My friends and I planned to fly to Honolulu on the Island Oahu, Hawai’i for the first time an were clueless about where to go and what to do. So 5 months prior to departure, I did my research to see the hot spots to visit and to eat. Our plan was to leave on Friday and come back on Monday (mainly due to work), so our time was quite limited, and we wanted to make the best of it.
One thing I love about Oahu is that there are a variety of activities. From hiking, great shopping, to Luau, beautiful beaches and local places, you can pick and choose.
What stood out to me is how amazing the service is in Hawai’i. Hawaiians are very welcoming, respectful to others, and as sweet as their pineapple ;). I believe that it reflected by “Ohana” – meaning family – an idea of their culture that not only people that are related to you by blood, but also friends and neighbors are part of the family.
What I highly recommend to do is rent a car. It is advisable to get it from a rental at the airport. We had a delay, and our rental place closed early, until we finally and luckily found another location close to the airport that accepted a transfer of our rental. It is so much more convenient to have a car as all the attractions are quite scattered over the island. Remember not to leave your valuables in the car, because despite the friendly community, there are some high theft areas where many break-ins were experienced! You will discover this in the following.
Here is the proposed schedule on our itinerary:
Sunset Sail Cruise (with Firework on Fridays)
If you want to have a fun and chill night the day you arrive, there are many Sunset Sail Cruises available. Some of them have an open bar. You can enjoy your Mai Tai while having a romantic date or a fun night out with friends and watch the beautiful Waikiki sunset. Depending on the cruise, it can be more romantic and laid-back, while some others are rather fun-filled! Note: I suggest you to book a cruise for Friday evening, to embark on the spectacular fireworks above Waikiki.
You can find some cruises here: Sunset Cocktail Cruises
Day 1: Hiking
If you like being outdoor, hiking is a Must Do in Honolulu. Due to the limited time, I suggest to do the Diamond Head first thing in the morning, and then choose one of the others based on your preference.
What you’ll need to bring: Sunscreen and protection, such as a hat, appropriate footwear, and enough water – always stay hydrated!
These hikes close to Honolulu, are on my top list. Pick 1.
Diamond Head Hike
Hike up the edge of the iconic 300,000 year old volcano crater Diamond Head, for a breathtaking view over Honolulu and the ocean. Go in the morning (around 8 AM) to avoid the crowd and the heat. Usually, it will be easier to wake up early due to jet lag. But in case you cannot make it in the morning, make sure to find parking and enter the gate early enough, as the cutoff time to get in is 4:30 PM.
The Diamond Head Market is also worth checking out. For all lighthouse lovers, there is a lighthouse, which is a United States Coast Guard facility and can be seen from the Diamond Head road.
Open hours: 6 AM – 6 PM (cutoff time to enter is 4:30 PM)
Length: Around 1 mile (1.3 km)
Fee: $5/car (incl. parking) or $1/pedestrian – Cash only
Level: Easy hike
Manoa Falls Trail
The hike to the Manoa Falls is one of the most popular hikes. It is a comparatively easy, but beautiful hike through a rainforest and a bamboo jungle to the 150ft waterfall.
The movie Jurassic Park was filmed at Manoa Falls, as well as the TV shows Lost and Hawaii Five-0. I am not surprised after admiring the glorious trees while hiking the trail. Take a break to admire the trees.
It takes 1-2 hours for the round trip. When we got there, we realized that visitors are not allowed to swim. So please keep that in mind before you put on your swimming suit (like we did).
Open hours: 8 AM – 4 PM
Length: 1.6 miles round trip (2.4 km)
Fee: Free entry to the hiking trail; $5 parking (or free along the residential street) Level: Easy hike, perceived by many people. . When there are muddy/rocky conditions, this can be debatable.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike
One thing that was highly recommended by my cousin, but I didn’t get to do was the Lanikai Pillbox Hike (aka Kai’wa Ridge). It is near Kailua Beach. Although it a more steep and rocky hike compared to the other two trails, the incredible picturesque views over Lanikai and Kalua makes the challenge worthwhile.
Please wear the right shoes, as it can be slippery. Best are shoes with some traction. Do not wear flip flops to hike… Lanikai Pillbox Hike by Best of Oahu, gives you a more detailed description and very helpful tips.
Open hours: 6 AM – 8 PM
Length: About 2 miles round trip (2.9 km)
Fee: Free entry. For parking, Lanikai Beach and area, best is to find parking close to Kaelepulu – this can be tricky on crowded days
Level: Moderate
Kailua Beach – My picture doesn’t do it justice, especially compared to the view from the Pillbox.
Day 2: Beaches & Bays
Lanikai Beach
We couldn’t fit the Pillbox in our schedule, but we did visit the Lanikai Beach, a very popular and all time best beach in Oahu. Due to its popularity, parking is scarce, as mentioned before. We found a parking area within walking distance of Kailua Beach. It was quite a walk to Lanikai Beach, but it was quite a nice time rest stop, after our hike.
The beach is very clean. The water was not as clear as I have seen in pictures and reviews. I believe it had to do with the rain on the previous day and going there in November. I have only heard positive things about this beach, so this is a must go.
I got this dress/wrap from the international night market in Honolulu. Apparently, I can do 100 looks and turn it into different skirts, dresses, or tops.
