3 Day O’ahu Itinerary: Perfect Plan for Your First Visit!
Want to plan a vacation to Hawaiian paradise? While other islands in Hawaii are popular too, O’ahu is often the first spot many people think of because it’s home to the capital city of Honolulu and the famed high rises of the neighborhood Waikiki.
And it’s a great place to start too! On O’ahu you’ll find Hawaiian history, popular beaches, and some beautiful areas of the island especially if you venture beyond Waikiki!
So, if you have 3 days in O’ahu, here’s a great itinerary!
Wondering if 3 days is enough? While you can definitely spend more time in O’ahu and find plenty to do, I felt that three days was a perfect amount of time to get a feel for the island and then move on to another island.
Recommended reading: Check out this list of books about Hawaii before you go!
Visiting O’ahu – What To Book
Where to Stay
- Luxury – Halekulani
- Mid-Tier – Hyatt Regency Waikiki
- Budget-Friendly – Wayfinder Waikiki
Rent a Car
- Find the best car rental deals on Discount Hawaii Car Rentals (we used them to save hundreds on our Hawaii rental cars!)
Advanced Reservations Needed
- Diamond Head State Monument
- USS Arizona Tour Time
- Iolani Palace Tickets
- Waimea Valley
- Kualoa Ranch Tour
- Hanauma Bay Entrance
- Luau Reservation
- Any dinner reservations
3 Day O’ahu Itinerary
Day 1: Honolulu History and Landmarks
Today we’ll focus on Honolulu, seeing some of the history and landmarks and having some of Waikiki’s best food!
And I’ll level with you: I don’t have any Waikiki beach time here. Because I’ll be honest…I was NOT impressed with Waikiki’s beach area. It was super crowded and just kind of…meh. I LOVED watching the surfers here, but we’re going to save the best beach time for when we go to the North Shore on Day 2.
Morning: Hike Diamond Head
If you’re coming from the US, the time change is going to feel like a pretty big difference. (From Pacific Time to Honolulu Time there’s a 2 hour time difference.) Which means you’re probably going to wake up naturally early.
Which means you can take advantage of your early wake up and hike up Diamond Head for sunrise! This is one of the most popular spots to hike for sunset!
Diamond Head State Monument is a large crater located just east of Waikiki. It’s a prominent area landmark (you can see it from all over the place), was once used by the military, and is now a popular place to hike (especially for sunrise).
Here’s what you need to know about visiting:
- Book your entrance and parking ahead of time. You have to have an entry ticket to access Diamond Head. You can make these reservations 30 days in advance. I also recommend booking parking. (Entry is $5 per person while parking is $10 per vehicle.) There were lots of people who were walking up from other nearby parking, but the hike is already not super easy and the walk is pretty long. So I recommend taking advantage of parking there if you can.
- Get there at least 15 minutes before the gate opens. When we arrived about this early, there was already a line of cars waiting to get in to the Diamond Head parking area. Once the gate opens we were able to get through, park, and start our hike up.
- The hike isn’t easy. It is pretty much all gradually uphill, and I definitely had to take breaks to rest. But the views are worth it!
- It’s going to be crowded! Hiking Diamond Head at sunrise means a steady stream of people on the trail. There’s nothing wrong with this (it’s popular for a reason!) but just know this going in. You’re NOT going to have a quiet hiking experience.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on sunrise times for your trip. At different times of the year, the sunrise may be later or earlier than the time the park opens.
Mid-Morning: Pearl Harbor
After your morning hike up Diamond Head, I recommend heading back to your hotel for a quick change. We actually went back and changed clothes and had breakfast at the hotel. Then head to Pearl Harbor.
If you are unfamiliar with US history or slept through both history class (and the movies of 2001), here’s a little refresher. Pearl Harbor is a US military base, and it’s where the Japanese attacked the United States on December 7, 1941, which brought the US into World War II. Over 2,000 Americans were killed.
Today you can visit the site to both learn more about the history and see the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona Memorial sits above the sunken USS Arizona and pays tribute to those who lost their lives.
While you can pay for access to other areas and tours, we chose to just do the free offerings at Pearl Harbor, and I thought there was plenty to see. There are several small museum areas in the Visitor Center area, and you can take the boat to visit the USS Arizona Memorial.
