Oahu in 10 Day: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Are you all set to visit one of the best islands in Hawaii? There's a lot to see and do on Oahu and the good thing is that in ten days you'll be able to discover every nook and cranny. Although it may not seem like a big place, the distances on Oahu can be very long, so you'll find it's best to rent a car.

Although many people think of Oahu as just beaches, there is so much more. Polynesian, Hawaiian and many other cultures come together here. In addition, this island is also where the Pearl Harbor naval base occupied a sad place in history. As you can see, you won't get bored during your trip, so take a look at all the things you have to see!

On your first day on Oahu be prepared to see two very different types of scenery: volcano and beach. You'll start the day with a hike to the top of Diamond Head, but don't worry because you'll have time to relax on two great beaches.

Climb to the top of Diamond Head Volcano

Diamond Head, which lies to the east of Oahu, is a volcano over 200 metres high. You may be familiar with it because it appears in almost every postcard at the bottom of Waikiki Beach. The climb is fairly easy (about 30 minutes on the Diamond Head Trail) and the entrance fee is very affordable (access costs about €1 and parking about €5).

From the top of Diamond Head you can see the entire coastline of Honolulu, the capital of Oahu. Legend has it that if you make an offering of flowers in the crater of the volcano, you will return to the island.

Stop at Diamond Head Beach Park

When you come down from the top of the volcano, following the marked route, you will reach Diamond Head Beach Park, a typical Hawaiian beach. It is one of the best beaches on the island for swimming or just lounging for a while.

Although the whole area of sand and water is amazing, the best spot is Cromwell's Beach, where there's much more space.

Have lunch in Kapahulu and discover this traditional district

After a morning of hiking and beachcombing, you might be a little peckish, so I recommend heading down Paki Avenue (less than 10 minutes' drive) to Kapahulu, a good place to try some local cuisine.

When you're done, you can wander around this district, which is full of restaurants and has a very traditional feel to it. Stroll around and you'll get to know some of the local businesses and the island spirit.

Spend the afternoon (and part of the evening) at Waikiki Beach

Although you can drive from Kapahulu to Waikiki Beach (about 20 minutes along Kalakaua Avenue), you can walk there in about 20-30 minutes. Once you get there, you'll understand why Waikiki is one of the city's hubs.

Waikiki is a great place to spend an afternoon and end the day watching the sun go down over the horizon while you have a drink. At dinnertime the live music also starts.

The second day on Oahu will be dedicated to Pearl Harbor, the naval base that, when attacked, marked the fate of the United States in World War II.

Start your tour at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

The best tours of Pearl Harbor all start at its Visitor Centre, which is actually a museum explaining what happened during the attack on 7 December 1941. Admission to the centre is free, although it's best to book a time on the official website.

There are many photographs and videos to illustrate what happened. In total, almost 3,000 people died, so the Centre also acts as a memorial space.

Discover the exact site of the bombing at the USS Arizona Memorial

One of the places you can't miss during your visit to Pearl Harbor is the USS Arizona Memorial, the exact site of the explosion. Seeing the inside of this memorial is very interesting and is accessible by boat (there are several trips a day for about €1).

My advice is that when you return to the naval base you should take the opportunity to eat something in the surrounding restaurants; as it is American territory you will feel like you are in the USA.

Cross to Ford Island by boat

From the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center you can easily cross over to Ford Island, another important WWII site. To get there, you can buy tickets for the shuttle bus, which costs about €20 and leaves every fifteen minutes from the naval base.

Ford Island is home to the Pacific Aviation Museum, where you can get an up-close look at many of the aircraft used in the war.

Finish the Pearl Harbor tour on the USS Missouri

Ford Island is home to the battleship USS Missouri, the last stop of the day. What exactly is it? A warship refurbished to be visited.

Access to the USS Missouri alone costs about €25, but my advice is to buy an organised tour that includes all the entrance fees to Pearl Harbor plus a tour guide. In total it will be about €80, which is cheaper than taking each ticket individually.

After your day of sightseeing, all you have to do is head back to your hotel and find somewhere to sample some traditional island food.

After a second day with a strong focus on history, it's time to enjoy one of the central activities of Oahu life: surfing- get ready to catch some waves!

Take a surf course at Laniakea Beach

Start the day on the North Shore, Oahu's north shore. Specifically head to Laniakea Beach. It is one of the best known beaches for its spectacular waves.

Laniakea Beach is the place to go for the best surfing lessons on Oahu, so whatever your level, rent a board and sign up for a course (approx. €130) and you'll feel like a real Hawaiian!

Refuel with a bite to eat in Haleiwa Town

A five-minute drive (or 40-minute walk) down Kam Highway is Haleiwa Town, a surf town with plenty of art galleries. You're bound to get hungry at some point, so don't miss the chance to order some fish and, of course, a Hawaiian slushie.

Afterwards, if you dare, you can go to the Rainbow Bridge and jump from there into the Anahulu River- you won't be the only one to do it! In fact, it's one of the most common activities.

Admire the power of nature at Waimea Falls

Taking the Kam Highway again, you' ll reach Waimea Falls, your next destination, in just 13 minutes. These waterfalls in the Waimea Valley are a natural spectacle. Admission to the park is approximately €20.

The best way to see their power is to climb to the top. Don't worry because the route is fairly short, easy and runs through the middle of a natural park.

Take the best photos of the island from Ehukai Pillbox

To say goodbye to the North Shore, there's nothing like going up to one of its best viewpoints: the Ehukai Pillbox. It's only an 8-minute drive from Waimea Falls and has free parking. Once there, the hike up is easy (about 40 minutes).

Watching the sunset from Ehukai Pillbox is a real treat and one of the most visited spots on Oahu.

If you like nature, you will love the proposal for this fourth day on Oahu. In the morning you'll see turtles and the rest of the day can also be spent exploring the island's natural environment.

Start your day with a swim with turtles at Kailua Beach

Your day will start at Kailua Beach Park in the northwest of the island. The most remarkable thing about this beach is that the waves are very calm, making it the perfect place to spot turtles.

In addition to spotting turtles, Kailua Beach is one of the best beaches on Oahu, where you can swim and take pictures.

Taste the best fresh food at the Kailua Farmers Market

Less than half an hour's walk (or 10 minutes by car) from Kailua Beach is the farmers' market. Walking among the stalls you'll see how the locals know how to make the most of the fresh produce they get from their land.

It's usually local families who sell the food they grow themselves. I advise you to wander around, ask for those you don't know what they are and buy some of the ready-made dishes before continuing with your day.

Take a beautiful hike to the top of Lanikai Pillbox

One of the best hikes you can do on Oahu is the Lanikai Pillbox hike, which starts just a 7-minute drive from Kailua Market. This beautiful route, which takes about 45 minutes to complete, leads to a cliff. From here you can see the coastline and also, in the distance, nearby islands.

The only thing you should be aware of is that parking is not easy and you will have to park somewhere along the road.

End the day relaxing on the sand at Lanikai Beach

From the top of Lanikai you will have seen the beach of the same name. Well, that's your next stop, so head down the cliff (about 25 minutes) to reach this beautiful spot.

Lanikai Beach is one of the best beaches in the world, and it's no wonder, as the blue of the ocean and the blue of the sky combine on the horizon.

Oahu is an island of volcanoes, as you may have already realised after five days on the island. For the avoidance of doubt, I suggest you visit two craters, although one of them is submerged.

Climb 1000 steps to Koko Head

If you don't mind climbing stairs, you'll like the first stop of the day: Koko Crater. This is located at the easternmost point of the island. From its base (where there is free parking) you have to climb over 1000 steps created from the timbers of an old railway track.

As I'm sure you've noticed, the slope is quite steep, so you'll need to be in good shape to reach the top. Once there, however, it's quite impressive to look out over the crater and, looking up, see the whole of Oahu.

Stop to rest your legs and have lunch at Sandy Beach

After climbing all the stairs to Koko, and back down again, you're bound to get a bit peckish. When you pick up your car, head along HI-72 towards Sandy Beach (only 10 minutes away). The drive will take you along the side of the crater, where lava once flowed.

When you get there you'll see several food trucks, so pick your favourite and grab a bite to eat before lying on the soft sand of Sandy Beach.

Dive down to the submerged crater of Hanauma Bay

You've been to one crater in the morning, but now it's time to go to another - but this one is special, as it's submerged. It's in Hanauma Bay (a 10-minute drive from Sandy Beach), a sheltered bay accessible only by prior reservation and entrance fee (approximately €7).

The best thing about snorkelling in Oahu is that you can swim through coral and a crater on the same dive. The total cost of the activity is about €90, but includes both the entrance to the bay and the snorkelling equipment.

