Curator’s statement
From the moment you step off the plane in Oahu, you can feel the Aloha spirit. There is truly no other place that I have visited in which I felt immediately at home. With stunning landscapes, friendly locals and incredible food, Oahu is a great destination for solo travelers, couples, groups and families. Wake up to a beautiful sunrise, relax on the beach or take advantage of the many adventures the island has to offer. Oahu truly has something for everyone.
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Day 1: Getting Settled and Relaxing
Pick up your rental (I HIGHLY recommend a Jeep Wrangler - nothing beats driving around the island with the top off) and head to your accommodations. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel pool/beach before a big week of adventure ahead.
Day 2: Pillbox Hike and Lanikai Beach
Start the day with a breathtaking sunrise over Lanikai Beach at the peak of the Pillbox Hike. This is a moderate hike with a few stops along the way at old military bunkers to take in the views. After working up an appetite, grab a to-go breakfast from Kalapawai Market and head over to Lanikai Beach to lounge away the Jet Lag. Grab dinner or hit up happy hour at Buzz's Steakhouse (snag a table on the patio for ocean views).
Day 3: Haleiwa
Head north to the little surf town of Haleiwa (cue Take it Easy by The Eagles). Make sure to stop and snap a picture with the iconic Haleiwa North Shore sign. Grab an Acai Bowl from Sunrise Shack and take it to the beach to watch world-class surfing at Banzai Pipeline. Explore some of the boutiques and surf shops or rent a paddle board and explore the Haleiwa River. Make sure to stop at the food trucks for lunch (Giovanni's Shrimp is legendary) and for dinner the Haleiwa Beach House.
Day 4: Ko’Olina
Spend the day in Ko’Olina and experience the resorts. Home to the Four Seasons and Disney’s Aulani resort, this area has calm lagoons that are perfect for swimming and spending the day at the beach. Make sure not to miss the live music at Monkey Pod (my personal favorite restaurant) for Happy Hour and order their Signature Mai Tai (the best I’ve ever had).
Day 5: Surf in Waikiki
Rent a board/take a lesson and learn how to surf on beginner waves on a beach in Waikiki. After you’ve worked up an appetite, dive into some delicious Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery and explore the shopping. Waikiki boasts everything from designer brands to discount outlets, to one-of-a-kind shops.
Day 6: Chinaman’s Hat
If conditions allow, rent a kayak and spend some time adventuring to Chinaman’s Hat. A relatively short kayak trip will take you to the island in the Kaneohe Bay where you can hike to the top and take in the views. If you’re lucky, you may even see a sea turtle on the way out. You could also take the kayaks out to “The Mokes” which are part of the Hawai'i State Seabird Sanctuary.
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Rileigh Tower's guide, Adventure in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Hawai'i.