Hawaii is a beautiful collection of islands located in the Central Pacific. It consists of eight main islands, namely, Hawaii (also known as the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. Each island offers its own unique landscapes, attractions, and cultural experiences.
I was able to enjoy the island Oahu for 10 days. It is an amazing place with endless adventures to be had! I wish I had more time to explore everything the island offered but I fit as much as I could in the time we did have.
Where to stay:
There is so many different options and areas to stay within Oahu. Our trip was about 10 days total and we were lucky enough to travel all over the island. We did get a hotel in two different areas on the island.
- We stayed in the Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club. Which is more on the West side of the island about 45 minutes away from Honolulu. This was an area far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the Waikiki area but still close enough if you wanted to adventure into the Honolulu. The hotel is located ocean front where they have 3 amazing lagoons that other hotels share: the Aulani Disney Resort and the Four Seasons Resorts.
2. The second half of the trip we adventured into Honolulu and stayed in the Hilton Hawaiian Village at The Ali’i which is one of there ocean front towers. The Hilton is a great place to stay if it is within your budget and there is so many different towers that you can check out. I do think the Ali’i and the Rainbow tower are the nicer towers in the village since they are both oceanfront. The Ali’i does have its own pool only for the guest staying in the tower along with its own check out desk which is the only tower that offers those amenities. This is located more on the south side of the island
If I were to go back I would like to stay on the east side of the island close to Lanikai. This was my favorite areas. I think this area offered the best beaches, it was more lush in its landscape and less crowded than the Honolulu side. But there is less places to stay in this area. Most of the places to stay are going to be air bnbs.
What to do:
When going to Oahu there is just so much to do, the options are endless. Here are some of the things we did but not everything you can do on the island.
- Hiking: There is so many different hikes and places that you can explore through out Hawaii. Using AllTrails is always a great idea when trying to find different hikes that are close to you and to find the trail heads.
- Exploring North shore: North shore is a really cool area with a lot of shops and restaurants. The Waimea Bay beach and the North shore area is where you will find the really big waves that Hawaii is known for and the Waimea Bay beach is where we went to watch the waves. It is not an area where you want to get into the water, the waves are strong and they can be very dangerous.Â
- Go to Waimea Falls: this is Botanical Garden with a lot of Hawaiian History that you will be able to learn about it also has a trail to a waterfall where you can swim underneath. $25 per person to enter.Â
- Snorkeling: It is so easy to find an amazing spot to snorkel. There is so many beaches that you are able to just walk into the ocean and see amazing sea life.
- Explore all the Beaches: Hawaii is an island so obviously it is surround on every side by water so there is plenty of beaches to see. Our favorite was the Lankai beaches but Waikiki has great beaches just more busy.
- Dole plantation: This is a must see! This is a Pineapple Plantation where you can get there famous Dole whip and the plantation offers different activities that you are able to do on the property such as walking through the botanical garden, a maze, and a train that takes you through the fields.
- China Walls: A cliff where you can take a leap into the water, and it’s a popular spot for locals to showcase their backflips and diving skills. It can be dangerous due to the big waves that hit the rocks. You just have to park on the street close to the entrance.
- Kualoa Ranch: I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing the Kualoa Ranch is. It’s a stunning place that requires taking a tour to explore, and it has been the filming location for countless movies and shows. We opted for the Hollywood tour, which included lunch and Catamaran ride. It was a comprehensive package at a cost of $120 per person. The Ranch also offers a variety of other exciting activities, such as ATV tours, zip lines, and access to their hidden beach.
- Byodo-In temple: This is a delightful little stop that won’t take up much of your time. It is a Buddhist temple where you can immerse yourself in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. The entrance fee is just $5 per person
- Explore your Resort: If you choose to stay at a large resort, like we did, there is an abundance of activities and attractions to explore within the property. Since you have already paid for your stay, it is definitely worth taking advantage of all the amenities and experiences available to you.
- Luau: When visiting Hawaii, experiencing a Luau is a must-do activity. With numerous options to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which one to attend. During our trip, we had the pleasure of attending Chief’s Luau, which offered an unforgettable experience at a cost of $140 per person.
- Hanauma Bay: A breathtakingly nature preserve that offers a pristine beach and stunning snorkeling opportunities. To visit this popular destination, it is important to make reservations in advance. Reservations are available two days prior to the desired date and cost $25 per person.
- Pearl Harbor: A place of great historical significance with a range of attractions to explore. One notable memorial worth visiting is the USS Arizona. To access the memorial, it is advisable to secure reservations in advance. However, if you are unable to obtain a reservation, there is a standby line available for visitors. This line offers an opportunity to try and gain access to the memorial, ensuring that everyone has a chance to pay their respects and learn about this important part of history.
- Kayaking/ Paddling: Exploring the island’s stunning coastline is made even more enjoyable by the abundance of places where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards. One popular spot to engage in these activities is the picturesque area around Lankia
- Explore the malls: Honolulu boasts an array of impressive malls, featuring a plethora of renowned luxury brands conveniently situated under one roof.
