The ultimate Hawaii vacation
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There’s no place quite as magical and beautiful as Oahu. From Waikiki Beach to the North Shore, Oahu is filled with pristine beaches, hidden waterfalls, and stunning views. Here’s the perfect way to spend 4 Days on Oahu!
Things to know before you go
Transportation
The Honolulu area has an extensive bus system, known as TheBus, that can take you to the airport and popular attractions such as Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. Routes and timetables can be found here. If you’re planning to spend most of your time in the Waikiki area, you shouldn’t need to rent a car as it’s a small and very walkable area. If you plan to venture outside Waikiki to an area not covered by the bus system, you will need to rent a car or book a tour with transportation.
Hotels
The majority of the hotels on Oahu are in the Waikiki area, so even if your hotel isn’t on the beach, it should just be a short walk away. Be prepared to pay a nightly resort fee on top of the standard nightly rate.
Tours & Activities
Tours and activities fill up very fast, especially during the summer. We recommend booking your tours about two months in advance, if not sooner. Attractions like Diamond Head and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor require reservations made in advance; more details are provided below.
Best Time to Visit
April, May, September, and October are great times to visit Oahu. This will allow you to avoid most of the rainy season and visit at a time when the island isn’t too crowded.
Day 1: Diamond Head + Waikiki Beach
For your first day in Oahu, we suggest heading to two must-see places: Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach!
Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head is a famous crater that was formed over 300,00 years ago during a single eruption. This Oahu landmark has served as a sacred and religious spot for Hawaiians. In 1904, the United States government purchased Diamond Head to be used for the coastal defense of Oahu. Diamond Head then became a historic site in 1965 and opened to the public for hiking in 1975 when it was incorporated into Hawaii’s Park Division.
Diamond Head requires entry and car reservations; they can be made up to 30 days in advance. Non-Hawaii residents are charged an entrance fee of $5 per person and a parking fee of $10 per vehicle. Details about reservations and entrance fees can be found here. Reservation times are strictly enforced – make sure to adhere to the time you select.
If you don’t have a rental car, Diamond Head can be reached by taking the bus. Bus tickets can be purchased at ABC stores – we recommend buying a day pass. After getting off the bus at the Diamond Head stop, you’ll have about a mile walk to the entrance. Bus routes and timetables can be found here. The Rome2Rio app is also a great resource for finding more information about the bus routes.
The hike to the summit of Diamond Head is about 0.8 miles. Most visitors are able to make it to the summit in 40-50 minutes. The trail is steep and rocky, so we recommend wearing tennis shoes or hiking boots. On the way up, you’ll be able to see military fortifications and signs pointing out the landmarks you can see in the distance. On a clear day, you can even see some of the other Hawaiian islands from the top!
Waikiki Beach
To cool down after your Diamond Head hike, head over to Waikiki Beach – one of the most famous beaches in the world! With its light blue water and a view of Diamond Head in the distance, Waikiki Beach is a great spot to relax all day. Visitors can rent surfboards, hop on a boat for a sunset cruise, or try one of the many famous restaurants lining the beach. Make sure to look for the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medalist and surfing legend.
Day 2: Pearl Harbor + Downtown Honolulu + Waikiki Beach
Next up is visiting Pearl Harbor and Downtown Honolulu. Both of these can be seen together with an organized tour group, or you can visit them on your own to go at your own pace. TheBus can be used to get to Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a somber place where visitors are able to learn about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States into World War II. The main point of interest is the USS Arizona Memorial Program, where visitors can take a boat ride out to the memorial built over the sunken ship. This program does require visitors to have a free ticket in order to get onto the boat. These tickets should be booked in advance here. Same day standby to see the USS Arizona is available, but visitors are not guaranteed to get on the tour. As you explore the USS Arizona Memorial, see if you can spot oil leaking from the ship to the water surface. Visitors can also see the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum while at Pearl Harbor. These three attractions are not managed by the National Park Service and have their own admission rates. Operating hours for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and more information, such as the bag policy, can be found at this link.
Downtown Honolulu
On your way back from Pearl Harbor, take the time to explore Downtown Honolulu. The first site to see is the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl. The cemetery is the final resting spot for over 13,000 Armed Forces members.
Next up is heading to the Capitol District to visit Iolani Palace. After construction was completed in 1882, the palace served as the official residence for Hawaii’s final monarchs. Iolani Palace is the only palace on United States soil. While you’re in the area, go across the street to the Ali’iolani Hale government building to see the gold statue of King Kamehameha.
