Oahu is the most visited island in Hawaii and is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in the world. I am jealous of the Hawaiian natives and fellow Americans who call this place home! My mother and I spent exactly 48 hours in Oahu before we flew to Kauai. It was a short amount of time but I enjoyed every second of it. If you were on a tight schedule and only had two nights to spend in Oahu, this is what I recommend you do to get the most out of your experience!
Only have 48 Hours in Oahu? Here is how you should spend it:
First off, I recommend you stay at a hotel on Waikiki Beach for both nights. It is centrally located and near the airport. I chose to save visiting the North Side of Oahu for another trip when I have more time to spend. So for the sake of not spending all of your time driving a rental car the whole two days, stay in Honolulu.
My Hotel Recommendation:
Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach. Book your stay here. With a charming Victorian style, the Moana Surfrider takes you back in time to vintage Honolulu, when Americans first started vacationing and living on the island in 1901. The resort is right on the beach and within walking distance of Honolulu’s shopping area.
We hung out under the shade of the hotel’s historic banyan tree while sipping wine and watching the sunset. We also took advantage of the hotel’s complimentary 7 am yoga classes!
Activity Recommendations:
Go on a scenic hike
Lanikai Pillbox Hike. I have wanted to do this hike for so long. We drove in our rental car north about an hour from the Moana Surfrider Hotel. I read that there was no parking at the trailhead of this hike, so I was prepared. You must find parallel parking in legal spots in the surrounding neighborhood. It might take several times circling the neighborhood until you find a parking spot. Then, you have to hike to the trailhead before you actually start your hike… But trust me that the hike is still absolutely worth it.
This hike is for intermediate hikers. Please bring water on this hike! You are in the sun almost 100 percent of the time hiking uphill. There are three military boxes (lookout points) during this hike. The whole hike takes about 1 hour & 50 minutes roundtrip. Wear shoes with a grip because it is slippery. There are ropes to grip when you are climbing the steep parts.
We stopped our hike at the first military box because we were on the verge of heat exhaustion. The views are pretty much the same for all of them, however, if it wasn’t so hot then I would have liked to continue hiking! The second military box is another steep 10-minute hike uphill.
After your hike, you can walk back down to your car, grab your towel (stay parked), and then walk to one of the beach entrances in the neighborhood to swim at Lanikai Beach.
Have Some Beach Fun!
I rented a surfboard for $20/hour while my mom watched from afar under an umbrella, relaxing and simultaneously enjoying happy hour at our hotel.
WARNING: Waikiki Beach is a great place to surf, however, the waters are full of inexperienced tourist surfers. As I was catching a wave, a lady lost control of her board and collided with me. My surfboard leash caught my thigh. I was high on adrenaline and having so much fun that I kept surfing after this. Although I quickly realized how bad my bruise was when I couldn’t put pressure on my leg to stand on the board without it giving out.
Surfing Tip: the locals surf at 6 am before they go to work. If you are intermediate then go mid-morning before the crowds and surfing classes get out there.
When you take your long walk along Waikiki Beach take note that tourists have been enjoying themselves on this same sand since 1901. When the sun sets, gaze upon the glow on the high rises next to Diamond Head. You are bound to feel a hint of magic of true vintage Hawaii.
Bonus Activity: Photo-shoot at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens!
Do you know those iconic Oahu photos of someone walking down a road lined with palm trees in front of luscious mountains covered with clouds? The backdrop looks straight out of Jurassic Park. Well in order to get this shot you must visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The park is strict about photography since thousands of tourists are flocking here for this photo. (Keep in mind that we visited in June 2019)
You are not allowed to take photos on the road past 9 am when the park opens. Otherwise, you need a photography permit through parks & wildlife. So I would suggest getting here at 7 am! There is an entrance to walk in and then you might have to wait your turn during peak season if there is a line of other photographers. The official park hours are between 9 am–4 pm and the entrance to the park is completely free!
I hope you enjoy your short 48 hours in Oahu. There is so much to see and do on this beautiful island, 2 days is simply not enough. I have to go back and explore the north shore in the near future!!
