The Best 7 Day Oahu Itinerary for Your First Time in Hawaii
This 7 day Oahu itinerary highlights the best things to do on your first trip to the Hawaiian island, from beach hopping to hikes to cultural attractions.
Golden sand beaches, waterfall trails, festive luaus, and adventure tours — it’s all in store on this Oahu 7 day itinerary. Known as the Gathering Place, Oahu is Hawaii’s most populated island and a favorite vacation spot for first timers.
To make sure you don’t miss any of the best activities, beaches, and hikes during your time in Oahu, I’ve put together this travel guide to help you plan out your stay. You’ll be touring the capital city, exploring filming destinations, hiking coastal hills, snorkeling with vibrant sea life, chowing down on luau buffets, and beach hopping in search of your favorite spot on the sand.
Oahu is one of my favorite islands to visit and the activities below are things I recommend for your first visit, based on my experience.
This 7 day Oahu itinerary is arranged for you to either base yourself in the Honolulu area and take day trips, or spend the second half of your trip on the Windward Coast (that’s the east side). I’ve also incorporated plenty of down time to delve into your personal favorites, whether that’s relaxing on the sand, shopping in Waikiki, golfing, learning to surf, or finding the best shrimp tacos on the island.
Be sure to scroll to the end of this post for an Oahu travel guide packed with tips, including where to find the best beaches, my favorite places to stay, and what you should remember to pack. Enjoy your trip to Oahu!
7 Day Oahu Itinerary
This 7 day Oahu itinerary starts and ends in Honolulu, which has an international airport. The Honolulu and Waikiki area makes the best overall base for your first trip, since there are tons of hotels, restaurants and shops in a compact area.
All the activities on this one week in Oahu vacation can be done as excursions from this base, or you can relocate after a couple of days to experience a different part of the island up close. Renting a car is the easiest way to get around, but you can also book excursions that include transportation for several of the outings.
Day 1 and 2 — Waikiki Beach and Honolulu Itinerary
The first couple of days in Oahu are the perfect time to sightsee around Honolulu before you start heading off to explore the rest of the island. There are tons of cultural and historic sites here, so you might want to add some of these to another day if you’re staying in Honolulu the entire trip.
Depending on what time you arrive, you can keep the activities short and just catch the sunset from Waikiki beach or out of the water on a twilight cruise. Or, if you have closer to a full day, add in some Honolulu activities or a tour to get an overview of the island.
Waikiki Beach
With its swaying palms, vibrant sunsets, and perfectly golden sand, Oahu’s Waikiki beach is the most popular one on the island. It’s often crowded but conveniently close to a ton of accommodations and amenities and worth a visit at least once during your stay. Plus, it’s absolutely picture-perfect.
The lively oceanfront has everything from live music to surf lessons and watersport rentals. And since the beach faces west, the sunsets here are breathtaking.
Diamond Head
The Diamond Head summit trail is one of the best hikes on Oahu for first-timers, and I like to do it every time I visit. The 1.6-mile round-trip path leads up to an abandoned military lookout bunker on the rim of a volcanic crater, where you can see miles of coast and the Honolulu skyline.
While it’s a fairly easy hike, there is an elevation gain of 560 feet and some stairs. Out of state visitors need to make a reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument and pay a small fee.
The park has picnic spots, concessions and restrooms and is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. You have to be off the trail and out of the park by the time gates close.
Helicopter Tour
Your first of 7 days in Oahu is the perfect time to take a tour of the island for an overview of the breathtaking scenery.
Sunset Cruise
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
If it’s your first trip to Hawaii, make time to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The visitor center and indoor and outdoor exhibits are all free to visit.
For a nominal fee, you can also sign up for a boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial. Reservations for the USS Arizona open 8 weeks in advance, and it’s best to secure a time slot before you visit to make sure you have a spot.
Plan to spend at least a couple of hours at the national memorial, or half a day or more if you’d like to tour the other nearby Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, which include the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. There is a fee for each of these three sites, or you can purchase a combo ticket for all of them.
