Oahu – the third-largest and second-oldest island in Hawaii – impresses with its rich diversity, vibrant life, lush green landscapes and beautiful beaches. As the main island, with the capital Honolulu, it is the heart of Hawaii. We visit Oahu during all of our Hawaii trips and know the island very well, although it never ceases to surprise and fascinate us.

In this post, I share with you my insider tips and the most beautiful sights on Oahu and tell you what is really worth seeing.

In this post, you’ll find my ultimate raod trip itinerary for five days on Oahu – with the best beaches, sights, hikes, tours and numerous other Must Visit spots. As always, I’ve included a map at the end of this post, on which I’ve marked all the sights, insider tips and restaurants on Oahu, Hawaii.

When is the best time to visit Oahu, Hawaii?

Oahu – just like all Hawaiian Islands – enjoys a warm, tropical climate with daytime temperatures of at least 22 degrees Celsius. It rains more frequently in the winter months, but usually only briefly. Between April and November is the ideal time for swimming, snorkeling or chilling on the beach.

How many days to plan to see the best places on Oahu?

Ideally, you should plan 5 days so that you don’t miss any of the best sights on Oahu. Of course, you could also plan more days, but that way you still have enough time to combine your Hawaii vacation with the other islands. Have a look at my→ Hawaii island hopping guide to find out which islands are the best!

Oahu, Hawaii Itineray: The best sights and insider tips in five days

Oahu itinerary: Arrival in Honolulu

Landing in the bustling metropolis of Honolulu is the perfect starting point for your stay on Oahu. Here you are guaranteed to find the right hotel from which you can explore the city up close and enjoy a huge selection of restaurants and bars. Additonaly, Honolulu’s city flair is typically Polynesian: palm trees adorn the city center and you will meet locals in typical Hawaiian shirts.

With a rental car, you can reach all the best places to visit in Oahu quickly.

• Budget-friendly: → A la Moana Honolulu → Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach
• Special: → Aulani Disney Resort
• Luxurious: → The Royal Hawaiian → Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani → Four Seasons at Ko Olina

If it’s not too late after your arrival, you should definitely watch the sunset from Tantalus Lookout – one of the most beautiful places on Oahu in the evening. You can easily reach it by car and will be rewarded with a fantastic view over the city. Tantalus Lookout is a popular picnic spot amongst the locals. Bring a small blanket or towel to sit on the grass and maybe some snacks too. Afterwards, numerous restaurants and bars await you in Waikiki, where you can relax at the end of the day.

Our insider tip: A visit to the Cheesecake Factory in Honolulu has become a tradition during our trips to Oahu – super tasty and everyone is guaranteed to find something on the extensive menu of this cult restaurant!

Oahu itinerary: Day 1

After your first breakfast on Oahu, you will take a road trip towards the east coast with its great beaches and viewpoints. At Lana’i Lookout , you can watch the surf crash over the washed-out rocks, creating wave-like formations.

The Halona Blowhole Lookout is located next to a small beach in Halona Cove and offers a very special spectacle: the incoming surf has washed a hole in the rocks and with every wave, water flows under the rock, which is then catapulted out of the blowhole as a fountain due to the resulting pressure.

One of my favorite viewpoints on Oahu is the Makapuu Lookout – without having to hike. However, if you feel like walking a little, there is a trail to the Makapuu Lighthouse around the rock by the sea. The trail starts before the entrance to the Makapuu Lookout parking lot.

Halona Cove

Until the afternoon, you can relax wonderfully on Waimanalo Beach – my favorite beach on Oahu and for me one of the most beautiful ones in the world. White sand and deep turquoise water await you here, just as you would imagine in paradise. As the beach is also very popular with the locals, here’s my tip: during the week, it’s significantly less busy and you can enjoy the dreamlike flair undisturbed. There are two parking lots belonging to Waimanalo Beach. → You can find out more in my blog post about the most beautiful beaches on Oahu.

