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A Week in Paradise: Our Oahu Anniversary Escape
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items Aloha! I just came back from spending a week in Oahu, Hawaii, for my 10-year wedding anniversary. Explore everything my husband and I experienced this trip including where we stayed and some of the fun and celebratory things we did together. This tri...
Sections
6
Things We Did
Good Eats
Our Romantic Anniversary Experience
Places to Shop
What We Brought, and Bought
More to do
Things We Did
One of the first things we did on our trips was take surf lessons with Let's Surf HI, and had an awesome experience. The hotel made the arrangements for us and we're glad they did. The beach wasn't far from our hotel and was at a beach that wasn't cr...
Let's Surf HI
We only went to one luau on our trip although there are plenty worth checking out. As Disney fans, we made sure to book this one. I personally thought there would be more Disney elements but I appreciated the traditional storytelling and focus on the...
KA WA‘A – A Lū‘au on Oʻahu | Aulani Hawaii Resort & Spa
Disney fans who appreciate character breakfasts won't want to miss this one. Pose first with Mickey Mouse, which you'll get to buy the print photo for $45. Then enjoy a yummy breakfast starting with a warm, pillowy Malasada and fresh POG juice. There...
Character Dining at Makahiki Hawaiian Restaurant | Aulani Hawaii Resort &Spa
A helpful tip if you're staying in Ko ‘Olina: you can rent a car and pick up at Disney Aulani. We found the rates better than what we saw through the Four Seasons, and it was easy to pick up and drop off when you’re walking distance from the hotel. W...
Car Rental Aulani Resort
Waikiki is a classic must-see when in Oahu. Coming from South Florida, it's very reminiscent of Fort Lauderdale or Miami Beach. There are many shops from high-end items, classic beachwear, and many souvenir shops. It has a busy day and night life.
Waikiki Hawaii Travel Guide & Information
I'm a big fan of Japanese shrines so naturally I couldn't miss this one in Hawaii. It's truly beautiful with it's stunning architecture and garden; including a 9-foot tall guilded statue of the Amida Buddha, and an impressive koi pond (which they all...
The Byodo-In Temple Hawaii
This was my favorite beach in Oahu. The sand was so soft. The water was so comfortable, not cold at all. There were nice shells and natural elements giving the beach more to discover. The view was incredible. And it wasn’t crowded at all. Good food s...
Kualoa Regional Park | Department of Parks and Recreation
This was one my favorite experiences of the trip. Visiting a natural waterfall was on my bucket list and Waimea Falls did not disappoint. The waterfall is about 40-45 ft tall surround by luscious greenery throughout the way. The walk to the waterfall...
Waimea Falls and Botanical Garden- Waimea Valley
Plenty of beaches along Kamehameha Hwy to check out. This is a great spot to watch surfers.
North Shore Oahu
Good Eats
This area is home to the top stops including Giovanni's, Da Bald Guy, Seven Brothers and more. Don't visit on a Sunday when they're all mostly closed.
Kahuku Roadside Food Court and Trucks - Oahu
Great restaurant with a lovely view. Food was delicious and has a big menu. I loved everything but the sweet and sour wonton crisps are addictive.
The Crouching Lion
Delicious malasadas and a Hawaiian staple. My favorite is their custard creams that has a hint of coconut for that tropical experience. It wasn’t overly stuffed. The dough is delicious. Plain is perfect enough. Don’t over order. It’s easy to want to ...
Leonard's Bakery - Malasadas, Pao Doce, Malasada Puffs, Pao Doce Pups
Had a real delicious meal. Everything was cooked deliciously. Couldn't have been happier.
Mina's Fish House |Seafood Restaurant in Oahu | Fish House at Four Seasons Resort Oahu
You can never go wrong when you see an Eggs 'n Things. The menu is solid with a great variety of sweet and savory. Known for their pancakes.
Eggs ’n Things
Nice family restaurant with a big menu and great food walking distance from our hotel.
Monkeypod Kitchen
Sandwich spot in Haleiwa with a good variety of hot and cold sandwiches. I was a fan of their thin, crispy fries. The burger was very juicy and flavorful.
Kua Aina Hawaii
The best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had, not kidding! And this one wasn't warmed, it was the last 2 left on the tray and it was perfect just the way I got it.
Chunky Co Cookies
Tucked away in the North Shore, surrounded by luscious greenery. This outdoor café is making delicious coffee and matcha drinks. The banana bread latte was great. I also enjoyed the strawberry fields matcha.