Punchbowl Crater
To continue on the Honolulu history tour, pay a visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at the Punchbowl Crater. The extinct volcanic cone also has a scenic overlook of the Honolulu coastline.
Iolani Palace
Built in the 1880s, Iolani Palace is the sole royal residence in the U.S., having served as a home to the last few monarchs of Hawaii until 1893. Now a National Historic Landmark, the opulent building fronted with palms is open to visitors for self-guided or docent-led tours.
Ala Moana Center
Touted as the world’s biggest open-air mall, the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu is a mix of luxury, specialty and chain brands just steps from the sandy beaches. This is a great spot to come after landing in Hawaii to buy any items you need for your trip or to grab a bite from one of the 160-plus dining options.
Other Honolulu Activities
The rest of this 7 days on Oahu itinerary is very outdoorsy focused, but if you want to mix in more museums and cultural sites to break up the beach time, here are a few more activities in Honolulu.
The Bishop Museum for history and science
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii for tea ceremonies and martial arts classes
The Honolulu Museum of Art for Asian, European and American works spanning 5,000 years
The Hawaii State Art Museum for contemporary pieces from Hawaiian artists
The Children’s Discovery Center for hands-on activities for kids
The Hawaii Heritage Center for walking tours of Chinatown
The Waikiki Aquarium for native sea life
Day 3 — Oahu North Shore Day Trip
Day 3 of your week in Oahu is the perfect time to head out of the city to the North Shore, a region known for its big waves, secluded beaches, and small towns. You can book a guided day trip to the North Shore or do this as a road trip on your own, either ending back in Honolulu or moving over to the Windward Coast for a few days.
I recommend driving through the middle of the island on Interstate 2 and making a big loop along the north coast, down the east coast, and back toward Honolulu on Interstate 3. Get an early start to maximize your time if you’re doing this all in one day because there are tons of places you’ll want to stop!
Dole Plantation
On the route to the North Shore, you’ll pass by the Dole Plantation, where you can grab a tasty pineapple Dole Whip from the cafe inside. If you want to explore the farm here, there is a 3 acre pineapple garden maze, a ride around the fields on colorful trains, and a tour through eight gardens growing coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits and flowers.
Kaena Point State Park
The west end of the North Shore is full of rugged and empty beaches. You’ll see people windsurfing and skydiving in this area, too. Where the road ends, you’ll find Kaena Point State Park and the Kaena Point Trail, a 3.5 mile out-and-back path to the western tip of the island with its black lava rocks.
Haleiwa Town
The small town of Haleiwa is the perfect spot for a lunch or coffee break on your North Shore tour. The Kamehameha Highway runs through the historic village, which is full of shops, galleries and eateries. I like stopping at the food trucks on the outskirts and grabbing a mocha freeze from the Coffee Gallery.
Waimea Bay
When you’re ready for some beach time on the North Shore, Waimea Bay Beach Park has a large sandy swath with lifeguards, restrooms and plenty of parking. The ocean conditions vary widely by season along this coast, so pay attention to warnings and signs before entering the water.
Winter brings strong currents and big waves to the North Shore and many beaches are unsafe for swimming during this time.
Waimea Valley and Waimea Falls
Inland of the bay along the Waimea River, Waimea Valley has beautiful botanical gardens and a waterfall. There’s an admission fee, and you can hike to the waterfall and swim when the conditions are right.
This activity is fun but a bit touristy, and there are other waterfalls you can hike to for free elsewhere on the island. This one is a very easy and paved walk, though, that is suitable for all ages.
North Shore Beach Hopping
The beaches along the North Shore are known for their massive winter surf, and professional competitions are held along the Banzai Pipeline throughout the big wave season. This is not an area for beginners to pull out their boards, or even enter the water, when the waves are big, but you can hop between spots like Ehukai and Sunset Beach Parks to watch the surfing in winter or Shark’s Cove and Three Tables Beach for snorkeling and swimming in summer.
