The Perfect 8-day Itinerary for Oahu, Hawaii: everything you need to know

Aloha! So, you are planning your dream beach vacation in Oahu. But are you unsure about what to do there (apart from lounging on the beach and getting a nice tan)? Or do you already have some places in mind, and are looking for additional spots to check out while you’re there? This 8-day itinerary for Oahu will help you whether you are already familiar with everything Hawaii has to offer, or a complete aloha-state newbie.

This travel guide will also allow you to visit a specific area of the island and visit all the spots there in a day. While this itinerary may seem jam-packed for some travelers, feel free to pick and choose the activities that interest you. I recommend saving these spots on your Google Maps app prior to your trip.

Read on to find out more about the island culture at Oahu, scenic spots you must visit, beaches with breathtaking views, and delectable cuisine that will make you forget your diet resolutions!

Get food inspiration from these 18 dishes while you are in Hawaii!

When to go to Oahu

Oahu is perfect year-round. Specifically, the Waikiki and Honolulu areas are warm even in December. However, the summer season tends to be quite hot and busy. Hence, the shoulder season (April-May and September-October) is the best to avoid crowds. On the other hand, the holiday season in December attracts a lot of tourists.

Are you traveling to other Hawaiian islands too? Check out this post on how to spend 4 epic days in the Big Island of Hawaii!

A bit short on time? This post is a perfect 3 day itinerary for travelers looking for a quick getaway to the Big Island of Hawaii!

Where to stay for your 8 day Oahu itinerary

For your perfect 8-day itinerary for Oahu, you can stay at any part of the island, but it will vary based on your interests and budget. Also, if you don’t want to drive from one side of the island to the other, break down your stay to 2 or more hotels in different parts of the island.

Waikiki

This is a solid location for visitors with or without kids. Its proximity to restaurants, beaches, water, and outdoor activities make it an ideal home base. This is where I stayed during my trip in December. However, a downside of Waikiki is that it is quite touristy. Additionally, the abundance of hotel options (for luxury, moderate and budget traveler) means the beaches here are packed.

North Shore

This side of the island is popular among surfers around the world. They come here for the famed Hawaiin surf. The beaches are stunning, and you can expect a lot less tourists in general. Also, some of the most famous food trucks in Oahu are located here (more on that later).

Fun fact – You may see people extending a hand gesture as “thanks” or “hello” by extending their thumb and pinky fingers while curling the middle ones. This is the famous shaka hand sign, originally thrown by surfers to greet each other.

West Side

The west side boasts stunning natural beauty and some top-class hotels such as the Ko Olina resort and the Disney Aulani resort. Here, you can snorkel at places like the Electric beach. Due to its distance from the main cities, this area tends to be less crowded.

There are also plenty of Airbnb options all over the island for different budgets.

This itinerary works best for people who stay at Waikiki or surrounding areas. But, you can use it as a guide even if you stay elsewhere on the island.

The perfect 8-day Oahu itinerary

Day 1

Check in to your hotel or Airbnb on this day. I arrived in Oahu right around lunch time, and made a beeline to get some poke. I’d recommend Tamashiro Market in Honolulu (their poke was legit bomb!) or Coco Cove in Waikiki (super affordable and delicious).

Note: Go for a poke bowl instead of a regular poke, for a servicing of fish on a bed of rice.

Head to the beach

In the evening, if you are staying at or close to Waikiki, consider paying a short visit to Waikiki beach to watch the sunset (sure, it will be crowded but 100% worth it!). I was at Waikiki during covid and was happy to see people maintaining social distance on the beach and in the waters.

Afterward, head over to dinner at a beachfront restaurant such as Mai Tai or Duke’s Waikiki for a stunning view and delicious food.

Day 2

Hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail

Today, wake up early the next morning for a moderate hike to the eastern side of the island. The Lanikai pillbox hike is quite legendary at this point. You can hike up to 2 old military bunkers (aka pillboxes). However, be sure to carry plenty of water since this trail does not provide much shade. Hiking shoes are a must – especially if it rained in the previous days, as you can expect portions of the trail to be muddy.

Start the trail at Kaelepulu Dr and park on the street. Note that there is no designated parking since this is not a recognized trail. This climb is steep with some rocky parts, but once you reach the 1st military bunker (Pillbox 1), you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Kailua Bay and Lanikai Beach.

Pro tip – These pillboxes make for prime spots to capture stunning drone footage. I saw a lot of people doing that and wished I had packed my drone.

Continue on the trail for a little longer to check out the second pillbox (Pillbox 2). You can rest for a bit or have a quick snack before you decide to continue on or head back to your starting point.

