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Planning a Trip to Hawaii: DOs and DON’Ts (2024)

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Planning a trip to Hawaii is something many people dream of. With its stunning beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and lush green hills, it’s one of the most beautiful places we’ve visited but also the most expensive.

While we do think the islands are worth the high price, to make the most of your stay, it’s essential to plan in advance.

In this post, we share our top Hawaii travel tips to show you how to plan a trip to Hawaii that’s perfect for you.

We’ll cover how many days you need in Hawaii, which island to visit, where to stay, the top activities, what you must book in advance, and everything else you need to know.

Video: Hawaii Travel Tips

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Since November 1, 2023, West Maui has been open for travel again (except most of Lahaina, which will remain closed indefinitely) after the devastating wildfire in Lahaina in August 2023.

Visitors to Maui are now encouraged, but please be mindful and respectful of the tragedy that everyone on the island has been impacted by.

Travel to other islands in Hawaii is unaffected.

If you’d like to donate money to support Maui’s recovery, consider the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund .

For more information about the ongoing situation, see the Hawaii Tourism Authority website .

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The average stay in Hawaii is about 7 days. I think this is a good minimum time for a trip, although 10-14 days is better if you want to visit multiple islands.

Some visitors do visit Hawaii for 4-5 days, but it’s a long way from the US mainland (or anywhere!) for a short trip, and you’ll spend the first few days adjusting to the time zone change. That said, if it’s all you can manage, it’s better than no time in Hawaii!

If you have a week for your Hawaii vacation, I recommend choosing just one island to visit. See below to find the best Hawaiian island for you.

If you have 10 days in Hawaii, I recommend starting with 3 days in Oahu and then visiting Maui or Kauai for a week.

Choosing the best island to visit is one of the most challenging parts of planning a trip to Hawaii. They are all diverse with lots to offer, so it just depends what you are looking for.

Most visitors to Hawaii visit one of these four islands:

Oahu is by far the most visited and developed Hawaiian island. It’s home to the large city of Honolulu, which includes the famous and very crowded Waikiki Beach (where most visitor accommodation is located).

Oahu offers the most choice of shopping, dining, and nightlife, so if you want to combine city and beach life, this is the best island for you.

It’s also by far the easiest place to manage without renting a car (although I still recommend it). If you stay in Waikiki, you can walk to the beach and many shops, restaurants, and activities.

You can also take tours, Ubers, or the Trolley Bus to nearby attractions including the Pearl Harbour memorial.

Oahu’s North Shore offers a much more relaxed vibe with beautiful beaches and huge waves for surfing in the winter.

Oahu is easy to fit into Hawaii vacations as Honolulu International Airport offers the most flights from the mainland US and international destinations.

Our favourite activities in Oahu are:

• Taking a helicopter ride around the island for stunning views. We recommend the one hour doors off tour with Rainbow Helicopters from Honolulu.
• Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay (be sure to book).
• Relaxing on the Windward Coast beaches especially Waimānalo and Kailua.

See our 7 Day Oahu itinerary for many more tips.

Where to stay in Oahu: Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore is our favourite place we’ve stayed in all of Hawaii! It is seriously dreamy with incredible ocean views, isolated beaches (with turtles!), stylish rooms, and plenty to do. It feels a world away from Waikiki.

Maui is the second most visited island and is a popular honeymoon destination.

It has gorgeous beaches, world-class whale watching, and the Road to Hana drive where you can see waterfalls, bamboo forest, and black sand beaches.

You can also watch the sun rise above a volcanic crater and visit wineries and lavender farms in Upcountry.

There’s a wide range of resorts, dining, shopping, and activities as well as natural attractions.

Our favourite activities in Maui are:

• Staying overnight in Hana (we love Hana Kai Condos ) to explore popular sights like Waianapanapa without the crowds.
• Whale watching from Lahaina. We saw an incredible amount of humpbacks on our small group boat trip with Makai Adventures (up and running in a new location).
• Relaxing on the beaches of West Maui (with turtle sightings!).

See our Maui itinerary for more tips.

Where to stay in Maui: Kahana Reef has affordable, oceanfront condos on the west coast. We saw whales, turtles, and incredible sunsets from our lanai.

The Big Island (officially called Hawaii) is the youngest Hawaiian island, so it’s not as green as the other islands and has more lava landscapes.

If you want to see an active volcano, this is the island to visit.

It’s the largest island with diverse landscapes from white sand beaches to snow-capped volcanoes.

Our favourite activities on the Big Island are:

• Night snorkel with manta rays. We got incredibly close to these magnificent and huge creatures on our manta trip with Sea Quest .
• Snorkelling at Kealakekua Bay and Two Step .
• Kilauea Iki Trail  – Hiking into a volcanic caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

See our guide to the best things to do on the Big Island for more tips.

Where to Stay on the Big Island: You’ll want to divide your time between the west and east on this large island. Our favourite area was Volcano, where we adored this peaceful cabin in the rainforest . It’s very different from the rest of Hawaii.

Known as The Garden Isle, Kauai is the most lush and green of the islands.

Kauai has become more popular, but it isn’t as developed as Maui or Oahu.

The jagged green cliffs of the stunning Napali Coast are the big draw, but there are also lovely beaches, waterfalls, hiking trails, and multi-coloured canyons.

Our favourite activities in Kauai are:

• Admiring Kauai from above – Our Kauai doors off helicopter ride was spectacular.
• Sailing the Napali Coast – The massive sea cliffs are stunning and we saw whales, dolphins and turtles on the way.
• Seeing turtles and seals on Poipu Beach .

See our post on the best things to do on Kauai for many more.

Where to stay in Kauai: We loved our condo at Kiahuna Plantation on a beautiful beach in Poipu.

Less Visited Hawaiian Islands

If you are looking to get off the beaten track, you could consider visiting one of these smaller, much less visited islands (we haven’t made it to either yet but hope to next time):

• Molokai – Known as The Friendly Isle, on Molokai you’ll find a slow pace of life and more native Hawaiians, but less choice of accommodation and activities. It’s also home to the leper colony of Kalaupapa, which I became fascinated with after reading a couple of these Hawaii books .
• Lana’i – For many years Lana’i was a pineapple plantation and it’s now home to a few luxury resorts like the stunning Four Seasons Lana’i . If you want to enjoy the secluded beaches without the high price tag, the ferry from Lahaina on Maui only takes an hour, so you could visit on a day trip.

Which Side of the Island?

The character of each island also depends on which part you visit.

All the islands have a rainy side where the scenery is lush and green and a dry side where you’ll usually get more sun.

They are both worth visiting, which is why we split our island stays between two or three locations.

Where We Visited in Hawaii

We had 3.5 weeks on our first Hawaiian vacation (in January/February) and divided our time between Kauai and Maui, with one night in Honolulu before our onward flight.

There’s so much to do on each island that we’re glad we didn’t try to add in an extra island.

On our second 3 week Hawaii trip (in October), we spent a week on Oahu (but could have stayed longer) and two weeks on the Big Island.

We love all four of the major Hawaii islands, but our personal favourite is Kauai for the rugged green mountains and more laidback vibe.

There’s no bad time to visit Hawaii as it’s warm year-round, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 75ºF (24ºC), even in winter. Each season has its pros and cons.

To See Humpback Whales—Visit in Winter

We were astounded by how many whales we saw in Maui in February. January to March are the best months for whale watching, but you might see a few from November to May.

Winter weather in Hawaii is cooler and rainier than the rest of the year, but we still had mostly sunny days. The ocean is warm enough to swim year-round.

Winter is also the best time for serious surfers, with huge swells on the north shores (especially Oahu).

Christmas and New Year are some of the busiest times on the islands, so avoid them if you are on a budget (and book well in advance).

To Save Money—Visit in the Off-Season

In the spring (April and May) and autumn (September to mid-November), the islands are less crowded (relatively), prices are lower, and the weather is generally good. It can be very rainy on Kauai in April, though. 

For Snorkelling—Visit in Summer

The summer, from June to September, is the best time for snorkelling in Hawaii. The ocean is clearer, calmer, and warmer.

The shoulder months can be good, too—we found snorkelling better in October than in February. This does vary by island.

• Save up – Hawaii is expensive and you’ll enjoy it more if you aren’t worrying about every penny. On our first trip, we spent $267 per person per day (travelling as a couple), including everything except flights from the mainland US. You could spend less by travelling in the off-season, choosing non-beachfront accommodation, and skipping pricey tours. You could also spend a lot more by staying in luxury resorts and eating out for every meal.

• Book your accommodation far in advance – Especially if you are travelling in the high season, want an ocean view, or are travelling to places like Hana or Upcountry on Maui where accommodation is limited. You can search for resorts and hotels on Booking and vacation rentals on Vrbo .
• Consider a condo rather than a resort – For families, stays of a week or more, and for those on a budget, renting a condo with a kitchen is a great way to save money. There are many to choose from and some have resort facilities like pools and beachfront locations. We mostly stay in condos and Kiahuna Plantation on Poipu Beach in Kauai is one of our favourites. Vrbo is a great way to find condos.
• Split your stay – If you want the classic Hawaiian resort experience but can’t afford it for your whole trip, divide your time between a condo and a resort. We did this in Oahu—staying in a condo in Waikiki for 4 nights while we explored the south, then relaxing at gorgeous Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore for the last 3 nights.

• Camp if you are on a tight budget – It’s not for everyone, but if you don’t mind roughing it, camping is the cheapest way to experience Hawaii. There are some beautiful campsites at beaches and state parks, although you usually need to get permits in advance. See this guide to camping in Hawaii for more tips.
• Search on Kiwi or Skyscanner for the best flight deals – You need to get on a plane to reach Hawaii. The cheapest rates will be from Los Angeles or other West Coast USA cities. Southwest now flies to Hawaii at low rates. You can also get affordable flights from Canada and Japan to Honolulu.
• Fly in and out of different islands – Maximise your time on the islands by flying into one island (such as Kauai) and out of another (such as Maui). I was surprised by how many affordable direct flights there are from the US mainland to places other than Honolulu.
• Rent a car – It’s the best way to see Hawaii and often there’s no other way to reach parts of the islands. At busy times rental cars can run out, so book far in advance. We use Booking.com Car Rentals to find the best deal and just book the cheapest economy car.
• Travel between islands by plane – There are no ferries between islands (except from Maui to Lana’i) so you’ll need to hop on an interisland flight. Most are operated by Hawaiian Airlines and are affordable and short (20 to 50 minutes).
• Consider splitting your time between two or three locations on each island – If you want to do a lot of exploring, this will help avoid long drives to attractions. We’ve done this on all four main islands and it worked out well.

• Book Haleakala sunrise in advance – If you want to see Maui’s most popular sunrise, you must book up to 60 days in advance . If you miss out, try again two days before when more tickets are released.
• Make reservations for some state parks – Non-Hawaii residents need to book in advance for certain parks and pay an entrance and parking fee. These include Haena State Park in Kauai, Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana in Maui, ‘Iao Valley in Maui, and Diamond Head in Oahu. Time slots are released 30 days in advance. Book as soon as possible as they do sell out.
• Pack a sweater – While most of the time you’ll only need summer clothes, it can get chilly on morning boat trips or if you go to higher elevations (like Upcountry in Maui or Waimea Canyon on Kauai) especially in the winter. Sunrise at Haleakala, Maui and sunset at Mauna Kea on the Big Island are freezing and you’ll appreciate as many layers as possible. See the end of this post for more tips on what to pack for Hawaii. 
• Learn a few Hawaiian words – Even if it’s just Aloha (hello and goodbye but also love and compassion) and Mahalo (thank you). I picked up vocabulary by reading the astounding novel Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport (which I highly recommend every visitor reads).
• Book restaurants in advance – Upscale restaurants do fill up, so make reservations for anywhere you definitely want to eat (including at resorts). A few weeks in advance should be fine but places like Duke’s on Waikiki Beach book up months ahead. People tend to eat early in Hawaii (around 6pm) so it’s easier to get later reservations.
• Bring cash for tipping – While you can add a tip to your credit card in restaurants, it’s important to have cash for tour guides, valets, and resort staff. If you’re not American, familiarise yourself with tipping etiquette. We tipped 20% in restaurants and sit down bars, $10-20 per person for tours (including for helicopter pilots), $5 for valet attendants (when the car was returned), and around $2-3 a day for hotel housekeeping.
• Plan to visit more than one island per week – You’ll spend too much of your precious Hawaii vacation time travelling and there’s so much to do on each island. While interisland flight times are short, airport security queues can be long (especially out of Honolulu) or flights delayed.
• Forget hidden fees – The listed price for hotels and resorts is rarely what you’ll actually pay. You’ll have to add tax and often a resort fee, cleaning fee (for condos), and parking charge. Check the final total price when comparing accommodation options.
• Visit during holidays – Try to avoid the busiest times of year, especially Christmas and New Year when crowds and prices soar. Thanksgiving week is another busy period. Avoid special events like Iron Man on the Big Island in October. If you must visit then, book far in advance.
• Stay on the beach (maybe) – If you are on a tight budget, you’ll save by staying a short walk or drive from the beach. That said, we often splurge on beachfront accommodation and love it.