Important Note: Although visiting the USS Arizona is free, you DO have to reserve a time in advance.
You can also chose to tour the USS Battleship Missouri, The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, or the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. But these cost money. And like I said, I thought the free museums at the Visitor Center gave us a great experience! So unless you really want to dive deep into Pearl Harbor and spend even more of your day there, I’d skip those.
Lunch: Rainbow Drive-In
For lunch, head the Rainbow Drive-In. We went to the location closer to Waikiki on Kanaina, but there is also a location closer to Pearl Harbor on North School Street.
Here, you can get a classic Hawaiian plate lunch. This a must-try Hawaiian meat-and-three dish of rice, macaroni salad, and a meat option.
I got the Loco Moco here and thought it was excellent! Loco Moco is a Hawaiian dish consisting of rice topped with a hamburger bun, fried eggs, and gravy. If you’ve never had it before, it may sound a little unusual, but trust me. It’s so good!
Afternoon: Iolani Palace
For the afternoon head to Iolani Palace to learn more about Hawaii’s Royal history. Hawaii had a monarchy from 1795 until 1895, when Queen Lili’uokalani was arrested and imprisoned in Iolani Palace by the United States as US actors overthrew the monarchy.
When we visited, I had just finished reading Queen Lil’uokalani’s memoir Hawaii’s Story by Hawaii’s Queen, so I was super interested to see the palace where she was imprisoned and step into the real-life history of what happened.
Iolani Palace is absolutely beautiful, and while touring it you will learn more about it’s construction, the history of the Hawaiian Royal Family, and the overthrow of the monarchy.
To visit, you’ll want to book tickets online. Self-led audio tours are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; while docent-led tours are offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
And one note: You will be given disposable shoe-coverings to wear on your feet to protect the beautiful flooring and carpets of the palace.
There are also a few sites nearby you may want to check out:
- Washington Place — Queen Lili’uokalani’s home that then became the official governor’s residence until a new one was built behind it in 2002. You can tour it, and it’s located just a few blocks behind Iolani Palace.
- Queen Lili’uokalani Statue — Located behind Iolani Palace before you get to the courthouse. It’s a life-size statue of her, and you’ll often find her decorated with leis people have left.
- King Kamehameha the Great Statue — Located across the street from Iolani Palace, this statue pays tribute to Kamehameha, who united Hawaii.
- Kawaiaha’o Church — The oldest church in Hawaii. It is constructed of coral rocks. You can just stop by to see the outside.
Late Afternoon: Leonard’s Bakery
For a mid-afternoon treat, head to Leonard’s Bakery for a favorite O’ahu treat – malasadas.
Malasadas are Portuguese donuts that are often stuffed with different fillings. And Leonard’s Bakery is famous for them!
They are so delicious! We got all kinds of varieties to try including original, cinnamon sugar, custard, and dobash (chocolate). And every single one was delicious.
Then head back to your hotel for a rest, because we’ve had a busy day so far!
Evening: Tantalus Lookout
For evening, head to Tantalus Lookout for sunset. It’s part of Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Park and it’s GORGEOUS up here! You can see Diamond Head, the skyline of Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and even planes coming in and out of the airport!
Lots of people bring picnics up here to sit in the large grassy area and eat as they watch the sunset.
Entrance is free, but note that it closes at 6:45. You’ll need to make sure you are out of the park by then so you don’t get locked in!
Dinner: Marugame Udon
For dinner, head into downtown Waikiki for dinner at Marugame Udon. This spot is famous for their Japanese noodles and tempura. And because it’s so beloved, it will probably have a line out the door!
But trust me: It’s worth it AND the line moves fast! In fact, when we got in line, we were outside the door on the other side of the sidewalk (they have it taped off in sections on both sides). But I think we were ordering our food within 20 minutes or so.
You get your food by going down a kind of buffet line and telling the servers what you want on your tray.
Of course the best thing to get here are the Udon and I loved my simple Kake noodles. But I also loved that they have lots of plain items for kids and pickier Chicken Katsu. And I actually think my favorite thing at the whole meal was the Potato Croquette!