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay was recommended by my friend. “Hana” means Bay and “uma” stands for the curves of the canoes. It is a nature preserve on the South-East side of the island, has a great view, and is amazing for snorkeling. You can bring your snorkel and mask to avoid rental costs. Water shoes are also a good idea. There is a city shuttle that takes you there. We didn’t go, but I will consider it on my next visit to admire the natural wildlife.
Open Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM – Closed every Tuesday
The entry is $7.50 cash per adult; Admission is free for children up to 12, active military, and residents
Parking is $1
For more information, visit Hanauma Bay State Park.
Waimea Bay
If you are on the North side of Oahu, you can go to Waimea Bay, a famous beach on the North Shore, especially appreciated by surfers in the winter for its 30-foot waves. It is not only good for surfing, but also body boarding, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing. For surfing contests, you can enjoy watching (or participating) at Waimea Bay or Sunset Beach.
Day 3: North Shore
I want to include North Shore, simply because we cannot talk about Oahu without mentioning it and giving it its credit. This is a place I regret not going. So when I will visit next time, I will definitely write a blog post exclusively for North Shore. If you have extra time on the island, take your car and make a trip there; you will not be disappointed. But you probably will need a whole day.
Famous for surfing beaches and breathtaking sunsets, it is known to be very different from Honolulu. A great experience in the charming home of the Halei’wa (North Shore community), with delicious food, activities, and a local touch.
Dole Plantation
Have you ever noticed the “Dole” tag on bananas or pineapple? Its home is on Oahu’s North Shore and makes a great stop when traveling north from Honolulu. The Dole Plantation offers fun activities, from the Pineapple Garden Maze, Express Train, to the Plantation Garden tour and an extensive Plantation Center. You will learn about how Hawaii became the pineapple capital of the world. Fun fact: The maze was named the World’s largest maze in 2008.
Open hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (tours and attractions close at 5 PM)
Fee: $8/adult, $6/child for the Pineapple Garden Maze
No admission charge to the Visitor Center
Visit the website of Hawaii’s complete Pineapple Experience or read more on tripsavvy.
Luau
My coworker told me that I cannot go to Hawaii without seeing a Luau. A “Luau” includes a traditional Hawaiian fest with live music and cultural performances, such as Hula dances. I actually got “certified” because I participated in a Polynesian Dancing course. Upon arrival, you will get greeted with a Lei, a garland of flowers or shells as a symbol of affection. You can participate in fun activities, get Mai Tais or relax while watching the sunset. There are many Luau’s, but the one we saw was Paradise Cove. This was part of the present to our lovely sister.
Day 4: Eating and Shopping
Before I came to Hawaii, I thought most products will be more expensive. But I found out that shopping is a pleasure in Honolulu.
Due to rain on our first day, we decided to check out the main shopping street in the heart of Waikiki: Kalakaua Avenue. We stayed right next to it. As I found out later, all major hotels are nearby. It is a busy area, so you can find a wide variety of fine shops and restaurants. Whether luxury shopping or affordable clothing and souvenirs, you have the choice. ABC stores are everywhere, and great for necessities and gifts. I loved them.
What’s best about shopping in Honolulu? The general sales tax rate is 4.5% (as of 2018). Therefore, it is significantly lower than in other states. On top of that, there were very attractive price differences in stores like LV or Gucci.
Must eat
Island Vintage Coffee
I want to tell you guys about this coffee shop, because it is truly outstanding. My cousins ate here almost every day before they told me about it. Not only their Kona coffee and Poké are delicious, but also the presentation of the food. They also have Acai bowls. I personally loved how fresh the food is. The purple bagel is made out of taro. They also had a tasty purple rice. It was almost too pretty to eat, I mean look at this!
Need more recommendations?
Below you will find more rec’s or visit my other post about my second time in Hawai’i! 🙂
For Lighthouse Lovers
The Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is apparently the second most popular of all hiking trails in Oahu, following the Diamond Head Hike. It is an easy hike, offering great views, especially at sunrises. Be prepared to get there early as it can take up to 30 minutes to hike up the trail.
For Pictures
The giant Swing
You may have heard of the giant tree swing on the most random side road of North Oahu. It is an exceptionally huge swing – perfect for pictures. You can find the spot by entering it into your GPS.
Address: 53-936 Kamahameha Highway, Hauula, Oahu
Notice the name of the street? 😉 At first I thought it was funny because of Dragon Ball, but it was actually the name of a Hawaiian conqueror and king, and then a whole dynasty of the Hawaiian kings.
For History Lovers
Pearl Harbor: Most of you know from history or from the movie about the massive attack on Pearl Harbor. Today, it is one of the most historic places in the US and you can visit the monument. There is a fee for all Pearl Harbor attractions, except the USS Arizona Memorial, which is free. You can also book a tour.
Conclusion
- Reserve Friday Night for the Sunset Cruise with firework, if that is something you’re interested in
- Choose 1 morning for the Diamond Head Hike and a second day for another Hike. You can also do two hikes in one day if you get up early (Hawaii is one place where you should get up early)
- Reserve one afternoon for the Beach
- Reserve one evening for a Luau experience
- If you have one unplanned day, explore the beauty of the North Shore
Since the island is quite big, the challenge is to fit everything in our schedule while traveling smart location-wise. I recommend to draw it out on the map so that it is convenient and time-saving for you.
I hope my tips were useful for you, and hopefully you soon can say: