5 Amazing Days in Oahu, Travel Guide

Visiting the island of Oahu and want to make sure you have an amazing trip? You’re in the right place – welcome to your Oahu travel guide.

In this post you will find tons of fun ( + unique) things to do in Oahu, amazing places to eat, and the best hotels and resorts! Sound good? Keep reading for everything you need to know for your Oahu vacation!

First, some important geography! Oahu is a one of the eight islands that make up Hawaii. Honolulu is the major city on the island of Oahu (it’s Hawaii’s largest city!), and lastly, Waikiki is an area within Honolulu that is known for its beaches, hotels and shopping.

Waikiki is one of the most famous locations in all of Hawaii, and with good reason, it is absolutely beautiful and there is a ton to do and see.

In this post you will find tons of recommendations for both Waikiki and the larger island of Oahu! Let’s get right into the Oahu travel guide!

Your go to Oahu Travel Guide

Hotels and AirBnbs in Oahu

AirBnb

When we visited Oahu we decided to stay in an AirBnb in Waikiki! We love AirBnbs, and we liked the idea of having our own little apartment. The apartment was indeed little, but it was so cute and perfect for our stay.

There are bars and restaurants super close to the AirBnb, and the main strip of Waikiki and the beach is only a fifteen minute walk away. If you enjoy AirBnbs, and are traveling with just one other person, then we highly recommend staying here!

Hotels

Next time I visit Oahu, and Waikiki specifically, I definitely want to stay in a hotel. Hawaii is a vacation paradise, and there is something about staying in a hotel on (or near) the beach that just screams vacation. There is no shortage of beautiful hotels in Waikiki, and below you’ll find some of our top recommendations at a bunch of price points.

Waikiki Hotel Recommendations – all close to the beach:

• Shoreline Hotel Waikiki – ($$)So cute and colorful!
• VIVE Hotel Waikiki – ($$)
• Hotel LaCroix Waikiki – ($$)
• The Laylow – ($$)
• Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger  – ($$)

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• Moana Surfrider – ($$$)
• The Royal Hawaiian – ($$$) So beautiful!
• ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach – ($$$)

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• Aston Waikiki Beach Tower – ($$$$)
• Grand Waikikian – ($$$$) in addition to being right on the beach, they have a wonderful resort village and a saltwater lagoon! The lagoon is amazing, and a great place for kids.

North Shore Hotel + AirBnb Recommendations:

If you’re looking for a more laid back Oahu experience, we recommend checking out the North Shore! It is super relaxing, and there are tons of beaches and hikes to check out. Below are some great North Shore hotel + AirBnb recommendations!

Note: If you’re staying on the North Shore, you definitely need a car. Additionally, there are far more AirBnbs than hotels in the area.

• The Sunset Yurt – ($$) an adorable eco-yurt right near the beach
• Guest Suite Hosted by Geoff – ($$) close to the beach
• North Shore Beach Front Waimea Cottage – ($$$)
• The Hibiscus Beach Bungalow – ($$$$) right on the beach
• Turtle Bay Resort – ($$$$) beautiful resort, right on the beach

Delicious Restaurants in Oahu

Breakfast + Coffee

Waikiki Breakfast + Coffee:

• Goofy Cafe ($$) – delicious breakfast + brunch! Expect a long line – I recommend getting there right when it opens at 7am.
  • Recommendations: fresh pineapple and eggs benedict

• The Sunrise Shack ($$) – these açaí bowls are famous on the island. They also have a North Shore location!
  • Recommendations: everything on the menu, especially the topical bowl

• Honolulu Coffee Experience Center ($) – just over the bridge from Waikiki, this is the place to go for delicious coffee and a casual breakfast. The coffee shop is bright and open, and there is tons of seating.
  • Recommendations: cold brew + avocado toast

• ARS Cafe ($) – located near Diamond Head, perfect for a post hike drink + snack!
  • Recommendations: avocado toast (or veggie toast) + iced tea

• Leonard’s Bakery ($) – known for their malasadas, a perfectly fried Portuguese doughnut. There are multiple flavors and fillings available! Leonard’s has a physical bakery + food truck locations!

