United States / Hawaii / Honolulu & Oahu (Waikiki)Honolulu & Oahu (Waikiki)
Waikiki, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor
Hawaii's capital island: Waikiki's beach and surf lessons, the Diamond Head crater hike (out-of-state visitors must book an entry slot), the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (free, timed tickets), snorkelling at Hanauma Bay (booked, closed some days), and the North Shore's big winter waves. Kauai is 40-55 minutes' flying away, Maui and the Big Island about as far. The islands are 5-6 hours' flying from California; from India the way is through San Francisco, Los Angeles or Tokyo. Room prices include the state's hotel taxes and the resort fees most Waikiki hotels add.
Highlights
- Surf lesson at Waikiki
- Diamond Head summit hike
- USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor
- Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay
- North Shore beaches and shrimp trucks
- Polynesian Cultural Center luau
Things to do
- Diamond Head summit hikeMorning · 2h 30m
- Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona MemorialMorning · 4h
- Surf lesson at WaikikiMorning · 2h 30m
- Hanauma Bay snorkellingMorning · 3h
- North Shore driveAfternoon · 5h
- Luau dinner and showEvening · 3h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – October
Heads up
Big Winter Surf on the North Shore
From November to February huge swells hit Oahu's North Shore: thrilling to watch at Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach, deadly to swim in. Swim on the south (Waikiki) shore in winter, and only where lifeguards are posted.
- Humpback whale season, Maui — Thousands of humpbacks winter in Hawaiian waters from about December to April, most in the channels off west Maui, where whale-watching boats leave Ma'alaea and Ka'anapali daily; February and March are the peak.
- Aloha Festivals, Oahu — Hawaiian music, hula and a floral parade through Waikiki in September, mostly free.