The Ultimate Family Vacation (How We Saved Over $1,800!)
Oahu had been on our family’s bucket list for years, and after months of research, we finally planned what turned out to be one of our favorite vacations ever. From snorkeling with sea turtles and hiking volcanic craters to relaxing on world-famous beaches, every day offered something new. You will see all the Viator links below. Be sure to click on each to find out more!
One of the best decisions we made was purchasing the Go City Oahu Pass. For our family of five, admission to all of the attractions would have cost approximately $3,550. Instead, we paid $1,525 for five 5-day passes, saving an incredible $1,825! Throughout this itinerary, I’ll note each attraction we used with our Go City Pass.
I also relied heavily on the Go City Travel App throughout our trip to keep reservations and attraction information organized. This post may contain affiliate links.
Day 1: Arrival in Paradise
After landing in Honolulu, we picked up our Jeep Wrangler rental through Turo, which was perfect for exploring the island over the next ten days.
We checked into our Airbnb condo in Honolulu before heading to Barefoot Beach Café for dinner with our first oceanfront sunset. Pineapple drinks and Poke bowls were definitely a highight.
Before ending the day, we stopped at Walmart to stock up on breakfast items, lunches, drinks, and snacks—something that saved us a surprising amount of money throughout the week.
Day 2: Waikiki Beach & Surfing
No trip to Oahu is complete without spending time at Waikiki Beach. We enjoyed a relaxing morning swimming before checking another Hawaiian bucket-list item off our list—surfing!
We booked surf lessons it was an excellent value for beginners. Check out the link below!
Later we explored downtown Honolulu, including the iconic King Kamehameha Statue, before enjoying dinner at Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar.
Day 3: Circle Island Tour (Go City – Day 1)
This was one of the absolute highlights of our vacation. Our Circle Island Tour (included with the Go City Pass) allowed us to see many of Oahu’s most famous sights without worrying about driving.
- Highlights included:
- Diamond Head viewpoints
- Halona Blowhole
- Sandy Beach
- Makapuʻu Beach
- Snorkeling in Haleiwa with sea turtles
- Fresh tropical fruit from roadside stands
- North Shore Macademia Nut Company
- Lunch at Fumi’s Shrimp
- Dole Plantation
- Green World Coffee Farm
One unexpected favorite was grabbing Spam Musubi from a nearby 7-Eleven during one of our stops. If you’ve never tried it, don’t skip it—it was delicious!
We finished the day with dinner at Noi Thai Cuisine.
If you want to book this separately from Go City use this link:
Day 4: Pearl Harbor (Go City – Day 2)
This emotional and educational day was dedicated to Pearl Harbor.
Our itinerary included:
- USS Arizona Memorial (free with advance reservation- click here!)
- USS Missouri (Go City)
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (Go City)
- USS Bowfin Submarine (Go City)
We reserved the earliest available Arizona Memorial time slot (8:45 a.m.), which helped us avoid some of the crowds.
After a full day of history, we cooled off with another swim near Waikiki.
If you want to book these actvities separately from Go City use this link:
Day 5: Hiking, Sailing & a Hawaiian Luau (Go City – Day 3)
We started the morning by hiking Diamond Head State Monument. Reservations are required and can be made up to 30 days in advance. We had an 8- 10 AM reservation. It is $5 per person and $10 for parking. Go early to avoid the heat! Use this Diamond Head State Monument link to book a reservation in advance.
After our hike, we treated ourselves to the famous Leonard’s Bakery malasadas—soft Portuguese donuts that absolutely lived up to the hype.
Later, we enjoyed a relaxing Makani Catamaran Sail (Go City) before grabbing another Hawaiian convenience-store favorite: manapua, a steamed pork-filled bun
That evening, we attended the Moana Splash Premium Luau (Go City), which included:
- Shell lei greeting
- Cultural demonstrations
- Hula lessons
- Dinner buffet
- Two drink cards
- Fantastic evening entertainment
I used this website when determining which luau I should book. Check out this helpful link: Luau Comparisons
Day 6: Waterfalls & One of the World’s Best Beaches
.Our original plan was to snorkel at Hanauma Bay, but reservations filled almost immediately. It is $25 per person. At the time, online reservations could only be made 2 days in advance. They will sell out in 5 minutes! Now, Reservations can be made a month in advance when purchased with transportation. Use this link to make a reservation: Hanuma Bay Nature Preserve
Instead, we hiked to Mānoa Falls, a beautiful two-mile rainforest hike. Bring bug spray—you’ll definitely need it! Swimming beneath the falls is discouraged due to health risks. Hiking is free. Parking in the designated lot at the end of Mānoa Road costs $7. Street parking is sometimes available, though space is limited.