• Read novels set in Hawaii – Learn more about Hawaii’s fascinating culture and turbulent history by reading one of these books about Hawaii while you relax on the beach.
• Schedule your most important activities early – Weather can change and cancel activities like boat trips and helicopter rides, so make sure you’ll have time to reschedule.
• Book Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oahu two days in advance – If you want to snorkel at this popular beach, you must make a reservation here at exactly 7am Hawaii Standard Time two days before your visit. Slots sell out in minutes. Tickets are $25. It’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

• Use reef-safe sunscreen – Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreen that uses coral-harming chemicals (oxybenzone and octinoxate). You need a product that uses zinc oxide instead, like this Raw Elements sunscreen . Honestly, it’s a pain to apply, but it’s surprisingly water resistant, and it’s worth it to protect the reefs. Longs Drugs and ABC Stores are good places to pick up all your beach supplies on the islands.

• Wear a rashguard – Even better than sunscreen is to protect your skin by wearing a rashguard in the water, especially when snorkelling.

• Sign up to the Snorkel Report on Maui – You’ll get an email every morning with tips on the best beaches to visit that day. They also rent inexpensive snorkelling and beach gear.
• Check the Hawaii Beach Safety website – To find out which beaches are safe for swimming or best for surfing.
• Go whale watching – It was one of our favourite experiences in Hawaii. We chose a small boat trip with Makai Adventures from Lahaina in Maui and loved it so much we went twice. You can see whales on most of the islands— search for whale watching trips in Hawaii here .
• Hike – All the islands have beautiful trails from easy coastal walks to challenging multi-day treks. It’s a great free way to enjoy the beauty of the islands.

• Rent a Tommy Bahama beach chair and umbrella – Our condos came with these, but you can rent them on the islands inexpensively. They have backpack straps for easy carrying and make beach hopping much more comfortable.
• Bring or rent snorkel gear – If you have space in your luggage, bring your own snorkel and mask. If not, rent it for the length of your stay from a service like Snorkel Bob’s (as we did on the Big Island). I appreciated being able to take a look at the reef whenever we went to the beach.
• Visit a farmer’s market – The fresh produce is usually cheaper and better quality than the supermarkets and there are lots of tasty treats and foodie souvenirs to enjoy.
• Cool off with shave ice – This delicious icy treat is so much better than we expected. Add a scoop of macadamia ice cream on the bottom for maximum tastiness. Our favourites are Waikomo Shave Ice on Kauai and Original Big Island Shave Ice Co on the Big Island.

• Enjoy a Mai Tai on the beach – Touristy yes, but it’s a classic Hawaii experience and these tasty rum cocktails come in cool Tiki glasses.
• Try Li Hing Mui – This dried plum is sweet, salty, and sour. It’s very popular in Hawaii (originating from China), and you can find them whole for snacking (a bit much for me) or as a flavour for many treats. It’s my new favourite shave ice flavour (especially combined with lilikoi/passionfruit and pineapple).
• Drive the Road to Hana on Maui – Most people do this in one day, but we loved spending a few nights in Hana to explore without the crowds.

• Eat all the banana bread – Especially in the Hana area, homemade banana bread sold at farm stalls is so good.
• Indulge in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts – We were addicted to the ones by Moana Loa.
• Let local drivers pass you – They know the winding roads better than you and drive at a faster pace, so pull over and let them pass.
• See Kauai from above – Our doors-off helicopter trip on Kauai was mind-blowing and it’s the best island for a scenic flight. Our Oahu helicopter tour was also amazing. Search for scenic helicopter flights on other Hawaiian islands here .

• Eat in restaurants for every meal – Restaurants are expensive and by self-catering in our condo we saved a huge amount of money. Even if you don’t have a kitchen, you can pick up a pre-made picnic lunch from a supermarket and enjoy it on the beach. Some of our tastiest meals were from food trucks which are far cheaper than restaurants. Hana in Maui and Hanalei in Kauai had the best selection of trucks.
• Underestimate the ocean – Conditions can be dangerous and change quickly and drownings do happen. If you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t swim.
• Turn your back on the ocean – Huge waves can come out of nowhere when you are swimming or even walking along the shore.
• Fight a rip current –  If you get caught in a current, keep calm, float, and wave for help. Go with the current and conserve your energy.
• Touch sea turtles or monk seals – You are likely to come across wildlife on the beaches, but it’s illegal to get too close or touch them.
• Feed fish or other wild animals.

• Trespass – Please respect private property. While all beaches are open to the public, they don’t all have public access routes.
• Litter – Don’t leave anything behind on beaches or hiking trails.
• Park illegally – Respect “no parking” signs and don’t stop on the side of the road. This has become a real problem on the Road to Hana in Maui in particular.
• Steal any rocks or sand .
• Touch or step on coral – Be mindful of where your fins are when snorkelling.
• Leave valuables in your car – And keep any luggage hidden out of sight in the trunk. Rent a mid-size car rather than a compact one (we found these didn’t have an enclosed trunk).
• Laugh at the hula – It’s not just a dance for tourists, but a serious part of local culture.
• Refuse a lei (flower garland) – It’s a symbol of affection and Aloha so wear it with gratitude and don’t take it off in front of the person who gave it to you.
• Wear shoes into someone’s house .
• Rush – Don’t feel the pressure to do everything. Make sure you allow time just to relax by the pool or on the beach. Slow down and enjoy these beautiful islands.

The weather is warm year-round in Hawaii so pack lightweight summer clothes—shorts, t-shirts, dresses, a couple of bathing suits, and a beach cover-up. 

I’m a big fan of PrAna for summer dresses and swimwear. 

There’s no need to pack formal clothes as Hawaii is very casual. 

I do recommend packing one set of warmer clothes for visiting places at higher elevations or boat trips in winter. A pair of jeans or leggings plus a lightweight fleece or sweater should be fine. 

If you are planning on sunrise at Haleakala in Maui or stargazing at Mauna Kea on the Big Island, it can be freezing, so add more layers and perhaps a packable down jacket if you have one (I like the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody). 

We spend most of our time in Hawaii wearing hiking sandals—they are perfect for beaches and hikes. Many beaches have rough access trails so you’ll appreciate something more than flip-flops.

We both love Teva sandals which are very comfortable for hiking and most models are waterproof so are great for kayaking. Simon likes the Teva Fi Lite sandals and I have the Teva Verra sandals .

I also had a pair of ballet flats for a dressier option for the evenings. My current favourites are the super comfy Allbirds Tree Breezers —see my Allbirds flats review for details. 

For running, I wear the light, breathable Allbirds Tree Dashers .  

Other Useful Items

• Reef-safe sunscreen – Avoid sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate which have been banned in Hawaii. 
• Reusable shopping bags – Plastic bags are banned on the islands.
• Spices – If you are self-catering, you’ll save money by bringing a small amount of spices with you. We bought some at the bulk-buy section of a supermarket on the mainland.
• Water bottle – Avoid creating plastic waste by packing a reusable water bottle. We like the Vapur water bottle as it’s light and packs flat when empty. 
• Packable daypack – These backpacks fit in your luggage on the trip over and are useful for hikes and exploring. 
• Packing cubes – We swear by these as they keep your clothes organised and easy to find in your luggage. 
• Quick-dry beach towel – These lightweight towels dry faster than traditional towels and sand shakes off them more easily. 
• Compact binoculars – There’s so much wildlife to see in Hawaii including whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, and birds. The tiny Olympus 8 x 21 RCII waterproof binoculars were ideal for getting a closer look.

Yes, I think Hawaii is well worth visiting! While it is expensive and can be crowded, there’s something about that stunning scenery and relaxing vibe that entices many of us to visit again and again.

I hope this blog post helps you with how to plan a trip to Hawaii. Let me know if you have any questions and share your Hawaii travel tips in the comments below.

We share more of our Hawaii tips in these posts:

• The Perfect 7 Day Oahu Itinerary
• A Doors Off Oahu Helicopter Tour: Everything You Need to Know
• 25 Best Things to Do in Maui
• The Ultimate Maui Itinerary: The Best of Maui in 7 to 14 Days
• 17 Stunning Road to Hana Stops & Why You Should Stay in Hana, Maui
• Where to Stay in Kauai: The Best Areas and Hotels
• 17 Unmissable Things to Do in Kauai
• A Doors Off Helicopter Tour on Kauai: Is It Worth it?
• 14 Best Beaches in Kauai
• 23 Unmissable Things to Do on the Big Island
• 9 Best Books About Hawaii to Read Before You Visit

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16 Comments

Your review made no mention of exploring the art museum & palace.

These 2 spots are essential visits in Oahu. Exploring how Hawaiian islands last provincial part of royal hawaiian culture just before annexation to the United States as a territory, and later a state is fascinating. The art museum and also Duke Mansion have extremely rare & valuable originals of some of the most revered artists in varying mediums. Picasso, Monet, Rembrant, Matisse, Van gough, O’keife. Really disappointing it is not even mentioned here. I have visited Hawaiian Island more than 10 + times. They are essential stops.

Reply ↓

Thanks for the suggestions, Susanne. Everyone has different priorities, and for us, with limited time in Honolulu, we preferred to focus on the amazing outdoor attractions.

I do think it’s important to learn about Hawaii’s history and culture so I’ve read a lot of books about it.

This is so helpful and thorough! I have been clicking back and forth to different articles. Thank you for putting your time in to such a great resource.

I’m glad you found it useful! Thanks Jennifer for the kind words!

Hi!! Do you have any recommendations on phone/data plans for internationals?💕

We’re currently in the US and are using T Mobile. Simon got an unlimited data plan for $50 a month and bought the SIM in advance from SIM Corner while we were in New Zealand (they ship from various countries).

That was useful as it meant we had the SIM as soon as we arrived (most airports don’t seem to have places to buy SIMs).

I just went into a T-Mobile shop to buy mine and got the cheapest plan of $15 for 2.5GB data valid for 30 days. Plus $10 for the SIM card. All plans have unlimited domestic talk and text.

If you look in the trucks at Farmers Markets….many of the boxes are from COSTCO. If you plan to self-cater, shop at COSTCO first and then Walmart if the island your visiting has one.

Do you know if the Covid restrictions would prevent people from renting a car and doing their own circle tour. These tours are outrageously expensive for only 15 mins at each location. I could easily just use our rental car and take our time seeing what we want to see. So my question is will the State of Hawaii only allow these pricey tours right now because of Covid? For example, I don’t want to drive to see the Halona Blowhole only to find out we can’t get near it because of certain restrictions.

You are allowed to rent a car (as long as you don’t have to quarantine which you shouldn’t if you get a test before arrival) so there’s no reason not to drive yourself. There is high demand for car rentals in Hawaii at the moment (many rental companies sold off cars last year) so book as far in advance as possible.

Hi! Thank you for this article it was very helpful. For the sunrise mountain in Maui, I saw the reservations is per car. Do you drive all the way up or hike? I will be traveling with some older people (70+), so trying to understand the feasibility? Thank you!

Yes, it is per car. You drive all the way up and don’t have to walk more than a few minutes from the carpark to the viewpoint. There are optional hiking trails around for post-sunrise, but it’s still stunning without any walking.

Thank you for the tips to “Bring reusable shopping bags” and “Schedule your most important activities early”. Very good points to keep in mind.

I love that Hawaii has so many places that offer to rent (folding) beach chairs! I find that option sorely missing from the islands in the Caribbean. In fact, I ended up buying an inexpensive beach chair from Wal-mart when we were in Puerto Rico this past winter.

What about tent camping, is that not a viable alternative to the high priced lodging?

Yes, that’s definitely the cheapest way to experience Hawaii. It’s not our thing, although we saw the campsite at Waianapanapa State Park on Maui and you can’t beat the location!

I’ve lived on Kauai for over 40 years. While I agree with nearly everything you say in this excellent article, there was one glaring error that any Kauai resident could confirm. Although visiting off season is, indeed, (somewhat) cheaper and certainly less crowded, the weather in April on Kauai (and generally March) is far from excellent. Many, many visitors to Kauai have had their vacations ruined by our relentless April rains (in fact, much of the north shore is still closed from catastrophic rains over a year ago, and a couple of years before that it rained for nearly 40 straight days (okay, maybe not, but any local will swear by it…). April is by far the worst possible month to visit Kauai and it does your readers a digs-service to urge them to do so.

