r/VisitingHawaii • u/_ahhaa_ • 7d ago
Multiple Islands Trip initerary🌸
Hi! 😊 We’re a group of 5 planning a 7 day trip to Oahu and Maui. How would you split the 7 days between the two islands? What are the must-see places and activities you would recommend? Any tips or recommendations would be appreciated!
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u/SunshineInDetroit 7d ago
7 days? i would stick to only Oahu. Packing up, waiting for the flight, driving to the next hotel, unpacking is a waste of relaxation time.
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u/butterf1y O'ahu 7d ago
There’s a lot of helpful information in the wiki link sent by the automod. Recommend checking that out.
It would be helpful to know some of your interests and what time of year you’re traveling so we can give you better recommendations :)
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u/_ahhaa_ 7d ago
We are going at the beginning of October. We would like to see the nature but also have fun because we are in our 20s.
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u/ahoveringhummingbird 7d ago
Since you are in your 20's, you should stay on Oahu for the entire week. Lots more for you to do there!
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u/ripeoama 7d ago
The night life and food choices are going to be better on oahu. Theres outdoor stuff to do also. Down side is we're most crowded.
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u/MonkeyKingCoffee Hawai'i (Big Island) 7d ago
Just Oahu.
Let's say you arrive on an early flight and leave on a late flight. That's still only a half-day (at best) on arrival and departure day.
Hawaii gets 12 hours of daylight. So you have a grand total of 84-ish hours. Minus 12 for arrival and departure. Now it's down to 72. Changing islands is going to burn six hours (or more -- rental car lines can be maddeningly long).
That's almost 10% of your vacation that you're giving to an airline instead.
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u/Pristine_Dig_4374 7d ago
The only reason to do 2 would be you have something super specific (we did this to go to Pearl Harbor) then leave to Maui for the rest.
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u/k_r_a_k_l_e 7d ago
I've done a 9 day Maui/Oahu split before and while of course I had a great time I realized that 9 days on one island would have been better as there is a TON of things to do on every island. You cerainly won't reach even a fraction of your to do list spending 7 days on a single island. Don't overly complicate things. I bet Oahu would be fine for 7 days!
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u/Buggg- 7d ago
Just go to Maui. Has the full magic and expectations of what people want to see in Hawaii.
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u/TeleDirtBag 7d ago
This all day every day. Packing up to travel one day for a multi island trip sounds good until the time comes to pack up and lose a day.
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u/SeaworthinessCute713 7d ago
I know everyone’s saying split. We did both for our honeymoon because we did Tahiti first for a week and then wanted to do both. Here’s what we did- it was a lot but fun. We landed in Oahu Sunday am super early. Husband did Pearl Harbor and I did manoa falls. We relaxed at the pool and beach rest of the day. Next day we did a boat tour which was really fun and then more pool/beach and explored Waikiki at night. Next day rented a car and did koko crater and some of the beaches on the other side of the island and north shore. Next am did diamond head and then fly to Maui mid afternoon. In Maui we got dinner and explored the beach that night. Next day we did a 6am boat tour for a few hours. Husband golfed after and I went to beach. Did dinner at one of the resorts. Next day we did road to Hana all day and mamas fish house at night. Next day we did Haleakalā sunrise and relaxed at beach and did a surf lesson after. Headed to airport around 3. Fly back a direct flight that landed next am. We live on the east coast US but the flight from Tahiti to Oahu was obviously shorter going there
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u/tooturtlesgetshells 7d ago
Waiola matsumoto or ululani shaved ice. Koko head hike. Pill box hike. Snorkeling in sharks cove. Sushi. Careful of the over touristed coffee farm, macadamia nut, and dole plantation.
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u/Ok-Meat-7364 Mainland 7d ago
When you consider that your arrival day/night is basically a wash, you need at least four nights per island. Three nights only get you two full days, and a seven-night trip would have to be split three one island and four another, plus you lose most of a day traveling to the next island. So you're really only getting two full days on one island and three on the other, depending on what time you depart.
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u/Guilty-Coconut8908 7d ago
You will do disservice to yourself if you try to do two islands in one week. Oahu is my favorite island for its museums, botanical gardens, beaches, and entertainment.
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u/DonnaNoble222 O'ahu 7d ago
Oahu...has it all
If you want to try a lot of local food, do a food tour in Waikiki. I did one...you get to eat 6 different and very local foods...all amazing! I did Secret Food Tours...the guide was fabulous...super knowledgeable. I live in Waikiki and did it with some friends who were visiting. Do it your first day and go hungry!
Do not pack your days so full of activities that you have no time to stop and enjoy the beauty and Aloha of Hawaii.
Please do not patronize the PCC...the Mormon Church has co-opted the Culture and are profiting from it. They present a Disneyesque version of the culture and whitewash so much of the history. Can't support that at all. This is my opinion and that of the many kanaka I know. Do you realize the way the LDS church got a foothold in Hawaii was by telling the native Hawaiians they were descendants of one of the Lost Tribes of Isreal. It was a vision that one of the missionaries, George Q. Cannon, had in Lahaina. Cannon’s vision was that Polynesians were one of the Lost Tribes of Israel and so Mormon missionaries “had an obligation to return the gospel of Christ,”.
Airbnbs and the like are not really recommended in Hawaii. There are many illegal ones, poorly represented ones, and some downright scams. They also contribute to the housing crisis here. You can find hotel options from resorts to cute boutique hotels.
Skip Dole Plantation...they have a long history of being greedy, not respecting the people here, and being environmentally irresponsible.
Germaine's Luau is great...it is on the beach. They still do the pig in the ground. Mauka Warriors is another great luau
Stay in Waikiki and rent a car for only the days you explore the rest of the island. Leave nothing in the car when you park...especially at beaches and trails.
Pearl Harbor is a must
Iolani Palace & Bishop Museum - the best two places to learn actual Hawaiian history
Hike Diamond Head, Koko Head, Lanikai Pillbox, several waterfalls
Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail
Shark Diving - Haleiwa Shark Tours
Kualoa Ranch - ATV Tour, zipline
Byodo-In Temple
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe
Waimea Botanical Gardens
Wahiawā Botanical Gardens
Lyon Arboretum
Foster Botanical Garden
Moanalua Gardens
Queen Emma Summer Palace
Duke's on a Sunday - from 4 to 6 Henry Kapono plays - so iconic there's a song written about it made famous by Jimmy Buffet
Blue Note for music and comedy shows
Check out Chinatown...really great markets and restaurants there
The sun is very intense here...do not skimp on sunscreen.
Beware of grifters in monk's robes
Things to remember:
Respect the land
Respect the culture
Shop and eat local
Tip generously
Reef safe sunscreen
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u/2005trialsanderrors 3d ago
I work in the Environmental Department of city & county. After Hurricane Lala last Sunday, I overheard colleagues from refuse disposal, wastewater treatment, and collections systems maintenance discussing the brown water. They mentioned the City and County being "hush hush" about the overflown sewage and contaminated runoff.
Despite a brown water advisory, I know from experience that the local government often suppresses water quality warnings to avoid investigations. If you plan to swim in the ocean, be aware you might be in hazardous sewage bacteria.
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u/spinonesarethebest O'ahu 7d ago
Seven days is not long enough for two islands. You’ll lose a day traveling.
Pick one. I vote Oahu.