hawaii

Turquoise water crashing against white sand beaches fringed by palm trees, a vibrant metropolis with an incredibly diverse and vibrant food scene, stunning hikes with unbeatable views, and a landscape that will have you feeling like you’re in Jurassic Park…

This is exactly what you get from a trip to Oahu, and it’s a place like no other.

I’ve visited four Hawaiian islands now (Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island) and I have to say, I think Oahu may be my favorite.

It has a little something for everyone, and I love how you can go from being in the heart of a city to being on a rainforest trail en route to a thundering waterfall in a mere 15 minutes.

Besides all that, there’s also endless history. Whether you want to learn about the events that created the unity of the Hawaiian islands, the events that led to the downfall of the Hawaiian kingdom, or the events that led to America entering World War II, there’s a place on Oahu where you can learn just that.

I’ve mapped out this itinerary for Oahu to be a good mix of self-guided road-trip style independent travel and tours where I felt the activity was not able to be done on its own (either practically, safely, or enjoyably).

Feel free to adjust according to your travel needs — these are suggestions for an Oahu itinerary rather than a hard-and-fast itinerary you must follow to the letter.

If you know you want more beach days — skip some activities and add those in.

If you know you want more hikes — toss out a beach day and throw in a hike (I recommend Koko Head Crater, which I didn’t include on this itinerary but looks epic!)

Mix and match until this Oahu itinerary is your ideal itinerary.

I wrote this post in March 2023 after my February visit to to Oahu -- a long-awaited return visit after several trips to the island in my younger years. It was last updated December 5, 2023 to ensure it's up-to-date for the current travel season!

Your 7 Day Oahu Itinerary

Day 1: Downtown Honolulu & Waikiki

Have coffee and breakfast at Arvo.

Your first day in Oahu warrants an early start — and an early start warrants a delicious cup of coffee!

Arvo is a trendy and delicious Australian-style coffee shop (“arvo” is Aussie slang for afternoon!).

It’s located in the SALT at Our Kaka’ako boutique shopping area: one of my favorite neighborhoods in Honolulu.

I grabbed a flat white — the greatest Aussie coffee of all! — and it was simply delicious, with perfectly pulled espresso, creamy microfoam, and a little bit of a latte art for Instagrammability.

I had already had breakfast when I visited Arvo, but their food menu looks incredible.

They offer a gorgeous matcha chia pudding as well as a selection of toasts.

Both their Ricotta Toast (homemade ricotta, fresh fruit, and honey) and their Loaded Avocado Toast (avocado, arugula, feta, and local cherry tomatoes) sound exquisite!

For something more substantial, they also have a veggie halloumi burger with aioli and tomato jam on a brioche bun.

Hours: 8 AM to 2 PM

Website: arvocoffee.com

Address: 324 Coral Street at SALT, Honolulu, HI 96813

Explore the shops in the Kaka’ako District as you walk towards downtown.

As you walk towards downtown Honolulu, you’ll get to see all the wonderful boutiques and cafés that make the Kaka’ako District the hippest place in Honolulu and the city’s de facto Arts District.

Don’t miss exploring some of the shops in the SALT complex. Here are a few favorite boutiques:

• Paiko: Offering a selection of gorgeous fresh-cut flowers and tropical houseplants, Paiko is a plant nerd’s dream. Even if you don’t plan to take anything home with you, just wandering around is inspirational — the way the best boutiques always are. As a bona fide plant nerd (literally, I run a plant blog), I was really impressed by their unique selection of plants and the beauty of the store’s design that allowed its plants to shine.
  • Address: 675 Auahi Street Ste. 127, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 4:30 PM

• Hungry Ear Records: Love vinyl — or at least browsing the cover art if you don’t have a record machine at home? This funky vintage record shop is a great place to browse for a hidden find, or just admire the way music used to be consumed and sold. This record shop has a special affinity for sourcing and selling rare Hawaiian albums, so if you’re looking for something unique for your collection, you’ll find it here.
  • Address: 675 Auahi St suite e3-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
• Lonohana Estate Chocolate: Who doesn’t love chocolate? No, seriously, who, so I can do a mental wellness check on them. Lonohana is a family-run bean-to-bar chocolate company that sources its cacao from a local farm on the North Shore before being processed on Honolulu. The production cycle never leaves the island of O’ahu! The company believes in bringing back Hawaiian agriculture and investing in the future of a more diverse and equitable Hawaiian economy. Besides chocolate bars, they also sell truffles, chocolate drinks (chocolate chai? yes please), and other chocolate-infused products.
  • Address: 324 Coral Street, #104A, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 5 PM

Marvel at the Honolulu City Hall.

Honestly, I was really impressed by downtown Honolulu’s architecture! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it felt a lot grander than I had imagined it would be (or perhaps I was just shellshocked by being in such a large city after having spent 4 days on Kauai!)

One of the more beautiful buildings in the downtown Honolulu area is the City Hall. It was constructed in 1928 with the original name of Honolulu Hale, intended as a permanent base for the new city government.

The building was constructed in the Italianate Spanish Colonial Revival style, popular in Hawaii as well as California. The building took its inspiration from the Florentine Palazzo del Bargello, and the interior has a beautiful courtyard as well as stunning frescoes and highly-detailed stonework.

This may just be my personal bias as a Californian who spent a lot of time with my family from from Santa Barbara, but I love this style of architecture — it always makes me feel at home, and it was something that was a bit surprising to see on an island nearly 3,000 miles away from home.

Address: 30 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813

Hours: Weekdays from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM

Admire the beautiful ʻIolani Palace.

From a historical and architectural perspective, Downtown Honolulu is an interesting place: a site where the histories of the Hawaiian dynasties and American colonization collide in a very visible way.

The ʻIolani Palace (Hale Aliʻi ʻIolani in Hawaiian) is one such place. This was the royal residence from 1845 to 1895, originally inhabited by King Kamehameha III and last inhabited by Queen Liliʻuokalani before her reign was overthrown by American settlers.

Liliʻuokalani was overthrown by American forces in 1893, and troops of the newly-formed government of the Republic of Hawaiʻi took control of the Palace.

The new government renamed it as the Executive Building, selling the dynasty’s furniture and personal belongings at auctions open to the public.

In early 1985, there was an attempted and oft-forgotten uprising, the Wilcox Rebellion, which attempted to reinstate the Hawaiian monarchy.

However, it failed, and Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned for her role in the rebellion. She was forced to abdicate the throne, and she was jailed in a small room at the ʻIolani Palace for nine months.

While the history of the ʻIolani Palace is quite sad, showing the blatant disregard of Hawaiian sovereignty by the Americans who settled and later annexed Hawaii, the Palace has now been reclaimed by Hawaiians who wish to preserve their historical and cultural legacy.

The Palace was vacated in 1969, upon finalization of the construction of the Hawaii State Capitol building, and restoration work began quickly thereafter to return it to the way it looked under the Hawaiian monarchy.

A NGO called the Friends of ʻIolani Palace (founded by the grand-niece of Queen Kapiʻolani) oversaw the restorations, and managed to re-acquire many of the original objects belonging to the Palace that had been auctioned off.

It reopened to the public in 1978, restored to look the way it did in the time when Hawaiian monarchs still reigned and lived in this palace.

You can take an hourlong tour of the palace by booking online. You can book a tour with an audioguide device and do the tour independently or enjoy a tour led by a museum docent.

An audioguide-led tour costs $25, and a docent-led tour costs $30.

Book your tickets online here.

Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813

Website: iolanipalace.org

Hours: 9 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday (docent-led tours on Wednesdays and Thursdays only)

Check out the Aliʻiōlani Hale Building and King Kamehameha Statue.

The next historic building worth visiting in downtown Honolulu is the Aliʻiōlani Hale, finished in 1874.

It was originally intended to be the royal Palace of King Kamehameha V — hence the royal design of the building. However, he realized that the growing government needed more space in order to govern properly, and instead commissioned it as a government building.

He passed away before construction was finalized, but it was finalized by his successor, King Kalākaua. It was used as an executive building up until the end of the Hawaiian monarchy.

In fact, it was from this building itself that the so-called “Committee of Safety” orchestrated the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and put an end to Hawaiian sovereignty. The building is now used, somewhat ironically, as the Hawaii Supreme Court.

History of the building aside, one of the main reasons to visit is the beautiful and touching gold-leaf King Kamehameha Statue in front. This statue honors King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810, ending years of inter-island conflict.

The statue was erected in 1883, though it took a bit of a detour to arrive. The original statue was carved in Europe and was lost at sea as it navigated Cape Horn in Chile, so this was the second iteration.

The statue is adorned with gold leaf and features the Sacred Sash of Liloa around King Kamehameha’s waist, in reference to the centuries-long lineage of the sash (kāʻei) passed down through the Hawaiian monarchy.

Address: 417 King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

Hours: Weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM

Visit the Hawaii State Art Museum.

This museum offers free admission and is a great way to show some appreciation for modern and contemporary Hawaiian art and culture.

Currently, the Hawaii Triennial exhibit is on display. The theme of the exhibit is Pacific Century (E Ho‘omau no Moananuiākea in Hawaiian), focusing on how the Hawaiian islands position between Asia-Pacific and Oceania has shaped the islands’ identity and history.

Address: 250 South Hotel Street, Honolulu, HI 96813

Website: https://hisam.hawaii.gov

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM

Check out the Aloha Tower.

The very recognizable face of Honolulu Harbor, Aloha Tower is a can’t-miss landmark.

Built in 1926, first as a lighthouse and later decommissioned, it was the tallest building in all of the Hawaiian islands for 40 years.

Now, the Aloha Tower has been converted into the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a mixed-use building associated with the Hawaii Pacific University, housing students, community events, and a wide range of restaurants.

There’s also a 10th floor Observation Deck where you can get sweeping views of the city and harbor area. Visiting is free, and typically it is open between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM; however, it is closed temporarily due to Covid-19.

Address: 1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI, 96813

Website: https://alohatower.com

Hours: 8 AM to 10 PM for the building, though each business sets their own hours.

Have lunch back in Kaka’ako.

Both of the recommended afternoon tours (snorkeling with sea turtles or taking a glass bottom boat) depart from Kewalo Basin Harbor, located in the heart of Kaka’ako where we started our day.

That’s a great thing, because there are so many great places to eat in the area! Here are a few recommendations:

• Highway Inn Kaka’ako: This family-run restaurant has been operational for over 70 years. It was founded by Seiichi Toguchi, a Japanese-American who was displaced during the internment camp period of WWII (read their family history here). Upon his return to Hawai’i, he opened his own restaurant called Highway Inn, located on the Farrington Highway. It was so popular that it moved to a larger location — and later a poke restaurant as well as a second location in Kaka’ako. They serve up tasty traditional Hawaiian food such as chicken and pork lau lau (meat wrapped and cooked in taro leaves). I recommend a combo plate served with haupia, steamed sweet potato, poi, and lomi salmon.
  • Address:680 Ala Moana Blvd #105, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Hours: 10:30 AM to 8 PM daily
• J’s BBQ: This long-running family business serves up some of the best Korean food on the island — and at great budget-friendly prices, too. J’s is famous for their spicy BBQ chicken and pork, and their BBQ galbi (beef short rib) is to die for! Everything comes on a plate with rice and either a mac salad or green salad, and everything is priced around $12. They also serve up bibimbap, kimchi fried rice, and fried mandoo (Korean dumplings).
  • Address: 691 Auahi St #2-114, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Hours: 6 AM to 8 PM daily
• Redfish Poke Bar: I won’t say this is the best poke on the island (that honor belongs to Ry’s Poke Shack on the North Shore) but this is a contender for the best poke in Honolulu! Build your own poke bowl just the way you want it, choosing from delicious options like yuzu-miso ahi, hurricane salmon, and ginger-scallion hamachi (as well as vegan options like tofu and beet poke and kimchi cucumbers).
  • Address: 685 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Hours: 11 AM to 9 PM daily

Go on a sea turtle snorkeling tour or glass bottom boat tour.

After your delicious meal, make your way over the Kewalo Basin Harbor a little before 3 o’clock. There are two great options for finishing out your first day in Honolulu: going snorkeling with sea turtles or going on a glass bottom boat tour!

Personally, I love getting in the water and snorkeling — it’s hands-down one of my favorite activities to do in the water, bested only by SCUBA diving (which is basically just snorkeling on steroids).

This two-hour snorkeling tour brings you along the coast to Turtle Canyons, a popular snorkeling spot where you’re all but guaranteed to see the endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle. You’ll also see a veritable kaleidoscope of tropical fish in all different colors!

Along the way, you may get to see spinner dolphins bobbing alongside the boat, or even humpback whales during their migration if you are visiting during the winter months.

This tour includes free snorkeling equipment rental, as well as complimentary non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks. You’ll have to bring your own towels, though — I love this cute microfiber travel towel that packs up teeny-tiny and is easily carried in my day bag.

Book this snorkeling tour!

If you’re not into the idea of snorkeling for whatever reason, a glass bottom boat tour is a great way to see the beauty of the underwater world without getting wet!

The glass bottom boat tours last one hour and take you towards beautiful Diamond Head. You won’t know where to look as both the Oahu coastal scenery in front of you and the underwater world below you will seem equally compelling!

Looking through the glass on the boat, keep an eye out for tropical coral reefs, sea turtles, reef sharks, tropical fish, and possibly even dolphins! You’ll also go over a shipwreck, where you can see how these wrecks become homes and havens for all sorts of marine life.

Not a fan of snorkeling? Try a glass boat tour.

Address: Both tours meet at the Kewalo Basin Harbor at 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814

Admire your first Oahu sunset.

After your snorkeling trip or boat tour, you’ll want to make your way either to Ala Moana Beach Park or Waikiki Beach for a stunning sunset you won’t soon forget!

Depending on the time of year, the sun sets around 6:00 PM in winter and 7:00 PM in the summer months, so check the sunset times before settling in!

Have a delicious meal in Waikiki.

There are several great options for an incredible dinner in Waikiki! Here are a few suggestions for your first night.

• ZIGU: This contemporary restaurant and sake bar prepares typically Japanese recipes using only local Hawaiian ingredients, resulting in utterly delicious meals! Standout dishes include the miso-marinated macadamia-crusted salmon, the ahi tuna cutlet, and the chilled spicy soba noodle bowl with spiced pork, bonito flakes, and raw egg (the dish I ordered and loved!)
  • Address: 413 Seaside Ave #1F, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 4 PM to 10 PM daily
• Izakaya Pau Hana Base: This izakaya is so true-to-form that I honestly felt like I was transported back to my time in Osaka! Prices are shockingly affordable and portions are enormous. I greatly enjoyed all the plates I tried — their fried calamari, okonomiyaki (Japanese cabbage pancake covered in goodies), and yakitori (chicken skewers) were all exquisitely done.
  • Address: 407 Seaside Avenue #107, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 5 PM to 11 PM daily, except Sunday

Day 2: Kailua Bay, Lanikai Beach, & the Windward Coast

Have a great breakfast in Waikiki.

There are several great places to grab breakfast in Waikiki, depending on if you want a larger meal or just a snack.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Kona Coffee Purveyors: This is truly some of the best coffee served on the island of Oahu, and definitely the best coffee in Waikiki! They have a delicious and intriguing selection of pastries such as the black sesame or pineapple lychee kouign amann (like a croissant on steroids). Their pastries and coffees are a little pricy, but they are unbeatable. Expect lines in the morning, but it moves quickly.
  • Address: 330 Kalakaua Ave #160, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 7 AM to 4 PM

• Veranda at the Beachhouse: If you’re looking for a stunning place to have a fancy breakfast with a view of the water, it doesn’t get better than the restaurant at Moana Surfrider. Even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, you can dine here and enjoy hearty portions of classic breakfasts like banana pancakes, made with local ingredients.
  • Address: 2365 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Drive the Pali Highway and stop at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout.

After powering up with a hearty breakfast, it’s time to hit the road. We’re heading to the windward side of Oahu today, and that means taking the beautiful Pali Highway.

This historic highway passes through the Koʻolau Range, a beautiful but largely impassible mountain range on Oahu. The highway passes through Nuʻuanu Pali tunnels to get to the other side of the mountains.

