Windward Oʻahu & the Pali
A day over the Koʻolau mountains from Waikīkī: the windy cliff-top view at the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, a morning on Kailua Beach, the Byodo-In Temple in its green valley, then up the windward coast past Mokoliʻi to Kahana Bay and the sea arch off Lāʻie Point.
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From May to October the trade winds blow on most days, bringing warm, breezy weather to the windward coast with brief, light showers that favor the mountains and pass quickly. Winter, from October to April, brings more clouds and rain, occasional storms that can hide the Pali view, and bigger surf on north-facing shores near Lāʻie. The Pali Lookout is cooler and much windier than the beaches. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast.
Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.
A full day up Kamehameha Highway from Waikīkī: the old surf town of Haleʻiwa, honu resting on the sand at Laniākea, Waimea Bay, the paved garden walk to Waimea Falls, the Pūpūkea tide pools, the Banzai Pipeline at ʻEhukai and a shrimp plate in Kahuku before the windward drive home.
A full day out of Waikīkī along Oʻahu's southeast shore: the early climb up Lēʻahi (Diamond Head), a morning snorkel at Hanauma Bay, the Hālona Blowhole and Sandy Beach from the safe side of the railing, and a late-afternoon walk up the paved Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail before the view over Mānana island at Makapuʻu Lookout.
A full Oʻahu day from Waikīkī: an early boat program to the USS Arizona Memorial, an optional tour of the Battleship Missouri on Ford Island, then west along the dry Waiʻanae coast to the calm Ko Olina lagoons, the big-wave beach at Mākaha and the end of the road at Keawaʻula Bay for the late light.
Honolulu's green back country in one day from Waikīkī: an early walk to Mānoa Falls, the University of Hawaiʻi's Lyon Arboretum, lunch in Mānoa, Queen Emma's summer palace in Nuʻuanu, then the historic Tantalus–Round Top Drive to sunset over the city at Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa.