The beautiful, lush island paradise known as Oahu island, meaning 'gathering place', is the ideal escape for anyone looking for a bit of adventure, relaxation, culture, food or just that famous, golden sunshine!
From surfing, snorkelling and shopping to eating, hiking and exploring, there is just so much to do on this island.
If you've only got a week to spare then Oahu island is perfect for you! There is definitely enough time for new experiences and a whole lot of fun so take what you like from my 7 day itinerary for Oahu island!
Top Tips: For handy tips on where to stay, how to budget, best places to eat and how to get around the island then check out my latest blog post 'All you need to know about Oahu island, Hawaii'.
Great, so now that you have all the handy tips, let's get stuck into this island vacation!
Contents
Day 1:
Relax at Waikiki
If you're flying from Sydney, chances are you'll arrive very early in the morning and most hotels don't let you check in until 3pm so what better way to get stuck into your holiday than dive right into the waves at Waikiki beach?
Option 1) Surf at Waikiki beach
Leave your luggage at the hotel's storeroom, take your swimmers and spend the day at Waikiki beach. Now, if surfing at Waikiki beach is not on your bucket list then why even bother coming to Honolulu?! Just kidding, if you're not a surfer there are plenty of other activities to do here but it is hands down the best beach to learn in the world (big claim, I know) so if you're going to learn one day then here is the best place to do it! Surfing at Waikiki beach also offers amazing views of Diamond head crater!
The cheapest place to rent a board is from 'La Cucaracha Mexican Bar & Grill', just a 2 minute walk from Waikiki beach for only $7/hour. Don't worry if you've never surfed before, you can hire 9 foot long boards which are pretty much small boats so super easy to stand up on. Remember to bring a rash vest! Surfing at Waikiki beach was definitely a bucket list tick and it was so much fun that we did it twice!
Option 2) Shopping at Waikele outlets!
If surfing is not for you (although I believe everyone should give it a go here) and you're more of a land animal then shop to your heart's content at Waikele outlets! If you prefer your big brands like Louis Vuitton, Coach, Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci you will find all of these high end fashion brands in Waikiki town centre. However, if you're a branded girl like me and searching for a bargain in the categories of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Adidas then you will definitely get your bang for your buck at Waikele outlet shopping centre. When you've shopped til you dropped, Waikele is a great place to grab a jamba juice, signature Hawaiian poke bowl or a typical american nachos (with the bright orange cheese...real or fake?).
Option 3) Chill by the pool
If flying makes you super exhausted, why not begin your holiday by engaging relaxation mode at the get go? Most hotels, resorts, even hostels will have a swimming pool so grab a cocktail, make some friends and activate #vacaymode!
Day 2:
Hanauma bay
I have been snorkelling in Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Fiji and Australia and Hanauma Bay is still without a doubt the best snorkelling experience I have ever had.
Hanauma bay: Meaning 'curved bay', this snorkel hot spot is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. Located along the southeast coast, the marine bay is inhabited by over 400 species of fish! There are plenty of sandy or grassy areas to set up base so bring your picnic and snorkel with you and you're set for the day! From just knee deep, as soon as you submerge your snorkel mask underwater, it's like you enter a whole new world #aladdin.
I was out there for hours as this was by far the greatest array of fish I had ever seen. The fish do make it clear who reigns the bay as they literally charge right into you so stay out of their way! They just go about their business and take no notice of the hundreds of tourists kicking and splashing all over the place. And if you're picky about your fish, well they come in all shapes and sizes (some are absolutely gigantic with alarmingly large and sharp teeth!). This is definitely a trip where you'll want to bring your Gopro as I could swim among the fish all day long.
Beware that there are strong currents and waves towards the centre of the bay that become more choppy during certain parts of the day so if you're not such a strong swimmer then stick to the shallower areas at the edges of the bay. However, when you arrive they explain all these precautions and you get to watch a cool video about the in and outs of bay. We didn't see any turtles that day but rumour has it that there are 2 sea turtles roaming the bay along with a playful monk seal so you might just get lucky!
Also be careful with the coral. Due to the changes in tides, you can suddenly find yourself extremely close to the coral so try your best not to kick it! You will not only hurt yourself but it is damaging to nature. We want to try and preserve this natural marine habitat so that future generations can experience for themselves how great the snorkelling is too!
How to get to Hanauma bay
It is very simple, just catch the 22 bus from Waikiki town. There are also buses that take you back to Waikiki every 30 mins.
