Our 4 Day Waikiki Itinerary + Two Scenic Oahu Drives
Our Waikiki Trip: Where We Stayed, What We Ate, and Two Amazing Days Exploring Oahu
Ryan and I recently spent several days in Waikiki, and it ended up being the perfect mix of beach time, great food, and two unforgettable days exploring Oahu by car.
We landed in Honolulu around 11:00 AM and decided to make the most of the day right away.
Our home base for the trip was Wayfinder Waikiki, a boutique hotel just a few minutes from the beach, and it turned out to be one of our favorite stays. I also was able to get 50% off with my travel membership so that gave us some nice extra money for dining out!
Quick Guide to Our Waikiki Trip
If you're planning a trip to Oahu, here’s a quick overview of what we did. And I have everything mapped in my Google map that I link at the bottom of this post!
Our 4 Day Waikiki Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Honolulu
Check into Wayfinder Waikiki
Beach time at Waikiki Beach
Sunset and dinner at Duke's Waikiki
Day 2
Coffee at Honolulu Coffee
Walk Waikiki shoreline
Maui Brewing Company
Sunset drinks at the Moana
Dinner at Doraku Sushi Waikiki
Day 3 – North Shore Day Trip
Dole Plantation
Watching surfers along the North Shore
Lunch at Seven Brothers Burgers
Dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen
Day 4 – East Side of Oahu
Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail
Waimānalo Beach
Lanikai Beach
Lunch in Kailua
Kualoa Regional Park
Day 5 – Relaxing at Waikiki Beach
Rent beach chairs in front of the Royal Hawaiian
Morning walk toward Hilton Hawaiian Village
Coffee at Island Vintage Coffee
Beach day at Waikiki Beach
Lunch and Mai Tais at the Mai Tai Bar
Final sunset drinks at Duke's Waikiki
Where We Stayed: Wayfinder Waikiki
After landing, we headed straight to the hotel to drop off our bags, change into beach clothes, and walk to the beach.
One of the things we loved about the Wayfinder is how walkable everything is. The beach is only about a five-minute walk away.
On the way, we stopped at an ABC Stores to grab snacks and drinks before heading down to the water.
When we returned from the beach, our room wasn’t ready yet, so we grabbed a couple lounge chairs by the saltwater pool and ordered Mai Tais while we cooled off.
The pool area feels like a tropical oasis tucked right into the middle of Waikiki.
We also received two complimentary welcome drinks at the hotel’s pool bar:
Lost + Found — A Tropical Poolside Bar
They serve cocktails, wine, craft brews, poke bowls, and light bites, and everything we tried was delicious and surprisingly reasonably priced for Waikiki.
When our room was ready, we were even more impressed.
The design blends modern island style with vintage Hawaiian influences, featuring warm wood tones, tropical textures, and curated artwork inspired by Hawaii’s culture.
Our corner room with a lanai was beautiful and relaxing.
And one of the best parts of our stay?
The price.
Through my travel membership we saved almost 50% compared to Booking.com. The same room that was listed for $1,188 ended up costing us only $605.
Day 1: Sunset at Waikiki Beach and Dinner at Duke’s
After getting settled, we headed back down to the beach to catch sunset.
There’s something magical about sunset in Waikiki. Surfers are still catching waves, the sky turns pink and gold, and the whole beach has a relaxed, happy energy.
After sunset we walked over to Duke's Waikiki for dinner.
We grabbed seats in the open-seating bar area, ordered Mai Tais, fish tacos, and fried shrimp, and everything was delicious.
Duke’s has such a fun atmosphere and it’s easy to see why it’s a Waikiki favorite.
Day 2: Exploring Waikiki
The next morning we started the day with coffee from Honolulu Coffee Company.
The coffee was fantastic and the setting next to the historic Moana Surfrider made it even better.
From there we walked through the stunning Royal Hawaiian, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific.
Then we continued along the shoreline toward Hilton Hawaiian Village, enjoying the boardwalk and the ocean views.
On the way back toward our hotel we stopped at Maui Brewing Company Waikiki for beers and some fried calamari.
Later that afternoon we went back to the hotel, grabbed our welcome drinks, and shared a poke bowl by the pool. It was SO delicious and definitely big enough for two people.
That evening we walked back down to the beach for sunset again and then grabbed drinks at the Moana while watching the sun go down.
For dinner we had reservations at Doraku Sushi Waikiki, and it was some of the best sushi we’ve ever had.
After dinner we walked around Royal Hawaiian Center, which had such a fun energy with lights strung through the palm trees.
Day 3: North Shore Adventure
The next morning our Turo rental was dropped off at our hotel and we headed out for the day. We made a quick stop and grabbed snacks at Foodland before heading out to explore the island.