Day 2: North Shore Road Trip
Today we’re going to leave Waikiki behind and head on a road trip to Oahu’s North Shore!
The North Shore of O’ahu is known for small beach towns, beautiful beaches, and huge winter waves for surfers. And like I said, I wasn’t super impressed by Waikiki’s beaches…but this is a place where you can really look around and soak in those relaxing, tropical vibes of Hawaii.
The North Shore is about a one-hour drive from Waikiki. So I recommend grabbing a quick breakfast and heading out early to make the most of your day. (Again though, if your body still isn’t adjusted to the time change, waking up early shouldn’t be an issue!)
Morning: Waimea Bay Beach & Sharks Cove
My two favorite stops in the North Shore for beaches are Waimea Bay Beach and Sharks Cove. They are two very different beach vibes and both so beautiful.
Waimea Bay Beach is located 5 miles north of the small town of Haleiwa. I recommend hitting this one first, because there is not a ton of parking and it can get pretty crowded. There is a bathhouse with showers and changing spaces, so you can wait to change into your swimsuit here if you want to.
Then just enjoy the beach! It’s a beautiful spot and while there are waves, it is still swimmable (unlike some other places along North Shore like Laniakea Beach). Do be careful though! The waves can still be pretty strong here (I did have one scary moment where I didn’t get past one fast enough and it pulled me down for a minute). So definitely keep a very close eye on kiddos here.
After some time at Waimea Bay Beach, head to Sharks Cove. It’s about a 5 minute drive north in Pupukea and this is a totally different experience. (And if you have little kids, you will probably want to spend more time here!).
Sharks Cove is a great area for snorkeling, but the area you’ll want to focus on are the tidepools protected by rocks. It’s an area that has created a kind of little lagoon for snorkeling and swimming. There were lots of people snorkeling here you can see some various sea life. But it’s also just a such a nice place to swim in the calm water.
Pro Tip: Wear water shoes or sandals (like Chacos) while you swim here because there are a lot of sharp volcano rocks!
Lunch: North Shore Food Trucks
The North Shore of O’ahu is well-known for their food truck scene. So stop at one of these to get lunch.
We ate at Seven Brothers right across the street from Sharks Cove in a little food truck park and it was EXCELLENT. The burgers were SO good. And don’t miss the giant chocolate chip cookie.
But there are also lots of other food truck options in the area:
- Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck — The classic North Shore spot!
- Mike’s Huli Chicken — Hawaiian BBQ chicken!
- Surf N’ Salsa — A great spot for Mexican food!
Afternoon: Waimea Valley
Next up, head to Waimea Valley (not to be confused with Waimea Canyon on the island of Kuai).
Waimea Valley is a beautiful park that features a lovely walking trail through a lush forest, historical exhibits, and a gorgeous waterfall where you can swim!
When you get there, you’ll enter through the Visitor Center where you’ll find restrooms, restaurants, and a gift shop. Beyond that you’ll go through the ticket booth and start you walk to Waimea Falls.
The trail is about .75-miles and completely paved. There are some hills along the way, but it’s not difficult.
Along the way there is so much to see! Waimea Valley has done a great job highlighting local flora and preserving Hawaiian culture. Be sure to check out the traditional Hawaiian houses and cultural sites along the way.
At the end, you’ll reach Waimea, where you can swim. There is a stand where you will have to pick up a life jacket (you are not allowed to swim without a life jacket!), and there are some shaded bleachers were people who don’t want to swim can sit. The water is cold, but after a hot walk up the trail it feels great!
You’ll need to book your tickets ahead of time because this is a super popular spot!
Late Afternoon: Haleiwa and Matsumoto Shave Ice
After you time at Waimea Canyon, head to Haleiwa. This is a small beach town about 10 minutes from Waimea Valley (you drove through it on your way in). And it’s so adorable! Honestly, I wish we could have spent more time here!
In Haleiwa you’ll find shops and restaurants. Plus you’ll definitely want to stop at Matsumoto Shave Ice for THE BEST shave ice on the island!
At Matsumoto there WILL be a line, but I promise it’s worth it. This was by far my favorite shave ice I had on my entire trip. I just got it plain, but getting it topped with condensed milk or ice cream is also super popular. They also have azuki beans as another unique topping.