Lanikai beach or Kailua beach

Next up, reward yourself for accomplishing the hike early in the day by stopping at Lanikai Beach. Easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Oahu, you will want to take a quick dip in the water or enjoy an afternoon lazing on the beach.

Note that parking might be difficult. If you don’t find a parking spot, consider Kailua beach next door. A stunning in its own right, you can also park your car in the parking lot here, and walk over to Lanikai beach.

There are some food options next to Kailua Beach for pick up and enjoying on the beach.

Kayaking and Canoeing

If you are looking for additional activities, first of all, wow you got stamina! 😉 In this area, you can rent canoes and kayaks at Kailua Beach Adventures and take it out to the waters in Kailua Bay.

Day 3

Today, you will drive up to the North side of the island – home to Hawaii’s surf culture and an array of food trucks!

Green World Coffee Farm, Oahu

This morning, drive up Interstate H2 and then 99 to go up to the northern shore of Oahu. Stop to sample some Hawaii-grown coffee at Green World Coffee Farm as well as to get a tour of their coffee plants. They also have a cute little gift store to grab some souvenirs as well as a cafe.

As you approach Haleiwa, make a stop at the numerous food shrimp trucks by the roadside. One of the more popular ones is Giovanni’s Shrimp truck. Their shrimp plates will not disappoint!

Sharks Cove

Stop by at Sharks Cove for a bit of snorkeling. The rocky beach might look intimidating, but it is home to a wide diversity of fish species and well worth the visit. It is best for intermediate snorkelers. Since this location is popular, I would recommend arriving early to find parking in its limited parking lot.

Fun fact – Sharks Cove gets its name from the shape of the reef from above, and does not have any sharks there!

Laniakea Beach

Next stop will be Laniakea beach where you may spot some sea turtles lazing on the sand. You will need to park on the other side of the highway and cross over to the beach. While we did not see any turtles 🙁 the beach was stunning. It was also quite uncrowded, which was nice.

Fun fact – Sea turtles are protected by federal and state governments in Hawaii, so make sure you give them a wide berth! Six feet of wide berth, that is.

As you continue driving on highway 83, watch the waters for numerous surfers along the famed Hawaii waters. There are multiple beaches on this road. So, feel free to take a break from driving and enjoy some sun.

As you turn southwards on 83, you will have one more opportunity to try shrimp from a food truck at Famous Kahuku Shrimp truck.

Kualoa Ranch

As your last stop of the day, check out Kualoa Ranch. Movie buffs will love this place as this is the filming location of the Jurassic Park movies, Lost, etc. They offer many tours including e-bike tours and Jungle Jeep expeditions. Book a tour ahead in time, and explore these movie sets with stunning mountain ridges in the background. The pictures you take here will surely be epic!

Fun fact – From the ranch, look out into the water and you will see the Chinaman hat! It is an island named for its shape, and you can even take a kayak there and hike to the top!

Day 4

Hanauma Bay

This day, get an early start by driving over to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve for a morning of snorkeling with innumerable fishes and corals amid impossibly blue waters. This is the best snorkeling on the island for beginners. Here, you can learn about reef conservation efforts and the impact that over-tourism can cause on a fragile marine ecosystem.

Fun fact – Hanauma bay gets its name from two Hawaiin words: “hana” which means bay and “uma” which means curved. So, it literally means curved bay.

This curved bay has a long history in Hawaiin culture and was considered a fishing spot. It was also used by Hawaiin royalty in the 1800s for entertaining and fishing.

Interested in reading about my first-time experience snorkeling at Hanauma Bay where I saw uncountable fishes and a green sea turtle? Let me know in the comments below!

Fun fact – The mountain directly south of Hanauma Bay is fondly called Sleeping Dragon (as told by a local) due to its unmistakable resemblance!

If water adventures are your thing, consider adding the Big Island to your itinerary and checking out the resident manta rays there! This post walks you through everything you need to know about night time snorkeling with manta rays on the Big Island.

Lanai Lookout

After you have had your fill of snorkeling, drive up the Kalanianaʻole highway to the Lanai lookout for a quick pitstop. This viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the sea and the cliffs over which it is situated. On clear days, you can also see the islands of Lanai, Molokai, and Maui from this spot. You even can walk over to the stunning lava formations from the parking lot (be careful though).

Halona Blowhole

After you have had your fill of snorkeling, head over to Halona Blowhole. This might be one of Oahu’s best-kept secrets. You can park in the limited parking lot and watch the blowhole right from there.

