Hawaii - How long to stay in Oahu?
 

Hi all,

First off, thanks to everyone who has contributed to this forum. It has been such a great help to me in planning my first trip to Oahu and Kauai.

I was just wondering if I could get some advice from those who have been to both Oahu and Kauai on about how long I should stay in Oahu before moving on to the Kauai part of the vacation.

Here's my situation:

I'm traveling solo to Hawaii for seven days and will be arriving in Honolulu around 1 p.m. on Thurs., April 24 and leaving Honolulu around 9 p.m. on Thurs., May 1. I'll be staying with an acquaintance while in Oahu.

I’m really looking forward to the Kauai party of the vacation, since I’m the type of person who likes to get out on the water in a kayak, go horseback riding, hiking, etc. and while it would be nice to have a little taste of nightlife and city life, I’m looking at this vacation as more relaxing and exploring nature. Therefore, I’m just looking to get a sample of Oahu (the things that are solely specific to Oahu that I can’t do on Kauai) since I have to fly in and out of there and might as well see something while I’m there, but it’s not necessary that I see everything because hopefully I’ll be back.

So, so far I’m looking at checking out the major beaches – Waikiki and N. Shore beaches, hiking Diamond Head crater, visiting Chinatown, hiking Manoa Falls trail, checking out as many great low to moderately priced restaurants as I can squeeze in, and possibly the USS Arizona memorial, although I could probably see that some other time, and any other must do activities that I won’t be able to do on Kauai. I’m currently looking at leaving in the early morning on Sunday to fly to Kauai, but I’m wondering if it would be possible to do everything I would want to do in Oahu by Saturday afternoon and just leave then – giving me two whole days – or if I should stay through Saturday night and leave in the morning.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Nope, I don't think it is possible to do everything (or even most things) on your Oahu list in barely two days! North Shore needs a day of its own, for example.

I'd suggest staying on Oahu until Sunday morning and then move to Kauai. There is so much to do on each island that you will need to pick and choose what is most important during your stay.

We will be in Kauai for 5 days and Oahu for 2 starting next Sunday.

Enjoy your trip!

I'm sure the beautifuly Wicked Wahines of Oahu will pop in with some good suggestions while on their way to pau hana!

beth_
yer killin' me....

With Oahu being the much bigger, busier island and airport, I too would suggest the 3 nights in Oahu (gives you really only 2 1/2 days for your exploring)

Sunday am you have a short flight to Kauai, small airport, small island, you can really enjoy the 'island of discovery' almost immediately.

To or from Kauai we often spend 3 nights in Oahu, works well-1 or 2 nights can be too rushed, especially with what you would like to do.