LUCKY’S NORTH SHORE CAFE
Delicious malasadas. The custard cream has a great original flavor and the malasadas were packed full inside. The Nutella was more of a cream but they were all great even plain.
Penny's Waikiki- Malasadas
Solid Mexican restaurant across the street from the hotel. Big portions and everything is delicious.
Mekiko Cantina
We had a lovely private dinner here with a coursed menu that was so rich and flavorful. The service was also excellent and the restaurant has a beautiful view.
Italian Restaurant in Oahu | Noe at Four Seasons Resort Oahu
Delicious bar food cooked extremely well. It was a pleasure to eat at this spot multiple times throughout our trip including the first meal we ate and the last as well. The chicken sandwich is great, the fish tacos were crispy and flavorful, not fish...
Oahu Poolside Bar & Restaurant | Waterman at Four Seasons
Our Romantic Anniversary Experience
My husband and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary during this trip to Oahu. Some things we did because they were romantic, and other things we did because this is what we like. Hope these recommendations spark some inspiration for your own ...
My husband and I had an amazing stay at this resort. The service was top-notch and they went out of their way to make our anniversary stay special. The location was perfect for us because we wanted to be centralized enough to explore the Disney Aulan...
Four Seasons Resort Oahu At Ko Olina Kapolei - United States Of America
My husband arranged a private dinner at the Italian restaurant Noe. They have a section that's roped off surrounded by a lovely koi pond. We felt like we were truly alone. It was romantic and the coursed meal was so delicious. The service was excelle...
Noe Under The Stars
My husband made the anniversary trip extra special with a photoshoot on the property of our hotel. The hotel is not only a beautiful property, but it's surrounded by a gorgeous beach with so many texture and natural elements to make beautiful picture...
Photo Session - Four Seasons Ko Olina
Had a relaxing 80-min couples' Lomilomi massage. It's lighter than deep tissue but my trouble areas were addressed while maintaining its ocean flowing rhythm. The spa was nice with private areas as well as co-ed.
Signature Lomilomi Massage
Cozy pool cabana by the adults-only pool. Loved that it came equipped with a TV playing relaxing music videos of performances filmed on property. The refrigerator was well-stocked with water. And the couch and seating areas were plenty and comfortabl...
Adult Pool Luxury Cabana
This is for the Disney fans in us: Our hotel had quick access to this beachside kiosk serving ice cream including Dole Whip for that extra taste of Disney comfort. Just a short from our boardwalk led us to the sweet spot.
Little ‘Opihi's - Beachside Kiosk at Aulani | Disney Hawaii Resort
Places to Shop
My favorite spots on the island to visit.
I became obsessed with this store during my stay. I had the pleasure of visiting in Ko'Olina, Waikiki, and Haleiwa. Thankfully they're all over the island with multiple locations in same cities with the same products for when you need more time to th...
SoHa Living Hawaii
Nice semi-outside shopping mall with a good variety of stores and a food court.
Royal Hawaiian Center
Everywhere you looks there's an ABC Store in Hawaii, and for good reason. This spot has a little bit of everything from gifts and souvenirs, as well as groceries and toiletries. If you need it, this place probably has it.
ABC Stores Hawaii
People line up daily to try to snag exclusive Stussy Honolulu merch. There are no guarantees, but worth a try. Beware: people line up early.
Stüssy Honolulu | Official Honolulu Store | Stüssy Chapters
Haleiwa was a must-visit for me. It's a charming area filled with many great shops, food as well as the beaches. Prepare to park your car and explore the area.
Haleiwa, North Shore Oahu
Place to shop and eat. Completely worth stopping for the Chunky and Co. cookie spot located inside Pounders Restaurant. The chocolate chip cookie was delicious!
Hukilau Marketplace
So this might seem a bit random... In Japan they have these Don Quijote stores where you can buy almost anything and in bulk. It's quite overstimulating and addictive. Anyway, this store has the same cute penguin mascot, and contains a mix of mostly ...
Times Supermarkets
Can't skip the Honolulu Christmas company. They're everywhere. Look out for the free samples. ;)
Honolulu Cookie Company
Located not far from the Stussy store is Original Grail which has its own limited supply of Stussy Honolulu shirts, as well as exclusive sneakers, collectibles and Pokemon cards (which I got some good cards from them).