The blowhole is a natural site created by lava tubes from volcanic activity thousands of years ago.

On the other side of the parking, you will be able to see a beach that you can access for a quick dip or sunning on the beach.

Spitting Caves

Next, head over to the fascinating Spitting caves. Parking will be on the street and you will need to hike a short way down to the rocks. Popular with cliff jumpers (though I would not endorse it!), this spot was teeming with cliff jumper watchers and a couple of Instagram-type guys who treated us with jumping off the cliffs twice. I had a heart-stopping moment when the first guy jumped off into the cerulean depths, but he bobbed up in a few seconds and I was able to breathe easier.

If you cannot get enough of cliff jumping, check out the China Walls a mile away. Containing mesmerizing lava cliffs that are popular with surfers and cliff jumpers, catch a stunning Hawaiin sunset there.

Day 5

Diamond Head hike

Today, you will start early for a short hike up to the ubiquitous Waikiki star – the Diamond Head. It is a volcanic cone crater from 300,000 years ago and you can take a trail to an edge of it.

Known as “Le’ahi” in Hawaiian, the climb to the top of Diamond Head and back is 1.8 miles and is a heavily trafficked trail. It is close to Waikiki and is a moderate hike.

Acai bowl

After your hike up, you will clearly deserve a delicious treat. Head over to the Da Cove Health Bar and Cove for a bowl of flavor-packed acai filled with antioxidants, fiber, and all good stuff. It is super refreshing after a hike.

Fun fact – You can also opt for an acai bowl in a half pineapple for the perfect Instagram photo at Hawaiin Crown Cafe at Waikiki!

Pearl Harbor

Next up, is an important part of American history at Pearl Harbor. You probably read in history that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941 inevitably stamping America’s entry to the war. Today, a memorial exists on top of the sunken ship. Another important historical point was that Japan surrendered at the USS Missouri battleship in Tokyo Bay, Pearl Harbor.

The main areas to visit at Pearl Harbor are the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The latter three are located on a nearby island called Fors Island. You can purchase a ticket to these venues at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Even though tickets to the USS Arizona memorial are free, they tend to sell out early during popular times of the year. Hence, I would recommend that you make a reservation ($1 per ticket) to the USS Arizona a week (or 24 hours) in advance if you are traveling during the high season. Note that you will need to take a ferry ride to the memorial from the visitor center.

I did not reserve the ticket in advance and missed out on this venue. But it is on the top of my list for the next time I visit Oahu!

Day 6

Snorkeling or scuba diving tour

If you have not had enough water activities so far (I did not!), opt for a snorkeling tour that will take you to the deep waters of the seas to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. These tours offer you the opportunity to go to deeper waters from the coastline and experience snorkeling at turtle cleaning stations (to see some giant cool turtles) and swimming with dolphins.

We opted for a turtle snorkeling session with Port Waikiki Cruises and it did not disappoint! We sailed off the beach of Waikiki to a turtle cleaning station where we viewed three turtles busy spa-ing (is that a word?) themselves.

If you are interested in learning to scuba dive, you can opt for a guided scuba diving session with an instructor.

Rainbow Drive in

After this strenuous activity, go for a traditional Hawaiin plate at the famous Rainbow Drive In. Hawaiin plates typically encompass big portions of grilled meats with a scoop of rice and mac and cheese salad. You can even opt for a fish plate with similar sides. And you already know that the fish in Hawaii is heavenly!

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens

Alright, where do I begin? The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens was the singular best location for pictures with the Koolau Mountains of Oahu. Do you know those IG photos of Hawaii that leave you with your jaws on the floor? That’s what you will see at these gardens!

This place is what dreams are made of, and I must have taken over a thousand pictures here! RIP, phone storage. The majestic mountains with impossibly sharp-looking ridges and a pointed top clearly demonstrate the volcanic origins of this island.

On your way back to Waikiki, you will probably drive on the Pali highway with its stunning views of mountains. Stop at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout for a panoramic view of the mountains and Kailua coastline.

Day 7

So, your last day in Oahu has arrived. Go for a short, rewarding hike, and sample some of the best foods Hawaii has to offer before you head off to the airport.

Go on the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail

If you want to stretch your legs before your probably long flight, go for a short hike to Maka-upu lighthouse. You will be rewarded with this stunning view.

One of the more popular trails in Oahu, the Makapu’u lighthouse hike is easy-moderate and has a paved trail from the parking lot to the top. Start early though, since it gets warm quickly and offers no shade on the way. It is about 2.5 miles out and back. It includes some of the most stunning views of the Kaiwai shoreline and the Makapu’u beach. You will want to stop often on the trail to take photos of the stunning vistas.