North Shore:

• The Beetbox Cafe ($$) – located in Haleiwa, a great stop for breakfast, brunch or lunch. They have tons of vegetarian and vegan options.
  • Recommendations: the burritos!

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Lunch and Dinner

• Giovanni’s Shrimp Tuck ($$) – super famous lunch spot with three locations on the island!
  • Recommendations: shrimp scampi + pasta salad (big enough to share!!)

• Momoson ($$) – delicious ramen
  • Recommendations: veggie miso ramen – get the Momoson Set (appetizer + ramen) for $26

• Doraku Sushi ($$) – located in the Royal Hawaiian Center, great sushi + edamame
  • Recommendations: garlic teriyaki edamame, popcorn cauliflower, sake bomb roll

• Chiba-ken ($$) – a more low-key, local restaurant.
  • Recommendations: cucumber roll, shrimp tempura roll, vegetable tempura

Dessert – you have to try shave ice!!

• Waiola Shave Ice ($) – super cute, located in Honolulu.
  
• Monsarrat Shave Ice Natural Organic Fruit ($) – located near Diamond Head, the purees are organic and made with real fruit!
  
• Matsumoto Shave Ice ($) – located on the North Shore in the town of Haleiwa, the most famous shave ice on the island! A must visit – but expect a line.
  
• Dole Whip ($) – basically pineapple soft-serve ice cream, but way better! You can find dole whip all over the island, but I recommend getting it from the Dole Plantation.
  
• Kokoro Cafe ($) – located in the Royal Hawaiian Center Mall in Waikiki, this shop serves up delicious ice cream and waffle treats!
  
• Honolulu Cookie Company ($) – you can find these prepackaged shortbread cookies in tons of stores around the island. They come in so many flavors and are delicious! They also make fantastic gifts!

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Drinks

• Sky Waikiki ($$) – very touristy, but such an incredible view of Honolulu from the posh rooftop! I definitely recommend going at sunset and getting drinks. This is an Insta worthy spot.
  
• Cuckoo Coconuts ($$) – a fun dive bar with live music! There may be a line to get in, but it’s a fun time. I recommend going for after-dinner drinks.

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Transportation in Waikiki + Oahu

Rental Car

Having a rental car is important if you want to travel outside of Waikiki. I definitely recommend having a rental car at least for a day or so, so that you can visit the North Shore of the island!

It is no secret that the rental car shortage is real, and this is also affecting the Hawaiian islands. If you cannot get a rental car from the airport, don’t panic, there are other options! For an easy solution, try Turo. It’s an app that lets you rent cars (safely) from locals!

We used Turo for a two day rental and it was amazing. They have cars at a bunch of price points, and in a bunch of locations around the island.

Public Bus

The public bus system, in and around Waikiki specifically, is fantastic! The buses are clean and come often.

To ride the bus you can pay with cash, or – the better option – is to get a bus card (HOLO card) and refill it as needed.

You can also get a daily unlimited card – and, personally, I think this is the easiest option.

• Bus cards are available for purchase (and refill) at any ABC store (there are tons)
• A one-way bus ticket is $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for kids under 12
• The daily unlimited card is $5.50

Taxi

Taxis are another option for traveling around the island, although I do not recommend them for daily travel.

Taxis are expensive, and you’ll end up spending a lot of money if you take them often.

We took a taxi from the Oahu airport to our AirBnb in Waikiki, and the cost for the 30(ish) minute drive was over $50.

Walk

Waikiki itself is very walkable! It is entirely possible to get around Waikiki just on foot. The sidewalks are nice, and walking is encouraged.

However, if you’re going from one end of Waikiki to the other, the public bus will save you some time and energy.

