Updated: April 22, 2023. Oahu is a wonderful island to start especially for first time visitors to the Hawaiian Islands. It offers a variety of activities for the whole family with a touch of a beach vacation and insights into the Hawaiian culture and history. Its nickname is “The Gathering Place”. Check out this 5 or 7 Day Oahu Itinerary.
This island needs at least five days especially if you’re visiting Oahu for the first time. Oahu is the island we’ve visited the most and we still have many areas and attractions to discover during each visit.
This is a recommended itinerary (days can be interchangeable) especially for first time visitors, based on our past visits including cultural, adventure, popular attractions and plenty of beach time.
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Day 1 – Arrival Day/Head to Waikiki
Most flights from the mainland USA usually land around noon (local time) and just in time for lunch. One of the things we love about Oahu is the variety of restaurants and food.
I know the mall may not be the best place to stop first but the Ala Moana Center food court offers such diverse options of local eateries. If you need some supplies, there is a Foodland supermarket at the mall too.
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in the Waikiki area, drop off your luggage at the hotel and start exploring the area. Kuhio Avenue and Kaka’aku Avenue are the two main streets lined with hotels, stores and restaurants.
Waikiki Beach Walk
The Waikikii Beach Walk is a wonderful start to exploring this stretch of one of the world’s most famous beach area. It’s actually a group of beaches stretching about two miles. Walk the beach path and stop at the iconic 9-ft bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku who is known as the “father of surfing”.
Follow the beachside and sidewalk trail towards Diamond Head that takes you to some beaches and through Kapiolani Park. We love strolling through here which has some beautiful views of the hotel skyline and the beaches. It’s easy to stop at any of the beaches to breathe in the fresh tropical air, people watch or enjoy the scenery.
If you need somewhere to eat along the beach walk trail with oceanfront views, Barefoot Beach Cafe is a casual eatery with some great food options and plenty of smoothie and shave ice varieties. They also have live music nightly.
Sunset Viewing
End your travel day with some sunset viewing. If you’re in the Waikiki area, the harbor by Hillton Hawaiian is a great spot or anywhere along Waikiki beach. If you’re anywhere near the Ko’olina lagoon, this is one of the best places to see the sunset in Oahu.
Day 2: Hanauma Bay and Kalaniana‘ole Highway
Let’s call this Beach and water activity day. Located 10 miles southeast from Waikiki, Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve is one of the best spots for snorkeling on the islands. This protected bay has over 450 tropical fish variety including the Hawaiian state fish, Humuhumunukunukuapuaa (say that twice fast).
We’ve snorkeled in many places and this is one of the best. It is like swimming in a clear and live aquarium with warm waters during a November visit.
The bay and the white sand beach has an idyllic location protecting it from strong currents. It is a great place to relax and sunbathe too. Visitors must reserve and pay in advance to watch the mandatory 9-minute orientation video. Reserve tickets at the Honolulu Parks & Recreation website.
Online reservations can be made two days in advance starting at 7:00 AM Hawai‘i Standard Time (HST) and can be reserved for up to 10 people (5 Adults and/or 5 kids). Since these tickets sell out quickly and you can’t make an online reservation, you can buy a walk-in ticket at the park when it opens at 6:45 AM.
These tickets are only valid for day of purchase. Arrive early as the daily walk-in tickets are limited and sell out very quickly.
Tips for visiting Hanauma Bay
- They are closed on Monday and Tuesday.
- Bring your own food and drinks. The snack bar is currently closed.
- Snorkel equipment is available to rent.
- Lockers are available to rent.
- No entry will be allowed into the nature preserve after 1:30PM.
- Parking is first come first served even with a reservation
Coastal Views and Beaches
After spending a few hours at Hanauma Bay, make a right at the exit and follow the scenic Kalaniana‘ole Highway (Hwy 72). There are several viewpoints and beaches to stop along the way on this coastal road.
One of the most popular lookout points is the Halona Blowhole. This natural wonder shows how the big waves crash into the lava shelf and shoots water geysers through the lava tubes. The larger the waves, the higher the geysers shoot up. It is quite a sight to see and hear too.
Keep driving along the highway for more great ocean views and some beaches to explore like Sandy Beach (great for bodyboarding) and Makapu’u Beach. Stop at Makapu’u Lookout for some of the best coastal views of Oahu. If you have some time, there is a the two-mile Ka Iwi Scenic Shoreline trail that leads to the Makapu’u Lighthouse lookout point.
