Curator’s statement
I’m often asked where my favorite places are to travel to, and without a doubt Hawai'i is at the top of the list. Hawai'i offers the absolute best of all tropical environments - cerulean blue waters, golden (and black, green, and red) beaches, vibrant sunsets, rich culture, volcanoes and emerald green mountains. Each island offers something unique and there are never-ending adventures to embark on. Having been to all the major Hawaiian Islands (some multiple times), I am always in awe of the incredible beauty and ecological diversity to be discovered there.
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Things to do in Hawai'i
Pa'iloa Beach, a black sand beach on the Road to Hana in Maui.
The Big Island
Dive Shop: Jack’s Diving Locker - the OG dive shop on the island.
Manta Night Dive or Snorkel: Dive with Manta Rays swimming and swooping around you at night!
Blackwater Dive: Float over thousands of feet of ocean and experience deep sea creatures' nightly migration to the surface.
Lava tube/Reef diving: The most beautiful lava tube and coral formations! Discover so many different creatures to include everything from colorful endemic fish to large tiger sharks.
Adventure:
Mauna Kea Stargazing (note: if diving make sure to adhere to the guidance, waiting 18 hours before going up the mountain, which is almost 14k above sea level)
Fun fact: Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world if measured from its base at the bottom of the ocean, coming in at 33.5k feet tall!
Visit Kilauea Volcano Park: An active volcano where you can experience lava flows first-hand and learn more about nature’s beauty and power.
Hilo day trip with waterfall hike: Drive over to the other side of the island to visit Hilo. There you can shop at charming farmer markets, visit Honomu Goat Dairy farm and explore the gorgeous waterfall at Akaka State Park.
Maui
Dive Shop: Extended Horizons (out of Lahaina)
Check out the Cathedral dives: Closer to the island of Lanai. You can dive inside these tubes and discover how the formations and light look like the inside of a church. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
Malakuna Crater (far side): The quintessential Maui dive, however diving the far side of the crater offers stronger currents and more pelagic life. See black mantas, hammerheads and tiger sharks. This is for the more advanced divers.
Shore Dives in Wailea: One of my favorite aspects of Maui is the easy access to shore dives. These tend to be more shallow dives with tons of macro life to see, like finding colorful and unusual nudibranchs.
Adventure:
Take a day trip on the Road to Hana (North Shore) - the best road trip you will ever experience! Take a full day to explore the iconic road through Maui’s north shore. Stop along the way at waterfalls, fresh fruit stands, insanely beautiful beaches and secret hiking paths.
Explore Charley Young Beach - Chill beach perfect for sunsets in Kihei. This beach is free and easy to access.
“Big” (and “little”) Beaches - Big Beach is a public beach perfect for a day of sunbathing in Wailea. Hike over the rock wall to Little Beach for those looking for a clothing-optional experience.
Kauai
Poipu, on the south shore, is the best location on the island for diving. Dive shops there offer zodiac dives and shore dives. I love any chance to zodiac dive and do backroll entries! This location has not only the most turtles (Honu) I’ve ever seen on a dive, but also the most enormous. They were so big they often looked like rock boulders! If you are a turtle lover, this is the ultimate dive for you.
Adventure:
Surf Hanalei Bay and Tunnels Beach: Great beginner to advanced breaks to learn on. Check out Aloha Surfing School for lessons or rentals.
Paddleboard or canoe on the Wailua River: This is a half-day adventure that can be either self-guided or can be booked by a professional guide. The river offers many different branches to explore and swimming holes to cool off in.
Explore the Maniniholo Dry Caves near Ha’ena Beach Park: These can be self-guided. Or you can book a guided tour of the area to learn more about the caves and the special place they hold in Hawaiian culture.
Take a Napali coast helicopter ride: The Napali coast is the quintessential Hawaiian landscape. The mountains rise sharply from the ocean and have to be experienced either from air, sea or land.
Oahu
Helicopter Diving: Trident Adventures is owned by former Navy SEALs. They offer dives with helicopter entries! This is definitely on my bucket list for the next time I am on Oahu.
Free-dive with sharks: One Ocean Diving offers free diving with tiger sharks. Take the opportunity to learn more about these fascinating creatures while experiencing them up close.
Adventure:
North Shore Surfing: For beginners, check out Pua’ena Beach Park. There are plenty of surf shops in the area for lessons and to rent boards.
Sunrise crater hike: Climb the stairs at Diamond Head (a dormant volcano) in Honolulu to see the sunrise. This is a self-guided adventure. Takes in total about 1–2 hours.
Pillbox Hike: A self-guided hike with access info on all trails. This hike is special since you can check out WWII bunkers with an incredible view of Lanai's beach. This is a half-day adventure.
Dole Plantation: The official Dole plantation, which offers tours and an amazing gift shop with the best fresh pineapple ever! You can also ship a fresh pineapple to your friends and family back home as a sweet treat from yourundefinedtrip.
Places to eat & drink in Hawai'i
Coconut weather station at On The Rocks Kona
On the Rocks in Kona - Beautiful views of the Kona harbor with famous Mai Tais and live music.
Morimoto Maui: In the Andaz hotel next to the beach with an elevated dining experience and amazing sushi.
AMA Hanalei Ramen: Casual ramen restaurant with a great selection and beautiful outdoor vibes.
Matsumoto's Shave Ice in Haleiwa: The place that put shave ice on the map and a perfect refreshment after a day of surfing the North Shore.
Need to know
The best way to experience getting around the islands is to rent a Jeep Wrangler and take the top off!
Travel Advisor
Felipe Buzaid
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For more inspiration and travel recommendations, check out our Hawai'i page.