Original Grail
What We Brought, and Bought
These are the items I brought for my Hawaiian trip, and some of the things I brought back home with me so that I never forget it.
I absolutely love this dress. So much so that I wore it during my photoshoot in Hawaii. It fits beautifully and looks even better on.
ASTR the Label Blythe Dress
This was the perfect backpack to take on this trip. It's so light and comfortable, I have no issues loading it up. The color is so adorable and perfect for those who are a fan of neutrals but still staying in theme.
Aloha Collection Hana Hou Backpack
This is a really nice backpack for traveling. The fabric is easy to clean and endure the rain. There's a laptop holder that's sleekly tucked towards the back. And it has enough space for all your items.
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Daypack
This vacuum storage kit has been a lifesaver for my vacation. We found ourselves in a pickle and couldn’t travel with enough luggage for a 2 week vacation. This kit made it happen with ease.
Vacbird Misty-Style Vacuum Storage Bags Kit
I had to buy this bag while on the trip. There just wasn't enough room in our luggage to take on more. This was the perfect size to throw in a bunch of shoes and take up an amount of our bulk. At first I wanted the neutral shade, but then I realized ...
Keep It Light Weekender | Taha'a
I love this eye mask. The material is so light and soft. It feels nice on my face. I also like the carrying case that comes included. Blocks light well and doesn’t bother me while I sleep.
Mavogel Cotton Sleep Eye Mask - Grey
I need compression, especially when I travel. These socks are comfortable and give me just enough support all the way up to my knees.
CHARMKING Compression Circulation Support Athletic
These cream ballet flats were the perfect addition to trip, picked up from our trip to Tokyo on our way to Hawaii. The shoes are light and well-padded. They're a versatile pair that goes with almost any outfit.
MEXICO 66 TGRS
I love this dress so much!! For living in South Florida, this sexy tropical dress is always in style. It fits so well and the fabric is incredibly light and stretchy. This is the perfect dress for treating yourself to a full meal and still feeling se...
No Cares Maxi Dress Green
Stretchy flowy maxi dress with an open slit. It’s very open and revealing in the chest area which is great for those hot summer nights you want to make even hotter.
HELLO MOLLY Explore The Colours Maxi Dress Red
I'm a plant girly and these earrings were too cute to pass up. I love a good stud earring and these standout beautifully. They're also comfortable to wear during those moments at the beach where my hair is all over the place.
Kalo Earring, Gold
I love these shoes! They are so comfortable and can withstand many miles. I was very impressed not just with the look of these shoes but the quality too. I’m typically a 7.5 US and bought a size 39.
Veja Campo Sneaker - White Natural Suede
This was the perfect hat for my summer Italian getaway. Most bucket hats are too floppy and I knew I wanted something beachier and less of a fedora. This hat was absolutely perfect. The inside is adjustable for tightness. And the hat folds making pac...
Cloche Bucket Hat
I love this top! The dark green is such a beautiful shade. The satin material feels dressy enough for a vacation in Italy. And the top gives just enough lift. I’m a size 34b and wore size small.
Calzedonia Push Up Swimsuit Shiny Satin - Dark Green
These bottoms are so cute with the matching top! Typically I wear string bottoms, but I love the ruffled sides and the supportive fabric. These bottoms help make my tushy look lifted and has the perfect amount of coverage that fits snug and not like ...
Calzedonia String Brazilian Swimsuit Bottom Shiny Satin - Dark Green
I love these tanks! I've bought three already just to rotate them. They were perfect for Italy pairing with shorts or high waisted pants. Can't beat the price. Wore size small for reference.
EFAN Crop Tops Tank Tops Racerback - White
These shorts were a great find! The print is even prettier in person. The material is so nice and flowy and they fit true to size. Being 5'7, I love that they weren't too short and were great for walking around Cinque Terre. I couldn't have asked for...
BEAUDRM High Waist Flowy Shorts, Wide Leg
I love this swimsuit! The color is gorgeous and had the perfect wine shade to stay in theme. I'm a big fan of triangles and this one fit great. The gold detail elevates this swimsuit. I made use of this suit twice, once at the beach in Monterosso and...
Calzedonia Triangle Swimsuit Top Minimal Fit - Cherry Red
I love thongs. They just made my butt look better. These string bottoms from Calzedonia do just that. They don't bunch or sag. They're secure. They're flattering. I couldn't say anything better. Calzedonia always comes through. Wore size small for re...
