Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Oahu?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Oahu?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Oahu during their visit. The energetic island offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Oahu is home to Hawaii's state capital, Honolulu. The island has a unique energy that is a mixing bowl of cultures and experiences. There are world class hikes, stunning beaches, as well as the moving site of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. The island is also where you'll find the Disney resort, Aulani and the world famous Waikiki Beach.
Do you have one or two days to visit Oahu? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Oahu?
Oahu enjoys immense popularity among tourists because of its many sights and attractions. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself rushing through the island's activities such as the beaches, the hiking, and the gorgeous scenery. To really see what this island boasts, you'll more likely need at least 3 or as many as 7 days. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit, including Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.
How to spend a day in Oahu
When visiting Oahu, you absolutely can't miss Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
Oahu is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The island has striking beaches and stunning mountains, making it a beautiful Hawaiian Island.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Turtle Canyon Snorkel from Waikiki (Semi Private Boat Tour) ($102)
- OAHU CATAMARANS Sunset Tour on a 40 Foot Catamaran FOOD & BYOB!!! ($55)
- Polynesian Canoe Sunset Sail ($220)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Oahu?
With only a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the island. After all, Oahu holds a significant allure for tourists because of its many sights and attractions. To fully embrace Oahu, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to schedule about three to seven days to experience the beaches, the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, and scuba diving and snorkeling. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
Oahu, Hawaii
How to spend 2 days in Oahu
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Oahu will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
The beautiful beaches await you in Oahu, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Family friendly waikiki Venetian Gondola Cruise small group fun ($0)
- Turtle Canyon Snorkel from Waikiki (Semi Private Boat Tour) ($102)
- Surf Lessons on the North Shore of Oahu ($95)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.
A few tour suggestions include:
- History Tour Pub Crawl in Waikiki ($45)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Oahu, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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