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The ultimate 5-day Oahu road trip

International Traveller
Consider this the ultimate road tripper’s guide to the best of Oahu– from the glitzy shops of Waikiki to the laid back beaches of the North Shore.

Many tourists who visit Oahu end up getting stuck in Waikiki. Don’t get me wrong; this iconic beach and surrounding neighbourhood in Honolulu has its virtues– shopping and an excellent surf break in the summer being top of the list. But in my opinion, it’s a tragedy to leave the rest of the island undiscovered.

Waikiki Oahu Hawaii
There is more to Oahu than just Waikiki. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Vincent Lim)

To best do that, you’ll need a vehicle. Those travelling on a budget can rent a sprinter van and stop at beachside campsites for an immersive and adventurous experience. Alternatively, you could rent a car and stay at luxury hotels for the ultimate blend of relaxation and exploration.

Whichever type of vehicle you choose, road tripping around the entire island is the best way to broaden your horizons on your next Oahu trip.

Day 1: Waikiki

Some people love Waikiki’s family-friendly beaches, shopping and great surf in the summer; others hate the crowds and touristy feel. Either way, Waikiki is an iconic neighbourhood and certainly worth scoping out for at least a day or two. After flying into Honolulu, spend your first day wandering around the many shops and restaurants. The International Market Place is a great place to start.

Shaved Ice in Waikiki
You won’t be short on food and shopping options in Waikiki. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority/Ben Ono)

Eat Poke

Baptise your first day with a lunch or dinner of poke– one of Hawaii’s most quintessential and delicious dishes. This Hawaiian favourite of cubed, raw fish over rice has evolved to include the option of several toppings– seaweed salad, cucumbers, pineapple or avocado just to name a few. Try the ceviche poke bowl at Maguro Brothers–the bright acidic flavour is balanced by creamy avocado and salty soy sauce.

Poke Bowl in Hawaii
Make your first meal in Hawaii a poke bowl. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority/ Blake Bronstad)

Surf at Waikiki

I can’t let you leave Waikiki Beach without a surf session. Whether you are an experienced shredder or a surf novice, there’s a break for you here. There are plenty of options for boards to rent on the beach.

Surfing in Waikiki
Don’t miss the chance to go surfing in Waikiki. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority)

Road Trip Tips

  • Be prepared to drive on the opposite side of the street in the American state of Hawaii! The Hawaii Tourism Board advises that Australian drivers licences are accepted in Hawaii but that drivers may be required to be at least 25 years old and in possession of a major credit card to hire a vehicle.
  • Oahu has a surprisingly limited number of campsites to reserve for your trip– if possible, be sure to book your campsites as far in advance as possible. Hipcamp is an app where you can search for campsites and overnight parking spots.
  • Even an island paradise isn’t immune to crime– be cognizant of your surroundings and don’t leave valuables unattended at the beach.
  • It’s important to note that Hawaii often is harmed by over tourism and careless visitation. During your visit, be respectful of the locals, keep your distance from wildlife, and leave each beach cleaner than you found it.

Day 2: Waikiki

Boat tour and swim with dolphins

Many island tours and guided experiences leave from the Waikiki area, so take your last morning in Waikiki as an opportunity to embark on an epic adventure at sea. There’s something for everyone: a Pearl Harbour tour may appeal to history buffs or a shark cage dive to thrill seekers. A sailboat trip and snorkel session with spinner dolphins as your companions is sure to suit just about everyone.

Snorkel with spinner dolphins in Hawaii
A snorkel session with spinner dolphins is an unforgettable experience. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority/ Heather Goodman)
Spinner Dolphin Hawaii
Get up close to the curious spinner dolphin. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority/ Heather Goodman

Sunset at Spitting Cave

Finish the day at Spitting Cliffs for prime sunset viewing. A dramatic cliffside drops into the sea where a shallow cave spews out sea mist– the phenomenon from which the spot gets its name. Wear closed-toe shoes and watch your step– there are no rail guards in place. You may even witness some humpback whales, as they are known to be especially visible here from December to April.

