United States: guide to Oahu, Hawaii | Itineraries and Highlights
Your stay on Oahu will start in the state capital of Hawaii, Honolulu, where you can relax for two nights, before hitting the road for four or five nights.
In my opinion, a road trip from the east coast to the north coast, returning through the center to Honolulu, is probably the best option for enjoying the island known as The Gathering Place, given its status as a political and economic center.
Getting there from Canada
As the main point of entry to the Hawaiian archipelago, Honolulu is accessible from Canada via flights operated by Air Canada and WestJet.
Personally, I’ve always connected through Vancouver (YVR) when departing from Montreal (YUL) on Air Canada. With my Aeroplan®* Card American Express®, I get lounge access at the airport and checked baggage is included. Thanks to my frequent flyer status, I can use my eUpgrade credits to travel in business class.
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Car rental with Hertz and airport pick-up in Honolulu
For several years, I’ve held the American Express Platinum Card®, which gives me Gold status with Hertz, a 10 to 15% discount on the regular price, and full insurance coverage. As a result, picking up the rental car at the airport is incredibly smooth, with no wait at all! Honestly, I always appreciate my experience with Hertz.
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- $1,700Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
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I also tried renting a car with Turo, since the Aeroplan®* Card American Express® offered a $50 discount for a reservation of at least $250. I also had a great experience: easy communication, quick pickup, and a car in very good condition.
Oahu – Things to see and do
Honolulu and its unique atmosphere
Deciding to spend two/three nights in Honolulu at the start of your trip is, in my opinion, an excellent idea, not only to get over jet lag, but to visit the capital of the Hawaiian state.
It offers an idyllic setting with its beaches and crystal-clear waters backed by the impressive Diamond Head. Whether it’s for swimming, shopping on Kalākaua Avenue, exploring the historic center on foot, or strolling along Waikiki Bay with your feet in the water, there are plenty of reasons to soak up the Honolulu vibe.
At sunset, be sure to grab a drink on the terrace of Quora, located in the prestigious Ritz Residences. Finally, stop by for a meal at the little gem that is Izakaya Pau Hana Base; a dive into Japanese culture that has made its mark in Honolulu over the past few decades.
Visit Diamond Head crater
Before hitting the road to explore the island, a stay in Honolulu would be incomplete without a visit to Diamond Head, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
The approximately 3 km hike (round trip) to the summit of this volcanic crater, dating back about 300,000 years, is definitely worth the effort required for the steeper sections!
Dive into the history of Pearl Harbour
For generations, Honolulu has been synonymous with Pearl Harbor. Just a stone’s throw from downtown, you can visit the infamous Pearl Harbor site: the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum are both open to the public, providing a better understanding of this key event of the Second World War.
Lounging on my favorite beach: Lanikai Beach
Located on the east coast of Oahu, Lanikai Beach is a paradise destination ideal for swimming and snorkeling. It’s a fine sand beach that stretches over a kilometer and offers a view of the Mokulua Islands, which seem to emerge from the turquoise waters like two small volcanoes.
Just 30 minutes from Honolulu, I recommend taking the Nuuanu Pali Dr, which literally takes you through a mountain range to get there, and you’ll feel like you’re in a Jurassic Park or King Kong movie!
Observe the underwater world of Hanauma Bay and head to the eastern tip of Oahu
One of Oahu’s major tourist attractions is undoubtedly Hanauma Bay. Everyone will tell you about it, and I had to include this natural beauty in this guide, because it’s true that the view of the verdant cliffs surrounding the coral reef nestled in this bay is breathtaking!
However, my reservation is that the popularity of this place has caused it to lose a lot, a lot, of charm. If you want to snorkel with tropical fish and dozens of humans, go for it!
Otherwise, continue on your way and stop at Lānaʻi Lookout as well as Makapu’u Point Lighthouse offering breathtaking panoramas! These spots are perfect for picnicking and watching the gigantic waves crash against the rocks!
Hike to isolated waterfalls: Manoa Falls and Waimea Fall
Probably my two favorite waterfalls on the island, and easily accessible via well-marked trails: Manoa Falls and Waimea Falls, two of Oahu’s must-sees!
The first requires hiking about three kilometers through a tropical forest of bamboo and giant trees to a natural pool below the 45-meter-high waterfall.
