3 day itineraries are the minimum amount of time needed to complete the given activities. We highly recommend extending these itineraries even up to 2 weeks (or mix & match itineraries) to fully enjoy your time in Hawaii. Yet, we realize not everyone has all the time they need so we wanted to present the minimum amount of time to complete an itinerary, given a full day schedule every day. For example, instead of staying 1 night in a given place, you could spend 3 and have more time to explore, relax, and enjoy the area.

A $ is placed beside activities that require some sort of fee or charge.

#1 Oahu See-All Itinerary: designed for a 1st time visit to the island. This is an aggressive schedule but allows the most comprehensive tour of the island since you are strategically moving around the island and staying in a different location every night.

#2 Oahu Off-the-Beaten Track Authentic Itinerary: designed for the traveler that wants to get away from the main tourist crowds; good for a 2nd or 3rd visit.

#3 Oahu Party & Tourist Highlights Itinerary: designed where you can stay in one place all 3 days and take day trips to explore. This is more of a relaxed itinerary, with particular emphasis on tourist sites and night life.

#1 Oahu See-All Itinerary (click map for larger view)

Day 1:

Start your visit heading up H1 west (fitting in a tour of Pearl Harbor $ if that floats your boat).

Enjoy the rural west coast as you drive from H1 west, to #93, to #930. Soak in the sun on many of the beautiful beaches including the local favorite Makaha and the vast, quiet Yokohama Beach.

Park at Yokohama and take in a short but beautiful & rewarding 2 hour hike (round trip) from Yokohama Beach to Kaena Point. Whales, dolphins, sea lions, albatross, mongoose, and blow holes are among a few of the sights on this trail to the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve.

Enjoy the sunset anywhere along the west coast on your drive to Waikiki.

Stay: Stay the night in a budget hotel or hostel in Waikiki. Enjoy Waikiki's restaurants and night life. Alternative: Stay at a budget condo in Waianae or camp at one of the campsites on the west coast.

Day 2:

Head east to the Diamond Head crater, not far from the end of Waikiki. Hike this popular, but nice, trail for 1-2 hours $ for parking.

Head down H1 East to Haunama Bay to take in one of the most popular snorkeling spots in all of Hawaii $ for parking.

Continue driving east to check out Sandy Beach and the offshore islands.

End your day basking on or grilling dinner on beautiful Lanikai or Kailua Beach.

Stay: Vacation rental or B&B in Kaneohe or Kawela. Alternative: Camp at Waimanalo or Kahana Bay or stay in the condos at Pat's at Punaluu (in Punaluu).

Day 3:

Enjoy driving up the windward coast #83 and taking in the waterfall-plenty Koolau Mountain Range on the left and the ocean-side Kamehameha Hwy.

For a spurge, stop at the one of the shrimp shacks along the highway for lunch $ (most are in Kahuku).

Take in Sunset Beach, home of the famous Pipeline surf break, and Shark's Cove (great for snorkeling but ONLY in good conditions, mainly in summer).

Choose to spend your time on any of the North Shore's beautiful beaches or take a tourist tour of Waimea Valley Audubon Center $ (cliff diving and Hawaiian history).

Don't forget to save some time to enjoy the laid back surf town of Haleiwa. Here you can shop, find cheap eats, and of course enjoy some shave ice $.

Stay: Vacation rental in Kawela or Haleiwa. Alternative: Fly out late tonight or stay in Honolulu or Waikiki if you have an early morning flight.

#2 Oahu Off-the-Beaten Track Authentic Itinerary (click map for larger view)

Day 1:

Drive up H-2 towards the north shore. Go through Haleiwa to Mokuleia Beach, a noted kite surfing and windsurfing spot (there is also camping here).

The adventurous can take on skydiving or gliding at nearby Dillingham Airfield $.

Drive to the end of the road and hike to Kaena Point (4x4's could possibly drive further, but it's a nice hike). Whales, dolphins, sea lions, albatross, mongoose, and blow holes are among a few of the sights on this trail to the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve.

As time permits, head back east to see the turtles at Turtle Beach or watch people going off the jumping rock at Waimea Bay.

During summer, good snorkeling is possible at Shark's Cove (check conditions).

Stay: Vacation rental in Kawela or elsewhere on the north shore. Alternative: Camping at Mokuleia, Kaiaka, or Maleakahana Beach Parks or budget hotel in Laie.

Day 2:

Explore the windward side's infinite beauty and peaceful atmosphere (Kamehameha Hwy from the North Shore south to Kailua).

Choose from among a variety of hikes in the lush Koolau Mountain Range.

Lounge in usually-deserted Kahana Bay and Kualoa Park (with views of Chinaman's Hat).

Kayak $ or windsurf $ at Kailua Beach. Explore nearby beautiful Lanikai Beach.

There are also several famous Oahu hikes around Kailua or Kaneohe if you prefer more hiking.

Stay: Vacation rental/B&B/Inn/Condo anywhere on the windward side. Budget condos are in Punaluu; vacation rentals are in Kawela. Alternative: Camp at one of the many options on this stretch of road. Be aware this side of the island gets more rain so camping can be a gamble, but it's solitude and beauty can be worth getting a little wet!

Day 3:

Drive around the eastern side and catch a quick view of Sandy Beach, Haunama Bay $, and Diamond Head $ for parking.

Choose between spending time at one of these activities or possibly taking in a hike, like the notable one to the lighthouse (complete with blow holes and tide pools).

Take H-1 west until it turns into #93. Soak in the sun on many of the beautiful beaches including the local favorite Makaha and the vast, quiet Yokohama Beach. Scuba diving $ is popular on this coast (check schedules and conditions).

Stay: Stay at a budget condo in Waianae or camping options include Keaau, Lualualei, and Nanakuli Beach Park. Alternative: Fly out late or if you have an early flight you might want to consider staying closer to the airport or in Waikiki.

#3 Oahu Party & Tourist Highlights Itinerary (click map for larger view)

Day 1:

Tour Pearl Harbor $ and any of the cultural museums $ in Honolulu.

Partake in one of Waikiki's adventure activities: surf lessons $, parasailing $, outrigger canoe rides $, etc.

Catch the sunset during happy hour on the beach in Waikiki.

Enjoy the Waikiki night life.

Stay: Hostel or budget hotel in Waikiki; vacation rental in Kawela.

Day 2:

Today drive counter-clockwise around the east side of Oahu. Pick and choose from these activities as time permits: - Diamond Head Crater for a 1-2 hour hike$ for parking. - Haunama Bay for the most famous snorkeling in all of Hawaii $ for parking. - Sandy Beach for body boarding. - Sea Life Park is another stop on the way that is good for kids $. - Kailua or Lanikai Beach for windsurfing $, lounging, or kayaking $ to the small offshore islands.

Take the Pali Highway back to Waikiki; don't forget to stop at the Pali Lookout for a beautiful view of the windward side if it's not cloudy.

Stay: Hostel or budget hotel in Waikiki; vacation rental in Kawela. Alternative: Camping at Waimanalo or Kualoa Park; vacation rental in Kaneohe.

Day 3:

Drive up H-2 north with a stop at the world's largest maze at the Dole Plantation $.

Take 83 east to check out Waimea Valley Audubon Center $ (cliff diving and Hawaiian history), Sunset Beach, or a little further, the Polynesian Cultural Center $ (which offers a dinner luau).

If you opted out of the luau, head back to Haleiwa to enjoy happy hour $ in many of the bars in this laid-back surf town.

Stay: Drive back to Waikiki or get a vacation rental or hostel in Kawela or Haleiwa. Alternative: Camping at Malaekahana Beach.