Oahu, the third-largest island in Hawaii, has so much to offer that you could easily spend a month there discovering new places. In this one-week Oahu itinerary you can’t miss, you’ll find the top must-see places that’ll make your trip unforgettable. From pristine beaches to mountains and waterfalls hidden in the forest, this small island won’t stop impressing you.
Also, check out this post to read about the best hiking spots on the island.
Oahu’s Itinerary Divided by Coast Summary
Day 1 – Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head
Day 2 – North Shore: Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, Shark’s Cove, Sunset Beach and Turtle Beach
Day 3 – West Coast: Pearl Harbor, Mermaid’s Cave, Mākua Beach Pillbox Hike
Day 4 – East Coast: Kailua, Lanikai Beach, Waimanalo and Makapu’u Tide Pools
Day 5 – South Coast: Sandy Beach Park, China Walls, Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater
Day 6 – Hiking in the Jungle: Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden and hiking a waterfall
Day 7 of your one-week Oahu itinerary – Kaneohe Sandbar
Transportation on Oahu
Transportation plays a crucial role when it comes to discovering a new destination. On Oahu, as public transportation connections on the island are limited, it is necessary to rent a car to get around.
Although there are some buses running around the island, the most interesting spots are not included in any of the public transportation routes.
Also, the bus connections are extremely slow. For example, it takes almost 2 hours to get from Waikiki to the North Shore by bus, while it only takes 50 minutes by car. Renting a car will save you tons of time and give you the freedom to explore all corners of the island.
Day 1 – Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head
Your first day on the island is perfect to discover the capital, Honolulu, located on the southwest coast of Oahu. Start your day by visiting some of the historical buildings in the state: the Lolani Palace, the residence of the last Hawaiian monarchy, and the Hawaii State Capitol. Then, head south on S King St. and finally, head to the coast, where you’ll find the Ala Moana Park.
This park rests right next to the beach. Although beautiful, I recommend walking south, where you’ll eventually get to the famous Waikiki Beach. This is the place where you’ll start feeling the Hawaiian vibes. There are surfers everywhere and the blue water contrasts perfectly with the green of the nearby mountains.
Take some time to relax, enjoy the water and don’t forget to check out the Duke Paoa Statue, the world-famous statue of the Hawaiian surfer and swimmer standing in front of a surf board. A few meters from the statue, you’ll also find a beautiful Banyan tree.
To end the day, you can hike Diamond Head, a volcanic cone that now hosts some hiking trails to get to the top. The hike is fairly easy and it takes around 30 minutes to complete. It offers some of the best views of Honolulu and the Waikiki Coast. The visitor center is open from 6 AM until 6 PM.
Don’t miss this article where you can read about the best hikes on Oahu!
Day 2 – North Shore: Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, Shark’s Cove, Sunset Beach and Turtle Beach
On day 2, it’s time to discover the North Shore, especially popular among surfers and home of some of the best surfing competitions in the world. If you are traveling in the winter, you might have the chance to witness one of them!
This shore is perfect for spending the day relaxing at different beaches. On the same day, you can jump off a rock at Waimea Bay, go snorkeling at Shark’s Cove, spot some turtles at Turtle Beach and watch the sunset at Sunset Beach. Only a 15-minute drive separates these 4 beaches, but they all have something unique to offer.
Either for breakfast or lunch, head to the lovely town of Haleiwa. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious poke bowl, a typical dish that portrays how much Japanese culture influenced the island.
Day 3 – West Coast: Pearl Harbor, Mermaid’s Cave, Mākua Beach Pillbox Hike
Probably the most underrated coast on the island, the West Coast is forgotten by many travelers. But I promise you won’t regret discovering some of the hidden gems that I include on this one-week Oahu itinerary.
This can easily be combined with a visit to Pearl Harbor, the American harbor that was attacked during WWII. The place now hosts a museum that explains the history of the naval base and the events that took place in 1941.
After your visit, it’s time to discover the West Coast. One of its secret spots is Mermaid’s Cave. This is a water cave that can be accessed when the tide is low. It’s definitely a great place that not many tourists visit.
