How to Plan the Perfect 3 Days in Oahu Itinerary This Year
This 3 days in Oahu itinerary highlights the best beaches, cultural attractions, scenic hikes, and serene spots to escape the crowds in Hawaii’s “Gathering Place.”
From calm golden sunsets reflecting off the Pacific to giant waves crashing violently into the sea, the island of Oahu is a story of contrasts.
The most visited of the Hawaiian islands, thanks to its gateway international airport, Oahu is home to the capital city Honolulu, where high rises, shops, and hotels fill the popular Waikiki neighborhood. But just a few miles away on the North Shore and Windward Coast, small communities still retain some of the local charm and culture that too often gets washed away in tourist hubs.
If you’re wondering what to do on Oahu besides beach days and luaus, this 3 day Oahu itinerary covers every coast of the island, with ideas for road trips and where to hike, snorkel, or just stop and enjoy the scenery. I’ve visited Oahu a few times now, and these are my favorite things to do over and over again.
Use it to plan a short stay on Oahu or add in a few relaxing days on the sand in between adventures for a longer trip. I’ve noted where some of the prettiest, most popular, and quietest Oahu beaches are along the way.
Since it’s not possible to drive a full circle around the island — the road ends at Kaena Point on the west and north sides — this Oahu 3 day itinerary is broken down into three areas. You could easily stay all 3 days in Honolulu and make day trips to explore different sections if you want to have a home base. Driving routes are based on departing from and returning to Honolulu or Waikiki but can be adapted.
The Ultimate 3 Days in Oahu Itinerary
Use this 3 days in Oahu itinerary to map out the beaches, hikes and attractions you most want to visit. I’ve included a little bit of everything that you’ll want to see on your first trip to the island.
Oahu Itinerary Day 1 – Honolulu and Waikiki Attractions
Though it’s the most touristy and crowded area of Oahu, there are tons of attractions and activities in Honolulu and Waikiki, including one of the most popular hikes on the island with incredible views and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
If you only have 3 days in Oahu, you can squeeze both of these into one. But, if you’re staying for longer or don’t enjoy hiking, consider adding in some extra time for the various museums and historic sites around Pearl Harbor.
Diamond Head State Monument
Start your day with a hike at Diamond Head, a volcanic crater with an old military defense post at the top. The trail to the summit is only 1.6 miles round trip, but with an elevation gain of 560 feet, you’ll be doing a bit of moderately strenuous uphill walking and stair climbing. The payoff is a panoramic view of downtown Honolulu and several miles of the surrounding shoreline, plus glimpses of a postcard-perfect lighthouse.
There’s a small charge to park at the monument (right in the middle of the crater) or a per-person fee for walk-ups. Visitors from out of state need an advanced reservation to enter.
Diamond Head is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds, especially during the busy season. The park has restrooms, picnic areas and concessions at the base.
Lunch Break
Restaurant 604 is convenient to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and has waterfront dining with a menu of American and island favorites (like loco moco and kalua pork).
Pearl Harbor
No trip to Oahu would be complete without visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, home to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits over the sunken battleship. You’ll want to set aside at least 2 to 3 hours here to tour the museums and join the free 75-minute USS Arizona program, which involves an informational video and a boat ride out to the monument.
The visitor center and USS Arizona Memorial are free, but the memorial requires a timed ticket, available online 60 days ahead of time for a small convenience fee. If you haven’t reserved a spot before your visit, walk-in tickets are available the day of, but you’ll need to arrive early to secure one.
If you have extra time, you can also visit the Battleship Missouri and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Ford Island and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, collectively known as the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. Admission can be purchased at the visitor center.
Waikiki Beach
Though it’s the most crowded spot on the island, Waikiki Beach boasts a picture-perfect sunset you must see at least once. The west-facing beach has uninterrupted views of the Pacific, with palm trees lining the shores and boats bobbing in the waves.
The area is bustling with activity, from surf lessons to live music, so it’ll be easy to kill some time if you arrive early. The sunset is around 7:15 p.m. at the summer solstice and around 5:55 p.m. at the winter solstice.
Extra Honolulu Activities
If you have enough time, these are some other popular attractions in the Honolulu area.
The Ala Moana Center is a large, open-air shopping mall in Honolulu with over 160 dining options.
The Waikiki Aquarium was founded in 1904 and is a great way to see native fish if you can’t snorkel.
The Honolulu Zoo is in the Queen Kapi’olani Park near Diamond Head State Monument and offers twilight tours when animals are most active.
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii offers martial arts classes in the dojo and tea ceremonies in a trio of tea rooms.
Punchbowl Crater is an extinct volcanic cone that’s home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. It also has a scenic overlook of downtown Honolulu and the Waikiki coastline.
Several golf courses are scattered around the outskirts of Honolulu.
Oahu Itinerary Day 2 – North Shore Road Trip
Today’s Oahu road trip traces the North Shore and Windward Coast, where you’ll find far fewer crowds than in the Honolulu area. In one day, you can drive this 100-mile path with some beach hopping, but you might have to cherry-pick between the longer activities like the hike, Waimea Valley and the Polynesian Cultural Center if you don’t want to feel rushed.
Kaena Point State Park
Depart early from Honolulu for your drive north through the farmlands and mountain views of the center of the island, to stretches of empty beachfront and the northwest terminus of the highway at Kaena Point. If you want to do some hiking, the Kaena Point Trail is a 3.5-mile, out-and-back path from the end of the road to the remote western point of the island inaccessible to vehicles.
There is no fee for Kaena Point State Park, but also no facilities or water along the trail. The park is open during daylight hours. After Kaena Point, the trail continues south along the western coast of the island toward Keawaula Beach, but if you hike this way, you’ll be 50 road miles away from where you left your car, so you’ll have to hike the whole trail in reverse.
Haleiwa
From Kaena, backtrack towards Haleiwa, where you’ll meet up with the Kamehameha Highway for a clockwise route around the island for the rest of the day. Historic Haleiwa is a great lunch stop (or brunch if you skipped the hike), with lots of food trucks and locally owned art galleries, surf shops and boutiques.
Coffee Break
Haleiwa’s Coffee Gallery makes a mean “Mocha Freeze,” a combo of espresso, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce that will fuel you up for the rest of your North Shore road trip.
Waimea Bay
The next major point of interest, just 4 miles east, is Waimea Bay, where you’ll find a large and popular sandy beach with a big rock people like to jump off of. Across the road, the Waimea Valley preservation has botanical gardens, a waterfall you can swim in, and cultural tours of the religious sites. There's an entrance fee for this attraction.
North Shore Beaches
Between Waimea Bay and the northern tip of the island, you find endless stretches of sandy beaches known for their big surf, most notably the Banzai Pipeline, where annual competitions are held. If you have some time, stop at Sunset Beach to watch the surfers, especially in winter when the swells are large and the pros come out.
Shrimp Trucks
The North Shore is known for its shrimp trucks, and you’ll find a few options around the prawn and shrimp farms of Kahuku. We tried Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp and the fruit smoothie shop next to it and give both a thumbs up.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The return path will take you along the Windward Coast, past plenty of quiet beaches and a few intriguing sites you’ll visit in the daylight tomorrow. Around Kaneohe, you can hop on either the Likelike or Pali Highway to cut through mountain tunnels on the way back to the Honolulu area.
Extra North Shore Activities
There is so much to do near the North Shore! Here are some extra activities to squeeze in if you have the time.
The Dole Plantation is on your way to the North Shore but doesn’t open until mid-morning, so you’ll get a late start if you do the tour here. This is a fun, family-friendly stop with pineapple garden maze, a train tour, and the famous Dole Whip treats.
Take yourself on a film site tour of Oahu. Several scenes of the show “Lost” were filmed on the North Shore and it’s easy to track down the survivor's beach and the Others camp. If you know, you know. Some popular movies filmed on the North Shore include “Blue Crush,” “50 First Dates,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
The Waimea Valley is full of historic and cultural sites and has a waterfall you can hike to. You have to pay an admission fee, so make sure you have a couple of hours to spend here.
Kawela Bay Beach Park has a huge banyan tree and a hike to an old military bunker commonly called a “pillbox.”
