Oahu 7 Day Itinerary
A suggested itinerary to explore the Island of Oahu Hawaii
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 1/23/2025
Oahu 7 Day Itinerary - Click here to Print Itinerary
The following is our hand-crafted 7-day Oahu itinerary designed to help you make the most of your time on the island while taking into account the proximity of key destinations. This itinerary is tailored with first-time visitors in mind, offering a well-rounded experience of Oahu's stunning beaches, rich culture, historic landmarks, and breathtaking natural beauty. However, the recommendations are versatile and can be equally beneficial for anyone planning an unforgettable trip to this Hawaiian paradise, regardless of whether it's their first visit or a return adventure.
Day 1: Arrive at Waikiki Beach
- Get unpacked and get into the Hawaii vibe & timezone. This of course depends on how long it took you to get to Waikiki.
Day 2: Waikiki Beach & Honolulu
- Hang at the beach
- Explore Waikiki beach - the boardwalk is nearly continuous from the Hilton Hawaiian Village south to the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue.
- Explore Waikiki beach - It's a great walking area but if your feet get tired use the local bus system. The Pink Bus Trolley is $5 per day.
- Hit Dukes for your first umbrella drink & try at least one Mai Tai. They don’t make them any better anywhere else!
Day 3: Diamond Head & Honolulu
- Hike Diamond Head in the morning, you will need day/time reservations from Hawaii.GOV site
- Go Surfing/Supping/Kayaking or consider visiting Hanauma Bay, or other beach activity. Please note that Hanauma Bay entrance requires advance date/time reservations from the Hawaii.GOV site as well.
- Visit the Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant - Legendary Dim Sum! Expect to wait because this place is popular!
Day 4: Pearl Harbor in the morning
There is a lot to see at Pearl Harbor. If you are interested in world war II history then you may want to see everything. Most people want to take the boat out to the Arizona Memorial but all of the sites are worth seeing if you are up for it. Take a look at our Pearl Harbor visit.- USS Arizona Memorial - requires day/time reservations from the National Park Service site.
- USS Missouri - there is an entrance fee, but it does not require advance reservations and there is bus service from the Arizona site.
- USS Bowfin WW2 Submarine
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Day 5: A bit of driving
- Take the Pali Highway (Hawaii Route 61) to the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout and enjoy the amazing view of the valley below (you will be 2,000 feet above the valley).
- Make advance reservations at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Hawaii route 83 near Laie. Learn more about Hawaii, eat at the Luau and then take in the show afterward. This is an excellent family outing and great if looking for something to do with a large group. You can obtain tickets here.
Day 6: Enjoy your last day on Oahu however you want
If you don't have plans consider taking a ride to the famous Oahu north shore. It’s not a “must do” on Oahu as it’s mostly just a laid back surfing area.- Stop for malasadas in the morning at Paalaa Kai Bakery near Wailua - they are excellent!
- Visit Waialua Bay - in the summer it can be calm and in the winter sometimes there are large waves. It’s a nice beach to spend a few hours. To get info on where the surf is best, click here.
- Eat lunch at a shrimp food truck
Day 7: Return Home
If you have some extra time, or you are looking to add some variety to your own itinerary, here are a few suggestions to consider;
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