You can also follow me on, 4 Days in Oahu Itinerary: Your Ultimate Island Road Trip. Before we begin, its important to note that Honolulu and Oahus tour operators offer a, Visiting other Hawaiian islands? I personally visited Oahu during February and March. Sure, in a relatively small island where 70% of the states population and nearly one million people reside, expect a different experience. The time spent in Oahu was quite reminiscent of my visit to. However, 4 days is certainly enough to get the best out of a trip to Oahu. Start your North Shore day by cage diving with sharks. The crater is not only one of the most visited places in the entire State of Hawaii but also tends to see intensely hot weather by midday. As magma met groundwater and created steam, there were blasts of ash, coral, and pyroclastic debris that created. However, it is the view from the summit that is the most rewarding a nearly unobstructed view of the Waikiki Beach coastline and (unfortunately) its endless collection of high rises. During the snorkel, youll be safe inside a poly glass cage. Dont forget to go over the. The Saturday morning version (7:30-11 am) is preferred over its Tuesday afternoon session (4-7 pm). The crater was formed by a relatively late eruption of one of Oahus ancient shield volcanoes. This is their favorite spot to chill on Oahu. The only resort on Oahus North Shore is, Day 1: Downtown Honolulu and Diamond Head Crater, If you are staying in Waikiki, you may choose to. Are you looking for a Honolulu itinerary instead? This is a national historic landmark & its the only official royal residence in the United States! This map contains all the places mentioned in this sample itinerary. There are a lot of rocks to navigate around, so water shoes are recommended. So, as you might imagine, its tough to condense it down into merely 4 days on Oahu. If you dont depart early, it will be crowded with tourists, some of whom are slow going (think lots of children). You can stop for lunch at one of the North Shores famous food trucks for lunch. Although, many laid-back travelers choose to find an Airbnb here so they can ditch the crowds in Waikiki. : its important to note that weather greatly varies between the. services most parts of the island for just $2.50 per single ride (transfer good for two hours, exact change needed). If youre traveling from abroad, perhaps your. The best time to visit Oahu is April through June or September through December. For a quieter stay, look for places in the residential area between Waikiki and Diamond Head. There isnt a better place to learn about the last ruling leaders of Hawaiis monarchy. Celebrate your first night in Oahu in style with a special buffet dinner and Hawaiian luau show at Ka Moana Luau. either for your entire stay or for the days youll be spending outside of Honolulu. Make sure only to attempt this if the waters are calm enough and the tide is low enough. Shoulder seasons are always a good time to visit (Apr-May, Sep-Oct). Hidden Oahu gems and sea turtle snorkeling Sure, in a relatively small island where 70% of the states population and nearly one million people reside, expect a different experience. Youll be seeing Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and dont be surprised if you find volunteers around protecting the turtles from visitors. Browse through this list of Oahu attractions and aim to purchase your tickets in advance. And after all, the island known as the Gathering Place is treasured in the hearts of Hawaiians, both of yesteryear and of the present. Home to Honolulu the states capital and only proper city Oahu is way more than just the concrete jungle of high rises on Waikiki Beach. Oahus North Shore is a world of its own, so different than the hustle and bustle of the city. and their tour buses so dont expect a relaxing day at the beach with nothing but the sounds of birds whistling and palm trees swaying in the breeze. . Put on sunscreen, dont forget to wear a hat and drink lots of water. At the time of this attack, the US had not yet entered WWII. If you feel like hiking, you can check out the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. I stayed in a shared unit for less than the price of a dorm bed in a Waikiki hostel (and I had the room all to myself since everyone just follows the crowd to Waikiki). Parts of the avenue are a beachfront promenade, running parallel to Waikikis endless hotels and shops. I stayed in a shared unit for less than the price of a dorm bed in a Waikiki hostel (and I had the room all to myself since everyone just follows the crowd to Waikiki). Day 3: Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and a Luau Experience. There are restrooms and food trucks at the visitors center, where you should also pick up a trail brochure. Hiking to the summit of Diamond Head is an absolute must, though youll have to share the trail with hundreds of other folks who have the same genius idea. You can literally drive inside the crater floor and park your car, but a much more scenic route is to simply walk from Waikiki or park on its slopes and walk to the visitors station ($1 entry fee for walk-ins). However, in this sample itinerary, well stick to basics and mostly concentrate on activities that you can do independently. youll see tons of fish and marine life! Heres a link to a complete list of Honolulu accommodations that you can book online via Booking.com. In addition, when country roads are being repaired, traffic is reduced to either one lane in each direction or in total, leading to even greater slowdowns. Its your third day in Oahu, and its time to snorkel! I love hunting down local restaurants, unique experiences, and hidden gems. Avoid leaving your car in isolated areas and never leave anything inside the car. With volcanic craters dotting the coastline, magnificent beaches, and the signature eroded peaks of the Pali Coast Oahu may possibly be the most beautiful island in Hawaii if it werent for its exploding population. Since weve just enjoyed an incredible birds eye view of Waikiki from Diamond Head, it makes perfect sense to spend the rest of the day on this famous stretch of beach. Due to the