Anyone surprised that one of the Hawai'i islands can even be found on Cheap Weekend Travel?
After getting my undergrad, I actually spent 2 months living in Hawai'i and learned all the best tricks for affordable travel without compromising any of the experiences. So allow me to be your guide for some of the best things to do and places to see- I promise you won't be disappointed.
Let your adventure begin!
How does Oahu compare to the other islands?
Oahu ranked as my second favorite Hawai'i island, behind Kauai. But I would recommend any first-time-guest to Hawai'i visit Oahu for so many reasons.
- Oahu is 44 miles long and 30 miles wide- making even your longest trip across the island less than a 1.5 hour drive.
- There's something for everyone. It has touristy activities, or things to do for backpackers and those that don't want to take the tourist route. It's also the island with the most nightlife.
- The hiking..... oh my gosh. Best hiking I have ever experienced as a whole and each hike is vastly unique from the others.
- Reasonable prices. I would rank Oahu as the second most affordable island out of the Big Island, Maui, and Kaua'i.
When is the best time to travel to Oahu?
The Hawai'i islands don't experience much, if not any, of the seasons, so I can't think of a time of year to avoid.
However, I did go in the Winter, and experienced early mornings in the 60s, and hottest peaks of the days in the 80s. Truly best case scenario all year since it doesn't vary much from this.
Since I stayed on Oahu for a month, I have a different experience than the average tourist or traveler. I stayed in an Airbnb in a cottage with the sweetest huskies and a great family and friends. It couldn't have been more perfect for meeting locals and making friends so far from home.
But that's not reality for every vacation, so I will give you tips on where to stay during your own time on the island.
Hands down, the best part of the island is the North Shore. You truly get the feel of local living and Hawai'i vibes on the North Shore rather than the hustle and bustle of the city.
However, since time is limited and there's so much to see all around the island, I would actually recommend staying in Honolulu at one of the many beautiful hotels and just taking at least one day to explore the North Shore of Oahu.
Getting Around
Getting a rental car on any of the Hawaii islands is a must. Trust me, I tried looking for any way around it: moped, hitchhike, or public transport, but the island is too large and relies heavily on highways and busy roads. Your best bet is using Turo or Craigslist for local's vehicles.
Okay, let's get started with the itinerary.
It's important to know that these days are interchangeable and catered towards travelers looking to see as much of the island without being too rushed. This isn't intended for those looking to lay out on the beach with a margarita for days.
So adventure seekers, this one's for you.
Day One
Diamond Head Hike
We headed to Diamond Head around 5 AM for our early reservations (which are required btw) to see the sunrise. Diamond Head is a really popular crater to Oahu, and was decently packed, even for such an early morning. So don't neglect arriving early for your reservation time.
As you can see, it only takes about 45 minutes to complete- from car back to car. Fairly moderate hike.
Parking costs $10 and it is $5 per individual.
Manoa Falls Hike
Take a short drive to Manoa Falls for another hike full of nature and beauty. This is defintely one of my favorites, and has a decent incline for the vast majority of the hike.
Apparently, some scenes from Jurassic Park and Lost were filmed here- but to me, it reminds me the most of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.
Parking costs $7 at the gate OR park free on the road.
Lots of walking this morning, but I promise it's worth it! This botanical garden is a peaceful walk through Oahu's unique plants and wildlife.
Honestly, I'd suggest turning around after the first half, or even after going to the visitor center. The drive into the garden has the biggest wow-factor of it all.
Free to enter.
Okay, after all that hiking, it's time to relax!
Kailua is one of the cutest towns on the island. Relax, get some lunch, window shop, but no matter what you do, go to Manoa Chocolate Factory! They provide a free chocolate tasting that's really insightful (and delicious).
Pay by meter to park. Free to enter.
Those are all of my non negotiables for the day. Maybe now is the time to get that margarita and chill on Lanikai Beach, consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world.
Or go to the Ala Moana Mall to do more shopping.
Day Two
If you haven't gathered by now, I am definitely an advocate for getting an early start to the day and catching the sunrise. So, why not watch it throughout a crazy cool hike?
