10 sightseeing tips for your dream trip to Hawaii: here's how to divide yourself between beaches, nature, culture and cinema!
Hawaii: a common dream, these times of easy realization with ever faster and cheaper flights to the United States.
To tell the truth, it would be ideal to dedicate more than 50 days to the islands of the 5th US state, but if your first visit also includes other stops before or after, it is not unthinkable to think about enjoying 5 days of sea and pleasant climate with a short stay in one of the Hawaiian islands.
How to organize the trip
We opted for the island of Oahu for various reasons, including the presence of many direct flights from California, where we started and ended the journey, allowing us to limit the number of internal flights to only one direct Los Angeles - Honolulu
We loved the island and its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere so much that we wanted to stay more than 5 days, but at the same time we were able to visit all the places we had set out and also some additional unexpected stops.
So we come to the crucial point: what can you visit in Oahu in 5 days? Here are all our stages.
1. Honolulu
The main town on the island where the majority of hotels are also located. You can like it or not, it depends a lot on personal tastes. It is a very developed city from the real estate point of view, with skyscrapers close to the beach that create a surreal landscape. If you love nightlife and movement, this is definitely for you. Restaurants, lounge bars and lots of people at all hours enliven the streets.
2. Ho'omaluia Botanical Gardens
Lush and hypnotic, a free botanical garden that can be visited by car with numerous stops to admire the panoramic points and photogenic views. Although it seems to depopulate in the photos on social networks, we have met very few visitors, often finding ourselves alone to enjoy the spectacle of nature.
3. Byodo-in Temple
It is located in the center of a multicultural and multi-religious burial park, at the foot of the verdant Ko'olau mountains.
Admission includes a $ 5 per person ticket, payable only in cash upon entry. The structure is the reproduction of the Japanese temple of Uji, built in 1968 to commemorate the centenary of Hawaii's first Japanese immigrants.
4. Nu'Uanu Pali Lookout
Along the way to Ho'omaluia and the Byodo-in temple you can make a small stop at this suggestive and breathtaking viewpoint with its view over the valley below to the beaches of the island. Unfortunately the view will depend on the weather you will find, if you see low clouds over the mountains you will not be able to see much.
5. Polynesian Cultural Center
Divided into 6 different zones, each representing a different area of the Polynesian territories, which will allow you to learn the traditions, dances and curiosities about Fiji, Hawai'i, Samoa, Aotearoa, Tahiti and Tonga.
The center opens at 11.45 and closes at 21.00 after the end of the evening show Ha: Breath of Life. Admission starts at $ 85.95 (approximately € 75.00 per adult) and includes access to all downtown activities, the evening show and buffet dinner. I recommend that you dedicate a full day to the center as it will take you an hour to reach it from Waikiki.
At most you can plan a stop at the Byodo-in temple or the first tour at the Kuala Ranch which are on the same road to the cultural center.
6. Kualoa Ranch: Hollywood movie set tour
A private ranch still used for breeding, famous above all for its spectacular landscape and for having been the backdrop to famous films, including Jurassic Park, Lost, Kong Skull Island and many others. There are numerous different tour options: horseback, quad bike, mountain bike, and zipline. We have chosen the Hollywood set tour lasting 90 minutes on board a vintage bus. Prices start at $ 45.95 (approximately € 40.00 per adult).
7. Lanikai Beach
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island with good reason. Clear sand and crystal clear sea, few people and wild turtles. Parking is easy to find along the road and in the streets parallel to the various entrances to the beach. There are no bars, bathrooms or any other facilities, so consider taking a picnic or moving to the town center for a bite to eat.
8. North Shore
We visited the beaches of Shark's Cove and Three Table Beach, but the weather was not long on our side with passing rain, which is common in that area of the island. Alternatively, you can consider visiting Waimea Valley with its famous waterfalls or the Dole pineapple plantation.
9. Pearl Harbor
One of the most visited places on Oahu it is definitely the Pearl Harbor memorial. A bay famous for the Japanese attack on the American fleet in 1941, today frequented to pay homage to the fallen and not to forget.
Admission is free when it comes to visiting the Arizona Memorial, while for the other sites there are separate tickets. We decided to visit the USS Bowfin submarine ($ 10.00 each with an offer found on Groupon, around € 8.00). The USS Missouri warship visit includes admission of $ 29.00 per adult (€ 25.00).
10. Hanauma Bay
A protected bay full of underwater life. It is accessed by paying an admission of $ 7.50 per person and by viewing a video that illustrates the good rules of behavior and the rules to preserve the delicate nature of the bay. Parking costs $ 1.00 and the beach is closed every Tuesday.
Famous for snorkeling, Hanauma Bay is a coral reef formed in the crater of an ancient volcano and is today teeming with underwater life and fauna. A thousand fish of every color, shape and size will keep you company. Pay close attention to the rules and dangerous points for strong currents and do not touch the reef or its inhabitants.
There are kiosks for renting equipment if you don't have one as well as lifeguards and a shuttle service that can take you from the beach to the parking lots. A dispassionate advice: don't be like us and dedicate at least one full day to Hanauma.
These are all the places we visited in 5 days, we couldn't make it short trekking that takes you to the top of the Diamond Head volcano nor to visit any plantations on the island, but they will certainly be the first activities we will do when we return to Hawaii… and we hope to do so very soon.
