12 Things to Do in Oahu in February

February is the month of love and what better option to celebrate it than visiting Oahu, an earthly paradise located on the most populated island of the Hawaiian archipelago. This island is home to the capital of the state of Hawaii, Honolulu, so you will have a lot of options to enjoy.

This month is not only one of the cheapest to visit the archipelago, but also has the advantage of receiving fewer tourists. If you are looking for a break from the crowds, February is the best option. Discover the activities to include in your list.

Booking an Oahu dolphin watching cruise is one of the top experiences you can enjoy on Oahu. This island is the perfect setting to witness the natural habitat of this species. In addition, you will have the opportunity to snorkel or paddle surf and see sea turtles that will impress you.

There are several boat tours in Oahu specifically designed to see the dolphins, with the advantage of having an expert guide to take you to the best areas of the island.

These tours last approximately three hours and also include a healthy lunch and a typical Hawaiian show where you will learn about traditional folk dancing.

Book a tour of the island of Oahu and see all the must-see sights of the archipelago's third island in a luxury bus with an expert professional guide. Places that will amaze you such as:

• Diamond Head: a protected area where you will see a volcanic tuff cone.
• Hanauma Bay: a crescent-shaped marine nature reserve.
• Halona Blowhole: a crack in the rocks next to the ocean as a geyser.
• Byodo-In Temple: a Japanese temple with a golden Buddha and a lush garden.

This tour lasts approximately 9 hours and costs from 96 €.

If you are a fan of the saga, you can't miss the Jurassic Park tour at Kualoa Ranch and discover the different movie sets with a professional guide.

A tour of approximately two hours in an open-air vehicle in which you will see the famous Jurassic Park gate, dinosaur cages, bunkers, as well as the lush tropical forests in this tour of Kualoa Ranch, a destination increasingly visited by travelers. You'll marvel at the valleys of Kualoa, Hakipu'u and Ka'a'awa.

The tour starts from 8:20 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., so you'll have flexibility to fit it into your itinerary.

If you are not a sports fan and wish to have a quiet day, the best option will be to book a boat ride. Although sunset cruises on Oahu can be booked all year round, at this time of the year it is an ideal activity to admire the incredible landscapes.

In addition, you will be able to see coral reefs, green turtles, humpback whales, dolphins, parrot fish, dolphins and other species thanks to the transparent glass bottom of the boat.

This tour has an approximate duration of one hour and a price starting at 35 €.

If you're planning to visit Waimea Falls, you can take advantage of your stay in the area to attend an event that celebrates the culture of the local people. Every February, for a little more than a week, the Waimea People's Celebration takes place, consisting of a large number of activities for all audiences.

The goal, as I said, is that visitors can learn about, experience and honor the native culture of the archipelago. Among the activities you will find concerts in the park, sports events, gastronomic tastings, food contests, storytelling or rodeos. This is, by its very nature, one of the best things to do on Oahu with children.

All this will offer you a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the island community and to make your vacation go beyond simple fun. All the activities take place in different scenarios of the town of Waimea, so it is highly recommended to consult the program beforehand to find out where the one you are most interested in is taking place. And to get there, you can always take the opportunity to book an excursion to the north of Oahu and get to know other northern enclaves.

Oahu is synonymous with surfing and huge waves, what better way to enjoy both than with a surf tournament? The beauty of this event is as much for fans of the sport as it is for those who have never been on a board. Although this contest begins in November, during February the final stages and the proclamation of the winners are disputed so it is an event that I recommend you to go to.

The final stage takes place during February because the waves tend to be higher at this time of the year. This tournament is more than 40 years old and is held in memory of Eddie Aiku, international surfing legend. Both the crowning of the winners and the ceremony to end the tournament are very interesting events to witness, but not as interesting as watching professional surfers ride colossal waves of almost 10 meters high.

If after watching this spectacle you get the bug to learn how to ride the waves, you're in the right place. You can sign up for surfing lessons on Oahu at various beaches and, who knows, maybe in the future you'll be one of the participants in this event.

This option is one of the most fun events you can find on the island of Oahu. If you like outdoor activities, having fun with your partner, friends or family, this option will be perfect for your vacation.

The Bubble run, or bubble run, is a 5 mile (8 kilometers) race that takes place every February. This particular activity consists of running and going through the bubble checkpoints, where giant towers of foam of different colors are deployed.