Oahu Itinerary Day 3 – Southeast and Windward Coast Beaches and Activities
Heading east from Waikiki, drive along the southeast shoreline and the Windward Coast today, taking advantage of white-sand beaches, snorkeling spots and hikes. The suggested path is about 65 miles with a little bit of backtracking to cover sites you drove by but probably missed the day before.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Wake up bright and early for your first visit, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a popular snorkeling spot full of coral and all sorts of colorful marine life. The bay has suffered from over tourism, so measures are in place to limit visitation and restore the environment. The bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesday, and you must make an online reservation to visit two days ahead of time (and pay the entry fee).
Many tourists book the shuttle service here from the Waikiki area but there is also a paid parking lot (cash only) that fills up quickly. The park opens at 6:45 a.m. and there is a mandatory video to watch at the education center, which tells you not to touch or walk on the coral, amongst other things.
, you'll save on rental fees and can use it for your whole vacation.
Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail
If you want to hike on this coast, the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is a 2-mile, round-trip hike along the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline that takes roughly 2 hours to walk. The route follows an old access road towards a red-roofed lighthouse.
From the elevated trail you’ll be able to see the offshore islands and, if you’re lucky, humpback whales during migration season (November-May).
Windward Coast Beaches
The beaches you’ll encounter along the Windward Coast are ideal for swimming and kayaking, thanks to calm waters. Lanikai Beach offers soft, white sand and fantastic views of the Mokulua Islands State Seabird Sanctuary, a couple of offshore islets full of Hawaiian birdlife.
Neighboring Kailua Bay has a long stretch of sand with mountain views and beachside parks with facilities.
Just a few miles up the road, the large Kaneohe Bay has a huge sandbar and a triangular islet known as Chinaman’s Hat that you can paddle out to. He’eia State Park and Kualoa Regional Park are both on the bay.
Kualoa Ranch
One of the most popular destinations on the Windward Coast, Kualoa Ranch is the place to go if you’re into active adventures or movie history. The 4,000-acre nature reserve and cattle ranch is a popular filming site for movies and tv shows, thanks to its scenic and diverse landscape that includes wide valleys, mountain cliffs and sandy beaches.
Extra Windward Coast Activities
If you keep your beach time short, you may be able to sneak a few of these extra activities on the Windward Coast into your 3 days in Oahu.
For more challenging hike, skip Makapuu Point and hike the Koko Crater Railway trail up an abandoned track.
The Lanikai Pillbox trail overlooks the Kailua Bay and Mokulua Islands from old military bunkers in the hills.
Byodo-In Temple near Kaneohe Bay is a nice restful stop with picturesque grounds featuring a replica Japanese temple.
Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park is north of Kualoa Ranch and has hiking trails in a landscape stretching from the sea to the mountains.
The Polynesian Cultural Center from day 2 is also just 12 miles north of Kualoa Ranch, so if you skipped it before, you can incorporate it here.
Quick 3 Days on Oahu Itinerary
Day 1 in Honolulu and Waikiki
Hike Diamond Head State Monument
Lunch at Restaurant 604
Tour Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Sunset at Waikiki Beach
Day 2 on the North Shore
Tour the Dole Plantation
Hike and beach hop at Kaena Point State Park
Lunch and shopping in historic Haleiwa
Frozen coffee from Coffee Gallery
Beach time at Waimea Bay
Dinner from Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp or
Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Day 3 on the Southeast and Windward Coast
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Hike at Makapuu Lighthouse trail, Koko Crater Railway trail, or Lanikai Pillbox trail
Beach hop to Lanakai Beach, Kailua Bay and Kaneohe Bay
ATV ride, ziplining or movie tour at Kualoa Ranch
Tips for Visiting Oahu
This 3 days in Oahu travel guide has tips for your first visit, like where to stay, when to go, and what to pack for the island. I also recommend reading this responsible travel information from the Hawaii Tourism Authority that discusses how to respect the culture and protect the land and sea.
How to Get to Oahu
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, often just called Honolulu International Airport, is located on Oahu. It is the largest airport in the state, and many Hawaii vacationers transit through on their way to another island.
Most major U.S. carriers land here.
