Cheatsheet: Get to Know Your Way Around Oahu

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Here's your quick and easy guide to the different coasts, towns, and neighborhoods of Oahu:

• Coasts

• Towns / Areas

• Honolulu Neighborhoods

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Coasts

	Waikiki and Honolulu 95% of Oahu hotels are here Beach + City Most options for food, nightlife, shopping, etc Crowded and touristy
	​Surf capital of the world Very laid back Iconic food trucks Only a couple hotels and 1 major resort
	​Tradewinds keep it cooler most of the year Beautiful beaches No hotels or resorts, but some B&Bs
	​Hotter and drier on this side of the island Way less crowded than Waikiki 5 star resorts like Disney's Aulani and the Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina. More remote

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Towns / Areas

	​Most people stay here. 95% of Oahu hotels are here. City vibe + beach Calm water year round Most options for food, nightlife, spas Beach, surf lessons, catamaran tours, shopping, nearby hikes Crowded and touristy but for a good reason Very walkable but also lots of transportation options — TheBus, Waikiki Trolley, Uber, Lyft, and Taxis 1 hr to the North Shore | 30 min to Kailua
	​Close to Waikiki but away from the noise and crowds Big parks and walking trails and beaches 20 min walk to center of Waikiki Peaceful and relaxing Less expensive than Waikiki
	North Shore surf town Laid back vibe Beaches, hikes, and surf shops Lots of great food trucks Surf mecca during the winter Need a car to get around
	Beach town on Oahu's east coast Known for its insanely beautiful beaches. (Lanikai Beach is regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world.) No hotels or resorts Cute coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques
	​Home to three of Oahu's most Instagrammable spots: Kaneohe Sandbar, the Byodo-In Temple, and the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden No hotels or resorts. Mainly residential.
	​Oceanfront resort community within Kapolei Away from the crowds of Waikiki Home to Disney's Aulani and the Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina 40 to Waikiki | 45 min to North Shore | 40 min to Kailua
	​Home to Pearl Harbor Residential area
	​Residential area / Honolulu suburb Popular with military members stationed in Oahu Hawaiian Railway Society Few beaches Golf courses

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Honolulu Neighborhoods

	​Crowded and touristy but for a good reason Highest concentration of hotels and restaurants Waikiki beach is 2 mi long. Made up of 8 beaches. Everything is close to the beach Surf, swim, catamaran tours, SUP, and more Most nightlife options High end shopping and spas Aquarium and zoo
	​Coolest neighborhood in Oahu, but still under the radar Known for its street art around every corner Annual Pow! Wow! Festival. Muralists come from all over the world to paint new murals Way less touristy than Waikiki Farmers Market every Saturday Vibrant food and drink scene. Great coffee shops, fine dining, street food, and local microbreweries
	​Gritty part of downtown that’s in the middle of a revival Some of the best food on the island — from high end (Senia) to humble (Maguro Brothers) Traditional Chinese markets and noodle factories Used to be one of the seediest parts of Honolulu with drugs, prostitution, and gambling in the 80s and 90s. The last 20 years have brought great restaurants, galleries, and shops.
	Oahu’s main business district City Hall is here too Hawaii State Art Museum and Iolani Palace Aloha Tower Marketplace is the tallest structure in Honolulu
	Ala Moana has one of the best swimming beaches in Oahu with calm waters year round and Magic Island (a man made lagoon) Ala Moana Shopping Center is the largest open-air shopping center in the world Large grassy areas with bbqs, restrooms, lots of shade, and walking paths along the water
	​Mostly residential but eclectic mix of boutiques, bakeries, cafes, and parks Great food — especially brunch (Koko Head Cafe, Mud Hen Water, and Little Vessels Donuts) KCC Farmers Market on Saturdays
	​Close to Waikiki but removed from the noise and crowds Big parks, walking trails, and beaches Diamond Head is the most popular hike in Oahu