Continue down the highway towards Waimanalo Beach Park. We love this long white-sand beach for relaxing and walking. Depending on how much time you still have, you can call it a day or keep driving to Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach Park which is less than 10 miles away. Lanikai is one of four favorite beach hangouts.
Try to come here during the weekday since there is no dedicated parking space. Please be mindful of where you park and the no trespassing signs. There are many dinner options at the charming town of Kailua including Buzz’s Steakhouse and Lanikai Brewing Company.
Day 3 – Pearl Harbor / Luau
One of Oahu’s most popular attractions is the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. This is a complex of museums, exhibits, theater, an audio tour and historic sites for visitors to learn more about the Pacific War and the attack on Pearl Harbor and the US on December 7, 1941.
The USS Arizona Memorial is a historic landmark and is Hawaii’s most popular attraction. Visitors take a boat ride to the memorial. The USS Arizona battleship was built over the remnants and the final resting place of 1,177 sailors and marines killed during the attack.
If you’re visiting with children, please keep in mind that this is a sensitive place so prepare them beforehand about the significance of these memorials. Start off your visit at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and watch the 23-minute park film.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is free to enter. No reservations are required. But, the USS Arizona Memorial requires advanced reservations online at www.recreation.gov. Though, tickets are free and only has a $1 service charge.
There are also other nearby historic sites not managed by the National Park Service but worth a visit especially if you’re a history buff: The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, Battleship Missouri Memorial, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
History comes alive and a visit here is both educational and emotional. We recommend going to the memorials early to make the most of your day.
Attend a Luau
Get some rest and end your day of history with a luau. A luau or Hawaiian festival is a must do activity when visiting the Hawaiian islands.
It’s a great way to learn about the local culture and history and eat some delicious food. Our favorite luau on the island is at Paradise Cove.
We like Paradise Cove’s oceanfront location and its spectacular sunset backdrop is hard to beat. They provide plenty of traditional arts, crafts and games (e.g. spear throwing and dart sliding) beforehand to learn more about the culture in the Hawaiian village.
Guests can participate in ceremonies like doing Hawaiian chants, pulling in fish nets and learn how the the centerpiece of the feast (the pig) is traditionally cooked in the Imu ceremony. The night ends with of traditional dishes and drinks (kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, etc) and an unforgettable cultural show.
Day 4: Visit the North Shore
We highly recommend setting aside a whole day to explore the island’s North Shore area known as the world’s surfing capital. There’s so much to see and explore here.
The drive is about an hour without traffic from the Honolulu/Waikiki area. Start your drive very early especially if you’re going on weekends since traffic can be bad.
Our first stop is usually at Laniakea Beach or Turtle Beach to see the honu or Hawaiian sea turtles. Parking is across the road from the beach. Please keep in mind that they may not be here during the winter months since they migrate to other places to nest.
If you’re visiting when they’re in the area, this is definitely worth a stop to see these beautiful animals. You may get lucky and even see a few of them. Please remember to keep your distance from them and do not touch them.
Since this is a surfer mecca, it is only fitting to stop by a few beaches to watch them brave the waves. The surfers are a joy to watch no matter which surfing spot you pick. If you are here from November to February, the waves average about 16 feet.
But, a few days during the peak season, these winter waves can go up to 50 feet. We were here last January and it was incredible to see the size and power of these waves and the surfers conquering them.
One of our first stops is usually Waimea Bay Beach Park. We love the wide shoreline, the golden sand and watching the surfers here. There are barely any waves and water is calm and ideal for kids during the summer.
Continue with watching the daring surfers at Sunset Beach and the Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline). They can be mesmerizing and we spent more time than expected watching them during our last visit here in January.
Waimea Falls and Garden
If you want a relaxing stroll as a break from the beaches, the Waimea Botanical Garden and Falls is a wonderful option. The 1.5-mile trek is through a lush 52 themed gardens with over 5000 types of tropical and subtropical plants and historical and cultural sites. There are also presentations, workshops, performances and crafts here to learn more about the Hawaiian culture and history.
The short hike leads to the 40-ft Waimea Falls where visitors can swim and get up close. The falls are in their full glory after heavy rainfall. During a dry few weeks, you may encounter a trickle instead of a waterfall.
