Oahu, Hawaii Travel Guide 2022 Where To Eat, Things To See, What to Pack and More
Aloha, everyone! After an incredible ten-day adventure to Oahu, Hawaii I am finally ready to sit down and share a full-blown travel guide. We did everything from hiking rainforests to relaxing on private beaches. Today I’m breaking down everything there is to know about planning a trip to Honolulu.
From where to stay, what to pack, where to eat, and what to do I’ve got you covered. Plus, I’m giving you the hard facts on what it’s like to explore Hawaii in the midst of Covid-19. I’ve spent hours and hours capturing this content and putting it all together so I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to share with friends and fam + check out my other travel guides for various other destinations (here).
Let’s get into it!
Hawaii And Covid
To be honest, I was very confused (and concerned) about entering Hawaii in the midst of a Covid surge. Although the Hawaiian Health Department does have a working website, it’s a bit tricky to navigate and has several contradicting points. After a very helpful call with a woman from the Health Department, she assured me that to enter Hawaii you need to be fully vaccinated with a valid ID OR have a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours.
Regardless, to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine, you must, fill out the Safe Travels form with all of your contact information, vaccine records OR negative test results, and flight + lodging information. Make sure to do this at least a week in advance. 24 hours before your flight you will receive a QR code via email from Safe Travels—keep this on hand as you will need it once getting to the airport.
Before boarding your plane you will be asked for this QR code, to restate all of the information submitted via Safe Travels and the actual copy (not a picture) of your vaccination card + ID. After this, you will receive a wristband that you must wear throughout the flight. Once departing your plane in Hawaii you will be free to get your bags with proof of this wristband.
While I am not here to tell you whether to get vaccinated or not, I cannot imagine not being vaccinated and traveling here. Everywhere we went—restaurants, tours, activities, and more asked for our vaccine card + ID. Plus, you must keep in mind that although the state does not have a vaccine mandate, some hotels and businesses do, therefore I highly recommend double checking with them in advance.
Where To Stay
I (20) went to Hawaii with my internet bestie Sam Souder (23) and we had the best time. Because we were going to be on the island for nine nights total, we decided to split it up and get the full experience. We stayed in both Airbnbs and hotels, in Waikiki Beach and in Kapolei.
Cozy Studio Airbnb in Waikiki Beach (book here)
The first leg of our trip began in a cozy studio Airbnb in Waikiki Beach. I will admit, this Airbnb was nothing special but it had everything we needed and the hosts were incredibly responsive. For roughly $160 a night (taxes and fees included) we got a king-size bed, bathroom, kitchenette, and balcony.
Parking and laundry were also available within this complex, however, we opted out of both. It wasn’t the newest building but everything was in working condition and was very clean. Plus, it truly couldn’t have been in a better location! We were less than a ten-minute walk to Waikiki Beach, the luxury stores, and several restaurants. Several other five-star hotels were around the area as well so it felt safe even as younger females.
As we were really only spending our “sleeping” time here, it ended up being just what we needed. I would stay again!
Residence Inn Kapolei (book here)
The second leg of the trip I had the pleasure of partnering with the Residence Inn in Kapolei. I knew I wanted to explore another area of the island throughout our stay and it was quite different over here, much more residential with lots of military families as you are very close to the Naval base.
This all-suite hotel was incredible. Although they do specialize in extended stays, our short two nights were fantastic. We were given a spacious suite with a king bed, huge bathroom, and balcony complete with a poolside view.
This property was fully equipped with all kinds of amenities— in-house laundry, breakfast, a poolside bar, and even a gym. Plus, they have local food trucks outside of the property every day between five and eight pm. You’re about ten minutes from the Ko Olina Lagoons and fifteen from Pearl Harbor! The staff were amazing and truly so welcoming.
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach (book here)
The last leg of my trip I was greeted by the friendliest staff, partnering with the Hyatt Centric in Waikiki Beach. This was right near our Airbnb so we were very familiar with the area at this point. It too wasn’t even a ten-minute walk from the main strip, surrounded by all kinds of good food and the beach!
I was pleasantly surprised to arrive in the penthouse suite with the most amazing oceanfront view. From the double beds to the large seating area, to the insane bathroom this was truly one of the nicest rooms I’ve ever stayed in. Plus, I was greeted with the sweetest welcome basket.
This property also had a 24/7 gym, a lobby area complete with cute decor and photo ops, and a rooftop pool and jacuzzi where we spent most of our last day getting some sun. I had an awesome stay with them and hope to be back soon.
I do want to mention that both hotels had free, complimentary luggage storage as well which was incredibly convenient as we moved from place to place and made our departure plans.
Transportation In Hawaii
Although there are obviously several different islands, Sam and I flew into Honolulu and spent the entirety of our ten days on that same island. It’s about 110 miles all the way around and yet we made out just fine without a rental car.
There were a few reasons we chose not to get a rental car— 1) Neither of us is of age. 2) I read everywhere beforehand that finding parking was tough and very expensive. 3) After punching the numbers, even if we were to Uber everywhere we desired to go, it still would be cheaper than renting a car.
While it would have been nice to have a car to explore on our own + see other green areas of Hawaii, we made out just fine without one and still managed to get to other favorite areas—North Shore, Lanikai Beach, Manoa Falls, and more. They do have a city bus system that I’m sure is 5x cheaper than an Uber, however, we never bothered trying to figure it out, lol.
There were plenty of Uber drivers available at all times and they were all extremely friendly + had the cleanest cars I’d ever seen!
Where To Eat
I’m not going to lie, the food in Hawaii was some of the best I’ve ever had. Everything tasted so fresh and was quite literally bursting with flavor. From local favorites to a few hidden gems we hit. it. all. I’m pretty sure I consumed one million calories throughout this trip and I’d gladly do it again if I could, lol!
*It’s important to note that in the midst of Covid, almost every restaurant, even ones where you simply order at the counter requires your vaccine card + valid ID OR a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours.
Omg Tacos
Menu // Directions
I heard so many people saying they couldn’t find Mexican food around the island which shocked me considering I ate it several times. OMG Tacos was the first place we went on the island. This order-at-the-counter place was similar to Chipotle offering burritos, bowls, and quesadillas with fresh Hawaiian favorites. I got a bowl and it was delicious + very cheap compared to some of the other meals we ate in Hawaii. Everyone around us was drinking a frozen margarita as that’s what they are known for! Sadly I didn’t get a photo of my meal 🙁
Honolulu Coffee
Menu // Directions
I was dying to try Hawaiian açaí and this was the first place I found it! I got their classic açaí bowl and it was fantastic! The açaí on the island is so different than anything I’ve had on the mainland. Extra fresh and had a very thick texture that was bursting with flavor.
Cheeseburger In Paradise
Menu // Directions
Sam and I liked this beachfront restaurant so much that we went twice. I got their island-style cheeseburger—teriyaki sauce, fresh pineapple, avocado, and their homemade barbecue sauce, and boy was it good. The second time we visited I had the same thing, just swapped beef for a grilled chicken breast. Their fries are yummy and the staff are so welcoming. Would definitely recommend for a good greasy meal.
La Pina Cantina
Menu // Directions
I have an obsession with shrimp tacos and I have to admit, these tempura ones were some of the best I’ve ever had. I’ve never tasted shrimp so fresh and their mango salsa was incredible. For reference, I asked for no slaw. Sam got their loaded chicken nachos which I also helped myself too and they were fantastic as well! This place only loses a point for charging extra for chips and salsa, haha.
Banzai Burger
Menu // Directions
I had another amazing Hawaiian burger from Banzai Burger. I doubled up on cheese getting both cheddar and Swiss and it was absolutely the right choice. Everything from the sweet bun to the greasy meat was to die for. I didn’t get their french fries however, based on how good my burger was, I should have!
Holey Grail
Menu // Directions
There are food trucks on every corner in Hawaii and they are all so good. I highly recommend stopping by one and giving them a try. These are often local Hawaiian food vendors with tons of options. We got the yummiest donuts cooked in coconut oil from Honey Grail. They change their flavors every week so there’s always something new to try. They are rather tiny so you’ll need at least two. Their chai was very good (and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t drink caffeine!).
Surf N Turf Tacos
Menu // Directions
I loved this place so much that I had to go twice. I mean let me tell you, it’s rare that I give Mexican food like this a 10/10 but this absolutely deserved it. Similar to OMG, this is an order-at-the-counter place with bowls, burritos, and quesadillas. Although pork is very popular here in Hawaii, I stuck with a chicken bowl. I loaded up on practically everything: cilantro rice, cheese, guacamole (worth the extra $), sour cream, sweet chili sauce, pico, corn, cilantro, and extra limes. It was incredible and some of the most flavorful food I’ve ever eaten. I wish I could recreate this exactly at home!
Kai Fresh
Menu // Directions
I will admit $25 for a Nutella waffle and an açaí bowl is ridiculously overpriced but for a city like Honolulu and food this pretty, it seemed worth it. These waffles were to die for, however, you definitely need two. As for the açaí, I personally thought Honolulu Coffee’s was better.
