When people think about Hawaii, most people will conjure up thoughts of Honolulu and the island of Oahu with its pristine waters, dramatic lush green mountain ranges, hula dancing, and shaved ice, just to name a few.  Honolulu is never too hot nor is it ever too cold.  When it rains, it sprinkles refreshing droplets from the heavens.

Suffice to say, I really hope you have more than 48 hours to spend in Honolulu, but if you’re constrained for time and want to see the best that the island has to offer, follow this 2 day Honolulu itinerary that I followed for a trip with my parents.

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2 Day Honolulu Itinerary

Day 1 Morning – A History Lesson

pearl harbor uss arizona memorial in day 1 of honolulu 2 day itinerary

It’s going to be a long day so prepare yourself!  The morning starts off with a visit to Cafe Kaila, the local breakfast favorite.  Known for their scrumptious blueberry cream cheese french toast and Belgian waffles. You better get there when it opens at 7AM or you’ll have to wait in line.

Filled up to the brim, it’s now time to walk it off.  Make your way over to Pearl Harbor and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument by car and spend the rest of the morning exploring the various exhibits that will get any World War II buff excited.  Make sure you get tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial Tour right when you get there which consists of a 25-minute documentary film and a boat trip out to the Memorial.

Day 1 Afternoon – Hitting the North Shore

romys shrimp truck restaurant in the north shore in honolulu 2 day itinerary

After the somber mood of reflecting over the turning point of World War 2, it’s time to hit the road again to take care of that growling appetite. 

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Beyond the paradise metropolis of Honolulu, on the other side of the island, is an area known as the North Shore. While some folks know it for its epic surf, most visitors make the drive up to one of two things. 1) Go to Romy’s Shrimp Truck and 2) Slurp over the island’s famous Matsumoto Shave Ice. Of course, there’s Turtle Beach as well, but we’ll leave sand and sun for tomorrow.

2 days in honolulu itinerary eating matsumoto shave ice outside the store in the north shore


A critical note about getting to Romy’s is that it is farther than you may think. As you drive your way around the northern ring, you’ll pass Turtle Beach and you’ll be going for awhile, wondering if you’ve missed it. Trust me, keep going. Don’t turn back. Romy’s can’t be missed on the left side. 

After all that deliciousness, make pit stops as suits your interests and on the way back down to Honolulu, see if there’s time to squeeze in the Dole Pineapple Plantation off of Highway 99 which closes at 5PM. It’s a little bit of a tourist trap, but still fun just the same, especially for the kids. The pineapple maze is lots of fun as is the Pineapple Express that takes you around the grounds. Most likely you won’t have much time though, so I’d recommend checking out the Dole store and indulging a bit more with their pineapple soft serve. 

Day 1 Evening – Hanging Out On The Strip

(Image via Embassy Suites Waikiki)

After an eventful day, it’s time to wind down. If you haven’t yet check into your Honolulu hotel or rental and if you have, now would be a great time to drop things off and change. 

For dinner, there are so many options in Waikiki, but one restaurant that’s a staple for Hawaiians is Roy’s. Their menu by Chef Yamaguchi serves up a delectable mix of sushi, seafood, and Asian fusion. I would definitely recommend making reservations here as it does get quite busy. 

After that you’re free to roam around Waikiki. If hop on hop off tours are your thing, make sure to check out City Sightseeing. Enjoy the rest of the night before heading back to your hotel. Keep in mind that there are plenty of cheap Honolulu hotels so definitely search around.

Day 2 Morning – Snorkel

hanauma bay for snorkelling activity in 2 day honolulu itinerary

The fun continues on day 2. Start the day off heading towards the east side of the south shore. You can either eat breakfast at your hotel or grab something along the way. Your morning begins with snorkelling in perhaps the most beginner-friendly snorkel place I’ve ever been to. Hanauma Bay Natural Preserve is a natural ring formed bay that has a diverse population of marine life and rich coral reef. Designated a natural preserve, it’s become an extremely popular tourist destination, which is why you’re there early in the day. The parking lots are known to fill up quickly.

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After the $7.50 admission and mandatory short video on snorkel etiquette, head down to the beach and find a comfy spot to set up for the rest of the morning. Snorkel gear can be rented at a steep price here so I’d recommend bringing your own.

There are a ton of fish to see and many have spotted turtles here. What makes Hanauma Bay great for snorkelling is that it’s shallow almost all the way through to where the buoys are.

Day 2 Afternoon – Volcano Views

For lunch, drive across the street to Koko Marina Center where you’ll find a strip mall with an assortment of restaurants.  Kona Brewing Company is great for pub bites and Bubbies is a local favorite for mochi ice cream.

Refueled, it’s time to head over to Diamond Head State Park where you’ll literally drive into the center of the crater to start the hike up. As one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmark, the 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to summit is steep and strenuous but completely worth it once you see the stunning coastal views and of Waikiki down below.

There is an entry fee of $5 per vehicle. Budget at least 2 hours for the round trip.

Make your way back into Waikiki and stop by a Foodland grocery store to pick up a few supplies for your evening festivities. You’ll want to pick up a disposable BBQ set – an all-in-one complete set that comes with charcoal, a foil pan, grill, and stand. On top of the grill, make sure you grab some supplies for drinks, hot dogs, and burgers. I would also recommend buying a flashlight or headlamp if you don’t have one packed with you.

Beach Disposable BBQ Grill

Day 2 Evening – BBQ by the Beach

disposable bbq grilling
Image via Flickr by Omar Chatriwala

True, this may sound a little unconventional, but what better way to spend an evening at the beach than to have your own private BBQ? Head down to Waikiki beach and if you’re there on a Friday, I would recommend situating yourself closer to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The fireworks start at 7:45PM and you’ll be treated to a spectacular “over the rainbow” light show choreographed to music.

Grilling and fireworks – it doesn’t get better than that!

For your last evening, take a nice stroll by the beach, pick up last minute souvenirs at the ABC store, and buy some delicious shortbread cookies at the Honolulu Cookie Company.

This 2 day Honolulu itinerary is going to blow by you but as you can see it gives visitors a great glimpse of some of the highlights the island has to offer. It certainly won’t be enough to cover everything but hopefully all that means is that you’ll start planning your next trip once you get home.

BEST

Hilton Beach Waikiki Resort

HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE

The iconic Hilton property along the Waikiki beach that is in the most prime location, has their own fireworks, and doesn’t charge a resort fee anymore!

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BUDGET

Ramada Plaza Waikiki

RAMADA PLAZA WAIKIKI

At close to $100 a night, this is a great property to think about if you want to be in Waikiki.  Located only 10 minutes’ walk from Ala Moana Shopping Center.

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Looking for ideas for other activities?

Get Your Guide is a recommended activity platform for any type of activities you’re looking to do in Honolulu.  The ones highlighted here are likely to sell out so make sure you book and reserve ahead of time as you plan your vacation.

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

  • AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
  • Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
  • KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
  • AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
  • Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
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Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
  • RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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The Discussion

  1. Great tips Will! I just booked a trip that is giving me a long layover in Honolulu, so I have added some of your suggestions to my 4Square list (and now just narrowing down the options!)

    Thanks!

  2. Awesome information.This is really an ideal itinerary to spend 2 days in Honolulu. I am a traveler and I traveled a lot all around the world.Honolulu is really an amazing place for the people who loves beaches with lots of greenery.