Welcome to the ultimate family adventure in Oahu! This beautiful Hawaiian island offers the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences that will create lasting memories for your family. Here’s our carefully crafted 7-day itinerary designed to make the most of your time in Oahu.

After visiting Oahu several times, and most recently in March 2024 with our kids (17, 3.5 and 6 months old), I wanted to share our experiences with you. This itinerary mixes adventure, culture and just the right amount of downtime. There are swaps you can make at any time.

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DAY 1: WELCOME TO WAIKIKI

Aloha! Welcome to Oahu. Time to stretch and get smell the island breeze as you walk to get your luggage! For this itinerary you will want a car. You can head over to the car rental counter if you booked one or meet your driver.

We used Turo during this trip (booked a few weeks in advance). The driver met us at the airport arrivals and handed us the keys which was super convenient for our family of 5. Another great option for car rentals is Discount Hawaii Car Rental, you can get the best price on the island. The car rental places do offer car seat rentals, but we brought our own and checked them at the airport (for free). We used these car seat covers, and it worked out great!

Now is the time to stop at Walmart or Sam’s Club to grab some snacks, water and groceries (if you are staying in an Airbnb). This is what we did, and it helped us save some money. We also purchased a playpen for our 6-month-old to sleep in ($65) and a baby bath ($20). It was cheaper than renting. Want to skip the hassle of buying, you can rent baby gear from Baby Quip. Baby Quip offers clean, safe & insured baby gear for your vacation-from cribs, playpens, baby baths, car seats, strollers, wagons, toys, highchairs, beach toys, etc. all you baby needs dropped off at your hotel/condo. 

We landed at 1pm Hawaii time, which was really 6pm CST (5-hour difference for us). The kids slept a lot on the plane, but I do recommend keeping them awake until bedtime in Hawaii time. They adjusted to the time change quite well.

Once you’re settled in, it’s time to take in the sights of Waikiki. Take a walk from your hotel/condo and explore. Some families may want to take a dip in the ocean first! It’s only 1.5 miles long so you can see everything you need to without a car. The first item on our list was food so we ate dinner at Tiki’s (on the Diamond Head side). The views here were fabulous.

Another great option would be unwinding with drinks and music and the Moana Surfrider Hotel. This will put you in the Aloha spirit and the grounds are breathtaking. If you do not have a dinner reservation you may have a bit of a wait. If you don’t want to wait, head to The Street Food Hall by Michael Mina at the International Marketplace.

DAY 2: MORNING HIKE & WAIKIKI BEACH 

Due to jet-lag you will likely wake up early on day 2, so make the most of it! Grab a coffee and light breakfast. There are plenty of places nearby and they do have  Starbucks as well. I like Island Vintage Coffee.

Drive to Diamond Head Crater, Hawaii’s most popular state park. Get there early to find parking. Bring cash: it’s $5 per car to park or $1 per person to walk in. We made reservations online, so it was all included. The hike is 1.6 miles and steep, taking you up the crater, which you will be rewarded with fantastic views. Allow for 1.5-2 hours total. The hardest part is the 99-steps, which can be avoided. This is an easy hike. My 3.5-year-old did it without any problems and we took our 6-month-old in a baby carrier. Both kids had hats and light clothing. The best time to go is between 7-9am to beat the heat and crowds. Be sure to wear gym shoes (no sandals), sunscreen, hat and bring water (especially for kids).

Once you take in the views and get all your pictures you will have a few options here, as I wanted this to be a laid-back day after travelling. I will share what we did then alternatives.

Back to Waikiki

We headed to Leonard’s Bakery for the famous malsadas. Malsadas are Portuguese donuts filled with fruit and chocolate. They were delicious.

Grab a plate lunch from the local spot Rainbow Drive-In or make lunch back at the condo. We parked our car back at the condo and headed to the beach. There are plenty of activities to do on Waikiki beach. Head to Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue and check out the stand-up paddle, kayak or surfboard rental options.

This visit, we stayed on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki – so we went to Kuhio Beach. This side of the beach has a break wall that blocks the surf so there are not big waves and it’s a great spot for kids to play in the water. If you want to snorkel, hit up Queens Beach, it has some good snorkeling.

If you do not want to relax on the beach, this would be a good time to do a Circle Island Tour with a group.

For dinner we walked to Duke’s. This is a must visit spot for us anytime we are in Waikiki. It’s a casual spot that has great food, a good selection on the kids menu live music and ocean views. We didn’t have a reservation and did not have to wait that long. They do have a bar if there is a wait. We were able to sit at a table with our stroller, no problem.

DAY 3: WINDWARD COAST & NORTH SHORE 

I am going to present some alternatives here so you can make swaps as you see fit. Kailua is the main hub and town for water sports/kayaking and paddle boarding.

Hit the road and take the Pali highway, through the mountains and tunnels before you make your way to the Nu’Uanu Pali lookout for a quick stop. ($7 for parking). Here you will have panoramic views of the windward side. When we went it was drizzling (common here). Read about the history, take some pictures and head out.

Stop for breakfast. There are plenty of options to choose from. My favs are:

• Over Easy
• Moke’s Bread and Breakfast
• Cinnamon’s
• Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen

From here you’ll head to beautiful Lanikai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu.

Since we had different aged kids, my husband and teen proceed to the Lanikai Pillbox Hike – not recommended for toddlers or infants in carriers. While this hike is easy/moderate, it does involve rocky ledges, ropes for climbing at times, navigating rocks and trees, requiring caution around heights and slippery at times. The hike is short, 1.6 miles out and back.  It is one of my favs! I waited at Lanikai Beach with the kids and enjoyed the beautiful views.

Kailua beach is next to Lanikai Beach if you want to explore there as well.

Once you have gotten your fill of the beach, head back to town for a quick lunch. We love Kono’s bombers or you can try Kalapawai Market for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or poke bowls. If you want a sweet treat, stop for shave ice at Island Snow- it’s one of my fav spots for shave ice on the island.

This is where an alternative comes in depending on how long you stay at the beach. You can do the following:

1. Head to Ho’omaluia Botanical Gardens (free) – Ko Olau Mountain Range as the backdrop – explore 8 tropical gardens, tackle one of the various nature trails. This is THE famous IG garden spot you see influencers taking pictures at with the road and mountains in the backdrop! Very beautiful and peaceful.

After you are finished enjoying nature, head to dinner at Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens located in Kaneohe. They open at 4pm and do not take reservations. If you have to wait you can enjoy a stroll in the beautiful gardens. I suggest arriving at 4pm right when they open. 

2. Option 2: Head to Turtle Bay Resort – the beaches are public here. There are spots reserved for public parking. Snorkel on the beach at Kuilima Cove and enjoy cocktails at the beach bar. If you decide to stay here, you can have dinner at The Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi (expensive but good) or Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill (kid friendly).

3. Option 3: Grab some sweet treats at Kaimana Shave Ice and head to Blue Planet Adventure Co. (9-5) – Stand-Up Paddle Board, kayak, surfboard and snorkel rentals here. We did SUP on the Anahulu River. After an afternoon on the water grab some dinner at Kua Aina Burgers and try to catch the sunset at one of the many beaches (Sunset Beach is our fav).

DAY 4: NORTH SHORE 

Some people like to split their time in Oahu between Waikiki and the North Shore. If you do decide to do this, you can spend 5-6 nights in Waikiki and 2-3 nights on the North Shore since there is SO much to explore and the drive from Waikiki is an hour. This itinerary does not break out the trip this way, but it’s an option.

With an hour drive ahead of you, grab some coffee and head out to Haleiwa Harbor (66-105 Haleiwa Rd.) for Cage Shark Diving through Hawaii Shark Encounters (2 hours). This was by far the BEST experience of our lives. We’ve toured with this company a few times-they make you feel safe, educate you and most of all you have FUN! Go early, as the waves aren’t as bad.

The boat takes you about 3 miles offshore where you will get in a floating cage with a group and witness sharks inches away from you! We seen Galapagos sharks and we got lucky and seen a Tiger shark. There are separate fees if you just want to take a boat ride and watch-just not participate. This tour is for 5 years and older.

I stopped for breakfast at Farm to Barn (so good) with the kids while my husband and teen did this excursion (my young kids weren’t old enough), but I have done this tour many times before!

If you have young kids with you, you can hit up the Dole Plantation instead. They open at 9:30 and offer the pineapple express train tour, plantation garden tour, pineapple garden maze, plantation grill and cute shops.

Continue on to Laniakea Beach aka Turtle Beach to witness sea turtles and some beautiful scenery. Parking is a bit difficult, there is a lot across the street that fills up quickly or people park on the side of the road. The best times to see the turtles is between 11-1pm.