Watch the sunset from the famous Lanai Lookout

When you're done diving and getting to know the underwater world of Hanauma Bay you can walk (about 20 minutes) or drive (about 5 minutes) to the Lanai lookout point. It's in the middle of the road, so it's convenient for a quick stop.

This viewpoint is so named because, on a clear day, you can see the island of Lanai, but also neighbouring Maui and Molokai.

So far you've seen most of Oahu's natural side, but for your sixth day I've prepared a tour of the urban area of Honolulu, the island's capital.

Start the day with a visit to Iolani Palace

Did you know that Honolulu was once home to the royal family? Their official residence was Iolani Palace, which is located in the centre of town. You can get in for about €20.

The architecture of Iolani Palace is very curious and somewhat eclectic, mixing various styles. The interior is equally luxurious and features many works of art.

Discover the iconic Aloha Tower and dine at the Aloha Market

Another of Oahu's landmark buildings is the Aloha Tower, just a 10-minute walk from Iolani Palace, right on the harbour.

Before you leave, take a stroll around the market and grab a bite to eat, or if you prefer, you can also take a food tour of Oahu since you're in the centre of Honolulu.

Discover the island's artistic influences at the Honolulu Museum of Art

Oahu, and Hawaii in general, has a close and strong connection with several Asian countries, as shown in the exhibitions at the Honolulu Museum of Art, your next destination. You can walk there in about 15-20 minutes.

Admission to the museum costs around €20 and you'll see tens of thousands of works of Hawaiian art during your visit.

Tour Honolulu's Art District in the afternoon

To continue discovering the more artistic side of Honolulu, take a 15-minute walk from the museum to the Art District, also known as Kaka'ako. The best way to discover it is to walk through the streets and discover its many galleries and murals.

Aside from the artistic side, this is one of the best places to end the day, as when night falls it comes alive and the clubs are full of people dancing.

The seventh day on Oahu is dedicated to discovering one of its great forest reserves.

Start the day by hiking Manoa Falls

Manoa Falls are the most spectacular falls on Oahu and can be reached in about 15 minutes from Honolulu. It costs about €5 to get there and the route is not complicated. In total, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the top and from there, watch the waterfalls cascade down.

Of course, getting to the top is the most impressive part, but I promise you that the trail leading up to the top is also worth seeing with all five senses: it's one of the best nature tours to do on Oahu.

Don't leave without visiting Watershed Forest Preserve

On the way down from Manoa Falls I suggest a stop at the Watershed Forest Reserve, which covers more than four thousand hectares.

This reserve is the largest on Oahu; you can enter (it's free) and take a brief look at its lushness.

Have a picnic at Ala Moana Beach Park

When you pick up your car at the Manoa Falls car park, drive to Ala Moana Beach Park, a large park that's perfect for a midday picnic. There are picnic tables and plenty of space on the sand, which you'll appreciate if you're travelling to Oahu with kids.

After lunch I recommend renting a bike for around €3 and exploring the park, which is quite large and has a variety of different areas (volleyball courts, a swimming pool and playgrounds).

End the day with a boat ride along Oahu's coastline

To end the day, there's nothing better than a sunset cruise around Oahu. After a day of hiking and biking, head to the beach area to take a boat and cruise the bay. The price is around €65 and I promise it's an experience.

If you travel to Oahu in May you might be lucky enough to spot some humpback whales along the way.

The trip is coming to an end, but there are still areas to explore. Today in particular you'll tour the northeast of the island, including the famous Kaneohe Bay and Kualoa Ranch.

Feel like you're in a movie at Kualoa Ranch

Fans of the Jurassic Park movies will recognise this forested area, as the Kualoa Ranch has been the setting for the films, but it was also a sacred place for the early islanders. It's located in Kaneohe Bay and can be reached by car and parked at the entrance.

Once you're inside Kualoa Ranch you can take different tours and activities (horseback riding, film buff tours, zip-lining, etc.), which vary in price (between €100 and €150).

Visit the Byodo-In Temple and immerse yourself in the island's Japanese culture

Next stop is the Byodo-In Temple, located in the Valley of the Temples, accessible by car on HI-83 in 15 minutes from Kualoa Ranch. This site commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the island.

You have to pay about €5 to enter, but the most important thing to do is to ring the gong at the gate and ask for happiness and longevity.

Continue the day at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

A 15-minute drive from Byodo-In Temple is the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, a perfect place to have lunch surrounded by greenery. Access to the park is free, but I recommend bringing your own food and sitting by the lake to enjoy it.