But before you pass through the tunnels, make sure you stop at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout. The view from here is one of the best in Oahu!

Be sure to pay the parking fee of $7 — there usually someone here checking for payment, and you will likely get a ticket if you don’t pay, even if you stop for just a few minutes!

From here, you’ll get a gorgeous view of the Koolau Cliffs and the windward coastal cities of Kailua and Kaneohe, as well as the small islets like Mokoliʻi off the coast of Oahu.

While also being beautiful, the lookout is also incredibly historically important as well. This lookout is the location of the Battle of Nuʻuanu, in which King Kamehameha I finally won the battle that united Oahu (and would later unite the rest of the Hawaiian islands under his rule).

Many soldiers died in this fight, falling off the edge of the steep cliffs (that is what ‘pali’ means in Hawaiian, after all).

While building the highway, hundreds of human skulls were found, likely form this battle — perhaps this is why the Pali Highway is said to be haunted!

Address: Nuuanu Pali Dr, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM

Wander around the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.

One of the most stunning places on the island of Oahu is the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, located in Kaneohe.

You can check out the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden Visitor Center, and they’ll give you instructions abotu a quick walk you can do down to the lake.

Frankly, the lake isn’t so picturesque, but the beautiful flora you’ll see along the way and the informational placards identifying the plants was — for me — even more appealing!

But honestly, the best part of visiting the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is just driving around on the beautiful Park Access Road.

The contrast of the sheer cliff faces against the lush scenery is exquisite… so exquisite, in fact, that the park now bans photography “on or near” the road, likely after far too many Instagrammers descended on it and blocked the traffic for their photos.

As a result, park rangers will quickly tell you to put away your camera if you’re anywhere near a road, even on the side of the road where you’re not blocking any traffic or putting yourself or anyone at risk.

It’s a bit frustrating as the place is so beautiful that it’s so tempting to take all the photos you can — but it’s just a reminder not to take anything for granted and to always behave respectfully while you travel, otherwise you run the risk of ruining it for future generations of travelers.

Address: 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 4 PM

Take a kayaking tour of the Mokulua Islands OR just relax on the beach.

Once you’ve explored and driven through Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, make your way to Kailua for a kayaking tour.

If you’re not into kayaking, I suggest just heading to Lanikai Beach and having a beach day — rent some snorkel gear if you didn’t bring your own.

If you are into kayaking, keep reading — I highly recommend going on a sea kayak tour of the Mokulua Islands, which also includes time on Lanikai Beach.

If you’re a confident sea kayaker, you can take a self-guided tour; if you’re not experienced with sea kayaking, I recommend going with a guide as there is a small learning curve kayaking in the open sea vs. in a calm body of water like a lake (I learned this the hard way in Maine).

This kayaking trip will involve paddling out to the beautiful Mokulua Islands, where you can enjoy amazing views of the Windward Coast from out on the ocean: the reverse of the view you enjoyed from the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout earlier!

On Moku Nui (one of the two Mokulua islands), you can take a dip in the beautiful “Queen’s Bath”, a small natural pool is said to have healing powers and was used as a bathing spot by Hawaiian royalty.

The tour also includes the opportunity to visit Lanikai Beach and snorkel with the turtles who often visit this pristine part of the island, as well as enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Oahu, Lanikai Beach boasts stunning white sand that juxtaposes gorgeously against turquoise Pacific waters.

If you’re lucky, you may get to see a Hawaiian monk seal somewhere on the tour! These seals are highly endangered and only 1,200 remain in the wild.

They sometimes hang out here and also sometimes on the North Shore of Oahu. It’s definitely not a guarantee, but you might be lucky!

Book your kayaking tour and lunch here!

Address: 130 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734

Tackle the the Lanikai Pillbox Hike.

If you’re not too tired after your sea kayaking adventure, it’s time for an epic hike up to the Lanikai Pillboxes, one of the top Instagram spots in Oahu.

And if you are tired — at least it’s a chance to even out your arm workout from kayaking with a leg workout getting yourself up that hill!

The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is a short but tough hike up the Kaiwa Ridge that offers one of the best views over the windward side of the island!

The hike is 1.8 miles round trip with 650 feet of elevation gain, so expect a steady incline on the way up and a rocky descent on the way down!

There are three “pillboxes” — WW2-era bunkers — on this hike. Most people stop at the second pillbox, as the trail gets a little overgrown after that, but there is a third pillbox that is often quiet and peaceful with few hikers!

Wherever you choose to end your hike, don’t forget to look out onto the incredible Kailua Bay in front of you — you’ll see the Mokulua islands that you just kayaked to in front of you!

Trailhead Address: 265 Kaelepulu Dr, Kailua, HI 96734

Return to Waikiki for a sunset cruise.

After all that adventuring, it’s time to kick back and relax. Slowly make your way back to Waikiki by 6 PM in time to enjoy a scenic sunset cruise with some well-deserved cocktails, if you choose!

Take in the sunset as you set sail on a yacht. Enjoy the sea breeze on the al fresco top deck while admiring the changing colors of the sunset and the night lights coming to life all around Honolulu.

Seeing the Honolulu skyline from the water at sunset is simply unforgettable, and you’ll also get to see Honolulu Harbor and Diamond Head from out on the ocean — made even more beautiful in the golden hour and sunset light!

Your sunset cruise includes a welcome drink and additional cocktails as well as snacks are available for purchase.

Book your sunset cruise in Waikiki here!

Address: 301 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI 96813

Have another delicious dinner in Waikiki.

After your day out, you’re probably quite hungry! You could go to one of the other places I recommended for day one’s tour, but here are a few other options I enjoyed in Waikiki.

• Sam’s Kitchen: This tasty no-frills restaurant specializes in garlic shrimp, katsu dishes, and various teriyaki plates. It’s really affordable and tasty, with a quick-serve ambiance. It’s also one of the most late-night spots in Waikiki so it’s a great option if you want to eat late. Get the garlic shrimp and swoon.
  • Address: 353 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 10 AM to 1 AM daily
• Ramen Ezogiku: Want to try the typical Hawaiian version of ramen, saimin? This is the place to do so! This is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Waikiki and is a great budget option.
  • Address: 2239 Waikolu Way, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM daily
• Marukame Udon: You’ll almost never not see a long line at this place! However, I can tell you from standing in it that it does move really, really fast. This quick-serve restaurant is an affordable late-night spot that serves up udon and tempura and does it well and fast. Their curry udon bowl with beef is spectacular.
  • Address: 2310 Kūhiō Ave. #124, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 11 AM to 10 PM daily
• Sato Seafood: You could be forgiven for walking by this tiny little poke bar that’s often obscured by the lines from neighboring Marukame Udon, but you’d be missing out. This is where you’ll find the best poke in Waikiki! The spicy ahi and spicy salmon are legitimately really quite spicy, and adding macadamia nuts on top will send it over the top in terms of deliciousness.
  • Address: 2310 Kūhiō Ave. #215, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 10:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily
• Topped Waikiki: For delicious Korean-style bibimbap bowls, you can’t miss Topped Waikiki. I had their galbi bowl and it was delicious! My friend enjoyed their spicy pork. They also have gorgeous looking shave ice options if you miraculously find yourself having room for more!
  • Address: 333 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 10:30 AM to 11 PM

Day 3: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head & Sunset Views over Honolulu

Wake up bright and early for a tour of Pearl Harbor.

There’s no getting around the need to wake up early to visit Pearl Harbor — it’s one of the most-visited sites in Oahu, and getting up early will help you beat the crowds and make the best of your limited time on this Oahu itinerary.

I’ll be honest and say we made a huge mistake trying to self-guide Pearl Harbor in the middle of the day.

Both my friend and I concurred that it was a colossal waste of both time and money not going with a tour, since we spent a lot of money getting to and from Pearl Harbor (the Ubers from Waikiki were about $70 return!) and then realizing that tickets to visit all the sites were a whopping $89.99!

We also arrived too late to be able to see the USS Arizona, which was the top reason for visiting Pearl Harbor. The park docents told us that if we wanted to see the USS Arizona and didn’t have a tour booked, it was best to arrive at 7 AM when the park opened — and there would still be a line!

We ended up just visiting the USS Bowfin and the accompanying museum, since it was the only place we could visit so late in the day due to needing transportation between the other Pearl Harbor sights, which you can only access by shuttle or boat.

Between the Uber we took to and from Pearl Harbor and our entry tickets, we ended up paying about what we have for a tour… with none of the benefits. If we had done a tour we would have actually gotten to see the sights we wanted in an organized and stress-free fashion.

That’s why travel bloggers exist: we mess everything up so that you don’t have to!

I highly recommend this specific Pearl Harbor tour.

Why this one? It’s one of the only tours available that includes both the USS Arizona Memorial as well as the USS Oklahoma Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, as well as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Most other tours only include the USS Arizona Memorial (which is technically free to visit) and instead waste your time on a trolley tour of downtown Honolulu… which is fine, if you haven’t already explored it on foot as I recommend instead.

Many of the other tours of Pearl Harbor are a little cheaper but skip over vital sights, so if you want the best experience, this is the tour I recommend.

Book this tour of Pearl Harbor

Head back to Waikiki for lunch.

Your tour will return you to Waikiki just in time for lunch! Here are a few recommendations for where to grab a casual lunch:

Any of the places mentioned in the dinner section above: Sato Seafood for poke, Marukame Udon for udon noodles, Sam’s for Hawaiian plates, Topped Waikiki for Korean, or Ramen Ezogiku for saimin.

They all have lunch hours and are not dinner-specific places.

You may also want to grab a few musubi to bring with you on your hike and sunset viewing adventure for a pre-dinner snack.

I recommend grabbing them from Musubi & Bento IYASUME on Seaside Avenue. The shrimp tempura spam musubi and the unagi-egg-spam musubi were both so good!

Take a hike up Diamond Head Crater Summit.

This stunning hike up Diamond Head offers some incredible views over Honolulu and Waikiki. It’s not too tough of a hike, either: the Diamond Head Summit Trail clocks in at 1.8 miles roundtrip and 450 feet of elevation gain.

Note: The trail is closed on Wednesdays and the final entrance to the trail is at 4 PM. All visitors must leave by 6 PM. Entrance costs $10 per car.

Diamond Head is actually a dormant volcano over 500,000 years old — and yes, it’s very dormant; it hasn’t erupted for more than 150,000 years. The hike starts in the middle of the crater and brings you up to the crater rim.

The hike starts on a paved path, then quickly changes to a few steep switchbacks and then some stairs. You’ll also climb through a tunnel, then more stairs before you reach the WW2 era bunkers (more pillboxes!) at the rim’s edge.

From the bunkers, enjoy one of the most marvelous views over Oahu that you can imagine! Just remember that you need to be out by 6 PM, so this is not a good sunset spot — but I’ve got that covered in my next suggestion.

Watch sunset from the China Walls.

Since Diamond Head is out for sunset, make your way to the little-known China Walls, part of the Koko Kai Beach Mini Park.

Located in a more residential part of Honolulu, this area doesn’t get very crowded, but it is popular with local cliff-jumpers and sunset-seekers, as well as extremely daring surfers.

Don’t be foolish here — think of it as a sunset spot only. Sadly, many people have died at the China Walls, either surfing or cliff jumping and not realizing the force of the waves that come through this part of the ocean.

Respect the ocean and stay far away from the edge of the walls. Waves breaking on the China Walls can catch you off guard and sweep you into the ocean.

That said, as long as you stay a comfortable distance away from the edge of the ocean, this is a spectacular place to take in one of the best sunsets in Oahu.

Go for dinner back in Waikiki.

Again, refer back to previous sections for all the dinner suggestions.

There are also some more luxury places you can eat with sweeping views of the skyline if you want a fancy dinner, but our budget didn’t allow any of these.

Day 4: Hanauma Bay, Makapu’u, and Whale Watching

Spend the morning in Hanauma Bay – if you can score a ticket!

The beautiful Hanauma Bay is so stunning that it has become a nature preserve with limited entrance, so plan it accordingly.

You can book your tickets online here for a specific entry time. Tickets are sold in 10 minute intervals with only 30 people allowed for each 10-minute interval.

You can make bookings only two days in advance, at 7 AM Hawaii time. The slots will book up almost immediately, so set an alarm for 6:55 AM Hawaii time two days before you want to visit Hanauma Bay and get ready to fight for your spot at 7 AM!

If you get one of the coveted spots, you’re in luck: this is truly supposed to be one of the most spectacular places in all of Hawaii, and now that the entrance to the nature preserve are capped at a certain capacity, its tranquility and beauty will be preserved.

Unfortunately, as above in Pearl Harbor, we messed up here, not realizing we needed reservations until it was too late to try to snag them… whoops.

However, if you’re able to get tickets, it’s supposed to be one of the most marvelous beaches in Hawaii, with a stunning lookout at Hanauma Bay Lookout (only accessible if you have tickets to the nature preserve).

It’s a beloved place for snorkeling since the waters are really calm due to the crescent shape of the bay, so bring your snorkel gear and everything you need for a day at the beach.

Snorkel and fin rentals are available for a fee, and there’s a small shop that sells last-minute needs like reef-safe sunscreen. There’s a small food stand where you can get some food, but you may be better off packing a lunch.

Check out the Hālona Blowhole.

This awesome place really blew my mind! Pardon the pun, I’m genetically incapable of not making them.

The Hālona Blowhole formed when molten lava was cooling after a volcanic event, forming a lava tube next to the ocean.

When the ocean hits this lava tube at the right angle, a giant geyser-like column of water will shoot up from the sea — often creating a rainbow effect.

From here, you can also visit the Hālona Beach Cove, which is a stunning little slip of beach tucked between the cliffs. It reminds me a lot of the famous Puglian beach of Polignano a Mare… but it’s far less crowded!

Admire the views from the Makapu’u Lookout.

Not far from the Hālona Blowhole is one of the best lookouts in Oahu, the Makapu’u Lookout.

This lookout rises 600 feet above the ocean and is the easternmost part of Oahu.

As a result, the views from here are simply gorgeous, looking over Makapu’u Beach Park and two small islands: a bird sanctuary islet as well as Mānana Island.

From this parking lot, you can also hike to the beautiful Makapu’u Lighthouse along the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, a 2.5-mile paved trail with about 500 feet of elevation gain.

The lighthouse itself is temporarily closed, but you can admire the view of the lighthouse as well as the unobstructed views of the ocean behind it.

Have lunch in Kailua.

Continuing along the highway, drive past beautiful Waimanalo Beach on your way to Kailua, where you’ll find several delicious lunch options.

• Nalu Health Bar & Cafe: This is my favorite spot for lunch in Kailua! I had a tasty ahi sandwich that blew my mind, and my friend got a delicious-looking salad. If you’ve had a lot of delicious-but-unhealthy food so far on your trip, it’s a great reset. They also have fresh-pressed juices, acai bowls, and other delicious options.
  • Address: 131 Hekili St #109, Kailua, HI 96734 | Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM daily
• Kono’s Northshore – Kailua: This place also looked quite tasty and has great reviews, focusing on slow-cooked pork sandwiches and plates and other local Hawaiian dishes like loco moco.
  • Address: 131 Hekili St #102, Kailua, HI 96734 | Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM daily

Head out on a whale watching tour (December through April).

The next activity on this Oahu itinerary depends on whether or not you are visiting in the whale season (December through April) or not.

If you want to read more about whale watching, I wrote a full guide to whale watching in Oahu, including suggested tours and what to pack.

If your visit falls during humpback whale season, you can’t miss a whale watching tour. It was my highlight of my trip to Hawaii… I’m a Californian who grew up doing whale watching tours, and I’ve done whale watching tours in at least six different countries.

Humpback whales are something even more special than any of the other whales I’ve been lucky enough to get to see, and you really can’t miss the opportunity if you visit Oahu during the winter months.

Best of all, your tour guarantees a whale sighting or they’ll allow you to come again for free!

If you’re doing a whale watching tour, return back to the Waikiki area after your lunch in Kailua. Head back to the Kewalo Basin Harbor as this is the place where boat excursions depart from Waikiki.

Your whale watching tour departs at 3 PM, so don’t be late!

I did this whale watching tour in February and was lucky enough to get to see a mother and her baby who had just calved.