Where to Stay on Oahu
If you are on a tight budget, look for a hotel several blocks from the ocean in Honolulu, or explore vacation rentals, bed-and-breakfasts and smaller properties on other parts of the island. If you’re interested in camping, you’ll find several beachfront options along the Windward Coast.
Do You Need a Car on Oahu?
You may or may not need a car for a short 3 day Oahu itinerary, depending on what you plan to do.
If you’re staying at a nice resort and just want to hang out at the beach or book Oahu day trips through a tour provider, you won’t need a vehicle to get around. If you’re staying in the Waikiki area, you can join excursions to the North Shore or to popular spots like Hanauma Bay or Kualoa Ranch. Bus service also is available around the island.
A car is necessary if you want to get out and explore on your own, hit the hiking trails, or discover some of the less-touristy parts of the island.
Be aware that traffic can be horrible coming in and out of Honolulu, as many locals work in the city and live elsewhere. So avoid driving during rush hour if you can, especially coming into the city in the morning or leaving in the afternoon. Remember that you might have to pay a fee to park your car at your Honolulu hotel.
If you do rent a car, be aware of the surroundings where you park. If you notice broken glass in the parking lot, there could be an issue with break-ins. Never leave valuables anywhere in your car.
How Many Days in Oahu?
You may be wondering, is 3 days in Oahu enough? A 3-day itinerary for Oahu is the minimum time I would recommend unless you are just transiting through here on your way to another island.
You could just as easily fill a whole week on Oahu if you’re interested in doing more hikes, beach days or spending extended time at cultural sites and museums.
Once you’re on Oahu, it’s cheap and easy to catch a flight to one of the other islands like Kauai or Maui, so if you have a week or more, I’d advise splitting your time to see more of Hawaii.
Here’s how to plan a 4 day in Oahu itinerary
When to Visit Oahu
If you’re looking for sunshine and warm weather, you’ll be happy here all year long!
November through April is the winter season, the busiest time on the island. Average highs are typically in the 70s and lows in the high 60s. This is the rainier and windier season, with big waves and strong currents on the North Shore. This is also the time to spot whales.
Summer, May through October, sees highs in the 80s and lows in the 70s, with calmer waters and drier weather.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are a great time to avoid crowds and high prices.
What to Pack for Oahu
Before you pack for 3 days in Oahu, you want to have an idea of what activities you will be doing. We have a free Hawaii packing checklist that will make sure you don’t forget anything.
For most 3 day Oahu itineraries, you’ll need swimwear and beach gear, sightseeing or resort wear, and some casual evening outfits for dinner. You may also need activewear for hiking.
Honolulu has plenty of stores, including everything from Walmart to a luxury mall, so if you forget something, you can just pick it up on the island.
Check with your hotel or condo to see if they provide things like beach towels, snorkels, and beach toys. We’ve even stayed in a vacation rental that had reef-safe sunscreen and beach chairs for us to use.
Is Oahu or Maui better?
You really can’t go wrong with Oahu or Maui. Both have beautiful beaches, adventurous hikes, and great food to try. Both also have really crowded touristy spots and places to get away from it all. If you’re struggling to decide between the two, I would first recommend that you sample both if you’re going to be in Hawaii for at least a week.
Flights between the islands take less than an hour and are typically pretty cheap.
If I had to decide, I would probably pick Maui for a romantic getaway (there are some really nice resorts), Oahu for a family vacation (tons of amenities in Honolulu), Oahu for a car-free vacation (more public transportation, but renting a car is better for both), Maui for land adventures (lots of diverse hiking trails), Oahu for the beaches (Lanikai is my favorite), and Oahu for a budget vacation (lots of accommodations in Honolulu). Everyone will have different opinions, this is just based on my personal experiences and research.
How Much Does an Oahu Vacation Cost?
Like any destination, what you spend is largely up to your travel style. Accommodations run the gamut from luxury oceanfront resorts to beachside camping for $15 a night.
Most hotels around Honolulu charge resort fees, which can be $25 or so a night, even if the property has limited amenities. Also, be aware that parking can carry an additional fee if you are renting a car.
You can save on food by limiting your meals out, eating from food trucks, and picking up picnic supplies from the grocery store.
There are plenty of free activities on the island, too, with no charge for beach access and many parks and hikes.