Thanks for the information Bill. I will update the post.

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12 things to know before visiting Hawaii

Dec 12, 2022 • 7 min read

Plan ahead with these top tips to make your vacation to Hawaii the best it can be © Colin Anderson Productions pty ltd / Getty Images

One of the joys of visiting Hawaii is the islands’ pervasive laid-back culture – the lack of pre-planning and freedom from everyday worries is delightful.

Still, you'll have a better visit if you take a few details into consideration before and during your stay. From when to visit and how much to budget to the etiquette surrounding the islands' best beaches and surf breaks, here are some key things to know about traveling to the 50th US state.

1. Decide the best time to go

You can visit Hawaii anytime – the weather is agreeable year-round. It may be a bit rainier in winter and a bit hotter in summer, but there are no extremes because cooling trade winds blow throughout the year.

Although winter (mid-December through mid-April) is the busiest tourist season, that has more to do with the climate elsewhere, as many tourists are snowbirds escaping cold weather back home. Crowds of families take summer vacations from June through August, and rooms are scarce and prices can spike around holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and spring break /Easter.

For the budget-conscious, the slowest times are mid-September through mid-November and the weeks from just after Easter until Memorial Day at the end of May, and you’re more likely to find good deals then on accommodations and airfare. Surfers will find the largest waves in winter, while optimal windsurfing conditions are during summer. Whale-watching tours usually depart between January and March only. 

2. You'll need to make some reservations in advance

Although Hawaii’s hang-loose attitude extends to most facets of life – including making extensive plans in advance –  you might want to book ahead in a couple of instances. For top Honolulu restaurants popular with residents, reserve a table before you arrive in the islands. The free tickets for the boat to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor are scooped up quickly. Reserve online up to 60 days before your visit.

3. Respect Hawaiian culture

Evolving from ancient Polynesian traditions, Hawaiian culture was attacked and suppressed in the two centuries after the arrival of British colonizer Captain Cook in 1778. But beginning with the Hawaiian Renaissance in the 1970s, a rebirth of Native Hawaiian cultural and artistic traditions has taken hold.

Across the islands, both Hawaiian culture–focused charter schools and public schools' Hawaiian-language immersion programs are popular, and traditional arts are experiencing a revival. Ancient heiau (temples) and fishponds are being restored, native forests replanted and endangered birds bred and released back into the wild. 

Today Hawaiian culture is about much more than just melodic place names and luau shows. Being Hawaiian is an important part of the identity of the islands , reflected in ways both large and small, from the inclusion of Hawaiian words in everyday speech to the embrace of concepts of respect and inclusion. Although few island residents can agree on what shape the Hawaiian sovereignty movement should take, its grassroots political activism is increasingly part of the local dialogue.

Dos and don'ts in Hawaii

Good manners in Hawaii revolve around respect and awareness.

• Do use aloha (hello/goodbye and the concept of love and fellowship) and mahalo (thank you). Liberally wave the shaka (Hawaii’s hand greeting sign).
• Do try to correctly pronounce Hawaiian place names and words. Even if you fail, the attempt is appreciated. If you aren’t sure how to say it, ask. Even long names aren’t that hard with a little practice.
• Don’t refer to Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi and Hawaiʻi (the Big Island) as "outer islands" – it's Oʻahu-centric. They’re called "Neighbor Islands."
• Don’t try to speak pidgin – unless you’re really good at it.
• Do ask permission before you pick fruit or flowers from trees on private property.
• Don’t be pushy. You’ll get what you want (this time), but you’ll get no aloha with it.
• Do drive slowly. Residents rarely have far to go, and they drive that way. In fact, do everything slowly.
• Don’t freak out at every gecko and cockroach. It’s the tropics. There are critters.
• Don’t collect (or even move) stones at sacred sites. If you’re not sure whether something’s sacred, consider that in Hawaiian thinking, everything is sacred, especially in nature.
• Don’t stack rocks or wrap them in ti leaves at waterfalls or heiau. This is an adulteration of the Hawaiian practice of leaving hoʻokupu (offerings) at sacred sites – and it’s littering the islands’ fragile environment.
• Don’t get naked (or topless) on the beach unless it’s an unofficial clothing-optional beach. As always, follow the lead of residents.

4. Underdress for success

The casual Hawaii dress code means that T-shirts and flip-flops are ubiquitous, except at Honolulu’s top-tier restaurants and at high-end resorts across the islands. Going fancy means neat, modest attire, which for men usually just means an aloha shirt and slacks.

5. Know your ʻokina

The ʻokina punctuation mark (ʻ) is the Hawaiian language’s glottal stop, which determines the pronunciation and meaning of words. Increasingly, Hawaiʻi (with the ʻokina) is being used for the island of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island), for references to ancient Hawaiʻi and to the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi pre-statehood. Hawaii (without the ʻokina) refers to the US territory that became a state in 1959, although the spelling with the ʻokina is being used for the state and place name more and more.

6. Learn the local surfing etiquette

Residents are usually willing to share surf spots that have become popular tourist destinations, but they reserve the right to protect other "secret" surf grounds. As a newbie in the lineup, don’t expect to get every wave that comes your way. There’s a definite pecking order, and frankly, tourists are at the bottom. That being said, usually if you give a wave, you’ll get a wave in return. Be generous in the water, understand your place and surf with a smile. At famous breaks where surfers can be ferociously territorial, such as Oʻahu’s Banzai Pipeline, ask a local for an introduction. 

7. Be aware of floods

No matter how dry a streambed looks or how sunny the sky above might be, a sudden rainstorm miles away can cause a flash flood in minutes, sending down a huge surge of debris-filled water that sweeps away everything in its path. Always check the weather report before setting out on a hike; this is crucial if you’re planning on hiking through any narrow canyons or swimming in waterfalls or natural pools.

8. Protect your belongings

The islands are notorious for thefts from parked cars, especially rentals (which are obviously tagged with barcode stickers). Thieves can pop a trunk or pull out a door-lock assembly within seconds. They strike not only at trailheads when you’ve gone for a hike, but also at crowded beach and hotel parking lots where you’d expect safety in numbers. 

Do not leave anything valuable in your parked car, ever. If you must do so, then pack all valuables out of sight before arriving at your destination; thieves lurk about to see what you put in the trunk.

9. Stay aware of your surroundings

Stay attuned to the vibe on any beaches at night, even where police patrols are present (eg Waikiki), and in places like campgrounds and roadside county parks, where drug users and gang members sometimes hang out. In rural areas of the islands, there may be pockets of resentment against tourists, so be respectful as you explore off the beaten path. 

10. Avoid scams

The main scams directed toward visitors involve fake activity-operator booths and timeshare booths. Salespeople at the latter will offer you all sorts of deals, from free luaus to sunset cruises, if you’ll just come to hear their "no obligation" pitch. Caveat emptor. 

11. Don’t trespass

Hawaii has strict laws about trespassing on both private land and government land not intended for public use. Trespassing is always illegal, no matter how many other people you see doing it. As a visitor to the islands, it’s important to respect all "Kapu" or "No Trespassing" signs. Always seek explicit permission from the landowner or local officials before venturing onto private or government-owned land that is closed to the public, regardless of whether it is fenced or signposted as such.

12. Watch out for jellyfish

Stings from box jellyfish and Portuguese man-of-war (aka bluebottles) occur in Hawaii’s tropical waters. Even touching a bluebottle hours after it has washed up onshore can result in burning stings.

Box jellyfish are often seen seven to 10 days after a full moon, when they float into Hawaii’s shallow near-shore waters, such as those at Waikiki. When this happens, some public beaches may be closed for safety. The Waikiki Aquarium has a calendar that predicts the presence of box jellyfish.

This article was first published January 2022 and updated December 2022

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The Ultimate Hawaii Packing List

From snorkel sets to sun hats, here's everything you need for a Hawaiian escape.

In This Article

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Packing Checklist for a Hawaii Trip

• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

If you’re considering a trip to Hawaii, you’re in good company. Hawaii tourism has nearly bounced back to its pre-pandemic numbers, and the “Aloha” spirit is alive and well. If you’ve already booked your trip to Hawaii, congratulations. You are in for an unforgettable time on one of the world’s most stunning islands. 

I live in Hawaii and trust me, it’s impossible to accurately describe the beauty of the islands and the friendliness of the locals, but I can tell you what you should pack and what you can definitely leave behind. (Spoiler alert: you do not need fancy sandals or nice dress shoes.)

Use this guide as your ultimate packing checklist for Hawaii. And, of course, make sure to pack your everyday travel essentials like your passport, toiletries, and a favorite book or two.

Each island is unique, and no two people will have the same experience while exploring the state — some will hike the Na Pali Coast in Kauai while others will enjoy fruity drinks at a Maui resort — but anyone can use this as a general guide. If you know you’re more into watching surfers do their thing than exploring historic volcanoes, skip the hiking boots and throw in an extra bathing suit instead. If you’ve got your sights set on the trails, pack an extra set of hiking shorts and leave behind the underwater camera.

• Best Swimsuit: Left on Friday Sunday Top and Hi Hi Bottom 
• Best Board Short: Hurley One and Only Solid Board Short
• Best Swimsuit Cover-up: Vitamin A Playa Linen Boyfriend Shirt
• Best Casual Shorts: Levi’s Women’s 501 Shorts and Men’s Vuori Kore Shorts
• Best Hiking Shorts: Outdoor Voices Women’s Warmup 5-inch Shorts and Men’s High Stride 7-inch Short
• Best Lightweight Layer: REI Co-op Women’s and Men’s Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie  
• Best Sundress: Molerani T-shirt Dress
• Best Flip-flops: Havaianas Top Flip Flops
• Best Sandals: Chaco Women’s and Men’s Zcloud 2 Sandals
• Best Water Shoes: DLGJPA Quick-drying Women’s and Men’s Water Shoes 
• Best Hiking Boots: Columbia Women’s and Men’s Newton Ridge Hiking Boots
• Best Snorkel Set: Zenoplige Adult Snorkel Set
• Best Reef-safe Sunscreen: Sun Bum SPF 50 Vegan and Reef-friendly Sunscreen
• Best Water Bottle: Hydro Flask 40 oz. Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series
• Best Disposable Underwater Camera: Fujifilm Quick Snap Waterproof Camera

Accessories

• Best Sunglasses: Maui Jim Starfish PolarizedPlus2 Sunglasses
• Best Sun Hat: Coolibar Wide Brim Beach Hat
• Best Beach Towel: Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel
• Best Beach Tote: Aloha Collection Day Tripper
• Best Small Cooler: Icemule Collapsible Backpack Cooler

The local “Aloha” spirit of friendliness, ease, and relaxation extends to apparel in Hawaii. Casual, comfortable, and breathable clothes are the name of the game on the islands, and you’ll likely end up with your bathing suit doubling as a top (or bottom) to many of your outfits, whether that was the original plan or not. After all, the Hawaiian shirt has become a staple in many wardrobes thanks to this laidback ethos.

When it comes to swimsuits, make sure you can really move around in your suit choice, as there’s a large chance you’ll end up doing some kind of water activity — again, whether that was the original plan or not. You don’t want to be pulling at your suit while you’re looking into the eyes of a sea turtle or finally catching your first wave. And however many swimsuits you plan on taking, pack one more. You’ll be glad you did.

Best Swimsuit

Left on friday sunday top.

The right bathing suit (or suits) can make or break your trip, so it’s essential to choose one that you can move around in. After all, you’ll likely find yourself snorkeling, swimming, or even attempting to surf, so you want your suit to feel secure. These Left on Friday Hi Hi Bottoms are flattering and activity-approved, while the Sunday Top can easily take you from the ocean to your favorite lunch spot — just add a pair of denim shorts.

Best Board Short

Hurley one and only phantom board short.

The Hurley One and Only Solid Board Shorts are stretchy (read: comfortable), quick-drying, and semi-customizable: You can show as much or as little thigh as you like simply by choosing a length between 28 to 44 inches. The solid pattern makes these board shorts appropriate for lunch in town followed by a dip in the Pacific, and they're made from recycled P.E.T. plastic water bottles, so it's easy to feel good about this purchase.

Best Swimsuit Cover-up

Vitamin a playa linen boyfriend shirt.

There are many swimsuit cover-ups to choose from , but this oversized top from Vitamin A will be your go-to when running out the door for some quick beach time. Pair with the brand's Tallows Linen Shorts over your swimsuit for a breezily casual look that's perfect for your favorite beachside restaurant or toss it in your beach bag for cool sunset evenings.

Best Casual Shorts for Women

Levi's authorized vintage 501 shorts.

If you want to dress like a local, denim shorts are a must, so don’t forget to throw your favorite pair in your bag. If you haven’t found denim shorts you love, we suggest these classic Levi’s 501 Shorts. Slip them over your bathing suit for an easy transition from the beach to your next activity, or pair them with a simple tank for a true local look.

