Preliminary Itinerary - June Aulani vacation!

[SuzanneB74]

After countless hours of research, three guidebooks and the entertainment book as well as many hours reading threads on this site, I think I have come up with a plan for our vacation. It is myself, hubby and two boys - 14 and 12. Any suggestions welcomed!!! I hope it is not too jammed with stuff, but since Hawaii is so far away, I don't know when we will get back. We have never been and are very excited. We are DVC members and have a 2 bedroom ocean view room reserved.

Day 1 - Arrive. Land at HNL around 3. Grocery/Costco on way to the resort. Relax and enjoy the evening and try to stay awake as long as possible (we live in Florida so the time change will be a challenge!)

Day 2 - Older son has a surf lesson in the morning. We will watch and play in ocean. Eat lunch and explore the surrounding area and spend the afternoon at the resort

Day 3 - Climbworks zipline at 9:00 am. Lunch in North Shore area. Jurassic Jungle tour at Kualoa Ranch at 3:00. Purchase their grass fed beef and grill burgers at resort

Day 4 - Resort day. Paradise Cove luau at 5:00.

Day 5 - Explore North Shore. Matsumoto's Shave Ice and Leonard's Malasada Mobile truck. Snorkeling/Ocean at Waimea Bay, Shark's Cove, Electric Beach. Dole Plantation on the way back.

Day 6 - Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor

Day 7 - Catamaran with Hawaii Nautical - 9-12. Keana Point in afternoon

Day 8 - Resort Day until we leave for airport at 2:30.

My hubby and younger son want to play golf one afternoon if possible....

 

[OKW Lover]

I can say for sure that your plan for Day 1 is pretty good. Just be sure to figure in dinner that night. An alternative is to skip the grocery shopping that night and just pick up what you're going to need for breakfast the next morning at the ABC store. Also, grab a couple of pizzas from the Pizza Corner for that night.

Your plan for Day 6 is a good one as these two can easily be accomplished in one day. I'd suggest adding a drive around the southeast side of the island around to Kaialua and then across H3 back two Aulani. The drive along that stretch of the coast is pretty spectacular and there is a blow hole along the route. Taking the H3 you then go right through a mountain and the scenery around you is very impressive.

There is a golf course directly across the street from Aulani, but you probably knew that.

Can't really help on the other stuff.

 

[nkereina]

Day 2 - Older son has a surf lesson in the morning. We will watch and play in ocean. Eat lunch and explore the surrounding area and spend the afternoon at the resort

Is the surf lesson at Aulani or in Ko Olina? Just wanted to mention that we explored around Ko Olina, but it was a lot of walking and not a ton to see or do. Mostly browsing the other resorts.

Day 3 - Climbworks zipline at 9:00 am. Lunch in North Shore area. Jurassic Jungle tour at Kualoa Ranch at 3:00. Purchase their grass fed beef and grill burgers at resort

If your tour is at 3pm, it will end around 4pm-ish I'm guessing, which means you will probably get caught up in the rush hour traffic on the way back. If it were me, I'd consider heading back to the North Shore area for dinner or even to Kailua, and head back to Aulani later on to avoid the traffic. We caught rush hour traffic in the morning going to Kualoa Ranch and it added nearly an hour to our commute.

Day 5 - Explore North Shore. Matsumoto's Shave Ice and Leonard's Malasada Mobile truck. Snorkeling/Ocean at Waimea Bay, Shark's Cove, Electric Beach. Dole Plantation on the way back.

Highly recommend doing Dole Plantation in the morning. The later you go, the more crowded it is which means lines for the attractions are long and parking is difficult. Plus I believe they close at 5pm, so going early will give you more flexibility and less clock watching in the North Shore. It's about a 15-20 minute drive between Dole and Haleiwa, or a bit longer if you're further east towards Waimea Bay.

