The rule of thumb when visiting Hawaii is that you should dedicate 1 week per Hawaiian Island. I did happen to squeeze in 3 islands in two weeks but it was a pretty rushed itinerary. As an agent, I try to see as much as I can! But as a tourist, you should have a healthy mix of sightseeing and relaxing. Plus, I know it’s not always easy to get two weeks off from work. So if you just have 1 week to spare, and you know you plan to visit Oahu Island check you’re in the right spot.
This is my day by day itinerary for 1 week in Oahu. I sent the first 4 nights in Waikiki Beach and the last 3 nights in Makakilo. Known as “The Gathering Place,” Oahu is the most populated Hawaiian island. It’s the third largest in size. This island is great for first timers. There’s beautiful beaches to see, a vibrant Chinatown, historical significance, a peaceful Buddhist temple, delicious food, and friendly locals.
Important Things To Know
Something to note is that I traveled in July, yet all of the trip components were booked the previous December. It’s a great way to lock in your deposit early so you can make payments along the way. I treat vacations just like another bill (to avoid racking up credit card debts). So every month I set aside funds for my upcoming trips and pay them off accordingly. Work with a reputable travel agent who can provide you with the BEST service possible and help you manage the finance aspect. Hawaii is one of those piece meal trips that require a lot of attention. In order to get the most out of your trip, you must plan plan PLAN! I also recommend joining the Facebook Group “Hawaii for the Traveller.” There’s a mix of both locals and tourists offering up wonderful and FREE advice.
This goes without saying but Hawaii is not a cheap destination. So start saving those coins if you’re planning to visit. Some costs you need to consider in addition to flights + hotel are:
- Car Rental
- Gas, insurance, and parking costs for car rental
- Meals
- There are currently NO all inclusive resorts in Hawaii
- Tours and Entertainment
- Tips/Gratuity for tour guides
- Mandatory cleaning fees
- Paid at the time of check out and usually ranging from $100 – $350 per stay
Day 1 – Arrive in Honolulu
Day 1 was kind of a blur. I caught a UNITED flight from BWI Airport, with a quick layover in Houston, before reaching Honolulu! I went with UNITED Airlines for budget purposes… round-trip flights were $800 which I felt was pretty reasonable. We arrived in Honolulu around 1:30 PM local Hawaiian-Aleutian Standard Time (HST). You can decide if you want to purchase the fresh lei greeting at the airport. The fresh smell of plumeria can really freshen up your hotel/condo. First thing we did when we arrived was pick up our rental car and headed for Waikiki Beach, which would serve as home for the next 4 nights.
I highly recommend renting a car. It was so fun and freeing getting to drive around the island at our leisure. There are plenty of tour buses that will take you around the island but those tours can sometimes be very restrictive. It’s nice to pull over whenever you feel like it. We took it pretty easy this first day. We walked around Waikiki Beach for a bit people watching. Then we grabbed an early Mexican dinner at Buho de Cocina. Enjoyed delicious fish tacos (shown above). I made a reservation with Open Table which I recommend. Reservations just make it easy to guarantee your spot. The last thing you want to do after a long day of traveling is have to hop around to different restaurants in hope for free space.
During our 4 night stay in Waikiki Beach, my fiancé and I stayed at Regency on Beachwalk by Outrigger. We were upgraded from a 1-bedroom apartment. to a 2-bedroom apartment. Even without the upgrade, I would rate them highly. They’re located right in the heart of Waikiki Beach, close to lots of restaurants and shopping. The front desk staff is friendly, there’s cool retro pics around the lobby. The room was so spacious. It was nice having a separate living/sitting area from the bedroom. It came with a nice view of Oahu. Overall, it was a relaxing first night. We were ready for bed by 8PM.
Day 2 – Hiking/Temple/Luau
Your first full day of your 1 week in Oahu should be spent wisely. If you are coming from the U.S. east coast take advantage of your body still being on that time zone. We were up BEFORE the crack of dawn because we went to bed so early.
Diamond Head
We left Regency on Beachwalk around 4:30 AM and headed for our first stop, Diamond Head State Monument. It should be noted that early birds will catch the worm here. You’ll have a great parking spot, and get to see the beautiful sunrise while you hike it. But just note that lines start forming EARLY and you will not be allowed in until 6:00 AM. The entry cost is $5.00 per vehicle and small/exact change is appreciated.
The hike itself isn’t too long or strenuous, and the views of the city are worth it. After the hike, you can head back to the bottom and enjoy cold drinks like fresh coconut water still in the shell. You can purchase t-shirts that read “I hiked Diamond Head.” Diamond Head is one of the Quintessential Things to do on Oahu Island. After enjoying refreshments that set us back about $6.00, we headed to the Byodo-In Temple, one of the places on my Oahu bucket list.
Byodo In Temple
The Byodo-In temple is about a 45 minute drive from Diamond Head. Driving here offered fantastic views. Lush greenery covered in a beautiful coat of fog. The reason I wanted to visit Byodo-In temple so much is because of what it represents. Byodo-in temple represents peace between United States and Japan after Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima attacks. FUN FACT: It is an exact replica of a 900-year old temple at Uji located in Kyoto, Japan. This temple is not an active Buddhist temple, and all religions are welcome. It offers a place of peace and serenity where you can go to just enjoy the outdoors. There were koi fish to feed and a brass peace bell for you to ring. If you are planning to tour Pearl Harbor, add this to your list. Let this be the happy ending to the movie you will watch there.
Feeling hungry, we asked one of the temple employees where we should head for breakfast. They told us about Cinnamon’s, a popular breakfast spot. Kahlua pork eggs benedict did NOT disappoint. You can read my full blog post on top Hawaiian food HERE.
Waimanalo Beach
With full bellies, we headed to Waimanalo Beach (my personal fave on the island). Water is calm, unlike the waves encountered at most Hawaiian beaches. There were many families at this beach with small children. Due to the calm waters, kids could swim pretty far out and parents didn’t need to be as concerned. This beach most closely resembled the Caribbean beaches I’m used to. After soaking up rays at the beach, we drove a little farther to the Halona Blowhole. We didn’t get close to it because you have to climb down unsteady rocks. I’m way too clumsy to chance it. Here are a few quick pics though of beach + blowhole. Many people also visit Hanauma Bay on this route, a spot we decided to skip.
Travel Tip: There are plenty of tours that will take you around Oahu Island on the “Grand Circle tour.” Again though, I highly recommend purchasing a rental car though during your stay. It’ll save you money in the long run by not having to book so many tours. It’s also liberating to be able to pull over on the side of the road and stop whenever you feel like it. The only disadvantage with the car is the $30 – $40 per day parking cost. But not spending $100 + per tour… you’ll still end up ahead.
Pro Tip
Paradise Cove Luau
Heading to a luau is one of those quintessential Hawaii experiences. There’s some mixed reviews about how “authentic” they are. But nevertheless, it’s a great way to taste Hawaiian fare and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Paradise Cove Luau was beautiful and I highly recommend. Check in was at 5:00 PM when the activities began but dinner & show didn’t begin until about 7:00 PM. The food was plentiful and delicious and the entertainment was great. There are 3 different luau packages and we chose the middle tier “Orchid Luau.” We were in the middle section pretty close to the stage.
One of the biggest debates is which luau to attend. They’re all special in their own right. If you’re looking for a smaller and more intimate experience you could try ‘Experience Nutridge Luau.’ The reviews on TripAdvisor are raving and it looks like they offer a more localized experience. But… if you’re looking for a big tourist-y luau experience, Paradise Cove Luau fit the bill.
Pro Tip
Day 3 – Explore North Shore
Day 3 of this two weeks in Hawaii itinerary takes us to North Shore. North Shore quickly became one of my favorite areas on the island. We started with breakfast at Kono’s. Just had a bagel with salmon and capers. Then headed to Waimea Valley. We stopped into the Waimea Falls Park & Botanical Garden. $18 admission. It was an okay place to spend some time. Wouldn’t say it was a highlight of the trip, but it was neat to spend time in nature. Anyone know what kind of flowers are below?
Turtle Beach
After checking out some time in Waimea Valley, we headed into Hale’iwa town. Hale’iwa is apart of North Shore. There you will find Laniakea Beach (also known as Turtle beach). If you check out the photo below, you’ll see why! Massive turtles all over the beach. It was the coolest thing to witness and a highlight of the day! There are signs up letting you know how much distance you need to keep around them at all times.
After frolicking on the beach and watching turtles living their best life, it was time for lunch! You may have read on hundreds of other blogs about the famous garlic shrimp trucks. CAN CONFIRM… the garlic shrimp trucks in North Shore = Flavortown. Giovanni’s is the most popular truck but that line was WAY too long. Started getting too hangry so had some shrimp from a neighbor truck. Zane’s is the name.
Afterwards, we tried to grab some shave ice at Matsumoto but that line was WAY too long. Next time…
Afterward, we drove to Turtle Bay Resort so I could check it out (#travelagentlife). It’s a beautiful facility, but I’m not sure you really experience “Hawaii” by staying there… You’d certainly get some relaxation in though! The rest of the evening was at leisure. You get exhausted quick in that Hawaii sun.
