I spent a little over a week in Oahu solo, beaching, eating, adventuring, learning, and most of all, enjoying! It's hard to get bored on this island, and with all the options, planning a vacation can feel overwhelming. But you can use my Oahu itinerary to inspire your trip--or flat out copy it--I won't get mad! Start scrolling and taking notes, friend.
And if you enjoy this article, you'll love my list of things to do in Oahu, Hawaii, too!
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Best Time to Visit
Oahu's high season for tourism is usually from December to April, when people tend to travel for winter holidays and spring break. It's also whale-watching season. The high season is more crowded and more expensive, and the Hawaiian Islands are already expensive destinations to visit.
I prefer to travel on a budget during low and shoulder seasons, but caught a flight deal and wound up visiting Oahu during the last week of January. All 7 days in Oahu, the weather was lovely and warm, with a bit of wind, passing rain showers, and plenty of rainbows. The temperatures ranged between the 60s and 80s the whole time, meaning pretty much every day was a beach day. And I took full advantage, hitting up seven beaches in eight days!
Pro Travel Tip
By the way, this means that sun protection is always necessary, and I recommend buying sunscreen with a big "reef safe" sticker once you get to the island, as the kind we use elsewhere can have ingredients that bleach and kill coral.
Here's my Oahu, Hawaii packing list with women's outfit ideas, too!
Getting There
United States citizens won't need a passport or visa to visit Oahu. Although the Hawaiian Islands make up America's 50th state, they are nearly 2500 miles from the mainland with a completely different climate, flora, and fauna.
Hawaii's ecosystem has been heavily impacted by invasive species of animals and plants brought over by invaders and visitors. So, you'll need to fill out a form on your arriving flight declaring any wildlife you might have with you, and dogs are subject to quarantine.
Oahu feels a world away from the continental U.S., but the official language is English, and USD is accepted anywhere, so there's no need to exchange currency at the airport or anywhere else.
There are thousands of airfare tickets available from the mainland to Oahu daily, including nonstop options from all parts of the country. My Southwest flight from Houston, Texas, had a layover in Phoenix, Arizona.
How to Get Around
If you're visiting without a car, Oahu has two public transit options available to residents and visitors. TheBus is the island's bus network, which includes TheHandi-Van for passengers with disabilities. And Skyline is an express above-ground-level rail. If you're trying to save money, look into these services.
Many areas, including Waikiki, are walkable. But for the most flexibility, I highly recommend renting a car in Oahu to get around and explore different parts of the island that public transportation won't reach.
For this Oahu self-drive itinerary, I picked up a car upon arrival at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and used Google Maps to group my planned activities by area in order to make the most of my time and gas.
Driving on Oahu is a little different than in Texas. For one thing, the speed limits are much lower. I'm talking 25 mph standard and up to 45 on the highways. I was a bit of a fish out of water in this regard, but the drives are unbelievably scenic, and I spotted a few chickens randomly darting across the road, so respecting the speed limits was easy.
Street parking is generally cheap and sometimes free, depending on the area. I was able to park in Waikiki for about $1 an hour, which beat out the hotel's self-park and valet options every time. Rideshare options like Uber are also available in Oahu.
Pro Travel Tip
99.1 is the station you'll want to set your radio to--hip hop and R&B hits from the 90s and 2000s with very few commercials. I was pleasantly surprised.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the Marriott Resort & Spa on Waikiki Beach. It's literally across the street from the water and near several other hotels, shopping, and popular dining spots.
This hotel had all the basics, but they were just that: basic. So I wouldn't really regard it as a proper resort. As you'll see, my Oahu island trip was packed with activities, so I didn't do much more than sleep at the hotel.
I did appreciate the on-site laundromat since my trip was on the longer side, and it was convenient to be able to do laundry.
There's no such thing as a cheap hotel in Oahu, but for the price, I'd book elsewhere next time. The staff was wonderful, though, and the hotel was slated to undergo extensive renovations right after my stay.
Check out the best beachfront hotels in Oahu!
