Oahu Hawaii 6 Day Itinerary
Aloha!
I’m going to jump right into how Patrick and I decided to spend our 6 nights in the alluring island of Oahu, and provide you guys with some insider tips on what to do, see and visit.
Day 01: Exploring Honolulu
After a lengthy flight from Toronto (approximately 10 hours), we eagerly landed in Oahu, a small, densely populated island situated on the central pacific ocean. Oahu, or sometimes called “The Gathering Place” is known for its famous beaches, surfing spots and the hundreds of local crafty food, drinks and shops.
We were greeted in the morning by an expansive panoramic view of Honolulu from our Airbnb and decided to spend our first day on the island checking out the bustling capital city of Hawaii, Honolulu.
Honolulu is definitely a shoppers paradise, with its pronounced shopping mall known as the Ala Moana shopping Centre and impressive brands like Gucci, Dior, and Chanel found just minutes from Waikiki along Kalakaua Avenue. But don’t be fooled there is much more to do on this captivating island, then just shopping.
On our first day of exploring, we decided to spend a few hours catching some Hawaiian sun at the famous Waikiki beach. Waikiki beach is known for its stretch of manicured white sand and turquoise surf-friendly waters with post-card worthy diamond head views.
After exhausting our legs from wandering all around the Waikiki coastline, we made a last minute call to hop on a sunset catamaran sail overlooking Honolulu bay. The catamaran was definitely a great way to end off our first night, as we made our farewells to the sun, and watched the rainbows and sunset colors dance over the Honolulu skyline.
Day 02: The Windward Coast and Diamond Head
The following day we removed the roof covering of our jeep and drove along the two-lane highway up the Windward coast.
With the trade winds kissing our skin along the breathtaking 30-mile Windward coast we were able to see some of the most stunning natural beauty of Hawaii.
While you are on your drive, make sure to stop and stretch your legs at some of the scenic car stops along the way and if the weather permits (unfortunately that was not the case for us), try and squeeze in the Lanikai Pillbox hike.
After checking out the calm tranquil blue waters of Lanikai and Waimanalo beach we decided to head back and trek up the Diamond head.
The diamond head trail is the glittering gem in the crown of things to do in Oahu, and a must for hikers. Don’t worry guys, this once active volcano no longer spits fire and brimstone anymore so rest-assured! Along our hike, we grabbed some wondrous views of the boasting 35-diameter crater, overlooking a shimmering 760-foot summit.
Day 03: Snorkelling in Hanauma Bay
On our third day we decided to check out the snorkeling haven, known as Hanauma Bay.
Hanauma bay is a pristine marine ecosystem formed from a volcanic cone, and is a great spot to get acquainted with the hundreds of tropical fish, marine life and my favorite, the Hawaiian Hawksbill turtle.
Just a heads up before you plan on visiting… the park is closed every Tuesdays to allow the fish and bay to restore and have one day of undisturbed rest. Also make sure to arrive early (7:00am), parking fills up fast.
Day 04: Surfing and the North Shore
Before leaving Honolulu and driving down to check out the surf vibes on the North Shore, I decided to immerse myself in the Aloha spirt and ride some waves at Waikiki beach.
Waikiki beach is a great place to gently introduce yourself to the world of surfing. From my experience, there are no vicious undertows or rogue waves that might sweep you off your board and send you to Tahiti so don’t worry!
While you make your way down to North Shore Oahu, make sure to stop by the cute historical town of Haleiwa and grab some fresh local coconut crusted shrimp and shaved ice to cool you down!
Oh and don’t forget to taste some awesome locally made peanut butter at the North Shore Goodies store (it will change your life!)
Day 05: Laidback North Shore
North Shore Oahu preserves a small town Hawaiian vibe, that makes you want to settle in and stay for a while. It is a pretty spectacular place and undeniably worth visiting.
Its no secret that the North shore is home to some of the most world-renowned surf breaks in the world. So if you are visiting, make sure to check out some famous surf spots and watch some pro surfers at Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline) or Sunset beach.
During our time in North Shore Oahu, we decided to drop by Sharks Cove, relax at Waimea Bay and turtle watch at Laniakea Beach.
Day 06: Pearl Harbour
Before catching our flight to Maui, we decided to pay a visit to America’s naval base in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor. Visiting Pearl Harbor is free, however you do need to get a timed entry ticket to the USS Arizona memorial, so make sure to arrive early if you don’t like line-ups.
Finally, we had a few more hours to kill before our flight to Maui. We decided to do some last-minute shopping at the Ala Moana shopping center and grab some treats for our flight.
Well that just about raps up how Patrick and I spent our 6 days in Oahu. Mahalo for the read and till next time!
Side Note
If you decide to venture off to Oahu Hawaii, you need to know a few things right off the bat! All of Hawaii’s islands are extremely climatic, meaning that different sides of the island experience way more rainfall than other sides. So please plan wisely if you really want to absorb all the island has to offer (I suggest staying on the South end of the island, Waikiki)! To give you a little perspective of what I’m talking about, this is the rainfall map of the island, Oahu.