Day 4 – Pearl Harbor / Waikiki Beach
Day 4 happened to be July 4th! It began with a 7am wake up call. We had a Pearl Harbor/Honolulu City Half day tour. If you are a history buff, you may want to consider a full day tour here where you can actually spend time going on the different memorial sites. When we were there on Independence Day it was closed due to reconstruction. I believe it will be opening up again this fall so get your tickets! Overall, the museum, movies, artifacts, it was all too real. The video we watched showed actual footage of the Pearl Harbor attack. Then we drove around the city to see the Iolani Palace. Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in this country. We also drove up to Punchbowl Crater, the National Memorial Cemetery.
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day and night exploring Waikiki Beach some more. I highly recommend grabbing lunch at Duke’s Canoe Club. Don’t leave without trying their hula pie! HERE is their tasty menu. Reservations suggested.
Travel Tip: Although I visited Hawaii during 4th of July, you don’t have to be here on the holiday to see fireworks. The Hilton Hawaiian Village hotel offers a fireworks display every Friday!
Day 5 – Hotel Site Visits/Stay in Makakilo
So Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean messed my hair UP! So I set up an appointment early on with Drybar. They open super early at 7:00 am so you can get it done before starting your day! Highly recommend. Afterwards, I had a few hotel site visits lined up. I was able to check out Shoreline Hotel, the most Instagrammable hotel on Oahu! So bright and colorful. Highly recommend for my millennial clients. Checkout that rooftop pool! If only I hadn’t just got my hair done…
For clients visiting for leisure, I recommend taking the time today to browse about at your leisure. Maybe relax at Waikiki Beach or grab malasadas at the famous Leonard Bakery. You can explore Chinatown some more and the downtown area of Honolulu. The opportunities are endless.
After packing up the car, we were headed out of Waikiki Beach and home in Makakilo. I’m a huge proponent of switching up your accommodations during a trip. It’s like having a mini vacation within your vacation. It’s very rare that I stay in one hotel for the entire duration of my trip unless it’s a short 3-night stay. Makakilo is where my fiance’s aunt and uncle live so they graciously let us stay with them for the last 3 nights we were in Oahu. This was the night where my fiance’s mom, sister, and cousin arrive in Oahu. So we picked them up from the airport, had dinner and went to sleep early!
Day 6 – Waimanalo Beach/Kualoa Ranch
Day 6 of this two weeks in Hawaii itinerary continues at my favorite beach… Waimanalo! You may have recalled from above about the calm waters. The perfect place for swimming. There’s lot of little shacks set up around here where you can grab a quick picnic lunch and eat it at the beach. After swimming made us hungry we stopped at a casual lunch spot on the side of the road.
Poi Factory offered local fare and I was able to sample ‘lau lau‘ which is kalua pork stuffed in taro leaves. Served with a side of rice and lomi lomi salmon. Delish! The best part was… this “plate lunch” only cost $7.50. So one of the cheapest meals we had. They also had some sweet dishes like coconut ice cream.
Kualoa Ranch
At 3:30p, we had a pre-purchased 90-minute movie tour at Kualoa Ranch. Kualoa Ranch is where MANY t.v. shows and movies were shot. If you are a big movie buff you will enjoy the trivia along the way on the tour! Does that monitor below look familiar to you? Any LOST fans? One of my favorite movies is ’50 First Dates’ so seeing where some of the scenes were filmed was fun!
Pro Tip
Day 7 – Aloha Swap Meet/Dole Plantation
Don’t waste your money in the overpriced ABC Stores scattered around town. These ABC Stores do not serve liquor… they sell souvenirs. Save your money and make it out to the swap meet where you can mingle with locals and support them directly. Cheaper prices too! Currently, the Aloha Swap Meet is open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Takes place at the Aloha Stadium. I went on a Sunday and it wasn’t crowded at all.
Grab a cold shave ice or a coconut as you walk through the stalls. After you drink the coconut water, they hammer out the coconut meat for you.
Dole Pineapple Plantation
After shopping and grabbing souvenirs, we headed to Dole Pineapple Plantation. It’s very tourist-y but it’s still a good time. There, you will find the world’s largest maze. Took us 43 minutes and some change to complete it. Of course we rewarded ourselves with Dole Whip afterwards! Add some extra crushed pineapples in there for good measure.
There’s a large onsite gift shop if you wanted to bring some pineapple flavored goodies back in your carry on bag.
Last night in Oahu
Our last night in Makakilo (and Oahu Island) ended with delicious grilled dinner and some tasty margaritas! Mahalo to Aunt Leslie and Uncle Andrew for their hospitality! I really enjoyed getting to stay in a more residential area of Oahu (Makakilo). I was able to see how locals lived and it was a breath of fresh air from the ever popular Waikiki Beach.
This trip was definitely one for the books. If you need some assistance planning your 1 week in Oahu, shoot me an email: cassandra@accent-on-travel.net.
Heading to Oahu?
2 COMMENTS
Great information! I wish I had seen this before my trip a few weeks ago!
Ahh man! Well I hope you had an enjoyable trip to Oahu Island. 🙂