Get here early to beat the crowds and increase your chances of seeing this mysterious monk seal who is more likely to be spotted as early as 7am! The entrance fee is $7.50 per person since it is a wildlife conservation area but small fee for such a great experience!
Sandy Beach Park
Next, we are catching the bus to sandy beach. Now this is apparently the number one beach in the US where inexperienced tourists suffer from the most spinal injuries as the waves here are massive to say the least. Now, don't let this put you off as this is where you can witness many daring sand boarders sprint into the crashing waves, gracefully leap onto their sand board, slide into the water, flip and surf back out - amazing to watch!
If you're confident in your abilities to choose your prime moment, then sprint into the water, paddle past the giant waves crashing on the shore and enjoy being lifted up super high, just like a natural wave machine! Just be careful when choosing the right moment to come back in too!
Take a short walk up to Halona blowhole but if you're not feeling up to it, you won't miss out. This blowhole isn't the most exciting, however, the location provides a photogenic view of sandy beach for the gram! #saltsandandsun
Now if you're not already exhausted from your day already then catch the number 23 bus a little further up to see Makapu'u Point lighthouse, otherwise save it for another day!
Finish the night off on the white sands of Waikiki beach, watching the local hula dance performance on the stage right in front of the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue. Hula performances are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at sunset.
Day 3:
Diamond Head Crater hike & chasing waterfalls!
Sunrise hike up Diamond head crater
There are 175 steps and a 69 metre hardly lit tunnel to clamber through but it is definitely worth the uphill battle! It only took us 20 minutes to get to the top with 10 minutes to spare before the famous orange and pink sun rays struck the sparkling water and spread across the whole volcanic crater. However, we are distance athletes and powered up the hill so maybe give yourself 45 minutes to avoid missing sunrise.
Created by a series of volcanic eruptions called the Honolulu Volcanic Series 150,000 years ago, Diamond Head Crater is simply a must-see spectacle. Once you've watched the epic sunrise and taken those Instagram worthy shots, head around the back for amazing panoramic views of Waikiki beach and sunny Honolulu city.
Definitely worth the early morning exercise and we were surprised at how many others had the same idea as it got pretty packed up there with everyone scrambling to catch that world famous sunrise!
After refreshing with breakfast and possibly a dip in the ocean or pool, we are heading to Manoa waterfall!
Manoa waterfall
Wear sturdy walking shoes as you will be completing a 1 mile hike in the humid, slippery (especially in flip flops!), dense forest to get to the 150 foot cascade but it is totally worth it! You'll definitely work up a sweat so being rewarded with a refreshing dip in the fresh, icy water feels so fine!
Wear insect repellent and bring your swimming costume! There is a $5 entrance fee to be paid at the parking lot before the rain forest hike.
Other waterfall options include Lulumahu waterfall but it is very similar to Manoa waterfall in terms of the forest hike to get there and the actual waterfall itself so you only need to pick one or the other.
Waimea waterfall in North shore costs $16 so we didn't see that one but we did wander around the gardens and saw the largest and coolest Monkey pod tree we had ever seen!
This area is definitely worth a visit as many classics are filmed here such as Jurassic park, The Hunger Games and Jamunji.
You must have worked up an appetite after all that hiking so spend the evening satisfying your food cravings at one of the many of the eating options I listed in my other blog 'All you need to know about Oahu, Hawaii' under Travel Tips.
Day 4:
Beach day
Kailua beach & Lanikai beach
Today we will start off with a trip to Kailua beach then we'll stroll over to Lanikai beach (meaning turtle beach). Kailua beach is a long stretch of white sand with waves not quite big enough to surf on but more to float or 'bob' up and down in! It is quite windy but this makes it ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing. It is quite a spectacle to watch the colourful kites flying in the sky, those nifty hover surfboards that bounce a foot above the waves and the kite surfers perfectly landing their parachutes on the beach amongst the amazed tourists.
Although this beach is ideal for a quick dip in the waves, don't spend too long here as you'll want to head to Lanikai beach which is much less windy, creating the perfect golden sand, turquoise ocean paradise that is perfect for bathing and taking the signature 'hold up the islands' photo.
This beach is also great for snorkelling as you will see quite a variety of fish (not as many as Hanauma bay). Despite being called turtle beach, we did not see any turtles but we're heading to Turtle bay next to make a lil shelly friend!
There is also a hike you can do at Lanikai for beautiful views of Lanikai beach (maybe you will have better luck spotting a turtle from up high!).
Turtle Bay
Snorkelling at Turtle bay was definitely a highlight of my trip as not only do you get to swim alongside Hawaiian sea turtles but the coral, anemones and colourful fish make it an extremely worthwhile trip. It is also a beautiful spot to set up your picnic and soak in that summer glow!
Turtle bay is part of the Turtle Bay Resort, however guests who aren't staying there are welcome to use the beach for free too.
Be very careful with the strong currents here. Being a strong swimmer myself, I even struggled at times, finding myself swimming on the spot when trying to get to the other side...a great workout though!
Unfortunately, you have to pay for beach umbrellas, however, we dumped our stuff in the shade of one and weren't bothered by anyone. So set up base in the sun or shade and dive right into the cove with your snorkel! Swimming alongside a sea turtle was at the top of my Hawaii bucket list and this is where it was ticked off!
Beware of the multitude of spiky sea urchins so do NOT stand while snorkelling! Just keep swimming or learn the egg beater technique to stay afloat! The currents get very strong here so make sure you know your limits first!
Now once you've had your fair share of sea, sun and sand, wave goodbye to Mr Turtle because we're heading to Ko'olina cove!
Ko'olina Cove
Ko'olina is a sheltered cove surrounded by coconut palms and views of the volcanic mountains in the distance. These mountains are so unique to Oahu they might as well be copyrighted. Ko'olina was my favourite beach on the whole island. Being family and couple friendly, this beach suits anyone looking to relax in the warm water that is so clear you don't even need a snorkel to see the fish. This place might as well be called 'Paradise'.
Day 5:
Koko crater, Pearl Harbour & Chinatown
Climb Koko head crater
Now this is definitely an aerobic workout! Even for two elite runners, we were puffing, panting and sweating bullets! If you've got any injuries I suggest avoiding this hike but if you're up for an adventure then it's a must-do! An abandoned railway 1.5 miles long (round trip), rises 1200 feet above Kawaii Kai and has1048 steps, this is definitely a hike to start early morning before it gets too hot.
How to get there:
The walk starts from the bus stop near Hanauma bay and offers amazing views of Hanauma bay from the top! The walk starts off quite flat but gets increasingly steeper as you go higher so none of that 'oh don't worry, it get's easier' nonsense! When you sign up, you're in for the challenge of your trip!
It is a very popular hike with young families, dogs and of course the insane fitness fanatics who sprint up every weekend to try and beat the record!
Fun fact: the record time for this is 9:36!
Be warned in advance that there is a section in the middle where the gaps between the planks are a 40 foot drop so I guess my best advice is don't look down! Just speed up and your adrenaline will get you past it. Then you can continue up the even steeper planks to the top!
Bring a very large water bottle as you will probably lose half your body weight in sweat! It is definitely worth the hike as the views at the top are epic. Once you take the #wedidit selfie for proof of completion, you can enjoy the descent that leaves your legs shaking like jelly for the rest of the day!
So now that workout of the day is complete it is time to work on the brain at Pearl Harbour!
Pearl Harbour
Now it is time for some history! You'll need at least an hour, preferably two, at Pearl Harbour as the story of the Japanese bomber jets and their surprise military strike on the vessels moored below is mind-blowing. I will say no more as you need to learn and experience it yourself! After that history lesson it is time to taste that juicy noodle at Chinatown!
Chinatown
Catch a bus here to enjoy some authentic Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Singaporean or Malaysian cuisine! I recommend Phở Saigon Restaurant, Saigon Vietnamese Cuisine, Duc's Bistro or Golden River Restaurant for a hearty bowl of Phở ! Fancy purchasing a traditional, authentic, Hawaiian lei? Almost every shop in Chinatown will keep an abundance of colourful leis refrigerated to stay fresh as a daisy (or hibiscus!).
Day 6
Mermaid caves, Botanical Gardens & Dole' pineapple plantation
Mermaid caves and beach
Located in the area of Waianae at Nankuli beach park, mermaid caves is definitely an activity for the adventurous, almighty and abnormally crazy adrenaline seekers! 4 or 5 holes in the spikiest rock formation leaves waves gushing in and out for you to hold your breath and jump into!
If you'd rather not lose half the skin off your feet to sharp rock and coral then just watch others do it! There are a few holes in the volcanic rock closer to the shore where you can hop into and experience a mini underground beach. This is a much safer experience and still heaps of fun!
Remember to bring your flip flops as you have to survive a short trek across jagged lava terrain just to get to the caves!