The guides estimated the baby was only 6 to 12 hours old.

Despite his young age, the little humpback whale baby was a real showstealer!

He was flopping around on its back and doing little mini “breaches” — perhaps already practicing its moves it would need to impress lady whales down the line!

Book your whale watching tour here!

Address: Meet at the Kewalo Basin Harbor at 1125 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814

Have a beer at the Maui Brewing Company.

Before your dinner, enjoy a drink at the lively Maui Brewing Company, a great spot for a drink in Waikiki.

Their rooftop area is really spacious and they have a ton of great beers on tap, including wheat beers, pale ales, and IPAs.

Address: 2300 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 | Hours: 11:30 AM to 10 PM daily (11 PM on Friday/Saturday)

Go for one final Waikiki dinner.

This is your last night in Waikiki, so time to live it up with yet another fantastic dinner!

Choose from any of the budget-friendly options above or choose tonight to splurge on a luxury meal out.

Day 5: Waterfalls, Luaus, & Optional Helicopter Tour

Start the day with a morning hike to Manoa Falls.

Pack up your car since we’ll be relocating to the North Shore tonight for the rest of this Oahu itinerary.

On your way out of town, you’ll want to check out Manoa Falls, one of the best hikes in Oahu and a great way to start your last morning in Honolulu.

It’s about a 15-minute drive from Waikiki and there is ample paid parking ($7 fee)

The Manoa Falls Trail is an easy hike, about 1.7 miles long roundtrip with 630 feet of elevation gain. The trail is pretty straightforward, with no technical elements that really require precise attention beyond just your standard keeping an eye out for rocks.

The waterfall at the end is brilliant, but the hike itself is perhaps even more majestic, with so many beautiful sights along the way.

Also, you may see people at the base of the waterfall, but this is strictly not allowed and there are large signs stating so due to the danger of falling rocks…. and also a disease called leptospirosis, which causes flu-like symptoms for up to two weeks. Fun!

Don’t be a jerk and ignore the signage like the people we saw… it’s literally there for your own safety.

You can continue hiking after you reach Manoa Falls if you want even more of a hike, or you can turn around here.

Note that this is is one of the more lush areas of Honolulu and you may even get a bit of rain — the cloud cover likes this part of the city very much! You may get a little wet, but the landscape as you hike will be all the more lush for it.

After visiting Manoa Falls, you can also check out the neighboring Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden if you have time!

Address: The very end of Manoa Road

Take a helicopter tour (optional).

This is quite a high-ticket item, so it may not be for everyone, but I loved my doors-off helicopter tour of Kauai so much that I felt compelled to suggest it here.

I didn’t get the chance to do a doors-off helicopter tour in Oahu (two helicopter tours in the span of a single a week were a little hard to justify to myself), but I have this saved in my mind as a must-do for my next trip to Oahu!

There are tours departing every hour from 9 AM to 5 PM, but I recommend something in the morning after you finish your Manoa Falls hike.

The Manoa Falls hike will take about an hour and a half to complete at a leisurely place, so plan that in when you are deciding when to book your tour if you choose to do a helicopter tour!

You will also need to give yourself time to transport between Manoa Falls and the Honolulu Airport (20 minutes on a good day and easily double with rush hour traffic) as well as an hour to check in before your flight so you can get a safety briefing and prepare for the flight.

If you’re curious about what the doors-off helicopter experience is like, read my guide to doors-off helicopters in Kauai — the scenery will be different, but the experience will be quite similar.

On a helicopter tour of Oahu, you’ll get the chance to see the Waikiki skyline, the crater of Diamond Head, Makapu’u Lighthouse, and the Ko’olau Mountains on your way to the Windward Coast.

Once you reach the coast, you’ll see stunning Lanikai Beach from above, as well as Kaneohe Bay and all the islands along the coast.

Next, you’ll sweep past the the Ka’a’awa Valley, the North Shore (including surfers shredding on the Banzai pipeline) and Waimea Bay.

On the way back, you’ll see the Dole Plantation from above (the only way I recommend seeing it, to be frank), as well as Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Book your doors on or doors off helicopter tour here!

Address: Castle & Cook Aviation at 155 Kapalulu Pl, Honolulu, HI 96819

Make your way towards the North Shore and have lunch in Haleiwa.

From Honolulu to the start of the North Shore, it’s about a 1-hour drive, so you’ll want to make your way over towards Haleiwa once you’ve finished your morning activities.

Haleiwa is the largest town on the North Shore of Oahu and a great place to grab lunch! Here are a few ideas:

• Crispy Grindz: If you’re as obsessed with Brazilian food as I am, or just curious, you’ll definitely want to stop by this food truck in Haleiwa. They serve up açaí (pronounced ah-sai [rhymes with guy]- ee) bowls and also my favorite salgados (the Portuguese word for fried salty snacks). I was in heaven and ordered a coxinha com frango (chicken coxinha — basically a delicious deep-fried chicken dumpling) and a pastel com palmito. I broke with Brazilian tradition and got a lilikoi juice instead of a guaraná, but hey — when in Hawaii, drink as much lilikoi juice as you possibly can.
  • Address: 66-236 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | Hours: 9 AM to 8 PM daily
• Farm To Barn Cafe & Juicery: This is where my friend Megan ate when I had my heart set on my Brazilian salgados — she ordered a delicious looking açaí bowl and loved it. The setting here is also really beautiful, with lots of outdoor seating in what feels like paradise, and a cute barn you order your food in (there is also some indoor seating here). Dishes are varied and include things like ulu waffles, breakfast burritos, and bagel sandwiches if you want something on the more breakfast-y side, and grain bowls and burgers for a more lunch-y type of meal.
  • Address: 66-320 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | Hours: 9 AM to 3 PM daily

Check into your North Shore accommodations.

For the rest of this Oahu itinerary we’ll be based out the North Shore. If you’re ready to check in, go for it, or at least drop off your bags.

Our next stop is the beautiful Waimea Valley, so don’t linger too long at your accommodations.

You’ll want to arrive at Waimea Valley at 3:30 PM at the very latest. The last entrance is at 4 PM and swimming at the waterfall stops at 4:30 PM, by which point you have to start leaving the area.

Walk through the Waimea Valley to Waimea Falls.

The scenic Waimea Valley is one of my favorite spots in all of Oahu! This is a protected space that is sacred to the Native Hawaiians and it is preserved in a beautiful way.

The Waimea Valley is an important site in the Hawaiian religion due to the rich fertility of the soil, which made it one of the most dynamic farming areas across all of Polynesia.

Prior to American settlers taking over the islands, the Waimea Valley was home to fish ponds, livestock, and massive fields of taro, sweet potato, and bananas.

Because of this significance, it became a highly spiritual place. It was given to the “high priests” known in Hawaiian as the Kahuna Nui, who taught both the common Hawaiians and the Ali’i (the Hawaiian elite) everything from farming to fishing to healing and matters of spirituality.

As a result of its importance to Hawaiian religion, it received the name “The Valley of the Priests,” and one of the largest heiau(Hawaiian religious structures) was constructed here, overlooking the Waimea Valley.

Tip: If you want to visit this heiau, you can enter Pu’u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site into Google Maps and drive there — it’s not far.

Now, the Waimea Valley is a nature park and botanic gardens. There is a $20 admission fee which includes access to the gardens, educational areas and waterfall at the end.

The “hike” to Waimea Falls is really just a paved path with detours along the way to explore the valley’s flora as well as some educational sections which show traditional Hawaiian dwellings and crafts.

While the waterfalls and swimming hole (lifejacket rental required) are lovely, for me, the gardens were the star of the show.

The gardens are truly incredible — it contains all sorts of Polynesian and rare Hawaiian plants, as well as plants from other tropical islands around the world.

The collection is particularly strong in aroids, my favorite genera of plants!

I geeked out so hard on the plants: a climbing Anthurium warocqueanum (!!!), more Monstera deliciosa than I could ever imagine, variegated alocasias, and more. If you know, you know.

Check out the Waimea Bay Beach views.

This Oahu itinerary has you returning to the Waimea Valley Visitor Center for a luau at 5 PM, so if you finish your walk through the gardens and waterfall before that, take a little walk to Waimea Bay Beach.

I believe you can keep your car parked at the Waimea Valley area and then walk to the beach, but when I was there, I saw a sign saying that beach parking incurs a $10 fee.

I’m not sure if this is if you are only visiting the beach and not the gardens, so I would show them your ticket for the Waimea Valley Gardens and see if that suffices to not have to pay a parking fee for the beach.

Either way, this beach is stunning. It has some of the bluest waters in Oahu, and I love any place where a river (in this case, the Waimea River — what you walked alongside during your trip to Waimea Falls) empties out into the ocean. Waimea Bay Beach is one such magical place.

Spend a little time here, or drive up Kamehameha Highway a bit and look for a pullout spot where you can enjoy some views over the Bay, before you return for your luau.

Return to Waimea Valley for a Luau.

I’ll be honest: I did an insane amount of research when deciding which luau to recommend. All luaus that you pay for and attend as a tourist are, by nature, commercial.

However, some luaus support organizations or causes that I find harmful, and I wanted to do my best to find a luau that best supported the Hawaiian people in an authentic manner.

Given the good work that Waimea Valley does as an organization, and the fact that it is a sacred space for Native Hawaiians, I feel confident that this is probably the best option for a luau in Oahu.

The Waimea Valley is managed by the Hi’ipaka non-profit, which is part of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. It is not a perfect organization by any means, but I think they are doing better work for the Hawaiian people than the other options (I’ll explain at the end of the post why I leave a few common “must sees” off this Oahu itinerary).

The Toa Luau at Waimea Valley combines education, a delicious luau dinner, and a Polynesian show. The show features dances from all around Polynesia, including Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, and the Maori native people of New Zealand — including a fire knife show, a unique Hawaiian artform.

There is also a kava ceremony, an umu (rock oven) demonstration to show how the food for a luau is traditionally prepared, as well as a farewell ceremony.

The entire event lasts about 3 and a half hours and is a fantastic way to end your first evening in the North Shore.

Book your luau experience here!

Day 6: Explore the North Shore & Northeast Coast

Start your morning with a delicious coffee in Haleiwa.

One of the best coffee shops on the North Shore is conveniently located right in the heart of Haleiwa: Island Vintage Coffee!

They use 100% Kona coffee in their drinks which makes such a difference — Kona coffee is really out of this world!

I had the frozen vintage Kona mocha and it was delicious! I normally don’t drink ‘Frappucino’-type blended coffee drinks, but this one had so much rich coconut, macadamia, coffee, and chocolate flavor. It was definitely on the sweet side, but it was so, so tasty!

They also have a selection of breakfast plates including an “island style plate” with Portuguese sausage and fried eggs with rice and furikake, as well as bagel sandwiches and acai bowls.

Address: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #503, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | Hours: 7 AM to 3 PM daily

Look for turtles on Laniakea Beach.

Sea turtles are often creatures of habit, and when they find a beach they like, they often return there to chill time and again!

One such beach on the North Shore that is famous for being a crash pad for turtles is Laniakea Beach. You’ll almost always see a turtle or two there — and some tourists snapping photos of the turtles, (hopefully) from a respectful distance away!

While you’ve probably already gotten the chance to snorkel with sea turtles at other points in this Oahu itinerary, if you haven’t yet, this is a great chance to see one.

And besides — is there really such a thing as seeing too many sea turtles?

Watch surfers ride the insane North Shore waves.

There are several beaches where you can watch surfers enjoying the wild waves off the North Shore. When we were there, the waves were regularly reaching 12-16 feet!

We stopped to watch surfers at both Sunset Beach Park and Banzai Beach in ‘Ehukai Beach Park (home of the infamous Banzai Pipeline).

It was pretty incredible to witness!

Admire the views in Lāʻie Point State Wayside.

Lāʻie Point was one of my favorite places I saw on my trip to Oahu. It’s technically on the east side of Oahu but not a far drive from the North Shore.

This scenic point offers incredible views over several small islets off the coast of Oahu, many of which are bird sanctuaries.

One of the islets even has a beautiful rock arch which has to be seen to be believed! If you’ve never seen a sea arch, this is the place to see it.

Lāʻie Point is also a famous cliff jumping spot — so famous, in fact, that it’s the home of that memorable jump scene in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (most of the movie was filmed at nearby Turtle Bay Resort).

I’m not an experienced cliff jumper, so unless you are, I wouldn’t recommend cliff jumping here but rather just watch the locals do so. Better safe than sorry.

Have a tasty food truck lunch in Kahuku.

The town of Kahuku is a foodie’s dream!

The old sugar mill that used to be a mainstay of the town has been converted into a large open-air shopping and eating area, with all kinds of businesses thriving… especially food trucks!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with so many options… so let me break down a few options.

• Ry’s Poke Shack: If you like poke, hands-down, this is where you should eat. No question. Ry makes the best poke on the island of Oahu and his passion for poke is visible in everything he does. He hand mixes everything and prepares it fresh rather than having it pre-made like most other poke places do. This means you may wait a little longer, but the flavor is undeniably fresher and better. He is also incredibly kind and sociable and his love for poke is visible in every bowl. Do yourself a favor and eat here, unless you can’t (or don’t) eat raw fish.
  • Address: 56-565 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 | Hours: 11:30 AM to 4 PM Sunday through Friday [closed Saturday]
• Da Brazilian Braddahs: This place was closed when I visited, if I could have eaten there, I would have! Their 5-star reviews had me drooling when I realized I could get some of my Brazilian favorites like picanha (the best cut of steak you can ever imagine), strogonoff, yuca frita, farofa… I need to stop. If you’re more of a ‘land’ than a ‘sea’ eater, this is the place for you.
  • Address: 56-580 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 | Hours: 11 AM – 9 PM daily [not sure why it was closed when I was there, but it was tragic]
• Lobster Dogs: If you’ve ever had a corn dog and wished it was filled with lobster instead, this is your place. I didn’t eat here, and haven’t seen a ton of reviews, but it did look quite unique! If you’re curious, go for it.
  • Address: 56-565 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 | Hours: Unclear

Relax on a beach or go for an afternoon zipline.

Depending on how you like to travel, now might be the time for a well-deserved beach day… or perhaps a more adrenaline-fueled adventure!

If you opt for a beach day, I suggest Shark’s Cove if you want to do some snorkeling or Ke Iki Beach if you just want to relax on the beach.

Remember, the North Shore is famous for its wild waves, so any beach you visit may have really strong currents. Ask a lifeguard about water conditions and swim with caution only after you’ve ascertained the safety.

Alternately, if you want to get your adrenaline pumping, a great idea is doing a zipline tour through the gorgeous Hawaiian forest canopy with Climb Works – Keana Farms.

If you’ve never ziplined before, it’s an amazing and indescribable adventure that is one of my favorite adrenaline activities while I travel, as it combines a little bit of adrenaline and heights with the relaxing experience of soaring through the trees like a bird.

Ziplining involves being strapped into a secure harness and going across a steel cable that connects two platforms along a pulley. You can actually end up going quite fast, hence the feeling of flying!

I didn’t go ziplining during my time in Hawaii, but I’ve ziplined in the cloud forest of Costa Rica and the pine forests of Flagstaff, AZ and loved it each time. So if you’ve never had the opportunity to zipline before and aren’t sure when you will again — take this opportunity!

This 3-hour adventure experience includes a 2-mile ATV ride to the top of the mountain, where you’ll then descend back down to where you started, using 8 zipline runs which range from 500 to a whopping 2,400 feet!

There also other adrenaline-pumping activities like rappels, boardwalks, sky bridges, and more to keep your adrenaline and interest high!

Book your ziplining tour here!

Address: 1 Enos Rd, Kahuku, HI 96731

Day 7: Shark diving, Haleiwa town, & Kaʻena Point

Swim with sharks — cage diving or free swimming!

You might think I’m crazy, but swimming with sharks is one of the most popular activities to do in Oahu.

I’m a PADI-certified SCUBA diver who has dived in the Maldives, Bali, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and more.

I’ve swam with sharks more times than I can count, frankly, and I’ve never once felt afraid of them as a snorkeler or diver.

In general, sharks are peaceful, beautiful, and woefully misunderstood creatures who have a reptuation they don’t deserve.

