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How many days in Honolulu? 5 days on Oahu: Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the gateway to Hawaii: a city of skyscrapers and Waikiki Beach, with Pearl Harbor, the only royal palace in the United States, and some of the world's most famous surf within an hour's drive. Five days covers Waikiki and Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and downtown, the snorkelling of Hanauma Bay, the beaches of the windward coast, and the North Shore. Several sites now require reservations: Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and the USS Arizona Memorial.
Short answer
Three days covers Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore. Five days adds Hanauma Bay and the windward coast without rushing.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Waikiki and Diamond Head
Morning. Hike Diamond Head (Lēʻahi), the volcanic crater above Waikiki, at sunrise: about 1.3 km each way with stairs and a tunnel, 1-2 hours return. Out-of-state visitors must reserve an entry time online (a few dollars per person plus parking).
Afternoon. Swim and learn to surf at Waikiki Beach, where the waves are gentle and long (lessons about US$80-120). See the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing.
Evening. Watch the sunset from the Royal Hawaiian or the beach, then dinner in Waikiki. On Friday nights, fireworks often light up the Hilton Hawaiian Village area.
Hawaiian sun is strong: use reef-safe sunscreen (some chemical sunscreens are banned in Hawaii) and drink plenty of water.
Day 2: Pearl Harbor and downtown
Morning. Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial (about 30 minutes from Waikiki). The USS Arizona Memorial boat program is free but needs a timed reservation online; the Battleship Missouri, on whose deck Japan surrendered in 1945, the USS Bowfin submarine and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum charge entry. Bags are not allowed.
Afternoon. Visit ʻIolani Palace (about US$30-40, guided or audio tour), the home of Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani, and the King Kamehameha statue opposite.
Evening. Have dinner in Chinatown, with lei shops, noodle factories and Honolulu's best bars, or in Kakaʻako, with its street-art murals.
Book the USS Arizona slot when reservations open (about 8 weeks ahead); same-day tickets are limited.
Day 3: Hanauma Bay and the south-east coast
Morning. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a volcanic crater flooded by the sea, with reef fish and turtles (about US$25 for non-residents; reservations required, released online two days ahead; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
Afternoon. Drive the coast past the Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach to the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail (about 1.5 hours return), with whale watching from December to April.
Evening. Have a plate lunch or poke dinner in Hawaii Kai before returning to Waikiki.
Hanauma Bay reservations go fast at 7:00 Hawaii time two days before; have your plan ready.
Day 4: Kailua and the windward coast
Morning. Drive over the Pali Highway, stopping at the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (small parking fee), where Kamehameha won the battle that unified Oahu in 1795, to Kailua and Lanikai beaches, with powder-soft sand and the twin Mokulua islands offshore.
Afternoon. Kayak to the Mokuluas (rentals in Kailua; landing rules apply on the bird sanctuary), or hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail for the view.
Evening. Have dinner in Kailua, then return via the tunnel.
Lanikai's residential streets have strict parking rules; park in Kailua and walk or cycle.
Day 5: The North Shore
Morning. Drive about 1 hour to the North Shore: in winter (about November to February), giant waves break at Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach; in summer, the sea is calm for swimming and snorkelling at Shark's Cove.
Afternoon. See green sea turtles resting on Laniākea Beach (keep your distance), eat shrimp from a shrimp truck in Kahuku, and stop in the surf town of Haleʻiwa for shave ice.
Evening. Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach, then drive back, or stop at the Dole Plantation on the way.
In winter, never swim at the North Shore's big-wave beaches; even standing at the water's edge can be dangerous.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Days 1, 2 and 5. You lose Hanauma Bay and the windward coast.
Got extra days?
With more time, hike to Manoa Falls, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, take a helicopter tour, or fly to another island: Maui, the Big Island (volcanoes) or Kauai (Nā Pali Coast).
Where to stay in Honolulu
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Waikiki back streets (Kuhio Ave) | Cheaper hotels a few minutes from the beach. | US$180-260 |
| Mid-range | Waikiki beachfront area | Walk to the beach, restaurants and buses. | US$300-500 |
| Mid-range | Kailua (vacation rentals) | Quieter, beautiful beaches, local feel. | US$250-450 |
| Comfort | Ko Olina / historic Waikiki hotels | Resort lagoons or landmark hotels such as the Royal Hawaiian. | US$600-1,200 |
Getting around
Rent a car for Hanauma Bay, the windward coast and the North Shore (parking in Waikiki is expensive, often US$40-60 a night at hotels). TheBus covers the island cheaply but slowly, and the Skyline light rail is gradually opening. From the airport, Waikiki is about 30 minutes by car.
What to eat in Honolulu
Try poke (raw fish salad, ahi or octopus), plate lunch (rice, macaroni salad and a main such as kalua pork or loco moco), spam musubi from convenience stores, garlic shrimp from the North Shore trucks, shave ice in Haleʻiwa and malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) at Leonard's. A plate lunch costs US$15-20; restaurant dinners US$40-80 per person. Tip 18-20%.
Best time to visit
Oahu is warm all year (highs of 27-31°C). April to June and September to October have fewer crowds and lower prices. Winter (December to March) brings humpback whales and big waves on the North Shore. Summer is busy with families. Rain is more frequent on the windward side.
Month-by-month weather for Honolulu →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | US$100 | US$200 | US$450 |
| Food & drink (with tips) | US$45 | US$90 | US$200 |
| Sights & activities | US$20 | US$60 | US$200 |
| Car (share), fuel & parking | US$35 | US$60 | US$100 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$200 | about US$410 | about US$950 |
Approximate 2026 prices in US dollars. Hawaii hotels add taxes of around 18-19%, and many charge daily resort and parking fees.
Before you go
Common questions
Which sights need reservations?
Diamond Head (for out-of-state visitors), Hanauma Bay, and the USS Arizona Memorial boat program. Book online as soon as reservations open.
Do I need a car on Oahu?
For Waikiki and downtown, no. For Hanauma Bay, the windward coast and the North Shore, a car (or tours) is much easier.
Is Waikiki good for beginner surfers?
Yes: its long, gentle waves are among the best places in the world to learn.
When are the big waves on the North Shore?
From about November to February. Professional surfing competitions are held then; in summer, the same beaches are calm.
Is Oahu good for families?
Very: calm beaches like Ala Moana and Kailua, Pearl Harbor, snorkelling and easy hikes.
How should I treat sea turtles?
Watch from at least 3 metres (10 feet); touching or harassing them is illegal in Hawaii.
Should I visit another island?
If you have more than five days, yes: Maui, the Big Island and Kauai are short flights away and very different from Oahu.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning USA trips. Prices and reservation rules are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Hawaii State Parks (Diamond Head), Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor (recreation.gov) and ʻIolani Palace websites before booking.
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