OAHU ITINERARY
We find that we get the most out of out Hawaiian holiday if we plan in advance for activities and then fill in the days in between based on what we are enjoying and with what the weather is doing. There's no point planning a beach day if you end up with an overcast day.
You do not need a car for the whole time you are on Oahu, there is plenty to see and do that is close to Waikiki and you can easily walk or Uber to what you need to.
Driving Tour Ideas
If you want to do the outlets, we suggest hiring the car for 2-3 days and park it overnight, you will have to pay for parking but it eliminates the bother of taking it back etc. if you don’t plan on doing the outlets, you can have the car for 1-2 days.
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3
You do not need a car for the whole time you are on Oahu, there is plenty to see and do that is close to Waikiki and you can easily walk or Uber to what you need to.
Driving Tour Ideas
If you want to do the outlets, we suggest hiring the car for 2-3 days and park it overnight, you will have to pay for parking but it eliminates the bother of taking it back etc. if you don’t plan on doing the outlets, you can have the car for 1-2 days.
Day 1:
- If you want to do breakfast at Aulani, do this on day 1 (try to get an early-ish booking) or if you don’t want to do Aulani pick a day that the swap meet is on and do that instead
- From the Aulani / Swap meet, drive to the Waikele outlets spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon shopping. If you have time and wanted to check out a Walmart, there's one just down the road from Waikele, this is a good place to get some drinks and a snacks as well as some cheap Hawaiian souvenirs.
Day 2:
- Drive up towards the Northshore , its mainly freeway all the way to Haleiwa but there some sights to see along the way like the Dole Plantation
- Stop in Haleiwa – the main town on the Northshore. Park the car and walk through town, if you're hungry get an early lunch at Kono's or get sandwiches take way from the bakery to eat on the beach.
- Once you have explored Haleiwa, get back into the car and explore the nearby beaches and sights.
- Laniakea beach - a great place to spot sea turtles
- The famous Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach
- Shark Cove, a great little snorkeling beach
- Shrimp trucks along the drive are good if you like seafood
- Turtle Bay (Hotel and good swimming beach) Late lunch here if you didn’t eat at Haleiwa or shrimp trucks
- The drive along the coast to Kaneohe, stop here for Starbucks and a toilet break
- Drive back along the Pali Hwy and stop at the Pali Look out for amazing views
- Back into Waikiki
Day 3
- If you want to hike Diamond Head drive here early in the morning before it gets too hot
- If you’re not hiking, have breakfast and then drive up to Diamond head to have a look.
- Drive to Hanauma bay for snorkeling (Check what days its open and if you have to have tickets in advance) for a few hours OR visit the sea life park
- Stop at the various look outs along the way for spectacular views
- If you aren’t snorkeling or visiting the sea life park, drive to Kailua for lunch
- Spend the afternoon at Lanikai Beach (voted best in the world many times over)
- Drive back and return car