There are lots of plants in Ho'omaluhia and they are divided into different plots according to where they come from (Malaysia, Polynesia, Sri Lanka, etc.).

Go kayaking and reach the Kaneohe Sandbar

The last stop of the day is an adventure at Kaneohe Sandbar, a 15-minute drive from the Botanical Gardens. To get to this sandbar you can take one of Oahu's famous kayak tours (approximately €100).

The only thing to consider is the tides, as when the tide is high Kaneohe Sandbar disappears underwater momentarily.

Oahu is a wonderful island next to other equally beautiful islands, so before the trip is over I recommend a trip to Maui from Oahu.

The easiest and quickest way to get there is by plane; it costs about €50 round trip and takes about 30 minutes. Once there, my advice is to rent a car (it costs about €80 for the whole day).

Start your drive along the Hana Road in Paia

When you get to Maui from Oahu I recommend you take the Hana Highway, the most famous and incredible road on the island, and start a route along it.

The first stop will be Paia, a small village 15 minutes from the airport that will surprise you with its rustic houses with colourful facades.

Drive to and swim in Twin Falls

A 20-minute drive along Hana Road will take you to Twin Falls, a waterfall that I highly recommend you visit. Access is free and easy (it's about a 10-minute walk to the top), although you'll have to pay about €9 for parking.

As you might guess from the name, they are twin waterfalls. The best thing is that the whole area has been very well cared for over the years, so it's a pristine landscape where you can even take a dip.

Taste the fresh fruit and food at Huelo Lookout

Continue along Hana Road for about 5 minutes and you'll come across the island's most famous fruit stall, Huelo Lookout. It's a good time to grab a bite to eat; the taste of the island's best fresh produce surprises - and delights - everyone.

Huelo's fruit stand is located on a lookout, so while you're eating you can take the opportunity to look out over the bay and take some photos.

Don't leave without a visit to the Garden of Eden

Before turning back along Hana Road to return to the airport, I suggest you continue on to the Garden of Eden, a private botanical garden located at mile 10 of the road, 20 minutes from Huelo. It costs about €14 to enter.

The Garden of Eden is the location featured in the opening scene of the first Jurassic World movie. You won't see dinosaurs, but you will see exotic plants from the South Pacific.

For your last day on Oahu there are still some surprises, many of them almost magical, and a farewell in style.

Explore Mermaid Caves in the morning

The Mermaid Caves are a hidden treasure of Oahu that you can't miss. They are caves where light, water, rock and vegetation create a unique spectacle.

My advice is to take the car to Nanakuli Park (west of the island), park and from there walk about 10 minutes to the caves (access is free). Be careful to wear proper footwear as you will have to walk through rock tunnels to enter.

Arrive at Ko Olina Beach for a bite to eat

When you leave the Mermaid Caves, take the car and drive about 13 minutes along the coast to Ko Olina Beach. This beach is semi-artificial and is perfect for the last swim of your trip. The sand was brought from the neighbouring island of Lanai, so you'll feel like you're on the island.

Ko Olina Beach is home to one of Oahu's premier resorts: the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa. Even if you're not a guest, you can enter the gardens and grab a bite to eat at the beach bar, where there's often live music.

Soar high above Oahu with a helicopter ride

To see the island one last time I suggest taking a helicopter tour of Oahu. It's a unique experience for about 250€.

In total, you'll spend almost an hour flying over places like Waikiki, Pearl Harbor or Diamond Head; a chance to relive your trip from above with the explanations of a guide.

Finish your trip to Oahu by attending a luau

Thinking of leaving Oahu without seeing a Hawaiian show? The luaus celebrate life through dance, music and traditional food. There are places where tourists can participate, paying around €130, to feel part of the ohana (family in Hawaiian).

During a luau there is a lot of music, but also many traditional Hawaiian dishes. Among them is roast pork. It is cooked according to a ritual, the imu.

Although apparently not very big, the best way to get around Oahu is to rent a car. Otherwise, distances on foot or even on the island's public bus (which runs mainly in Honolulu) are very long.

To get a car, which costs about €70/day, you'll need an international driving licence, insurance and a credit card for payment. Driving on the island is easy and so is parking.

Another fairly accessible and affordable option is a tour bus around Oahu, especially for the days when you'll be getting around the busier parts of the island, such as Waikiki or Honolulu.

For around €20/day you can hop on and off as many times as you like between various fixed stops along the route.