4 Days in Oahu & Honolulu for First-Timers

Morning:

The sun-kissed sands of Waikiki Beach are top of the bucket-list for most first-time visitors to Hawaii. And why not? Waikiki, after all, is the beach that has everything. We’re talking warm powdery sand, gently rolling surf, and tiki bars touting fruity Mai Tai and Blue Hawaiian cocktails. And then there are those frankly ridiculous views of Diamond Head. Bag a spot on the sand and don Kardashian-sized sunglasses for some of the best seafront people-watching opportunities on the island, as lobster-skinned Europeans slurp shave ice and wannabe Patrick Swayzes wipe out in the shallows. 

Afternoon:

Your first day on Oahu is all about rest and relaxation, right? Right. Which is why next on your itinerary is a luxury lunchtime catamaran cruise of the bay. Take a prosecco picnic (or book a ride with lunch provided) and enjoy smooth sailing as you cruise along Oahu’s Insta-perfect coastline taking in soaring, jungle-clad mountains, submerged volcanic craters, and, who knows, maybe even the occasional migrating whale! Back on dry land, take the opportunity to give the old credit card a workout in Waikiki’s Luxury Row (hello Chanel, Gucci and Dior), or keep it real at the six-story Waikiki Shopping Plaza for high-street brands and restaurants galore.

Evening:

Sundowners at the legendary Duke’s on Waikiki Beach are practically a rite of passage when visiting Oahu and, with its zesty blend of orange curaçao, lime, sweet orgeat syrup, and mule’s kick of rum, their Mai Tai is a Hawaii must-try. Book to avoid disappointment! Afterwards, hit up Honolulu’s hottest nightspots: Kaka’ako’s lively dive bars, posh cocktails at Halekulani Hotel, and the chance to dance yourself dizzy at Sky Waikiki, way up top of the soaring Waikiki Business Plaza building.

Morning:

The collection of monuments and museums at Pearl Harbor provide a moving insight into Hawaii’s role in the Second World War, as well as commemorating all of those whose lives were lost. There are many ways to visit Oahu’s most popular attraction, but one of the best (and easiest) is on a comprehensive guided tour. Most such tours include a speedboat ride to the memorial marking the resting place of the sunken USS Arizona battleship and a trip up to the National Cemetery of the Pacific, set on top of an extinct volcano. 

Top tip: You can access most of Pearl Harbor’s individual attractions and museums, including Battleship Missouri and the Aviation Museum, with an Oahu attraction pass from Go City. The immersive 5-hour tour is also included with the pass, which could save you up to 50% on more than 40 Hawaii attractions, tours and activities. Find out more and get your pass here.

Afternoon:

Grab a seafood poke bowl or fish taco for a quick lunch, then mosey over to Iolani Palace, an ornate American-Florentine confection that was built for Kamehameha III in the mid-19th century and remains the only official royal state residence in the United States. Wander the palace’s ostentatious state rooms and cavernous halls, and don’t miss the Coronation Pavilion, built in the grounds for the 1883 coronation of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiolani. Entry to Iolani Palace is also included with a Go City Oahu attractions pass.

Evening:

Round off your day of immersion in Hawaiian history and tradition at a classic Polynesian luau. These extravagant shows include traditional music, Polynesian food, fire-dancing, hula lessons and more, all served up with a substantial helping of aloha spirit. Choose small family-run luaus for a more authentic experience, or go full bombast with one of the blockbuster shows like the Ka Moana luau (included with Go City), Hilton Hawaiian Village or Paradise Cove.

Morning:

Oahu’s Windward Coast (east side) has some of the best beaches on the island, and the sands at Kualoa are among the very finest (in every sense of the word). There’s a fee to access the beach, known as ‘Secret Island’, but you can also (of course) also get in with a Go City Oahu pass. There’s stacks to do here in this picture-perfect paradise: snorkel the crystal clear waters; join a beach ping-pong tournament; or kayak out to the conical volcanic marvel that is Mokoli'i Island, aka the Chinaman’s Hat. And if all that sounds a little too… strenuous, you’ll be pleased to hear there are also plenty of hammocks slung between the swaying palms.

Afternoon:

Mosey up into the Kualoa Ranch, where you can gorge on Aunty Pat’s homestyle Hawaiian cooking before exploring the epic grounds on horseback. The timeless scenery here, all widescreen valleys and lush forested hills, is – perhaps unsurprisingly – something of a Hollywood star, having appeared in such blockbusters as Jurassic Park, Godzilla and, um, George of the Jungle. Afterwards, make for the nearby Polynesian Cultural Center to experience the Pacific Islands in microcosm by way of themed villages, traditional Polynesian food, and lessons in Samoan fire-knife-twirling and the Tongan art of seated dancing.

Evening: 

Back to Honolulu for something a bit special. For the win: French fine dining and wondrous Diamond Head views at La Mer, or surf and turf served with 36th-floor panoramas at The Signature.

Morning:

If you only manage one hike while in Oahu, make it Diamond Head. Set at the east end of Waikiki Beach, this iconic volcanic crater makes for a surprisingly unchallenging morning excursion. Book one of the earliest slots to dodge the crowds (and heat) and you’ll be rewarded with sensational sunrise views during the ascent and far-reaching 360-degree panoramas of Waikiki, Honolulu and beyond from the forested summit, 760 feet up. Shuttle trips to/from the Diamond Head trail from any Waikiki hotel are included with the Go City Oahu attraction pass.

Afternoon:

For conservation reasons, you’ll also need to book a slot to get access to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. But boy is it worth it: golden sands, lush green hills, balmy turquoise waters and a kaleidoscope of marine life await. Bring a snorkel for close encounters with sea turtles, box jellyfish and all manner of colorful tangs, wrasses and butterflyfish. And keep your eyes peeled for Hawaii’s official state fish: the stripy, snout-nosed reef triggerfish, aka the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. Try saying that after your second Mai Tai!

Evening:

Round off your 4-day Oahu experience by making more vacation memories with a sunset cruise on the bay. Expect warm ocean breezes accompanied by live Hawaiian music, a lavish dinner, and sweeping views of the Oahu skyline. Perfect, and utterly unforgettable.