What Are The Things To Do In Santa Barbara? Know the Things You Cannot Miss 

BY  Sibashree Feb 2, 2026

Let’s keep it simple! Hawaii is expensive. So, you will need a checklist of things to do in Oahu for free. Thankfully, there are many activities in Oahu that does not depend on how fat your wallet is. The stunning landscape, of course, is a major plus. Furthermore, the fun on the beaches of Oahu does not come with a price tag. And to know more about what you can do in Oahu for free, read this guide. What Are The Free Things To Do In Oahu? Oahu can very well be your next family trip destination or a romantic gateway for Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, the Aloha Spirit and the rugged landscape here evoke emotions. So, it is ideal for a “destination-driven intimacy.”  Also, you don’t need to plan something super luxurious to enjoy the best of Oahu, as there are many free activities you can plan. 1. Do Cliff Jumping At Waimea Bay  Want a serious adrenaline rush? Head to Waimea Bay and try some exciting cliff jumping. It’s a welcome relief from the touristy beaches of Waikiki. Enjoy the blue waters and the dazzling golden sand. However, be an early bird if you want to really try this adventure. The parking space is limited. Also, for safety, check the water conditions. 2. Enjoy Beautiful Sunset Views At Tantalus  Sunset is dramatic and beautiful at Tantalus Lookout. I loved watching the Sun bathe the Diamond Head volcano and the amazing views of the Waikiki skyline.   You can also plan a picnic here. Just pack some wine and a blanket. However, the park gets closed at 7:45 PM. So, drink mindfully.   3. See The Surfers In Action At Banzai Pipeline  Surfing and me? It’s not the best match you can think of.   Just watch the pro surfers in action at the Banzai Pipeline. This North Shore wander has hollow curls, reef breaks, and gigantic waves. So, it is great for tube riding.   In fact, in the peak season, from November to February, the waves reach a height of 30 feet. Moreover, January is the month of the Billabong Pipeline Masters, attracting top surfing talents around the world.   4. Enjoy The Fireworks In Waikiki  You don’t have to be in Waikiki on 4th July to enjoy the magnificent fireworks. Just be here on a Friday and enjoy the sunset views.   Then, as the Sun goes down, it is an amazing display of lights and crackers everywhere.   5. Hiking Through The Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail  Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail, with a distance of 4.7 miles, is a serious cardio activity you can try in Oahu.   At the end of the stairs and uphill climbs, I found the weather turning cloudy at the top. However, that did not deprive us of enjoying the views.   Also, wear some good hiking shoes as the trail is not the smoothest. Moreover, you will need bug sprays and sunscreen.   Moreover, you have to pass through a gate where the guard will give you the parking pass and note your license.   6. Hike Through The Kuliouou Ridge Trail For Amazing Coastal Views   This is an out-and-back trail, and it took more than three hours to complete the hike. If Wiliwilinui offered me the mysticism of cloudy weather, Kuliouou offered the clarity of a sunny day.   Also, the toil of the hike was every bit worth it. From the top, I loved the views of Waimanalo Beach, Koko Crater and Hawaii Kai.   7. Snorkeling At Sharks Cove  If you are a pro and you have the gear, snorkeling at Sharks Cove is one of the most exciting free things to do in Oahu.   It has no admission fee and it has much lesser crowd than Hanauma Bay. Furthermore, the calm waters here are ideal for spotting sea turtles and tropical fish.   Moreover, the underwater rock formations here are also quite dramatic.   8. Exploring The Dole Plantation For Pineapples   I would have never known the pineapple dipped in chocolate so magical, had I not been to the Dole Plantation.   Also, you must take a tour of the Pineapple Express Train in the plantation. The entry to the plantation is free. However, for the train tour, the charge is around $12 for kids and $15 for adults.   9. Hike Through The Kaiwa Ridge Trail Or The Lanikai Pillbox  This is a moderately challenging 1.8 mile hike and at the end of the hike, you will reach military bunkers. From there, you will enjoy a perfect view.   However, the path is challenging and you have to wear a headlamp if you are starting very early, or before the dawn. The irony is that you have to be here in the early morning so that you can find a parking space.   10. Spend Some Moments Of Tranquility At Byodo-In Temple  Want to experience a slice of Japan in Hawaii? You have to be in the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe. It is a smaller version of the iconic temple in Uji, Japan.   In 1968, the temple was built to honor the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii.   The entry fee to the temple is just $5. Also, I had a great time looking at the Koi pond.   11. Enjoy The Magic Of A Rainforest At Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden  Continuing the vibe of the tranquil experience we had, I headed south to reach the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. It took me a little over 20 minutes to cover the distance.   The botanical garden is in the middle of a rainforest and it is surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges. And thanks to these mountain ranges, a veil of mist covers the area.   You will find tropical plants from different corners of the world, serene lakes and trails here.   12. Enjoy A Quick Nature Walk At Friendship Gardens Trail  The Friendship Gardens Trail is a kid-friendly loop. You have to just walk for 0.5 miles here to complete this loop which further follows a longer loop.   There are clear pink ribbon markings on the bigger loop.   Nevertheless, walking on this small loop is quite comfortable as the entire path is shaded. The only problems I faced were the bugs and the limited parking space.   13. The Crouching Lion Hike   A steep climb and amazing views are the main takeaways from the 0.4 mile hiking trail. Though the route is smaller, it will take around 1 hour to complete the hike.   However, parking here was a lot easier compared to the other hiking trails in Oahu.   Visit this trail on a weekday afternoon to get easy parking facilities.   14. Enjoy The Beaches, The Jewels Of The 112 Miles Coastline   You know that the beaches are the ultimate attractions when an island has more than 112 miles of amazing coastline. These are the beaches you can explore in Oahu.  Lanikai Beach • Close to the Kailua Town • Ideal for Dreamy Sunsets  Laniakea (Turtle) Beach • Ideal for Spotting Green Sea Turtles  Waikiki Beach • Great for Surfers • Amazing Views of the Diamond Head • Quintessential Downtown Vibes Electric Beach • Ideal for Spotting Spinner Dolphins • Great for Snorkeling  15. Exploring A Local Market  I believe that you can’t know a place if you don’t explore the local market. I explored the local vendors there and collected the local produce.   However, even if you just stroll the market, you will notice how there is a community feeling among the local vendors. You must especially visit the Wai Kai Thursday Farmers Market. It is in Ewa Beach.   16. A Movie Date At Cockroach Cove  Cockroach Cove or Hālona Cove is one of the hidden gems of Oahu. It is between Halona Blowhole and Hanauma Bay.   You have to reach the cove through a narrow staircase. However, the views you will get there are amazing.   17. A Somber Moment At Pearl Harbor  Pearl Harbor is one of the prominent places for dark tourism in the USA. It is a place of the 1941 attack that prompted the participation of the USA in World War II.   The USS Arizona Memorial is at the epicenter of the historical and educational experience here.  Read Also: Hawaii Vs Bahamas Vacation: Which One Is The Better Spot For The Ultimate Tropical Experience? What Are The Best Places To Visit In December In The USA? Vote For Your Favorite The Stairway To Heaven Hawaii: Hiking Adventure’s Hidden Gem

BY  Sibashree Feb 2, 2026

Phuket, the biggest island in Thailand, is now taking a step forward toward sustainable tourism. With luxury resorts and adventure activities, we have forgotten that it is the delicate ecological balance that sustains the island. Furthermore, overtourism has been a concern. Also, many tourists do not understand the ethical part of it. For example, many tourists are unaware of the bond of the islanders with the elephants. These animals are considered sacred, and they are meant for respectful observation. Elephant riding was never meant to be an entertainment activity on a mass scale. Mission “Build Back Better” has been a powerful effort to preserve elephants and other iconic animals on the island. Furthermore, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project works to avoid the local extinction of these animals. With these initiatives, there are now more reasons to explore the wildlife, rainforests, and beaches of Phuket. In addition, Silk Sky Air has now started a helicopter service over the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay, Maya Bay, Phuket Town, and other iconic places to see in Phuket. With a low environmental impact, this helicopter service aims for the future of luxury and sustainable tourism. Hi, in today’s blog, I will share my experience in Phuket and the unique things to do in Phuket for first-time travelers. I will start with some basic information about Phuket, and then, I will move to the things to do and where to stay. Phuket At A Glance: Important Information On The Island  Time Zone GMT +7hrs National Language English Other Popular Languages Russian and Chinese Currency Thai Baht (Carry small cash as shops may not accept cards)  How To Move Around In Phuket? Scooters are good in Phuket. However, those do not work for me! I found this wonderful app called Grab to book taxis and move around the island. I even took local buses to explore Phuket's tourist attractions. These buses are fun. For How Long You Must Stay In Phuket?  