Inspiring O‘ahu Itineraries

Day 1: Tour the Honolulu Waterfront by Biki

Cycle through beautiful Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island to see some of Honolulu’s best sights while enjoying splendid beach and ocean views. You’ll even catch surfers out on the water. Pick up your Biki at the entrance of Ala Moana Beach Park at Atkinson and Ala Moana Boulevard (Station #244). The flat terrain makes for an easy ride and there are great spots to stop for a snack or picnic. After your ride, head over to nearby Ala Moana Center for wonderful shops and eateries.

Day 2: Explore Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown via Waikīkī Trolley’s Red Line

Spend a day discovering Hawai‘i’s rich culture and history hopping on and off Waikīkī Trolley’s Red Line at your own pace. Start your journey enjoying artistic treasures from Japan, China, Hawai‘i, the U.S., and Europe at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Jump back on the Red Line and head over to Chinatown, an historic immigrant gateway, arts hub, and cutting edge dining district. Shop for fresh lei at Lin’s Lei Shop, savor Vietnamese fare at The Pig & The Lady, stop at Native Books with its enormous selection of Hawaiian and Pacific Island literature, and shop for vintage Hawaiian memorabilia at Tin Can Mailman. Enjoy a glimpse of downtown Honolulu where the Red Line stops at the King Kamehameha Statue which honors Hawai‘i’s first monarch who united the Hawaiian Islands. Here you’ll disembark for 15-20 minutes of local sightseeing where attractions include ‘Iolani Palace, the only official royal palace in the U.S., and historic Kawaiaha‘o Church. Afterwards, head back to Waikīkī for beach time and relaxation.

Day 3: Climbing Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head), Beachside Lunch, and Bishop Museum

Make your reservations ahead of time to climb Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head), the iconic volcanic crater that sits prominently on the eastern edge of the Waikīkī shoreline. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with amazing 360-degree views of southeast O‘ahu. TheBus provides convenient transportation between Waikīkī and Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head). Head back to Waikīkī for lunch right on the beach at Duke’s Waikiki which celebrates Duke Kahanamoku, O‘ahu’s legendary waterman, championship surfer, Olympic swimmer, and Ambassador of Aloha, who introduced surfing to the world. In the afternoon, take TheBus to Honolulu’s Bishop Museum and immerse yourself in Hawaiian history and culture.

Day 4: A Visit to Sea Life Park via the Waikīkī Trolley

Leave the city behind with an adventure in southeast O‘ahu on Waikīkī Trolley’s Blue Line enroute to Sea Life Park Hawai‘i. You’ll head to iconic Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) and then along the picturesque Kalaniana‘ole Highway famed for its rugged cliffs and dramatic ocean seascapes. At Sea Life Park Hawai‘i, enjoy fun, educational, and interactive animal experiences that focus on the conservation of Hawai‘i’s unique marine species such as dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and Hawaiian rays.

Day 5: Begin Your North Shore Adventure

Take a cab to Turtle Bay Resort for three days on the North Shore. Spend your first day enjoying all that the resort has to offer. Take a surf lesson or stand up paddle board lesson. Go horseback riding on the beach or explore the trails via hiking or mountain bike. You can even tour onsite Kuilima Farm which grows the resort’s produce.

Day 6: Travel Back in Time at Waimea Valley

Learn how Native Hawaiians lived in ahupua‘a, self-sustaining crescent-shaped, mountain-to-sea land divisions at scenic Waimea Valley. You can easily take TheBus right from Turtle Bay to Waimea Valley to experience one of O‘ahu’s last intact ahupua‘a (land division), walk through magnificent botanical gardens, cool off under Waimea Falls, and interact with Hawaiian cultural practitioners showcasing hula, music, and lauhala (pandanus leaves) weaving.

Day 7: A Cultural Journey at Polynesian Cultural Center

Experience thousands of years of culture from six different island nations — Hawai‘i, Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Fiji — at Polynesian Cultural Center which is easily accessible from Turtle Bay via TheBus. You’ll enjoy kid-appropriate, family friendly, hands on activities, live entertainment, and cultural demonstrations that showcase the culture, food, music, and way of life across the Pacific. Learn about Polynesian voyagers, play traditional games, learn to fish without a net, and sample local delicacies like poi (pounded kalo or taro). Stay late for an authentic lū‘au or meal with spectacular evening entertainment.