Participants say that, thanks to the colors and shapes of the foam, it feels like running through the corridors of Willy Wonka's factory. The distance is ideal for starting out in the world of running, and the foam adds the perfect touch for having fun while exercising.

Practical information

• Where: Dillingham Ranch, Farrington Hwy Waialua.
• Price: about $18.50 approximately.
• Approximate date: end of the month.

If you are more into physical activity, team sports and pushing your limits then you can enjoy this great activity as a couple. Every year the Valentine's Day Biathlon is held on Oahu and consists of a 6 mile (8 kilometers) combined race.

If you are not used to this type of combined activity, the Valentine's Day Biathlon can be ideal for you and your partner to get started in adventure racing. You'll start by running 5 miles (8 kilometers) through Moana Beach Park, finishing the race with a 1.5 kilometer swim along the beach.

Ideal for couples who like to be active outdoors and have some experience swimming in open water. Remember, it's not about who gets there the fastest, it's about having fun!

Practical information

• Where: Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu
• Price: about $32 approximately
• Approximate date: usually held on February 13

There are always plenty of things to do at night on Oahu, and February is no exception. During this month, one of the main attractions is the night market in its main city, Honolulu.

This event started in 2018 and quickly became one of the best options to try typical food during February nights. It takes place in Kakaako, the most important gastronomic center of the island. The night market party not only provides abundant foodtrucks options, but also the best music and live shows throughout the night.

The popularity and call for this event is increasing, so I recommend you to arrive early so you don't have to wait in line to eat.

Practical information

• Where: Auahi Street, Kakaako, Honolulu
• Price: only what you spend on food and drinks.
• Approximate date: usually held around the middle of the month.

Beach and beer always go hand in hand. The island of Oahu has the honor of hosting Hawaii's most important beer festival.

With the participation of more than 120 craft breweries (or microbreweries) this festival is ideal for tasting and sampling the different varieties of the region. In addition, like any other festival, there are countless gastronomic options to accompany the tastings.

The festival also has several games for adults and live shows by different international DJs. It is held in the city of Honolulu, specifically in the Bishop Museum park.

Practical information

• Where: Bernice Street, Honolulu
• Price: about $45
• Approximate date: late February, between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

The influence of Chinese culture is also present in Honolulu, and its most important event is the celebration of the Lunar New Year. The celebrations usually take place the first week of February and the perfect place to witness this event is Chinatown Cultural Plaza, located on Britannia Street.

The festivities include the well-known dragon and lion dances, as well as the possibility of enjoying traditional Chinese music played live with ancestral instruments.

In addition, you will be able to witness martial arts displays, gastronomic delights, handicrafts and the expected fireworks. I recommend you to wear roka clothes, since, according to tradition, it attracts good fortune to receive an unforgettable new year.

February is also the perfect month to enjoy one of the most important events of Japanese influence in Hawaii. Only in 2 places of the archipelago you will be able to enjoy the cherry blossom: in an area of Big Island and in Wahiawa on Oahu. If you want to go to the first one, here is some information on how to get there.

Although it is very common to find the flowering of almost all plants throughout the year, the flowering of "Sakura" can only be observed in February and specifically in the two places mentioned above. This is because these 2 regions present the perfect conditions of temperature and light for the cherry trees to bloom.

This festival also has a celebration where the brotherhood between the people of Hawaii and the Japanese culture is commemorated. The Oahu Cherry tree collection is the largest in Hawaii and was planted in the 1950s. According to its history, these specimens come from cuttings brought from cherry trees on the island of Okinawa in Japan and survive to this day. To witness this event, come to the Cherry Tree Heritage Festival organized by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii in Honolulu.

Oahu is quite affordable during this time of year as it is considered low season. The high season in Hawaii occurs with the arrival of more tourists and coincides with the increase in hotel prices. Normally this happens from June to August and during the end of the year holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year).

But it is important to keep in mind that it is becoming more and more common that couples decide to spend their honeymoon or a small romantic getaway for Valentine's Day.

Sometimes this means that close to this date (February 14) prices may increase a little. However, during this time prices are still much lower than in high season.

Hawaii has perfect weather almost all year round and February is no exception. An ideal time to discover all the things to see and do on Oahu. It tends to rain at night so it can be common to have cloudy mornings, while you will see sunny sunsets.

The average temperature this time of year is 27 or 28 degrees. Although it can get a little cooler at night, especially near the beach, a sweater will be enough for you to enjoy an evening outdoors without any problems.