Shrimp Trucks
As you round the northeast tip of the island and start driving down the Windward Coast back toward Honolulu, you’ll stumble upon several food trucks dishing out boiled and fried shrimp flavored with spicy garlic, lemon pepper, or coconut seasonings. It’s a great spot to grab a casual dinner — most trucks have picnic tables or you can take it to go and eat at one of the nearby oceanfront parks.
Day 4 and 5 — East Oahu Beach Hopping and Hiking
I recommend spending the next few days of this 7 day Oahu itinerary on the Windward Coast (the east side), which has pristine beaches that are way less busy than Waikiki and some incredible elevated trails with breathtaking views.
I’ve set aside two days of this agenda for the beaches, hikes and water activities on the Windward, and another (day 6) for some fun attractions and tours. You can easily mix and match these activities over the next three to four days as they aren’t too far from each other.
The small towns on the east coast have limited hotel options, so if you want to stay here, look into vacation rentals. It’s also a pretty easy and incredibly scenic drive here from Honolulu, either through the mountains on the Pali Highway or along the coastal cliffs on the southeast end of the island.
Kaneohe Bay and Sandbar
The large Kaneohe Bay on the central Windward Coast is famous for its sandbar and Mokolii, an islet that looks like a pointy hat. You can book boat tours or rent paddle boards and kayaks to get out in the water or snorkel closer to shore to see coral and colorful sea life. Head to Kualoa Regional Park to get on the sand or swim or paddle out to Mokolii island just off shore.
Kailua Bay Beaches
Kailua Bay is a great hub for water sports on this coast, and it has the family-friendly Kailua Beach Park with gentle waves, soft sand, and amenities like restrooms, showers and plenty of parking. From here, you can kayak to Lanikai Beach and the twin Mokulua Islets, a bird sanctuary.
Equipment rentals are available in the nearby town of Kailua, which also has cafes and a supermarket to pick up picnic supplies for beach days. This is one of my favorite areas on Oahu!
Lanikai Beach
My favorite beach on Oahu has to be Lanikai, with its pristine golden sand, bright turquoise water, quiet atmosphere, and breathtaking view of the Mokulua Islands.
Though it’s a public beach, access is through alleys between the houses that line the shore, so it’s not super obvious unless you know it’s there. The downsides to this are a tricky parking situation along neighborhood streets and no available restrooms or other amenities. But, the seclusion and views are worth spending a quiet morning on this oceanfront. You can also get here by kayaking over from Kailua Beach!
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
One of the most popular snorkeling spots on Oahu, Hanauma Bay formed in a volcanic cone. The coral-filled waters close to shore swarm with colorful fish, making it an easy spot for new snorkelers.
Despite its status as a nature preserve, the bay has suffered from overtourism, and measures to limit visitation and restore the environment have been increasing in recent years. For now, Hanauma is only open Wednesday through Sunday and reservations are required (limited walk-ins are allowed to accommodate those without internet access). All visitors must watch a video before walking down to the beachfront.
There is an entry fee per person over 12 and a parking fee. The park also has a gift shop, food concessions and snorkel rentals.
Koko Crater Trail
The Koko Crater Trail on the east coast is a fun and challenging climb up an old railroad track. It makes a safer alternative to the Stairway to Heaven hike on Oahu, which is famous but illegal.
The railway was used in World War II to carry supplies up to the lookout bunkers at the top of the crater. Today, there are over 1,000 steps along the tracks in less than a mile to climb up the ridge. The payoff, though, is incredible panoramic vistas of the coastline and offshore islands. The entire hike is about 1.6 miles round trip.
Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail
For an easier hike, try the 2-mile round trip Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail. Located along the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, the path follows an old access road toward the picturesque red roof lighthouse.
From this tip of the island, you can see the southeastern coastline, several offshore islets, and the islands of Molokai and Lanai in the distance. The nearby Makapuu Beach and Makapuu Lookout off the highway also have incredible views of the coast without a hike.
Lanikai Pillbox Trail
The views of the Mokulua Islets and Lanikai Beach from the top of the Lanikai Pillbox Trail make every uphill step worth it! The moderate climb to a couple of old military bunkers is only about a mile round trip, but you can continue on a little further along the Kaiwa Ridge to get away from the crowds.