- Surfing: Hawaii is known for its waves and surfing. There are multiple places that you will find that offer surf lessons.
- Boat tours: You can do multiple different boat tours around the island such as snorkeling and sunset cruises.
Hikes:
There was not enough time in my trip to hit every hike that I wanted to do on the trip but the hikes I was able to do was:
Koko Crater: This was the hardest hikes we did while in Hawaii. It was a 1.6 mile hike with 912 ft of elevation that is straight up. There is no shade, so I recommend doing it either early in the morning or later in the day when the heat isn’t as bad. You will hit over 1,000 railroad ties that are like stairs to get to the top. But you will have a 360 degree view of the island and on a clear day can see other Hawaiian islands. You do not have to pay to do this hike.
Diamond Head: This is one of the more famous hikes that does require a reservation to enter. It is $10 to park and $5 to enter. Diamond Head is 1.9 mile hike with 515 ft of elevation. Much easier than Koko Crater with great views.
Lanikai Pillbox: This is a 0.9 mile hike was 393ft of elevation. This is not a bad hike but there are some steeper parts that makes it more difficult and you may have to use ropes. You see two Pillboxes which is military look out that was used during World War II.
Waimea Falls: This is a very easy paved walk. It does cost $25 per person to enter but you get to explore the whole grounds and end up at a waterfall you can swim under. It is 1.9 mile trail.
The trails that I wish I could have done was Monao Falls & Light house.
Food:
Lanikai Juice: They have delicious smoothies and Acai bowls.
Sunny grill: A tiny little breakfast in Honolulu with really good biscuit and gravy.
Pai Cafe: This establishment recently opened its doors, but it is already known for serving delicious Acai bowls and coffee!
North Shore Shrimp Truck: Best garlic shrimp that I have ever had!!
Monkeypod: Located beside our first hotel where I tried the fish and chips.
Marugame Udon: Japanese noodle restaurant that you should definitely try. It offers a delicious selection of udon noodles, and the prices are very reasonable.
Mekiko Cantina: There is also a Mexican restaurant conveniently situated across from the first hotel. While it may not offer anything extraordinary, it provides a convenient option for those seeking a meal in close proximity to their accommodations.
Roys Restaurant at Koolina: Right beside our first hotel. I ordered the butter fish and it was incredibly delicious.
Waikiki Food hall: It is situated, if I recall correctly, on the 3rd floor of the mall. It might be a little challenging to locate, but once inside, there are numerous diverse establishments for everyone to explore.
Eating House 1849: Similarly, this restaurant is also situated within one of the malls. Surprisingly, the appetizers we ordered surpassed the quality of our main course
Kono’s Northshore: This BBQ establishment is conveniently located near Lanikai. It is absolutely exceptional and definitely worth a visit!
Aloha Salads: When you’re in the mood for a healthier choice like a salad, this place comes highly recommended. I opted for a wrap and it surpassed my expectations in terms of taste and quality!
Aloha Mamicitas : They offer a variety of desserts, and we indulged in their delectable croissant rolls.
Dole Plantation: You need to go just for the Dole whip!
Leonards: The renowned Malasadas, a delightful fried bread filled with scrumptious fillings!
Uncle Clay, House of Pure aloha: There is so many different shaved ice places on the island but this was one of the best we found.
Itinerary:
This is how we spread out our trip. There is so much to do on the island that you will never be bored.
Day one: Check into the hotel and explore the hotel area.
Day two: We explored North Shore area and went to Waimea Valley, Pupukea area for lunch and eat at the North shore shrimp Truck. You can go across the street to Kapo’o and go snorkeling. Head to Waimea Bay Beach then explore the Dole plantation.
Day Three: We went snorkeling in the morning at Electric Beach. Then headed to Koko Crater. Get shaved Ice. And jumped off the China Walls.
Day Four: Did a tour at Kualoa Ranch. Then saw the Byodo-in temple. Changed hotels and moved to the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Day five: Finally relaxed and enjoyed the resort.
Day six: We hiked up Diamond Head.
Day seven: We did the Pillbox trail and enjoyed the Lanikai beach.
Day Eight: Since Lanikai Beach was our favorite we went back and then headed to our Luau.
Day Nine: Snorkeled at Hanauma Bay early in the morning. Saw Pearl Harbor & Battle ship Missouri later in the day.
Day Ten: Went home 😦
Things to Know:
- If you can rent a car. You will be able to explore the island so much easier!
- To maximize your experience in Oahu, it’s highly recommended to book activities and accommodations ahead of time. With the island being a popular tourist destination, availabilities can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. By planning ahead and securing reservations in advance, you will ensure that you have access to the best options and won’t miss out on any exciting opportunities.
- Plan out your trip so you get the most out of your time. I like to have some what of an itinerary when I go places so that I get the best out of my vacation!
Up to the Sky 
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