If you travel during the whale watching season, spend some time at the top. You may be rewarded with views of humpback whales!

Grab some manapua from Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery

Now, on to some food! Swing by Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery for some amazing baked and steamed manapuas as well as other Chinese sweets. A manapua is a fluffy bun filled with a sweet or savory filling. Similar to the char siu bao, manapua is a bigger and sweeter version that was introduced to Hawaiians by Chinese immigrants. A myriad of fillings is available to pick from such as pork (most popular), chicken, sweet potato, taro, etc.

Pick up Malasada from Leonard’s Bakery

Alternately, or in addition, pick up a few malasadas for the flight or to eat immediately from Leonard’s Bakery. Malasada is a Portuguese fluffy, fried ball of yummy goodness. If there is one fried sweet treat you need to treat yourself within Hawaii, it is this!

Similar to doughnuts, it comes with a dusting of powdered sugar (reminded me of French beignets I tried in NOLA). Leonard’s Bakery offers a mouth-watering selection of original (no filling) and puffs with fillings, including haupia, guava, and custard.

Day 8

So, your last day in Oahu has arrived! Don’t be sad, you will still have an awesome time.

Koko Head Crater trail

Check out the Koko Head Crater trail. It is strenuous but rewarding, and I would recommend it only if you can go early in the morning. Since the trail does not contain much vegetation, the midday sun looked brutal on hikers I saw slowly making the 1000 plus steps climb at 80 degrees heat.

Note that this trail is located close to Hanauma bay. So if you’re up for it, you can also hike it early in the morning on Day 4, and then hit up Hanauma to cool off.

When I go back to Oahu, I will definitely check out this hike just for the epic Instagram videos!

You may have also heard about the Stairway to Heaven (or Haiku Stairs) as a famous (or infamous) hike at Oahu. Bear in mind that it is considered illegal and comes with a cool $1000 fine! So best to avoid it – like I did (which was absolutely because of the fine, and had nothing to do with my stamina 😉 )!

Hit the beach (again)

I love ending my tropical vacations by hanging out at the closest beach to soak up some sun. it is an awesome way to bring your incredible vacation to an end. If you’re staying at Waikiki, look no further than Waikiki beach. Indulge in a mai tai, while you’re at it. 😉

Get ready for your flight

Now that your vacation is drawing to a close, get ready for your flight. Don’t forget to pack your carry on bag using these tips here. Also, grab a souvenir so you can fondly look back at your vacation later.

And that is where I ended my Oahu trip. I returned with loads and loads of pictures and videos, and one too many souvenirs! And woke up the other day craving poke, haha.

Are 8 days in Oahu sufficient time?

Spending 8 days in Oahu is sufficient to see all the main sights, explore the island and have an awesome time. In this time, you will be able to hit the main hiking trails, sample delicious cuisine from the popular joints and check out the most frequented spots. Just follow this guide, mark them in your Google Maps app, and you’re set!

Just make sure to plan and book all the tickets that you can. Case in point, the Pearl Harbor museum, the tickets to which you will not get last minute.

If you have more time than one week, take a ferry and go check out another island in Hawaii.

Getting around Oahu

Like all the Hawaiian islands, the best and the easiest way to get around the island is to rent a car. It is super convenient and you can build your own route and stop where you please. Nothing quite beats the independence that having a car will afford you.

However, in cities like Waikiki and Honolulu, you can get away without a car, thanks to the bus system. You can also utilize Uber or other ride-sharing apps to get around in the city areas.

What to pack for Oahu

You should pack the following items for your 8 day Oahu itinerary:

Reef-safe Sunscreen and sunglasses – Especially important during summer when temperatures soar
Bug Spray – Like all tropical locations, bug bites are relatively common in Oahu. Grab some bug spray at a department store

Hiking shoes – If you plan on doing some hiking, don’t forget to pack your favorite pair! In Hawaii, make sure the shoes are water resistant as it rains often.
Rain jacket – Speaking of rain, pack a light rain jacket. The cool thing about Oahu (and Hawaii in general) is that the rain does not cause a drop in temperature. So, make sure your rain jacket is not thick.

For a complete Hawaii packing list, and a free printable checklist, check out this article.

Now that you are all set with your packing list and have marked all the places you want to hit up in Google maps, sit back, relax and listen to some Hawaii tunes on Spotify. Start dreaming of your island trip and know that it will be an unforgettable one.

Mahalo for reading!