The few times that a shark attacks, it is typically when they are caught in a break with crashing surf (such as when a human is surfing or wading in shallow water). In those instances, they mistake a human limb for an easier meal like a seal.

Let’s put things into perspective here. According to Discovery.com, horses kill four times as many people per year than sharks do — and cows slightly more so!

As someone who has ridden horses quite a bit (and had more than one or two uncomfortable staredowns with a cow), I am far more afraid of horses and cows than sharks!

Now that I’ve gone on my pro-shark propaganda tour, let me explain the different ways you can experience sharks in a safe and beautiful way on Oahu, and grow to have more appreciation for these wonderful animals.

Note: While afternoon tours are available, I strongly recommend going in the morning, when the waves on the North Shore are less intense — it’ll make for a far better experience, with less choppiness and far greater visibility underwater.

If you’re a little more apprehensive about sharks, going cage diving is a great introduction to conquering your fears around sharks. You will be able to snorkel in a safe metal cage and allow the sharks to swim around you in a way that feels safe.

Depending on the time of year, you may also see dolphins, turtles, or perhaps even humpback whales!

If part of your party wants to go cage diving and the other is not comfortable, there is also an option to simply take the boat tour for a lower fee, while others in your party do the cage-diving.

Book your shark cage diving here!

If you’re not afraid of sharks and would prefer a more up-close-and-personal experience, guided swimming and snorkeling tours with sharks are another option.

Each small group gets to spend about 30 to 40 minutes snorkeling with sharks, accompanied by a guide and a safety diver accompanying you the entire time — who will also serve as your dive photographer, if you want souvenir photos of your swim with sharks!

This tour involves a 3-mile boat ride off the coast of the North Shore to reach the “pelagic zone” (aka the open ocean) where the sharks thrive.

There are nearly 40 unique species of sharks that inhabit the waters around Hawaii, so you’re almost certain to see a few different types of sharks. You may also get to see dolphins or whales, too!

Book this cage-free shark swim here!

Have lunch in Haleiwa.

After your shark adventure, you’re probably feeling quite hungry, so it’s time for one last lunch in Haleiwa!

There are so many options: Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck for famous garlic shrimp, The Beet Box Cafe for vegetarian brunch fare, Kono’s Northshore for tasty pulled pork, Kua Aina Sandwich Shop for Hawaiian style sandwiches… the list goes on!

Have dessert at Matsumoto Shave Ice.

No matter what you decide to eat for lunch, make sure you save room for the most famous shave ice on the North Shore… Matsumoto Shave Ice!

There’s a huge variety of flavors, from pina colada to lemon to lychee to green tea to yuzu to lilikoi to guava and at least two dozen more! You can pick up to three in your shave ice.

You can also add whatever you want to your shave ice, like condensed milk, mochi, azuki beans, or vanilla ice cream for your perfectly customized cold treat!

There are often lines here, especially in the afternoon, but it moves fast.

Address: 66-111 Kamehameha Hwy #605, Haleiwa, HI 96712 | Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM

Hike the Kaʻena Point Trail and look for monk seals.

For your final activity in Oahu, take a hike to Kaʻena Point (or however far you want to go along the trail — it’s an out-and-back trail, so you can turn back at any time).

The sun was setting and we didn’t have headlamps, but this would have been a great place for the sunset if we had headlamps, since Kaʻena Point is the westernmost tip of the island and we would have enjoyed a fully unobstructed view of the ocean.

That said, we walked about 2 miles of the 5.6-mile hike (rated as moderate with a mere 440 feet of elevation gain).

We were planning to walk all the way to the Hawaiian Monk Seal Beach, but we were lucky and spotted one even before it!

Address: End of the road on Farrington Hwy, Waialua, HI 96791

What This Oahu Itinerary Skips (And Why)

When I wrote this Oahu itinerary, I was trying to be mindful of what can potentially constitute harmful tourism and there are three major places I am specifically not recommending.

Number one is the Polynesian Cultural Center and their popular “Breath of Ha” show. While the name seems educational, I actually find it quite pessimistic.

From what I can see, it is not run by Polynesian-descended people at all, but rather, it is run by the Mormon Church, who have a huge temple and presence in the town of Laie.

Daytime events at the “Polynesian” Cultural Center include a bus tour of Brigham Young University Hawaii and a visit to the Laie Hawaii Temple which is located next to the cultural center…. which doesn’t sound very Polynesian to me.

I’m all for people practicing their own faiths, but the problem I find with this is that missionary work is a core tenet of Mormonism, which involves attempting to convert people — including Native Hawaiians — away from their religion and into their own.

In the context of missionary work focused on converting Native Hawaiians, that actually contributes to the continued cultural erasure of Hawaiian life that began with the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and continued through annexation and statehood.

Honestly, using the veneer of a “Polynesian Cultural Center” to create profit so that you can continue missionary work that causes more erasure of the Polynesian culture of Native Hawaiians whose land you are occupying is more than a little Orwellian to me…

That said — to each their own.

I also don’t recommend the luau that takes place at the Sea Life Park Hawaii (or visiting the park itself).

As someone who cares about responsible wildlife tourism, I don’t support giving money to organizations that promote hands-on animal tourism such as getting to touch and swim with captive dolphins or forcing animals to perform in shows for tourists.

The luau thehy put on is called the Ka Moana Luau and it’s another one I avoided for ethical reasons.

Another place I skipped on this Oahu itinerary is the Dole Plantation.

Yeah, you might want your Dole Whip, but honestly, the Dole family history is really quite dark and are the reason why the Hawaiian islands are currently an occupied nation.

Sanford B. Dole, the cousin of the founder of the Dole Plantation, was one of the key figures in the coup that ended the reign of the rightful monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani, and put an end to the Hawaiian Kingdom’s sovereignty.

However, this actually wasn’t taken to kindly by then-president Grover Cleveland, who actually refused annexation of Hawaii into the United States and attempted to restore Queen Liliʻuokalani to the throne.

But by this point, Dole had named himself president of the Republic of Hawaii. President Cleveland didn’t want to use military force in Hawaii, so he let Dole remain in power but continued to refuse his attempts at the annexation of Hawaii.

Unfortunately for Hawaiians who wanted their monarchy restored, once William McKinley took office, things went differently.

While McKinley knew that he could never get the 2/3 majority in the Senate that he needed for annexation, he used a joint resolution to urge Congress to annex the Hawaiian Islands under the pretense of it being a strategic military location during the Spanish-American War.

To me, it feels weird to give money to descendants of the family who are disproportionately responsible for the end of Hawaiian sovereignty, which is why I chose not to include it on this post.

Where to Stay in Oahu

If you have one week in Oahu, I recommend basing yourself in two different places during your stay.

For the first four nights, base yourself in Honolulu, preferably in Waikiki like I suggest on my Honolulu itinerary, like at Hale Koa or elsewhere. Here are a few suggestions.

BUDGET | White Sands Hotel: This is where I stayed for my time in Waikiki and I highly recommend it! It’s definitely one of the cheapest options in Waikiki but I didn’t feel like we were missing anything, except perhaps a complimentary breakfast… but that just gave us all the more reason to go out and eat our way through Honolulu!

The White Sands Hotel is the only remaining walk-up hotel in Waikiki, and it’s maintained a vintage edge that it’s lovingly cultivated through its careful retro detailings (art dispensers and record players downstairs, a tiki bar vibe around the pool, funky wallpaper int he rooms).

It’s like staying in another time, yet everything feels fresh, clean, and recently updated, and I quite liked that about the hotel. Zero complaints.

Book your stay at White Sands Hotel here!

BOUTIQUE LUXURY| Moana Surfrider: This elegant hotel is a fantastic beachfront option in the heart of Waikiki. I didn’t get to stay here, but I walked around here for breakfast and a coffee and fell in love with the property.

The architecture of the hotel is simply beautiful and the exterior is dreamy. It opens right up to a massive banyan tree, beachfront verandas perfect for meals or cocktails, a relaxing pool area, and of course: views of Waikiki Beach. The hotel also has spa amenities if you’re looking to unwind!

Check rates and availability at Moana Surfrider here!

RESORT LUXURY | Halekulani: For an extremely elegant upscale resort stay, this is the place to be. With views of Diamond Head yet a location right on Waikiki Beach, it doesn’t get any better location-wise.

There are three restaurants as well as a jazz lounge with live music and a luxurious spa center to relax at. The rooms are sumptuous and spacious, with a fresh fruit bowl and chocolates in each room upon arrival. Every room has its own private lanai for admiring your epic Waikiki view.

The rooms are luxurious enough — think marble bathrooms and soaking tubs and separate rain showers — but the spa takes it to the next level, with treatments and massages that incorporate Polynesian wellbeing elements such as the lomi lomi massage.

Book your stay at Halekulani here!

For the final two nights of this one week Oahu itinerary, move to an accommodation along Oahu’s North Shore.

BUDGET / MID-RANGE | Oceanfront Airstream: Accommodations on the North Shore are few and far between, and thus, your options are a little pricy. One unique offering, though, is to stay in a gorgeous new Airstream with a sweeping view of the ocean!

Located on the Oceanfront Open Land Ranch, you can enjoy a cozy 22-foot Bambi Airstream that sleeps up to 4. On the ranch, you’ll find horses and other farm animals — all on 26 acres of private land and a half-mile of private beachfront. Sunset from your Airstream? Yes please!

Bonus: With each stay, a a one-mile beachfront horseback ride or ATV ride is offered in partnership with North Shore Stables!

Check rates and availability at Oceanfront Airstream here!

LUXURY | Turtle Bay Resort: It doesn’t get more luxurious than this on the North Shore! With more than five miles of beachfront access, two 18-hole golf courses (designed by Arnold Palmer, naturally), and every room with an ocean view, there’s hard to find anything wrong with Turtle Bay Resort. Except perhaps the high price tag.

The rooms are beautiful with a casual elegance taken from modern Hawaiian decor elements. There are several restaurants on site, including a casual Hawaiian restaurant, a seafood restaurant, two bar & grills — one poolside, one next the golf course, a lounge, and a cocktail bar.

There’s also a spa offering massages and body treatments, a fitness center with yoga classes, hot tubs, pools, and even a water slide for kids to enjoy.

Check rates and availability at Turtle Bay Resort here!

Renting a Car in Oahu

This Oahu itinerary is written with the idea that you’ll be renting a car.

We rented a car for a portion of our Oahu itinerary and opted for ride share on other days. Frankly, with how expensive Uber is and how spread out Honolulu is (especially Waikiki from the airport), renting a car the entire trip would have been a better idea!

Driving in Oahu is relatively easy and straightforward. Honolulu is a larger city than you may first expect, and there are some large highways that can definitely get backed up with rush hour traffic.

Other roads are more calm and scenic, perfect for a top-down convertible ride! We rented a convertible on Kauai and a standard car on Oahu, and we definitely missed the convertible as we were cruising along the Windward Coast and the North Shore.

Not sure where to get the best deal on your rental? I’ve rented cars dozens of times through various search engines and have settled on Discover Cars as the best, most extensive car rental search engine.

It searches over 500 trusted rental companies to find the cheapest price for your rental! Compare prices for car rental in Honolulu here.

Rugged emerald spire-like mountains cascading into the turquoise sea, deep multicolored canyons rivaling Southwestern landscapes, waterfalls only visible by helicopter… sound like a dream?

It is. And yet, it’s also a real place: the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai (written Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian language).

Located nearly 3,000 miles from the American mainland, Kauai is at once remote and remarkably accessible.

Affordable flights from the West Coast land frequently at the teeny little airport at Lihue, and the well-paved roads that encircle the island and delve into its core make it a road tripping dream.

As a West Coast kid, trips to Kauai were one of our staple family vacations. It was so fun to return to do research for this Kauai itinerary and rediscover this magical island as an adult!

Kauai is the kind of island where you could spend the entire time never leaving your peaceful resort, and hey, there’s nothing wrong with that.

But at the same time, Kauai has so much to offer that it’d be a massive missed opportunity if you didn’t get to explore so much of what makes the island special: the Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast, and the North Shore beaches.

This Kauai itinerary packs as much as possible into four days in Kauai. I think that’s the bare minimum to appreciate all that Kauai has to offer.

But of course, if you have more days in Kauai, all the better: you can divide some of these days into half-days, with ample beach relaxation time added in.

This post was first written in March 2023 after I did a 10-day trip in February to Kauai and Oahu. It was last updated December 5, 2023 to ensure accuracy for the upcoming travel season.

How to Pick the Right Hawaiian Island

If you aren’t yet certain that Kauai is the right Hawaiian island to visit on your first trip to Hawaii, here are a few tips.

Kauai is the perfect island for you if:

• you want a mix of landscapes, from lush rainforest to arid desert-like canyons to wild and rugged coastlines straight out of Jurassic Park (… literally — it was filmed here!). Natural beauty is the name of the game in Kauai.
• you like quiet small towns and don’t mind a slow pace of life where many things shut down early in the afternoon.
• you favor adventure, hiking trails, road trips, and beautiful scenery over lazy beach days!

If you’re looking for an island purely for beautiful beaches and endless relaxation, I would suggest Maui or Oahu, both of which offer up more sandy beaches than Kauai.

For surfing, you can’t miss the North Shore beaches of Oahu!

Kauai is a little more rugged in nature with fewer sandy beaches (though there definitely are enough to satisfy, especially with just four days in Kauai!)

The Big Island of Hawaii also has a nice mix of beaches and some of the other features of Kauai in terms of diverse and rugged landscapes (Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is here!).

The Big Island also has as vibrant towns like Kona and Hilo that are a little more vibrant than the towns in Kauai, which tend to shut down early.

And of course, Oahu has Honolulu, the largest population center in the Pacific Ocean, which is as close to a “city that never sleeps” as you’ll find in Hawaii.

Finally, remember: you don’t have to pick one island! Kauai pairs well with others for a Hawaiian island hopping adventure!

Kauai is rather small and easy to combine with another island if you have a week or so to travel and prefer to have new activities each day rather than spending a lot of time relaxing on beaches and at resort areas.

I did Kauai and Oahu on this last trip, but Kauai and Maui and Kaui and the Big Island would also be fantastic pairings!

How This Kauai Itinerary is Structured

This Kauai itinerary assumes that you’ll be renting a car for the 4 day trip in order to maximize your time in Kauai.

When we did our trip, we had no car for two days, and relied on Ubers and tours during those days, and then rented a convertible for the other two full days.

Frankly, we made a mistake: getting around Kauai using Uber/Lyft can be a pain, with long wait times and high prices, and we didn’t maximize our time the best way we could.

Honestly, we wished we had rented a car just a little longer during our stay to maximize our time a little better.

We also utilized a few tours during our time in Kauai where it made sense and added value to our time, but overall, we mostly opted for road tripping Kauai as much as possible.

Frankly, four days in Kauai is just barely enough to see all the sights you want to see without missing anything huge, so this itinerary for Kauai is a little busy.

You can feel free to cut anything that doesn’t sound interesting to you if you want more time to relax on the beach or just enjoy!

I erred towards offering more information and suggestions rather than less, since it is easier to cut things out of an itinerary rather than add things in at the last minute!

Finally, this 4 day Kauai itinerary was created to maximize what you see with minimal backtracking or time-wasting, with as much independent travel as possible.

I made a point of only adding in guided tours when it is something you cannot do on your own — like kayak the Wailua River, go to a luau, or fly over the Na Pali Coast in a helicopter.

This way, you can make the most of your time and explore Kauai at your own pace, not someone else’s!

Your 4 Day Kauai Itinerary

Day One of Your Kauai Itinerary: South Shore Adventures

The first day of your Kauai itinerary is all about ticking off a few of your bucket list musts for any Hawaii trip: snorkeling with sea turtles, taking a helicopter ride over the Na Pali Coast, and ending the night with a lovely luau experience!

Note: The luau experience only takes place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, so feel free to rearrange this Kauai itinerary in a way that fits if your first day is not one of the days mentioned.

Go snorkeling on Poipu Beach.

The beautiful and calm waters of Poipu Beach (written Poʻipū in Hawaiian) in Koloa make it a perfect place for snorkelers to enjoy the calm waters on the south side of the island!