Eating in the North Shore
One of the main reasons visitors go to the North Shore is to eat. After some beach time, surfer watching or short hike, it’s time for lunch and the options are amazing. There are many great food trucks and restaurants here but some of the most popular ones are the shrimp farms and trucks.
Kahuku is known for their shrimp farms. There are farms, like Romy’s and Fumi’s, where visitors can sit alongside the aquaculture ponds and eat freshly harvested shrimp. The shrimp truck that started the craze was Giovanni’s and you can find it parked on Kahuku too among other food trucks.
If you love a lot of garlic and shrimp, these shrimp plates are a delicious slice of shrimp foodie heaven. You can find comparisons of which shrimp scampi plate lunch is better but it’s probably best to do your own taste test. We’ve only eaten at Giovanni’s during past trips and love them.
You can also make your way back to Haleiwa (pronounced ha-lay-ee-vah), which has even more food options. There is also a spot with parked food trucks that includes another Giovanni’s truck. Although, the Kahuku food trucks seem to have lesser crowds.
Haleiwa is actually a fantastic historic town to stroll around after your lunch. There are many unique shops and boutiques for your Hawaiian souvenirs and several art galleries for browsing.
Dessert Options in the North Shore
Need some desserts? Our go to place for Hawaiian shave ice is Matsumoto’s in Haleiwa. This iconic and family-owned and operated store has been around since 1951. we love their expanded store that offers more merchandise now.
There are many flavors and combinations. It’s an overall great value for shave ice and sure to hit the spot while walking under the Hawaiian heat.
Ted’s Bakery, located by Sunset Beach, is another favorite for their delicious chocolate haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding,) pie. Try their macadamia nut or lilikoi cheese pies too.
Other dessert options are the snow puffies at Paalaa Kai bakery. This light and fluffy pastry is dusted with a lot of powdered sugar, topped with chocolate and filled with custard. This was so good and worth the mess it leaves behind. We saw locals buying by the dozen when we were here.
Dole Plantation
Pass by Dole Plantation on your way back to your hotel. This is one of Oahu’s most visited attractions and touts itself as “Hawaii’s complete pineapple experience”. This is a wonderful stop that offers plenty of activities for families.
Ride the Pineapple Express Train Tour which is a two-mile, 20-minute narrated ride through the real-life working plantation while learning the history of pineapples in Hawaii and how they’re grown. They also offer a plantation garden tour, an eatery, a large koi pond and a fully stocked store to buy Hawaiian souvenirs and unique gifts and even pineapples to take home. We also stop here for their delicious and world-famous DoleWhip®.
Go on the giant Pineapple garden maze which has been designated as the world’s largest maze at over three acres. There are 2.5 miles of twisting paths built from over 14,000 Hawaiian plants. Visitors can look for the eight secret stations. Download the free Dole Plantation app for an enhanced maze experience.
If Dole Plantation is closed by the time you pass by, be sure to add it for another day even for just a couple of hours. It’s such a unique attraction that it is worth the trip. Please check their website for closures and notices.
Day 5: Kualoa Ranch /Byodo-In Temple
There have been many movies and TV shows filmed in Hawaii. The incredible scenery of lush landscape and jagged mountains makes for some jaw-dropping backdrops. Kualoa Ranch has been nicknamed “Hollywood’s Hawaii Backlot” for the over 50 and counting movies filmed here.
The ranch is a 4,000-acre private nature reserve, farm and working cattle ranch. It offers a variety of activities for the whole family that it’s easy to spend a whole day here.
One of its most popular attractions is the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour that takes visitors to several familiar filming locations from your favorite movies and shows like Jurassic Park, Kong Skull Island, Jumanji, Finding Ohana and LOST. There is also a specific 2.5 Jurassic Adventure tour that takes visitors to the movie sets of several Jurassic Park movies filmed here.
There are also zip line adventures, guided tours through horseback, electric mountain bikes or driving your own multi-passenger ATV Raptor vehicles through the valleys. You can even spend a day at a Secret Island Beach like we did.
It’s hard to only pick one option. Book these tours early since they have limited capacity and do sell out quickly. Check out and book these other Kualoa Ranch tours.
Relax a bit after visiting the ranch by heading over to the Kualoa Regional park near the entrance. It has beach access and a great view of Chinaman’s Hat Island.