Dinner: Hula Grill Waikiki
Head back to Waikiki to freshen up, and then head to dinner at Hula Grill. This spot is what I like to think of as the quintessential Waikiki spot, like vintage 1960s Waikiki.
We were so lucky to get to a table on the balcony looking out over the ocean with the tiki torches and hearing the music being played below at Duke’s (Hula Grill’s sister restaurant).
The food here is FANTASTIC too! I got the filet steak and loved every bite of it. And be sure to get their specialty for dessert: Hula Pie!
Reservations are needed!
Day 3: Windward Coast Adventures
Today we’re going to head to the east coast of O’ahu to explore more of the island! While Honolulu is full of tourist attractions and the North Shore has the beautiful beaches and chill beach towns, the Windward Coast is home to the lush mountains that are absolutely stunning!
Morning: Kualoa Ranch
For the morning, take a tour at Kualoa Ranch!
You might recognize this spot from TV because it’s where they’ve filmed lots of shows and movies like LOST, Jurassic World, Kong Skull Island and more thanks to the absolutely incredible scenery of the rippled mountains and deep Hawaiian valleys.
There are lots of different tours you can take here, but some of the most popular are the Hollywood Movie Sites Tour, the Zipline Tour, and the UTV tours.
We did the Jurassic Adventure Tour which I LOVED. We rode in a kind of jeep/truck-like vehicle and got to see up close several of the spots where Jurassic Park and Jurassic World scenes were filmed, including the log the kids hide behind during a stampede in Jurassic Park, the launch site for the Gyrosphere Ride in Jurassic World, and the Indominus Rex paddock. (This is the only tour where you get to go to the Indominus Rex paddock!)
The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that we didn’t get to go in the WWII bunker to see the LOST props (you get to do this on the Hollywood Movie Sites tour). But I’m still really glad this is the tour we did!
(Note: It’s a SUPER bumpy ride, so if you have a back injury or are pregnant, you will probably want to opt for a different tour.)
Lunch: Poi Factory
After your morning at Kualoa Ranch, stop for lunch down the street at Waiahole Poi Factory.
This is a roadside restaurant perfect for getting some traditional Hawaiian food. The thing to get here is, of course, Poi, which is a smooth pureed taro root side. I got the Kalua Pig and dipped it in the Poi and I loved it!
They also really recommended the Squid Lu’au to us, which was a little much for me, but which Gerrit loved.
Afternoon: Snorkeling or History
For the afternoon I’ve got two excellent choices for you: What WE did and what MOST people will probably want to do.
Bishop Museum
First, what we did, which was to go to the Bishop Museum for some more Hawaiian history. This spot is on your way back into Waikiki, so this is a great time to visit.
The Bishop Museum is full of Polynesian history and also has a Native Hawaiian Garden and a Science Center.
We spent the most time in the Hawaiian Hall, where the each floor tells a different part of the history: the first floor is about Hawaiian legends, the middle floor is about the people of Hawaii, and the third floor is about the gods and spirituality. It’s a beautiful building, and it all opens up to the center atrium where you can see and giant whale replica and traditional Hawaiian buildings.
My favorite thing to see here was the ‘Ahu’ula—feather cloaks worn by chiefs made from feathers of birds that are now extinct.
You can buy tickets in advance, but we had no problem buying tickets the day of our visit.
Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay
The most popular thing to do instead, is probably to go snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. We skipped this because we knew we were going to be snorkeling in Maui a couple days later. But if this is your only chance to snorkel in Hawaii, take advantage of it!
Hanauma Bay is about an hour drive from Kualoa Ranch back in the direction of Waikiki (but a different way than you drove before). The entrance fee is $25 and you need to make a reservation 48 hours in advance. The reservations can go fast, so make sure you are online and ready to make them at 7:00 am two days before you plan to visit.
It closes at 4:00 and there’s no entrance after 2:00, so be sure to plan your time accordingly. Also, Hanauma Bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
You can rent snorkeling gear there, but it can be more expensive than renting it elsewhere. There are also restrooms, a concessions stand, and a tram to take visitors from the parking lots to the beach.
