A Handy Guide to Reservations needed for Oahu, Hawaii!
A list of advanced bookings needed for activities on Oahu so that you don’t go there and be like ‘dang the next one available is only 1 month later’
Aloha, fellow explorers! If you’re gearing up for an unforgettable escapade to the mesmerizing island of Oahu, brace yourself for a whirlwind of natural wonders, stunning beaches, and cultural treasures. And also huge lines of tourists if you’re in Waikiki.
But before you dive headfirst into this tropical paradise, let’s talk about the secret sauce that will make your journey smooth sailing: advanced reservations and permits. You could wing some of these and just show up (like we did), but you’d keep wishing (like we did) that you had booked them earlier.
1. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Oahu’s aquamarine waters are a playground for snorkelers and swimmers seeking vibrant marine life encounters. If you’re keen to glide alongside sea turtles and vibrant fish and Hawaiian Monk Seals (we saw two!) in Hanauma Bay, the king of snorkeling spots, PLAN AHEAD. The bay is a pretty sweet spot, but it has limited entry.
Reservation website: https://www.honolulu.gov/parks-hbay/home.html
Online reservations can be made 2 days in advance starting at 7:00am Hawai‘i Standard Time (HST). Tickets are on high demand and are very limited. They could sell out as fast as 5 minutes after reservations are available at 7:00AM HST.
If you are not able to make an online reservation, you may purchase a walk-in ticket for at the park when it opens at 6:45 a.m. These tickets sell out quickly too and are valid for that day only. All members of your party must be present to obtain walk-in tickets. We got there at around 7:00 AM and got walk-in tickets for the 11:10 AM slot. We didn’t have to wait the whole 4 hours though If there is remaining space in a previous time slot, they might call your slot earlier so you would most likely enter sooner than the slot on your ticket.
Info:
- Entry costs $25 per person
- The bay is closed to all on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow the reefs and fish some alone time.
- Snorkeling gear can be rented at the beach itself
- No entry is allowed into the nature preserve after 1:30 PM.
- Hawai‘i residents with valid identification may access the nature preserve without a reservation during regular hours of operation. Hawai‘i residents bringing non-Hawai‘i residents must remember that all non-Hawai‘i residents need a reservation or a walk-in ticket.
2. Diamond Head
The iconic Diamond Head State Monument is along the same coast as Waikiki and is one of Oahu’s most well-known craters and hikes.
Reservation Link: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/
Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance. Given that the park can get busy at certain times during the day and may sell out, it’s recommended to book your reservations as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
There are 2 types of permits you can get: ‘Parking + Entry’ or ‘Entry Only’. The Parking + Entry tickets usually sell out much quicker since that is limited by the capacity for the parking lot within the crater.
Info:
- 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Daily — Last entry to hike is at 4:00pm
- The gates are locked at 6:00 pm daily, and all visitors must exit the park by this time.
- Again, Hawaii residents are exempt from the fee/reservation requirement. Visitors accompanying State of Hawaii residents to Diamond Head State Monument are not exempt from the entry fees and must purchase tickets in advance.
3. USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
While entry to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is free, you’ll need a reservation to step onto the hallowed grounds of the USS Arizona Memorial.
Reservation Link: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/233338
A limited amount of timed tickets are released through the website 56 days in advanced. If there are no tickets available, additional tickets are released 3pm (HST) the day prior to visit.
Info:
- Duration is ~45 minutes which includes a brief introduction, a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, and some time to experience the memorial itself
- $1 reservation fee
Final Thoughts
Oahu’s treasures are vast, and by spending a few quick moments getting advanced reservations and permits, you’re avoiding missing out on some of the best attractions on the island.
Other stuff you could book include Luaus — traditional Hawaiian feasts accompanied by music and hula (the dance) that are an opportunity to embrace the spirit of aloha. While there are several options available - ranging from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations - securing your luau tickets in advance saves you from last-minute hassles and scrambling around in the heat on the day of.
Other famous spots like the Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Valley, Dole Plantation etc all require tickets butthey usually don’t sell out weeks in advance like the others too. That being said, if you can reserve them early, do reserve them early, particularly during peak seasons.
Important Note: This article was last updated in Aug 2023. Most of the places mentioned in the article started requiring reservations from mid-2022. The list of places that require permits keep changing so please do a quick google search to see if anything has changed for your desired activities.
Mahalo and safe travels! 🏝️