Best Casual Shorts for Men

Vuori kore short.

In the same way that a bikini top can double as a casual top for women, men’s board shorts can double as casual shorts for almost any meal or event you’ll attend in Hawaii. However, if you’re tired of wearing swim trunks around town, we suggest these Vuori Kore Shorts. These breathable shorts include a boxer-brief liner and come in 14 colors, from hazelnut to sea pine.

Best Hiking Shorts for Women

Outdoor voices warmup 5-inch shorts.

Outdoor Voices

If you’re planning on hiking some of Hawaii’s beautiful trails , pack shorts that you can comfortably move and sweat in. Slip on a pair of these Outdoor Voices 5-inch Warmup Shorts before hitting the trails. Not only are they stretchy and comfy, but they feature textured compression that offer plenty of support for any activity. They also feature a waistband pocket that is perfect for storing room keys and credit/debit cards.

Best Hiking Shorts for Men

Outdoor voices high stride 7-inch short.

These High Stride 7-inch Shorts from Outdoor Voices can go from the trail to the smoothie shop with ease, and they include a hidden phone pocket, so while you may not be able to store any snacks in these shorts, you can easily access AllTrails or your favorite travel app while exploring the Hawaiian outdoors.

Best Lightweight Layer

Rei co-op hoodie.

If you’re planning on enjoying Hawaii’s sunsets from the beach (as you should), you don’t want to get chilly and have to cut your viewing short. I knew I would need an extra layer but opted to buy a light sweatshirt from a local shop in Oahu. If you’d rather be prepared, pack at least one lightweight jacket or hoodie like the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie (which comes in an option for women or for men ). This will not only give you an additional layer of warmth, but it will also provide you with additional sun protection.

It’s also worth packing an extra layer (or beach towel) to wrap around you during the almost-daily afternoon showers. A few minutes of rain doesn’t sound like much, but if you’re only in your bathing suit, it gets chilly quickly.

Best Sundress

Molerani molerani t-shirt dress.

If a luau or beachfront dinner sounds more enticing than a multi-day hike, consider packing a sundress or two. While you may not need to pack a dress, a casual sundress like this Molerani T-shirt Dress isn’t a bad idea. It can double as a cover-up for a beach day, or you can dress it up with some jewelry for a nice dinner or sunset cruise.

Hawaii’s laid-back style applies to footwear, as well. Comfort is key, and your trip’s activities will influence your shoe choices. If you plan to spend most of your time at the beach, a pair of Havaianas may be all you need. But if you’re going to split time between exploring sea life and exploring trails, a pair of Chaco’s multi-functional Z/Cloud sandals need to go in your bag.

When packing for my trip, I read multiple packing guides, and almost all of them said not to pack dressy sandals. I love shoes, so I ignored this advice. And my pair of nice leather sandals sat unused for the entire trip. Casual sandals are appropriate for luaus, sunset cruises, and tours, so there’s no need to pack a fancy pair unless you’re staying at a five-star resort or planning a lot of upscale activities. In short, skip the dress shoes and pack water shoes instead. 

Best Flip-flops

Havaianas men's top flip flops.

Havaianas still reign supreme in Hawaii — among both locals and tourists. The Top Flip Flops were named “Best for the Beach” in our most comfortable flip-flop roundup , and while that style can be worn both on men and on women , some may prefer the best-selling women’s Havaianas Slim Flatform Flip Flop for a slightly more refined look.

Best Sandals

Chaco z/cloud 2 sandals.

If you’re looking to hit the beach, shops, and several trails all in the same trip, we recommend these Chaco Z/Cloud 2 Sandals. They come in both a men's and women’s version , and not only did I wear them almost daily for my six-week trip, but we recently named them “Best Durable Sandal” for women and “Best for Water” for men . These sandals are casual, comfortable, and will give you the support you need to hike to some of Hawaii’s most beautiful lookouts . 

Best Water Shoes

Dlgjpa women’s quick-drying water shoes.

While you can certainly wear your Chaco sandals in the ocean, it’s a good idea to pack a water shoe that protects both the top and bottom of your foot, like the DLGJPA Water Shoe. The quick-drying women’s version was our favorite tested water shoe because it offers great protection, has a non-slip bottom, and looks just like a sneaker, so you can easily transition from wading in the water to your next activity. (This style comes in a men's version , too.)

Best Hiking Boots

Columbia women’s newton ridge plus hiking boot.

If you’re lucky enough (and confident enough) to hike the Kalalau Trail along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast , you’re going to need more than just a multi-purpose sandal or sneaker-like water shoe. Even shorter trails, such as the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail in Oahu or the Kilauea Iki Trail on the Big Island, are much easier to tackle when you’re wearing the appropriate footwear. This Columbia Hiking Boot ( for women and for men ) is waterproof, durable, and won’t break the bank (because we know a trip to Hawaii can add up quickly). 

Even though the overall vibe is relaxed and laid-back, Hawaii is still bursting with things to do. While you can likely buy gear once you arrive, it’s better to come prepared. For instance, I did not pack a snorkel set, but I bought one as soon as I saw everyone exploring in the ocean. I also regretted not purchasing an underwater camera, so I ended up buying one at a local shop. On top of that, I had to purchase an additional water bottle because one water bottle full of H2O was not enough to last through a full morning at the beach.

If you’re planning an activity-heavy trip, you might want to also back some ibuprofen, blister bandages , and pain relief patches because your body might not be used to working the muscles required to surf, dive, and hike long distances.

Best Snorkel Set

Zenoplige adult snorkel set.

There are people who love splashing around in the water and those who would prefer to keep their toes in the dry sand. For the former, it’s essential to pack quality snorkeling gear if you plan on checking out some of Hawaii’s beautiful sea life . Before visiting Hawaii, I was one of those people who kept their toes in the dry sand, but once I saw everyone snorkeling, I had Amazon rush-ship one of its best-selling snorkel sets to my vacation rental.

Best Reef-safe Sunscreen

Sun bum original spf 50 sunscreen lotion.

Wearing reef-safe sunscreen while vacationing in Hawaii is essential (and once you see the beauty of the islands, you’ll understand why). Sun Bum earned the “Best Vegan” option in our reef-safe sunscreen tests, and World Surf League professional athlete Kirra Seale trusts it to protect her skin while competing. If you’re trying to stick to carry-on requirements, opt for the 3-ounce version to start and pick up a full-sized bottle upon arrival. You’ll also want to make sure your daily face sunscreen and any SPF-powered lip gloss you pack are reef-safe, as well.

Best Water Bottle

Hydro flask 40 oz. lightweight wide mouth trail series.

Hydro Flask

If you plan on exploring any remote locations (or just don’t want to leave the beach to fetch a drink), you’re going to need a water bottle that will hold a good amount of liquid. After about a week in Hawaii, I bought an additional bottle because I needed much more water than one bottle could provide for a day on the beach. I wish I had packed something like this 40-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask. It’s lightweight, so if you’re planning on hiking or carrying it around all day, you’ll only have to equate for the weight of the actual water — not the water and a heavy water bottle.

Best Disposable Underwater Camera

Fujifilm fujicolor quicksnap marine.

A disposable underwater camera is a fun piece of gear to add to your suitcase if you’re hoping to snap a quick picture of colorful fish in the ocean or just want to make funny faces underwater. While there are many high-end underwater cameras on the market , this disposable one is great for vacationers looking to capture memories above and below sea level.

Whether you’re staying in a vacation rental home for months or spending a week at a resort, you can’t take a trip to the islands without a good pair of sunglasses, a chic and functional hat, and a roomy beach or travel tote . And even if your hotel or rental provides beach towels, it’s worth investing in a sand-resistant towel that you can take with you. 

When packing accessories for your trip, take into consideration any non-beach-related activities, as well. For instance, if you’re renting a car, you may need to pack a portable phone mount for easy navigation. Additionally, a fanny pack or small waterproof bag might be a worthwhile addition to your suitcase if driving down the scenic Hana Highway and stopping to hike to some waterfalls is on your must-do list.

Best Sunglasses

Maui jim starfish 56mm polarizedplus2 cat eye sunglasses.

Maui Jim sunglasses were born in Hawaii, so it’s no surprise that they offer the best, most clear look at the Pacific Ocean. These specific sunglasses have Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 technology , so you’ll see the islands’ vivid colors in sharp detail. I knew Maui Jim’s were great, but when I took off my $10 Target sunglasses and put on my Maui Jim’s, the difference was astounding. Suddenly, I could clearly see the sea turtles, tiny shells, and colorful fish in the shallow water. It was incredible.

Best Sun Hat

Coolibar upf 50+ women's.

The sun shines bright on the islands, so after you pack a pair of quality sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen, and sun-protective clothing , throw a hat in your suitcase, too. I had a baseball cap in my bag at all times, but this Coolibar Wide Brim Beach Hat is a much more fun choice. It was named “Best Overall” in our packable sun hat roundup , and the dermatologist we consulted revealed it’s the one she personally packs for trips.

Best Beach Towel

Tesalate the alchemist beach towel.

A beach towel is a must-pack item, and this Tesalate sand-resistant beach towel is our top recommendation. We tested 35 different beach towels and decided we loved this one the most because it’s lightweight, dries quickly, and won’t take sand back to your rental.

Best Beach Tote

Aloha day tripper.

You'll likely see Aloha Collection beach bags everywhere on the islands — carried by both locals and tourists. These colorful beach totes are water-resistant and have plenty of zippered pockets to keep your belongings sand-free. The brand also makes water-resistant pouches in several colors and sizes, which come in handy when corraling sunscreen bottles and damp bathing suits at the end of a long beach day.

Best Small Cooler

Icemule jaunt 15l soft-sided cooler.

If you’re planning to stay on the beach from morning to night, you’ll need more than just a water bottle and a snack. This small backpack cooler is lightweight, waterproof, and even floats. It was our favorite backpack cooler in our testing because it’s large enough to fit six cans and will keep them cold for up to 24 hours. Plus, when you’re not using it to keep your food and drinks cool, it easily compresses to a smaller, packable size.

While Hawaii experiences warm temperatures throughout the year, if you’re looking for the best weather, schedule your trip between April and October (although, take note that hurricane season can last from June to November). If you’re hoping to save a little money, book a vacation around the “shoulder seasons” in April, May, September, and October. Those hoping to watch pro surfers and or take a whale spotting tour should book a trip during the winter months. The busiest months for tourism are usually June, July, and December, so the best time to visit Hawaii really depends on your preferences.

You can travel relatively lightly for a weeklong trip to Hawaii. Your itinerary will ultimately guide your choices, but generally speaking, three bathing suits, a cover-up (such as a sarong ), a few pairs of shorts and tank tops, a sundress, an extra lightweight layer, and a hiking outfit will more than cover your week’s looks. Throw a pair of multi-functional sandals and your beach accessories in your suitcase, and you’re ready to go. 

The weather cools off when the sun sets on the islands, so even in August, you’ll need an extra layer of clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, hoodie, or light jacket. Also, afternoon rain showers are frequent (but short-lived) in Hawaii, so having a light jacket or additional piece of clothing can make those five minutes of rain more tolerable.

Yes. You will need a car to get around Hawaii, and car rentals can add up, so start saving now. While you can always rent a car from a local car shop or a big-name supplier like Enterprise or Avis, the car rental app Turo is really making a splash in Hawaii. Turo is essentially the Airbnb of cars as this app lets you rent a car from a local Hawaii resident (at a lower price than a standard car rental). I used Turo in Oahu, Maui, and Kauai, and I was not alone — every other tourist I met during my time in Hawaii also used Turo. 

Take note that if you’re going to rent a car without an integrated head-unit, make sure to pack a phone mount so you can safely navigate. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Erin Johnson is a senior commerce editor at PEOPLE and lives in Hawaii. She is always in search of the best beach, and Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu currently holds that title. To compile this ultimate packing list, Erin used her personal experience and spoke with other Hawaii residents who shared their must-haves. She also relied on Travel + Leisure ’s tested data to ensure she only recommended products that either she or the team had personally tested.

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Hawaii Travel Tips: The Top 25 FAQs I Get Asked about Hawaii

You’re planning a trip to Hawaii…wahoo!! How exciting! But it can also be pretty overwhelming…I mean, how do you even know where to start? 

I’ve rounded up the top 25 questions that I get asked about planning a trip to Hawaii and trust me…these are the Hawaii travel tips you NEED.

Hawaii Travel Tips

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make HulaLand possible.

