With its lush green mountains, turquoise bays and laid-back surf culture, O’ahu is the kind of place that makes you feel instantly on holiday. Known as “The Gathering Place”, this island is the heart of Hawaiʻi where vibrant city life in Honolulu blends seamlessly with incredible natural beauty.
In this 1 week O’ahu itinerary we’ll take you from the streets of Waikīkī to the North Shore, mixing in adventure-filled days with more relaxed time to soak in the island vibes.
You’ll find recommendations for activities, food and boutique accommodation that gives you a more personal stay than the big resorts the island is known for. All of the recommendations are based on our experience visiting the island. Let’s dive in!
1 Week O’ahu Itinerary: Know Before You Go
When to visit O’ahu
O’ahu has warm weather year-round with daytime temperatures usually sitting between 24°C and 30°C.
The busiest season is from mid-December to early April, when many visitors escape colder climates for Hawaiʻi’s sunshine.
Summer (May to September) brings calmer ocean conditions on the southern shores which is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, while the North Shore sees massive waves in winter that attract world-class surfers.
If you want the best of both worlds for your O’ahu itinerary, spring (April to May) and autumn (September to November) offer fewer crowds, great weather and lower accommodation prices. We visited in August and had beautiful sunny weather every day and since we don’t mind the heat it was perfect for us!
How to get around O’ahu
While there is a public bus service, the easiest way to make the most of your 1 week O’ahu itinerary is by hiring a car. This gives you the flexibility to reach more remote beaches, visit attractions at your own pace, and take spontaneous detours for that roadside food truck you just spotted.
Rental cars are available at Honolulu International Airport and in Waikīkī.
Tipping, currency and local etiquette
The currency in Hawaiʻi is the US dollar. Tipping is customary across the islands, with 15 to 20% being standard for restaurants and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters. It’s always best to carry some cash around with you for that reason!
When visiting beaches and natural attractions, always respect local customs and leave no trace. Many areas hold cultural significance, so staying on marked trails and avoiding touching marine life is important for preserving Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty.
Overview – 1 Week O’ahu Itinerary
- Day 1: Honolulu – Arrive and settle in
- Day 2: North East – Horse Riding and Movie Sets
- Day 3: Waikīkī – Surf and Summit (Half way through your 1 Week O’ahu Itinerary)
- Day 4: West Coast – Beach Day
- Day 5: North West – Dolphins and Coastal Exploring
- Day 6: North Shore – Sharks, Surf and Shave Ice
- Day 7: Waikīkī – Last Day
Day 1: Honolulu – Arrive and Settle In
Morning / Afternoon
One you’ve touched down in Honolulu, collected your bags and pick up your rental car if you’re hiring one from the airport.
We recommend easing into your trip with a wander around Honolulu, especially if you’re coming to Hawaiʻi from Australia like us you’ll want to take it easy after a long transit! Stroll through Waikīkī’s palm-lined streets and browse the local shops, maybe even treat yourself to a scoop of shave ice.
If you’re feeling up for a swim, head to Waikīkī Beach to go for a dip or watch the local surfers ride the famous long boarding waves.
For your first dinner on the island there’s no shortage of choice. Duke’s Waikīkī is an O’ahu institution right on the beach with ocean views, serving up fresh seafood and cocktails. You may need to line up for a table but the queue moves quickly!
TIP: If you’re travelling to O’ahu in peak season we recommend making reservations at a few restaurants in advance, if not you may have to opt for more casual options like food trucks if you don’t want to line up for restaurants.
Accomodation
For your base in O’ahu we recommend skipping the towering resorts in favour of something a little more boutique. We split our time between two hotels, the first being Romer House which offers stylish, comfortable accommodation with plenty of character. It’s right in the heart of Waikīkī with a great rooftop pool and bar, a restaurant called 855-ALOHA and a really popular little neighbourhood bar, The Lei Stand Waikīkī.
We loved how easy it was to wander straight out the door to Waikīkī Beach, shops and restaurants but still come back to a space that felt calm and welcoming at the end of the day.
Day 2: North East – Horse Riding and Movie Sets
Morning
Start your 1 week O’ahu itinerary by fueling up with breakfast before heading north towards Gunstock Ranch.
If you have time on the way, make a quick stop at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. Even if you only drive in and out, the views of the Koʻolau mountains framed by lush greenery are worth it (you may have seen this famous road on Instagram!) The garden is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm and entry is free.
At Gunstock Ranch, choose between a guided horse riding tour through open pastures and forest trails or take part in their tree planting experience where you’ll leave a lasting mark on the island. This was a really special experience and the team at Gunstock actually add an RFID tag onto your tree so if you return to the island you can visit it and see how much it’s grown!
Lunch
Continue your journey along the coast and keep an eye out for roadside food stands.
One local favourite is this Huli Huli chicken where the chicken is barbecued out the front and served with simple but delicious sides. It’s the perfect casual lunch before the afternoon’s activities and is nice and quick for a drop in.
Afternoon
Head to Kualoa Ranch Nature Reserve which is famous for being the filming location for movies like Jurassic Park, Jumanji and 50 First Dates.
The ATV tour is the standout experience here which takes you through valleys, along ridges and past film sets with sweeping ocean and mountain views.
The trails are relatively easy to navigate, though they can get muddy after rain so be prepared with some non-white clothing if that’s the case for your visit!
Day 3: Surf and Summit (Half way through your 1 Week O’ahu Itinerary)
Morning
Start your day with a classic Waikīkī experience, a surf lesson. The gentle, longboard-friendly waves here make it one of the best places in the world to learn.
Waikīkī Beach Services offer lessons with experienced instructors who will have you standing up and riding waves in no time. Even if you’ve never touched a board before this is a fun way to try Hawaiʻi’s most famous sport.
After your lesson, we recommend grabbing a poke bowl from one of Waikīkī’s many casual spots.
Afternoon
Swap your surfboard for hiking shoes and head to Diamond Head State Monument.
This iconic volcanic crater towers over Waikīkī and offers one of the best viewpoints on the island. The hike is around 1.6 km each way and, while short, includes a few steep staircases. Make sure to book your entry slot online in advance as walk-ins are not an option.
At the summit you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across Honolulu, the coastline and the deep blue Pacific.
Day 4: West Coast Beach Day
Morning
Ease into the day with a stop at Banan, a local favourite known for its açai bowls and banana-based soft serve topped with tropical fruit.
From here, make your way to Kaimana Beach, a quieter alternative to busy Waikīkī Beach and a local fave! It’s a great spot to spend a few hours swimming or reading under the sun with a good book.
If you’re staying at Romer House, you can even rent bikes for free and cycle ove
Lunch
Treat yourself to a meal at Hau Tree, located right on the beachfront at Kaimana. The relaxed vibes, ocean views and fresh seafood dishes make this an ideal lunch spot.
Afternoon
Wander through Waikīkī’s shopping scene, from small boutiques to stores selling original aloha shirts like Avanti, one of the OG shirt stores that has sold shirts to people from Elvis Presley to Leonardo Di Caprio. This is also a great time to pick up souvenirs or gifts to take home.
Evening
End the day with a sunset cruise along the Waikīkī coastline with Holokai Catamaran.
We loved this tour for so many reasons. The staff were super friendly, the sunset views from the ocean are stunning and there’s an open bar included!
Day 5: North West – Dolphins and Coastal Exploring
Morning
It’s an early start today as you head to the north west coast for a swim with dolphins tour with Wild Side Specialty Tours. The crew are passionate about marine conservation and provide the opportunity to observe these incredible animals in the wild.
With a bit of luck you might also spot other species! We swam alongside a pod of pilot whales here which was an unforgettable experience.
If you’re not ready to head back after the tour, stop at Kahe Point Beach Park (also known as Electric Beach) for some of the island’s best snorkelling.
The warm water outflow from the nearby power station attracts a huge variety of marine life, and there’s easy parking close to the beach.
Afternoon
After a morning in the water, keep things relaxed. You could drive along the coast and stop wherever the views tempt you, or head to a local food truck for lunch.
This side of the island is dotted with casual, family-run spots serving everything from garlic shrimp to fresh poke.
Accommodation
If you’re looking for another boutique accomodation in the Waikīkī area we also highly recommend Wayfinder Waikīkī. It’s just a couple of blocks back from the beach with a stunning saltwater pool, hot tub and a gym.
The hotel has its own restaurant (Redfish) that serves some of the best poke bowls we tried in Waikīkī, plus a café for morning coffee and a speakeasy-style bar tucked by the pool. We loved that it’s in a quieter spot by the canal but still an easy walk to all the action and is a great alternative to the big resort scene.
Day 6: The North Shore – Sharks, Surf and Shave Ice
Morning
Today starts with another early drive, this time up to the legendary North Shore for a swim with sharks experience with One Ocean. The team are experienced, safety-focused, and deeply committed to shark conservation. The earlier in the day your tour the more likely you are to see sharks, so we recommend the first tour of the day if you don’t mind the early wake up!
Depending on the season you may encounter different species. In August we were lucky enough to swim with four tiger sharks, an epic encounter we’ll never forget.
Afterwards, stop at the Sunrise Shack for a coffee and their instagram-worthy tropical acai bowl. The iconic yellow van and laid-back vibe make it a must-do as part of your 1 week O’ahu itinerary.
Late Morning
Spend the rest of the morning at Waimea Bay, a wide sandy beach perfect for swimming when conditions are calm. Just down the road you’ll find the famous Banzai Pipeline.
In winter it’s home to some of the biggest, most iconic barreling waves in the world, but when we visited in summer it was completely flat… which does make for a funny photo.
Lunch
The North Shore has lots of great laid back food options but we recommend heading to the food trucks (search “Food Truck Parking Lot” on Google Maps) or if you can’t get enough of poke like us, head to Poke for the People.
Afternoon
No trip to the North Shore is complete without visiting Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa. The line is often out the door but moves quickly, and the rainbow-coloured shave ice is worth the wait.
Evening
Wrap up the day with a traditional Hawaiʻian Lūʻau. We chose Mauka Warriors Lūʻau which is north of Waikīkī and combines interactive cultural activities, a buffet dinner and incredible performances with live music. You can either drive here and park or opt for their bus pickup option.
It’s the perfect way to end a big day of adventure. We loved the show and watching the dancers perform and it reminded us of a similar experience we had during our trip to Cook Islands.
Day 7: Last Day in Your 1 Week O’ahu Itinerary
For your final few hours on O’ahu, keep things simple. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or a favourite café you discovered during the week.
If you have time before your flight take a last dip at Waikīkī Beach or browse a few local shops for last-minute souvenirs.
Sadly that’s a wrap on your 1 week O’ahu itinerary but you will leave with so many incredible memories and plenty of stories to return home with (swimming with sharks, anyone?!)
