Best 7-Day Oahu Itinerary For Families

Oahu is one of my family’s favorite places to visit, and we continue to return to this tropical paradise year after year because of so many family-friendly activities. From hiking in places like the Diamond Head Summit Trail to learning about the Polynesian culture to relaxing on one of the many sandy beaches, you certainly won’t get bored! 

This incredible island is gorgeous and abundant with unique animal and marine life, providing the ultimate tropical dream vacation that you and your family will cherish forever.

To make the most of your time visiting Oahu, I’ve created an amazing Oahu itinerary with activities you don’t want to miss. In fact, this is the VERY ITINERARY our family enjoyed this past year.

While we have been to Oahu numerous times with kids of all ages, this is one of my favorite itineraries we did, allowing for opportunities to enjoy some of the best the island has to offer, from Waikiki to the North Shore and beyond.

I’ve even included some additional things to do if you have more time. Get ready to experience one of the best Hawaiian islands for a fun family vacation!

The Best 7-Day Oahu Itinerary for Families

When creating this itinerary for Oahu, I wanted to make sure to cover the must-see sights and fun things to do for families. Honestly, it can get pretty overwhelming because the options seem endless. 

This Oahu itinerary takes the stress off you and allows you to relax and enjoy your time on the island.

Day 1 of Your Oahu Itinerary

• Resort Pool
• Waikiki Beach
• Surf lessons

Swim at the Resort Pool

The day you arrive in Hawaii, you may be jet-lagged. So I recommend you take advantage of any resort or hotel amenities like the pool or enjoy some beach time if you’re staying at a place right on the beach. When my family and I arrived, our kids were exhausted, so we just hung out by the pool and walked to nearby Waikiki Beach for some sunset views. 

Many flights have you arriving in the afternoon or evening, so keep that in mind. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you can take in a free hula show near the statue of Duke Kahanamoku in Waikiki Beach or watch fireworks at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

Relax or Surf at Waikiki Beach

It could also be the perfect day to visit Waikiki Beach and take family surf lessons or go boogie boarding. No matter where you stay in the area, you’re within walking distance to Waikiki Beach.

You can also check out all the activities surrounding Waikiki Beach and eat at Aloha Table Waikiki for some of the best loco moco on Oahu. If you stay in this area, you’ll be close to Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor.

If you’re worried about how to get around the area, the Waikiki Trolley is a hop-on-hop-off bus that hits all the popular major hot spots. There’s also The Bus, but it stops in fewer places.

Day 2 of Your Oahu Itinerary

• Hiking Diamond Head Summit Trail
• Take a drive up the coast
• Visit the Blow Hole
• Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center

Hike Diamond Head Trail

Hiking this trail is one of our favorite activities and is always part of our Oahu itinerary. It gets us out into nature and allows us to experience the beauty and serenity of Hawaiian nature when we visit Oahu.

The hike is relatively easy, at about 1.5 miles, but the trail is a little uneven. So wear the right footwear, like hiking shoes or sandals, and make sure you have the right hiking gear. You’ll also appreciate these smart tips for hiking with kids.

Take a Drive Up the Oahu Coast

The east coast of Oahu, or the Windward Coast, has many small beach towns and feels more relaxed and authentic than the rest of the island. Especially compared to bustling downtown Honolulu.

There are a few ways to head east to see amazing scenery. Pali Highway runs via a tunnel through the Ko‘olau mountains. The view is simply stunning, so be sure to stop and take pictures at the Pali Lookout. You can also head up the coastal route to the Windward Coast, where you can stop at Sandy’s Beach, the Makapu‘u Lighthouse, and the overlook.  

We recommend picking this day to stop at Blowhole. You can also stop at Kailua Beach or Lanikai Beach. We like stopping along the Windward Coast drive to snorkel in Kaneohe Bay and swim with Hawaiian green sea turtles. Explore unique attractions like the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and the dramatic cliffs of the Koko Head Crater.

If you plan on adding scenic drives or a fun road trip, you can rent a car at Honolulu International Airport when you fly in.

Halona Blowhole

The Halona Blowhole is just 7 minutes from Hanauma if you take the Kalaniana‘ole — a very scenic drive we love! It gets its name from the way water splashes onto the rocky coast and out of the lava tube that formed from ancient volcano eruptions.

Halona Beach Cove is another great place to stop and relax, as it’s a secluded beach that runs up to the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. My kids love to explore the tide pools and watch the waves crash onto the rocks.

Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center

Visit the Polynesian Culture Center for a festive evening or luaus and entertainment. It’s also a great time to explore the six island villages here: Hawaii, Aotearoa, Fini, Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. You can purchase different ticket levels for the evening show and cultural center for extra perks.

Visit the Hukilai Marketplace for shopping and food vendors. At the Polynesian Culture Center, you can learn more about the Hawaiian Islands and the culture of the Hawaiian people. We love watching the traditional hula and fire knife dancing performances and trying authentic Hawaiian food.

Day 3 of Your Oahu Itinerary

• Hanauma Bay Snorkeling
• Beach Day
• Horseback riding at Kualoa Ranch for horseback riding
• Raptor Tours and/or Movie Tour

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling

On the third day of your Oahu itinerary, we recommend going snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, one of the best snorkeling locations in Oahu. My family and I loved viewing the tropical fish and beautiful coral, and there’s no better way to see it.

If you don’t have your own snorkel gear, you can rent what you need here. Note, if you end up scuba diving or snorkeling near coral reefs, wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine life and nature around the Hawaiian islands. Some locations only allow you to wear reef-safe sunscreen.

Beach Day

This part of your schedule is fantastic for spending the day or morning at the beach! You can stay right at Hanauma Bay, as it’s one of the most popular Hawaiian beaches. We had so much fun just lounging around, taking in the sun, and playing some beach games.

Since the area is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays would be the best times to visit this beach. Lying under the sun and swaying palm trees is one of my favorite parts of beach time on a tropical island paradise.

Kualoa Ranch

When you visit Oahu, you don’t want to miss horseback riding on the Kualoa Ranch near the Leeward Coast or East Coast. There are a lot of fun adventures to do besides horseback riding, like a Raptor UTV tour or zip-lining through the tree canopy. You can also stop at the Kualoa Regional Park to rest or eat a picnic lunch.

The 1990s Jurassic Park movies were filmed here, and you can even tour the places they were filmed. This was definitely a highlight for us! We were in awe of the lush green mountains, and being able to see where famous scenes were shot was a unique experience.

Day 4 of Your Oahu Itinerary

• Waikiki or Kailua Beach Day
• Pool and Rest Day
• Snorkeling Trip
• Shopping in Waikiki
• Honolulu Zoo

Visit Kailua or Waikiki Beach

If you haven’t stopped by Waikiki Beach yet, today is the perfect day to do it. Spend the day relaxing under the palm trees, surfing, or boogie boarding. My family and I had such a chill day, hanging out and soaking up the sun. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can sign up for a surfing lesson or rent a stand-up paddleboard.

You can also head over to Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach, which is one of the most pristine beaches in Hawaii because of the white sand, clear blue water, and mountain backdrop. Both beaches face the Mokulua Islands for an amazing view.

Pool and Rest Day or Waikiki Beach

Day 4 of your 7-day Oahu itinerary could be the best day to rest and relax by the resort or hotel pool, as it’s in the middle of your trip. It’s also a great day to hit all the shops to pick up souvenirs and have an oceanfront dinner. We typically use this day as our “chill day” to recharge before the rest of our packed itinerary.

Snorkeling Trip

While Hanauma Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots in Oahu, there are many other places to check out the tropical fish and other marine life. Kailua or Lanikai Beach (Turtle Beach) are other fun places to snorkel. The Hawaiian islands have such diverse sea life.

As I mentioned earlier, if you can’t bring your own snorkel gear, there are plenty of places to rent what you need. We got our snorkel gear from a local spot in Waikiki, which allowed us to keep it for the whole week and explore different places. 

Honolulu Zoo

Downtown Honolulu can get a bit crazy, but it’s definitely worth sightseeing. One of the places we love to go is the Honolulu Zoo. It’s located a little further out between Diamond Head and Waikiki. 

The zoo has fun exhibits, and you can see animals like:

• The African Dwarf Clawed Frog
• Fennec Foxes
• African Penguins
• Inland Bearded Dragon Lizard
• Geckos
• Snakes

And many more animals and reptiles kids love to see. My kids loved seeing the elephants and giraffes up close. Some of the animal exhibits are interactive, which makes it more enjoyable for kids.

