Honolulu, set on the island of Oahu and bounded to the south by magnificent beaches and the north by rugged cliffs, is the largest city and one of the most visited in Hawaii. This place is divided into three - Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and Downtown. It has a lot to offer to visitors, from historical sites, museums, and monuments in the downtown, to the long stretch of soft-sand beaches in the densely populated Waikiki, great places to stay, and much more. Interestingly, this tourist hub is also close to many other thrilling locations due to its strategic location - in the epicenter of Hawaii. Discover cultural sites, and historical places, snorkel with various sea life, and make the best of your vacation while staying in a comfy beachfront rental. In the meantime, plan your itinerary and browse through a list of the best day trips from Honolulu, Hawaii.
1. Diamond Head and Manoa Falls (from USD 101.0)
Your itinerary of Hawaii is not complete until you have visited Diamond Head and Manoa Falls. These are great day trip options for those looking for hikes. Make your way to the top of Diamond Head and be amazed by the stunning panoramic views of Waikiki’s coastline. Then, head to the Manoa Falls trail, located in the lush Manoa Valley beneath the Ko'olau Range, and explore the easily accessible rainforest. You’ll encounter an array of native Hawaiian species, enormous ferns, and the snaking roots of banyan trees that served as a filming location for the movie Jurassic Park.
Finally, reach the 100-foot (30.48 meter) Manoa Falls and cool off with refreshing views of the waterfall.
Oahu: Diamond Head and Manoa Falls Hiking Trails Tour
Duration: 5.5 hour
2. Pearl Harbor (from USD 69.0)
As a day tour from Honolulu, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the events of December 7, 1941, and to pay their respects to the thousands of lives lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
At the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, visitors can explore various exhibits and displays that showcase the history of the area and the events leading up to the attack. The highlight of the visit is a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, which honors the sailors and marines who lost their lives in the attack. In addition to the USS Arizona Memorial, visitors can also tour the Battleship Missouri, which played a significant role in World War II, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, which features an impressive collection of historic aircraft.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tour from Honolulu
Duration: 4 hours
3. Hanauma Bay (from USD 154.0)
Hanauma Bay, which is very accessible from Honolulu, is among the most frequented beaches in the state, aside from the North Shore beaches and Waikiki. It is famous for snorkeling and diving in its shallow, colorful coral reefs. It features over 300 diverse species of fishes, including the state’s humuhumunukunukuapua'a, as well as turtles and other marine life. Every year, this place draws about one million individuals, who not only look forward to swimming with the fishes but also experience the best coastline the city has to offer.
Tour of North Shore & Waimea Waterfall
Duration: 8 hours
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4. Ko'olina Beach Park
If you prefer swimming in calm waters with your kids, together with beautiful wildlife, then Hanauma Ko'olina Beach Park is the best spot around. This public park is part of the Ko'olina Resort Community, and its lagoon is one of the four in the 640-acre (260-hectare) property. The water body is relatively shallow and it’s protected by the reef, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling all day without the worry of being tossed around by the waves. The water is warm and there are paved paths in the park to walk and soak in the beautiful scenery. Other amenities in this place include beach item rentals and clean restrooms.
5. Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area
Enjoy some picnicking in this historic, lush place, set within a rock wall and featuring lemon eucalyptus trees, Norfolk pines, and designated camping spots. The site was an ancient medical center, believed to date back to the 1500s, and occupied by healers who treat their patients with medicines and herbs sourced from the surrounding vegetations. The camping spots feature showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and bathrooms, but only opens from Friday to Wednesday for 12 USD per night. However, you can picnic any day under the site’s shaded pavilions with picnic tables and charcoal barbecues.