Located in the Kailua area a few blocks behind Lanikai Beach, the trailhead is in a residential neighborhood, so pay attention to any parking or trespassing signs. Parts of the trail are pretty steep, so wear proper shoes for this one (no flip flops).
Day 6 —Oahu Windward Coast Culture and Adventure
If this is your last full day on the island, there’s a lot of action to squeeze in here. These activities on the Windward Coast are some first-timer favorites, though, from adventures on a scenic ranch to a traditional luau celebration. You may have to pick and choose from these activities or add some to a different day if you want to spend more than half a day at the ranch or cultural center.
Nuuanu Pali State Wayside
If you haven’t driven it yet, I recommend taking the Pali Highway to the Windward Coast today if you’re staying in Honolulu. Cutting through verdant forests and mountains, this area has waterfall hikes, lookouts, and the Queen Emma Summer Palace, a historic home used as a retreat for the royals in the mid 1800s.
Near the tunnels on the Pali Highway, pull off for the Nuuanu Pali State Wayside, which has a sweeping elevated view of the Windward Coast. There is a parking fee here.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
There are a handful of botanical gardens you can visit on Oahu, including the 400 acre Hoomaluhia on the Windward Coast. Free to visit, the name of this oasis means “a peaceful refuge” and it has plants from the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Polynesia, and more.
Byodo-In Temple
Another peaceful stop on the Windward, Valley of the Temples is a memorial park with the beautiful Byodo-In, a replica of a 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple in Japan. You can visit the temple and walk the gardens here, but be respectful of the surrounding burial grounds.
Kualoa Ranch
Scenes from movies like “Jurassic Park” and “Godzilla” have been filmed here, and you can book a guided tour to see the famous sites. There’s also horseback rides, mountain biking, boat outings, and farming and sustainability experiences. Set aside a half day for this outing!
Polynesian Cultural Center
You’ll want to arrive earlier, though, to tour the six island villages at the center representing Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji and Aotearoa. Each village has demonstrations and interactive experiences to represent their culture. You might play a Tongan shuffleboard game, sample Tahitian coconut bread, watch a traditional Fijian dance, and learn Hawaiian lauhala weaving during presentations throughout the day.
Different ticket levels are available for the cultural center and evening show, with special perks like a guided tour, flower lei greeting, and an upgraded dinner buffet for higher level packages. You can also add on a shuttle from Waikiki if you aren’t renting a car.
This can be squeezed into the last half of the day for a quick walk around the villages and the luau, but you could also easily spend a full day here if you want to do this on day 7 instead.
Day 7 — Free Oahu Beach or Activity Day
If you have to depart on the last of your 7 days in Oahu itinerary, this is a great time to relax at your favorite beach, finish up any activities you didn’t have time for, or hang out around Honolulu until flight time.
If you have a full day, spread out the activities from day 6 to spend more time at the Polynesian Cultural Center, or add in another hike or water sport you haven’t had time for yet. There are plenty of options listed above to fill at least 7 days on Oahu!
For more ideas, I’ve included some additional Oahu activities below!
Surf Lessons on Oahu
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Oahu Snorkeling
Oahu 7 Day Itinerary Planning Guide & Tips
The guide below has suggestions for when to visit Hawaii, how long to spend on Oahu, where to stay, and more.
Where to Stay on Oahu
In this zone, you’ll also be in walking distance to tons of food and shopping. I do, however, recommend getting out of Waikiki for day trips and road trips as much as possible. Luckily, plenty of less crowded beaches are a short drive away.
If you’re looking for a resort on Oahu, there are several to pick from on the Leeward Coast in the Kapolei's Ko Olina area, including the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, Disney’s Aulani, and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. These are great for honeymooners looking for a luxury stay or families who want a bunch of amenities right on site.
My favorite place to stay on Oahu is the Kailua area on the eastern end, which has a more residential vibe with some guest houses and vacation rentals. There aren’t as many options here though, so start looking early if this is more your vibe. You will want to rent a car if you’re staying in Kailua, as public transit and tour pickups are much more common in Honolulu and there aren’t as many amenities in walking distance.