Dinner: Luau
For your last night in Hawaii, head to a Luau! Like the snorkeling, this is an activity we skipped on O’ahu because we were going to the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui later. But if this is your Luau chance, you’ll want to do it now!
There are tons of luaus in O’ahu, but some are better than others. Here are some top recommendations:
- Nutridge Luau — Known for being intimate and super authentic.
- Ahaaina Royal Hawaiian Luau — Set in front of the ocean with beautiful scenery.
- Diamond Head Luau — Located at the Waikiki aquarium and really focused on the food.
More Things To Do on O’ahu
Have more time in O’ahu? Here are some more things to do!
- Hike to Manoa Falls (Location: Honolulu) — Hike through about 1 mile through a bamboo forest to a 150-foot waterfall.
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Location: Windward Coast) — A moderately difficult hike with some of the best views.
- Hike Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail (Location: Windward Coast) — A 2 mile (round trip) hike along the coast.
- Visit Byodo-In Temple (Location: Windward Coast) — A Japanese temple tucked at the foot of beautiful mountains.
- Visit the Dole Plantation (Location: Near North Shore) — A popular spot for all things pineapples and you can get Dole soft serve (aka Dole Whip like at Disney!).
- Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center (Location: North Shore) — A popular tourist spot to learn more about Polynesian history. To be honest, we skipped this because I got some weird vibes researching it.
Where to Stay on O’ahu
There are SO MANY places to stay on O’ahu. Here are a few options in Waikiki for each price range:
Luxury
- Halekulani — Oceanfront resort with views of Diamondhead and clean, modern spaces.
- The Royal Hawaiian Resort — A Waikiki landmark recognized by its pink exterior.
- Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa — A luxury Marriott property in a historic Waikiki hotel.
Mid-Tier
- Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa — This is where we stayed and it was great! It’s across the street from the beach and the beachfront rooms had great views.
- Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach — A few blocks from the beach, but another great Hyatt property with sleek rooms and a rooftop pool.
- OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort — A modern Hawaiian hotel on Waikiki beach.
- Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani — A hotel by Halekulani (see the Luxury category above) across the street from the beach.
Budget Friendly
- Wayfinder Waikiki — A popular hotel with lots of personality located a few blocks from the beach.
- Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach — A standard Hyatt Place a few blocks from the beach. Plus breakfast is included!
More Places to Eat on O’ahu
There are so many great spots to eat on O’ahu and we’ve just covered a handful of them here. If you’re looking for more ideas, here are more great restaurants on O’ahu:
- Helena’s Hawaiian Food — Another popular spot for traditional Hawaiian dishes.
- Ono Seafood — A great place to go for poke.
- Duke’s — Hula Grill’s sister restaurant, with a slightly more lively atmosphere.
- Steak Shack Waikiki — Beachfront food kiosk in Waikiki.
- Pit Stop Waikiki — A food truck nestled in a Waikiki Alley with an air-conditioned dining room next to it. We ate here and LOVED it. I especially loved my chicken pesto sliders.
Getting to O’ahu
To get to O’ahu, you’ll most likely be flying (unless you’re taking a cruise that ends there).
The O’ahu airport (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport) is located about 20 minutes from Waikiki. To get from the airport to your accommodations you can take a ride-share service like Uber, or rent a car.
Getting Around O’ahu
To see the best spots in O’ahu included in this itinerary, you will DEFINITELY need a rental car. While you could spend most of your time in one spot on O’ahu, the island is so much broader than Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, so rent a car to get out and about.
Essential O’ahu Items to Pack
Obviously you’ll want to bring your normal things on your Hawaii trip, like beachy clothes, swimsuits, toiletries, and sandals. But here are a few more things you should think about packing!
- Towels — Your hotel will likely provide towels for you at the pool, but you’ll also want some towels as you explore other parts of the island. I love these light-weight towels that pack easy.
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen — Using reef-safe sunscreen is the law in Hawaii! And actually if you travel to Maui, you can only use mineral sunscreen. I thought this was a great budget-friendly option that worked for us on both islands.
- Reusable Water Bottles — Bring your own water bottle and fill it up at the hotel!
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