Calzedonia String Thong Swimsuit Bottoms Minimal Fit - Cherry Red
I love these wide leg pants. They’ve become a travel go-to perfect for long walking and soft enough to sit on a train for several hours. The length is spot on. I paired these pants with the blue and white striped sweater vest. I’m 5’7. Purchased colo...
And Now This Women's Pleat-Front Wide-Leg Soft Pants
Same pants as the pleat-front wide leg but in black. When something works I like to buy in every color.
And Now This Women's Pleat-Front Wide-Leg Soft Pants - Black
My outfit was complete with tortoise shell YSL sunglasses. These rounded sunnies have just the right amount of almost cat-like effect which I find most flattering for my face shape.
SL M148 | Saint Laurent | YSL NL
I love these bags from Uniqlo. The material is perfect for getting wet and easy to clean. I have the off-white color, but any shade would look cute with these outfits. On my way from Manarola to Monterosso for a beach day, I took this bag for just my...
Round Mini Shoulder Bag | UNIQLO US
You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Havaianas flip flops. For the beach day in Monterosso, I tucked these inside a shoe bag and slipped them into my Uniqlo bag while I traveled from Manarola, stopping at Vernazza for some views along the way. T...
Havaianas Slim Flip Flops - Black
If you're like me – when you love something you buy it in every color. This crochet cover up looks and fits just as good in beige.
Women Crochet Beach Tank Dress Coverup
Sold from Cupshe, if you have Macys coupons this coverup is a great buy. I bought directly from Macys since availability can differ. The fit is great. Looks so pretty on.
Women's Knit Sleeveless Cutout Mini Cover-Up Beach Dress
Sophisticated cover up - It feels effortless but still fashionable. Something about the length gives a modelesque vibe. I’m a fan. Wear size small for reference.
DKNY Women's Mesh Maxi Dress Swim Cover-Up
Very comfortable sneakers with padding for long wear use. I love this colorway
New Balance Unisex 9060 Sneakers
These French-made watches are my favorite. The face is small and the band is comfortable. I don't really wear watches so the smaller the better.
Laps Prima Nova Black Watch
Can’t travel without spiritual protection. This evil eye necklace is a go-to whenever I’m wearing gold.
Glowing Energy Evil Eye Mother of Pearl Necklace
My husband got his hands on a Stussy Honolulu tee during our visit. It was a rare find.
Tees | Basic Logo & Seasonal Graphics
Shaka Cheer Decoupage Ornament
More to do
More information about Oahu
Oahu Official Travel Site: Find Vacation & Travel Information
More things to do in Honolulu
Honolulu Hawaii Travel Guide & Vacation Information
You can visit Pearl Harbor and the memorial
Pearl Harbor - Oahu Hawaii
This historic pineapple plantation now attracts families with a train ride & a 3-acre garden maze.
Dole Plantation
The unique profile of Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) sits prominently near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. Hawaii’s most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head State Monu...
Leahi (Diamond Head)
See what else Downtown Honolulu has to offer
Downtown Honolulu
An authentic culinary neighborhood in Honolulu, Oahu, located directly east of Waikiki, west of Kaimuki, and just below Diamond Head
Kapahulu Neighborhood in Honolulu
Learn about snorkeling and scuba diving in Oahu.
Oahu Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
This tour booked quickly so don't sleep on it. In lieu of the tour, we rented a Jeep and drove around the island.
Oahu: Kualoa Ranch Small-Group UTV Raptor Tour 2026 - BOOK NOW
Heard nice things about this performance. It's in the heart of Waikiki near the shops and accessible to get around.
'Auana by Cirque du Soleil at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel 2026 - Honolulu - BOOK NOW
Highly recommended luau experience with great food and fun entertainment for all ages.
Honolulu Mauka Warriors Luau 2026 - BOOK NOW
What a charming experience. I thought the ocean would be too cold and choppy to enjoy during the ond of October. Waves were already picking up and I get motion sickness easily. But looks like fun for those who aren't sensitive to a lot of things LOL.
Waikiki Turtle Canyon Guided Snorkel: Turtle Guarantee 2026 - Oahu - BOOK NOW
There are so many incredible beaches. Here are more to discover.
THE 5 BEST Waialua Beaches (2026)
Right next to the Hukilau Marketplace is this center with more to do and learn about the culture.
Polynesian Cultural Center