What your quote can include
- Round-trip flightsFrom your home airport in the US
- 4 nights of lodgingWaikiki
- Airport transfersArranged to match your flight times
- Tours & reservationsFor the activities in this plan
- Your day-by-day planPlus a book-ahead checklist
Pick only what you need. Each part is quoted with current prices before anything is booked.
Trip overview
Oahu's must-dos in five easy days, with a rental car for just the North Shore day. When to go: April–May and September–October bring warm, dry weather and fewer crowds. For seasonal details, see our best time to visit Oahu guide.
- Suggested base
- Waikiki
- Fly into
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Trip style
- Beach, history & food
Day-by-day itinerary
A sample plan. We adjust the days, pace and activities to fit your trip.
Arrive in Waikiki
Beach time and a sunset sail right off the sand.
- Waikiki beach and surf lesson. Waikiki's gentle rolling waves are one of the best places anywhere to learn to surf. Lessons run all day from the beach.
- Sunset sail off Waikiki. Catamarans depart right from the beach for a sunset cruise with Diamond Head views.
Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay
Both need advance reservations; go early.
- Diamond Head summit hike. A short, steep hike inside a volcanic crater to sweeping views of Waikiki. Out-of-state visitors must reserve entry in advance on the state parks website; go early, before the heat.
- Snorkel Hanauma Bay. A protected marine life conservation area inside an old volcanic crater. Advance online reservations are required, everyone watches a short educational video, and it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Pearl Harbor and downtown
A moving morning followed by Hawaii's royal history.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial and the museums at this deeply moving site. USS Arizona Memorial program tickets are free and can be reserved ahead on Recreation.gov (a small booking fee applies). Bags are not allowed inside.
- ʻIolani Palace and downtown Honolulu. The only royal palace in the United States, home to Hawaii's last monarchs. Pair it with Chinatown's markets and galleries.
North Shore road trip
Haleʻiwa, surf beaches and shrimp trucks.
- North Shore day. Drive to Haleʻiwa town for shave ice, watch surfers at Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach (in winter), and stop at the shrimp trucks in Kahuku.
Kailua and departure
Morning on the windward beaches before your flight.
- Kailua and Lanikai beaches. Powdery sand and calm, bright water on the windward side. Parking in Lanikai is very limited; park in Kailua and walk, or bike.
Choose your comfort level
The same itinerary works at different budgets. Pick the level that fits, and we'll quote it for your dates.
Essential
- A comfortable, well-reviewed 3-star hotel
- Economy flights at sensible times
- Shared airport transfers
- The plan's must-do tours, the rest at your own pace
Area to consider: Waikiki
Choose EssentialSignature
- A 4-star hotel in a well-located area
- Economy or premium economy, best-timed flights
- Private airport transfers
- Guided tours and reservations for the key days
Area to consider: Waikiki
Choose SignatureLuxury
- A 5-star hotel, with room upgrades where available
- Premium cabins where available
- Private transfers and guides
- Spa, dining and special-occasion reservations
Area to consider: Waikiki
Choose LuxuryPrices depend on your dates, departure city and hotel, so we quote each comfort level on request. You can mix and match, for example a Signature hotel with Essential transfers.
Where to stay
Waikiki
The classic base: walkable, beachfront and packed with hotels at every level, restaurants and shopping. Easy to explore without a car for a few days.
Book these ahead
These parts of the trip need reservations or timed tickets that can sell out:
- Diamond Head summit hike
- Snorkel Hanauma Bay
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pricing and policies, up front
Your quote shows the total trip price, per person and for your group, with taxes and the mandatory fees we can see included. Anything paid separately, such as some resort fees collected at check-in, local tourist taxes or checked bags on some fares, is listed clearly.
Many hotels, resorts, cruise lines and tour operators offer a deposit with the balance due before departure. Options vary by supplier, and we confirm them before you book.
Policies depend on the supplier and fare. We tell you the exact cancellation deadlines and any fees in writing before you commit.
Fares and rates change until they're booked. Some suppliers let us hold a rate briefly and many airfares can't be held, so we'll tell you what's possible for your trip.
You pay the travel provider directly, and RoamPlanned never takes payment for travel. How booking works.
Similar trips
Prefer a different pace? Try the 7-Day Oahu Itinerary for Beach Lovers & Adventurers, read the full Oahu & Honolulu travel guide, or build your own Oahu plan.
