Hawaii 1 Week Itinerary Guide

Day 1: Honolulu, Oahu

  • Kick off your week in Hawaii by getting to know Honolulu and the famed Waikiki Beach
  • Wander around Chinatown and browse its art galleries before finishing with getting immersed in history at the Pearl Harbor Museum
  • Dine beachfront in Waikiki and then head over to the Hilton Hawaiian Village for the weekly firework show

Where to stay: During you time in Oahu, we recommend staying within walking distance of Waikiki Beach at hotels such as Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort with its palm-fringed pool and private beach access, or at Paradise Bay Resort, with its kitchenettes and views of Kaneohe Bay.

Transportation:  Rent a car in Oahu as part of a Hawaii package deal to get out and experience the natural beauty and remote, uncrowded beaches.

Day 2: Beach Fun

  • Hanauma Bay is famed for its incredible snorkeling, with colorful reefs close to shore, big schools of fish and calm waters. It’s perfect for families with children
  • Waimanalo is the island’s longest beach, where you can try surfing on a traditional outrigger canoe
  • In Waikiki, enjoy a free Kuhio Beach Hula Show held three times a week at the Hula Mound

Day 3: Driving Tour

It’s just a 30-minute drive from Honolulu to the Windward Coast where you could easily spend a whole day. Or, you could spend a few hours here then drive another 50 minutes to Hawaii’s North Shore. 

  • From Honolulu, hit the Pali Highway that winds east through the Koolau mountain range where you’ll come across the Nuuanu Pali Lookout
  • Just below the lookout is a hidden gem, the Likeke Falls. You can take a 10-15 minute hike up from the Ko’olau Golf Course parking lot to get to the lookout
  • Drive east on the Pali Highway for 15 minutes to reach the Windward Coast and Kailua Beach
  • Stay in the town of Kailua where you can swim and take in the views on the Pillbox Hike. At sunset, head back to Honolulu for dinner or end your day with an unforgettable horseback ride along Kailua’s North Beach at sunset

Day 4: Maui

Hop a flight from Oahu to Maui for your next few days. To get the most out of your time on Maui, pick up a rental car at the airport.

  • Set off to spend a day in the sun at Kaanapali Beach, where you can enjoy great snorkeling spots
  • In the afternoon, hop into your rental car and drive to Makena Beach, aka Big Beach, in South Maui.
  • In the evening, join a luau and sample traditional kalua pua'a (roasted pork) cooked in an underground oven. Choices for luau include Old Lahaina Lu’au and the Grand Wailea Lū’au

Where to Stay: Hotels in Lahaina create the perfect Hawaii vacation. Choose a family-friendly hotel such as Honua Kai Resort and Spa, featuring waterslides and a full-service spa, or pick the Aston Kaanapali Shores for its wealth of amenities including tennis courts and a huge swimming pool.

Day 5: Whale Watching or Historic Daytrip

  • During the winter months, you can go on a morning on a whale-watching tour. Departing from Maalaea on the west coast, and you might even spot breaching humpback whales
  • Visiting out of whale-watching season? Head to Lahaina to discover the island’s ancient history as you walk the Lahaina Historic Trail. Be sure to check out the legendary 145-year old, 60-feet high Banyan tree– the largest in the United States.
  • Hop on the ferry to Lanai, where you can explore the lunar-like landscape and visit Shipwreck Beach, with its offshore wreck of a World War II tanker

Transportation: Whale-watching tours run between December and May and last approximately 2 to 3 hours. The ferry to Lanai takes about 1 hour and there are up to 5 departures daily.

Day 6: Explore Natural Beauty

Day 7: Oahu

Fly back to Oahu for one last day in Honolulu and enjoy Waikiki Beach one last time before heading to the airport.

Where to Stay: Hotels such as the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach and seafront Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort both offer spectacular views and hearty breakfasts, and are within easy reach of the airport.

Transportation: From Maui get a flight to Oahu for your overnight stay in Honolulu. The next day, get to the airport by taxi, private car service or pre-booked shuttle.

Search our itinerary

Choose one or more items to build your trip: