My little family loves the Hawaiian islands. It's one of the best island destination that's not too far from Los Angeles, but let's be honest, it's appeal draws people from all over the world, and for good reason. We've been to different islands multiple times, with children and without. But so far, Oahu has been our family favorite for its lively city and night life, to its abundant beautiful beaches and natural scenery. There's so much energy here, yet you can still find some quiet and calm moments in between.
Sounds enticing doesn't it? If you hate planning, don't worry. I've got a jam-packed 5-day itinerary for Oahu that will cover many areas of the island and is highly suitable for families, but is still just as good for any traveler looking to get a taste of the island!
In this post you'll find:
Helpful Tips
Where to stay in Oahu.
We opted to stay close to Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, which is the epicenter of the tourist zone in Oahu. The reasons being are 1) it is close to the airport making coming and going is easy with kids, 2) lots of food and shopping options, 3) walking distance to the beach, 4) we wanted access to night life, and 5) it's a great launching pad to get to the other areas of the island without feeling like you're driving super far to get anywhere (although the traffic is another story). Both times we visited Oahu, we stayed at Airbnbs (minutes away from the beach), but there are tons of hotel options for every price range. We also decided to stay at an Airbnb so that we can do some light cooking, knowing that dining out during the pandemic meant longer wait times due to capacity restrictions at restaurants.
Yes, you do need a car.
Waikiki is great, but the best of the island lies beyond the tourist zone, and to get there, you should book your airfare with a car rental. Deciding on if you need a car when you get here means you may end up paying a premium for a rental, or, availability will be slim. Save yourself the headache and plan for it in advance so that you don't waste a minute here on the island!
Stop by the Costco when you land.
You can stock up on essentials like water and snacks, as well as a lot of the consumable souvenirs there too! Since we were staying at an Airbnb, this was an absolute must for us. The island has great supermarkets like Foodland that have unique local items, so we make stops there too, but Costco is our first stop since it is just minutes from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Bring only reef-safe sunscreen.
The Hawaiian islands is home to a vast and unique coral reef ecosystem that is just as beautiful as it is fragile. Coral reefs in Hawaii, as well as around the world, are suffering from bleaching, a process by which coral turn white due to a number of stressors in its environment. One of those stressors is the use of sunscreen that contains chemicals on the HEL List (a list of chemicals that are pollutants to environments or wildlife), which fill the waters in beaches and hurt coral reef over time. In fact, it is banned in Hawaii, so before coming, check your sunscreen ingredients, or better yet, you can purchase it when you arrive!
Now, let's dive in to all the wonderful and amazing things you can do in Oahu!
Day One - Get to Know Waikiki
You're likely arriving into Oahu this day, so there's nothing better than to settle in and get to know your home base.
Manoa Falls or Tantalus Lookout
Start with a hike to Manoa Falls and be greeted with the beautiful tropical jungle views. The fall itself may not be super impressive depending on the amount of rainfall during the time of year you are visiting, but the hike surely makes up for it with the views of the lush surroundings. It is a 1.7 mile hike and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. It can get very muddy but totally doable; even my boys (5 and 3 at the time) were able to do it. Another alternative is to hike the ever popular Tantalus Lookout to get a view of Waikiki from above.
Waikiki Beach & Kalakaua Avenue
After the hike, head to Waikiki Beach. The streets adjacent to this beach are filled with hotels, shops, restaurants, and convenience stores. Park at the Honolulu Zoo (for free) and walk Kalakaua Avenue to get a feel of the area, as well as grab a bite to eat to refuel. When you get to the Royal Hawaiian Center, there is a pathway on the left of the Cheesecake Factory that leads to the beach. Walk the shoreline and pick any spot to dive in. The waves on this end are stronger and the beach is deeper here, so if you have kids and want something calmer, continue on the shoreline and walk back towards where you parked. The beach in that area is family friendly and calm with a rock wall barrier, perfect for the littlest family member to enjoy. Catch sunset here to end your first day in paradise.
Day Two - Experience the South Shore
Get ready because day two is all about the south shore, away from busy Waikiki. There are lots of interesting things to do and see in the South Shore, so you won't get to it all in one day. But don't worry, I've incorporated some of it into Day 3 as well.