On our way to North Shore, we saw the Dole Plantation so we pulled in to take a look. The visitor center is free and there is a large gift shop and snack bar where we grabbed a Dole Whip and Dole Whip float. They were delicious and a little reminder of Disneyland.
It was raining that day, so we didn’t explore the plantation and instead headed toward the North Shore. We went to Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.
The weather actually worked out perfectly because the waves were huge and it was incredible watching the surfers.
Swimming wasn’t an option with the rough water, but seeing those waves in person was amazing.
We stopped for lunch at Seven Brothers Burgers, which was delicious.
That evening we returned to Waikiki for some pool time before heading to dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen.
Day 4: Driving the East Side of Oahu
The next morning we headed out early to explore the East side of the island.
Our first stop was the stunning Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail. This hike has gorgeous coastal views, whale watching (Nov–Apr), and a historic 1909 lighthouse. The walk is rated easy-to-moderate, but it does have a 500-foot elevation gain so I wouldn't personally rate it as easy. If you're totally out of shape it might be difficult. That being said, it is wide and paved and you can take your time making it a great family-friendly, stroller-accessible walk. Sunrise or sunset would be beautiful but we were there mid-morning and it was great! No entrance fees is a plus but there are also no restrooms so keep that in mind.
After the hike we stopped at Waimānalo Beach, which has wide open sand and beautiful mountain views.
From there we made our way to Lanikai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. We grabbed some snacks at a little local deli (Kalapawai Market) because we accidentally missed the Foodland. We stayed at Lanikai for several hours and I definitely wouldn't mind staying in that area for a couple of days on our next trip out.
After this, we drove north along the coast to Kualoa Regional Park, where the dramatic mountains meet the ocean.
This area is famous for the island known as Chinaman’s Hat and the views are incredible. We didn't have time, but there is a Jurassic Park tour that was highly recommended and we'll definitely do it next time!
Our Last Full Day in Waikiki
For our final full day we rented beach chairs and an umbrella in front of the Royal Hawaiian. We used Waikiki Beach Services and reserved in advance. The chairs & umbrella are reserved but can only be set up once you are there in person. So if you want a good spot on the crowded beach, you'll want to get there early.
After reserving our chairs early in the morning, we went for a long walk down toward the Hilton Hawaiian Village and back.
On the way back to our chairs we stopped at Island Vintage Coffee where I ordered the Mauna Kea, a Kona cold brew topped with macadamia nut gelato. It was SO GOOD! We really wanted to be on the beach so we didn't stay for food but everything looked amazing so we'll definitely get brunch there on our next trip.
We spent the rest of the day enjoying the beach and had lunch and Mai Tais at the famous Mai Tai Bar.
Later we grabbed one more round of Mai Tais at Duke’s while watching our final sunset in Waikiki.
Last Morning in Waikiki
We had several hours to spend before our Lyft picked us up for our flight home so we made the most of it and checked our bags at the bell desk, grabbed coffees at B-Side Coffee Bar (inside our hotel) and made one final walk down to the beach.
After enjoying a final stroll along the water, we returned to the hotel, grabbed one last delicious lunch at Redfish Poke Bar, and waited for our Lyft to take us back to the airport.
Trips like this always go by way too fast, but Waikiki definitely gave us memories we’ll never forget.
Restaurants We Loved
Duke's Waikiki
Doraku Sushi Waikiki
Monkeypod Kitchen
Seven Brothers Burgers
Maui Brewing Company Waikiki
Island Vintage Coffee
Redfish Poke Bar
Places On Our List For Next Time
Hanauma Bay
Laniakea Beach
Waimea Valley
Manoa Falls Trail
Our Oahu Google Map
Before our trip I created a Google Map with every restaurant, beach, and stop we visited as well as the ones that we didn't have time for but will go next time!
You can explore it here: Oahu Google Map
Save up to 50% on Travel
If you want to save up to 50% on travel, you can check out all the details here. This has been the best thing I've done in a long time and it gives me travel savings and credits every month. I've already saved $600 and am saving another $600 on a trip to Vegas in a couple weeks!
If you have questions, I'm happy to answer them via email or on Instagram!
Other resources you might like
Purposeful Planner — plan your days with intention
Purposeful Life Method — rediscover your God-given purpose
The Purpose Project Book — deepen your faith and purpose journey
Follow Corie on Instagram: instagram.com/corieclark
Our 4 Day Waikiki Itinerary + Two Scenic Oahu Drives
Our Waikiki Trip: Where We Stayed, What We Ate, and Two Amazing Days Exploring Oahu
Ryan and I recently spent several days in Waikiki, and it ended up being the perfect mix of beach time, great food, and two unforgettable days exploring Oahu by car.