My Seven-Day Oahu Itinerary
The North Shore
I started the first full day of my Oahu vacation itinerary on the iconic North Shore, which is known as a haven for surfers, and has a cooler and younger vibe than Waikiki.
Haleiwa Bowls was my first stop for their Mana acai bowl, which I ordered without bananas, and it was LOVE. So tasty and ruined all other acai bowls for me! From here, I recommend strolling around Haleiwa Town Center, which is a walkable area known for eateries, art galleries, and shops.
I picked up a few souvenirs here, including my customary shot glass, and saw some of the same items available in shops near Waikiki Beach, except the prices were lower here.
The Dole Plantation is a touristy attraction, typically more aimed at families with kids, but I wanted to get that Dole whip! The Dole whip was exceptionally creamy and sweet, with just two ingredients: fresh pineapple and coconut milk.
I found the pineapple maze underwhelming, but do recommend the garden tour, especially if you're a plant lover like me. Plantations have a negative connotation on the mainland, especially as a Black woman from the American South. However, this plantation has no crossover with the transatlantic slave trade.
Its history and presence are controversial, though, because they represent the extraction and commercialization of the islands. And pineapples aren't even native to Hawaii!
Haleiwa Ali'i Beach is definitely a beach for surfers! The water was a beautiful deep blue, and the waves were quite strong when I went, so there were plenty of people out trying to catch waves. Like every other beach I visited, there's a park around the beach and parking lot with areas to change, outdoor showers, tables, benches, etc.
Kealia Trail was my first hike on Oahu and, without a doubt, the most difficult. It's not nearly as heavily trafficked as some of the trendier hikes like Diamond Head. I only encountered a handful of other people, as it's mostly utilized by locals.
Kealia is a 7.6-mile summit filled with boulders and not for the faint of heart. To be honest, I didn't even realize that until I was nearly six miles in and chatted with a couple on the trail. The views are spectacular and well worth the sweat. You will sweat.
Read how to plan your hiking in Oahu excursions!
I wrapped up day one at Tiki's Bar & Grill on the second floor of the Aston Hotel in Waikiki. The food was tasty, and I was pleasantly surprised by the live music. The band gave me a tiny taste of nightlife with my dinner and drinks, which sufficed because ya girl was too tired. to even try to hit the club!
Jurassic Park x Beach Day
Waikiki Beach - I started the day here since it was just across the street from my hotel (along with many others). It was quite peaceful early in the morning, which makes sense because it's actually a popular beach for watching the sunset.
This is the most trafficked beach and, thus, the least clean, comparatively speaking. Of course, the water was still light blue, and I could see fish swimming around, but there were cigarette butts and empty bottles here and there.
If you want to take surfing or scuba lessons, or head out on a tour via the marina, Waikiki Beach will probably be your spot.
Kualoa Ranch ATV Tour takes you through a lush private nature preserve where films like Jumanji and Jurassic Park (among over 100 others) were filmed. This was my first time on an ATV, so there was a bit of a learning curve, but once I got the hang of it, so much fun.
Afterward, I recommend you stop by Aunty Pat's Paniola, a cafeteria inside the visitor's center, for a plate lunch. I got the Kualoa burger, which was mid but came with some of the best fries I've ever tasted!
Read my full Kualoa Ranch review before you go!
Barefoot Beach Cafe - Back in Waikiki, I did dinner here right in the sand. I highly recommend their combination plates and fresh pineapple smoothies, served out of pineapples.
The time difference caught up with me at this point, so I just chilled the rest of the day and night.
Kailua
Breakfast at Eggs N Things was a must, according to TripAdvisor and Google Maps, so I did an early morning at the Waikiki location to beat the crowds and see the sunrise.
Next, I went on a Kayak & Snorkel Excursion, which included transportation to and from my hotel in Waikiki to Kailua on the windward side of the island.
Despite having rented a car, I opted to take the ride there so that I could take in the scenery on the way. That was a good decision. Two Good Kayaks outfitted us with sack lunches, snorkel gear, dry bags, life vests, etc., and had things like water shoes for rent or sale in their shop.