The beach next to mermaid caves is a popular picnic hangout spot with waves that lift you up really high then crash right onto the shore so lots of fun for body surfers. Enjoy some sunbathing and cooling off at this beach and then we'll head to the botanical gardens for the most picturesque picnic spot on the island!
Botanical gardens
About a 40 minute drive from Mermaid Caves, it is free to enter and a perfect spot to have a sandwich in peaceful nature while gazing at the towering mountain range and lush forest.
Spot the fluffy, yellow, bumble bee look-alike plants and monkeypod trees on the botanical garden walk while you're there.
Now we are en route to Dole's Pineapple Plantation! Stop over at Nu'uanu pali lookout to take some pics along the way.
Dole's pineapple plantation and maze
If you feel like letting your inner 8 year old self free then get lost in the maze and complete the scavenger hunt along the way. It's the world's largest maze, stretching over 3 acres and crafted from 14,000 Hawaiian plants!
If mazes aren't for you then there is plenty for you to do including:
Pop your own pearl and see what colour the universe selects for you (Pink symbolises love and romance, Black: Wealth and prosperity and White: innocence and beauty).
Watch the chocolate demonstration and taste a sample of coco nibs and Dole's chocolate.
Walk around the pineapple plantation garden to see how they are farmed and to learn interesting facts about Hawaiian pineapples (Fun fact: a pineapple will take 20 months to grow!).
Purchase the best pineapple you will ever taste. Hawaii is ideal for growing pineapples as the frequent rainfall, red volcanic soil and humid weather make for ideal conditions so what better place to sample some sweet, juicy pineapple than at Dole's plantation in Hawaii? Purchase a pineapple on your way out to take home or try the world famous Dole Whip pineapple ice cream!
Take the Pineapple Express Train Tour around the plantation
Purchase pineapple jam, jelly, biscuits, cake, refreshments, gifts and souvenirs!
Feeling Pineappled out? Head back to Waikiki for a bite to eat followed by evening fireworks at The Hilton village which is every Friday night @7:45pm. Check out my latest post 'All you need to know about Oahu, Hawaii' for some scrumptious dining options.
Day 7:
North shore
Watch surf compettitions
Our final day will be a memorable one as we head to the North shore to see the real surf! Pro surfers from all over the world gather here for international surfing competitions including the famous Billabong Pipe Masters (Vans Triple Crown), Vans World Cup of Surfing (also Vans Triple Crown) and Hawaiian Pro.
If you're lucky enough to be visiting Oahu during a surfing competition then go and watch some world class surfing!
Unless you are a pro surfer yourself, the beaches up there are usually closed to swimmers and recreational surfers as the waves can be deadly! Reaching up to 40 feet (12m), it's amazing to stand on Waimea beach and watch these lethal waves crashing on the shore. In fact some of the largest waves in the world are found at Waimea beach!
Waimea beach, sunset beach & Bonzai Pipeline
Drive along to the 3 main surfing beaches (Waimea, Sunset and Bonzai Pipeline) to observe these insane waves and spot surfers in the distance either mastering these giants or getting swallowed up by them! (hopefully the former...).
When you feel like having lunch, plenty of food trucks at Halawei town will keep you satisfied, along with bikini shops, ice cream parlours and a jetty where you can watch the local rowers and stand up paddle boarders practising.
Enough viewing and in need of some activity? Now we are going to head to Kaena point (about an hour away from Halawei town) to spot some monk seals!
Kaena Point
Being the western most tip of the island, it gets very windy here so bring a coat or wind jacket and proper walking shoes that you don't mind getting muddy!
Keep your eyes peeled and walk as close to the coast as possible. It is more of a dirt trail rather than a hike so no more uphill battles!
Unfortunately, we didn't see any monk seals but it was still a picturesque walk along the rugged mountains and crashing waves with the sea spraying in your face! The best time of year to see monk seals and humpback whales is from January to March.
Hawaiian Monk seals are only one of two monk seal species left in the world so be very careful not to endanger them. Don't touch, just watch and take pics from a distance!
If you don't spot any monk seals then don't fret, there is plenty of other wildlife to see so look out for the glorious Laysan Albatross soaring above!
So that's my 1 week itinerary for a taster of Oahu island. If you're lucky enough to spend more time here...
Other things to do on Oahu island
Chinaman's hat
Ala Moana beach (great for doing laps)
Kailua beach and farmer's market
Waikiki shopping plaza (you will feel like you're in japan)
Kawela bay to see the Bunyan trees
Aiea loop trail to see mountain ranges
Makaha valley towers
Lolani palace
Ewa beach
Happy Travelling!
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