4 Days In Honolulu & Oahu Itinerary
Day 2: Pearl Harbor or Koko Crater & Hanauma Bay
We’ll leave the big city behind on day two of this Oahu itinerary, but we won’t venture too far. We’ll start the day with an active hike or a visit to Pearl Harbor and spend the second half of the day in one of the world’s most beautiful bays.
Morning: Museums or Koko Crater Hike
If you’re a history buff or not excited by the thought of a challenging morning climb, spend the first half of the day at one of Oahu’s premier museums. Otherwise, hit the road and prepare for serious views from the top of Koko Crater.
The Pearl Harbor Museum
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, is a day we’ll never forget. Head to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to learn about the tragic events and the American bravery that still shapes our lives. The various museums, including the famous USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri, are a hot ticket, so be sure to book your entry or guided tour well in advance. Use public transportation or your rental car to reach the national memorial.
The Bishop Museum
Alternatively, if you can’t score tickets to Pearl Harbor or are interested in Polynesian history and culture, head to downtown Honolulu’s highly acclaimed Bishop Museum. The Bishop Museum is Hawaii’s largest museum, boasting the world’s largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. In addition, the museum displays an extensive collection of natural history artifacts.
Koko Crater Hike
The Koko Crater is Diamond Head’s little sibling down the road. Oahu boasts many hiking trails and the Koko Crater Trail is definitely one of the more challenging and rewarding hikes. I’m talking about a steep mile-long climb over 1,000 “steps” that are actually the remains of an old railway built during WWII to construct and supply a lookout tower atop the summit of this tuff cone – Diamond Head’s little sibling.
The more you climb, the finer the views get, even if you don’t make it to the summit. On a good day, you’ll enjoy exclusive views of Hanauma Bay and the coastline!
Logistics: park at Koko Head District Park and pick up the trail leading up (hard to miss). The trail is exposed throughout the journey, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty of water. Don’t forget to do a bit of stretching before and after!
Afternoon in Hanauma Bay
Spectacular Hanauma Bay has to rank among the prettiest in the world, certainly among tropical bays. The bay is right next to the Koko Crater, and if you aren’t renting a car, you can easily get here from Waikiki on the bus.
Hanauma Bay is what happens when a perfect crescent of golden sand meets perfect azure waters protected from the outside world by towering cliffs. As with Waikiki, the bay was the playground of Hawaii’s royal family in the past, and it was off-limits to tourists for many years until rebranding itself as a marine reserve.
The name of the game in Hanauma Bay is snorkeling, thanks to an ancient coral reef that is almost completely sheltered from the violent forces of the Pacific Ocean. But even if snorkeling isn’t your thing, I highly recommend visiting Hanauma Bay, even if just for an afternoon nap on this stunning beach. You can also catch a view of the bay from the top as part of a road trip along the coast.
Carefully review opening times and entry requirements on Hanauma Bay’s official website.