Here’s a quick “table of contents” for what’s in this post:

• How many islands are in the Hawaiian Island chain?
• How big are the islands?
• Which island is best?
• When is the best time to go to Hawaii?
• When is whale season?
• Should I book airfare or accommodations first? And when?
• What’s the time difference?
• What airport to fly into?
• How long is the flight to Hawaii?
• What’s the best airline to fly to Hawaii?
• Any tips for handling the long flight?
• Is the jet lag bad? Tips for dealing with it?
• Should I book a hotel or a condo?
• What are the best hotels on Maui? Kauai? Oahu? Big Island?
• How to save money on hotels?
• Is Airbnb illegal in Hawaii?
• Do I need to rent a car?
• What are the “must do” activities?
• Is (fill in the blank) worth it?
• Do I need restaurant reservations?
• What to pack?
• What’s this about reef safe sunscreen?
• How do you pronounce Hawaiian words?
• Can you give me a quick rundown of Hawaiian history?
• Any local customs or rules I should know?

Early Stages Planning

(1) how many islands are in the hawaiian island chain.

There are four main Hawaiian Islands: 

• Big Island (also Hawaii)

There are two smaller islands near Maui: 

• Lanai 

And there are two other islands that aren’t open to the public: 

Oahu is the main island (home to Honolulu-the state’s capital, Waikiki, and over a million people) but it’s not the “Big Island.”

(2) How big are the islands?

The Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions and the age of each island inversely corresponds to its size (and some of its features). 

Kauai is the oldest island (formed almost 6 million years ago) and also the smallest island. Oahu is the second oldest island and second smallest. Maui is the second youngest island (formed about 1.3 million years ago) and second largest island. And the Big Island comes in as the baby island and the only island with ACTIVE volcanoes which means that it’s still growing!! 

Maui and the Big Island are the only islands where you’ll find the dramatic black sand beaches (formed when lava meets the ocean) because they’re still relatively young. Oahu and Kauai are the islands with the most dramatic green jagged mountains because they’re older and have suffered more erosion. 

So in terms of size: Big Island > Maui > Oahu > Kauai

And in terms of age: Kauai > Oahu > Maui > Big Island

Molokai and Lanai were originally part of Maui but as the islands have sunk, they’ve become three separate islands. 

While there’s a big size difference between Kauai and the Big Island, generally speaking these are not tiny islands like you’ll find in the Caribbean. Going from one end of the island to the other could take hours (both because of their size and also because of a lack of direct roads).

(3) Which island is best?

As far as which island is best or which you should visit, there’s not really a definitive answer. And anyone who gives you one has either only been to that island or has a big bias (my bias is Maui ; ) 

Each island is fairly unique and has a lot to offer. While each island has a handful of attractions (natural or manmade) that you’ll only find on that island, EVERY island has supherb beaches, snorkeling, water sports, resorts, etc. 

In other words, your “dream Hawaiian vacation” can be had on each island. 

If you’re trying to decide which island would be best for YOU, I’ve got a whole post breaking down the different islands here >>> Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?

But here’s a quick rundown: 

Oahu: This is the most visited of the Hawaiian Islands. This is where the capital, Honolulu, is located as well as world famous Waikiki Beach. Pearl Harbor is also on Oahu as well as the north shore surf scene with big breaks like the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay.

Maui: Maui is known as the “honeymooner’s isle” and draws many celebrities looking for peaceful seclusion. Maui is famous for its beautiful beaches, winding Road to Hana, and gorgeous sunrises from the summit of Haleakala. It’s also the best island for whale spotting.

Kauai: Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands and also the smallest. Its most famous sites are the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Kauai is very “country” and feels less developed and spoiled than some of the other islands.

Big Island: The Big Island (also just called “Hawaii”) is…you guessed it…the biggest of the islands. It’s also the newest. Many people mistakenly think that Oahu is the Big Island but we’re talking about two separate islands. This is where you’ll find Hawaii Volcano National Park, the only active volcano in Hawaii.

Lanai: Lanai is a small island off the coast of Maui and is easily accessible as a day trip. You’ll find two Four Seasons on the island but little else. It’s known for its rugged beauty.

Molokai: Molokai is also right off the coast of Maui. Molokai is probably the most “Hawaiian” of all the islands. It’s also the least visited. Its major attraction is Kalaupapa National Historical Park, which was originally established as a leprosy settlement in 1866.

(4) When is the best time to go to Hawaii?

These days most people are planning their vacations around work/school/holiday schedules and generally have an idea about when they’re going to go, but if you’re wide open and trying to pick the best time to go to Hawaii, here are a few things to think about: 

As far as weather goes, Hawaii is pretty temperate year round, but their seasons technically match ours on the mainland. Our summer is their summer and our winter is their winter. 

“Winter” is a relative term in Hawaii, but what it mostly means are big waves and more rain. Winter is the wet season in Hawaii so while most resort areas on the Hawaiian islands occupy the leeward (dry and sunny) side of the island, if you’re venturing to the north shore or any jungle areas, you’ll likely experience more rain in the winter months. It’ll also be much lusher and greener and you’ll see more waterfalls.

The winter months also bring big swells and surf competitions (on Oahu) and many stellar snorkeling spots (Honolua Bay on Maui, Waimea Bay on Oahu, and Tunnels on Kauai) aren’t snorkelable (is that a word??) in the winter. 

The difference between “winter” and “summer” is a bigger deal to locals than tourists. Unless you’re visiting the higher elevation areas of Maui and the Big Island, you aren’t likely to notice much of a difference in the temperature (air or water). Just remember, winter generally means more rain. And while hurricane season in Hawaii is technically June-November, hurricanes are pretty rare.

The Cheapest Time to Go to Hawaii

Well, it’s not when kids are out of school ; ) Whenever kids are out of school is high season…the summer and the winter holidays are booming, ESPECIALLY around Christmas and New Years. 

Airfare skyrockets around Christmas and you’ll pay a premium at every resort and condo in the islands. If you’re traveling on a budget, avoid Christmas! I would block out the last two weeks of December and the first week of January.

June, July, and the first half of August are when summer crowds flock to Hawaii. Though nothing like Christmas in terms of crowds and prices, the summer months still attract a fair number of visitors and airfare prices sometimes reflect that. If you’re working with some kind of external factors (school schedules, ability to take vacation days from work, etc.) summer is still a good time to plan a trip to Hawaii. 

You may not find airfare or accommodations at their rock bottom, but you can still find plenty of deals during this time of year. 

But the VERY best time to go to Hawaii is during shoulder season in the fall. I’ve been to Hawaii pretty much all times of the year and I’m constantly monitoring prices on flights and hotels and I consistently find mid August through mid October to be the cheapest time of year to go to Hawaii. 

You can find great airfare bargains during this time. Kids have just started back to school (an end to the busy summer travel season) and holiday travel hasn’t started yet so it’s a nice little lull. 

You’ll have mostly summer weather although October is usually a transition month. 

The only drawback to visiting Hawaii during this time period is that it’s technically hurricane season, but hurricanes are extremely rare around Hawaii so this isn’t much of a factor.

(5) When is whale season?

Humpback whales migrate to the Hawaiian Islands every winter to feed, breed, and have their babies. Official whale season in Hawaii is December 15 through May 15, but I’ve never seen a whale with a calendar so it can be hit or miss ; ) 

The first ones start arriving by late October or early November but they’re going to be few and far between and usually not near the shore. And you’ll usually have pretty good success seeing them through April. But February is PEAK whale season so if whale watching is a major goal of your trip, go mid January to mid March. 

And while whales can be seen throughout all of the Hawaiian Islands, they’re most concentrated around Maui. They’re really drawn to the warmer shallow waters between Maui and Molokai and Lanai.

***Want to save major $$$ on your trip to Hawaii? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often to Hawaii and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at some of Hawaii’s most high end resorts. Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here . Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo much money. 

(6) Should I book airfare or accommodations first? And when?

The two biggest things you’ll need to book for your trip is your airfare and your accommodations. But which should you book first? Well, it depends. 

If you’re flying a whole crew to Hawaii, you may be more focused on finding the cheapest airfare possible and just take whatever rooms you can find. In that case, nail down your airfare first. 

I personally am more accommodation focused. Where I stay can really make or break a trip for me and I usually have a fancy resort or two that I’ve got my eye on so I’ll do the research and pick dates that are going to save me the most money on the room (or when I can get a good value on point redemption through reward programs) and then I usually just pay whatever the flights are for those dates. 

When you’re talking about luxury beach resorts, if you pick the right dates you can potentially save $$$ EACH NIGHT which is usually more than you could ever save on a plane ticket. 

But I like to stretch my dollars as far as possible so I try to find a sweet spot between saving money on BOTH airfare and the room and book everything at the same time. 

It takes some planning (and maybe a legal pad or spreadsheet full of options for dates and prices listed out), but I think it’s worth it to have the best trip possible. 

There are a million ways to do this, but here’s what I do: 

I generally know which island(s) I want to go to and I have a window of time (2-3 weeks) that I want to take the trip. I price out all of my hotel options and flight options during that time period and then pick my specific dates based on what’s going to work out best. I usually only go to Hawaii for about 6 nights at a time so if I’m flexible enough to look at a whole month (or even just 2-3 weeks) of dates you can find a LOT of wiggle room on prices. 

So when should you book all of this? 

Southwest Airlines (pretty much the only airline I fly anymore) opens up the booking window 6-8 months in advance. They’ll announce on what date the booking window will open in advance. Most other airlines open up 11 months in advance. 

If you’re committed to flying Southwest and you’re traveling during a busy time of year (or you just need very specific dates), you’ll want to be ready to book right away when the schedule opens. 

If you’re flexible, I usually find 4ish months out to be the sweet spot for pricing. Again, that’s if you’re flexible. 

As far as a timeline for booking rooms, if you’re traveling during peak times, many places book up almost a year in advance (I’m looking at you Maui at Christmas). 

Of course, you’ll usually be able to find some place to stay if you wait until the last minute, but booking your accommodations in advance will insure that you have the most options available to you. This is especially relevant if you’re looking at condos or vacation rentals. The best properties (and best deals) will start to disappear if you wait too long.

4-8 months out on booking accommodations is pretty reasonable unless you’re needing something super specific (or like I said…something over Christmas). 

I usually aim to book my Hawaii trips 3-4 months in advance, but I’m pretty flexible, always have a handful of options that will work, and I’m only traveling with one or two other people.

Getting There

(7) what’s the time difference.

The Hawaiian Islands run on the Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone (HST). Hawaii also doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time so they’re 3 hours behind West Coast time (6 hours behind East coast time) when we’re on Daylight savings time, and 2/5 hours when we’re not.

(8) What airport do I fly into? 

The four main islands are all easily accessible from the US mainland. Molokai and Lanai are easily reached from Oahu or Maui. Here’s a list of each island’s major city and airport code:

Oahu: Honolulu (HNL)

Maui: Kahului (OGG)

Kauai: Lihue (LIH)

Big Island: Kona (KOA) or Hilo (ITO)

Molokai (MKK)

Lanai (LNY)

The only interisland ferry transportation is between Maui and Lanai.

(9) How long is the flight to Hawaii?

Well it depends where you’re traveling from. From the west coast, flights are only 5-6 hours (longer going there, shorter coming home). 

From the midwest, flights can be 7-9 hours (hey, America is a big country and there’s a big difference between Denver and Atlanta). 

And from the east coast, flights can be 10+ hours (yikes!). 

Now I have not flown directly from the east coast, but I have flown direct from Dallas, TX (8 hour flight) so I have some personal experience here. I will say, these are DIRECT flight times (my preferred method of travel), but the majority of flights to Hawaii connect on the west coast so you could break it up if you want to.

(10) What’s the best airline to fly to Hawaii? 

I see people asking this question on the internet soooooo often. Here’s the thing…the best airline to fly to Hawaii is 100% dependent on where you’re flying from. If you have an airline that offers a direct flight from your home airport, that’s a no brainer. I would never make an extra connection or go out of my way to fly on any airline that people say is “better.” 

And that includes Hawaiian Airlines. A lot of people think Hawaiian Airlines is really exotic and this premier airline, but the reality is that flying in 2023 isn’t glamorous. Even if they’re playing ukulele music and the flight attendants are wearing flower hair clips. 

The best airline to fly is the one that’s going to be the easiest/most convenient flight from your home airport. 

Now, this is mostly relevant if you’re flying economy in the main cabin. If you’re flying first class, I’m sure there are amazing experiences to be had. If you’re looking for a luxury flying experience, my advice would be to look up the exact aircraft that the different airlines are flying on each route to verify that the configuration/offerings will be worth upgrading for. 

Generally speaking, these are the airlines that offer flights from the US mainland to Hawaii: 

American Airlines

Delta Airlines

United Airlines

Southwest Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines

Alaska Airlines

The trick is finding the best of these options that offer either a direct flight from your home airport to the Hawaiian Island you’ll be visiting or at least one easy connection. 