It’s time to head to Waimea Valley for a beautiful waterfall hike. This hike is about ¾ of a mile and takes around 30 minutes. It is paved the entire way. At the end of the trail you will get to swim in a beautiful waterfall – dependent on weather and waterfall conditions – there is a lifeguard on duty. Check before going. There is a snack bar, bar & coffee house on site. There is a fee for this activity ($25 adults/$20 students with ID/child ages 4-12 $15). They also offer shuttle transportation to the falls starting at 9:45am for $10 each person.

After your hike, head across the street to Waimea Bay for some swimming and cliff jumping (depending on season and weather). Note: if you are visiting in winter, the waves at Waimea Bay can be huge and dangerous. Skip snorkeling and swimming and enjoy the view from the beach.

Want to snorkel instead? Hit up Shark’s Cove or Three tables (next to sharks cove).

Grab a quick lunch at one of the many food trucks that dot the north shore, like Giovannis Shrimp or NS Taco Truck. You can miss the trucks!

Once you are done with lunch, spend some time walking and shopping around Haleiwa- a historic surf town that is the cultural hub of the North Shore. We like to park by the Aloha General Store and walk from there. Grab some shave ice from the Aloha General Store too-you won’t be disappointed.

Depending on the time, jump in your car and try to catch the sunset at Sunset Beach or Banzai Pipeline – where you can also watch the locals surf on this famous beach. Grab some grub from another food truck and eat on the beach if you’re hungry.

DAY 5: SNORKELING & WAIKIKI BEACH

After a long 2 days on the North Shore, it’s time to slow down a bit. Have breakfast at the condo or near your hotel.

Head to Hanauma Bay for some of the best snorkeling on Oahu. The bay is protected by vertical crater walls and a reef which help keep the water calm, which is ideal for littles. You do have to make reservations for this and it can be difficult to get. 48 hours before going they open the reservation system online at 7am so you will want to make reservations at that time. Try and get there early, as parking fills up quickly.

• Closed every Monday and Tuesday
• Opens at 6:45am and closes at 4pm / no entry after 2pm
• Park Entry Fee: $25
• Parking Lot Fee: $3
• Kids 12 & under are free
• Tours available through 3^rd party vendors
• Waikiki transportation packages available with snorkel gear included
• Small personal coolers allowed with snacks/water. No alcohol

You can decide to spend the day here or head back to Waikiki. We spent the rest of the day at the Hilton Hawaiian Village beach and pools. You can park by the marina-metered parking is $1 per hour.

The HHV has a man-made lagoon that is safe for kids to swim in. You can rent water toys here (bikes, SUP and kayaks). You can use the pools here too, just make sure you have your own towels. Relax at the super pool and grab a drink from the Hau Tree Bar – you can sip your cocktail in the water!

Grab some dinner at Tropics Bar and Grill right on the beach – or from one of the many restaurants within the HHV. Tapa Bar is great too for burgers, pizza and chicken bites. They have live music here every night and its open (in the middle of the resort)-so lots of space for kids.

If it’s a Friday night, stick around for the fireworks that start at 7:45pm by the lagoon.

DAY 6: CULTURE & LUAU

Start your morning off slow, grab some breakfast and coffee, take a stroll on the beach walk, because your day will be spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

We booked our tickets online several weeks prior to our trip. This was our most expensive tour we purchased, but it was worth it. Children under 4 are free, except for food kiosks and Gateway Buffet dining, they’re not going to cost you a penny. However, this does mean no seats are reserved for them, so they’ll have to sit in your lap for the show.

The PCC is full of cultural activities, immersive demonstrations and countless learning opportunities. With so many options it can feel overwhelming and it’s 70 minutes from most resort areas, so it will take up the day.

There is a lot to keep you and your family busy no matter which package you choose, and the immersive cultural experience is FUN! The center is open from 12:30pm to 9:30 pm and you will spend the full day there. Any ticket you purchase to the PCC gives you multiple days of re-entry.

We spent the day at the PCC with their Ali’I Luau Package. This package is the most popular choice and offers a group guided tour through the 6 island villages, Ali’I Luau Buffet & live entertainment, Gold level seating at Ha: Breth of Life Show. You can skip the ticketing line and head straight into the PCC. Once you enter you will get introduced to your tour guide. Most of the people that work at the PCC are from the college.