Day 6 - Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor

We did Diamond Head in the morning which I recommend, because it gets hot and crowded the later you go. I will caution that we had work out clothes on and were quite sweaty and gross after. All we wanted to do was go back to the hotel and shower. But if that's not a huge concern for you, then you'd definitely have time for Pearl Harbor in the afternoon. I'm not sure what the last tour time is, but you'd want to get your tickets in advance online. Also keep in mind its a 25-30 minute drive to Pearl Harbor from Diamond Head, plus traffic probably.

An alternative option might be to do Diamond Head with the afternoon exploring Waikiki, and then doing Pearl Harbor on another morning if you can swing it. The tours start early and Pearl Harbor isn't terribly far from Aulani.

 

[buffettgirl]

Day 3 and 5 have you in weird areas.

Climbworks and kualoa are more east and if you're going to lunch in the north shore you're going to have a massively long drive around the north part of the island.

Electric beach is near aulani but not anywhere near the north shore (you can't get there from electric beach without driving back past aulani) and all the other places are basically places you'll have passed by on day 3. I'd maybe change your climbworks day and then do that on one morning and work your way back by doing the snorkeling and eating. or do your climbworks at the end of a day after hitting dole/matsumotos/snorkeling etc. Honestly, Dole is such a waste of time unless you have little ones. It's very very lame. Really cheesy and touristy and just overpriced. You could also do diamond head and kualoa on the same day without adding a lot of drive time.

 

[SuzanneB74]

Day 3 and 5 have you in weird areas.

Climbworks and kualoa are more east and if you're going to lunch in the north shore you're going to have a massively long drive around the north part of the island.

Electric beach is near aulani but not anywhere near the north shore (you can't get there from electric beach without driving back past aulani) and all the other places are basically places you'll have passed by on day 3. I'd maybe change your climbworks day and then do that on one morning and work your way back by doing the snorkeling and eating. or do your climbworks at the end of a day after hitting dole/matsumotos/snorkeling etc. Honestly, Dole is such a waste of time unless you have little ones. It's very very lame. Really cheesy and touristy and just overpriced. You could also do diamond head and kualoa on the same day without adding a lot of drive time.

Thank you so much for your information. I didn't realize North Shore compared to where Kualoa Ranch is. What is the area between Climbworks (Kahuku area) and Kualoa Ranch? I also didn't think about Diamond Head and Kualoa Ranch on the same day - that is also a really good idea. Hmmm, I need to do some thinking.

I had heard those comments about Dole Plantation - wasn't sure if we were going to drive past or actually stop. We will play that by ear.

Are there any other "must do" things I have missed? I am trying to balance doing a lot of stuff, but also leaving a lot of resort/relaxing time.

Thanks so very much!!!!

 

[SuzanneB74]

Is the surf lesson at Aulani or in Ko Olina? Just wanted to mention that we explored around Ko Olina, but it was a lot of walking and not a ton to see or do. Mostly browsing the other resorts.



If your tour is at 3pm, it will end around 4pm-ish I'm guessing, which means you will probably get caught up in the rush hour traffic on the way back. If it were me, I'd consider heading back to the North Shore area for dinner or even to Kailua, and head back to Aulani later on to avoid the traffic. We caught rush hour traffic in the morning going to Kualoa Ranch and it added nearly an hour to our commute.



Highly recommend doing Dole Plantation in the morning. The later you go, the more crowded it is which means lines for the attractions are long and parking is difficult. Plus I believe they close at 5pm, so going early will give you more flexibility and less clock watching in the North Shore. It's about a 15-20 minute drive between Dole and Haleiwa, or a bit longer if you're further east towards Waimea Bay.



We did Diamond Head in the morning which I recommend, because it gets hot and crowded the later you go. I will caution that we had work out clothes on and were quite sweaty and gross after. All we wanted to do was go back to the hotel and shower. But if that's not a huge concern for you, then you'd definitely have time for Pearl Harbor in the afternoon. I'm not sure what the last tour time is, but you'd want to get your tickets in advance online. Also keep in mind its a 25-30 minute drive to Pearl Harbor from Diamond Head, plus traffic probably.

An alternative option might be to do Diamond Head with the afternoon exploring Waikiki, and then doing Pearl Harbor on another morning if you can swing it. The tours start early and Pearl Harbor isn't terribly far from Aulani.