Whichever airline you choose, be sure to follow the cardinal rule of air travel. ALWAYS BOOK DIRECT. Under no circumstances should you ever book airfare through a third party company like Expedia, Travelocity, and I hate to say it but even Costco. Air travel is WILD. Wildly undependable.

 Flights get delayed, they get canceled, plans get derailed. And when you’ve booked through a third party, you can’t deal with the airline directly. You can literally be in the airport at the gate and depending on what the problem is (flight canceled, flight delayed and you’re going to miss your connection, etc) the gate agent may not be able to help you. 

You haven’t known frustration until you’re literally standing in front of a human that handles flight changes for the airline and they can’t help you because you have to call Expedia and be on hold with them for 6 hours instead. When you book with a third party, THEY hold the reservation, not you. 

Here’s the other thing…these booking sites hardly ever have prices any cheaper than the actual airline anyways. Do your research using Expedia or whoever you like to shop and then go directly to the airline to book.

(11) Any tips for handling the long flight?

Charge all of your devices: Make sure everything is fully charged, bring your cords, and I like to throw in a battery pack for good measure. 

Download all of the things: Whatever you’re binging on Netflix, your audiobook, your favorite Spotify playlist. You may not have access to Wifi on the plane. 

Nothing beats an actual book : A screen is great for watching movies and show, but for reading, nothing is better than an actual book for me. 

Bring the right headphones: So many people use wireless headphones now, but if you’re wanting to take advantage of the in-flight entertainment, you’ll need the old fashion kind with the jack (the round jack not the flat one the iphones use!).

Bring your own food: I cannot stress this enough. Airplane meals I’ve had on flights to Hawaii have ranged from “meh,” to “I’d rather be hungry,” to “if I eat that I will throw up” to being completely non-existent since COVID. If you have time before your flight, eat a good meal (but nothing too heavy) and grab a few snacks. If you’re tight on time, plan ahead and pack a meal.

Drink so much water: While you want to drink plenty of water once you get on the plane, if you’re already dehydrated, it won’t help as much. So make sure you drink plenty of water the day or two before your flight.

Get up and move around: Your legs will thank you. It will help with circulation and swelling. Also, when you’re drinking a lot of water, it will force you to get up and go to the bathroom so win/win. 

Wear warm clothes and pack a blanket: Yeah, you’re going to the tropics, but they’ll let you change clothes once you get there. I always freeze on planes and there’s nothing I hate more than being cold. I always wear leggings, a tank top, a long sleeve shirt and a sweatshirt. Again, I’m a cold wimp, but also a blanket always makes me feel cozy even when I’m not cold.

Watch out for germs. This isn’t just a COVID thing. Airplanes (and airports) have always been gross. Take antibacterial wipes to wipe down the surfaces around your seat. Bring hand sanitizer. You won’t want to have to wash your hands in that tiny bathroom. Bring face towelettes. I don’t know about you but I feel so grimy after a long flight and being able to clean my face really helps. Take an Emergen-C (or Airborne). Traveling can wreck your immune system so I always take an Emergen-C packet everyday for a few days after flying.

(12) Is the jet lag bad? Tips for handling it?

Hawaii does not observe Daylight Savings Time so the time difference depends on the time of year. It’s 2-3 hours behind west coast time, 4-5 hours behind Central Time, and 5-6 hours behind Eastern Time. So your jet lag experience will vary greatly depending from where you’re traveling. If you’re going from the west coast, you may not notice it much at all.

Here’s what I’ve found after traveling back and forth a lot: It’s way harder to adjust to coming home than going there. Mostly this is due to the direction you’re traveling, but I also think adjusting to a non-vacation routine just isn’t as much fun as the other way around.

So, what’s the easiest way to adjust? Personally, when I’m traveling (4-5 hour time difference from where I live) for a week or less, I try to stick to my home schedule (wake up and bedtime) as much as possible. It’s easy to get up at 5 or 6 in Hawaii with the time change and since sunrise is so early, I like to get my day started early (a good strategy for beating the crowds at popular spots) and hit the hay pretty early. This isn’t too hard in Hawaii as outside of Waikiki there’s not much nightlife. This makes the transition back home a lot easier.

Now if you’re trying to acclimate to Hawaii time…most flights to Hawaii arrive in the afternoon. Do not nap! Stay awake and busy as late as you can. If you can make it until 8 or 9 PM, I consider that a victory!

Where to Stay

(13) should i book a hotel or a condo .

Most people usually have a personal preference one way or the other. If you want the full Hawaiian vacation experience, you cannot beat staying at a beach resort. If you want more space and to save some $$$, you cannot beat staying in a condo. 

If you’re spending a full week on one island, here’s my winning recipe for the perfect trip: 

• Book the first 4-5 nights of your trip at a budget friendly place (whatever that looks like for you). Book a condo or vacation rental and plan to do the bulk of your “exploring” while you’re staying there. 
• Book the last 2-3 nights of your trip at a nice beach resort and just enjoy your “vacation.” Pool, beach, spa, golf, luau, long walks, shopping. Whatever. 

You’ll get the best of both worlds. You won’t have to sacrifice getting to experience “resort life” in Hawaii (IT IS THE BEST!) and you also won’t be spending so much money that you feel sick about leaving the resort to go explore the island. It’s win/win. 

If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo . They’ve got the largest selection of rentals you’ll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what you’re looking for. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Narrowed it down to a certain location? Want flexible cancellation terms? Need to stay under a fixed budget? Click here to search for Hawaii vacation rentals for your trip.

(14) What is the best hotel on…Maui? Kauai? Oahu? The Big Island? 

Hotel reviews and comparisons are kind of my jam ; ) Peruse these posts for all the details you could possibly want: 

Where to Stay on Maui: My Favorite Hotels & Condos

Wailea vs Ka’anapali

The Best Hotels in Wailea (I’ve Stayed at Them All)

My Favorite Boutique Hotels in Waikiki

Where to Stay on Oahu BESIDES Waikiki

Where to Stay on Kauai: Princeville vs Poipu

Where to Stay on the Big Island: My Favorite Beach Resorts

(15) How to save money on hotels?

Okay, so you’ve got your heart set on a luxury Hawaii beach resort experience…and then you see the prices!! Yikes. 

There are three big things I do to save money on hotels: 1) Split my stay, 2) Pick the best time of year, and 3) Pick the best specific dates. 

Split Your Stay

Most people that are traveling all the way to Hawaii, while wanting a beach vacation, also want to SEE Hawaii (totally different from places like Mexico where you’re mostly there to lounge). If this is you, I suggest splitting your trip and spending the first part of your trip at a more affordable place while you do the majority of your activities and exploring. Then move to a nice resort for the last part of your trip to spend a few days just relaxing and “being on vacation.” 

On one of my last trips to Maui, I went with a friend who had never been before so we planned to do a lot of things but we also wanted the big Maui resort experience. We spent the first three nights at an Airbnb on the north shore and did the Road to Hana, sunrise at Haleakala, the upcountry, the north shore, etc. and then moved to the Four Seasons for three nights and did…nothing. 

Just kidding but we really only stayed around the resort doing the beach, the pool, the spa, the tennis, the shopping, the eating. You know. We actually did an early morning snorkeling trip that picked up right near the resort too. You get the idea. It was the perfect trip. We got EVERYTHING we wanted from a Maui vacation and ended up saving a lot of money. 

So it’s not all or nothing when you pick a place to stay. 

Choose the Best Time of Year

Hawaii’s peak season is summer and the winter holidays. There’s really not an off season in Hawaii because the weather is pretty perfect year round and there’s so many international visitors, but the winter months (after the holidays) and the spring months are usually less than peak season. And the end of August (when the kids go back to school) up through the start of the holidays is slower as well. 

Now here’s my secret: the end of August through September is when you’ll find the absolute lowest resort prices of the year. People in the tourism industry call it “couples season” because family travel dries up considerably. Demand is down and prices reflect it. So if you’re dreaming of staying at a nice resort on the beach, but can’t quite stomach the prices you’re seeing during summer or peak winter months, have a look at August and September. 

Pick Your Dates Strategically

The price of any hotel can change pretty drastically throughout the month and even the week. While September is pretty much the cheapest you’ll find rates for any resort in Hawaii, there’s still a lot of variation within that month and at other times of the year. 

When you’re looking at a specific place, pull up the monthly price calendar where you can see the price for every single night (I do this in the Marriott Bonvoy app, in the sidebar of Google Search in the “Compare Prices” section, etc.)

The prices throughout the month can fluctuate a LOT so if you cherry pick the exact dates of your stay it may be the difference between being able to afford staying at that particular hotel or not. 

Why does the price fluctuate so much? It could be demand pricing meaning dates around holidays or peak travel times are more expensive or it could mean that standard rooms are all booked for certain nights and all that’s available is a suite. 

Remember: If the standard room category (aka the cheapest) is sold out for just one of the nights you’re searching for it’s going to bump you up to the next available category for the whole stay which usually means a significant amount of money.

(16) Is Airbnb illegal in Hawaii?

This is a big one folks!

Illegal vacation rentals have started to become a major problem in the last few years, but it’s starting to reach a boiling point. The rise in popularity of sites like Airbnb has resulted in a lot of property being bought by wealthy folks from the mainland (or internationally) and being rented out as short term vacation rentals to visitors. In addition to creating a housing crisis (it becomes much harder for local families to afford to be able to stay in the area), it also changes the community (i.e. more businesses and amenities catered towards tourists and less towards residents). 

What does that mean for you? To get this problem under control, different counties (islands) have been passing (or starting to enforce) legislation that cracks down on illegal rentals. Lately, it’s been most dramatic on Oahu where there have been estimated to be as many as 10,000 illegal vacation rentals, but the other islands are turning their attention to cracking down on this problem. 

A lot of visitors are shocked that it’s even an option to book something illegal on Airbnb or Vrbo, but the truth is those sites are just marketplaces and it’s up to YOU to use due diligence to make sure what you’re booking is on the up and up. 

I’m not talking about shady listings where they’re trying to scam you. 99% of these properties are legitimate homes, apartments, ohanas (a separate dwelling on somebody’s property) either rented out by the owners or a property manager. Just like Airbnb works anywhere in the world. They range in price, size, location, and amenities. But they don’t have permits to be operating as short term vacation rentals and they’re located in areas of the island that are considered residential (we’re not talking about condos). 

In short…it’s always been illegal to rent a house on a site like Airbnb or Vrbo that didn’t have a permit (the majority of them), but now they’re enforcing it. 

As the renter, (right now) you won’t get fined if the owner gets caught, but you could be left with no place to stay on short notice. So basically…if you’re set on alternative forms of accommodations besides a resort, hotel, or condo, you’ll need to read up on the zoning for each island and either pick something that’s in a zone that doesn’t require a permit, or pick something that does have a permit. 

I’ll be honest…there aren’t a ton of permitted short term vacation rentals on each island (outside of tourist areas where they’re mostly condos) so the ones you will find tend to be not super cheap. I will give you a heads up about a situation on Oahu…their official law is that short term rentals are any rental less than 30 days so as a work around a lot of places will say they have a 30 day minimum on Airbnb but kind of squirrel around and only charge you for the week you want to stay. It’s still illegal and it’s uncertain how it’s going to be handled. 

I don’t want to scare you away from using sites like Vrbo and Airbnb, because they actually have amazing places to stay but I SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY recommend only using them to book places in tourist zones. 

On Oahu, book places in Waikiki, Ko Olina, and Turtle Bay. On Maui, book places in Kaanapali up to Kapalua and in Kihei and Wailea. On Kauai, book in Poipu and Princeville. On the Big Island, book around Kona and up around Waikoloa on the Kohala Coast. Those obviously aren’t the only places you can find legal rentals on each island, but those tend to be the major hubs.

Activities & Reservations

(17) do i need to rent a car.

You absolutely will need a rental car. Hawaii is not an all-inclusive destination where you’ll arrive by shuttle and never leave your resort (I mean you could do that…but it’s pretty expensive just to get to Hawaii so most people want to actually see Hawaii. If you want a cheaper resort only vacation, just go to Mexico).

The islands are pretty large so unless you’re just going a few miles, taking Ubers and Lyfts aren’t really feasible (you could be talking $100 one way to go to another part of the island). Also, Oahu is the only island that has a decent bus system. 

So you’ll most definitely want a rental car for your stay even if you’re staying in a resort area. I always book through Discount Hawaii Car Rentals . They’re seriously the only company I ever use. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

I would reserve your rental car as soon as you know your trip dates, but then keep monitoring it to see if you can find a better deal as the trip gets closer. 

Rental cars are finite in Hawaii so don’t wait around too long to reserve one or you may end up having to rent a more expensive category than you need.