I recommend bringing your own snorkel set for ease of use throughout this Kauai itinerary, but in case you just want to rent, you can grab a snorkel set of mask, snorkel and fins from Nukumoi Surf Shop.

You can snorkel right off the beach in the sheltered cove created by the little spit (tombolo) called Nukumoi Point that breaks Poipu Beach into two sections.

This area is really popular with green sea turtles (honu) and in fact, they’ll often rest right on the beach! Be sure to give them a respectful distance if you see them on the sand.

You might also be lucky enough to see the endangered Hawaiian monk seal here! There are only 1,200 left out in the wild, so this is a really rare occurrence if you do, but they have been known to frequent Poipu Beach.

If you prefer a guided snorkel experience, you could alternately start your day with this guided snorkel tour led by a divemaster. It departs from Koloa and brings you snorkeling to a secret South Shore destination!

This is great for nervous first-time snorkelers because you’ll have a divemaster with you on every step of the way, there’s no boat because it’s a shore snorkel excursion, and the group size is limited to six people so you’re guaranteed personalized attention.

Book your snorkel tour here!

Walk to Shipwreck Beach.

A short walk away from Poipu Beach is the beautiful Shipwreck Beach, a popular spot for surfing and the entry point to the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail.

This is also a favored sunset spot in Kauai if you want to save it in mind for later in your trip!

Along the way, you’ll pass Brennecke’s Beach, a popular place for boogie boarders to enjoy some wild waves!

(You may also want to drive your car from Poipu Beach to Shipwreck Beach to avoid more walking and backtracking later — it’s up to you)

Once you reach Shipwreck Beach, stop for a bit to watch the surfers before you take a short hike up to Waiopili Heiau.

Take a stroll on the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail up to Waiopili Heiau.

This beautiful hike goes alongside a golf course on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other!

The trail will lead you to Waiopili Heiau, which is thought to be a religious structure (heiau) created by the Native Hawaiians who have lived on this land for centuries before Hawaii was ever occupied.

Please do not touch or walk upon the marked area (there is a very obvious sign about it) as it is insensitive to the Native Hawaiian culture and religion and attempts to preserve its history.

Have a delicious poke lunch from the Fish Express.

Once you make your way back to your car, it’s time to make your way back to Lihue and grab a quick take-out lunch before your helicopter tour.

The best poke I had on the island of Kauai was from this charming little hole-in-the-wall poke restaurant and fish market called The Fish Express, located right on Kuhio Highway in Lihue.

Grab a poke bowl — I had mine with spicy salmon with sea asparagus, ahi spicy poke with crab, and hamachi, and topped it with edamame, spicy mayo, seaweed salad, and pickled ginger. Yum!

There’s no seating here, so take yours to you and find a nice place to eat before your upcoming helicopter tour!

Take a helicopter tour over the Na Pali Coast (Nāpali Coast).

This is simply the biggest bucket list activity on this whole Kauai itinerary — you really just can’t miss a helicopter tour over Kauai!

You can opt for a doors-off helicopter as we did on our tour (we booked an Air Kauai tour via Viator — you can find the exact link to our tour here!) if you want to amp up the adrenaline factor and enjoy even better views!

If you want to read a full post on what to expect before your doors off helicopter tour — including 3 key mistakes to avoid! — read my guide here!

If you’re a little afraid of heights, prone to motion sickness, or simply don’t want the more adrenaline-rush type of experience, I recommend doing a doors-on helicopter tour.

I did the doors-off helicopter and it was an utterly magical experience… with a few caveats, which I’ll get into below.

Nothing will ever beat the feeling of flying over waterfalls that no one else can see because they are so deeply nestled in the heartland of the island, or cruising over the Waimea Canyon.

One of the waterfalls you’ll see is Manawaiopuna Falls (also known as Jurassic Park Falls), a massive 400-foot-tall waterfall you can only see from a helicopter tour.

But these sights, as gorgeous as they all are, all pale in comparison to what you see once you reach the water.

Nothing compares to seeing the deep turquoise waters off the coast of Kauai’s North Shore and the wild ocean views beside it.

There’s nothing more spectacular admiring the stunning rugged coastline of the otherwise inaccessible Na Pali Coast as you zoom in and out of its curves.

Finally, you’ll turn inland to see Mount Waialeale, the second-tallest mountain on Kauai at 5,000 feet and one of the wettest places on earth!

Seeing the Weeping Wall up close is simply breathtaking, and it was one of my other favorite parts of the helicopter tour since this is another thing you simply can’t see from any other vantage point.

A few things to note about the helicopter tour: you’ll want to wear pants (it gets cold up there!) and closed-toe shoes, and I definitely recommend wearing contacts if you’re normally a glasses wearer. Also, definitely take Dramamine if you are prone to motion sickness!

If any of the above puts you off, don’t skip doing the helicopter tour!! Just opt for a doors on helicopter tour like this highly-rated one from Safari Tours — I recommend booking through the link above for free cancellation within 24 hours!

If even that feels like too much, a scenic flight in a small plane will also be a phenomenal experience (it’s also a cheaper option by a good $150 or so, making it a good budget option).

No matter which way you see Kauai from the sky, it’s a bucket list must, as it’s really the only way to properly see the Na Pali Coast for which the island is so famous (unless a 22-mile hike with 6,000 feet of elevation gain sounds like your kind of adventure, in which case, props to you!).

Book the same doors off helicopter tour that we took here!

Enjoy a dinner and a show at a traditional luau.

One of the most popular Kauai activities is getting to enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau, which is a celebration including all types of unique performances and of course, delicious food.

Taking place every Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, Luau Kalamakū is a wonderful cultural event that will bring you closer to understanding the culture and history of Native Hawaiians.

The main part of the luau centers around a 45-minute show that tells the Hawaiian story of Kalamakū, which means “child of the new land”.

This show tells the story of the seafarers who journeyed from Tahiti and other Polynesian islands to the Hawaiian islands. It ends with fire poi and fire knife dancing, two incredible performing arts unique to Hawaii!

Prior to the main meal event, there is also an imu ceremony, in which the Kalua pork (which is cooked in an underground oven) is presented.

During the meal, which includes poi, lomi lomi salmon, kalua pork, and fresh fish, you’ll also get to watch hula dancers and enjoy live music.

Book your luau experience here (available Tuesday, Thursday and Friday!)

Day Two of Your Kauai Itinerary: Kayaking, Waterfalls & Rainbow Trees

Go kayaking down the Wailua River and spot a secluded waterfall.

I hope you’re prepared for an early morning wake up — it’ll be worth it! Today’s the day for kayaking down the Wailua River, one of the most beautiful parts of the interior of Kauai.

What makes Kauai unique compared to other Hawaiian islands is just how diverse the landscape is.

From the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” to the Jurassic Park filming location of the Na Pali Coast, Kauai has a bit of everything and has earned its nickname of The Garden Island (or the Garden Isle).

You’ll see its lush side more clearly as you kayak through the stunning Wailua River, taking a stop along the way to go for a hike to a little-known waterfall you can only get to by hiking and taking this tour!

These secret falls are really beautiful especially when you get to enjoy them with precious few other company!

The best way to do this is by organized tour that includes kayak rental, kayaking guides, and a guide to the hiking trail to the waterfall.

Book this Waimea River Kayaking and Secret Falls half-day trip here!

Admire the marvelous views of Wailua Falls.

Seeing beautiful waterfalls is the theme of the day, and next up is the beautiful Wailua Falls, a stunning double waterfall which is a few miles down a scenic road, just off the town of Wailua.

It’s a worthwhile detour to reach this beautiful vantage point where you can enjoy one of the most impressive waterfalls in Kauai, without any need for a hike!

Check out the stunning view at ‘Opaeka’a Falls.

Make your way back to the main highway circling Kauai and make your way to ‘Opaeka’a Falls, the third and last waterfall of the day!

The views of this waterfall will depend greatly on how much rainfall there has been recently, so it can range from wildly impressive to more of a trickle.

When we visited, it had been a rather dry winter, but the waterfall still had two beautiful distinct forks that cascaded 150 feet off the cliff edge.

Admire the rainbow eucalyptus trees at Keahua Arboretum.

One of the most unique things you’ll find on Kauai are the rainbow eucalyptus trees.

There is one tree on the road to the Keahua Arboretum, which is marked on Google Maps, but I suggest going further all the way to the Arboretum where you’ll be able to admire several of them on a small walk through the forest.

Unfortunately, several people have defaced these beautiful trees, and it does detract from their beauty some. Please do not carve anything into the face of these beautiful and unique trees!

Take a walk (or bike) along the Ke Ala Hele Makalae Path.

Starting at Kapa’a Beach Park, you can take a beautiful stroll up the Ke Ala Hele Makalae Path, which hugs the edge of the Kauai shoreline and offers some stunning views.

If you’re just looking for a short walk, a good turnaround point is Kaiakea Point, where you can look for whales off in the distance in the winter months when the humpback whales are migrating through Hawaiian waters.

You can also continue up to Keālia Beach, which is a beautiful half-mile white sand beach that’s a fun place to watch surfers work their magic!

Enjoy dinner at the food trucks in Kapa’a.

Kapa’a has a ton of great food trucks that offer a great place to eat on a budget — and all sorts of types of cuisines for all types of eaters!

Located along Kuhio Highway, there are a ton of different food trucks between Sam’s Ocean View Restaurant and Jimmy’s Grill — which are also two other popular eateries if you’re more in the mood for a sit-down meal.

Day Three of Your Kauai Itinerary: The Waimea Canyon & Beyond

Note: This day definitely requires a rental car for the road trip, but if you don’t want to drive, you can also do a guided tour of the Waimea Canyon and Koke’e Valley.

Do a road trip up Route 550 to the Kalalau Lookout.

Depending on where you start from, the drive to Kalalau Lookout might take quite a while — but trust me, it’s worth it (as long as the weather cooperates… but more on that in a second!).

From where we started our road trip in Lihue, it took about 1 hour 20 minutes to reach the lookout point at Kalalau, near mile marker 18 along Route 550.

Note that you have to pay for parking at the Kalalau Lookout because it is part of Koke’e State Park, but that will cover you in other parts of this Kauai itinerary as well, such as the next stop.

On a clear day, the viewing platform from the Kalalau Lookoutoffers exquisite views over the Na Pali Coast, including Kalalau Beach.

As you admire the view and how unbelievably rugged the landscape is, imagine the hikers trekking their way down below, along the Kalalau Trail!

This strenuous 22-mile trail is an out-and-back hike through Na Pali State Park that goes from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach — which you can see down below.

The beach you see below is actually the turnaround point for that tough-as-nails hike!

Note that this lookout point can often be quite cloudy, so I’ve recommended starting your day here so you have the best chance of seeing it unobscured!

Unfortunately, we tried two times during our time in Kauai and were not able to get a clear view of it either time (so the photo above is a stock photo so you can get an idea of what you can see!).

If the weather is clear and beautiful make your way up the road to the final lookout point, the Pu’u o Kila Lookout, where you can see a similar view from a slightly different vantage point.

Explore more of Koke’e State Park (Kōkeʻe State Park)

Once you’ve seen the beauty of the lookout points over the Na Pali Coast, it’s time to go for a little hike!

There are several trails in Koke’e State Park, so you can be sure to find one appropriate for your own level.

• Very Easy: The Nature Trail at the Koke’e Visitor Center is a 0.2 mile hike with virtually no elevation gain that will show you a bit of the nature of the higher-altitude parts of Kauai with some informational placards. It’s an easy stop if you’re visiting Koke’e Museum or Koke’e Lodge.

• Easy: The Kawaikoi Stream Trail is a relatively easy hike, a little over 2 miles long with just about 400 feet of elevation gain. It has you hiking along a beautiful stream in a rainforest environment and is a pretty peaceful and spectacular place in Koke’e State Park if you’re not looking for anything too challenging!

• Moderate: The Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls hike is a popular choice for those looking for a short but tough hike in Koke’e State Park. It’s 3 miles out-and-back but has a challenging 1,066 feet of elevation gain, so expect to be climbing (or descending) nearly the whole trail!

• Moderate/Difficult: The Awa’awapuhi Trail is a 6-mile out-and-back trail that is rated as moderate due to its 1,945 ft of elevation gain. It takes most people 3.5-4 hours to complete, so unless you got a very early start or are a very fast hiker, it may be a bit much to try to tackle on this fast-paced Kauai itinerary.

Marvel at Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

On your way down descending Route 550, be sure not to miss a chance to explore the beautiful Waimea Canyon State Park!

Make sure you stop at the Waimea Canyon Lookout as well as the Waipo’o Falls Lookout, where you can spot a stunning waterfall across the canyon!

Another way to get a great view of Waimea Canyon is via the short Iliau Nature Loop.

This short interpretive trail loop shows you some of the native flora of Kauai while also giving you sweeping and unobstructed views of the Waimea Canyon!

More of a walk than a true hike, at just 0.4 miles long with about 50 feet of elevation change, this is a hike perfect for families or people just looking for a short walk to stretch their legs!

The Iliau Nature Loop connects to the much-harder Kukui Trail, which brings you down into the canyon and back up again in a 5-mile hike with a whopping 2,162 feet of elevation gain!

You won’t have time for that on our itinerary unless you’re a world-class hiker, though, so it’s time to just continue making our way down to the town of Waimea, where you can get a delicious lunch — you’re probably starving!

There’s just one final stop on the way, just off the roadside… and I promise it’s worth it!

Stop at the Red Dirt Waterfall.

This small little roadside waterfall in Kauai is easy to miss, but I highly recommend you don’t skip it — it’s quite unique!

This stunning little waterfall tumbles across a Martian-esque landscape, with dirt that looks like it comes from another planet.

The waterfall itself is rather small, but its surroundings are what make it so impressive.

Grab lunch in the charming town of Waimea.

Waimea is a great little spot on the West Side of Kauai. The climate here is quite different to other places in Kauai.

The West Side of Kauai is far more arid and desert-like, which is perhaps not surprising given its proximity to Waimea Canyon, which looks like it belongs in the Southwest and not in an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!

If you’re hungry, I highly recommend stopping for lunch at an adorable little restaurant called Coconut Corner. They sell smoothies and fresh coconuts, but their marinated grilled pork plate is simply divine! It was one of my favorite meals I ate in all of Kauai.

A few other popular places to eat in Waimea include Ginas Anykine Grinds Cafe(this is a brunch spot, so it’s only open until 1 or 2 PM) and Porky’s, a sandwich and hot dog shop that serves up “aloha in a bun”.

Feeling like you want desert? Don’t miss JoJo’s Shave Ice, one of the favored places on the island for Hawaii’s favorite treat!

Wander around the charming historic town of Hanapepe (Hanapēpē).

The adorable town of Hanapepe wasn’t on my radar until I arrived in Kauai, but it ended up being one of my favorite stops on my Kauai itinerary!

It has a historic downtown area that has been used as a filming location in several movies (as well as being a model for the town in Lilo and Stitch!).

Once home to a large military population, Hanapepe is now one of the artistic centers of Kauai, and the streets of the town are chock-full of galleries and quaint little shops.

One of the coolest places in Hanapepe is the Talk Story Bookstore — the westernmost bookstore in the United States! It has an Old West vibe and inside it is full of books about Hawaii, including a large selection of books from Hawaiian writers.

Before you leave Hanapepe, don’t miss taking a stroll across the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge!

It’s a bit hair-raising, as the bridge really does swing as you walk across it, but it’s a fun adventure!

Take in the sunset at Salt Pond Beach Park.

For a beautiful sunset, don’t miss Salt Pond Beach Park, located a short distance away from Hanapepe on the west side of Kauai — perfect for sunsets!

If you arrive early, there are some nearby reefs where you can go for a snorkel or just enjoy some well-deserved beach time — this was quite the busy day!

Note that the salt ponds after which the beach park is named are strictly for use of the Native Hawaiians on the island, so please do not touch them!

Have a delicious saimin dinner in Lihue.

One of my favorite ways to explore the culture while traveling is to eat like the locals do — and in the case of Hawaii, that’s tasting saimin, a Hawaiian version of ramen!