craters unique position and shape, it is very sunny and gets extra hot until you reach the breeze of the summit. Another plus is the nearby Ala Moana Center, Honolulus premier shopping experience where youll also find a large food court and a supermarket. The North Shore of Oahu is famous for surfing, sea turtles, and the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Due to the craters unique position and shape, it is very sunny and gets extra hot until you reach the breeze of the summit. On this tour, youre guaranteed to see a shark because they are so popular at the site you are taken to. The bike ride to Diamond Head should take no more than 30 minutes. The rock is very jagged and slippery. Sample itineraries, guides to the best beaches and lots more are waiting for you in the Hawaii Travel Guide collection. The crater is not only one of the most visited places in the entire State of Hawaii but also tends to see intensely hot weather by midday. In the February visit, I arrived just as a massive storm had weakened and sunny weather had moved in. The only downsides are the lack of nightlife and the absolute need for a car (which I recommend having in any case). See the Oahu Driving Tips section for related tips, including car break-ins on Oahu. During the years, this part of Oahu was used by the military in certain defense operations. A Mai Tai is a Polynesian cocktail made with a rum base and traditionally Curaao liqueur, orgeat syrup, and lime. You may see sandbars, Galapagos or, even tiger sharks! In Oahu, youll find mountains, ridges, valleys, and gorgeous waterfalls absolutely perfect for hiking! In the town of Kahuku, theres a food truck hub and it is a foodies utopia. Sample itineraries, guides to the best beaches and lots more are waiting for you in the. Love it or hate it, its difficult to visit Honolulu without paying a visit to Waikiki Beach . The reservation will permitreservations to be made 14 days in advance. This is a nature reserve and protected cove. for more information and recommendations. Its quite fun! Its less than 2 miles altogether, but its quite steep. The Luau includes a traditional buffet-style dinner with staples like Imu pork, poke, white fish, and salmon. And not just any luau , Arrive early if you can, the grounds of the, On your last day on Oahu, youll want to start out with. These days, it is THE place to see and be seen in Honolulu, if youre a tourist that is. where fresh and local ingredients are always served. But the warnings by some of the other islands residents to be cautious of the concrete jungle proved to mostly be false. The area boasts many dining options and is a short drive from Waikiki and the network of interstate highways. Theres an almost 1-mile hike out to the waterfall and lagoon. I recommend this, Since its your last day in Oahu, spend your afternoon however youd like. In the afternoon, you can visit Manoa Falls and the Lyon Arboretum. wide selection of excursions and activities, Day 2: Koko Crater and Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, Day 3: Manoa Falls & Southeast Coast Road Trip, Day 4: Pali Coast & North Shore Road Trip, Aloha! Diamond Head Crater is the remains of a volcanic cone a volcano that erupted some 300,000 years ago. Its also the best spot in Waikiki Beach for, There are a few noteworthy stops along the way (aside from the shopping), including the, famous surfing pioneer and winner of several Olympic medals in swimming, the, the 1901 luxury hotel built in beaux-arts fashion that started the Waikiki hype, and the. During the March visit, most of the week was filled with nothing but sunshine except for the first day, in which another (smaller) storm was coming to an end. Its most interesting to visit with a guided tour so that you dont miss out on any of the memorable details. Have a look at. This is especially key when heading back to the airport to catch your flight off the island! Its concrete-jungle buildings rise to much greater heights than the original palm trees, but they do meet a beautiful patch of the bluest of blue waters, a haven for swimmers and surfers! in Oahus beaches. (Waikiki is OK). See Manoa accommodations. Its often nice to have the modernities of a proper city such as malls, restaurants, and nightlife, but Oahus added value is that once you leave the big city behind on a road trip, the islands beauty is remarkable. Limiting your time to 4 days in Oahu can give many travelers extra time to. I love hunting down local restaurants, unique experiences, and hidden gems. At the Pearl Harbor site, you can visit ships, submarines, and memorial sites. In Oahu, youll find mountains, ridges, valleys, and, Whatever youre into, youll find it when you. : good for tacky and high-end souvenirs, unique surf clothing, and luxury stores. Aloha! They love it because the beach is surrounded by shallow waters and rocky spots where their favorite snacks (seaweed) grow plentifully. was born from my obsession with meticulously researching, organizing, and planning my travel itineraries. You can taste Kona Coffee at the Olive & Oliver Cafe. Ill list two areas in the city that I recommend, but if youre absolutely looking for a place to stay outside of the big city, Kailua is the best option, Hauula is even further out and quieter, and Kawailoa Beach is for those looking to surf mighty north shore waves. The waters are very shallow, clear, and calm. Yum! Shark cage diving on the North Shore (top-seller!) Required fields are marked *. The island of Oahu boasts many attractions suitable for families, adventure seekers, and history buffs. Put on sunscreen, dont forget to wear a hat and drink lots of water. Shoulder seasons are always a good time to visit (Apr-May, Sep-Oct). Click on the image to open in Google Maps. In the 19th century, Waikiki became the resort vacation destination for Hawaiis ruling family. Besides the soil, the Kona region is known for having the perfect climate for growing coffee beans. Oahus Pacific location means big waves, diverse sea life, and unique Polynesian history. Be sure to fill up the gas tank and have offline access to Google Maps.

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