If you want to try some local Hawaiian food in the area, we highly recommend Waiahole Poi Factory which is about 3.5 miles from Kualoa Ranch. Try their local favorites like lau lau(pork wrapped in taro leaves), kalua pig (slow cooked pork shoulder) or lomi salmon (salted salmon with onions and tomatoes).
My personal favorite is the Sweet lady dessert which is warm Kulolo (taro pudding) and Haupia (coconut pudding) ice cream. It is delicious!
Explore Byodo-In Temple
You will be passing by the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe on your way back to the Honolulu area and highly recommend stopping here. After a day of adventure, this peaceful oasis is the perfect place to end the day.
Located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, it was established to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. While the temple is a smaller replica of the Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Japan, it is still an impressive structure.
We enjoy strolling through the well manicured grounds here. It has meditation areas, a large reflecting pond filled with large koi, waterfalls, beautiful structures, black swans and peacocks roaming around. The temple is open to visitors of all faiths, to worship or meditate as a non-practicing Buddhist temple.
Day 6: Take a Hike
There are many scenic trails around Oahu whether you want a short or strenuous hike. The following are four popular hikes around the island.
The most popular is climbing Diamond Head which is the crater hovering over Waikiki. The 0.8-mile trail to the summit includes passing through a 225-foot tunnel and some military fort/bunkers.
It’s steep with about 560 feet of elevation gain. But, the postcard views of Waikiki from the top are absolutely worth it. We’ve seen plenty of kids and seniors doing this trail.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike: Located at the end of a residential street in Lanikai, this trail is worth seeking out. This 1.8-mile, moderate hike can be intense in some areas due to elevation gains. But, it offers incredible views once you reach the top of the surrounding beautiful beaches and the neighboring twin islands by Kailua.
Koko Crater Trail: This is another popular trail and you can actually see the hikers going up the steep slope from the highway. Conquering the hill means going up the 1,050 Koko Head Steps.
These steps were old and abandoned military railway the trains used to transport supplies. Views at the top are incredible which include Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach. Start this hike early since there is no shade along the trail.
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail: This paved 2.5 mile roundtrip to the 500 ft peak is easy enough with some steepness. Visitors are rewarded with the glimpse of the Makapu’u Lighthouse and amazing coastline views. If you’re here between December and May, this is a great spot for whale watching.
Find more trails around Oahu especially if you want something that takes longer or more challenging.
I recommend pairing a hike with a relaxing beach day afterwards depending on which trail you chose. Relax at any of the beaches along Waikiki after Diamond Head. Go to Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach after Lanikai Pillbox and any of the beaches along the Kalaniana‘ole Highway (Hwy 72) for the Makapu’u or Koko Crater Trail.
Day 7: Museum or Beach Day
Depending on your flight home, you may have a full day or just a few hours during your last day in Oahu. If you only have a few hours, the best way to spend it may be at a beach you haven’t visited yet during your week. One of our favorite tranquil places is the Ko Olina Lagoon.
The four lagoons are connected by over 1.5 mile of pathways. There’s a reason Disney’s Aulani Resort is located here. It is a beautiful area to relax and enjoy the ocean breeze. Come here during weekdays since parking is limited in designated places.
If you’ve got a full day ahead, you can go the laid back way by visiting some historical places and taking in some views with some last minute shopping.
The historical and laidback option is visiting some museums to learn more about Hawaii’s culture and history. The Bishop Museum has the largest Hawaiian artifacts collection which amount to over 25 million of photos, documents, historical treasures and artifacts. This natural and cultural history museum is dedicated to learning about and preserving Hawaii’s history as well other Polynesian cultures.
Explore the Iolani Palace
Pair the museum visit with the 19th century Iolani Palace. Have you ever wondered how Hawaiian royalty lived? Touring the palace gives visitors a glimpse into this once official royal residence of the Hawaiian monarchs.
Various docent led guided tours gives visitors the chance to learn about the palace’s history and the many grand functions and events it held. The tours also go through the staterooms and public reception areas on the first floor and the private quarters and suites on the second floor. This is a National Historic Landmark and the only official royal residence in the United States.
Visitors can also do their own self-tour guide of the palace via an audio guide that last about an hour and available in several languages.Most of the self- guided and docent tours end at the basement Galleries for visitors to explore. Don’t miss the surrounding palace grounds too for a stroll.
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