You can find saimin at a few different spots around Kauai but the classic is in Lihue at Hamura Saimin. It’s a no-frills counter-service joint where you’ll find tourists mingling with locals as they slurp up delicious noodles!

As a bonus, it’s open until 9:30 PM nightly — which is tough to find on an early-to-rise, early-to-bed island like Kauai, where many businesses close before 3 PM!

I recommend their special saimin which includes ham, wontons, fish cake, scallions, and egg — it’s delicious.

If you somehow have room after your giant bowl of saimin, they are also well known for their lilikoi chiffon pie!

Day Four of Your Kauai Itinerary: North Shore Beaches & East Side Exploration

This final day of your Kauai itinerary is all about exploring the lesser-visited North Shore of Kauai, which is home to exquisite beaches.

This part of the island is more remote and you’ll find yourself feeling like you’ve stumbled across your own secret part of the island with few other travelers on the road once you pass Hanalei.

Drive towards Hanalei, stopping at the Hanalei Bay Lookout.

On the way to Hanalei, you’ll want to have the Hanalei Bay Lookout plugged into your GPS. The lookout point comes and goes quite quickly, and you won’t want to miss it!

It’s only possible to visit on the way north to Hanalei (on your way back, you won’t have the opportunity to stop) so do try to make it a priority to stop at this lookout. It’s stunning!

Grab coffee in the charming Hanalei town.

Once you reach Hanalei, it’s time refuel on some delicious coffee! Lucky for you, there are two great options in town.

The traditional choice is Hanalei Bread Company, which is a beloved bakery and coffee shop that always has lines out the door.

The new kid on the block is Outpost Coffee, which serves up delicious Kauai coffee made from beans grown in the nearby Kahiliholo Orchard, right on the island!

Either way you go, you’ll be caffeinated and ready to explore some gorgeous beaches!

Visit the stunning Hāʻena State Park (reservations required).

Note: Reservations are required to access Haena State Park. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize that before we went, but if you want to go, you’ll want to book 30 days in advance on this website.

If you manage to snag a coveted reservation at Haena State Park, you’re in luck! I’ll give you a brief overview of what you can do here. If you aren’t able to, go ahead and skip to the next section.

• Hike a portion of the Kalalau Trail. You won’t have time to tackle the whole 22-mile return Kalalau Trail, but you can do a short hike on it and turn around whenever you get tired, turning it into an out-and-back hike of whatever length you choose. NOTE: The furthest you can go without a specific permit for the Kalalau Trail is Hanakāpī’ai Beach and Waterfall.
• Explore Ke’e Beach. Only accessible by the State Park, visitors to this beach are limited by the park’s reservation cap, keeping it pristine and beautiful for all who come to visit. There is great snorkeling off the reef and pristine white sand to feast your eyes on.

Wander through the Limahuli Gardens.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 3 PM, these gorgeous botanical gardens on Kauai’s North Shore are sure to impress.

Tickets to Limahuli Gardens are a little spendy at $20 per person but it’s absolutely worth it to enjoy this spectacular atmosphere.

Have lunch back in Hanalei.

As you make your way back, you’ll pass through Hanalei again: hopefully, by now you’ve worked up an appetite for lunch!

I recommend grabbing some local food at the Hanalei Taro & Juice Co. food truck — the roast Kalua pork with poi, macaroni salad, and rice was delicious!

There are also dozens of other restaurants to choose from in Hanalei if Hawaiian food doesn’t quite hit the spot.

Walk the beach along the pristine Hanalei Bay.

Before leaving Hanalei, make sure you visit its namesake Hanalei Bay, a beautiful bay with a whopping two miles of beach in a beautiful crescent shape.

Depending on the weather, it can be a good place to wade or there may be large waves — check with a lifeguard first or see if there are flags out which indicate that it’s not safe to wade.

If it’s not a great day to swim, Hanalei Bay still makes a great place for a peaceful walk along the beach, and you can walk all the way up to the Hanalei Pier for beautiful views of the bay framed with mountains in the backdrop.

Admire the Queen’s Bath in Princeville.

The Queen’s Bath in Princeville is another place you can stop on your way back for a beautiful view of the ocean after a brief but scrambly hike… and if the conditions are right, you can go for a dip in the “bath!”

The “bath” is actually an open-air sea cave formed by a lava tube that formed millions of years ago. The ceiling of the cave collapsed, and now it’s a 65-foot-deep pool that you can float and relax in when the tides allow.

The hike to The Queen’s Bath less than a mile roundtrip, but it’s rather rocky and a bit technical, so be sure to wear proper footwear and take your time.

Read the AllTrails trip reports for additional information on the hike; winter wave conditions didn’t allow for me to do it, so I don’t have firsthand experience here.

However, others have gotten the chance to visit and have loved it, so I wanted to include it as an option on this Kauai itinerary, just in case.

Note that the gate may be closed at times. If it is, do not try to pass; it’s done for safety reasons! It is closed more often in the winter than in the summer months because the seas are generally calmer in the summer.

Check out Kilauea Lighthouse and the birds at Kilauea Point.

Continuing back, make sure you don’t miss detouring to the Kilauea Lighthouse, which in my opinion offers one of the best views in Kauai!

There is ample parking in the area and people come and go frequently, so it’s easy to get here and take some epic photos.

Bonus: If you’re a birder, bring a pair of binoculars because Kilauea Point is a massive hub for birdwatchers!

Grab a juice or kombucha from the Kauai Juice Co.

In Kapa’a, you can’t miss grabbing a home-brewed kombucha or freshly-squeezed juice at the Kauai Juice Co. on your way back towards your accommodation on the South Shore.

They have all sorts of delicious flavors of kombucha on tap like tangerine vanilla and pineapple ginger — don’t miss it!

Admire the Ninini Point Lighthouse.

As you make your way back to Lihue, be sure to stop at the Ninini Point Lighthouse, which is accessible via the Royal Sonesta hotel in Lihue.

You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to access this beautiful lighthouse, so don’t be intimidated to drive in!

There’s a parking lot where you can park and walk to the lighthouse, or you can drive. We walked, but we saw a handful of normal sedan-type cars driving out to the lighthouse, so it’s definitely accessible by car.

Take in one final Kauai sunset — by land or by sea.

With your final night of this Kauai itinerary, make it memorable by taking in a beautiful sunset somewhere.

If you want to truly cap off your Kauai trip in the most memorable way, it’s time to return to the Na Pali coast, but this time by boat and at sunset.

The cascading green spires of the Na Pali coastline as the sun sets are even more beautiful to behold, illuminating the red dirt and the green foliage that makes its home in the mineral-rich soils.

This 4-hour Na Pali cruise brings you past beautiful vistas on a luxury catamaran, so you can see the stunning Na Pali coast that you saw from above from an eye-level perspective.

If you’re lucky, dolphins and even whales may join you on the trip!

The boat is designed to fit over 90 passengers but they limit it to under 50 so that no one is crowded and everyone can enjoy the cruise without feeling crammed in.

Book your sunset cruise of the Na Pali coast!

Alternately, you can continue a hike in the Lihue area for a beautiful and easy view of a sunset over the bay in Lihue.

Head to the Kuki’i Point Lighthouse, adjacent to the golf course. There’s a parking lot where you can park your car a short walk from the viewpoint.

This “lighthouse” isn’t nearly as photogenic as the above one — it’s more of a tiny beacon on a rock.

However, it’s a great place to watch the sun set over Lihue and Kalapaki Beach, with a view of the telltale Kauai mountains in the distance.

Renting a Car in Kauai

No question, you will want to rent a car in Kauai.

As I wrote above, we deeply regretted our decision to only rent a car for 2 days of our 4 days in Kauai, and we would have had a much more relaxed and efficient trip if we had just bit the bullet and rented our car the whole trip!

It’s best to pick up your rental car at Lihue Airport so you can have it handy as soon as you arrive in Kauai!

Driving in Kauai is relatively easy and straightforward, and the roads are quite good quality. I only noticed one rough patch of road during my entire time driving in Kauai, past Waimea Canyon up towards the Kalalau Lookout point.

Other than that, it was smooth sailing, aside from some occasional traffic (the Kapaa Crawl is legendary!)

Whenever I rent a car in Hawaii, I book through Discover Cars, which searches through over 500 rental agencies to compare prices and get you the best deal. Find the best price for your rental here.

Quick Tips for When You Visit Kauai

Get an early start each day.

I am not a morning person… but Kauai (and my travel companion, Megan) made me be! Things open early in Kauai and shut down early to match.

The earlier you get going, the more your schedule will match with Kauai businesses.

Trust me, you don’t want to find yourself hankering for lunch at 3 PM with very few open options, or try to find dinner after 8 PM in most places!

Book things in advance.

Kauai is a small — and popular! — island.

As a result, many of the most popular accommodations and activities, such as helicopter tours and luau dinners, sell out in advance.

Rental cars too can be a hot commodity on the island, and waiting too long can lead to unpleasant sticker shock when it comes time to rent.

In fact, prior to this trip I took in 2022, I had to cancel a trip to Kauai I had planned for 2021 because I waited too long to rent a car and they were $400 per day!

In short, book things early, especially if they have a caveat of free cancellation.

I always book my tours through tour aggregator companies like Get Your Guide and Viator because they have flexible and clear cancellation policies that protect me in case my plans change!

When to Visit Kauai

Kauai is a year-round destination! There really isn’t a bad time to visit Kauai, but some times are slightly better than others for certain things.

The rainy season generally runs from November to March… which also happens to be one of the most popular times to go to Kauai, as mainland Americans seek out warmer weather and sunny weather!

I just finished an 8 day trip to Kauai and Oahu. Despite it technically being the rainy season, I had no days that were totally rained out. I only experienced two scattered showers which didn’t interrupt my trip whatsoever.

I always did winter trips to Hawaiian islands as a kid and never remember tons of rain, so in general, it’s pretty safe to book a winter trip to Kauai or other Hawaiian islands. Kauai is one of the rainier islands.

Temperature-wise, the weather varies very little throughout the year on Kauai. Winter lows are around 68 F and winter highs are still around 79 degrees, so it’s definitely not cold!

Meanwhile, in the summer months, expect lows more like 74-75 F and highs in the 83-85 F range. As you can see, it’s not drastically different!

There is a slight chance of hurricanes in summer in the Hawaiian islands, but they are very rare, especially compared to other places in the world, such as the Caribbean, where summer hurricanes are all but a guarantee!

There are other factors too, such as wildlife viewing.

I wanted a chance to see the humpback whales migrating, so I planned for a winter trip (peak humpback calving season is in January and February) — and the whales didn’t let me down when I went whale watching in Oahu!

In other words… there really is no bad time to visit Kauai, but note that prices will always be higher during school holiday times.

If you have a chance to visit outside the typical school calendar, you will benefit from cheaper flights, car rentals, and accommodations.

How to Pack for Kauai

I have a full packing list on the way, but here is the short version!

• Reef-safe sunscreen: Not only is reef-safe sunscreen the right thing to do for the environment, it’s also the law in Hawaii! I use Sea to Stream sunscreen which is properly reef-safe as well as biodegradable — even their sunscreen tubes are made not from plastic but from sugarcane resin!

• Bathing suits: You’ll want at least two bathing suits for your time in Kauai, so that you never have to put a grody, still-wet one on (is there any worse feeling?). Personally, I love high-waisted bikinis that will hold in all the Kalua pork and ube ice cream I’m eating. I love this adorable orange set and this vintage-styled tropical set if you’re looking for inspiration.

• Snorkel set (mask, snorkel and fins): It’s a lot more fun to have your own snorkel set than to have to seek out a rental service every time — plus, if you happen upon a secluded beach with great snorkeling, you won’t be left out! This set is good if you’re low on space and just want a mask and snorkel — otherwise, grab this full set with fins.

• Travel beach towel / sand-repelling mat: I hate traveling with a traditional beach towel. They get sopping wet and collect sand like a mofo and basically just drive me insane. They’re only a small fraction better than not having one at all. Enter your travel beach mat! Microfiber beach towels double as a sand mat and travel towel, and they’re sand-repelling and dry in a flash, even in the Kauai humidity. Plus they come in adorable prints!

• Sunglasses: You’ll absolutely want sunglasses for your time in Kauai. I brought my prescription lenses from Warby Parker since I’m a blind nerd who is too lazy to put in contacts. If you’re cooler than me, I’m obsessed with these Persol sunglasses and wear them the few times I can ever be bothered to put in my contact lenses (read: almost never, but I still irrationally love these sunglasses).

• Clothing with layers for cool nights and occasional rain: This is a very personal decision and one I won’t pretend I can make for you. For my four days in Kauai, I brought a bunch of crop tops and shorts, a few sundresses, a romper, a lightweight cardigan, and my trusty Marmot rain jacket which I never ended up needing but was glad I brought.

• Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers and hiking socks: I didn’t have any heavy-duty hikes planned on my Kauai itinerary, so I went with my trusty Nike Flyknit sneakers. If I had more intense hikes planned, I’d go with my typical Teva hiking boots with their comfy Vibram soles. Looking for something a little more stylish? My friend had a pair of cute Danner boots that I now have my eye on! And of course, don’t forget comfortable merino wool hiking socks if you’re planning anything more than a short walk. Thin cotton socks will give you blisters and ruin your trip!

• Flip flops or beach sandals: I brought two pairs of sandals, personally: my trusty Birkenstock Gizeh sandals for walking around and my Havaianas for actual beach days.

• Walking shoes: For me, my Birkenstocks and Nikes worked well enough as walking-around shoes, but you may want to bring another pair for walking around or perhaps a nicer pair for dinners out.

• Sunhat and scalp sunscreen: RIP my scalp on this trip, because I forgot both. Learn from my mistakes… literally, that’s why bloggers exist, to mess up our trips and admit it and you can learn from all the ways we f***ed up. A foldable sunhat like this one is still cute, but less high-maintenance than other sunhats that can’t be packed or folded. Also bring some scalp sunscreen like this one which is also reef-safe.

• Camera or smartphone: Obviously you’ll want to bring an awesome camera for photographing Kauai as best you can! I use a combination of my smartphone (an iPhone 12) and my Sony A 7II when I travel. Bring a versatile zoom lens if you’re bringing a proper camera as that’s the one you’ll end up using most!

• Protective case for your smartphone: Take it from me, an idiot who nearly fried my phone while sea kayaking in Maine — salt water will destroy even a “waterproof” phone. You’ll want a basic waterproof case like this one at the very least, if not something more sturdy like a LifeProof Free case which allows you to submerge it up to 6 feet of water, including salt water.

Where to Stay in Kauai

Poipu

Mid-Range/Luxury

The Sheraton Kauai Resort: Serenity, relaxation, and luxury abound at this resort located on Kauai’s Poipu Beach. Its expansive waterfront offers stunning views of the ocean and lush landscape — and a great spot to watch the sunset.

You can choose between stunning oceanfront or peaceful garden views from their newly-renovated guest rooms and suites.  

Check availability and rates at the Sheraton Kauai Resort here!

Luxury

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: With its tropical gardens and river pools, this stunning Poipu resort offers a golf course, seven restaurants, and a world-class spa!

The guest rooms of the hotel are spacious with a private balcony that offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Depending on the room of your choice, you’ll enjoy stunning ocean views, pool views, or even mountain views of the gorgeous, rugged Kauai landscape.

Check availability and rates at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa here!

Lihue

Budget

The Kauai Inn: This is where I stayed in Kauai, and it was a perfect base for road tripping around the island. If you are just looking for a place to crash at night (and a tasty breakfast the next day), and don’t plan to spend a ton of time using resort amenities, I highly recommend the Kauai Inn.

The owners are kind and fantastic, and it’s the oldest hotel on the island! The one downside is its location: it’s a bit out of central Lihue, and it’s next to the port, so it’s not exactly the most scenic location. But if you have a car, it couldn’t be a more convenient and affordable base for your time in Kauai.

Check availability and rates at the Kauai Inn here!

Mid-Range/Luxury

The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue: This luxurious resort offers a central location with picturesque views, two outdoor swimming pools, spa services, as well as a fitness center.

The resort also features an on-site restaurant and bar, where guests can enjoy drinks, delicious food, and live music while taking in the breathtaking scenery. 