We kayaked from Kailua Beach over to Popoia Island, which is a bird sanctuary with tide pools and beautiful views. Our guide took us all around the giant coral head and even snapped pictures before we paddled to Lanikai Beach for snorkeling. If you go on this excursion, you're bound to see cute little sea turtles both while kayaking and while snorkeling!
Buzz's - After the excursion, I walked across the street to Buzz's for a sweet treat and a cocktail. It's a steakhouse with a laid-back vibe, so lots of people head over from the beach.
Bailey's Antiques for souvenirs! This is the go-to place for classic Aloha shirts, if you're into that kind of thing. They also have the cutest Betty Boop out front to greet you.
Hula's Bar & Lei Stand in Waikiki for a late-night Rupaul's Drag Race-themed show. If you're into drag performance, I recommend.
Lanikai & Local Lunch
Beach Yoga was one of my must-dos on the island and there are a number of options available. I took a power Vinyasa class with Summer via Yoga Under the Palms. Savasana to the sounds of live birds chirping and waves crashing under a canopy of palm trees on Waikiki Beach was unmatched. Kind of made it difficult to go back to my lunch-hour practice in the office gym!
Sweet Home Cafe is a local favorite in Honolulu for authentic hot pot, and I was able to slide in just before the lunch rush with my colleague, Lina. I'm so grateful to have been able to meet up with her and enjoy some of the best hot pot I've ever eaten in my life!
Here's my full guide to restaurants to try in Oahu during your vacation!
Lanikai Pillbox Hike was a must-do for the photo ops, but don't get it twisted: this hike starts off steeply. As in, so steep that there are ropes tied to trees to help you get up!
While not as physically challenging as Kealia Trail, Lanikai was precarious, and I had more than a few nervous slip-and-slide moments.
It's a well-trafficked hike, so you'll see many others, especially on the iconic pillboxes. Everybody is trying to do it for the gram and get photos of themselves up against the beautiful views of Lanikai Beach, the ocean, and homes below.
The rooftop pool at the Marriott was low-key and quiet, so I swung back by Barefoot Beach Cafe for a fresh coconut water to go, then took a dip to cool off after my hike.
Oahu Classics
Tucker & Bevvy has a couple of locations on the island, and I stopped in at the Waikiki Beach one a few times for smoothies and juices, which were delicious, but if you're looking for a classic Hawaiian acai bowl, this is not the place.
Their acai health bowl tasted mostly like bananas, to me. Aside from that, it's good for healthy grab-and-go options.
Bishop Museum was one of my favorite and most memorable experiences on the island--who would think since it's indoors?!
This museum is named after the late Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a member of the Hawaiian royal family, and mostly made up of her own collection. If you want to gain a better understanding of Hawaiian history and culture, I can't recommend it enough.
Don't sleep on Oahu's museums! Here are more picks for museums to visit in Oahu!
After reading glowing reviews online, I drove out to Bellows Beach in Waimanalo on a Sunday morning to see it for myself. It was clean, quiet, and nearly deserted with beautiful blue-green water. I recommend it for a private beach feel.
Waiola Shave Ice for the culture! I got the rainbow shave ice, aka Obama style. Shave ice in Hawaii is not like the sno cones we're used to here in Texas--it's better--with such a fine texture that it's almost creamy.
Whale Watching
Morning Hike: I started the day at Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail, which is a fully paved, very easy hike, so it's popular with families. The views at Makapu'u were my absolute favorite--the true definition of breathtaking. This trail goes up and along cliffs that overlook deeper ocean waters inhabited by whales--spotted a few on my hike!
To cool off, I spent about an hour at Ala Moana Beach, which is on the other side of the marina from Waikiki Beach. The beach and park were packed with families barbecuing and kids playing, and honestly, if you've seen Waikiki Beach, it's not too different.
Check out my list of beaches to visit on Oahu, depending on what you're looking for!
The Honolulu Museum of Art rivals every other art museum I've visited! I spent hours strolling through the regional exhibits and conjoining courtyards that felt like art, too.
