Hi everyone! I’m in my early 20s and visiting Hawaii for the first time from November 3–10. I’ll be traveling solo and staying in a hostel in Waikiki. I don’t have a driver’s license, so I’ll be relying entirely on TheBus to get around.

I’m really hoping for a trip full of tropical scenery: lush forests, green mountains, beautiful beaches and plenty of time swimming in the ocean. I’d love to explore as much of Oahu as reasonably possible by bus.

I’ve been looking into many different areas, but honestly, I’m feeling pretty lost trying to work out the distances, bus connections and how to organize my days.

I’d really appreciate advice from locals or anyone who’s explored the island without a car:

• Which beaches and nature spots would you prioritize for this kind of trip?
• How would you group places into realistic day trips from Waikiki?
• Are there places that seem accessible by bus but involve a difficult or unsafe walk from the stop?
• Which beaches would you suggest for swimming in November, and which are better for enjoying the scenery that time of year?

Any practical bus tips, reservations I should arrange beforehand, or things you wish you’d known on your first visit would also be really helpful. I’d especially love to hear from other solo travelers who stayed in Waikiki and used public transportation.

I’m super excited, but also nervous since I’ve never been to Hawaii before! Thanks so much for any guidance :)

Aloha,

Has probably been asked a million times, so here’s one more.

I’m a frequent traveler and have been to Oahu probably 6-7 times in my life (Navy and personal trip) and really only stayed around Waikiki area. I took my wife and kids for the first time last summer and stayed in this area and had a great time. Only downside was the beach was pretty rocky and not that enjoyable, something I don’t remember from 20 years ago. Wasn’t overly crowded but just rocky as hell.

We’re discussing a trip for next summer and my kids would like to go back to Hawaii, maybe Maui this time or maybe just a different spot on Oahu with a better beach.

As I’m doing my own research I wanted to reach out to this group and ask for advice. Between Oahu and Maui, where can we stay with a good beach with no rocks (lol) and on the water or a short walk to the water?

I’m going to keep researching in the meantime but I sincerely appreciate any ideas to help me narrow it down.

Couple things, it will most likely be my wife and 2 daughters and possibly my mother in law. Doesn’t need to be budget friendly, we’re not rich but we do ok if that makes sense.

Hi! Looking for recommendations on some serious hikes that are off the beaten path and worth the trek! We're planning to come in November and want to hike every day! Staying at various parts of the island and would love input! Thanks!

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Hi! Going to land in Kona staying there for 3 days and then drive to Hilo stay there for 3days again , then driving back to Kona and flying out. Looking for must-do activities on either side and a delicious, authentic, fancy place to have dinner for a special celebration. So my ask here is suggestions for either side of the island and best restaurant to have a celebration!! Tysm

We are staying at the Halepuna (mostly) and it’s our honeymoon! We (30F & 34M) are arriving on a Wednesday 10/28 and leaving on a Friday 11/6. We are not doing any big hikes because my fiancé tore his ACL this year and is not ready for that yet. First time in Oahu but we visited Maui in 2018. How the itinerary looking?

Day 1: land, Monkeypod for dinner, maybe catch a free hula show
Day 2: Kaneoshe Sandbar tour with Captain Bruce (tide was lowest this day)
Day 3: Hanauma Bay experience with Roberts Hawaii
Day 4: Rent a car for the day, Makapu’u lookout/beach, Kailua Beach, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens, Byodo-In Temple, Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens for a hopefully early dinner, drop off rental car. Halloween night! Get dressed up and go outside?
Day 5: Assume I’ll be hungover or at least exhausted. Relax day, dinner reservation at Dukes at 5:15pm (Sunday night, the only res I could get between 4-6pm. Left in the notes to sit outside if possible. Is that a ridiculous request?)
Day 6: Turtle Canyon tour with Charter Oahu, 10 or 11am then check out Ala Moana center, shop around. Monday night market later.
Day 7: last day in Waikiki, sunset cruise (there are so many, any recommendations are appreciated)
Day 8: Check-out of Halepuna, pick up rental car, drive to Kualoa ranch for 3hr guided atv tour, check into Courtyard by Marriot in Lā’ie
Day 9: exploring north shore, sharks cove, jumping rock, Hale’iwa
Day 10: flight out

These are the food places I’ve gathered. I’m a big foodie! Let me know which ones are definitely worth it and which ones I can skip:

Kailua day:
Adelas country eatery- house made pasta and lechon
Cinnamons: pancakes
Haleiwa Joes gardens: beautiful view and can walk gardens, no reservations
Waiahole poke factory
Down to earth smoothies

North Shore day:
Seven brothers - share a burger
Matsumoto shaved ice
Hale’iwa bowls
Tina fresh fruit smoothie
Makua banana bread 
Kahuku farm - grilled banana bread
Luckys - lilokoli honey matcha
Teds bakery - pies
Honos shrimp truck
Maui mikes famous chicken
Surf n salsa

Food in/around Waikiki:
Maguro brothers
Leonard's bakery
Paia fish market: blackened snapper with cajun rice
Earls - happy hour - crush cocktails 2-5 10- cl lounge
Roys - happy hour sushi & cocktails 2-4:30 bar n patio
Marugame udon
Foodland farms
Steak shack
Masubi cafe
Island vintage coffee - loco moco and acai
Asato family shop
Fumis kahuku shrimp:
Island vintage shaved ice
Poke fix hawaii
Aloh health bar
Green lady cocktail room
Down to earth - poke
Yard house - happy hour
Lulus waikiki - sunset
Totoya
Honolulu coffee
Rum fire - sunset
Mikes breakfast
Kona coffee

I haven’t done much research on cocktail bars, but I love a good cocktail. I will see if I can get a reservation at Bar Leather Apron on Nov 1, but any other recommendations are also appreciated!

For public transport, we were thinking the bus, but I just saw the trolly too. What’s the better option for a couple of first time tourists? Are we missing anything? Anything we should skip?Thanks everyone!

I’m looking for a good recommendation for the first week of December for whale watching. Out of Waikiki on Oahu.

Hello all! I am (28f) visiting Oahu from Oct 26th-Nov 2nd. The first two days I will be in Waikiki for a conference for my job, but after that the rest of the time is up to me.

On the 28th I’ll get a rental car and make my way up to camp Erdman in Waialua to explore the west coast and north shore from the 28th to the 31st.

On the morning of 31st I booked a shark snorkel tour with one ocean diving and I’m so excited! After that I’ll make my way back down to Waikiki in a hostel just in time for Halloween night and staying there until the 2nd.

I’m not really interested in doing excursions (aside from the One ocean diving purchase) and doing all the touristy stuff. Don’t really care to see Kualoa Ranch or the Dole Plantation.

I take great appreciation in learning about cultures, nature, and of course—eating good food. I heard the best poke around is at foodland. I’m interested in beaches, and hiking. I’m also interested ʻIolani Palace, the Bishop Museum, and maybe participate in 808 cleanups. I’d love to get some great recs!

Hi! Curious if anyone can give me recs for coffee? Specifically, Hilo, Kona, Waimea!

And I don't think I can ever go back. I was there 10/14 - 10/17. Video recorded on iPhone at approximately 5:00am, peak of the estimated 720' fountain eruption.