This episode of our “Beyond the 48” series highlights our family surf trip to Oahu, Hawaii. Though this journey didn’t involve our RV, it was a remarkable multi-generational family vacation and an experience of a lifetime. At the end of our eight-day stay, we understood why Hawaii is a bucket-list destination for so many families.
Other Beyond the 48 Episodes:
Explore Costa Rica with Exodus Travels
Explore Iceland with Rent Easy Iceland
Planning and Booking Our Hawaiian Adventure
Planning a big family trip to Hawaii requires thoughtful budgeting and logistics. We chose Costco Travel because it offered transparent pricing and substantial extra perks, including resort credits, a $200 Costco gift card, and cashback rewards on our Costco credit card, amounting to over $1,000 in savings. Stephanie appreciated Costco’s accountability and clear price comparisons, making planning seamless and stress-free. If you visit Costco for your regular grocery shopping (and weekly gas fill-up!), definitely check out the travel services for your next trip.
Staying at Embassy Suites Waikiki
We booked our accommodations at Embassy Suites Waikiki, located one block from the beach. This hotel was particularly appealing for our family of five, featuring two-room suites with a separate bedroom, living area with a pull-out couch, kitchenette, and spacious bathroom. Jeremy’s mom enjoyed her stunning ocean-view room, while Stephanie upgraded our room for just $25 to snag a better view than our original room offered. The hotel’s setup offered ample space, ideal for larger families without feeling cramped.
Waikiki Beach: Surfing and Convenience
Waikiki Beach turned out to be the ultimate surf paradise that we were dreaming of. We rented surfboards from Big Wave Dave’s Surf Shop, conveniently located in our hotel’s breezeway. They recommended not bringing our own boards, as their rentals could be switched daily depending on wave conditions—a significant advantage for avid surfers.
We found the South Shore’s waves gentle and perfect for beginner to intermediate surfers, specifically the areas known as Populars and Canoes. Our older sons found waves big and fun enough to entertain them for hours, while our younger son was able to independently paddle out and catch plenty of waves himself. The hotel’s locker system made it easy to store surfboards without hassle.
Waikiki also provided such a convenient atmosphere for all the necessities. Everything from meals at Raising Cane’s to grab and go meals (and sunscreen!) at the ABC Stores was within walking distance. The area felt incredibly safe, making it ideal for teenagers to have some independence.
Visiting Pearl Harbor: Essential Tips and Experiences
Our visit to Pearl Harbor was deeply moving but did require advance planning. Important note: reservations for the USS Arizona Memorial open eight weeks in advance (or 24 hours ahead for last-minute spots) on Recreation.gov, which can fill quickly. We highly recommend securing this reservation, as visiting the USS Arizona Memorial was a truly special experience and the highlight of our time at Pearl Harbor.
We found the actual Pearl Harbor NPS site to be a bit confusing and not intuitive. After spending the day at the site, we would recommend experience the various installations in the following order:
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before your tour reservations and visit the exhibit galleries, “Road to War” and “Attack.”
- Watch the orientation film.
- Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
Optional: Walk over to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and tour the USS Bowfin. This is an extra ticketed experience, and not necessary to appreciate the Pearl Harbor Memorial, so don’t fret if the ticket price is out of budget. However, our boys did very much enjoy the tour and exhibits here. There is a well-stocked gift shop and food truck on site as well.
North Shore Day Trip: Surfing Pilgrimage and Local Flavors
A day trip to Oahu’s famous North Shore was another highlight. The drive from Waikiki to Haleiwa took under an hour. We made a quick stop at the Dole Plantation, solely for Dole Whips, and wouldn’t recommend the rather touristy ticketed experiences there. We also visited the Green World Coffee Farm, which featured outstanding local coffee and charming souvenirs.
In Haleiwa, we visited surf shops and ate lunch at Killer Tacos, an affordable local favorite. There are also dozens of food trucks to explore throughout the town. If you don’t mind waiting in line, try the shaved ice at Matsumoto. We also stopped at legendary surf spots such as Waimea Bay and Pipeline, famous in winter but calm during our spring visit.
Chief’s Luau: A Cultural Evening
We chose Chief’s Luau due to its strong reputation for providing a great show. The luau featured engaging entertainment, including remarkable fire-dancing performances, and offered a decent, traditional Hawaiian meal–meaning in our opinion the food was good but not great. The setting and quality of the performance made it a memorable evening for our entire family. There are also plenty of Luaus offered right in Waikiki. Or you can venture a bit farther and visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, which gets rave reviews, but would have been a longer evening for our family.
Favorite Dining Experiences in Waikiki
Our stay included several standout dining experiences. Yard House offered reliable American cuisine and was better than we expected. Hula Grill Waikiki provided one of the trip’s best meals with a stunning view from the Outrigger Hotel. For a quick local snack, Musubi Cafe Iyasume served delicious Spam musubi. Daily visits to Lahaina Shave Ice may become an afternoon tradition during your stay.
Family Travel Takeaways from Oahu
This family surf trip to Oahu was certainly among our family’s most expensive vacations, but careful budgeting and credit card rewards helped make it manageable. The balance of planned activities and spontaneous relaxation suited our teenagers perfectly, offering them independence while still making plenty of shared family memories. Honolulu’s combination of urban bustle and beach paradise left an enduring impression on Jeremy, ranking it among his favorite American cities.
Join Our Adventures Beyond the 48
For more episodes detailing our family’s adventures beyond the continental U.S., follow our “Beyond the 48” series on The RV Atlas podcast. Explore new places, learn valuable travel tips, and gain insights into creating unforgettable family memories. And next week, we’ll see you back at the campground!