In the late afternoon, you head off to the Diamond Head Hike – a crater that was formed around 300,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption and is one of the ultimate sights on Oahu. A road leads through a tunnel to the middle of the crater, where the parking lot is located and you begin the hike up to the crater rim. Once there, you will enjoy a gigantic view of Honolulu and the surrounding mountains. Important: Book your access online in advance, preferably a few days in advance. The cost is 10 dollars for parking and 5 dollars admission per person. In the late afternoon, the city is bathed in particularly beautiful light, which makes the view even more spectacular. Unfortunately, you have to leave the parking lot by 6 p.m. as it is then closed off – last entry is 4 p.m. It takes around 60-90 minutes to reach the summit. My insider tip: It’s worth staying at the summit until a guide announces that it will be closing soon. That way you’ll be the last one up. You can make the way back in 20-30 minutes.

For dinner, I recommend two good restaurant tips in Honolulu, which we of course tried out ourselves: An interactive Korean BBQ awaits you at Gyu Kaku. And you can get the best Pho on Oahu at the Vietnamese restaurant Pate – it looks rather unspectacular from the outside , but is extremely tasty and reasonably priced.

Oahu itinerary: Day 2

The second day of my Oahu itinerary starts in Honolulu with a sailing tour to snorkel with turtles. This experience is unique and will definitely enchant you. You will also be able to view the beautiful coastline from the boat. Make sure to book the tour online in advance.

At lunchtime, treat yourself with a walk along the beach promenade in Waikiki and stop for lunch. The Steak Shack on the beach only serves one, but incredibly tasty dish: freshly grilled steak or chicken with rice and salad – and at a reasonable price for Hawaii.

Visit one of the most important sights on Oahu in the afternoon – Pearl Harbor. The historical monument and open-air museum commemorates the Japanese attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. It was through this attack that the USA became involved in the World War II. The Pacific War continued until September 1945. The coastal path is lined with signs explaining the course of the attack, after which you can explore the memorials and museums – a truly emotional and moving visit.

It’s time for another beautiful sunset. This time you drive along the west coast to Keawaula Beach, also known as Yokohama Beach, the last beach on the west coast heading north. The drive may take a little longer, but it’s worth every minute, especially at this time of day. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience until you finally hit the beach at sunset. You can find more information in → my guide with the most beautiful beaches on Oahu.

Oahu itinerary: Day 3

The day starts very early in the morning with a sunrise hike – the Lanikai Pillbox Hike. But it’s absolutely worth it, as you’ll enjoy a wonderful view of the sunrise, Lanikai Beach, the surrounding mountains and two small islands in the sea. On the highest point is the ruin of a former World War II observation post – a popular photo spot as it appears as if you are sitting on the cliff, even though the hill is close below. The length of the hike from the starting point is about 1.4 km / 8.7 miles (there and back) and takes about 30-40 minutes each way. However, the nearest parking lot is an additional 15 minutes from the starting point of the hike. I have marked the exact location of the parking lot on my Oahu map. The path is very steep in some places and slippery after rain, so sturdy hiking boots are important.

Then it’s time for another road trip, this time from the east coast to the north coast, to the famous North Shore – one of the most beautiful places on Oahu and particularly popular with surfers. You can make a stop at the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden to enjoy the fantastic view with panoramic views of the “Jurassic Park Mountains”. Another stop worth making is the Byodo-In Temple, a Japanese Buddhist temple surrounded by a beautiful backdrop, nestled in an idyllic garden. It is a true-to-scale replica of the Byodo-In Temple in Japan, which is over 950 years old. For an entrance fee of 5 dollars, you can relax here and immerse yourself in a beautiful world.

Ka’a’awa Beach Park is also a spot not to be missed. With its fantastic backdrop for photos, it is probably the most photogenic beach on Oahu and also offers the opportunity to relax. → Check out my guide to the most beautiful beaches on Oahu to find out more.

Spend the late afternoon on the North Shore, followed by the sunset. At Sunset Point Beach, you can watch the surfers riding the waves. Unfortunately, the ocean is too rough to go swimming at this spot. Another beach you should definitely visit is Laniakea Beach. Here, turtles come out of the sea in the late afternoon to rest in the warm sand. Please note that you must keep your distance from them and remain calm. Disturbing or even touching the turtles is prohibited by law. You will often find contact persons from a voluntary organization nearby the animaly who will explain a lot about the turtles and make sure that they are not disturbed. Each turtle even has its own name.

