At least five days on Oahu is best if you want to spend some days at the beach, hike and explore different coasts of the island. With 7 days on Oahu, you can really slow down and explore a variety of activities around the island. Visiting Maui, too?
People Also Ask
If you're wondering whether 7 days is too long to stay in Oahu, I can say from first hand experience that it's not- in my opinion, it's actually the perfect amount of time to see some of the best highlights the island has to offer.
Four or five days in Oahu is even better if you want to hike, visit some cultural sights, go kayaking, or just slow down a bit. With seven days in Oahu, you should have enough time to discover your own favorite beach and get a little sampling of everything, from museums and historic sites to gardens and waterfalls.
No, 10 days in not too long. There is so much to do. We have probably been to Oahu 20 times and have not run out of things to do. ( We enjoy the other islands also) 2 weeks has been our shortest stay.
But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.
You should plan to spend around $333 per day on your vacation in Oahu, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $52 on meals for one day and $21 on local transportation.
How long does it take to drive around Oahu? The Oahu circle drive can take you 4-6 hours, but that depends on which route you take and if you don't stop much. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours.
10 days isn't a huge amount of time for exploring all of Hawaii. You could easily spend 10 days on just one Hawaiian Island! But if you're hoping to see as much as you can on a 10-day Hawaii vacation, this itinerary should give you a jump start on your planning.
A 3-day itinerary for Oahu is the minimum time I would recommend unless you are just transiting through here on your way to another island. You could just as easily fill a whole week on Oahu if you're interested in doing more hikes, beach days or spending extended time at cultural sites and museums.
Many visitors enjoy taking bus tours to conveniently explore the Islands. For most islands you can also get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, or public transportation.
Honestly, prices in Hawaii are not greater than mainland US. Some restaurants DO charge high prices depending on where (usually ocean side dining costs more, eating at high-end chain restaurants or hotels is expensive). However, there are places to eat where you can expect to pay prices you are familiar with.
If you wish to discover the island as a whole, we recommend that you stay at least 5 days so that you have time to enjoy its various attractions and go on a few hikes. If you prefer to make only a quick stop to get an idea of life in Honolulu and do only the essentials, 3 days may be enough.
The best time to visit Oahu is from mid-April to early June or between September and mid-December. During these shoulder seasons, attractions are less crowded, festivals are plentiful and airfare and room rates are at their lowest.
If you're only hanging out in or close to Honolulu or staying at your resort the entire time, you can get by just fine without a rental car, given the island's solid public transit options and availability of rideshare drivers, taxis, and guided tours.
Seven days is enough time to fill your itinerary across one or two islands in Hawaii. Deciding which island you go to and how long you spend at each really depends on the activities and vibe you're looking for. If you're looking for more of the party and lively scene, then Honolulu, especially Waikiki Beach is for you.