Day 5 of Your Oahu Itinerary

• Pearl Harbor
• USS Arizona Memorial
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
• USS Oklahoma Memorial
• Evening Luau

Visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial

If you’re doing 7 days in Oahu, learning about history of World War II is a must! Use this day to explore all the historic Pearl Harbor sites. Touring the Pearl Harbor National Memorial was a somber yet immersive educational experience, as it honors the more than 1,170 sailors and marines who lost their lives on the USS Arizona during the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor.

USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona is the battleship sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was the largest and most heavily armed vessel in the U.S. Navy. The tour takes you over to its resting place today. My family and I enjoyed the museum, watching a short documentary film that educates visitors on the attack and then taking a boat ride over to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

This is the WW II era hangars on Ford Island where you can see fully-restored vintage aircraft and ride in the interactive Combat Flight Simulator. It was so cool to see the airplanes up close, and my kids loved pretending to fly in the simulator. Don’t miss out on this part of history while you’re in Oahu!

USS Oklahoma Memorial

The USS Oklahoma Memorial, also on Ford Island, is the battleship salvaged and raised after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It can only be reached by the Pearl Harbor Historic Shuttle or with a military escort. We enjoyed learning about the history of this ship and its role in World War II.

Evening Luau

After a somber day of immersing yourself in World War II history, an evening luau is the perfect activity to end the day learning more about this Hawaiian tradition. Our favorites are the Paradise Cove Luau or Aulani Luau (DVC Aulani is our favorite place to stay).

For first-time visitors to Oahu, attending a luau is a must-do cultural experience, offering a unique opportunity to dive into Hawaiian traditions, savor traditional foods, and enjoy vibrant performances you won’t find anywhere else. My kids loved the interactive activities and dances, as well as trying out the yummy Hawaiian dishes.

Day 6 of Your Oahu Itinerary

• Waimea Valley and Waimea Waterfall
• Explore Oahu’s North Shore

Waimea Bay Beach and Waimea Falls

I recommend starting on day 6 or your 7-day Oahu itinerary and exploring the North Shore in the Waimea Valley. Waimea Bay Beach Park, located in the Waimea Valley, is another great place to snorkel. We loved Waimea Bay Beach, but try to get there early as it’s a busy part of the Waimea Valley, and the parking lot is quite small.

The Waimea Botanical Gardens was a favorite spot for us! It has a gorgeous swimmable waterfall with lifeguards, so you can feel safe with your kids.

Explore Oahu’s North Shore

This whole day can be dedicated to visiting the North Shore of Oahu, and there are plenty of places to visit in this area, known as the birthplace of big-wave surfing.

Stop and visit quaint towns featuring food trucks offering a diverse array of local flavors. The shrimp food trucks are popular, as well as the popular Pupukea Grill food truck. 

Don’t miss the following sights on the North Shore:

• Sunset Beach
• Haleiwa Town (the historic surf town)
• Dole Pineapple Plantation
• Ehukai Pillbox Hike (a local secret)
• Kahana Bay
• Shark’s Cove

Day 7 of Your Oahu Itinerary

Grand Circle Tour of the island

If you have a rental car, the last day of your Oahu vacation can be for a self-guided circle tour of the island. But if you don’t have a rental car, you can take one of the guided tours like the North Shore Circle Island Adventure that involves swimming with sea turtles. Or enjoy the Hidden Gems of Oahu Circle Tour With Waimea Waterfall.

On our tour, we stopped at the gorgeous Byodo-In Temple, a replica of the 900-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan. It was so serene and peaceful, surrounded by lush greenery and Koi ponds.

Other Things to Do If You Have More Time

If you have some extra time, here are more great places to add to your itinerary:

• Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
• Helicopter tours
• Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail
• Road trip to Kahana Bay
• Road trip to La‘ie Point
• Hawaii State Art Museum
• Kaneohe Bay kayaking
• Swim with the sharks in Haleiwa
• Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
• Lanikai Pillbox Hike (a popular Hike on the Windward Coast)
• Whale watching

Where To Stay

If you’re looking for some amazing places to stay in Oahu, there are plenty of options ranging from affordable to luxury resorts. 

These are some of my favorite Oahu hotels and resorts:

• Hilton Hawaiian Village
• The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hotel
• Ala Moana Hotel
• DVC Aulani in Ko Olina on the Leeward Coast
• Four Seasons Resort Oahu on the Leeward Coast
• Paradise Bay Resort on the Windward Coast
• Guest House Near Kailua Beach
• Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore
• Backpackers Vacation Inn and Plantation Village on the North Shore
• Vacation rentals like Airbnb or VRBO