Are you looking for the best things to do on Oahu when it rains? This guide from a Hawaii local has all of the best recommendations!
When you think of Oahu, Hawaii, odds are you think of relaxing in the sun on the beach under a palm tree. You definitely don’t have any thoughts of things to do on Oahu when it rains. So that’s where this article comes in! Here are all of the best things to do on Oahu when it rains!
Disclosure: This article is written in partnership with The Escape Game. All opinions are from Borders & Bucket Lists.
When Does It Rain on Oahu?
Oahu definitely does have a dry season and a rainy season. While the dry season is from April to October, the rainy season is from November to March. While it’s rarely continuous rain like it is in many places, the rain can be quite frequent. After all, we do need to keep our greenery nice and green!
Where Does It Rain on Oahu?
There are sections of Oahu that rain more than others. The West side of the island, including Ko Olina, is actually pretty dry. However, Kaneohe and Kailua are some of the rainiest parts of Oahu!
What Do I Need When It Rains on Oahu?
Umbrella
If you’re an umbrella kind of person, you won’t stand out too much if you use one in Hawaii while it’s raining. If you use it to block the sun though, every local in sight will know that you are a tourist.
Rain Jacket (or a Normal, Not Waterproof Jacket)
Oahu rain isn’t usually too bad. We don’t have those moments of pouring rain that soak you through in five seconds. Because of that, most locals use a simple sweatshirt in the rain (myself included). But if you feel like using a rain jacket, that works too.
Waterproof Camera
Even though it’s raining, there will still be tons of sights that you’ll want to capture! A GoPro HERO9 is a fantastic option, but if that’s too expensive, the AKASO EK7000 is a good alternative.
Okay, I’m Ready! Give Me a List of Things to Do on Oahu When It Rains!
Historical Sites
Many of Oahu’s historical sites also happen to be some of the best indoor activities on Oahu. They’re the perfect way to stay dry while also learning something new.
Iolani Palace
The Iolani Palace was home to Hawaiian royalty for approximately a decade. Botj King David Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani lived there. As a matter of fact, it is the only palace in the entire United States! And lucky for you, it’s open to the public (and completely enclosed)!
Bishop Museum
Interested in learning about Hawaiian history? The Bishop Museum is the place for you to go! This single museum contains artifacts from half a dozen different fields, including ethnology, botany, and ichthyology.
Book Here: Bishop Museum General Admission Ticket
Honolulu Museum of Art
The Honolulu Museum of Art is Oahu’s largest art museum. With large sections for European Art, Japanese woodblock prints, and Hawaii art, this museum showcases many different pieces across space and time.
As a part of the Honolulu Museum of Art, there is also the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture, and Design. This already-stunning home is filled with art from the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. If you would like to visit Shangri La, you must reserve a tour.
Queen Emma’s Summer Palace
King Kamehameha IV, Prince Albert Edward, and Queen Emma all spent their summers in what is now known as Queen Emma’s Summer Palace or Hanaiakamalama. Take a peek at this little retreat yourself!
Pearl Harbor Memorial
On December 7, 1941, the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese Navy Air Service, which prompted the United States’ involvement in World War II. Hundreds of Americans gave their lives that day. Over 1,000 passed away on the USS Arizona alone.
A visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial will allow you to learn about and remember December 7, 1941.
Book Here: Official USS Arizona Memorial Audio Tour
Shopping Areas
One of the go-to things to do on Oahu when it rains is shopping, and it’s not a bad idea. Here are some of the semi-enclosed shopping areas on Oahu for you to check out.
International Market Place
The semi-enclosed International Market Place used to be one Oahu’s most iconic swap meet-like shopping areas. However, it went over a huge TV show-style makeover, and it is now filled with high-end shops, including Balenciaga and Burberry. It still does provide a few reasonably-priced food options from Chef Michael Mina’s The Street Food Hall, Goma Tei Ramen, and Kona Coffee Purveyors.
Pearlridge Shopping Center
Pearlridge Shopping Center is one of the only fully-enclosed shopping centers on the entire island of Oahu. With dozens of stores and restaurants, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye. And if not, you can always head to the movie theater there and watch the local movie introduction with fire dancers and conch shells.
Ala Moana Shopping Center
I’ll be honest. Most of Ala Moana is open and exposed to the weather. That’s why it has the unique ranking of the world’s largest outdoor mall. However, if you head to the bottom floor, it’s completely protected from the rain! There, you can dine, shop, and more all day long.
South Shore Market
The South Shore Market is by far the trendiest shopping area on this list, making it one of the most fun things to do on Oahu when it rains. Amongst its 18 merchants, you can find local boutiques, island-grown treats, and precious Hawaiian gifts. And, as an added bonus, it’s completely enclosed, making it one of the best indoor activities on Oahu, Hawaii.
Indoor Fun & Games
Some of the most exciting indoor activities on Oahu aren’t necessarily Hawaii-specific — after all, you can visit an arcade or a bowling alley anywhere — but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be fun! After all, a rainy day is always a great excuse for some much-needed down time.
The Escape Game
Escape rooms are the perfect rainy day activity, and The Escape Game‘s room adventures do not disappoint. Located in Ala Moana Shopping Center, this Escape Room location boasts six captivating escape rooms. Will you track down an art thief in The Heist, dive beneath the surface in The Depths, or escape during a Prison Break?