My insider tip for today’s dinner on Oahu: In Haleiwa, a small town on the North Shore, there are many different food stalls and small, cozy restaurants offering pizza, pasta, burgers, fish and other delicious dishes – a wide selection where everyone is sure to find something for themselves. The best place to park is on Kamehameha Highway, on the corner of Amara Road.

Oahu itinerary: Day 4

Have you ever been on an early morning snorkeling tour? You should definitely try it out. I recommend Hanauma Bay (the curved bay) on Oahu – an extinct volcanic crater with a wonderful backdrop and one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. Important: The bay is closed every Monday and Tuesday. An online reservation for 25 dollars per person is also required. The spots are fully booked several days in advance, which is why you should book as early as possible. It is definitely worth booking one of the early time slots from 06:45 a.m. to enjoy the peace and quiet. The fish are also most active in the morning and the water is still very cleat. Please remember to use coral-friendly sunscreen (as everywhere on Oahu). → You can find more snorkeling spots in my guide to the most beautiful beaches on Oahu.

One tour I recommend for the afternoon is the hike to the Crouching Lion – a short but relatively steep trail that initially leads through the rainforest and later requires rocky climbing. Sturdy hiking boots are also a must for this so that you don’t slip. Your efforts will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Kanana Bay and the rugged mountain landscape. The starting point is easy to miss – I’ve marked it on my Oahu map. You can directly park your car on the opposite side of the road.

If you want to end the day with another perfect sunset, there is another great option: on board a spacious catamaran. You simply have to experience the boat trip along the coast of Waikiki at sunset and let it work its magic on you. Alternatively, there is Ala Moana State Park, which I also consider to be one of the most beautiful places on Oahu. You can also watch a beautiful sunset from here. This place is also very popular with the locals at this time of day.

Oahu itinerary: Day 5

To start the last day of my travel tips for Oahu with a spectacular adventure, we head up to the North Shore once again. It is not only a popular spot for surfing, but also for swimming with sharks. Even large sharks, such as the Galapagos sharks, can be found here and the water is very clear. Dives and snorkeling tours with a shark cage are popular – a safe cage in which you can observe the sharks underwater from a safe distance. However, tours without a cage are also offered, as sharks are not at all bloodthirsty, as their bad reputation often suggests. No matter which tour you choose, it is an unforgettable experience to get so close to these elegant animals. Make sure to book this tour online in advance as its quite popular.

Until the afternoon, you could use the time to relax on the beach again, perhaps even at my favorite, Waimanalo Beach. But you can of course also visit one of the many beautiful beaches that you can find in → my guide to the most beautiful beaches on Oahu. Another insider tip from me: at Waimea Bay Beach, you can relax and end the day with a walk in the soft sand or a swim. You won’t find many tourists here either.

Afterwards, you set off to experience your last sunset up close at one of the most beautiful places on Oahu: on the crater of Koko Head, which is also an extinct volcano. The hike takes you up more than 1000 steps on an old railroad track. The difference in altitude is around 300 meters (984 ft) until you finally reach the highest point of the Koko Crater Head. Up here you will feel so infinitely free – and with a breathtaking sunset with panoramic views over the island. Early morning is also a good time for this tour. The ascent is more difficult at noon, as the hill no longer provides any shade and you would be walking in the blazing sun. The hike is also very popular with local athletes, but at the summit there is enough space to enjoy the view in all directions all to yourself. You should allow around two hours for the return journey, including breaks.

My map with the best sights for your Oahu itinerary:

For me, Hawaii is pure magic and Oahu is definitely part of every visit. Whether it’s the hustle and bustle of the big city, relaxing on dream beaches, hiking to spectacular viewpoints, swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, surfing or simply strolling around Waikiki – Oahu makes everything possible that you imagine a dream vacation to be. There are so many fantastic sights and insider tips on Oahu that you simply cannot miss during your road trip. The question should therefore not be whether Oahu is worth a trip, but rather: When are you heading out to explore the beautiful island for yourself?

I hope my itinerary will help you plan your upcoming Oahu road trip and give you a big dose of anticipation along the way. If you want to combine Oahu with other islands, which I would recommend, take a look at → my Hawaii island hopping guide.

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