The 20 Most Instagrammed Places in Oahu

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Shutterstock

With our natural geographic advantage, it’s like Oahu was meant to be Instagrammed and shared for all to see. Based on geotagging around the island, our data wizards ran the numbers and deduced Oahu’s most-frequented photogenic spots. Snap these spots next time you’re in town, or share new favorites to shake up the list.


20. Koko Head Crater Trail

Also known as "Koko Head Stairs of Doom," the old railway tracks are regularly packed with hikers and runners adding at least a thousand steps to their Fitbit log.


19. The Honolulu Zoo

Home to 905 tropical animals, the zoo is the ideal place to visit Galapagos tortoises and flamingoes -- and get a selfie with a cheetah without being mauled.


18. Mai Tai Bar Honolulu

Tucked on the third floor of Ala Moana Center, this open-air bar is great for indulging in an orchid-garnished cocktail during a shopping break, catching up on sports scores, or listening to live music late into the night.


17. Ko Olina Lagoon

The clean white sand at this quintet of half-moon swimming holes makes for great snaps of a half-buried significant other in the sand.


16. USS Arizona Memorial

Each year, millions of people visit Pearl Harbor to pay their respects to the 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.


15. Makapuu Lighthouse

The hike leading to the historic red-capped lighthouse offers spectacular views of the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline and, if you’re lucky, humpback whales in the distance.


14. Sandy Beach Park

With its consistent barrels along the powerful shore break, this beach is great for seasoned bodysurfers and bodyboarders to show off their skills, and for not-so-seasoned swimmers to watch from the shoreline.


13. Manoa Falls

Eucalyptus trees, bamboo fields, and the 150ft waterfall make this short trail an easily accessible hike for a quick photo op in the jungle.


12. Lanikai Beach

Often ranked among the best beaches in the world, this small strip is the spot for pretending you’re in a Corona commercial, or heaven.


11. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Twice a year, this is the spot for showing off how awesome graduations are in Hawaii. For the remaining days, the university is tagged as the place to cheer on the Rainbow Warriors -- even when they're playing at the Stan Sheriff Center, Les Murakami Stadium, or Aloha Stadium.


10. The Republik

This is the place to lose your voice singing along to your favorite bands with hundreds of strangers, who all have awesome taste in music. Just like you.


9. Disney Aulani

The only place to catch Disney characters in their best aloha attire will always be Instagram-worthy.


8. Duke’s Waikiki

Umbrella drinks by the beach! You gotta do it at least once.


7. Moana Surfrider

Called the First Lady of Waikiki, the island’s first hotel is a popular stop to snag a wooden rocking chair on the shaded lanai and people-watch the day away.


6. The Modern Honolulu

With four bars, a nightclub, Iron Chef-helmed restaurant, and two pools (one is 'adults only'), The Modern is a photogenic spot to show how you can temporarily live luxuriously.


5. Hanauma Bay

Averaging 3,000 visitors a day, this snorkel spot is easily the most popular place on the island for swimming with the fishes in the crystal-clear ocean.


4. Kailua Beach

This 2.5-mile crescent of beach gets tagged for its turquoise waters and fine white sand. No filter necessary.


3. Dole Plantation

Sure, there’s one of the world’s biggest outdoor mazes, a Pineapple Express train, a fish-feeding pond, and a plantation garden tour. But mostly, there’s Dole Whip. Cool, refreshing pineapple soft-serve, straight from the source, then onto camera, then into your mouth.


2. Ala Moana Beach Park

Calm waters and paved paths make this man-made beach a favorite for locals to squeeze in a post-work swim or run. Swaying coconut trees, views of Diamond Head, surfers, and sailboats make this beach park camera-friendly at every angle. You can’t visit the park in the afternoon without seeing at least one couple posing for wedding photos.


1. Waikiki Beach

Situated just steps from the bevy of hotels, restaurants, and shops lining the two-mile stretch of the island’s most popular beach, this crowded coastline easily tops our list.

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Summer Nakaishi is a freelance writer for Thrillist, who usually forgets to Instagram unless she’s on vacation.