My family and I got to experience The Escape Game’s Playground room, and we had an absolute blast! Even though we all were pretty much escape room newbies, we were able to piece together the objects and clues to figure out the next steps. There was something for everyone to do — right until the final second!
iTrampoline
Reach new heights at iTrampoline, an epic indoor trampoline park. While you can simply jump around all day long, you can also play exciting games of dodgeball and basketball while jumping. From personal experience, I can definitely say that all of the options are very fun.
Lucky Strike Honolulu
Let the good times roll at Lucky Strike Honolulu, Oahu’s coolest bowling alley. In addition to the usual bowling lanes, Lucky Strike Honolulu also has live music, chef-created dishes, and craft cocktails to really bring the night to life.
*Pro Tip: Since Lucky Strike Honolulu is located at Ala Moana Shopping Center, you can easily add a few more nearby stops to your Oahu rainy day itinerary. Like I mentioned earlier, Ala Moana is also home to shops, restaurants, and The Escape Game.
Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s in Ward Village is always a fun time, rain or shine. Play some Skee-ball, shoot some hoops, test your racing skills, and win fun prizes. And if you really want to make the most of your money, take advantage of Dave & Buster’s Eat & Play Combo.
Factory Tours
In my opinion, one of the best things to do on Oahu when it rains is take a factory tour – yet this is somehow one of the most overlooked things to do! While some cost a little bit of money, others are completely free!
North Shore Soap Factory Tour
Nestled in the historic Waialua Sugar Mill, the North Shore Soap Factory creates the products for Hawaiian Bath and Body. While there, you can learn all about how the soap is made and even purchase some tropical-smelling soap bars to take home with you!
Waiahole Poi Factory
While Waiahole Poi Factory doesn’t technically give tours, you’ll still want to stop here on a rainy day on Oahu. Not only can you get some delicious Hawaiian food, but you can also watch people pound taro into the sticky Hawaiian dish known as poi.
Manoa Chocolate Factory Tour
One of the most popular factory tours on the island is the Manoa Chocolate Factory tour. It’s definitely one of the best things to do on Oahu when it rains.
While on this tour, you can learn everything about the chocolate making process. You can taste fresh cacao fruit, watch the product change from a plant to a chocolate bar, and even sample the final product! By the end of the tour, you’ll definitely end up buying a few boxes to take home with you!
Kamaka Ukulele Factory Tour
As arguably the coolest factory tour on the island, you’ll definitely want to add a visit to the Kamaka Ukulele factory to your list of things to do on Oahu when it rains.
Kamaka Ukulele has been crafting ukuleles for over 100 years! Now, you can learn the complex process it takes to create one of these beautiful instruments by taking a factory tour. And, as an added bonus, the tour is completely free!
Koolau Distillery Tour
If you’re hoping to learn more about the whiskey-making process, you can take the Koolau Distillery tour. You can find out more about every step of the process – from mashing to distilling to bottling. And you’ll also get a free collectible tasting glass to keep at the end of the tour.
It is important to note that you must be at least 21 years old to take the Koolau Distillery tour.
Food Joints
Most food joints, with the exception of food trucks, are good hideaways from the rain – and Hawaii has a ton of local foods that are worth a try! Check out this list of the best Oahu restaurants to find one that seems up your alley. Or if you’d like more specific Oahu city guides, we also have lists for the best North Shore restaurants and the best Ko Olina restaurants.
The Outdoors!
While most people choose to avoid the outdoors when it rains, I prefer to embrace it!
Waterfalls
One of my favorite things to do on Oahu when it rains is actually going on a short hike to a waterfall – assuming it’s not raining too hard. While, yes, the path may be quite a bit muddier and it will take a bit more effort, the waterfall will be significantly bigger AND there will be no people. Definitely worth the rain in my opinion.
If this seems like something you might do during your rainy day on Oahu, here are eight different Oahu waterfalls for you to pick from.
It is important to note that if the rain gets too heavy, there can be flash flood warnings, so please use your best judgment!
H-3 Drive
H-3 on Oahu – one of our three highways on the island – cuts directly through the stunning Koolau Mountain Range and has a stunning view of Kaneohe Bay. While this drive is already gorgeous during sunny weather, it becomes even more breathtaking when it rains – especially when it pours.
Within each and every crevice of the Koolau Mountains, a little waterfall appears. That means that there are dozens – if not, hundreds – of waterfalls on that one single drive. It’s magical – so magical that it made it on my list of 100 Things to Do on Oahu.
To get to H-3, you’ll have to be driving between the West side of the island and the Kaneohe or Kailua area. The highway completely misses the Waikiki area, so you may have to go a bit out of your way to have this unearthly experience.
Do you have any other ideas of things to do on Oahu when it rains? Tell me about them in the comments!
Planning a trip to Hawaii and want to be prepared for any weather condition? Pin this post for later!
I loved this guide! I was actually in Oahu when they had the “hurricanes” that ended up just being a lot of rain. We loved the Ala Moana Shopping Center though of course! The Japanese Food Court there is amazing! We also went to the palace too and the Bishop Museum too!
Thank you so much, Linnea! I’m so glad you found things to do on your trip to Oahu, despite the hurricane :).