Fun Things To Do on a Rainy Day in Oahu

You’re happy to be on Oahu, but you checked the Hawaii weather forecast and, ugg, it’s going to be a rainy day. Don’t despair! There’s plenty of fun things to do that won’t dampen your Oahu vacation.

Waikiki Aquarium
Seeing tropical fish and plants is a great activity for everyone of all ages. Admission is $9 for adult and $2 for kids ages 5 to 12. Each paid tour includes a free audio tour wand. Waikiki Aquarium is open daily from 9am to 4:30pm. The aquarium is located at 2777 Kalakaua Avenue, on the shoreline in Waikiki’s Kapi‘olani Park in Honolulu.

Learn Hawaiian Culture – Ukulele Lessons, Lei Making, Hula
Many resorts offer free or low cost cultural lessons like hula, lei making and ukulele lessons. Check with your resort for their schedule.

Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki offers great Hawaiian cultural enrichment programs – from hula lessons, ukulele lessons, lei making, lomi lomi massage and more. Their cultural programs are complimentary and offered Monday through Saturday. See this link for more information.

Enjoy Some Pool Time or Go to a Waterpark
If you can’t beat’em, join ‘em. You’re going to get wet in a pool anyway, so a little rain is no big deal. You’ll likely find the pools almost deserted when it rains, so you’ll almost have it all to yourself. Towards the western shore of Oahu, you’ll find the waterpark Wet’n’Wild Hawaii. Their schedule varies based on season, so see this link for opening days and hours. Wet’n’Wild Hawaii is located at 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei.

Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum offers something for everyone and every age. Their Hawaiian Hall is literally a treasure trove of Hawaiian history, culture and artifacts. The Planetarium programs are excellent. Don’t miss the popular Explorers of Polynesia program at the Planetarium.  Kids will especially enjoy the Science Adventure Center with many interactive exhibits.  Bishop Museum is open from 9am to 5pm, except Tuesdays and Christmas Day. The museum is located at 1525 Bernice Street in Honolulu. Admission is $17.95 for adults and $14.95 for seniors 65 and old as well as children ages 4 – 12.

Iolani Palace
Visit the only royal palace in the United States. The palace is open for touring Monday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm.  Guided tours are $20 for adults and $6 for children ages 5 to 12. Self-guided tours are $13 for adults and $6 for children including an audio guide. Iolani Palace is located at 364 South King Street in Honolulu.

Shangri La
Tour Doris Duke’s seaside home and extensive Islamic art collection via the Honolulu Acadamy of Arts. Shangri La tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday via the Honolulu Academy of Arts in Honolulu. See this link for all the tour options, directions and details. Tickets are $25.

Shopping

• Hawaii’s largest shopping mall is the Ala Moana Center at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu. Mall hours are Monday – Saturday from 9:30am to 9:00pm and on Sundays from 10:00am to 7:00pm. See this link for directions and transportation options.
• Towards the western shore, you’ll find Waikele Premium Outlets. Use this link for directions. Their standard hours are Monday through Saturday: 9am-9pm; and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
• In Waikiki, you’ll find the Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikiki BeachWalk.

So as you can see, there are lots of fun and enriching things to do that are perfect for a rainy day in Oahu. Have you been to Oahu on a rainy day? What did you do for fun?