vinegar.
While Arden offers a full range of craft cocktails, we highly recommend ordering a glass of wine curated from the sommelier.
He expertly created pairings with fun and unique wines as well as natural wines, which are hard to find in Hawaii.
Eat Like a Local
For more casual, traditional Hawaiian food in Oahu, Hawaii, head to these spots that locals love.
Fresh Catch
Fresh Catch is a popular spot with locals and it was our favorite place for poke.
Since they offer over a dozen different poke options and sell them by the pound, it is a great place to be able to try a variety of different poke flavors and various local fish dishes.
The restaurant is entirely take-out, so stop and pick up some poke or a plate lunch of fresh fish, and head to the beach for a lovely little picnic.
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
Shave ice is a must-eat treat in Oahu. It’s the perfect way to stay cool in the Hawaii sun.
One of the favorite things that locals love is Li Hing Mui, which is a sweet, salty, and tangy powder from dried Chinese plum.
We first learned about Li Hing Mui while on a pineapple plantation tour, one of our favorite things to do in Maui. The farmers would sprinkle Li Hing Mui powder on fresh cut pineapple and the flavor was uniquely addicting.
Head to Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. We love to order the Local Motion flavor, a combination of Li Hing Mui, Pineapple, and Mango, topped with more Li Hing Mui powder.
For some insane reason, Ululani’s is the only shave ice spot in Oahu to feature this flavor, so it’s worth the special trip.
Leonard’s
When your sweet tooth strikes, head to Leonard’s Bakery for malasadas.
This bakery has been drawing lines since 1952 when they started making traditional Portuguese fried fritters covered in sugar and sometimes filled with sweet surprises.
We tried a few flavors including ones filled with guava and macadamia nut cream, as well as a plain malasada that was tossed in Li Hing Mui powder (see, we can’t resist!).
These were our favorite things to do in Oahu for couples.
Of course there are always Hawaii classics like sunbathing on the many pristine beaches, taking a sunset cruise, horseback riding tours, or even taking a surfing lesson.
If you’re a museum lover, don’t forget that the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is perfect for history buffs complete with a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, the Honolulu Museum of Art has a lovely showcase, and to learn about Hawaiian culture, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center.
If you’re island hopping throughout Hawaii, don’t miss our guides on the 27 Best Things to Eat in Maui and the Top Things to Do in Maui for Couples!
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