Fun Things to do in Waikiki + Honolulu

There is so much to do in Waikiki – there’s really no wonder that it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. In this neighborhood you’ll find great beaches, shopping and even hiking!

Check out the saltwater lagoon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village

This was without a doubt one of my favorite parts of Waikiki!

The saltwater lagoon is located in the Hilton Hawaiian Village, but open to the public. The lagoon is clean, there are beach chairs available to rent, and there are no waves! It’s really perfect.

Go to the famous Waikiki beach

This recommendation comes with a caveat. If your hotel is beach front, and offers beach chairs and umbrellas for rent, the Waikiki beach is a nice place to spend some time.

I also really enjoyed walking on the beach at sunset and checking out the views of Diamond Head.

However, it is often super crowded and really hard to find a place to put your things and set up a towel. There are much nicer + less crowded beaches on the North Shore that I recommend checking out if Waikiki beach is too crowded.

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Take a sunset catamaran cruise

Sunset catamaran cruises are so much fun, and definitely a great addition to any Oahu vacation!

We booked our tour with Pink Sails Waikiki, and I definitely recommend it. We were able to swim in the ocean, listen to music and enjoy the gorgeous sunset. They also had sandwiches and cookies for guests, and alcoholic drinks for purchase!

Hike Diamond Head

One of the most famous activities when visiting Oahu is hiking Diamond Head, and you definitely don’t want to miss it!

Diamond Head is located in Waikiki and is an easily recognizable landmark, and a super popular hike.

The hike is pretty easy, less than a mile each way, along a single, mostly paved path. There are also a few sets of stairs, but this ‘hike’ is really more of an uphill walk.

If you visit during the busy season it will likely be crowded, but personally I think it’s worth it for the amazing views from the top! You have a gorgeous view of the Waikiki shoreline, complete with a beautiful lighthouse.

Important note: Many people will recommend hiking Diamond Head at sunrise, however, this is not always possible. For example, Diamond Head opens for visitors at 6am, and the sun rises during the summer around (or before) 6am. Therefore, during the summer months, it is impossible to be at the top of Diamond Head to watch the sunrise. Just a heads up!

If you are a visitor to Hawaii, tickets to hike Diamond Head are $5 per person. Parking is also available at $10 per car. Or, you can take the public bus that drops off nearby!

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Fun things to do on the island of Oahu

Visit the North Shore

If you’re staying in Waikiki, I highly recommend taking a day trip to the North Shore. The North Shore is a much more relaxed area of the island where you’ll find beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and yummy shrimp trucks!

From Waikiki it takes a little over an hour to drive to the North Shore, but it’s definitely worth it.

You can also travel by bus, but it takes significantly longer (2+ hours). By bus you also won’t be able to visit many of the hiking trails.

Below I’ll be sharing some of my favorite activities on the North Shore!

PS: you can easily visit the North Shore on your own with a rental car, but if you prefer a guided tour, click here for a great option!

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Visit the town of Haleiwa

Haleiwa is the perfect first stop on your North Shore exploration. The little town is filled with cute shops and restaurants and has the best island vibes.

There are also many art galleries, and this is a great place to check out if you’re looking to buy some Hawaiian art!

Most of the shops and galleries in Haleiwa open around 10am, so you won’t want to arrive too early in the morning.

Lastly, Haleiwa is the home of Matsumoto’s Shave Ice (and gift shop!) – the most famous shave ice location in Hawaii!

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Visit the Wahiawā Botanical Garden

Located about ten miles, 20 minutes, by car from the town of Haleiwa you’ll find the Wahiawā Botanical Garden!

These gardens are a great place to walk around and spend time in nature. The garden is quite large (27 acres,) and there are tons of trees and flowers to see.

The best part is that entrance to the garden is free! This is a fantastic spot for families, and for kids to explore.