You need to stay at least 7 days in Phuket. I spent 10 days in Phuket during my last trip. For Phuket, you will need some time to rejuvenate, and so you need a buffer of 1-2 days to relax and just soak in the vibe. What Are The Unique Things To Do In Phuket? With an area of 547 km², Phuket allows you explore beautiful beaches and wildlife along with rich cultural experiences. Also, unlike most tourists, we did not want to stick to a particular beach. We used our 10 days of stay here to visit each side of the island. 1. Things To Do In North Phuket Beautiful waterfalls, jungle trails, and wildlife were the main attractions in North Phuket. Here are the things we did. • A Visit To The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park  Khao Phra Thaeo is the last evergreen rainforest of Phuket. With an area of 20km2, it has many beautiful nature trails. We took the trail to the Bang Pae Waterfall, the most famous in Phuket. We took a dip and relaxed a bit there. Then, we continued our walk and found the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. It is the home to disabled elephants, which have been exploited and abused for years in the name of entertainment and due to working years in the logging industry. You cannot touch the elephants. You have to see and feed them from a distance. Now, this was the most rewarding experience for me in the entire Phuket trip. 2. Things To Do In Central Phuket The Phuket Old Town is the epicenter of the tourist attractions in Central Phuket. We dedicated an entire day to exploring the Old Town. The Old Town has a distinct visual character, with Sino-Portuguese architecture lining both streets. Meanwhile, you must also visit places such as the Soi Romanee or the Phuket Thaihua Museum to learn about the history of Phuket. However, Central Phuket is beyond the Old Town, and these are the other places you must explore. • Visiting Wat Chalong  Wat Chalong is going to take around 1.5 to 2 hours of your time. Here, the temples are dedicated to the monks who led the local people in a Chinese rebellion in 1876.  They also cured the injured soldiers with their deep knowledge of medicinal herbs. You have to wear modest clothes while visiting these temples and remove your shoes before entering the temples. • Day Trips To Nearby Islands Phuket and its nearby islands allow you to live your Hollywood moments. From the island’s east coast, we headed to Phang Nga Bay. Phang Nga Bay is famous for being the location of the James Bond movie. Also, the Phi Phi Islands are the place where The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was shot. • Blue Elephant Moments Blue Elephant stands as the quintessential dining hotspot in Central Phuket. The Pina Colada and food were great. However, the setup in a colonial mansion was the bigger draw for me. Also, Central Phuket is the place where you will have the ultimate street food experience in Phuket. My favorite was the Thai Banana Rotis, and I had them every day during my stay in Phuket. 3. Things To Do In South And West Phuket  South and West Phuket are the areas where you will have the ultimate beach fun and relaxation. It has some noted spas. However, for me, the biggest attraction was the Big Buddha Statue. • Big Buddha You have to take a steep climb up the Nakkerd or Snake Hill to reach this Big Buddha Statue. The only objection I had was the situation of the elephant feeding and riding stations. • The Beautiful Beaches Kata, Karon, and Freedom Beaches are the three most famous beaches in the Central and Western Phuket. However, these are touristy. So, in search of some quiet moments, we headed to the Naiyang Beach and Banana Beach. • Spas And Relaxation You are at fault if you are in Thailand and do not have a Thai massage session. A local friend recommended the Infinite Luxury Spa at Kata Rocks. However, I chose a quaint thatched space. Where To Stay In Phuket? We chose the Como Point Yamu and Six Senses Yao Noi as our accommodations during our stay in Phuket. We stayed for five nights in Como Point Yamu for 5 days, and it was a perfect gateway to the animal sanctuaries and national parks in the north of the Island. On the other hand, the Six Senses Yao Noi was our home for the last five days. Its location in the Phang Nga Bay helps in the complete exploration of the island. Read Also: 5 Must-Visit Places In Thailand: Should I Go To Phuket Or Krabi? Visiting Thailand On Business: 5 Things to Prepare In Advance Bali vs Thailand: Which Place is Better?