The rooms are equipped with modern amenities and offer an elegant, comfortable stay with all the conveniences of home. Ocean views and hotel gardens can be seen from some rooms. Select rooms come with balconies.

Check rates and availability at the Royal Sonesta here!

If you are considering a trip to the Big Island (aka the island of Hawaiʻi), your head is in the right place! 

Picture yourself basking beneath waterfalls or hiking over lava fields. Perhaps you will relax on a beautiful black sand beach or enjoy the warmth of a geothermal pool.

As you can see in just a few words, there is no place quite like the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. it is one of the most spectacular places to visit in the world! 

Plus, despite being the largest island, it is one of the quieter and more rural Hawaiian islands.

By now, islands like Maui and Kauai have largely been taken over by tourism, and Oahu is the most developed and industrial of the Hawaiian archipelago.

Hawaiʻi is different, with more undeveloped small towns and beautiful stops that haven’t quite succumbed to mass commercialization in the same way.

While Kona and Hilo are rather developed, there’s a whole ton of area in between that is far less built-up!

On this 5 day Big Island itinerary, we’ll start on the Kona side of the island, and then we’ll road trip over to the Hilo side. 

This post was first written on June 13, 2021. It was written by guest writer Allison Coulter, who lived on the Big Island of Hawaii for six months, traveling by van around the island. It has since been updated several times to reflect Covid updates and changes. It was last updated March 29, 2023.

PLANNING FOR BIG ISLAND AT A GLANCE:  

When to Go: The Big Island of Hawai'i is a pleasant destination with beautiful tropical weather all year round!

But even with that, some months are better than others and in that case, May through October is the best time to visit the Big Island when the sun is fully out and the chances of rain are low. Spring and fall is also a good time to visit if you want to escape the influx of tourists and enjoy lower rates on accommodation.

Though hurricanes are rare on the Big Island, be sure to check the weather before you travel during the hurricane season which is June through November - or entirely avoid this time if you're not sure.

Where to Stay: For this itinerary, I recommend basing yourself in Kona, and Hilo to get the most out of your Big Island trip.

In Kona, I recommend staying at Kona Coast Resort (boutique hotel), Royal Kona Resort for a resort stay, or Four Seasons Resort Hualalai for a luxurious stay. And if you want a homey feel, you'll love this beautiful beachfront condo.

When in Hilo, I suggest staying at Hilo Vacation Rental for a charming and budget-friendly stay, SCP Hilo Hotel for a bit of luxurious yet affordable stay, Arnott's Lodge & Hiking Adventures for backpackers, or Grand Naniloa Hotel (boutique hotel). If you want a homey feel, I suggest staying at this Oceanfront luxurious house.

How to Get Around: Having a car is essential if you want to fully enjoy the Big Island and visit places public buses cannot go. You could use taxis, Uber, Lyft, private tours to get around but that can get expensive pretty fast and that's why I think renting a car is much better.

If you do choose to rent a car, compare car rentals and prices from here.  

Best Activities: Don't want to drive or plan? Booking a few different activities can help you eliminate the need for driving around. You can book a stargazing tour on Mauna Kea, a snorkeling tour in Kealakekua Bay, or a manta ray snorkeling experience.

3 Things Not to Forget to Pack: Since you'll spend plenty of time on the beach, I recommend taking this Dock & Bay travel towel which is 100% made from recycled materials. You'll need a swimsuit to fully enjoy the beaches -- this is my favorite swimwear  -- and of course sunscreen -- I love SunBum SPF 50 with Vitamin E — it’s moisturizing and soothing for you and also harmless for marine life! 

A Note on Visiting Hawaiʻi

One important thing to mention about the island of Hawaiʻi is that it is the home to the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, which is under U.S. occupation.

When you visit this island, be curious and respectful of the Native Hawaiian way of life. The state we now know as Hawaii was forcibly annexed, without treaty or legal right, from the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. 

This island is their ancestral land, and many of the locations mentioned here are sacred to them. Do not take anything from the island, including lava rock. It is said it will bring you bad luck if you do! 

If you are respectful, you will have a wonderful time on this island. It is full of magical, intense energy. With the right mindset, visiting the Big Island, the land of aloha, can be transformative.

Move with Aloha

A note on the concept of aloha: Despite what popular culture portrays, aloha is more than just hello and goodbye! 

In the Hawaiian language, “Alo” means “presence.” “Ha” means “the essence of life.” It is an expression of love and understanding that we are all connected to spirit. 

When you live with aloha, you live with passion and considerations for the natural world, its creatures, and your fellow humans. Isn’t that a great way to be? 

So try it out while you move through this Big Island itinerary. I promise you won’t regret it, and you may walk away with a new point of view!

Enjoy and move with aloha in your heart during your five days on the Big Island.

Where to Stay on the Big Island

It might be called the Big Island but it’s actually pretty small which makes getting around easy.

This means that you can choose 2 towns (Kona and Hilo in this case) to make your base and visit everything else from here since most of the popular attractions are within driving distances from these towns.

Kona Accommodations

BOUTIQUE | Traveling to Hawaiʻi means staying close to the beach as much as possible and Kona Coast Resort offers just that.

This beautiful resort features 2 outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, 3 hot tubs, and a sauna. Not yet sold?

This resort also offers large air-conditioned villas with a fully furnished kitchen, a living, and a dining room to accommodate even big families. If you ask me, your Big Island stay can’t get any better than this!

Check availability and rates on Booking.com | Book on Hotels.com

RESORT | If you want a resort stay, I recommend staying at Royal Kona Resort. It has its own private beach so you don’t have to worry about the summer influx that crowds most “public” beaches.

The resort also has a saltwater lagoon, an outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and the best part? It has no resort fees!

And don’t worry if all the activities on the island tire you out, you can just head to the on-site spa and wellness centre for a relaxing massage.

Check availability and rates on Booking.com | Book on Hotels.com

LUXURY | Kona might have a number of resorts but nothing speaks luxury like Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

From the beautiful sunsets on the beach, the stunning views, the Golf Course, the top-notch service, to the large rooms with Hawaiian-inspired décor, everything is perfectly designed to make you feel at home while enjoying all the luxuries it provides.

It’s safe to say that Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is your best bet at experiencing maximum luxury while in Kona!

Check availability and rates on Booking.com | Book on Hotels.com

VRBO | I understand that not everyone wants to stay in hotels! If you’re that person who prefers a homey feel while traveling, I recommend staying at this beautiful beachfront condo.

Designed with a beachy and a tropical eclectic style with a mix of Hawaiian decor, this place will make you feel like you’re in Hawaiʻi whether you’re inside or outside.

The condo features a modern kitchen with all appliances should you need to make your meals, a sizeable bathroom, and not forgetting the stunning beach views from the balcony. It’s also in a few minute’s walk to almost everything you’ll need.

 Check availability and rates on Vrbo

Hilo Accommodations

BOUTIQUE | Located just 30 miles from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the heart of Hilo, Grand Naniloa Hotel, a Doubletree by Hilton is the best hotel to stay for the stunning ocean or harbor views of Hilo Bay at an affordable cost.

The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, sundeck, and an on-site restaurant that serves local seafood dishes — perfect for indulging in the local Hawaiian cuisine!

Check availability and rates on Booking.com | Book on Hotels.com

MID-RANGE | If you thought you couldn’t have a piece of luxury at an affordable price, SCP Hilo Hotel will make you think twice.

Eco-friendly and cozy, this hotel has modern, clean, and comfortable rooms with an inviting lobby designed to make you feel welcome.

And if you’re a traveler who wants to stay fit while on the road, you’ll love their fitness room!

Check availability and rates on Booking.com | Book on Hotels.com

BUDGET | If you want something affordable yet still comfortable, I recommend staying at Hilo Vacation Rental.

While there is nothing extraordinary to boast about, this guest house offers a kitchen, clean rooms, a TV installed in each room, a clean and large bathroom, and an outdoor gas bbq to socialize with other travelers. It might seem basic but it provides the best bang for your buck. 

Check availability and rates on Booking.com | Book on Hotels.com

What to Pack for the Big Island

Travel Guides: I have included everything that I think will help you enjoy your stay on the Big Island but I found this Hawaii The Big Island Revealed Guide book offers the most in-depth information.

While blogs are great, guidebook companies have far more resources to put extensive time into research. So combine my personal experience with this highly rated guide book and you can be assured of an amazing time on the Island.

An awesome travel towel: With all the beaches on the Island, you’ll definitely need to take a towel and I am not talking about the small microfiber towel that almost does nothing!

I am talking about the true microfiber towel that not only works well on a beach day but also after a long shower. I am in love with this amazing towel from Dock & Bay. It’s eco-friendly (100% from recycled materials), and it repels all sand with just one single shake. Let’s see your standard beach towel do that!

Bathing suits you love: A Big Island vacation is incomplete without bathing suits! Take a swimsuit that will make you feel comfortable.

I love wearing a two-piece but I usually get that awkward discomfort especially after enjoying all the local dishes but after a number of trials, I found the answer. High-waisted swimsuits!

I love this one, and this one is a great plus-size option with a high waist and a classic shape. You should choose to take 2-3 swimsuits to the Big Island to avoid having to put on a wet swimsuit — yuck.

Reef-safe sunscreen: Sunscreen is essential when visiting the Big Island! But don’t just take any random sunscreen. Take and use one that is not only great for your skin but also for marine life too.

I love SunBum SPF 50 with Vitamin E — it’s moisturizing and soothing for you, and harmless for the animals who call Big Island’s waters their home! Not only is it the right thing to do, but bringing chemical-laden sunscreen is actually illegal when visiting Hawaiʻi.

Comfortable travel sandals: It’s going to take a lifetime for anyone to convince me that there are better travel sandals than my Birkenstocks — I could be buried in them if it were possible!

I may sound a bit hyperbolic, but honestly, that’s how essential I feel they are when I travel. I personally love the Birkenstock Gizeh leather thong style but the classic two-buckle Arizona slides are also cute and comfortable. These are the exact shoes I have and love!

One tip, though: Wear them for 2-3 days before your trip so they can form the shape of your foot. They’ll be a bit uncomfortable at first but nothing major (I just bought a second pair recently and I can vouch for them for the second time).

Chemical-free insect repellent: Just like the sunscreen, the bug spray you take should be chemical-free to not harm the sensitive ecosystem of Hawaiʻi especially when you go in the water.

A simple lemon eucalyptus spray like this will keep most mosquitos away without the harsh chemicals which can mess up delicate ecosystems.

Getting Around the Big Island

Trying to get a lot done in a short amount of time? Your best bet is to rent a car when you come to the Big Island.

It can be pricy depending on when you travel, but it will save you a lot of time and headache.

The public bus system does not always follow its schedule, and it is just not reliable, especially if you want to see all you can with just 5 days on the Big Island.

If following this itinerary, you’ll want to rent your car from Kailua-Kona Airport.

Not sure where to get the best deal on your rental? I’ve rented cars dozens of times through various search engines and have settled on Discover Cars as the best car rental search engine!

It searches over 500 trusted rental companies to find the cheapest price for your rental, so you know you’re getting the best deal. Compare prices for car rental from Kailua-Kona Airport here.

5 Day Big Island Itinerary

Day 1 of your Big Island Itinerary: Kailua-Kona

You will most likely fly into the Kona airport when you visit the island of Hawai’i. It is one of the most populated areas of the island and definitely the liveliest! 

There are beautiful places to eat Hawaiian food and plenty of beaches to explore, so let’s dive into this Hawaii itinerary headfirst!

Eat a tasty and hearty breakfast.

To start your day off right, head over to 808 Grindz Cafe for breakfast! I promise you it will be “ono,” which is Hawaiian for delicious! 

You can enjoy waffles or eggs benedict. Plus, they have an extensive moco menu! 

Loco moco is a classic Hawaiian dish. They also have vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone.

Hop in your rental car and drive north.

I always find that taking a drive in a new place is a great way to get to know it! To start this Big Island itinerary, I suggest heading north to Pololū and the town of Hawi. 

Pololū Valley is a magical place on the island. It was once home to the ancient Hawaiians, where they enjoyed a plethora of plant life like the Hawaiian staple, taro. 

The view from the lookout at Pololū is stunning, so be sure to bring your camera.

Hike down into Polulū Valley.

You will be even more enchanted when you hike down into Polulū Valley! 

It is a very steep but short hike of just over a half-mile. Keep in mind that it can be pretty slippery and muddy after rainfall… which is fairly often; after all, Hawai’i is a tropical island!

Down in the valley, you will find rocky shores, black sand beaches, and a couple of swings for your Instagrammable moments! 

You can also follow the path to the other side of the valley and hike some more for great views of the neighboring valley.

Visit the charming town of Hawi.

Once you have enjoyed your time relaxing or hiking in Pololū Valley, head back towards Hawi. This town is extraordinary!

There are some great coffee shops in town. There is excellent coffee in Hawai’i, in general — Kona coffee is famous for a reason!

We suggest going to Kohala Coffee Mill, which is our favorite in Hawi. They have an extensive sandwich menu, pastries, ice cream, and Hawaiian shave ice.

In Hawi, you will also find the vegan comfort food restaurant, Sweet Potato Kitchen. I highly highly recommend this place, even if you are not vegan! 

The food is incredibly healthy and even more delicious. You will sense how much love is put into the food here.

After lunch, you can spend an hour or two walking the main road of this small and captivating town. There is an incredible apothecary, as well as art galleries and clothing and souvenir shops.

Drive back to Kona via the coast.

Once you have had your fill of Hawi, begin heading back to Kona along the Kona coast. 

Enjoy the view and the salt air in your hair as you drive down the coastline, windows down of course!

You may want to stop at another beach on your way down into Kona. We will leave the choice up to you, but we suggest Manini’owali Beach!

You may instead want to just head into Kona for dinner before your night tour… yes, we’ve got something special up our sleeve for your first night in Kona!

Grab an early dinner.

You cannot visit Hawai’i without enjoying an oceanside meal! 

In Kona, Foster’s Kitchen is the place for dinner with a view. Enjoy dishes featuring ahi tuna, flatbread pizzas, or their fantastic goat cheese bruschetta! They also serve steak, fish, pasta, and more. You will find this place to be ono, trust us!

Prepare for an incredible manta ray snorkel experience.

After dinner, you will want to head back to your hotel to prepare for your night tour! 

The tour we picked for you will be a highlight of your trip! Tonight, you will get to swim with manta rays — in the dark!

The manta ray night snorkeling tour starts at 6:30 PM, so plan your Big Island itinerary accordingly.

Book your night manta ray snorkeling experience here!

The tour features a sunset cruise on a 34-foot catamaran with the opportunity to then float among manta rays! 

These gentle giants are angelic, graceful, and beautiful…. don’t be afraid of the ‘ray’ in their name, these animals are truly docile and gentle.

This is one of the coolest things to do in Kona, so don’t miss it!

The tour will have you on their float, lit with LED lights (so yes, you will be able to see them, even though it’s dark out!). 

These lights attract the manta rays, so it is almost a 100% chance that you will see them. Plus, you will get to float and snorkel with other sea creatures.

That is just an awesome way to end your first day in Hawai’i! 

You will probably be keen on heading back to your hotel after a busy day. Get some rest and prepare for another spectacular day on the Big Island. It will be an early start tomorrow!

Day 2 of your Big Island Itinerary: Kailua-Kona

Start the day with a snorkel trip.

To begin your day, you will be snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay along the Kona coast! 

The bay is famous for the presence of Hawaiian spinner dolphins, which frequent this area regularly, so you have a great chance of seeing them and possibly even snorkeling with them.

This 4-hour tour begins at 8:00 AM so, try to arrive early. We suggest having a very light breakfast beforehand, such as a piece of toast and some fruit. You don’t want to overeat, but you don’t want an empty stomach either!

There will be a safety briefing, and they will provide snorkel equipment, snacks, and beverages. You can also rent an underwater camera to document your time snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay!

Not only will you likely see dolphins, but you will explore underwater caves, plus many species of coral and fish. What a stellar way to start your day!

Book your snorkeling morning tour here!

Have a tasty lunch back in Kona.

After your tour, make your way back towards Kona for lunch. 