The second is located on the north coast of the island and is, in my opinion, easier to access, as the trail is marked and even punctuated with informative signs about the native plants surrounding the hiker.
Visit the iconic film location of Kualoa Ranch
As you travel around the island of Oahu, you’ll already feel like you’re in one or another of the biggest Hollywood productions, whether it’s Jurassic Park, King Kong or Lost. Undoubtedly the ultimate filming location, Kualoa Ranch is nicknamed Jurassic Valley since it appeared in the first Jurassic Park films. It’s a real must-see and a Jeep tour is certainly the best way to discover this paradise location that has also been used for productions such as Jumanji and King Kong.
For film buffs, you could even head all the way north to visit the famous Mokule’ia Beach, which hosted the plane fuselage and the famous survivors that several million viewers were able to follow in Lost.
Mistake Hawaii for Japan at Byodo-In Temple
Nestled at the foot of the Ko’olau mountains, the Byodo-In Temple, surrounded by serene Japanese gardens, is a replica (on a smaller scale) of the temple of the same name located in Japan.
Built in 1968, it was intended to commemorate the centennial of the arrival of Japanese immigrants to Oahu. In my opinion, this visit really allows for a moment of escape, out of the ordinary during a road trip. Finally, in the surrounding area, the Valley of the Temples dotted with giant palm trees is also worth a short walk!
Sweeten your beak with Dole pineapple
Founded in 1950, the Dole Plantation is one of Oahu’s famous attractions and a visit is well worth it! If you want to learn more about pineapple cultivation and agriculture in general in the Hawaiian archipelago, aboard a small train, the Pineapple Express, you’ll be delighted! You’ll also, of course, have the chance to taste pineapple of unmatched freshness!
Before leaving the region, if you wish to continue your agri-food peregrinations, make a stop at Green World Coffee Farm. Here you can sip excellent coffee and learn more about the cultivation of this « nectar of the gods ».
Stroll through the Hau’ula reserve and along the wild beaches of Laie
If you love the steep, verdant mountains typical of Hawaii, you’ll appreciate the Hau’ula Loop trail hike located in the reserve of the same name.
4 km long, the hike winds through the tropical forest while offering various magnificent views of the north coast and the island’s shoreline. At the end of the trail, you can unwind and stroll along the wild beaches of Laie, or even head to Turtle Beach to watch the sunset while mingling with sea turtles. Oh! And why not grab a delicious lunch at the Seven Brothers restaurant? The macadamia nut-crusted shrimp are delicious!
Here are other activity suggestions:
- Tour the island of Oahu: you’ll tour a large part of the island, visiting its most impressive viewpoints and beaches.
- Helicopter tour over Oahu: you can choose different durations
- Oahu: cage diving with sharks on the North Shore
- Oahu: catamaran cruise and sunset swim in Waikiki
- Oahu: cruise and snorkeling at Turtle Canyons in Waikiki
Where to stay with points?
As on the other Hawaiian islands, staying in hotel chains such as Marriott Bonvoy can quickly become very expensive. Luckily, there are reward points and free night certificates!
A smart use of a free night certificate, obtained with my Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card*, was used to book a basic room with a king bed at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. Thanks to my Titanium status, I was able to get an excellent upgrade with an ocean view!
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Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
On the less expensive side, there’s Airbnb. Thanks to travel points from credit cards, you can save a lot of money on your Airbnb apartment rentals.
As for me, I also fell in love with the Malaekahana Beach Campground, near Laie, which offers an unparalleled wild setting in the north of the island.
For another example of a Hawaiian itinerary entirely funded with loyalty points, check out this testimonial of a family trip to Maui, including flights, Marriott hotels and car rental.
Conclusion
A stay in Oahu far transcends the Americanized image that many may have of this island. Between its crystal-clear turquoise waters, its breathtaking landscapes, its pineapple fields and the unique atmosphere of its capital, Oahu is an essential destination that deserves to be discovered when visiting the archipelago. Don’t hesitate to go to Kauai to complete your adventure.
For more photos and videos, visit my Instagram page @johnriverin
- Annual fee
- $599
- Our valuation
- $1,700Milesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 85,000 points
on American Express's website
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
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