(18) What are the “must do” activities?

Beaches, snorkeling, water sports, luaus…all of those are things you can do on every island. But to get an idea of what makes each island unique (helpful if you’re still trying to figure out which one to visit), here are some things you can ONLY do on each specific island: 

Road to Hana (Waterfalls, black sand beach, jungle, etc.) 

Haleakala National Park (Sunrise)

Maui Pineapple Tour

Whale Watching (by far the most you’ll see on any island)

Snorkeling Molokini Crater

Way more details about things to do on Maui here >>> Things You Can ONLY Do on Maui

Pearl Harbor

Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park filming location)

North Shore (famous surf spots)

Iolani Palace

More things to do on Oahu here >>> Unique Things to Do on Oahu

Napali Coast (seen by helicopter, hiking the Kalalau Trail or a boat tour)

Waimea Canyon (“Grand Canyon of the Pacific”)

More things to do on Kauai here >>> Things to Do on Kauai

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Black AND Green Sand Beaches

Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm

Kona Coffee Farm Tours

Night Snorkel with Manta Rays

More details on things to do here >>> Things You Can ONLY Do on the Big Island

What about making reservations for activities in advance?

Depending on your vacation style, you may want to just beach bum around and go with the flow or you may prefer to have a tentative schedule so you make sure you see and do everything you want. 

At the very least, I recommend booking activities that you’re set on well before your arrival. 

Popular luaus and activities (helicopter tours, snorkel trips, etc.) often book up months in advance so I prefer to make these reservations once I know my dates. While you’ll usually be able to book SOME luau or activity close to your departure or even once you arrive, it may not be the one you want. So don’t get caught paying a premium price for your second choice. Book activities in advance.

(19) Is (fill in the blank) worth it? 

I get this question a lot, and I used to try to answer it based on my personal experience and opinions and a delicate cost/benefit analysis plus trying to figure out what the question asker’s expectations are. Here’s what I’ve come to realize….if you’re asking if something is worth it…it’s probably not…FOR YOU. 

Different people have different expectations and also tolerances for spending money. Some people don’t think anything of dropping $300 on dinner for 2 and some people could never stomach that in a million years NO MATTER WHAT. Value for money and time is very subjective and everybody likes to/is comfortable spending their time and money in different ways. 

Same thing when people ask if something is a “must do.” “Is Pearl Harbor really a must do?” If you’re asking, it’s probably not. For me, it absolutely is. On my first trip to Oahu, I was only there for two days and I spent one of them at Pearl Harbor. But I have friends who have been to Oahu many times, have never been, and absolutely don’t feel like they’re missing anything. So if you read a normal amount of information/reviews about something and you’re still wanting to ask if (fill in the blank) is worth it…it’s probably not. 

You’re allowed to spend your Hawaiian trip however you want and in a way that you’ll feel good about. You don’t HAVE to go to a luau. You don’t HAVE to go out on a snorkel boat. You don’t HAVE to make reservations for that one restaurant everyone is talking about when the idea of spending that much money on dinner makes you feel kind of ill.

(20) Do I need restaurant reservations?

If you want to do any special/fancy dinners, these days you’re definitely going to need reservations. Mama’s Fish House on Maui is currently booking about 6 months out and on most islands, the top restaurants in the resort areas should be booked well before you arrive. Even things like spa treatments should probably be booked in advance if you’ve got your heart set on it. 

Packing & What to Bring

(21) what should i pack .

I’ve got a great post about what to pack for Hawaii here >>> What to Pack for Hawaii

It’s got detailed advice about what to wear in different scenarios plus 20 specific things that you don’t want to forget to pack.

(22) What’s this about reef safe sunscreen? 

Reef safe, reef friendly, organic, mineral based, chemical free…there are a lot of buzzwords floating around when it comes to sunscreen. 

In January 2021, the state of Hawaii officially banned the sale of sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs which means that you cannot buy sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate in Hawaii. Which means most of the cheap, clear spray sunscreens you get at the grocery store at home. 

In October 2022, Maui County (Maui, Lanai & Molokai) banned the sale, distribution and use of non-mineral sunscreens. That means the only kind of sunscreen you can buy on Maui (and technically the only kind you’re supposed to use) is the white zinc based kind.  

The general Hawaii ban (that covers ALL islands) includes two ingredients/chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, which help filter UV rays, but have also been found to cause bleaching, deformities, DNA damage, and death in coral when deposited in bodies of water.

One study has estimated that as much as 412 pounds of sunscreen is deposited daily at Hanauma Bay on Oahu (one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Hawaii). Yikes!

Obviously, there are supporters and critics of the ban. Some critics say the limited options for sunscreen now available will result in less sunscreen being used (bad for skin!) while others say that the list of ingredients banned isn’t extensive enough (bad for the ocean!).

Maui County took notice (maybe with other islands to follow soon) and just decided to go ahead and ban ALL the bad ingredients.

Reef Safe vs Reef Friendly

Reef safe sunscreens (all that are sold on Maui now) are sunscreens that are mineral based (the white Zinc based ones that have to be rubbed in). 

Reef friendly sunscreens (sold on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island) are any sunscreen that doesn’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate. 

The gold standard for environmental protection (and honestly, keeping nasty chemicals off of your skin) is reef SAFE sunscreen. But reef FRIENDLY sunscreen is still better than the alternatives. 

There are currently a LOT of options on the market (both in Hawaii and on the mainland) in both categories. 

My Favorite Reef SAFE Sunscreens

Nowadays, pretty much every major sunscreen brand has a mineral based line (SunBum, Coola, etc.) and most of them are available at Target, Walmart, CVS, etc. 

Mineral sunscreens come in lotion and spray forms, but just know that even though it’s a spray, it’s still going to spray on white and you’re going to have to rub it in. 

I’ve tried a LOT of them and while I really like Coola’s mineral lotion, my new favorite is Project Reef . 

Project Reef is a sustainable mineral sunscreen brand that’s actually based on Maui. And I will say, this is one of the best I’ve found so far for being smooth enough to rub into your skin really well. 

You can buy Project Reef online here , but it’s available in pretty much every hotel and resort gift shop I’ve been in on Maui lately plus most resorts also have it available for free on the pool deck. 

This 4.2 oz bottle cost $24 and I came home from a 5 day sun heavy trip with at least half of the bottle still left. 

My Favorite Reef FRIENDLY Sunscreens

Coola has been my favorite sunscreen brand for a LONG TIME. It’s the perfect blend of an organic/natural sunscreen that keeps nasty chemicals to a minimum but is also convenient to apply. 

You know what they say…the best sunscreen is the one you’ll wear. 

I LOVE Coola’s Classic Sunscreen Spray (the guava mango scent is my favorite). It’s reef safe (does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate) and it’s a CONTINUOUS, CLEAR spray. This is huge to me. 

Yes, Coola products aren’t cheap, but I’ve found them to be a home run because they’re reef friendly AND convenient to apply (and that’s hard to find).

I think the great thing about high traffic tourist destinations adopting these standards for sunscreen ingredients (Key West has since followed Hawaii’s lead), is the number of brands that are stepping up to the challenge and coming out with environmentally friendly sunscreen options. These are just a couple of my favorite brands, but there’s even more that I’m excited to try out soon!

Culture & Background Info

(23) (how do you pronounce hawaiian words.

Nobody is going to be mad at you for not speaking Hawaiian (not many people do anymore), but it goes a long way to make an effort. “Aloha” means hello, goodbye, and love. “Mahalo” means thank you. “Keiki” means kid (you’ll see this a lot…kids menus, etc.). Pronouncing Hawaiian words can be TRICKY. Here are a couple of tips: 

The vowels are pronounced like Spanish:

99% of the time you pronounce every letter distinctly.

The exceptions are: “ao” is pronounced “ow”, “ai” is pronounced “eye”, “au” is pronounced “ow”

Something else useful to know: “Hawaiian” refers to anyone born with Hawaiian blood. Like, ancient Hawaiian blood, not just born in the state. “Local” refers to anyone born in Hawaii (except usually white people but sooooometimes them too). “Haole” refers to white people and tourists in general. It can be derogatory, but not necessarily. The term “kama’aina” is also thrown around which refers to anyone from or living in Hawaii regardless of their ethnicity.

(24) Can you give me a quick rundown on Hawaiian history? 

Actually, yes. I think it’s important for every visitor to Hawaii to have a little history lesson for some social context. 

Yes, Hawaii is the 50 th state in the Union, but there are many people who consider it an illegally occupied sovereign nation. Whether or not you agree with that is beside the point, but understanding the perspective and respecting the people of Hawaii will go a long way towards enriching your travel experience. 

Here’s a quick rundown: The Kingdom of Hawaii was a thriving monarchy under the rule of King Kamehameha I (who united the islands in 1810). The first missionaries showed up in 1820. The first sugar cane plantation started in 1835, and the Hawaiian Islands developed a reputation as prime agricultural land (this is when American influence in Hawaiian government begins–the major business owners in Hawaii were American). By the 1850s, the plantations were booming and they needed more labor. Immigrants were recruited from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Portugal. 

In 1882, the Iolani Palace was completed and it had electricity before the White House and Buckingham Palace. In 1887, the US began leasing Pearl Harbor. 

Later in 1887, a group of largely non-Hawaiians drafted a new constitution (signed under threat of force) that stripped the King of power (later called the Bayonet Constitution). In 1891, Lili’uokalani (the last Queen of Hawaii) ascended to the throne and in 1893 she attempted to pass a new constitution that would give power back to the people of Hawaii. 

It gets really complicated from here, but basically a coup to overthrow the Kingdom of Hawaii followed immediately, designed largely by American businessmen and backed by the US military (a show of force mostly). To protect American property and interests in the Kingdom of Hawaii, the Republic of Hawaii was formed as the US tried to move towards annexation (the American businessmen forming the Republic of Hawaii kept the US from being technically directly involved). 

Interestingly, the treaty to annex Hawaii never passed the Senate and it gets a little murky as to how President McKinley eventually signed the Newlands Resolution in 1898 which created the Territory of Hawaii. Sanford B. Dole (yep, the pineapple guy : ) was appointed as the first Territorial Governor which tells a lot of the story, and Queen Lili’uokalani eventually died under house arrest. 

The sugarcane plantations kept booming. Business was good. Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state in 1959. And now tourism is the most dominant economic driver in the islands. 

While many native Hawaiians feel that their land (and to some extent their culture) has been stolen from them, they’re largely VERY welcoming to visitors. But that’s what you are…a visitor in someone’s home. If you get that and behave accordingly, Hawaii is the greatest place on earth you’ll ever visit. Yes, it’s very beautiful, but there are a lot of beautiful places. The people and the way that they share their culture is what makes it special.

(25) Any local customs or rules I should know? 

I’m so glad you asked ; ) Here are some common courtesy rules for visitors to Hawaii…

Don’t act like an entitled tourist. It’s the worst. Just because you’re spending a lot of money to be there doesn’t mean you can 1) act like a jerk, 2) be demanding, 3) do whatever you want. Hopefully this sounds super dramatic to you and something that should go without saying WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, but hey, some people are crazy and it has to be said. Need an example? Have you seen the rainbow eucalyptus trees? They’re crazy cool. A eucalyptus tree found in Hawaii whose bark is literally like a rainbow. You know what people do? THEY CARVE THEIR NAMES INTO IT. Why on earth would you do that??? Just stop. 

Don’t trespass on private property. Again, seems like a no brainer right? You’d be surprised. Just because you read about a hike to a waterfall in a guidebook doesn’t mean you can go there if it’s on private property. This is particularly a big problem along the Road to Hana on Maui. If you have to climb around a gate or ignore posted signs, don’t do it. Also, it’s generally appreciated if you don’t geotag locations on social media of sites that are considered secluded or special to locals (even if it’s legal to access). 

Don’t touch the sea turtles or the monk seals. Both Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and Hawaiian Monk Seals are protected species meaning IT’S A FEDERAL OFFENSE TO TOUCH THEM. You’re required to keep a MINIMUM 10 foot perimeter from these creatures whether they’re in the water or on the land (it’s not uncommon to see them sunning themselves on beaches). And if you’re in the water you should stay even further away because you have less control. Some beaches (especially Ho’okipa on Maui) set up fairly large perimeters around turtles and monk seals (more common for the monk seals because they’re more rare) so be sure to respect the perimeter and don’t be one of those people that ducks under a rope because you’re “technically allowed to be 10 feet away.” The good news is that the numbers for these species (especially the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) is GROWING because of their protected status. 

Tread lightly on the environment. The staggering number of visitors that Hawaii receives annually means it can be a real strain on the islands. But there’s a lot you can do to make a difference. Pick up your trash. Heck, pick up other people’s trash. 