Then, explore some of the beaches located on this coast. The best are Nanakuli and Keawaula Beach. This side of the island offers a rougher sea, so you have to be careful when the tides are strong.
And what better way to finish the day than with a hike? The Maili Pillbox and the trail next to Kaneana Cave will give you some unbeatable views of the sunset.
Day 4 – East Coast: Kailua, Lanikai Beach, Waimanalo and Makapu’u Tide Pools
The beaches on the East Coast are the opposite of those on the West Coast. Here, you’ll find no waves, almost no current, and the most transparent water you could imagine.
Start the day by visiting the town of Kailua and the impressive Lanikai beach. There’s a reason why this beach is currently ranked the 21st best beach in the world. This place really looks like paradise on earth and to get the best views, I strongly recommend hiking the Lanikai Pillbox.
Another fun activity to enjoy at Lanikai is renting kayaks and rowing to the islets located in front of the beach.
After that, you can head to its neighboring beach, Waimanalo Beach, and finish the day at Makapu‘u Point. Here, you’ll find some incredible tide pools made of volcanic rock.
Day 5 – South Coast: Sandy Beach Park, China Walls, Hanauma Bay and Koko Crater
It’s day 5 of this one-week Oahu itinerary and the beauty of Oahu’s south coast will take your breath away. Once again, the beaches are the protagonists.
Don’t miss the incredible Sandy Beach and Hanauma Bay. The latter is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island and it’s a nature reserve. Because of this, it’s the ideal place to do some snorkeling and appreciate the marine life.
Another spot on this coast that not many tourists get to know is China Walls. This is a formation of volcanic rocks jutting out into the sea. Here, you can surf, swim, cliff jump, snorkel or just hang out.
Right before sunset, head to the unique Koko Crater. This hike is very special, as it’s formed by old military railroads. The hike is quite demanding, but the views are worth all the effort. Read more about it here!
Day 6 – Hiking in the Jungle: Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden and hiking a waterfall
After a few days visiting the different beaches on the island, it’s time to get into the jungle. Our first stop will be the photogenic Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. The 400 acres that make up the park are covered with plantings from the major tropical regions around the world, including Hawaii, India, Africa, Polynesia, and many more.
To go deeper into the jungle, there are many hiking trails you can take. You can either visit Manoa Falls or Waimano Falls, and swim under a waterfall. Or the most adventurous would want to try the challenging Stairway to Heaven.
Stairway to Heaven is an old military access route that was built during World War II. The trail consists of over 3,900 steps that climb nearly 2,800 feet in elevation. The steps are narrow and steep, making the hike a challenging and physically demanding experience.
Read more about all these hiking trails on Oahu in this article.
Day 7 of your one-week Oahu itinerary – Kaneohe Sandbar
The last day of this Oahu itinerary is reserved for the Kaneohe Sandbar. This is by far the most relaxing place on all Oahu. This sandbar, located on the east coast of the island, is perfect for practicing kayaking, paddleboarding or renting a boat.
It’s also ideal to go snorkeling, as the water is crystal clear and there’s plenty of marine life, including many sea turtles.
Other activities
If you have some extra time, these are some unique experiences you can add to your itinerary:
- Dole plantation: The most famous pineapple plantation in the world. Hawaii is a top pineapple producer and this fruit is definitely a symbol of the state. On this plantation, you’ll have the chance to take a tour and learn about the process behind its cultivation and have fun at the pineapple maze, which was declared the world’s largest maze in 2008. It can be included as a stop on your way to the North Shore.
- Polynesian Cultural Center: This is the perfect place to learn about the roots of the Hawaiian Islands and other Polynesian cultures like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. It presents shows, activities and a buffet where the focus is set on preserving Polynesian traditions.
- Luau: A Luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast that features typical food, music and Hula (the typical Hawaiian dance). Assisting a Luau can be a great way to get embedded in the local culture and try the most delicious food, which usually includes poke, salmon and kalua pork (pork cooked in an underground oven).
Conclusion to this One-Week Oahu Itinerary
One week is barely enough to get to know Oahu, but this one-week Oahu itinerary will guide you to explore the most iconic spots, grouping the different places by shore to make the most out of your time.
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