It's the best of both worlds.

What’s on your bucket list for Oahu? Sticking your toes in the sugary sand of Waikiki Beach? Gazing down from the crater’s edge at Diamond Head? The good news is that you can easily accomplish both on your first full day in Honolulu, then start exploring the rest of the island. (As much as I love the vibe of Honolulu, getting out of the city is a must if you really want to get to know Oahu.) Within an hour’s drive you can be hiking to a towering waterfall, climbing along a rocky coastline, or snorkeling inside the cone of an ancient volcano. And with a week to spend, I guarantee you can do it all at a pace that still feels like a vacation.

How to make the most of five days in Oahu, from Honolulu to the Windward Coast and the North shores.