Leonard's Bakery is a cult classic eatery on Oahu, and their malasadas (Portuguese donuts) were so nice, I had to visit twice. Get the local favorite hi ling, and the macadamia cream-filled!
I spent my last night in town at The Study inside the Modern Honolulu Hotel, which is a speakeasy-type of spot with local artists performing live and whiskey cocktails. I got my entire life sipping a champagne haze while listening to Jeremy Cheng crooning a mix of original songs and soulful hits from The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, and more. A beautiful nightcap, for sure.
Touring the Royal Palace
I got up extra early to make the most of my final day, starting at Waimanalo Beach, on the windward side of the island. It was quiet with crystal-clear water, but far too windy to lay out and read a magazine, as I had planned, so I didn't spend too long there.
After grabbing a bite and freshening up, I checked out of my hotel and drove to downtown Honolulu to get a much-needed massage from a local massage therapist. The cost was so much cheaper than at the resort spas for a great quality treatment!
Iolani Palace was high on my list of things to do in Oahu, so I was so glad to be able to squeeze it into the tail-end of my itinerary.
This palace turned museum is the former home of Hawaii's last monarchs, and a very popular attraction, so I recommend you purchase tickets/book your time slot in advance--which I failed to do until a couple of days beforehand.
I did the self-guided tour because it fit best with my schedule, but would have done a professionally guided experience if I had the time.
The other museums I visited, along with the palace, tied together very well and reinforced the beauty and the tragedy of Hawaii's history and how it came to be the 50th state of America. I recommend incorporating each one into your itinerary.
But, if you're shorter on time, try this multi-stop Hawaiian history tour.
I spent my last couple of hours before heading to the airport in the Kaka'ako neighborhood, perusing the street art and grabbing lunch and cocktails at MoKu Kitchen inside the Kaka'ako SALT shopping and dining plaza.
Is Hawaii good for solo travel?
Absolutely. There is no shortage of things to do alone in Oahu, and this island has the most happening nightlife scene. In my opinion, it's the best place to travel solo in Hawaii.
In my one week in Oahu, I never felt out of place as a solo female traveler here, and think that Oahu solo travel is a great starting point if you're looking to take your first vacation as a party of one.
Is it safe to travel to Hawaii by yourself? Based on my experience and local reporting, yes. As always, take the same precautions you would at home and in any other destinations.
Oahu Vacation Tips
The time difference got me. Honolulu Standard Time was four hours behind CST in Houston, where I'm from, and it took me most of the trip to get adjusted. I couldn't sleep past 6 am (10 am at home) the whole time and would often start getting sleepy around 8 pm (midnight at home).
The upside of that was that I could get an early start to all my activities and catch a few gorgeous sunrises, which is very helpful for hikes and sites that get crowded quickly. Definitely take the time change into account when planning.
Take care of the environment. With the ocean literally all around Hawaii, it's not surprising that residents and businesses tend to be environmentally conscious.
Water refill stations are common, as are plastic-free food service establishments. And plastic bags come at a cost (15 cents at the time of this posting).
This post will more than get you started with what to do in Oahu for 7 days; however, I didn't get to every single thing I wanted. If you're looking for more Oahu trip ideas, check out my list of unique things to do when you solo travel to Hawaii!
More Favorite Moments from Oahu
I hope this Oahu, Hawaii solo trip itinerary helps you make the most of your Oahu adventure. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this vacation planning guide for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Renia Butler says
Great post Jazz. If this was a solo trip who took the photos of you? A stranger?
Jazz says
A mix of kind strangers and me and my tripod!
Glenn says
You’re like me whenever I travel solo b/c my friends aren’t always available. You did the most on this trip, & gave so many ideas & experiences.
Hawaii, was never on my bucket list but now it is. You made it interesting & I also love art museums. I would’ve never thought to rent a car. Is it really that easy to drive around the island?
However, if you’re ever in need of a travel buddy hit me up on my Facebook page Glynis Thomas, photo is model w/black helicopter.
Thank U, for sharing you’re lovely photos.
Syretta Avent says
Awesome visuals, Jazz! Looks like you did a lot while you were there!