Page last updated: 2 January 2025
Oahu, known as “The Gathering Place“, is a vibrant island that blends rich cultural history with its natural beauty which attracts millions of visitors annually.
How many people visit Oahu each year?
Oahu welcomed over 5.6 million visitors in 2023.
- In 2019, 6.2 million tourists visited Oahu. However, due to the 2020 pandemic, tourist visitation dropped to 1.5 million.1
- Tourist recovery was evident in 2021, when Oahu welcomed 3.3 million visitors, indicating a 120% increase compared to the previous year.
- This trend continued in 2022 with 4.9 million visitors and in 2023 with 5.6 million visitors showing a 227% and 273% increase compared to 2020. However, these figures were still 21% and 10% less compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic year).
There is no data available for April – December 2020 and only the data available is modelled.
How many people visited Oahu in 2023?
- Over 5.6 million tourists visited Oahu in 2023, a 14% increase compared to the previous year but still 10% less than 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How much do people spend in Oahu each year?
Oahu tourism revenue generated $9.01 billion in 2023.
- Visitors to Oahu spent $8.14 billion in 2019, a 2% increase over $8 billion in 2018.
- In 2021 and 2022, tourists spent $5.7 billion and $8.7 billion in Oahu, respectively.
- Oahu tourism revenue generated $9.01 billion in 2023, surpassing the 2019 figure by 11%.
There is no data available for Oahu for April – December of 2020 and only the data available is modelled.
How much did people spend in Oahu in 2023?
- Oahu generated over $9.01 billion from tourism expenditure in 2023, a 4% increase compared to the previous year, and 11% higher than 2019 (pre-pandemic).
Where do visitors to Oahu come from?
Tourists to Oahu are from the United States with approximately 4.5 million visitors, followed by Japan, which accounted for 300,000 visitors.
- 250,000 Canadians visited Oahu in 2023, closely followed by Australia with 200,000 visitors, and South Korea with 150,000 visitors.
How many days do tourists need to explore Oahu?
- Visitors spent an average of 7.22 days when visiting Oahu in 2023. This was a 3% decrease compared to the previous year with 7.44 days but 6% higher than in 2019 with 6.8 days.
Hawaii Travel Resources
- Car rental prices in Oahu
- Car rental prices in Honolulu
- Car rental prices in Hawaii
- Car rental prices across the USA
How popular is Oahu as a tourist destination?
- Often referred to as The Heart of Hawai’i, Oahu is one of the most visited travel destinations in the US.
- Oahu ranked #1 as the most visited island in Hawaii with 5.6 million visitors in 2023.
What were Oahu’s peak tourist months in 2023?
- July contributed most of the tourist visitation in 2023 with 529,000 visitors followed by December with 514,000 visitors.
- August 2023 welcomed 508,000 visitors, followed closely by June with 502,000 visitors.
- 487,000 tourists visited in March 2023.
When is the best time to visit Oahu?
The best time to visit Oahu is from April to June and September to November. During these months, visitors can experience pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and lower hotel rates.2
- During Spring, April to June, Oahu offers mild temperatures and blooming landscapes, ideal for outdoor activities.
- Fall, September to November, features warm weather and visitors can experience local festivals and events.
- While Summer, June to August, is popular for tourists, it can be crowded and more expensive.
Why do tourists visit Oahu?
- Vacation is the main reason why people visit Oahu, accounting for 75% of the total visitation in 2023 (4.2 million visitors).
- Followed by visiting friends/relatives with 12% of the total visits or approximately 690,000 visitors.
- This was then followed by honeymoons, accounting for 5% of the total visits or 290,000 visitors.
- Business, Meetings, Conventions, and Incentives made up 4% of the total visits (230,000 visitors).
- Other reasons accounted for 3.4% of the total visits in 2023 or 190,000 visitors.
Best places to visit in Oahu
- Diamond Head State Monument – One of Honolulu’s most important natural features, this dormant volcano crater is renowned for its history and fantastic climbs that attract more than 1 million hikers each year.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial – Recognised as a National Historic Landmark honouring the events of World War II and the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. It receives more than 2 million visitors annually.
- Waikiki Beach – This iconic landmark in Waikiki is home to some of the most well-known beaches in Hawaii which draws about 4 million visitors every year.
- Manoa Falls – This waterfall can only be accessed by visitors through a 1.5-mile round trip hike, which offers the 150 ft tall falls that attract thousands of tourists each year.
- Koko Crater Arch Trail – This abandoned WWII railroad track is a steep and challenging hiking trail with more than 1,000 steps. The trail also draws thousands of visitors annually.
Hawaii Tourism Statistics Resources
USA Travel Statistics Resources
- Arizona Statistics (incl. Grand Canyon National Park)
- California Statistics (incl. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Florida Statistics (incl. Destin, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
- Illinois Statistics (incl. Chicago)
- Louisiana Statistics (incl. New Orleans)
- Massachusetts Statistics (incl. Boston)
- Nevada Statistics (incl. Las Vegas)
- New York Statistics (incl. New York City, Statue of Liberty)
- South Dakota Statistics (incl. Mount Rushmore)
- Tennessee Statistics (incl. Memphis, Nashville)
- Texas Statistics (incl. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
- Utah Statistics
- Washington Statistics (incl. Seattle)
- Yellowstone National Park Statistics