Thanks! The surf lesson is in Kapolei, I think Eisenhower beach - about 20-25 min from the resort (if I am remembering correctly). For the ranch, I didn't think about evening traffic. We are still thinking about Pearl Harbor / Diamond Head - if we want to do in the same day or not. But you made really good points and suggestions for that - thank you!!

 

[buffettgirl]

Thank you so much for your information. I didn't realize North Shore compared to where Kualoa Ranch is. What is the area between Climbworks (Kahuku area) and Kualoa Ranch? I also didn't think about Diamond Head and Kualoa Ranch on the same day - that is also a really good idea. Hmmm, I need to do some thinking.

I had heard those comments about Dole Plantation - wasn't sure if we were going to drive past or actually stop. We will play that by ear.

Are there any other "must do" things I have missed? I am trying to balance doing a lot of stuff, but also leaving a lot of resort/relaxing time.

Thanks so very much!!!!

I consider anything to the west of kuhuku point - north facing to be north shore. Maybe others have a different opinion, but if I'm looking at climbworks, I'd consider that windward side though, even though it's in kuhuku. But it's a good 30 min drive (probably more, as there's usually traffic) on a 2 lane road between Climbworks and Kualoa. There is a giovanni's shrimp truck up there if that's what you meant though, by eating lunch on the north shore. I had forgotten about that one. There are a few. But there are shrimp trucks everywhere. But I guess when you said lunch in the north shore, I consider that more like Haleiwa, Sharks Cove, pipeline. etc.

I would just make sure you've looked closely at a map to see exactly where things are. But again, in order to get to climbworks you're going to be driving directly past everything you want to do on your north shore day. I'm jut trying to think of how to save you some time. I personally think the drive by the coast from Diamond Head up to the windward side is my favorite drive. There are lots of neat places to stop and just look at the water and rocks.

if you're coming back from Kualoa ranch in the afternoon you won't hit much traffic until you get across the island to where H3 spills into h1. It's going to be a complete traffic nightmare from there to Aulani.

 

[SuzanneB74]

I consider anything to the west of kuhuku point - north facing to be north shore. Maybe others have a different opinion, but if I'm looking at climbworks, I'd consider that windward side though, even though it's in kuhuku. But it's a good 30 min drive (probably more, as there's usually traffic) on a 2 lane road between Climbworks and Kualoa. There is a giovanni's shrimp truck up there if that's what you meant though, by eating lunch on the north shore. I had forgotten about that one. There are a few. But there are shrimp trucks everywhere. But I guess when you said lunch in the north shore, I consider that more like Haleiwa, Sharks Cove, pipeline. etc.

I would just make sure you've looked closely at a map to see exactly where things are. But again, in order to get to climbworks you're going to be driving directly past everything you want to do on your north shore day. I'm jut trying to think of how to save you some time. I personally think the drive by the coast from Diamond Head up to the windward side is my favorite drive. There are lots of neat places to stop and just look at the water and rocks.

if you're coming back from Kualoa ranch in the afternoon you won't hit much traffic until you get across the island to where H3 spills into h1. It's going to be a complete traffic nightmare from there to Aulani.

That's what I was thinking, but looking at the map, I see what you are referring to. We are making adjustments to our plans and I think we are going to Diamond Head / Koko Head / Halona Blowhole and the drive up the coast to Kailua and then back one day. I'd like to add Manoa Falls to that day but we will have to see how the day goes. I am trying to fit it all in, but we are running out of time!!!

There is so much to do and planning it all is driving me nutty!!! But no matter what it will be an amazing vacation!! Thank you so much for all the tips and tricks!!!

 

[Brancaneve]

Hi! We will be there in early June for our second time. I can honestly say that we arrived at the resort and didn't want to go ANYWHERE! It took us a good three days before venturing out because the resort was too amazing to leave. Just wanted to give you a little warning!