Sunrise Hike to Kokohead Crater Railway Trail
This is a fun and challenging hike. I don't recommend doing this with young kids (although I have seen some on the trail, even ones in backpack carriers), so if you can get away, this would be a nice sunrise hike to see the views of Hanauma Bay. I suggest starting this hike as early as possible as there is no shade on your way up. With the heat beating on you, it makes the challenging upward climb even more exhausting. I promise you, the views are worth it! All of the information on the hike specifications are here.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Hanauma Bay is another popular destination in the South Shore. The view down into the bay reveal layers of blue that blanket a rich marine and coral reef ecosystem. You'll see lots of fish even without even trying to search for them. Due to over tourism of the beach, the State of Hawaii has enforced conservation efforts by limiting the number of visitors through an advanced ticketing system [learn more here]. Therefore, to get the most from your visit, plan to get here in the morning.
Leonard's Bakery Malasadas Truck
After your south shore adventures, make sure you stop by the famous Leonard's Bakery Malasadas Truck. They have a store front in Waikiki but there is always a line that wraps around the block. This truck location is fast and I've never had to stand in line! Eat it hot and fresh, it tastes so much better that way.
China Walls
If you're an experienced swimmer and love a thrill, try cliff jumping off this lava rock ledge. Even if it's not your thing, it's still a great place to watch sunrise or sunset, or watch other thrill seekers take a dive into the deep blue waters. Be very careful as the waves are strong and the area can be slippery.
Spitting Caves
Not far from China Walls is another beautiful area to watch the waves, sunrise, or sunset. The water crashes into the caves below and 'spits' up water, giving Spitting Caves its name. This is a super popular spot, so keep that in mind. Again, this area is slippery, so be careful!
Day Three - Enjoy the Northeast Tip of Oahu
Technically this is the windward side of the island, but I've broken it up a bit because there's so much beauty on this side that you can't miss! On your way home to Waikiki, you'll get to see more of the south shore too.
Ho'omahualia Garden
Start your morning with a visit to Ho'omahualia Garden. This breathtaking 400 acre botanical garden is a must visit! The first reason is because the views are just incredible, and secondly, it's free! From the moment you enter the grounds on the main road, you are greeted by the lush rugged mountain. In fact, this shot is so iconic and so many people try to get out of their cars for this picture that the gardens will fine you for doing so! I took this while sticking my body out of the window, which I don't recommend, but was a funny moment for us. Don't worry, there are so many viewpoints with the mountains in the background that you'll get some pretty awesome photos no matter where you are. There's a huge pond in the middle with tons of fish and lots of hiking options too! We spent about 1 hour here, although you could do a half day if you'd like to explore more. The humidity was killing us, which was perfect because we were headed to the beach afterwards!
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
For more incredible views, drive up to Nu'uanu Pali. We didn't get a chance to do this, so it's definitely still on our list for when we visit again. Explore the different trail options here.
Kailua Beach
Hands down our most favorite beach on Oahu! I know, that's saying a lot. But here's why: 1) The beach access is just a short walk from the parking lot before you reach the inviting water, 2) It is backed by a scattering of trees, which provide just the right amount of shade when you need it, 3) The waves are usually gentle and it isn't too deep. Pack yourself a lunch and enjoy a long relaxing day or if you're adventurous, you can rent some gear and kayak to Popoia Island, or Flat Island, a bird sanctuary that's just a quarter mile away.
[Tip: To access the parking lot for Kailua Beach, make sure you get onto Kailua Road until it ends into the parking lot. Many people see the parking lot while on Lihiwai Road and then think they can enter, but that is a one way exit for the parking lot.]
Makapu’u Beach Park
On your way home, stop by Makupu'u Beach Park, which is another beautiful beach on the south shore. People report that the water is strong, but the scenery is gorgeous, so it's worth a stop to take in the views.
Halona Blowhole and Halona Beach Cove
Continue down towards the Halona Blowhole and Halona Beach Cove, which are also in the south shore area, but a perfect stop as you head back to Waikiki. There is a decent parking lot to pull into where you can access both areas. On the left is the blowhole, and you can hear people cheering when the blowhole really gets going. On the right is the beautiful little beach cove. The shoreline in this area is rocky and the waves are very strong, so only swim this beach when it is calm.
Lanai Lookout
The next stop is Lanai Lookout. This is another beautiful viewpoint with gorgeous views of the black lava formations against the deep blue ocean. It is very windy here, so be careful, but worth a stop to catch sunset to end your day.
Day Four - Relax on the Windward side
There really is so much to explore on this side of the island, a little bit of beach and a little bit of culture! Pick and choose any of these activities and you're sure to have a fantastic fourth day on the island.
Byodo-In Temple
This beautiful Buddhist temple nestled against the Koolau Mountains is a peaceful respite to start your day. You can feed koi fish and feed birds while you take in the serenity of the surroundings. Remember to be respectful as it is a place a worship.
Kaneohe Sandbar
This is the only such place in all of Hawaii and the only way to get there is by boat or by kayak. Water levels can be as high as your waist or low enough to expose a beach in the middle of the ocean. Tours can take you here to snorkel and enjoy the sandbar. It'll be a unique experience to add to your Oahu adventures!
Sherwood Forest Beach (aka Waimanalo Bay Beach Park)
This beach is lined with a beautiful forest and anchored by a view of the island's southern tip in the distance. It is quiet, insanely blue, and fairly quiet. Be mindful of the man-o-war jellyfish that are in these waters at times!
Lanikai Beach for Sunset
As one of Oahu's top-rated beaches, you can bet it'll be beautiful. Bring a blanket and set yourself upon the soft sand to enjoy the pretty sunset colors wash over this beach. If you're adventurous, you can hike up to Lanikai Pillbox to view sunset, but be cautious on your way down with young kids as it can be dark and slippery.
Polynesian Cultural Center
If you haven't experienced a luau before, the Polynesian Cultural Center offers a top-rated experience where you can easily spend 4-5 hours, capped off with a dinner show and Polynesian entertainment. Do this in place of sunset in Lanikai.
Day Five - Haleiwa Town and North Shore
Venture up to the north side of the island to experience the surf town of Haleiwa as well as witness the famous waves and snorkeling that makes this side of the island so special.
Green World Coffee Farm
On your way up to the North Shore, stop by and grab some delicious coffee. They have a cute shop with a variety of beans to choose from and a garden in the back to view the coffee bean plants.
Dole Plantation
The pineapple is known as the Hawaiian symbol for welcome and hospitality, so it is only fitting that you experience the place that makes them the center of focus! It is such a fun little spot with lots to do with the family. You can do mazes, take the pineapple express train, enjoy pineapple themed foods, and shop the adorable gifts available. Make sure you stop by their website to plan your visit appropriately, especially if you plan to participate in the activities on site.
Shark's Cove
You'll get some of the best snorkeling at Shark's Cove and it is full of surprises in every nook. On the left is a more shallow area great for little kids with the assistance of parents. There was just so much to discover if you take your time to look in the crevices. Past the showers on the right, you'll take a walkway down to the deeper snorkeling area (middle picture below). It is rocky, so be careful, but once you enter the water, it was teeming with schools of colorful fish. On my husband's first few minutes in the water, he immediately saw a sea turtle just hanging out down below. If you swim further towards the open water, you'll see even more bright-colored fish. Our little family easily spent the entire day here, walking across the street to grab food, snacks, and ice cream at the Foodland, or there's also an entire outdoor eating area with food trucks next door. This is a popular spot, so try to arrive by 10am for access to the street parking or small lot in front of the showers.
Matsumotos
Cool off with probably the most famous and well known shave ice spot in all of Hawaii. The line is long but it moves quick! Enjoy it on the lawn and people-watch at the same time.
A few other beaches you can add to your visit include the Banzai Pipeline, where you can enjoy watching the wild waves, or watch the surfers take them on. Sunset Beach Park is a perfect spot to catch the sunset; the waves are strong here and it is another surf competition spot. Also, Ted's Bakery is close, so grab a pie and enjoy the views. And finally, journey through the banyan trees to reach the beach Kawela Bay Beach Park, the pictures I've seen of the banyan trees look so beautiful! Bonus: people report lots of sea turtle sightings here!
Oahu is an endlessly beautiful paradise with so much to discover. We keep coming back to our favorites, yet also find new things to enjoy. I hope you have found this itinerary helpful and that you can pick and choose some of these activities or use it in its entirety! Happy planning!
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