Accommodation Tips

  • Surfjack: A cute, retro-style hotel within easy walking distance of all Waikiki has to offer.
  • The Royal Hawaiian: This historic, pink hotel enjoys a coveted position directly on Waikiki beach.
Royal Hawaiian Hotel Waikiki
The pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel has a prime position on the beachfront in Waikiki.

Day 3: Kailua

A thirty-minute drive from Waikiki, Kailua is known as the ritzier residential side of the island with stunning beaches.

Pair standup paddleboard in Kailua Bay Hawaii
Kailua is known for its stunning beaches. (Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority/ Heather Goodman)

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Often cited as one of the best hikes in Oahu, the Lanikai Pillbox Hike shows off Kailua’s beauty in all of its glory. It’s a relatively easy 2.7 kilometre, out-and-back trail with sweeping ocean views. If you make the extra effort to wake up early and watch the sunrise at the top of the hike, your efforts will be rewarded with some pretty spectacular views.

Views from the Lanikai Pillbox Hike
The spectacular views from the top of Lanikai Pillbox Hike.

Windsurf at Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach is a gorgeous three-mile stretch of crescent-shaped shoreline. The protective reef makes the warm, salty waters here perfect for a swim or– for the more adventurous of spirit– some windsurfing.

Day 4: North Shore

The North Shore is the laid back antithesis to Waikiki’s bustling shores and my personal favourite part of the island.

Cliff jump at Waimea Bay

This beach is one of the North Shore’s most beautiful and jumping off the 25-foot cliff is perfect for beginners. Otherwise, it’s a lovely spot to spend a beach day.

Cliff jumping in Waimea Bay
Jump off the 25-foot cliff at Waimea Bay.

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Eat garlic shrimp

One of the beauties of the North Shore: you’ll never go hungry. There are several little food villages made up of a conglomeration of humble food trucks and huts serving authentic dishes packed with local flavour. Be sure to stop by and get a steaming plate of buttery, garlic shrimp with rice– a North Shore favourite. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in particular is well-renowned for this dish.

Surf at Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is the largest (and debatably the best) resort on the island of Oahu. Find a spot in the resort parking lot to access the public beach. From there, you can either head to sandy Turtle Beach to swim and look out for turtles or the rockier Turtle Bay side for an excellent surf spot. The resort often hosts surf lessons at this spot overlooked by the property pool. After catching some waves, head in for a Lava Flow cocktail at the pool bar and enjoy the stunning view.

Turtle in Turtle Bay Hawaii
Be on the lookout for turtles on the rocky side of Turtle Bay.

Accommodation Tips

  • Malaekahana Beach Campground: Perfect for sprinter vans, those who fancy pitching a tent right by the ocean, and budget-conscious travellers.
  • Turtle Bay: A luxurious resort stay on a secluded and scenic stretch of Oahu.
Turtle Bay resort Oahu
Stay at the luxurious Turtle Bay resort. (Image: Turtle Bay)

Day 5: North Shore

Sunrise Shack coffee

Start your morning with a bulletproof coffee and an acai bowl with added macadamia butter at this highly-Instagrammable, bright-yellow health foods hut.

Sunrise Surf Shack
Get your caffeine and breakfast fix at Sunrise Surf Shack. (Image: Sunrise Surf Shack)

Snorkel at Sharks Cove

Don’t be frightened by the name– you are very unlikely to see sharks at this family-friendly snorkelling spot. On the other hand, you are likely to see schools of colourful fish gliding just below your feet and even sea turtles. It’s best to arrive in the morning to beat the crowds.

Snorkel at Shark Cove Hawaii
Snorkel at the family-friendly Shark Cove.

Ted’s Bakery pie

Soothe your sweet tooth with a slice of Ted’s Bakery’s famous chocolate haupia pie or pineapple macadamia nut cheesecake.

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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.