We landed in Honolulu around 11:00 AM and decided to make the most of the day right away.
Our home base for the trip was Wayfinder Waikiki, a boutique hotel just a few minutes from the beach, and it turned out to be one of our favorite stays. I also was able to get 50% off with my travel membership so that gave us some nice extra money for dining out!
Quick Guide to Our Waikiki Trip
If you're planning a trip to Oahu, here’s a quick overview of what we did. And I have everything mapped in my Google map that I link at the bottom of this post!
Our 4 Day Waikiki Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Honolulu
Check into Wayfinder Waikiki
Beach time at Waikiki Beach
Sunset and dinner at Duke's Waikiki
Day 2
Coffee at Honolulu Coffee
Walk Waikiki shoreline
Maui Brewing Company
Sunset drinks at the Moana
Dinner at Doraku Sushi Waikiki
Day 3 – North Shore Day Trip
Dole Plantation
Watching surfers along the North Shore
Lunch at Seven Brothers Burgers
Dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen
Day 4 – East Side of Oahu
Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail
Waimānalo Beach
Lanikai Beach
Lunch in Kailua
Kualoa Regional Park
Day 5 – Relaxing at Waikiki Beach
Rent beach chairs in front of the Royal Hawaiian
Morning walk toward Hilton Hawaiian Village
Coffee at Island Vintage Coffee
Beach day at Waikiki Beach
Lunch and Mai Tais at the Mai Tai Bar
Final sunset drinks at Duke's Waikiki
Where We Stayed: Wayfinder Waikiki
After landing, we headed straight to the hotel to drop off our bags, change into beach clothes, and walk to the beach.
One of the things we loved about the Wayfinder is how walkable everything is. The beach is only about a five-minute walk away.
On the way, we stopped at an ABC Stores to grab snacks and drinks before heading down to the water.
When we returned from the beach, our room wasn’t ready yet, so we grabbed a couple lounge chairs by the saltwater pool and ordered Mai Tais while we cooled off.
The pool area feels like a tropical oasis tucked right into the middle of Waikiki.
We also received two complimentary welcome drinks at the hotel’s pool bar:
Lost + Found — A Tropical Poolside Bar
They serve cocktails, wine, craft brews, poke bowls, and light bites, and everything we tried was delicious and surprisingly reasonably priced for Waikiki.
When our room was ready, we were even more impressed.
The design blends modern island style with vintage Hawaiian influences, featuring warm wood tones, tropical textures, and curated artwork inspired by Hawaii’s culture.
Our corner room with a lanai was beautiful and relaxing.
And one of the best parts of our stay?
The price.
Through my travel membership we saved almost 50% compared to Booking.com. The same room that was listed for $1,188 ended up costing us only $605.
Day 1: Sunset at Waikiki Beach and Dinner at Duke’s
After getting settled, we headed back down to the beach to catch sunset.
There’s something magical about sunset in Waikiki. Surfers are still catching waves, the sky turns pink and gold, and the whole beach has a relaxed, happy energy.
After sunset we walked over to Duke's Waikiki for dinner.
We grabbed seats in the open-seating bar area, ordered Mai Tais, fish tacos, and fried shrimp, and everything was delicious.
Duke’s has such a fun atmosphere and it’s easy to see why it’s a Waikiki favorite.
Day 2: Exploring Waikiki
The next morning we started the day with coffee from Honolulu Coffee Company.
The coffee was fantastic and the setting next to the historic Moana Surfrider made it even better.
From there we walked through the stunning Royal Hawaiian, also known as the Pink Palace of the Pacific.
Then we continued along the shoreline toward Hilton Hawaiian Village, enjoying the boardwalk and the ocean views.
On the way back toward our hotel we stopped at Maui Brewing Company Waikiki for beers and some fried calamari.
Later that afternoon we went back to the hotel, grabbed our welcome drinks, and shared a poke bowl by the pool. It was SO delicious and definitely big enough for two people.
That evening we walked back down to the beach for sunset again and then grabbed drinks at the Moana while watching the sun go down.
For dinner we had reservations at Doraku Sushi Waikiki, and it was some of the best sushi we’ve ever had.
After dinner we walked around Royal Hawaiian Center, which had such a fun energy with lights strung through the palm trees.
Day 3: North Shore Adventure
The next morning our Turo rental was dropped off at our hotel and we headed out for the day. We made a quick stop and grabbed snacks at Foodland before heading out to explore the island.