Check out the Dole Plantation + Eat Dole Whip

Do you like pineapples? What about the famous Dole Whip (pineapple soft-serve ice cream)? Then the Dole Plantation is the place for you!

The Dole Plantation was one of my favorite stops on my trip to Oahu, because the Dole Whip was so good and so refreshing.

At the Dole Plantation you can simply eat some ice cream and check out the gift shop. Or, you can take a plantation tour and ride the Pineapple Express train.

This is a fun + yummy stop for both kids and adults!

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Visit Kualoa Ranch for an Adventure

Kualoa Ranch is a huge, 4,000 acre, nature preserve and farmlands set within an idillic setting.

Tons of famous movies have been filmed at Kualoa Ranch (including Jurassic Park!), and you can even go on movie tours to see the filming locations.

At Kualoa Ranch you can partake in tons of activities and tours. They have everything from zip-lining, to horseback riding, to ATV expeditions!

Another thing that is really special about Kualoa Ranch is their focus on preserving and protecting sacred Hawaiian land, history and customs. At Kualoa Ranch there is a huge focus on sustainability, and the ranch grows many different types of fruits and vegetables that they sell on site.

Additionally, they offer excursions where visitors can learn about the significance of the land for Hawaiians, as well as the history and importance of certain foods.

Maggie and I went on the Malama Experience where we learned about ahupua’a, or self-sustaining Hawaiian communities with strong ties to the the land. We also learned about the importance of kalo (taro) to the Hawaiian people, and helped with farm chores in the taro gardens. It was an extremely informative experience, and one we definitely recommend.

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Take a Waterfall Hike – Waimea Falls and/or Manoa Falls

While in Oahu, it is so fun to hike to a waterfall! There are some great options, and two of the most popular are Waimea Falls and Manoa Falls.

Waimea Valley + Falls

• Waimea Falls is located within botanical gardens in the Waimea Valley. These falls are extremely family friendly, and the walk to the waterfall itself is only about 3/4 of mile each way. The road is also completely paved, so it would be easy to push a stroller or to walk with small children.
• Once arrived at Waimea Falls, you can swim under the waterfall and there are life guards on duty. Life jackets are required, but the price of the jacket rental is included in your admission ticket.
• I did enjoy my time at Waimea Falls, but I was hoping for a more difficult hike. This is definitely more of a nature walk.
• Entry to the Waimea Falls + Botanical Garden is $20 for adults, $16 for students, and $12 for kids.

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Manoa Falls

• Located about 15 minutes (5 miles) by car from Honolulu, Manoa Falls is another awesome waterfall option.
• The pretty, lush trail is about 1.6 miles round trip, and while it’s not strenuous, it can be a little muddy!
• Please note: swimming at the falls is highly discouraged due to bacteria that live in the water.
• Entrance to the hiking trail is free, but there is a $5 fee to park your car.

Check out the Aloha Swap Meet

The Aloha Swap meet is a huge outdoor market that sets up outside of Aloha Stadium on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

This is a great place to do your souvenir shopping, and to also sample some Hawaiian food. You will find tons of items ranging from t-shirts, sunglasses and beads, to plants and used household items.

One thing to note is that this is not an artisan and craft market. I was hoping to find local paintings and art, and while there were a few stands, this market does not specialize in handmade items.

However, it’s still a cool place to check out!

Aloha Stadium is about 20 minutes by car from Waikiki, and there is a fee of $1 per person to enter.

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In conclusion…

Oahu is an amazing island to visit, and I highly recommend it as a first stop in Hawaii. There is so much to do across the island and it is such an amazingly beautiful place to spend time.

I hope you found my Oahu travel guide to be helpful! If there is anything you’d like to add, or if you have any questions, let me know in the comments! Also, be sure to follow and DM us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad. We love connecting on social media!

Lastly, don’t forget to pin this post + to share it with someone you know who is visiting Oahu!

pin me!

♡Kate

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