Da Hub
Da Hub was a food truck parked right outside of the Residence Inn hotel. I told the man everything I liked—rice, spice, shrimp, and chicken and he whipped up something bursting with color. I will admit, this trip taught me that I do not like shrimp you have to de-shell. There’s something about it that freaks me out. However, the flavors were great and the food portions were enough to feed (at least) two!
Longboards
Menu // Directions
This was another waterfront restaurant along the Ko Olina Lagoons and man was the sunset next to us priceless. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this place. Sam and I got basic chicken tenders and french fries as we were in the mood for something simple. By no means were they anything special but they got the job done after a long beach day. The platter is definitely enough to feed three people too!
Barefoot Beach Cafe
Menu // Directions
Most days we skipped out on breakfast or got something light and fruity. However, after morning yoga I wanted something a bit more substantial so we stopped by this beautiful waterfront restaurant. The view was unbelievable and with tons of outdoor seating, I could have sat here chatting for hours. I got their egg sandwich and asked for bacon to be added. It was yummy however, this trip made me realize I’m definitely not an over-easy egg kind of girl. Loved the sriracha mayo though—an interesting yet delicious addition to breakfast!
Shrimp Farm
Shrimp is everywhere on this island and it’s often served with plain white rice, corn, and a slice of pineapple. I mean food truck after food truck offered this! We stopped by this cute place on our “Beauty and The Feast” tour and had amazing shrimp tempura with polynesian sauce. The boy who plays live music here most weekdays is absolutely adorable—come see him!
Things To Pack
Having never been to Hawaii and doing no prior research on what to bring with me, I felt as though I did a pretty good job on packing for this trip. Don’t get me wrong, I obviously wore more than the average person throughout this trip for the sake of getting Instagram content + photos taken. However, I found that even if this weren’t my job, you still need roughly the same amount of outfits as every activity is so different from the last.
For twenty-five outfits that I wore on my trip to Hawaii + links to everything, you can check out this blog post. In the meantime, I’m going to share a mini packing list of things I wish I had brought/you definitely need.
- Fanny Pack: I brought my Lululemon Belt Bag with me and it was a lifesaver. I used this on so many different occasions as I needed my wallet, vaccine card, and phone with me at all times. There are so many sporty things going on that you won’t even feel weird with one on.
- Long Bottoms: Temperatures drop at night here so when going to dinner or for a sunset sail, you’re going to want your legs covered. I recommend bringing a pair of jeans and a pair of flowy pants to toss over swimsuits and such.
- Light Cardigan and Button Up: The only long sleeve top I had with me was a white linen button-up and I wore the heck out of it. At night time I popped this over dresses and tank and during the day I wore it over top of swimsuits. I highly recommend bringing one or even a lightweight cardigan!
- More Tee Shirts: Just in general, pack a couple of tee shirts. This is a very casual location all around and you could always use more than two graphic tees. Especially if you’re wearing one to bed each night!
- Flat Shoes: Leave your heels at home. I promise you won’t wear them here, even if you are going somewhere a little more upscale. Instead, I recommend flat shoes like lace-up sandals or even just a good ole pair of Rainbow flip-flops. On island time, they go with everything.
- Sneakers You Can Get Dirty: Do not, and I repeat do not bring white running sneakers here. You will need sneakers on a few different occasions and they will need to be a pair that you can get dirty as it’s quite damp and muddy along the hikes.
- Bug Spray: I brought tons of sunscreen but didn’t even think to pack bug spray with me. If you’re prone to mosquitos, which I definitely am, then be sure to pack some and lather up before your outdoor adventures.
- A Towel: Our Airbnb provided two beach towels but they were chincey little tourist shop towels. I wish I had brought one from home that was a bit nicer + my own. It’s expensive to rent beach chairs so you end up laying on a towel most of the week. Plus, you’ll need it for a few different events.
Using The Go City Pass
We did so much throughout our trip to Hawaii and truly took advantage of every opportunity we could. For this trip, I used the Go City pass. Go City is an all-inclusive sightseeing pass that allows you to visit various bucket list attractions, enjoy top tours, and discover plenty of hidden gems.
Rather than paying an entry fee for each individual activity and dealing with paper tickets, with Go City, you’re able to pay one price with one pass. They have various different options but I ended up opting for their 7-day pass. Within these seven days, you’re able to see as many attractions on their list at your own pace.
Almost everyone we met in Oahu was using one too! Most require a reservation 24 hours in advance but it’s painless to set up. With this pass, you’re able to save so much time and money. Plus, many of these activities provide transportation to and from a Waikiki-based hotel.
Things To Do
Although part of my vacation was consumed with capturing content for various clothing brands and hotels, we were able to pack in quite a bit throughout our stay, checking off so many bucket-list items. While lots of our activities were available for booking through the Go City pass, there were a few things that we ventured off to do on our own too!