Where to? The Coffee Shack is our favorite spot, and it is right near Kealakekua Bay! 

Don’t let the name fool you; they have an excellent menu and sit-down dining with a view of the Pacific Ocean. 

The papaya special is one of the best items on the menu. You can also enjoy sandwiches, salads, and pizza. 

They also have lilikoi (passionfruit) cheesecake and coconut cream pie, among other fabulous Hawaiian desserts.

Check out a local coffee farm.

Kona is famous for its eponymous coffee, and no trip to Kona would be complete without visiting a coffee farm!

After lunch, head to Hala Tree Coffee Farm. This organic coffee farm offers tours and will have you swooning over their coffee by the end. Plus, it is a beautiful property!

Relax your muscles at the Mamalahoa Hot Tubs.

After your coffee farm visit, head back towards Kona and stop at Mamalahoa Hot Tubs and Massage to give your muscles some love after your snorkel tour! 

Each hot tub is made of teak wood and sits under its own private “hale,” Hawaiian for “hut.”

After your moment of rest and relaxation, why not have a beer? You earned it.

Grab a beer at the Kona Brewing Company.

A stop at Kona Brewing Company is a must for any Big Island bucket list. 

They are steadily working on becoming one of the most sustainable, eco-conscious breweries in the world, and they deserve our applause and support! 

When you visit, you will enjoy a vast food menu, perfect for dinnertime. You can sample their great beers right from the source, too. 

Their menu even includes beer pairing to give your tastebuds the ultimate experience!

Catch an incredible sunset.

For sunset, stop at Pāhoehoe Beach Park for a gorgeous view. You can even walk there from Kona Brewing Company! 

Magic Sands Beach Park is also an excellent option and is a shorter walk, as well as just about anywhere on Ali’i Drive!

Hawaii is one of the best places in the world to see a sunset. You may even be lucky enough to see the “green flash.” 

The green flash is a natural phenomenon in which the sun lights up green just as it goes past the horizon. Hawai’i is one of the few places in the world to witness this! 

[editor’s note: I’ve seen it once or twice in California — it’s pretty incredible, but also pretty rare!]

Check out the Kona nightlife.

If you are not too tired out, you may want to continue your evening exploring Kona’s nightlife along Alii Drive. 

Laverne’s Sports Bar is a local favorite. Humpy’s Big Island Ale House is also a great spot, along with Gertrude’s Jazz Bar. Enjoy the night on your tropical vacation. 

Make sure you get some solid sleep, too: we’ve got another jam-packed day on this Big Island itinerary… you’ve only got 5 days in Hawaii, after all!

Day 3 of your Big Island Itinerary: Kailua-Kona

Okay, so here we go, day 3. Your final day in Kailua-Kona. 

We are going to make this one an epic beach day!

Fuel up for the day.

Stop at HiCo Hawaiian Coffee to charge up for the day with a quick breakfast. 

They serve locally grown coffee and a Hawaiian staple, musubi. Musubi is similar to sushi as it contains meat and veggies wrapped in rice and seaweed. The most famous is spam musubi!

Their menu also features chia pudding, paninis, and more.

Pack up a picnic lunch.

From there, head to the local grocery store, Island Naturals, to get supplies for lunch. 

It is good to bring a backpack to store your lunch choices as you will be taking a bit of a hike to get to our beach recommendation! 

Island Naturals sell insulated shopping bags to help you keep your food at a proper temperature. Be sure to pack plenty of water…. and a hammock wouldn’t hurt either!

Take a hike to Makalawena Beach.

Next, you will head north out of Kona towards the trailhead for Makalawena Beach. 

You can find the trailhead on the road towards Mahai’ula Bay between the 90 and 91-mile markers on Highway 19. 

It is about a 1-mile hike to reach the beach, and it’s not too intense, though it can be hot, hence the water we told you to bring!

You will be thrilled by the calmer waters and white sandy beaches flanked with palm trees. Rest, relax, or swim until you’re ready for your beach picnic lunch.

Head back to Kona for a whale watching tour.

After that, you will need to head back to Kona for your afternoon whale-watching tour. 

You will be hoping to see the beautiful and majestic humpback whales that migrate past Hawaii — they are quite a sight to see. 

Take note, the best time to see humpbacks on the Big Island is from December to April, but you will likely be able to see whales year-round. 

The Big Island of Hawaii is the only spot in the US where humpbacks mate, nurse, and calve their young!

Book your whale-watching cruise online here!

This tour consists of 2.5 hours on the Pacific Ocean, taking in the island’s sights while trying to spot whales and their calves! 

They will provide snacks and beverages along the tour, so don’t worry about needing to grab lunch beforehand. 

Best of all, you can use their hydrophone, which will allow you to listen to whalesong! It’s a remarkable feature of this tour. If your timing is right, this tour will leave you inspired!

Check out Honaunau Bay.

After your cruise, head over to Two Step on the Honaunau Bay, one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the island of Hawai’i. 

It is located south of Kailua Kona in Captain Cook. Spinner dolphins frequent this spot to rest and play!

You very well may get to swim with dolphins a second time here! 

You will also see countless coral and maybe even the Hawai’i state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, a species of triggerfish. 

Try to say that Hawaiian word ten times fast! 

Check out the Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

Right next to Two Steps is Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. 

You should come here to learn about ancient Hawaiian culture and pay tribute to the rightful owners of Hawai’i.

The history of Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park is that it was once a place of refuge, protected by the god Lono, the god of life. 

Anyone who broke the law or needed to escape any kind of persecution could come to this place, and no harm would come to them. This place of peace is a worthwhile stop on any Big Island itinerary!

Spend the night at a luau.

Continue your journey of connecting with Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit with a luau! 

There are many options for luau experiences on the island. We like Voyagers of the Pacific, Royal Kona Resort’s luau, because of the hands-on experiences they provide.

You can make a lei, learn hula, and see demonstrations of Polynesian arts. 

Book your luau online here!

A luau is not complete without pig roasted in an “imu,” an underground oven — which is exactly how they do it with Voyagers of the Pacific. 

Your reservation at this luau includes all activities, a dinner buffet, and drinks from the bar.

There doesn’t seem to be a better way to spend your last night on Kona side!

Day 4 of your Big Island Itinerary: Hilo

Hilo is your next destination on the Big Island! 

Before you head out, make sure you fuel up for your drive, pack some snacks, and bring plenty of water. 

We also suggest you get an early start to get the most out of your day, as this Hawaii itinerary is jam-packed.

I suggest making this day into a road trip type of day! 

Google will tell you to take the Saddle Road from Kailua-Kona to Hilo, an hour and a half drive. However, you will miss out on some Big Island highlights going that way.

Head to Ka Lae, aka South Point.

Instead of heading west to east, head south and follow Highway 11. Your first destination will be Ka Lae, also known as South Point. 

It is the southernmost point in the United States! It will take you about an hour and a half to reach South Point from Kailua-Kona.

Take note; there are no facilities here, so make sure you pack food and water. Despite that, the view is incredible! 

You may even see people bravely jumping off the cliff into the ocean below. Do not jump if you are not a strong swimmer. There is a ladder to help you get back up onto land.

Marvel at the Green Sand Beach.

Papakōlea, also known as Green Sand Beach, is easy to reach from the parking area at South Point. You will need to walk south on the road which runs along the coast. 

It is 2.5 miles one way, so keep that in mind – it’s a long trek in the Hawaii sun!

Illegal roads have been “created” by 4WD vehicles, but these are extremely damaging to the ecosystem, and locals have asked visitors to stop and walk instead.

You can read more about this issue here.

Once you reach the beach, you may also want to go for a swim here if the water is not too rough. It can get pretty wild, so swim with caution.

Fun fact: Green Sands Beach is green from a natural phenomenon: olivine crystals that were formed in lava rock!

Head to Hana Hou for lunch.

Once you have completed your adventure at Ka Lae and Papakōlea, you will surely be ready for lunch! 

Continue south on Highway 11 to Hana Hou Restaurant (the southernmost restaurant in the US!), less than 30 minutes away. Hana Hou means “bravo!” in Hawaiian – and the food is so good, it will have you saying just that!

This small family-run restaurant has some of the best burgers in the world! Plus, they serve traditional Hawaiian dishes and diner food. Sometimes there is live music by locals. 

You may see patrons get up and dance the hula, too! You also may find yourself in a Hawaiian sing-a-long. 

Even without all the fanfare, this is a wonderful place to connect with a small authentic Hawaiian restaurant.

Eat malasadas at the tasty Punalu’u Bakery.

Just across the street is the world-famous Punalu’u Bakery, another must-stop on your road trip day!

Enjoy their sweet bread or a malasada. Malasada is a donut-like pastry stuffed with sweet fillings like lilikoi or pineapple.

Make your way through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

From Punalu’u Bakery, continue on Highway 11, making your way towards Hilo. You will enter Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in about 45 minutes!

You can continue your road trip vibes with a journey down Chain of Craters Road. 

There is a spot along this road to view petroglyphs and it ends at the Holei Sea Arch. Lava flowing into the ocean formed the sea arch — it’s super cool.

At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, you can also see Kilauea Caldera at the crater rim and check out the beautiful steam vents. The caldera is incredible as it glows from the lava bubbling beneath. 

Honestly, viewing the caldera is best at night, so if you wanted to, you could head back to the park later in the night or on your last day.

Try some tea wine.

Additionally, Volcano Winery is just a 5-minute drive from Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The wines are yummy, especially their tea wine! 

It is one of the best alcoholic beverages I have ever had. Just be careful since you are driving to not overdo it. 

The property is lovely and park-like, allowing for a nice relaxing time tasting wines. They do not serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Continue your drive to Hilo.

From there it is just 45 minutes to Hilo. You want to time your trip so you arrive for your next tour by 3:30 PM! 

If you didn’t get an early start, you may need to tweak these road trip suggestions, perhaps skipping the Green Sand Beach which is the longest side-trip of this road trip, or grabbing a to-go lunch instead of having a sit-down meal.

Take a stargazing tour on Mauna Kea.

This tour not only brings you up to Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing, but it also will have you exploring Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, and the Kaumana Caves, three other essential things to do in Hilo. 

You will then head along Saddle Road as you make your way past Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, two of the largest volcanoes in the world. 

You will then get to view stars and other celestial bodies through a telescope. Hawai’i has some of the darkest skies in the world, so it is by far one of the best places to view the night sky!

Book your stargazing tour online here!

Mauna Kea (called Maunakea by Native Hawaiians, one word) has a complex history, and it is essential to mention this when speaking of this landmark, which is sacred to Native Hawaiians.

Maunakea is considered the “Mountain of Wākea”; Wākea is the first father of Hawai’i according to Native beliefs.

That’s where the name comes from, shortened from “Ka Mauna a Wākea'” (Hawaiian for the Mountain of Wākea)

Not only is this his sacred mountain, but it was traditionally a burial ground. 

While it is awe-inspiring to view the stars from a telescope on the mountain, the telescopes shouldn’t be there in the first place. 

Many Native Hawaiians protested the desecration of their sacred mountain, and they are still protesting about the new telescopes. 

Still, the telescopes were built. 

Note that on this tour, you won’t be visiting the giant telescopes (those are scientific facilities rather than touristic ones) that the Hawaiians are protesting against. 

Rather, you will be using smaller, portable telescopes, interfering less with the land than the giant telescopes.

I’m not here to say what the right or wrong answer is here about the telescopes, but be mindful that there is an ongoing debate about this and listen to Hawaiian volces.

Or finish the night off with a kava experience.

If you want a different kind of activity to cap off your night, head over to Bayfront Kava Bar for a pleasant, relaxing kava experience. 

Kava has an ancient history on the islands of Hawai’i. The original Hawaiians brought kava with them when they left Polynesia over 2,000 years ago. 

Who knows – you may actually be sampling kava that was grown from the same plant!

Drinking kava was traditionally steeped in the spiritual rituals of the ancient Hawaiians. 

Before you drink your kava, you will want to honor this tradition. Ask your bartender to show you how to drink kava!

As kava is a calming, slightly psychoactive substance, you will probably be ready for bed after your trip to the kava bar. 

Don’t worry; you will not get high on kava; it is just very relaxing… though you may have more active dreams than normal!

Day 5 of your Big Island Itinerary: Hilo

Your last day on the Big Island will be another great day!

Here’s how to tackle your last day in Hawaii.

Grab a delicious breakfast.

Start the day with a visit to Hawaiian Style Cafe for breakfast. They open at 8 AM on weekdays and 7 AM on Fridays and weekends. 

This place gets very crowded, so you might want to make a reservation. Also, keep in mind that we suggest an awesome tour at 9:30 AM, so you will want to arrive right around the time they open! 

You will enjoy their Hawaiian-style breakfasts of steak and eggs, Hawaiian sweet bread, French toast, or their kalua hash.

After breakfast, it is time for your final snorkeling tour!

Visit the Sea Turtle Lagoon of Hilo Bay.

This 3-hour tour will show you what Hilo Bay is all about! 

You will swim with sea turtles, dolphins, and octopuses amongst colorful coral reefs. Plus, you will check out black sand beaches! 

They include local snacks and beverages along with this guided tour. It will be magic.

Book your snorkeling tour!

Grab lunch at the Booch Bar.

After your tour, it will be lunchtime. We suggest you hit up a local favorite, The Booch Bar. This restaurant features vegan and vegetarian food along with fresh-caught fish. 

There are many great options featuring fare that is “alive,” meaning that it is fermented and full of probiotics.

They also sell kombucha on draft from local kombucha makers, Big Island Booch. You can even get a growler of booch if you want. They also have wine, prosecco, and draft beer.

Check out Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens.

After lunch, make your way to Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens for a lovely stroll by the bay off of Banyan Drive. The park is gorgeous and features a Japanese-style botanical garden.

It is also adjacent to Coconut Island, which is very small and easy to walk to via a footbridge. Plus, the tiny island has a cool history.

Coconut Island was initially called Moku Ola by the ancient Hawaiians. It translates to “healing island.” According to lore, one could heal themselves by swimming around the island three times!

Plus, you can check out the banyan trees on Banyan Drive. These trees are massive and known for their beauty. 

The trees on Banyan Drive are named for the celebrities that planted them. It is also called the “Hilo Walk of Fame.”

Check out the beautiful ‘Akaka Falls State Park.

One of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Big Island is ‘Akaka Falls, which is located about a 10-minute drive from Hilo.

The viewpoint for ‘Akaka Falls is located about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot. It’s an easy 0.5-mile loop that leads you past a view of this stunning 442-foot single-drop waterfall.

Walk around downtown Hilo.

Once you have enjoyed the parks and Banyan Drive, head to downtown Hilo for a stroll and get to know this small town! 

There are bookstores, souvenir shops, restaurants, and even a thrift store to check out.

Additionally, there are galleries featuring art from local artists. You can also hit up the mall if you want to do some heavy-duty souvenir shopping at Prince Kuhio Plaza.

There may also be a farmer’s market depending on the day of the week!

Have a final delicious dinner.

Once you’ve strolled around Hilo, you will probably be ready to eat dinner!

For one last dinner with a view, head to The Seaside Restaurant and Aqua Farm. This restaurant will provide you with some of the freshest sushi you have ever had. 

The fish is sourced from their aqua farm. You really can’t get any fresher than that!

In addition to fish, you can enjoy chicken, steak, and pasta dishes at this ono restaurant. It will have you saying, Mahalo Nui loa, which translates to thank you very much!

Enjoy your last night in paradise.

After this final meal, you will want to head back to your hotel to get ready to leave the island and do some chilling out.

We know you will have had an awe-inspiring experience on the Big Island! 

You will have danced with dolphins, swam with sea turtles, and hiked to beautiful places. We sincerely hope that you will carry the aloha spirit with you on your travels! 

***

You can learn an awful lot from the traditions of Hawai’i. Be open to this, and Hawai’i will transform you.

Respect the natural areas you visit, the history, and the locals. According to legends, Tutu Pele (the volcano goddess of Kilauea Caldera) may unleash her wrath upon you if you fail to do so! 

She will definitely bring you bad luck if you take any artifacts, stones, or plants from the island. If you can manage to move with aloha, you will have a fantastic time on the Big Island!

Mahalo and aloha to you.