Hi everyone! I recently posted an itinerary for me and my boyfriend’s (we’re 20 and 21 yrs old) trip to Oahu on this thread but I am hoping to get some tips on specific days.

We’re hoping to reserve 8am-10am tickets for Hanauma Bay snorkeling, and if we’re not able to secure tickets online, we will most likely arrive early to try getting tickets. I would love to know what else we can do that day around that area! Also anything at all that’s worth it to see in Waikiki I’m sure we’ll be exploring there a lot in the afternoons at the end of our days since we’re staying in the area!

Also for the day we arrive it would be nice to explore Waikiki, where we’ll be staying, a little bit before catching Friday night fireworks. What places do you guys suggest seeing or walking around?

Last thing, what is worth it to see or check out when we explore Haleiwa Town on our North Shore day.

All advice is greatly appreciated!

My boyfriend (21) and I (20) are visiting Oʻahu for the first time from NY and would love some itinerary feedback/advice from people who know the island better or have visited. We’re staying in Waikiki and renting a car. Trying to balance beaches, hikes, relaxing, scenery, food, and not overpacking the trip.
I put a * next to anything we could especially use people’s two cents/suggestions on! We also need help planning the last days of our trip!

Main things we’re looking for:

Food recommendations near our planned areas each day

Suggestions for any gaps/free time

Whether anything seems too rushed or unrealistic

Any must-see stops we’re missing nearby

Any general Hawaii/Oʻahu tips for first

Day 1: Waikiki

PM: Land in Honolulu + pick up rental car

Check in at hotel in Waikiki

Explore Magic Island Park

Dinner: Steak Shack (closes 7:30PM) *

Sunset at Waikiki Beach - Watch 7:45PM fireworks 

Day 2: Diamond Head

By 7:30 AM: Breakfast

10AM-1PM: Honolulu Zoo

2PM-4PM: Diamond Head hike (we have reservation + parking)

Kuhio Beach Hula Show *

Dinner: Foodland Farms (hot bar) or Diamond Head Market and Grill *

Day 3: Kualoa Ranch + Windward side

Breakfast 

10AM Drive to Kualoa Ranch 

Kualo Beach Park OR Waimanalo Bay Beach *

3:30PM UTV raptor tour (check in by 2:45PM)

Dinner *

Day 4: East Side + Byodo-In Temple

Breakfast

7:30 AM: Leave Waikiki

Stop at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

8:35 AM - 9:30 AM: Byodo-In Temple

10AM - 11:15AM: Lanikai Pillbox hike 

Lunch in Kailua *

1 PM - 4PM: Lanikai vs Kailua Beach 

Drive back to Waikiki

Day 5: North Shore

7 AM - 8:30 AM: Leave Waikiki 

Breakfast

9 AM - 11:15 AM: Morning hike at Waimea Valley

12PM - 1PM: Lunch at Jenny’s Shrimp Truck *

Kula shave ice or kaimana shave ice

1 PM - 2:30 PM: Waimea Bay Beach 

2:45 PM - 4:15 PM Shark’s Cove (across the street from trucks) OR explore Haleiwa Town*

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Sunset Beach

5:45 PM- 6:45PM: Drive home 

Dinner *

LEAVE BY 7:30 PM LATEST

Day 6:

8-10 AM Hanauma Bay snorkeling (reservations needed 2 days prior)

If you can’t book tickets, arrive there when they open for extra tickets

Souvenir shopping 

Day 7:

*

Day 8:

3PM flight