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Oahu: Honolulu to the North Shore: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 4-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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4
days
120 km
distance
6.0 h
driving
23
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~13 hours of daylight in May — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Summer flattens the North Shore into a snorkelling lake — Waimea Bay swims like a pool — while trade winds keep Kailua's kite scene and the Pali lookouts crisp.
Day 1 Honolulu & Waikiki
- Transit
- 1h24
- Finish
- ~16:40
- Temperature
- 23.0°C–26.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 13.0h
09:00
10:00
11:35
Walk through the restored Iolani Palace, the former residence of Hawaii's last monarchs.
50 min · Honolulu & Waikiki · Self-guided audio tours $25/adult, $20/teen, $10/child; guided tours $30/adult, $27/teen, $12/child; discounts for residents/military
open: Tu-Sa 9AM-4PM. Guided tours 9AM-11:15AM, audio tours 11:45AM-3:30PM
12:35
Admire extensive Asian and Western art collections indoors.
50 min · Honolulu & Waikiki · $20/adult, $10/resident, children free
open: Th 10AM-6PM, F-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-6PM
13:50
14:50
Stroll through diverse tropical plants and scenic waterfalls at the university-run botanical garden.
50 min · Honolulu & Waikiki · Free; suggested donation $5-10
open: M-F 8AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-3PM
15:40
Teddy's Bigger Burgers teddysbiggerburgers.com map ↗
Savor massive, juicy burgers and grilled chicken in a satisfying meal.
60 min · Honolulu & Waikiki
open: M-Th 10AM-9PM, F-Su 10AM-10PM
Overnight here
e.g. Ilikai Hotel & Suites · Ala Moana Hotel
Day 2 Around Honolulu & Waikiki
- Transit
- 1h38
- Finish
- ~18:00
- Temperature
- 23.0°C–26.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 13.0h
09:00
Snorkel or scuba dive among vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish in calm waters.
180 min · Honolulu & Waikiki · $7.50 adults, Hawaii residents and children under 13 free; parking $1/vehicle
open: Summer: W-M 6AM-7PM. Winter: W-M 6AM-6PM. Closed Tuesdays
check access before you go details
12:15
14:00
Discover a lively collection of exotic and iconic animals in lush grounds.
50 min · Honolulu & Waikiki · $19/adult, $8/residents/military, $11/child
open: 10AM-4PM
15:10
16:10
17:10
Overnight here
e.g. Ilikai Hotel & Suites · Ala Moana Hotel
Day 3 Kailua & the Windward Side
- Transit
- 1h14
- Finish
- ~18:00
- Temperature
- 23.6°C–25.3°C 💨
- Rainy days
- ~5
- Daylight
- 13.0h
09:30
Maunawili Falls Trail search
Walk to a waterfall feeding a deep swimming hole.
90 min · Kailua & the Windward Side
11:15
Kailua Beach search
Relax on a sunny beach with easy access from downtown.
90 min · Kailua & the Windward Side
13:00
Lanikai Beach search
Enjoy pristine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
90 min · Kailua & the Windward Side
14:45
Lanikai Pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge Trail) search
Hike to a WWII bunker with panoramic views.
90 min · Kailua & the Windward Side
16:30
Overnight here
Day 4 Haleiwa & the North Shore
- Transit
- 1h44
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 23.0°C–26.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~7
- Daylight
- 13.0h
10:10
11:10
12:50
14:40
Discover lush flora and cool off under a beautiful waterfall.
50 min · Haleiwa & the North Shore
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.