6. Lanikai Beach
Lanikai, which translates to “Heavenly Ocean,” is one of the most beautiful beaches on earth, and it’s characterized by stunning public beaches and serene aqua blue waters. You can enjoy some recreational time on a beach chair, sipping some tasty margaritas, see the mesmerizing Hawaiian sunrise, go on a picnic with family at Kailua Beach Park, or explore the Mokulua Islands by kayak. And it is also hard to resist jumping in the crystal-clear waters for a swim. The area is also blessed with myriads of luxurious beachfront vacation rentals.
7. Mokule'ia Forest Reserve
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Featuring an elevation of 1190.9 feet (363 meters) and a total of 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) paved paths, the Mokuleia Forest Reserve is perfect for a recreational walk, while enjoying beautiful sights of the mountain range and thick vegetation. You will see beautiful open meadows, surrounded by native trees such as eucalyptus and cook pine, as well as soaring views of the North Shore. And if you love to camp through the night and enjoy incredible stargazing, there are protected sites available.
8. Dole Plantation
With about 1.2 million yearly visitors, Dole Plantation is the second-most visited site in the state after Arizona Memorial. This place offers a range of enjoyable activities for everyone, including the plantation garden tour, the pineapple express train, and the pineapple garden maze. You will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, its influence in making the state the world’s pineapple capital, and much more. Also, you shouldn’t forget to purchase locally made souvenirs and food items such as fresh Dole pineapple, hard candy, and chocolate.
9. Waimea Falls
Enjoy an easy 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) hike through historic sites and beautiful gardens to the 45-foot (13.7-meter) tall Waimea Falls, set with the Waimea Valley. It’s part of the Waimea Falls Park, managed by the Waimea Valley Hi'ipaka, and requires a small entrance fee. The organization is dedicated to protecting the cultural and botanical richness of the location. The paved, meandering path to the recreational fall is ranked the best in the town. However, if you are coming with your kids, there is a shuttle service to the beautifully cascading falls.
10. Laniakea Beach
For some beautiful shots of nature, combined with recreation and water-based activities, head to Laniakea Beach, which translates to “wide sky.” It is also known as Turtle Beach because unlike in other beaches where you may sight the head of the sea animals down in the ocean, they fearlessly roam around in this location. Being part of the 7-Mile Miracle of the North Shore, this place is also famous for its surfing waves during the winter period. Also, admire the stunning palm trees surrounding the rocky cove, look for and dive into a suitable swimming spot, or unwind on a beach chair.
11. Kualoa Ranch (from USD 169.0)
Discover the rich and diverse agricultural activities in this 4,000-acre (1,619-hectare) active cattle ranch and private nature preserve. You will find a beautiful mix of open valleys, Hawaiian rainforest, and sloppy mountain cliffs spread out in a beautiful place. Explore the extensive cattle ranch, featuring over 100 sheep, 200 pigs, 120 horses, and 600 cattle, as well as the shrimp and oyster farms and fruit plantation. You can also join one of the many tours to explore this natural elegance. And if the surroundings look familiar, it’s because they are the sites for famous movies, including Hawaii Five-O, Jurassic World, Jurassic Park, and much more.
Kualoa Ranch Off-Road Jungle, Garden, Film Location Tour
Duration: 1 day
12. Valley of the Temples, Ko'olau Mountains (from USD 83.77)
If you want to find tranquility during your day trip to Oahu in Hawaii, then you should look no further than this lush valley, set at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains. It features beautiful wildlife, including koi, swans, as well as tropical fauna and flora. It’s also home to many monuments of faiths such as Buddhist temples, Christian cathedrals, and the famous Byodo-In Temple, which is a smaller version of the Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan - a United Nations World Heritage Site.
Oahu: North Shore Half-Day Tour
Duration: 7 hour
Savor the best of Hawaii
Your visit to Hawaii is bound to be an interesting one. With all the exciting activities around the state, including natural scenes for camping and hiking, lots of recreational beaches, historic sites, and more to explore, it would be a shame to confine your stay to Honolulu. Enjoy the best of the state and plan a trip for a day from Honolulu with these best day trips.
Frequently asked questions about day trips from Honolulu
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