Budget travel doesn’t have to ruin your plans, as a wipeout at Banzai Pipeline did. Rather, spend your days exploring the island of Oahu with numerous fascinating, reasonably priced (or free!) outdoor activities and excursions. From glittering beaches to nature paths, celebrations, and fresh food markets, Oahu is the vibrant center of the Hawaiian Islands. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by visiting this special island chain in the Pacific Ocean to drink up the sunlight, culture, and famous highlights in a rich, vibrant, and rather lovely location. Join Goblin Style as we explore where to live, eat, and see all that O’ahu has to offer without breaking the bank.
1. Skip the crowds and visit during shoulder season
Traveling during the shoulder season will benefit you from March and early May, September to mid-November (except for Spring Break). **Explore Oahu on a budget** during these months to create a unique period of the year when crowds are less likely, but temperatures are still warm enough for surfing and swimming. Especially with several foreign airlines coming into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), visiting Oahu outside of peak season guarantees you may book both flights and lodging at lesser rates, therefore helping to snag a deal.
Affordable activities during shoulder season:
Surfing: on the northern coast of Oahu, the big wave season runs from November to March; for those not inclined for large waves, you will find lower swells on the southern beaches of Waikīkī and Queens Beach. Surfboard Rentals on Kapahulu Avenue offers great rental rates of $25 for a two-hour board hire; alternatively, Hawaii Surfboard Rentals offers a handy service that includes board drop-off and collection at your hotel for just $60 for a two-day hire. Visit the Magic Seaweed Surf Forecast for daily surf reports around the Hawaiian Islands, as well as web cameras.
Whale Watching: Between March and November, these glories of the deep grace the oceans off the Hawaiian Islands. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by heading to some of the greatest shore viewing sites like Lānaʻi Lookout, Lēʻahi Head (Diamond Head), or Makapuʻu Lighthouse to save money on a boat trip. If you intend to stroll the lighthouse route, keep on the path and be aware of your surroundings. Parking can sometimes be restricted; hence, it would be good to schedule your trip around sunrise to avoid traffic and to enjoy a beautiful glow over the ocean!
Hiking: The shoulder season provides an ideal environment for foot exploration! **Explore Oahu on a budget** with most hiking paths being free to use, although entrance or driving into national parks may cost a nominal charge. We highly recommend free admission to the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden and Koko Crater Botanical Gardens, two breathtaking gardens on O’ahu.
2. Save on car hire and diversify how you get around
Experience local transportation and appreciate a bit slower pace by including buses, bicycles, and strolling into your regular excursions. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by using those shoulder-season months to get less expensive flights between several islands; Hawaiian Airlines has some rates starting at about $45.
Sign up to access the bike sharing app Biki, a fun and eco-friendly way to pedal around Waikīkī and Honolulu, if you have a few days here. Alternatively, use the dependable public bus system appropriately known as “The Bus” to explore the whole island; 7-day passes are just $30—over 90% less than prices for vehicle hire!
3. Eat local and picnic with a view
When the surroundings are so lovely, who wants to eat indoors? Ideal for sunset picnics, save and have your food for lunches and dinners between $5 and $20. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by visiting reasonably priced smoothies and sandwiches abound in Pai’s Deli on Waikīkī Beach. Nestled behind the Outrigger Resort’s pool, this hidden gem boasts excellent recommendations for healthful cuisine. If you want to save money when visiting the Waikīkī neighborhood, further east in Kapahulu you will find the Diamond Head Market & Grill, another amazing choice. You’ll have a feast with sandwiches for $9 and complete barbecue dishes for $12. Another well-liked option on Kūhiō Ave. is marugame udon, whose bowls range in price from $6 to $10 and whose operating hours run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit a food truck if you want Hawaiian food in a laid-back (and reasonably priced) environment. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by enjoying these welcoming restaurants dotting the island, offering dishes including garlic shrimp, poke, Kalua pork, and Huli Huli Chicken, just to mention a few menu items. Usually, whole platters fall between $10 and $15.
Would you rather buy your own ingredients and graze locally? **Explore Oahu on a budget** by visiting the Windward Mall Farmers Market, held Wednesday and Sunday in Kaneohe, presenting the best assortment of fruit and vegetables available in Hawaii. Farmlovers runs the Kaka’ako Farmers Market on Saturdays in Honolulu; they also host a market on Thursday in Haleiwa.
4. Experience the great outdoors
Oahu presents the perfect temperature for water sports and hiking, as well as glistening beaches and rich jungles. After determining which hiking paths fit your fitness level, head out into the fresh air to enjoy breathtaking vistas and recharge in nature. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by seeing the best of Oahu’s offerings on your own, despite the abundance of long-day trips and guided excursions available.
Wander a varied 7.6km track across breathtaking scenery while tackling the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge track near Waikīkī for amazing 360-degree vistas. Popular for bird enthusiasts, the adjacent Makiki Valley Trail offers a beautiful 2-hour circle across rich vegetation!
The Kohelepele (Koko Crater) Route is said to be one of the toughest paths on the island. It follows the lines of a closed tramway and has a steep inclination. The peak rewards you with amazing crater views over this dormant volcano, but it may get somewhat crowded, especially on weekends. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by choosing a mid-week trip and be sure to stay on the path.
5. Stay Smart
Maintaining Waikīkī’s seashore will draw a far higher fee than sorting your suitcase a few blocks back. **Explore Oahu on a budget** by staying near parks, coffee shops, and just a 13-minute walk to Waikīkī Beach and Kahanamoku Beach, Hotel La Croix provides resort-type elegance free of the beachfront price tag. Great reviews abound from Wyndham’s recently refurbished Aqua Palms Waikīkī and Ramada Plaza, which have moderate rates for their central position to both restaurants and beaches.
If you’re determined to stay at those opulent beachside resorts, **explore Oahu on a budget** by looking for a package deal that includes your overseas trip; typically, these offer lower rates, especially during the low and shoulder seasons.
Alternatively, escape the city and head to the east coast, where you can stay close to some of the most breathtaking landscapes Oahu has to offer. Just down from Kualoa Ranch, a Jurassic Park filming site, Paradise Bay Resort is a modest waterfront getaway with a two-bedroom sunrise villa sleeping four on the seashore for $200pn. A little further north are Tiki Moon Villas in L’ie, beside the Polynesian Cultural Centre.
Lisa Michele Burns, an Australian landscape photographer and travel writer, is the editor of The Wandering Lens. From Greenland to Chile, a passion for severe climates, glaciers, and the underwater world has driven her; Hawaii is one of her favorite locations for snorkeling and trekking.