Touring the villages is from 12:30 to 4:30. We seen demonstrations like coconut husking, coconut tree climbing, we learned to weave, we took a boat ride through their lagoon and you will experience interactive presentations that gives you an idea of cultural dances and practices. Having a guide take us through each island made this part of the day feel so organized in what may have otherwise been overwhelming. Our timing was perfect island-to-island.

Ali’i Luau (5:00 pm – 6:30 pm)

The Ali’I Luau is a beautiful and very mellow dinner show. It starts off with pulling the pig out of the imu. The food is wonderful and accommodates a ton of dietary restrictions. Note: there are more options available at the Gateway Buffet. They do not serve alcohol at this Luau or show or on the premises.

HA: Breath of Life Show (7:30)

During this show, no phone use, photos or videos are permitted, but you can take pictures with the cast at the end. This is more than just a show, it’s a production! These are professional performers and the show was executed to perfection. Think immersive, theatrical and breathtaking. I was in awe watching the fire dancers- the level of talent was unreal. My toddler (3.5) loved the show and stayed up for the whole thing. I did have my 6 month old as well, who was completely passed out. No strollers are allowed so I did have to hold him. I would suggest bringing noise cancelling headphones with for babies-it does get super loud with the music and loud speakers. He slept through it just fine.

DAY 7: HISTORY

Start your morning with some souvenir shopping at the Aloha Swap Meet & Marketplace. The stadium is open Wednesday & Saturday from 8am-3pm and Sunday’s from 6:30am to 3 pm. It’s a 20-minute drive from Waikiki and is the largest open air market to shop for best deals. All parking gates are cash only and admission is $2 for 12 and older. 11 and under are free.

After some shopping head to Pearl Harbor, located just north of downtown Honolulu. Pearl Harbor holds several museums and memorials that you can visit, including the memorial of the submerged USS Arizona.

Tickets to the visitor center and USS Arizona memorial are free on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you’re traveling during a peak time and want a free ticket, you should flip the itinerary for the day and visit Pearl Harbor first. Tickets are also available to reserve and tour packages are available with pickup from Waikiki hotels. You can find more information on the National Park Service website.

Once you are finished with your tour, stop for a quick bite at Restaurant 604 – a laid back bar & grill featuring Hawaiian dishes, live music & waterfront deck with sunset views.

Alternate dinner option and one of my favorite places: House Without A Key- one of the most iconic restaurants in Waikiki – is a popular indoor/outdoor spot for sunset cocktails, amazing dinner & Hawaiian entertainment. The ocean is the backdrop for the hula dancer and Hawaiian music. Dinner service starts at 5 pm. We make our reservations through Open Table. The food is outstanding. However, their kids menu is not the greatest but we managed. We fed our toddler before we ate here and he picked at things at the table. Strollers are parked by the front desk but we were able to bring the car seat and have it next to us for the baby. Valet parking is free here (always check before going as this could change).

CAN YOU SAVE MONEY WITH THE GO OAHU CARD?

If you plan to do even just a few activities on this list, the pass can actually end up saving you money. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss booking activities in Hawaii. 

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED ON OAHU?

How long can you stay? This itinerary takes you through 7 action-packed days to explore the island. But there is way more to see and do. However many days you spend on the islands, you should make the most of your time here with the best planning and advice. 

STAYING MORE THAN 7 DAYS? 

If you are staying longer on Oahu, there is so much more to see and do. Here are some of my suggestions:

Easy Family-Friendly Hikes

• Moana Falls: easy hike to a waterfall, around 1.6 miles
• Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail: 2 miles roundtrip and is fully paved
• Euhaki (sunset) Pillbox Hike: North Shore hikes takes you up a 30-minute climb, and is a good spot for sunsets.

Kualoa Ranch:

Kualoa Ranch is a place where families can immerse themselves in activities that cater to all ages and interests (age restrictions do apply). Tours include ATV tours, horseback riding, jungle expeditions and movie site tours. For younger kids activities include a fishpond, garden tours and picnic areas which is a spot if you are waiting for your group to get back from another tour. Check out more info here. 

Explore Downtown Honolulu:

If you have the time or want to swap days, I’d add this to your list. You can visit Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Aloha Tower, fish markets (eat at Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill) and explore Chinatown.

Ready to pack your bags for your dream vacation? We’ve got you covered. Grab my itinerary and guide! Need help planning your trip? Schedule a complimentary consultation call to begin!

 Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried out this itinerary and what you think! There is so much to do and see on Oahu, it’s impossible to fit everything in during one trip! Feel free to reach out for ways to tweak this itinerary to fit your needs.

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