Manoa Valley Rainforest, Waterfalls, and Movie Sites Self-Guided Hike
Our first adventure was off to the Manoa Valley waterfall. This self-guided hike was under two-miles roundtrip and was rather painless. You definitely need a walking stick though as the terrain gets a bit uneven along the top. Several movies were filmed within this region and the views were absolutely incredible. Definitely a fun morning activity, and much less crowded than the popular Diamond Head hike.
Secret Island Beach at Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch was hands down one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced, and easily the most beautiful. Along this ranch, there are several different activities to partake in: ATV riding, zip-lining, horseback riding, and more. It’s also where several movies including 50 First Dates and Jurrasic Park were filmed.
We chose their Secret Island getaway where you’re taken to a private island with your group (roughly 30 people). The water is some of the calmest I’ve ever seen and they have everything you could need—chairs, bathrooms, changing areas, and tons of water equipment free to use. They have a glass-bottom boat that takes you out to see the turtles and a canoe that takes you out to a sand bar. We met the owners and were able to stay longer and it was a dream. By far my favorite day!
We heard such good things about the sunset sail so obviously, we had to check it out. About an hour before sunset you dock a small sailboat with about 25 other people and head out onto the water. Here you’re able to watch the sunset while enjoying an open bar. The staff were incredibly friendly and this view truly cannot be beaten. I recommend flat shoes and long pants for this occasion as it does cool down quite a bit.
We tried to take advantage of all the “active” things on the Go City attraction list, one being morning yoga under the palm trees. It felt so good to get our bodies moving each morning, especially considering all of the food we were eating. This instructor was so friendly. Make sure you have a yoga mat or a towel of your own as they do not provide them.
We ventured off to these lagoons during our stay in Kapolei as it was only a ten-minute Uber away and wow. This was one of my favorite beaches we saw. The waves are absolutely gigantic (by no means swimmable), however, there are manmade rocks placed in a way that there is a small, calm swimmable area too. There are tons of greenery and palm trees around and hardly any people around. I feel like you really get the full ~Hawaii~ experience here, much more so than in Waikiki Beach.
Pearl Harbor Battleship Missouri Memorial Tour
You can’t go to Hawaii without going to Pearl Harbor. This historical area is chock full of different tours and memorials honoring the attacks of 1941. We toured this USS Missouri which was so cool and in surprisingly good shape. There are certain areas blocked off, but for the most part, you’re able to see everything on the boat. We also toured the Aviation Museum which had more information on the events and remains of various planes.
All of the locals told us to hit up Lanikai beach so we Ubered there one day. It’s far calmer than Waikiki Beach but there were still a decent amount of people along this beach. The water was as calm as could be and some of the warmest ocean water I’ve ever felt. The sun sets over the mountain, not the water, but it was still fun to grab take out and make an evening out of it. Plus, if you’re lucky a cute boy will come around and offer to take you to the other island on their boat!
Moana Splash Luau + Sea Life Park
It seems wrong to go to Hawaii and not go to a Luau. It was so cool getting to take a peek into Hawaiian culture. We were given a lei, ate a traditional Hawaiian meal, and watched dances from all kinds of native countries + islands while learning how to hoola. Oh, and of course, we saw the pig roast too! It was quite the performance—check out my Instagram for more details on this one!
Our last day was spent on a bus tour around the North Shore. We were gone all day—7 am-4 pm driving around the perimeter of the island while stopping at famous sites and food spots. You go to the Halona Blowhole, one of the most beautiful sites you’ll ever see, and then the Nuuanu Pali Lookout.
From there you visit the Macadamia Nut Farm and then the North Shore shrimp farm where you get to eat a complimentary meal (pictured earlier). They take you to the Kahuku fruit stand where you’re able to purchase local goods and then to Haleiwa town to see a few shops. You finish off the day at the Dole Plantation which was super cool. Dole Whip is one of my favorite sweet treats so I was very excited to see all of the pineapple goodness in action.
It’s a lot of up and down, getting on and off the bus but it’s a really cool thing to partake in if you’re wanting to explore the North Shore but don’t have a car!
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I would have loved to stay in Hawaii even longer than we did but unfortunately all good things must come to an end. While my first time in Hawaii was incredible, I sure hope it’s not the last time either. I’m hoping to explore Maui next as I hear it’s just as amazing, if not more.
I sincerely hope that you found this post helpful. While I go on these adventures for me, I also go on them to provide information and share insight with you. I’m already brainstorming where I should head next—if you have any ideas, drop em below and I’ll add them to my list! Mahalo.
With love, McKenz
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