Beyond the 48: A Family Surf Trip to Oahu, Hawaii

What this episode covers

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.