Oʻahu, Hawaii
Oʻahu, Hawaii

10 Days on Oʻahu

Ten unhurried days on Oʻahu from a Waikiki beachfront base, balancing the island's headline sights with real downtime. You'll hike Diamond Head, pay respects at Pearl Harbor, spend a full day on the North Shore (Giovanni's shrimp, Waimea, the Pipeline), snorkel Hanauma Bay and drive the southeast coast, cross to the windward side for Lanikai and Kailua, and take in the Polynesian Cultural Center luau — with a deliberate rest-and-beach day at Ala Moana and a Manoa rainforest-and-sunset day woven in so the trip never feels rushed. Lunch and dinner are planned for every day, from plate-lunch institutions to Hawaii Regional Cuisine landmarks. (A rental car is assumed for the out-of-town days.)

Saturday, November 7

Day 1

Arrival & Waikiki

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
1

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

2169 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Relaxed beachfront lodging with an outdoor pool, a spa & 2 restaurants, plus nightly Hawaiian music.

Driving
Marugame Udon Waikiki
2

Marugame Udon Waikiki

2310 Kūhiō Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Guests order at the counter at this casual Japanese restaurant specializing in noodle soup.

Driving
Waikiki Beach
3

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Ease in — first swim and toes in the sand right outside the hotel.

Driving
Duke's Waikiki
4

Duke's Waikiki

2335 Kalākaua Ave #116, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Popular option known for its beachfront location, surf 'n' turf, tiki vibe & umbrella drinks.

Sunday, November 8

Day 2

Diamond Head & Kapahulu Eats

Diamond Head State Monument
1

Diamond Head State Monument

Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

A trail leads visitors to the summit of this volcanic tuff cone & former fort with panoramic views.

Driving
Leonard's Bakery
2

Leonard's Bakery

933 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA

Local fixture since 1952 for malasadas (Portuguese donuts), breads, pastries & other sweets.

Driving
Rainbow Drive-In
3

Rainbow Drive-In

3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Iconic counter-serve spot for Hawaiian plate lunches features BBQ, mahi mahi, chili dogs & more.

Driving
Waikiki Aquarium
4

Waikiki Aquarium

2777 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Small aquarium featuring 3,000+ Hawaiian & tropical Pacific marine animals, plus multiple exhibits.

Driving
Helena's Hawaiian Food
5

Helena's Hawaiian Food

1240 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

Simple restaurant specializing in local classics such as kalua pork, lomi salmon, and ribs.

Monday, November 9

Day 3

Pearl Harbor & Historic Honolulu

Pearl Harbor National Memorial
1

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA

Site commemorating the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, featuring USS Arizona Memorial, museum & galleries.

Driving
Highway Inn Kaka'ako
2

Highway Inn Kaka'ako

680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Upbeat, casual spot dishing up an all-day menu of traditional Hawaiian fare for eat-in or takeout.

Driving
Iolani Palace
3

Iolani Palace

364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Opulent 19th-century home of Hawaii’s last monarchs operating as a museum with tours & exhibits.

Driving
Chinatown Honolulu
4

Chinatown Honolulu

Chinatown, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

Vibrant area with Chinese eateries & Asian markets, plus art galleries & the Hawaii Theatre Center.

Driving
Fete Hawaii
5

Fete Hawaii

2 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

Cool, brick-walled hangout serving New American cuisine for lunch & dinner, plus cocktails & beer.

Tuesday, November 10

Day 4

North Shore Day

Haleiwa Town
1

Haleiwa Town

Haleiwa, HI, USA

North Shore day. Surf-town boutiques and galleries; grab a coffee to start.

Driving
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
2

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck

56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, USA

Established, graffiti-decorated pit stop for a variety of shrimp plates & a garlic hot dog option.

Driving
Waimea Bay Beach Park
3

Waimea Bay Beach Park

61-031 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA

Popular park to spot dolphins & turtles, along with big waves in winter & calm surf in summer.

Driving
Banzai Pipeline
4

Banzai Pipeline

59-355 Ke Nui Rd, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA

Watch world-class surfers at Ehukai Beach (winter swells can be huge).

Sunset Beach
5

Sunset Beach

Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA

Stay for the namesake sunset before driving back.

Driving
Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Grill
6

Haleiwa Joe's Seafood Grill

66-011 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA

Casual, island-inspired eatery dishing up tropical offerings such as seafood & mai tais.

Wednesday, November 11

Day 5

Hanauma Bay & Southeast Coast

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
1

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

100 Hanauma Bay Rd, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

Known for it’s snorkeling, this beachfront protected park offers a coral reef & diverse marine life.

Driving
Halona Blowhole Lookout
2

Halona Blowhole Lookout

8483 HI-72, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

From this lookout, visitors can see ocean water shoot 30 feet into the air from a lava tube.

Driving
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
3

Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA

Natural hiking area with paved trail & overlook, ocean views, lighthouse & whale-watching potential.

Driving
Kona Brewing Co. Hawaii Kai
4

Kona Brewing Co. Hawaii Kai

7192 Kalanianaʻole Hwy Bldg I, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA

Chill spot for burgers, pizza & more features beer brewed in-house & a lanai with tiki torches.

Driving
Tonkatsu Tamafuji
5

Tonkatsu Tamafuji

449 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Lively 2nd-floor eatery drawing crowds for house-special breaded pork entrees & other Japanese grub.

Thursday, November 12

Day 6

Rest, Beach & Ala Moana

Ala Moana Center
1

Ala Moana Center

1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA

Upscale, four-level shopping mall with department stores, boutiques, a food court & restaurants.

Driving
Mariposa Neiman Marcus
2

Mariposa Neiman Marcus

1450 Ala Moana Blvd Level Three, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA

Elegant Neiman Marcus bistro featuring New American fare, plus lanai seating with ocean views.

Driving
Ala Moana Regional Park
3

Ala Moana Regional Park

1201 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA

This 100-acre park with a man-made beach offers usually calm surf, plus tennis courts & a pavilion.

Driving
MW Restaurant
4

MW Restaurant

888 Kapiolani Blvd, Commercial Unit, Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Stylish venture serving creative Hawaiian fare & cocktails made from locally sourced ingredients.

Friday, November 13

Day 7

Kailua & Lanikai (Windward)

Lanikai Beach
1

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA

Windward side. Powder sand and turquoise water with the Mokulua islets offshore. Go early, limited parking.

Driving
Kailua Beach Park
2

Kailua Beach Park

526 Kawailoa Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, USA

Clear water, fine sand & accessible facilities make this a popular spot for aquatic activities.

Driving
Kalapawai Cafe
3

Kalapawai Cafe

750 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, USA

Eatery offering sandwiches & salads before 5PM & contemporary dinners with table service at night.

Driving
Buzz's Original Steakhouse Kailua
4

Buzz's Original Steakhouse Kailua

413 Kawailoa Rd, Kailua, HI 96734, USA

Laid-back steakhouse presents a surf 'n' turf menu & drinks in a tiki hut-style space.

Saturday, November 14

Day 8

Polynesian Cultural Center & Luau

Nothing planned for this day.

Sunday, November 15

Day 9

Manoa Valley & Tantalus Sunset

Nothing planned for this day.

Monday, November 16

Day 10

Last Morning & Departure

Waikiki Beach
1

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Last morning swim or a beginner surf lesson off Kuhio Beach.

Driving
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
2

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

2169 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

Relaxed beachfront lodging with an outdoor pool, a spa & 2 restaurants, plus nightly Hawaiian music.