Afterward, we drove to Lanikai Beach, which is consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches. The turquoise water and soft white sand were absolutely worth the drive.
Dinner at Haleiwa Joe’s Haiku Gardens was another highlight thanks to the gorgeous open-air setting.
Day 7: Kualoa Ranch & Polynesian Culture (Go City – Day 4)
Our adventure continued with the Jungle Expedition Tour at Kualoa Ranch (Go City). You will board an open-air jungle vehicle for a 90-min guided tour through Hakipuʻu Valley. Explore rugged trails, stream beds, and steep hills while hearing local legends, seeing conservation in action, and visiting movie sites from Jurassic World, Kong: Skull Island, and Jumanji. We had a 10:40 reservation so we could make use of our Go City pass later in the day.
Afterward, we moved from Honolulu to a second Airbnb in Hauʻula, allowing us to spend the remainder of our trip exploring Oahu’s North Shore.
Lunch at Keneke’s Grill introduced us to a classic Hawaiian lunch plate, which consisted of Teryiaki Chicken Served w/ Hapa Rice or Fries & Mac Salad.
We finished the day at the incredible Polynesian Cultural Center (Go City). It features six authentic island villages representing Hawaiʻi, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga. It was truly a memorable experience.
If you want to book these actvities separately from Go City use these links:
Day 8: North Shore Relaxation
Sometimes the best vacation days are the simplest.
We spent the day swimming at the beach near our condo, exploring the charming North Shore towns, and enjoying the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice.
It was the perfect slow-paced day after several busy adventures.
Day 9: Waimea Valley & Waterfalls (Go City – Day 5)
Waimea Valley (Go City) was another favorite. The botanical gardens are beautiful, and the waterfall at the end of the trail is one of the few places on Oahu where you can actually swim beneath a waterfall while wearing a provided life jacket.
Tips:
- Arrive early.
- Parking fills quickly.
- Life jackets are first-come, first-served.
- Crowds increase significantly by late morning.
After our hike, we spent the afternoon swimming at nearby Waimea Bay Beach Park, where the kids got to experience rock jumping into the ocean. And then we headed to dinner at North Shore Tacos.
If you want to book this actvity separately from Go City use these links:
Day 10: Ziplining Across the North Shore
We ended our vacation with one final adventure at CLIMB Works Keana Farms. Use this website to book a reservation: Climb Works
This was one of the most exciting experiences of the trip and included:
- Eight side-by-side zip lines
- Ocean views
- ATV ride
- Sky bridges
- Scenic boardwalks
- Rappels
- Oahu’s longest dual zip line
If you plan to visit:
- Closed-toe shoes are required.
- Weight restrictions apply.
- Guide gratuities are appreciated but optional.
After ziplining, we spent our final afternoon relaxing and swimming at Turtle Bay Resort.
I used this website when deciding on which zip line we should do: Zip Line Comparisons
Day 11: Heading Home
After ten unforgettable days exploring Oahu, it was time to head home with incredible memories—and already dreaming about returning someday.
Our Favorite Experiences
If we had to choose our top experiences, they would be:
- Circle Island Tour
- Kualoa Ranch
- Moana Splash Luau
- Waimea Valley
- CLIMB Works Zipline
Tips for Planning Your Oahu Vacation
- Purchase the Go City Pass if you plan to visit several major attractions. You get more value for your money if you attend more than one attraction on that day. So plan ahead!
- Reserve Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor well in advance.
- If Hanauma Bay is on your list, make reservations as early as possible.
- Rent a vehicle—it makes exploring the island much easier.
- Stock up on groceries during your first day.
Don’t be afraid to try local favorites like Spam Musubi, malasadas, manapua, and Hawaiian shrimp trucks.
Our family left Oahu already talking about when we could come back. Between the stunning beaches, unforgettable adventures, incredible food, and warm aloha spirit, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with Hawaii.