The North Shore is a great spot to get away from the crowds, but there aren't as many traditional hotels in this area. One option is the Turtle Bay Resort on the northeast tip of Oahu, a beautiful beachfront property with golf courses, water sports equipment, a spa, and a few restaurants and bars.
What to Pack for Oahu
This free Hawaii packing list has a rundown of all the things you should pack for 7 days in Oahu, including recommendations for reef-safe sunscreen and affordable snorkel gear.
When is the Best Time to Go to Oahu?
Oahu is the most popular and populated Hawaiian island, thanks to the large capital city of Honolulu and an international airport. The busiest times to visit are in winter, summer, and spring holidays. If you want to plan a 7 day Oahu itinerary when the island is less crowded, I recommend coming in the fall!
As for the Oahu weather, you can count on warm sunshine any time of year, with some seasonal changes and microclimates on different parts of the island. Between November and April, highs are usually in the 70s and lows in the 60s, with more rain and wind producing strong currents and waves on the North Shore. This time of year when you may spot whales off the coast (starting in December).
May through October is a bit warmer and drier, averaging in the 80s for highs and 70s for lows. The water is generally calmer and safer for swimming and snorkeling on many beaches around the island in summer.
Is One Week Enough for Oahu?
How many days in Oahu is enough? I recommend at least three days on Oahu to beach hop around the island and see a few top attractions. Four or five days in Oahu is even better if you want to hike, visit some cultural sights, go kayaking, or just slow down a bit.
With seven days in Oahu, you should have enough time to discover your own favorite beach and get a little sampling of everything, from museums and historic sites to gardens and waterfalls.
If you have longer than a week on Oahu on your first trip, consider a Hawaii island-hopping itinerary so you can explore even more landscapes! These guides will show you how to spend three days on Kauai, three days on Maui, and four days on Maui.
Which Beach on Oahu is the Best
Everyone has their own opinion about what makes for the best beach, so with 7 days in Oahu, I recommend hopping around to find the perfect one for you! Different coasts of the island definitely have their own vibes — Waikiki is very touristy with lots of amenities and breathtaking sunsets, the east coast has some quieter spots and great places to kayak, and the North Shore has big waves and rugged beauty. My personal favorite (so far) is the Lanikai Beach and the Kailua area, but I still have many more to visit!
Do I Need a Car on Oahu?
To follow this Oahu 7 day itinerary, I recommend renting a car for most of the trip if you are able. Having your own transit makes it much easier to leave the Honolulu area, either to stay somewhere else on the island or just go off exploring.
To visit without a car, it’s easiest to stay in Waikiki where you can walk to a beach and restaurants and use public transit. There are buses that go around the island, but it takes a lot longer to travel this way. Some popular tourist destinations like the Polynesian Cultural Center also offer transportation services, or you can book guided tours of the island to get outside of Waikiki.
When you’re deciding whether you should rent a car on Oahu, add in costs like the nightly parking fee at your hotel, the cost of an airport taxi, extra tours you may have to book, and the cost of fuel. Sometimes a good compromise is to just have a car for a day or two. There are rental locations in Waikiki you can walk to, so you don’t have to go back to the airport to pick up a car.
How Much Does an Oahu Budget Cost?
The cost of a Hawaii vacation will vary greatly depending on your tastes and budget. Staying at a resort can be upwards of $1,000 a night, while you can book some Waikiki hotels for between $100 to $200.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can save by reserving a hotel further away from the beach or camping, picking up food from the grocery store, and sticking to free activities like hiking, snorkeling (with your own gear), and beach hopping. Rental cars, tours, and eating out all add up fast!
What Should I Avoid in Oahu
Before you head out of town for your one week in Oahu, make sure you read over these tips from the Hawaii Tourism Authority about being a responsible traveler and respecting the land and culture of the islands. Some things to avoid include taking sand or rocks as a souvenir, touching coral or other living things, and leaving trash on beaches and trails.