 

[SuzanneB74]

Hi! We will be there in early June for our second time. I can honestly say that we arrived at the resort and didn't want to go ANYWHERE! It took us a good three days before venturing out because the resort was too amazing to leave. Just wanted to give you a little warning!

I'm sure you are correct!! We go to DVC Vero Beach at least once a year and we never leave the property and it is so relaxing for everyone in my family. I am trying to be flexible keeping that in mind but I don't know when we will get back to Hawaii so I want to see as much as we can!

 

[Brancaneve]

I'm sure you are correct!! We go to DVC Vero Beach at least once a year and we never leave the property and it is so relaxing for everyone in my family. I am trying to be flexible keeping that in mind but I don't know when we will get back to Hawaii so I want to see as much as we can!

I should probably add that once we ventured out, we were glad we did!

 

[Amw1064]

Does anyone recommend a Waikiki day trip on a Friday or Saturday? Figured traffic may be better on Saturday but didn't know if beaches/area would be more crowded. Thanks for any suggestions. (want to do a canoe ride and catamaran sail)

 

[Psymonds]

I should probably add that once we ventured out, we were glad we did!

this is really the million dollar question.

did you come to Hawaii to see everything there is to see culturally and in nature (which is great)

or

did you come to Hawaii to relax at the beach and the pool, and enjoy family time together.

both are equally valid, but I know that I differ from my wife's family on which I value more that's why we rent separate cars.

 

[buffettgirl]

Does anyone recommend a Waikiki day trip on a Friday or Saturday? Figured traffic may be better on Saturday but didn't know if beaches/area would be more crowded. Thanks for any suggestions. (want to do a canoe ride and catamaran sail)

obviously you're not going to be dealing with rush hour traffic or saturday or sunday. But there is traffic going down there - especially the later in the day you go. I don't notice a huge difference in crowds on the beaches - more families doing cookouts and stuff, but otherwise not a huge change.

On a friday, rush hour traffic starts by 3:30 and it's just a mess. If you're going to go to waikiki on Friday, just beware about what time you come home.

 

[oakleycat]

On the North Shore day, I agree about doing Dole first if you want to see it. I wasn't interested, but my husband and kids wanted to so we stopped right when it opened and it was not crowded at all. We then did Shark's Cove for snorkeling, Waimea Bay, shrimp trucks for lunch and then Masumotos. It was a long but great day and I think we got back to the resort around 7.

 

[oakleycat]

Forgot to say we started our day (prior to heading up to Dole) at Koa Pancake House, which has amazing macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup for a great price!

 

[PattiPB]

Forgot to say we started our day (prior to heading up to Dole) at Koa Pancake House, which has amazing macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup for a great price!

Where exactly is Koa Pancake House? Trying to line up a few great local spots to eat when we are there. TIA

 

[SuzanneB74]

On the North Shore day, I agree about doing Dole first if you want to see it. I wasn't interested, but my husband and kids wanted to so we stopped right when it opened and it was not crowded at all. We then did Shark's Cove for snorkeling, Waimea Bay, shrimp trucks for lunch and then Masumotos. It was a long but great day and I think we got back to the resort around 7.

That's exactly what we are doing for our North Shore Day! I'm not sure if we are going to do Dole, but we can at least stop and take a look.

 

[SuzanneB74]

this is really the million dollar question.

did you come to Hawaii to see everything there is to see culturally and in nature (which is great)

or

did you come to Hawaii to relax at the beach and the pool, and enjoy family time together.

both are equally valid, but I know that I differ from my wife's family on which I value more that's why we rent separate cars.

We are coming for both, but more of the seeing as much as we can. I do have 1- 1.5 days designated resort days, but with snorkeling at Paradise Cove to start of end the day.

 

[cgattis]

Where exactly is Koa Pancake House? Trying to line up a few great local spots to eat when we are there. TIA

We now really need a big breakfast on our Pearl Harbor day since we couldn't get a tour before 11 and want to hit the swap meet too. I googled this place, and then started finding other breakfast spots...check out My Cafe in Kapolei. Those pancakes look amazing; we may give it a shot! Come back if you run across any other goodies!