The Perfect 10-Day Hawai'i Itinerary: Oahu + The Big Island

Arrival at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, on the Island of Oahu.

• Exploring the island at your leisure is by far the best way to see all that Hawai'i has to offer. I always recommend renting a car in Hawai'i.

• Take a quick, but very scenic drive to Oahu’s North Shore and check in to your hotel, The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay.

• Dinner at Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi, onsite at hotel

Enjoy complimentary breakfast included (when booked with a FORA advisor).

Options to fill your days:

• Relax on the property, drink by the pool, take a dip at the beach or leverage your $100 USD resort credit towards an onsite activity - options include Horseback Riding, Paddleboarding, Snorkeling, Pickleball and Bike Rentals!

• Book a Spa Service at the onsite spa (another way to leverage your resort credit) Offering treatments both indoors + outdoors (plus, top it off with some complimentary champagne to celebrate)

Feel like leaving the hotel for a bit? Head east for another scenic drive along the North Shore! Some ideas include:

• Khuku: My personal favorite stop is the town of Kahuku. Just a short drive from the hotel, you will find the popular Khuku Roadside Food Court - aka food trucks galore! This outdoor food court simply can’t be beat when it comes to the quantity of food trucks, the diversity of cuisine offered and the quality of the food (everything from desserts to shrimp to loaded fries!) My personal favorites are Giovanni’s “Aloha Shrimp” Truck and Seven Brothers at the Mill

• Lāʻie: Pick up some food and head to Lāʻie Point State Wayside to enjoy your to-go meal overlooking the ocean from the lookout point! Afterwards spend some time visiting Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie

Dinner at Alaia, another incredible dining option onsite at Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay.

It’s time to head to your next destination - the iconic neighborhood of Waikiki!

Spend the day making a ton of pit stops along the way. Here are my suggestions:

Grab breakfast on the road!

• Kuilima Farm Stand (opens at 9am everyday) where you will find a wide array of fresh fruit and fruit bowls

• Ted’s Bakery - craving a breakfast sandwich or fresh pastry? Look no further!

Stop at Banzai Pipeline to watch surfers at one of the most popular surf beaches in the world

Head to Shark’s Cove, a rocky coastal area with tidal pools swarming with small fish - this is a perfect spot for snorkeling (plus showers and restrooms to freshen up before moving on!)

Grab lunch in Pupukea at their Roadside Food Court.

• Sunrise Shack - Shark’s Cove - here you will find organic coffees, fresh smoothie bowls, and health-focused snacks.

• Aji Limo Truck - a Peruvian Japanese fusion food truck outpost.

• North Shore Tacos - dare I say the best Tacos on the island?!

Visit Waimea Falls

• A mostly flat, paved trail will lead you to Waimea Falls. The relatively short and easy walk takes you past a variety of flora, such as giant ferns and lily ponds, and culturally significant archaeological sites including a series of reconstructed Hawaiian Hales (houses). When you reach the falls, take a dip in the clear water to cool off!

Stop and rest at Laniakea Beach, another great spot for snorkeling AND have a possible turtle sighting!

Explore, shop and dine in the town of Hale’iwa. Some dinner/drinks options include:

• Uncle Bo's Haleiwa

• Teddy's Bigger Burgers

• Banzai Sushi Bar

Check in to your hotel on Waikiki beach. My personal favorites include:

• The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort

• Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

• ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki

Take a hike! – I mean that literally :)

Hike Diamond Head: A beginner-type hike, iconic to Oahu.

• Afterwards, head to Island Brew Coffee House for a post-hike breakfast (great coffee, even better avocado toast!)

Drive along the coast and relax at the beach: My personal favorite, Halona Beach Cove. Here you can relax, swim, cliff jump and see Halona Blowhole!

Back in Waikiki for dinner

• Paia Fish Market, Waikiki

• Sushi Sho

• Hula Grill

• Duke's Waikiki

• OR at one of your hotel's onsite restaurants

Breakfast at hotel overlooking Waikiki Beach or grab coffee and pastries at Island Vintage Coffee Waikiki

Options for your last morning/afternoon on Oahu:

• Hike Koko Railway Crater (a relic of World War II, the military constructed Koko Head Railway to transport supplies and soldiers. Now the former railway is used as steps to support this extreme incline of this 1.4 mile hike)

• Book a mid-morning private surf lesson on Waikiki Beach (available throughout the day with 1-hour or 1.5-hour options!)

• Some designer brands at Luxury Row in Waikiki

• Visit Pearl Harbor

OAHU → BIG ISLAND

Take an afternoon flight to Kona Airport

My favorite hotels on the Island of Hawai’i / Big Island include:

• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection

• Fairmont Orchid - Hawaii

• Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

• Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Grab dinner onsite at your hotel!

• Start the day by grabbing a local favorite: Malasadas - from Manuela Malasada Co. in Waimea.

• Then kayak to Captain Cook’s Monument.

• Afterwards, head to the town of Kona to shop, relax, explore and dine! (If you need a coffee pick-me-up, I suggest HiCO – Hawaiian Coffee)

• Don’t miss grabbing a beer flight at Kona Brewery: Many beers offered here are only available on the island :) Try them all – you won’t be disappointed. For a little food – The on-site pub serves handcrafted pizzas, plus other items (I suggest the pizzas!) Plus, don’t forget to pick up some merch to rep Kona Brewing back home!

Other Dining/Drinking options in Kona include:

• Sushi Sam’s - the best sushi on the island, hands down (really, one of the best restaurants, period).

• Willie’s Hot Chicken - inspired by the iconic Nashville hot chicken tradition, Willie’s has quickly become a go-to spot in Kona for both locals and visitors.

• Quinn’s Almost by the Sea - Quinn’s is a cross between an old-timey seafood restaurant and a classic American beach bar.

• Izakaya Shiono Kona - offers a laid-back vibe, perfect for a casual lunch of authentic Japanese food, sushi & homemade ramen noodles. (Plus, tons of Sake!).

• Magic’s Beach Grill - located directly on the water, this is a perfect spot to have a craft cocktail and do some people watching.

• Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill - just the right mix of fine dining and aloha casual. (My suggestion: start with their Mac-Nut Ahi Tartare!!).

• Huggo’s On the Rocks - offering an awesome happy hour in a super fun atmosphere, with live entertainment.

Complimentary breakfast at your hotel (included when booking with a FORA Advisor)

Or A few suggestions to fill up your last 3 days:

• Head to the Southernmost Point of the US. (Park at Green Sand Beach Parking lot - then locals will transport you down further for $15 pp each way or you can hike it!)

• Take a Helicopter Tour to see the waterfalls of the islands from above

• Check off a National Park. Head to Volcano National Park for an unforgettable hike.

• Hit up Eagle’s Lighthouse Cafe for some pre/post-hike fuel.

• Book a Sunset + Stargazing Tour of Mauna Kea

• Craving a beer? Check out Big Island Brewhaus in the lovely town of Waimea. (Plus, it's a great neighborhood to walk around and support local businesses!)

• Head to ‘Akaka Falls State Park for epic waterfalls views, just a short walk from the parking lot!

Hit the road for a self-guided tour of the many Coffee Plantations and farms around the Island. Some of my favorites include:

• Sunshower Farms

• Uncle Kimo’s Coffee Shop

• Holualoa Kona Coffee Co.