This trail is an easy incline for 2.6 miles on a paved road with views that feel like Ireland. The drive here is just as exciting as the hike itself with multiple lookout points to stop along the way.
Less than a five minute drive from the Lighthouse Trail is the Hālona Blowhole. This takes the cake as being my favorite beach on this island. If you get here early, you've got a good chance of having it all to yourself.
Great for cliff jumping and exploring in the cave that goes under the road!
The water is unbelievably clear and if you're lucky, you'll see some sea turtles!
Parking and entry is free.
On your way back, you cannot miss the opportunity to have Hawai'i's best Malasadas from Leonard's.
I wish I was exaggerating when I told you I almost caused accidents when my friends and I noticed a Leonard's truck on our way somewhere.
Pictured is a dozen of mixed malasadas. They are around $2 each.
I'm not the biggest fan of Waikiki Beach due to the chaos of the city (fun fact: the 2 mile strip of Waikiki has a higher population of people than from the rest of Oahu and all of the other islands combined), but it's worth checking out just to check the box.
Check out Sky Waikiki for brunch, happy hour, or dinner for a rooftop dining experience. They have a reasonable happy hour and good portions for shareable meals.
Close your night with the sunset at Waikiki Beach and some shopping around the Ala Moana Mall.
Day Three
Eastside day! The Eastside of Oahu is the windward side, but has the most beautiful mountains and other sights to see, rain or shine.
I should note that this hike is illegal, so proceed with caution and be respectful.
Luckily, it isn't known for giving out fines to hikers, and is only 0.6 miles in length including the walk from the car.
I've done this hike a few times and it's definitely the best at sunrise. It's a challenging route, so don't attempt if it's been raining.
Free to park and enter.
Going to a macadamia nut farm on Oahu is a must! They are grown locally on the island, and the Macadamia Nut Farm has free coffee and macadamia nut tastings. They even have free nuts outside you can crack yourself and enjoy!
Parking and entry is free.
Kualou Farms is famous for being a famous filming site for classic movies, including Lost, Jurassic Park, and Kong.
My family and I thought every moment of our Jungle Expedition tour was worth it, and it taught us so much about the culture, history, and agriculture of the island.
They also have RV rides and ziplining, but this tour truly was insightful and enjoyable enough that we didn't regret taking the chill-er route.
$50 for the Jungle Expedition.
Day Four
NORTH SHORE day! Maybe I'm biased because I lived on the North Shore for the entirety of my stay on Oahu, but it truly is a part of the island you'd remiss to neglect.
Waimea Falls is home of many famous movies and TV shows, including Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Lost, Jurassic Park, and more.
This park is a 2.4 walk through a gorgeous botanical garden (and that's coming from someone who doesn't usually ooo and ahh over agriculture as much as I'd like to admit). It was well worth the entrance fee and the waterfall at the end was refreshing and beautiful.
I heard lots of talk about "is it worth it or not?" so let me answer that for you and let you know that it is definitely worth it.
$25 for adults and $18 for students to enter.
Eats
For local eats, I would recommend any of the North Shore food trucks (they're everywhere- you can't miss them), or Ted's Bakery.
Some of my favorites were Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, The Sunrise Shack, and Crispy Grindz.
Free parking.
Snorkel at Shark's Cove
Despite the name, Shark's Cove is the best snorkeling spot on the North Shore. The beach has free parking, and is right across the street from food trucks and Foodland- perfect for a chill spot to eat lunch, rent snorkel gear, and hang out.
On your way back to Honolulu, stop by the Dole Plantation and Green World Coffee Farms for tours in both of their home-grown plantations.
I personally didn't feel the need to book any tours with the Dole Plantation after being fully satisfied with my Dole Whip, but there's plenty to explore there if you're looking to kill some time before your flight.
There are countless of other activities on the incredible island of Oahu, but if you're looking for the must-sees, you came to the right place.
If you have any questions or further comments on any of these activities or places above, don't hesitate to reach out and connect with me at cheapweekendtravel.com
Aloha!
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