Itinerary feedback

Question

I am looking for feedback on our itinerary. We are a moderately active family of four with two teens. Teens like to surf and fish, and I love to snorkel/see turtles. Do I have the right activities placed together each day?

Wed: Arrive at 4pm, pick up rental car, check in HHV, grab dinner.

Thurs: Morning - Hanauma Bay (Need Tickets); Afternoon – Manoa Falls hike

Fri: Morning – Fishing excursion; Afternoon – Pearl Harbor (need tickets)

Sat: Morning - Kaka’ako Farmers Market, Byodo-In Temple; Afternoon – UTV Tour Kualoa Ranch

Sun: Morning - Aloha Stadium Swap, Diamond Head hike (tickets), Lanikai beach; Afternoon – Surfing Waikiki Beach

Mon: North Shore day – Waimea Bay, Sharks Cove, Turtle Bay, Laniakea beach, Hale’iwa shopping and food trucks

Tues: Morning - Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail; Afternoon - Waikiki Beach

Wed: 1:00 flight departure

Answer

Your itinerary for Oahu looks well-balanced for a moderately active family with teens who enjoy surfing and fishing, and for adults interested in snorkeling and hiking. Overall, the flow of activities seems logical, grouping physically active mornings with slightly more relaxed afternoons. Here’s a detailed feedback by day:

Wednesday – Arrival

Arriving at 4 pm and picking up your rental car is perfect timing to check in and have a relaxed dinner. Nothing to change here; keep it light since it’s travel day.

Thursday – Hanauma Bay & Manoa Falls

Morning at Hanauma Bay is ideal since the snorkeling is best in the morning when waters are calmer and visibility is clearer. Make sure you have purchased tickets in advance.
Afternoon Manoa Falls hike is nearby and a good follow-up; it’s a moderate hike and usually less crowded later in the day. Consider bringing water shoes and bug spray.

Friday – Fishing excursion & Pearl Harbor

Morning fishing excursion aligns well with early fish activity and gives teens a fun active start.
Pearl Harbor in the afternoon is logical, but consider traffic; it can be heavy, and some tours require timed entry, so check ticket times to avoid rushing.
If possible, book Pearl Harbor tickets for mid-to-late morning to early afternoon to balance travel time.

Saturday – Kaka’ako Farmers Market, Byodo-In Temple, Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour

Morning farmers market is casual and flexible.
Byodo-In Temple is calm and scenic; travel time from Kaka’ako is around 45–60 minutes.
UTV Tour at Kualoa Ranch in the afternoon is a good combination after the morning activities; be mindful of timing, as these tours can last 2–3 hours.

Sunday – Aloha Stadium Swap, Diamond Head hike, Lanikai Beach, Surfing Waikiki

Diamond Head hike should be early morning; temperatures rise quickly and parking can be busy.
Lanikai Beach and Waikiki surfing in the afternoon is good; consider shifting surfing to late morning/early afternoon to allow enough time for Lanikai exploration, as it’s about 40 minutes from Diamond Head.
Aloha Stadium Swap can be flexible; if you prefer more beach time, it could be moved to another day or shortened.

Monday – North Shore

North Shore day looks excellent. Visiting Waimea Bay, Sharks Cove, Turtle Bay, Laniakea Beach, and Hale’iwa shopping/food trucks is a full but logical day. Start early for Waimea Bay and Sharks Cove for calmer water and fewer crowds.
Pack snacks and water; some beaches have limited facilities.

Tuesday – Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail & Waikiki Beach

Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail is best in the morning for views and lighter temperatures.
Afternoon at Waikiki Beach is perfect to relax before departure; consider renting chairs or using hotel facilities for showers if needed.

Wednesday – Departure

1:00 pm flight; plan to leave your accommodation by 10:00–10:30 am to allow time for rental return and airport check-in.

Overall Recommendations:

Your itinerary is feasible but full. Teens and adults are active, so energy levels should be manageable.
Consider starting Diamond Head hike and North Shore beaches early to avoid heat and crowds.
Ensure timed tickets for Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbor to prevent long waits.
Some flexibility in afternoon activities is helpful to account for traffic and fatigue.

Summary: Well-planned, active, and balanced itinerary. Small adjustments to timing and early starts for certain hikes and beaches will maximize your enjoyment.

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