One Day in Waikiki

If you’ve got only one day in Waikiki here are our top suggestions for a perfect one day itinerary!

This itinerary is perfect if you are on a layover, or you can combine it with a longer Oahu itinerary, such as our 5 Day Off-the-beaten Path Oahu Itinerary or our Perfect Oahu Itinerary for Terrace House Fans.

One Day in Waikiki Itinerary

7am: Island Vintage Coffee

Start your day off with a light breakfast and coffee at Island Vintage Coffee.  They are located on the second floor of the Royal Hawaiian Centre and open at 6am!

Hawaii is known for its acai bowls and the ones at Island Vintage Coffee are some of my favorite!  It makes a perfect light breakfast in my opinion 😉

8am: Hike Diamond Head

The very first time I visited Ryan in Hawaii, Diamond Head was the first place I wanted to see!  Diamond Head is just such an iconic image of Honolulu.  It is not a difficult hike so even if you are not a hiker you should still definitely go for it!  The path is paved the whole way and I even saw a woman hiking it in heels (not that I recommend it!)

Once you reach the top you will have a fantastic view over Waikiki.

11am: Brunch at Mac 24/7

Hopefully you’ve worked up an appetite on your hike because the pancakes at Mac 24/7 are HUGE.  They are known for their pancake challenge (if you are into that kinda thing) but honestly their pancakes are really just delicious.

Even their coffees are huge (which I love!)

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Check out Where to Eat Local Food in Honolulu for more foodie options!

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12:30pm Kalakaua Avenue

After your hearty breakfast, you will likely want to do a bit of walking to burn some of it off.  Kalakaua Avenue is the main strip in Waikiki and is lined with shops and eateries.  You can often find sidewalk entertainment as well.

It is a great place to wander even if you are not shopping – it is great for people-watching, too.  There are a lot of high-end shops, but also some less-expensive ones as well (such as Forever 21, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, and, Hawaii favorite, ABC Store!)

You can also wander through the beautiful beach hotels, such as the Royal Hawaiian, and get some great shots.

2pm: Beach Time!

Well, you can not spend a day in Waikiki without actually going to the beach!  Once you’ve strolled to the end of Kalakaua you will find the infamous Waikiki Beach on your right.

This is not Oahu’s finest beach, but it is still pretty darn beautiful!  Not surprisingly, it will be very packed.  You can just lay out and soak in the beautiful Hawaiian sun, rent a surfboard or choose to go on a catamaran ride!

7pm: Sunset

Make sure you stay to catch the stunning sunset!

7:30pm: Dinner at Rainbow Drive In

Every single time we make a trip back to Oahu, we CANNOT miss at least one meal at Rainbow’s.  This is a local classic and Ryan has been coming here with his family since he was a child.  It is delicious and affordable local food.

Our must-have is a slush float and mix plate.  Their mac salad is my favorite!  I always order it in place of rice.

8:30pm: Ala Wai Driving Range

If you happen to have your golf clubs with you (or want to rent some) Ala Wai Driving Range is a convenient and popular place to practice your swing!  It’s great because during the evening it cools down with a nice breeze and a lot of people come out to practice.  They are even open until midnight!

9:30pm: Late night dessert at Nana’s Green Tea

Waikiki is very popular among Japanese tourists and with that comes delicious Japanese food.  Inside the Japanese food court on Kalakaua Ave. there is a delicious Japanese chain dessert stand called Nana’s Green Tea.

Order any Matcha Parfait.  Just do it.  They are delicious!  We got the Matcha Shiratama Parfait and I licked every last drop.

Nana’s Green Tea is open until 10pm and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Where to stay in Waikiki

There are endless options in Waikiki from hotels to vacation rentals.  One thing is for sure – this is not a budget area.  You may be shocked how much one night of accommodation costs here.

‘Alohilani Resort

We chose the ‘Alohilani Resort (formerly Pacific Beach Hotel) as we found it to be the best compromise between price, location and view.  While it is not directly on the beach, it sits right across the road so you can still get a gorgeous ocean view room.

We went for a partial ocean view room and the view was still incredible.  There is also an amazing outdoor pool!  It has been voted one of the most Instagram-worthy in America 😉

Royal Hawaiian Resort

If you want something a little more fancy and right on the water, check out the pretty pink Royal Hawaiian Resort!  This is a luxurious choice for sure.

Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

One of the slightly more affordable options right in the heart of Waikiki is the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.  While not directly on the beach, it is just a short walk across the road.  We still had lovely ocean views from our tower room.

If you’re looking for a solid mid-range choice, we highly recommend the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani!

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