Waikiki Beach
After all your sightseeing, it’s time to relax at the beach! We recommend heading back to Waikiki Beach to catch some sun and take in the stunning view of Diamond Head. If you’re looking for a cute photo op, check out the surfboard lined entrance located near the Cheesecake Factory.
Day 3: Circle Island Tour
For your third day on Oahu, we recommend going to see the rest of the island on a circle island tour! This can be done either through an organized tour or on your own. We recommend renting a car and going on your own so you can see the attractions at your own pace. If you’d prefer to go with a tour group, check out the tour done by The North Shore Beach Bus. Here are some top sites to see as you explore the island:
Hanauma Bay State Park
Halona Blowhole
Rabbit Island
Valley of the Temples
Tropical Macadamia Nut Farm
Chinaman’s Hat
Banzai Pipeline Beach
Waimea Bay
Waterfall hike at Waimea Valley
Haleiwa Beach Town
Dole Plantation
Day 4: Water Activity + Luau
To wrap up your Hawaii vacation, spend your last day doing your favorite water activity and attending a luau!
Water Activity
Oahu has plenty of water activities to choose from – you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, and even cave diving with sharks! Viator is a great website to check out to pick out a water activity. For those interested in snorkeling, we highly recommend this tour off the west coast of Oahu. We had an awesome time getting to snorkel with wild dolphins, green sea turtles, and even a shark! Make sure to bring a GoPro so that you can record your adventure!
Check out our snorkeling adventure:
Luau
Attending a luau is a must while in Hawaii! A luau is a great way to experience Hawaiian culture. Luaus are usually accompanied by traditional Hawaiian food such as poi and poke. Ka Moana Luau and the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center are two great options on Oahu.
If you have more time on Oahu…
…check out these attractions!
Koko Crater Trail
The Koko Crater Trail is a great option for those looking to hike while in Oahu. During World War II, the United States established pillbox bunkers at the top of the crater. A railway was built to transport cargo to the top of the crater, leaving the tracks that are there today. Be prepared for quite the workout – the hike consists of climbing up over 1,000 of the railroad ties at a steep incline. The view from the top makes it worth it, though!
Kualoa Ranch
If you’re a movie fanatic, Kualoa Ranch is the stop for you! Spanning over 4,000 acres, the ranch is a working cattle farm and has served as the backdrop for movies such as Jurassic Park and Godzilla. Visitors can partake in a variety of activities such as UTV tours and ziplining. More information can be found here.
Sunset Cruise
Hopping aboard a sunset cruise in the perfect end to a day in Hawaii! Departing about an hour or two before sunset, these cruises will show you scenic sites of Hawaii while offering up refreshing drinks. Multiple cruises depart from Waikiki Beach; we recommend checking Viator to find the best one for you.
Recommended Restaurants
Hula Dog Kuhio
One of our favorite restaurants in Oahu was Hula Dog Kuhio. Located in a little food truck, Hula Dog serves up delicious Hawaiian hot dogs and lemonade. They’ve even been featured on season four of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations! The menu can be found at this link.
Sam’s Kitchen
Whether you’re looking for a late night snack or a quick dinner, Sam’s Kitchen is a delicious place to grab a bite. Located on Royal Hawaiian Avenue, Sam’s Kitchen serves up large asian-inspired plates with your choice of protein and sauce.
Mai Tai Bar
Looking to try a famous Mai Tai cocktail while in Oahu? Head over to the Mai Tai Bar located at The Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach. It’s the perfect spot to sip on a Mai Tai while admiring the view of Diamond Head in the distance.
Banan Ice Cream
Craving ice cream while exploring Oahu? We highly recommend that you check out Banan Ice Cream! Banan uses Hawaiian-grown bananas to make dairy-free ice cream. They have two locations near Waikiki.
Hawaiian Aroma Caffe
Hawaiian Aroma Caffe is a great stop for breakfast before heading off to sightsee. Located inside the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel, the cafe serves up delicious waffles and acai bowls.
Island Vintage Wine Bar
Housed inside the Royal Hawaiian Center, Island Vintage Wine Bar is known for the extensive wine list and delicious fresh food. We recommend ordering one of their flights and the mozzarella croquettes!
Check out our Best Restaurants and Must-Try Foods post for more info!
Visit our Oahu Bucket List post for more fun activities you can do during your vacation!
Check out our TikTok to see what our trip to Oahu was like!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited May 2022 | Posted November 2022
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