On our way to North Shore, we saw the Dole Plantation so we pulled in to take a look. The visitor center is free and there is a large gift shop and snack bar where we grabbed a Dole Whip and Dole Whip float. They were delicious and a little reminder of Disneyland.
It was raining that day, so we didn’t explore the plantation and instead headed toward the North Shore. We went to Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach.
The weather actually worked out perfectly because the waves were huge and it was incredible watching the surfers.
Swimming wasn’t an option with the rough water, but seeing those waves in person was amazing.
We stopped for lunch at Seven Brothers Burgers, which was delicious.
That evening we returned to Waikiki for some pool time before heading to dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen.
Day 4: Driving the East Side of Oahu
The next morning we headed out early to explore the East side of the island.
Our first stop was the stunning Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail. This hike has gorgeous coastal views, whale watching (Nov–Apr), and a historic 1909 lighthouse. The walk is rated easy-to-moderate, but it does have a 500-foot elevation gain so I wouldn't personally rate it as easy. If you're totally out of shape it might be difficult. That being said, it is wide and paved and you can take your time making it a great family-friendly, stroller-accessible walk. Sunrise or sunset would be beautiful but we were there mid-morning and it was great! No entrance fees is a plus but there are also no restrooms so keep that in mind.
After the hike we stopped at Waimānalo Beach, which has wide open sand and beautiful mountain views.
From there we made our way to Lanikai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. We grabbed some snacks at a little local deli (Kalapawai Market) because we accidentally missed the Foodland. We stayed at Lanikai for several hours and I definitely wouldn't mind staying in that area for a couple of days on our next trip out.
After this, we drove north along the coast to Kualoa Regional Park, where the dramatic mountains meet the ocean.
This area is famous for the island known as Chinaman’s Hat and the views are incredible. We didn't have time, but there is a Jurassic Park tour that was highly recommended and we'll definitely do it next time!
Our Last Full Day in Waikiki
For our final full day we rented beach chairs and an umbrella in front of the Royal Hawaiian. We used Waikiki Beach Services and reserved in advance. The chairs & umbrella are reserved but can only be set up once you are there in person. So if you want a good spot on the crowded beach, you'll want to get there early.
After reserving our chairs early in the morning, we went for a long walk down toward the Hilton Hawaiian Village and back.
On the way back to our chairs we stopped at Island Vintage Coffee where I ordered the Mauna Kea, a Kona cold brew topped with macadamia nut gelato. It was SO GOOD! We really wanted to be on the beach so we didn't stay for food but everything looked amazing so we'll definitely get brunch there on our next trip.
We spent the rest of the day enjoying the beach and had lunch and Mai Tais at the famous Mai Tai Bar.
Later we grabbed one more round of Mai Tais at Duke’s while watching our final sunset in Waikiki.
Last Morning in Waikiki
We had several hours to spend before our Lyft picked us up for our flight home so we made the most of it and checked our bags at the bell desk, grabbed coffees at B-Side Coffee Bar (inside our hotel) and made one final walk down to the beach.
After enjoying a final stroll along the water, we returned to the hotel, grabbed one last delicious lunch at Redfish Poke Bar, and waited for our Lyft to take us back to the airport.
Trips like this always go by way too fast, but Waikiki definitely gave us memories we’ll never forget.
Restaurants We Loved
Duke's Waikiki
Doraku Sushi Waikiki
Monkeypod Kitchen
Seven Brothers Burgers
Maui Brewing Company Waikiki
Island Vintage Coffee
Redfish Poke Bar
Places On Our List For Next Time
Hanauma Bay
Laniakea Beach
Waimea Valley
Manoa Falls Trail
Our Oahu Google Map
Before our trip I created a Google Map with every restaurant, beach, and stop we visited as well as the ones that we didn't have time for but will go next time!
You can explore it here: Oahu Google Map
Save up to 50% on Travel
If you want to save up to 50% on travel, you can check out all the details here. This has been the best thing I've done in a long time and it gives me travel savings and credits every month. I've already saved $600 and am saving another $600 on a trip to Vegas in a couple weeks!
If you have questions, I'm happy to answer them via email or on Instagram!
Other resources you might like
Purposeful Planner — plan your days with intention
Purposeful Life Method — rediscover your God-given purpose
The Purpose Project Book — deepen your faith and purpose journey
Follow Corie on Instagram: instagram.com/corieclark
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Corie Clark is a personal brand expert, the author of the Simplicity Project, creator of The Purposeful Planner, and podcast host of “Purpose with Corie Clark.”
Corie is passionate about helping women discover their God-given purpose and turn it into a life and business they love. She helps purpose-driven women uplevel their personal brand to a six and seven figure business through her Purposeful Influence community.
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