Inspiring O‘ahu Itineraries
7 Days in Waikīkī
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Itinerary #1: 7 Days in Waikīkī
Day 1: Tour Waikīkī by Biki
Pick up your Biki bike at the Biki Stop closest to your hotel and get ready for a morning exploring some of Waikīkī’s most iconic sites. Follow Biki’s Waikīkī Loop ride starting at the Duke Kahanamoku Statue on Kalākaua Avenue. You’ll head into oceanfront Kapi‘olani Park past Honolulu Zoo, Waikīkī Aquarium, and the War Memorial Natatorium. The ride continues along the Ala Wai Canal and then loops back to Kalākaua Avenue. Spend the afternoon on Waikīkī Beach taking a surf or stand up paddle board lesson, enjoying an outrigger canoe ride, or sailing aboard a catamaran leaving right from the beach.
Day 2: Pearl Harbor by TheBus
Go early and take TheBus to Pearl Harbor Historic Sites where you can spend a half- or full-day as there is so much to see and do. A visit here is profoundly moving as you experience the events that led up to the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, America’s entry into World War II, and the aftermath which impacted an entire generation. Admission to the USS Arizona Memorial is free, but reservations are required. Book your USS Arizona Memorial tour online at recreation.gov before your O‘ahu trip as daily reservations are limited and the walk-in, first come, first served ticket distribution system is no longer available. Purchase tickets here for Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. The USS Oklahoma Memorial does not require a ticket.
Day 3: 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 4: A Day at Kualoa
Leave early, take TheBus, and spend the day on O‘ahu’s beautiful Windward Coast at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve which offers wonderful tours and adventures that support the conservation of this spectacular property that has been showcased in multiple TV shows and films. Adventures include movie/TV location tours, horseback riding, ebiking, ziplining, jungle expeditions, sailing, and fun on their private beach. Visit an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, learn about Kualoa’s farming operations, and immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture.
Day 5: 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 6: North Shore Adventure: Gunstock Ranch and Hale‘iwa
Download the Hui Car Share app (from the Apple Store app or Google Play) and book one of their vehicles for your North Shore adventure. Start your day at Gunstock Ranch where you can opt for horseback riding, ziplining, off road, and eco tour adventures. Take part in a voluntourism activity by planting a tree in O‘ahu’s first Hawaiian Legacy Forest and dedicate it to someone you love. Stop in Kahuku at one of O‘ahu’s legendary shrimp trucks for a delicious plate lunch and take a tractor tour at family owned Kahuku Farms. Visit Hale‘iwa’s wonderful eateries, boutiques, and galleries and don’t leave without sampling a refreshing Hawaiian shave ice at top spots like Matsumoto’s Shave Ice or Aoki’s Shave Ice
Day 7: Explore Kaka‘ako by Segway
Kaka‘ako is an exciting revitalized Honolulu neighborhood renowned for its colorful murals and cutting edge eateries and shops. The area hosts World Wide Walls (formerly POW! WOW! Hawaiʻi), a yearly street art festival that attracts local and global artists who spend two weeks every February painting colorful murals on buildings and outdoor spaces. Take TheBus which lets you off within a 3-minute walk to Segway Tour Center in Kaka‘ako. Segway’s Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park & Wall Art Mural Tour is perfect for viewing the imaginative outdoor artworks. After viewing the murals, you’ll glide along the majestic Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park promenade. Once your tour is over, just cross the street to SALT at our Kaka‘ako filled with wonderful eateries, shops, and special events.
