Oahu

Mar 11

Flight into Oahu and check in at hotel.
Explore and shop in Waikiki. Make sure to stop at Leonard’s Bakery for malasadas, a Portuguese sweet fried dough that is popular in Hawaii.
Grab dinner at Yanagi Sushi, reservations required.

Start the morning with breakfast at Sweet E’s Cafe
Drive to Kahana Bay beach Park (50 min from Sweet E’s) and spend the morning at the beach. This beach is unique as you can see lush green mountains cascading on either side. Since this beach is a bit of a drive from Waikiki, it tends to have fewer crowds.
Grab lunch at Yummy Huli Huli Chicken (10 min drive from Kahana)
Explore the stunning, Kualoa Ranch. This 4,000-acre nature retreat is lined with Oahu’s iconic, lush green mountain range and has been a film location for dozens of movies, including Jurassic Park. There are so many ways to explore the ranch from ATVs, horse back riding, zip-lines, bike rides and hop on/off bus tours. I personally did the 2 hour ATV ride and it was incredible. You can book the ATV ride here, as well as any of the other excursions.

Spend the day exploring Oahu’s North Shore

Grab smoothie bowls at The Sunrise Shack (I recommend this specific location). Then walk across the street to Sunset Beach (2 min walk) and enjoy your breakfast with a gorgeous view.
Head down to Shark’s Cove for snorkeling (5 min drive). This is a nice snorkeling spot since the cove is surrounded by rocks, which block ocean waves, leaving mellow waters. There is no living coral here but there are some fish and a few sea turtles. I recommend bringing your own snorkel gear and fins/water shoes since the rocks around the cove are sharp. There is a shop to rent snorkel gear down the road if needed. There are several food trucks in the area to grab lunch after snorkeling.
Next stop, Laniakea beach (7 min drive). This beach is known for sea turtle sightings. You can often see them swimming in the water or if you’re lucky, see them sleeping on the shore.
Before leaving North Shore, you must stop by Matsumoto Shaved Ice. This spot is known for some of the best shaved ice on the island and they have so many flavor combinations to chose from.
You will likely have extra time on the North shore after completing these activities. Some optional stops include: exploring all the cute shops and local business around North Shore, Waimea Bay Beach, & Waimea Botanical Gardens/Falls.

Hike Manoa Falls. This gorgeous, rainforest hike is a must do when visiting Oahu. The trail is 1.6 miles and is a moderate difficulty hike. There is a parking lot right at the base of the trail for $7 per car. BRING BUG SPRAY! Since this hike is through a rainforest, it is very humid and muddy. There are mosquitos and you will need bug spray with you to reapply throughout the hike.
Drive to Kailua Beach and spend the rest of the day here (40 min). This is one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches since it has perfectly soft, fluffy sand and vibrant turquoise water. The waves here tend to be some of the most mild on the island making this a great swimming beach. Right down the road, there is also Lanikai Beach which is very similar. This beach is smaller but has small islands out in the ocean which can make for a cool view. You can always explore both beaches on the same day or just stick to one.

Hike Diamond Head. This hike is known for its panoramic views of Oahu and downtown Waikiki. The hike is 1.6 miles and does require a reservation which can be obtained here. If you’re looking for a to-go breakfast on the way to Diamond Head, check out Diamond Head Market & Grill. They are known for their homemade scones and other pastries.
Go on a snorkeling boat tour. The best snorkeling in Oahu will be found away from shore, as unfortunately, most of the coral in the reefs right off the coast of Oahu are dead. When snorkeling, it is important to wear reef safe sunscreen and not touch any coral or marine life to help protect these reef systems. There are several companies that can take you out to great snorkeling spots. One highly rated company is Dolphin Excursions. They do not offer swimming with wild dolphins, as this is illegal in Hawaii, but they do guarantee dolphin sightings from the boat and allow you to swim in reefs with other marine life.
Have dinner at Duke’s Waikiki. This restaurant is on the pricier side and does require reservations weeks in advance. It is right on Waikiki beach, with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, and has live music every night. I’d recommend ordering the macadamia nut humus, sauteed mac nut & herb crusted fresh fish, vintage mai tai, and hula pie (which is huge, can split between a few people).

Start the day at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. This historical landmark offers sweeping views of Oahu and Kailua Beach, and is also the site of the infamous Battle of Nuuanu.
Head to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens (20 min drive from Pali lookout). This massive garden is home to thousands of tropical plants from all around the world. It also houses a giant Koi fish pond and up close views of the mountains.
Grab takeout lunch at Adela’s Country Eatery and eat it at Kāneʻohe Beach Park (15 min drive). Make sure to call ahead to place an order, as this place can get busy, and try one of their Hawaiian sun drinks!
Next stop, Makapuu Beach Park (30 min drive) This is one of my favorite beaches on Oahu. This beautiful beach has great sand, no crowds and lush mountains stretching along the beach. Depending on the time of year, the waves here can be a bit strong for swimming. However, the beach is known for body boarding which can be done all year long.
One last optional stop, is Waiʻalae Beach Park. This laid back beach has nice views and no crowds. If you catch it after it rains, you may even see a rainbow.

Jessi Frachetti