Use Reef Safe Sunscreen. Tons (literal TONS) of sunscreen ends up washed around Hawaii’s beautiful coral reefs each year and it’s increasingly being understood how harmful it is (how much conditions improved during the COVID shutdowns was pretty astounding). Hawaii recently passed a bill making it illegal to sell sunscreen with two ingredients found to be most harmful to reefs and it makes a HUGE difference when people wear reef safe (or at least reef friendly) sunscreen when in the ocean. 

Don’t drive like a jerk. Or just be clueless in general. Remember, while you’re on vacation, the locals are not. Be aware of your surroundings and try not to hold anybody up. When in doubt, just pull over and let them go around. Don’t stop your car in the middle of traffic because you want to take a picture of a rainbow or a mongoose or a chicken or a waterfall (every other visitor there also wants to do the same and it can create a real traffic jam which isn’t something you want to deal with every day when you’re trying to get to work). Don’t park illegally by the side of the road (super important along the road to Hana on Maui). Don’t park in front of business and then leave your car there while you’re at the beach. Know the one lane bridge rule: there are places (mostly along the road to Hana on Maui or the north shore of Kauai) where there are one-lane bridges. The local custom is to let 5-7 cars go at a time. If your side is going, count how many cars go ahead of you to determine whether you should go with this batch or stop and let the other side go first. 

These are all local courtesies. Locals aren’t grumpy that tourists are there, but they do get frustrated when they’re trying to go about their daily business and they can’t. Imagine dropping your kids off for school, going to the grocery store, doing WHATEVER and having to battle hundreds of people and cars who are kind of lollygagging around. Here’s the deal: you probably will get in somebody’s way at some point, but your attitude goes a long way. Be aware, apologize, smile, let them go ahead. Just be nice. 

Practice ocean safety. And safety in general. The ocean is no joke. Quite a few people drown every year and a lot of it is avoidable. Never get in the water without watching it for a while. Never turn your back to the ocean. Do you really need to be snorkeling on your own 100 yards from shore? Stay away from blowholes. Stay away from rocky areas when there’s high surf (there’s always tempting natural pools to swim in but it’s so risky). Don’t swim at beaches where there are warnings posted. Stay on trails. 

It’s not like locals don’t want you to have any fun. But besides these things being in the best interest of YOU, here’s something to think about: for every first responder/coast guard/helicopter that’s dispatched to help someone who got themselves into a not so smart situation, those are resources that aren’t available to local families when they need help. And on an island with finite resources, that can be a big deal. Here’s one more really important thing you need to know before your Hawaii trip…

Reservations You Need to Make BEFORE Your Hawaii Trip

You’ve got your airfare, hotel, rental car and your big activities booked, so you should be good to go, right? Wrong!

Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii so a lot of state and national parks used the closure and reopening to institute reservation systems at some of the island’s most popular spots to make things a little more sustainable.

That means that there are now over half a dozen sites (beaches, trailheads, etc.) that require advance reservations. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan.

I recently saw somebody in a Hawaii travel group post in a panic that they didn’t know they had to make reservations for things in advance…they thought they could just show up and “go with the flow.” I was tempted to say, well, “as long as the flow doesn’t take you somewhere that requires reservations, you can!” ; )

But I don’t want YOU to be that person, so I’ve pulled together a list of all the places you need to reserve entry in advance (plus all the details on booking windows, price, links, etc.) and a handful of popular tourist hotspots that book out really far in advance too.

Haleakala National Park (Maui)

To visit Haleakala National Park for sunrise at the summit, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are required to enter the park gates between 3AM and 7AM (sunrise hours).

Online reservations are $1 per reservation/vehicle PLUS you’ll pay the park entrance fee of $30/vehicle when you arrive (National Park annual passes are also accepted at the gate).

The reservation booking window opens 60 days in advance at 7AM HST. There are also a limited number of tickets released two days before.

You can make one reservation every three days with the same account. So if you want to make reservations for back to back days (in case of weather/conditions), you’ll need to do so with separate accounts (email addresses).

If you can’t get reservations for sunrise, you can enter the park anytime after 7AM without reservations. The summit is spectacular during the day and you don’t need reservations for sunset.

I strongly recommend creating an account before and making sure you’re logged in at 7AM HST because it’s not uncommon for reservations to sell out quickly.

Waianapanapa State Park (Maui)

To visit Maui’s famous black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are required to visit the beach and are distributed in windows from 7AM-10AM, 10AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-3PM, and 3PM-6PM. And they are pretty strict about exiting by the end of your window time (you can arrive anytime within your window).

It’s $5/person to enter plus $10/vehicle to park and those fees are paid when you book your time slot.

Reservations open up 30 days in advance.

Iao Valley State Park (Maui)

To visit the lush, green mountains and hike at Iao Valley State Park, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are offered for 90 minute time slots beginning at 7AM and ending at 6PM. They ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your time slot.

Entry is $5/person plus $10/vehicle to park.

Diamond Head (Oahu)

To hike to the top of Waikiki’s famous Diamond Head, you must make reservations in advance here.

Reservations are offered in two hour increments beginning at 6AM (6AM-8AM, 8AM-10AM, etc.) and ending at 6PM. If you’re parking onsite, they ask that you arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation window.

Tip: I recommend booking one of the first two time slots because there isn’t much shade on this hike and it gets pretty hot.

Hanauma Bay (Oahu)

To snorkel at Oahu’s pristine Hanauma Bay, you must make reservations in advance here.

Entry times are staggered in 10 minute increments from 7AM to 1:20PM with roughly 1000 slots being assigned in advance every day.

Reservations can be made two days in advance and they open at 7AM HST. They’re usually gone in minutes (if not seconds).

If you’re unable to get an advanced reservation, you can try for a day of, walk in ticket. They open at 6:45AM and they only have a limited number available. Everyone in your group needs to be present when you purchase your tickets in person.

There are no reservations for parking and it’s first come, first serve. $3/vehicle.

It’s $25/person to snorkel at Hanauma Bay (12 and under, active military, and locals with HI ID are free).

The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday (CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY) from 6:45AM-4PM. Last entry is at 1:30PM, the beach is cleared at 3:15PM and you have to leave the facility by 4PM.

Jellyfish patterns can also affect whether or not the bay is open so double check the day before/day of.

USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor (Oahu)

If you want to take the boat tour at Pearl Harbor out to the USS Arizona, it’s recommended to make advance reservations here.

Online reservations are guaranteed a specific boarding time to go out to the USS Arizona. If you’re unable to get an advance reservation, you can wait standby when you arrive. The line could be short (15 minutes or so) or long (hours) and it just depends on the day (if they’re having problems with the loading dock sometimes they don’t take many from the standby line) and the time of day.

Reservations are supposed to open up 60 days in advance, but keep an eye on your exact dates, because lately they’ve actually been opening up about 57ish days in advance???

They also release a small batch of tickets the day before.

The boat ride out to the USS Arizona is free, but it’s $1 to make the reservations online.

They recently started charging $7/vehicle for parking at Pearl Harbor.

Haena State Park / Kalalau Trail (Kauai)

If you want to hike Kauai’s famous Kalalau Trail, you must make advance reservations here. You’ve got three options here:

1) Parking & Entry: This is the most flexible option and also the most limited. THESE RESERVATIONS SELL OUT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. There are three time slots available: 6:30AM-12:30PM, 12:30PM-5:30PM and 4:30PM to sunset. You can purchase multiple time slots if you want to stay longer. It’s $10/timeslot (parking) plus $5/person and you have to reserve every person when you initially book. Everybody has to arrive in the same car and your ID needs to match the reservation.

2) Shuttle & Entry: If you can’t get parking at the trailhead, there’s also a shuttle option. Shuttle reservations are $35/person (16+), $25/person (ages 4-15), 3 and under can ride free. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes 6:20AM to 6:40PM.

3) Entry Only: If you’re a Hawaiian resident (with HI ID) or someone WITH a Hawaiian resident, you can purchase entry only for $5/person with no advance reservations. Also, if you’re walking or biking to the trailhead you can do this option. But there is NOWHERE to park in the area to walk in. So this really only works for those with bikes or who are staying close enough to walk. They will tow your car if you park outside the designated areas.

The reservation window opens 30 days in advance at 12AM HST. The parking & entry option usually sells out in a minute, but the shuttle availability will last longer.

There are a TON of FAQs here including the possibility of snagging a canceled reservation.

Other Things to Book in Advance

Hawaii is a busy place these days! Besides the state and national parks above, here’s a handful of miscellaneous things you should make reservations for in advance (if they’re on your radar):

Mama’s Fish House (Maui) : The iconic spot is the most popular restaurant in Hawaii and dinner reservations usually start filling up about 6 months in advance (they open up bookings 18 months in advance). Make reservations through their website and if the dates you want are already booked, you can join a waitlist. Most people have pretty good success getting in on the waitlist (even if it’s for lunch).

Old Lahaina Luau (Maui) : Honestly, any luau you’re planning to attend you should book early, but most people are usually shocked how far out the Old Lahaina Luau books out. Book it as soon as you know your dates (I think they open at the six month window). They also have a waitlist.

Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour (Oahu) : Everybody loves Jurassic Park so getting to ride UTVs where they filmed the movies is very popular. The ranch offers a lot of different tours but the UTV tours usually book out a couple of months in advance.

Spa Reservations : If you’re staying at a resort with a spa (or planning on visiting one), don’t wait until you arrive to make your reservations. I’d make them at least a month in advance.

Tee Times : Same for golf, reserve your tee times well in advance.

Dining Reservations : Any “fancy” or resort restaurant is likely to be booked up these days so if you like having a nice dinner every night, make your plans in advance.

P.S. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here . I’m there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share!

Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@ caitylincoln ). My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. And please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! Your support really helps me keep this blog running!

First time visitors’ guide to Hawaii

So, you’ve decided to book a Hawaii vacation. That’s exciting! Now you’re wondering where to start your travel planning. Well, you’ve found the right spot for tried-and-true advice to begin planning your perfect Hawaii vacation. By using this first time visitors’ guide, you’ll take the stress out of planning your first Hawaii vacation.

Before we dive into the good stuff, it’s a good idea to briefly let you know a little about us. At Go Visit Hawaii, we completely understand all the challenges of planning a Hawaii vacation, because we are travelers to Hawaii just like you. We fell in love with Hawaii in 2003 and have visited Hawaii dozens of times since then. Through our many trips we’ve become expert Hawaii travelers. We’ve even been referenced by USA Today and other prominent media outlets for our Hawaii expertise several times.

We’re not travel agents and we’re not trying to sneakily sell you anything. We write the very same unbiased advice at Go Visit Hawaii that we would give to our closest friends and family!

We’ve organized this guide based on the stages of planning — from “Help! I have no idea where to start,” to “I’m ready to pack my bags for Hawaii!”

Advice for choosing when, where and how much money to budget:

The first articles you should read are:

– How to pick the best Hawaiian Island(s) for your vacation . This article provides lots of resources to help you find the Hawaiian island(s) that best fits what you’re looking for in a Hawaii vacation. (Pssst: If you have a difficult time choosing, just go to Maui. Of all the Hawaiian Islands, Maui seems to always win more awards from the travel magazines and surveys. It’s a crowd pleaser.)

– Determine how many islands you will visit – When time is limited, you need to make the most of your stay. In our “how many islands” article we provide advice on how many islands you should consider visiting based on your available vacation days.

– Best time to visit Hawaii – Anytime is a good time to visit Hawaii, but some months are better than others for sunny weather, cheaper prices and low crowds. In this article, you’ll be able to quickly pick the ideal time to go to Hawaii that fits into your vacation schedule.

– How much money do you need to budget for a Hawaii vacation?  How much will a trip to Hawaii cost you? This article will help you quickly calculate your own budget for traveling to Hawaii.

Advice for choosing the best flights to and around Hawaii:

We’ve got three great articles to help you get to and around Hawaii with ease.

– How to choose the best airport for your Hawaii destination  – Most of Hawaii’s islands have more than one airport. This guide gives you advice on how to choose the best airport for your flights based on your island destination.

– Strategies for finding the lowest airfare to Hawaii — This article provides advice on how to find the best Hawaii flight cost and options for you.

– Guide to Hawaii inter-island travel — This article helps you to easily navigate how to island hop in Hawaii.

Advice for choosing where to stay, dine and play:

After you’ve gone through the process of picking the Hawaiian island(s) for your vacation, where do you stay, what do you need to know and how will you get the most out of your vacation? The following pages should help you answer those important questions.

Our island guides are designed to be a great starting point to help you plan where to stay, what to do and where to dine. Follow these links to each individual Hawaiian island guides:

– Oahu vacation guide

– Maui vacation guide

– Kauai vacation guide

– Hawaii, the Big Island vacation guide

Need a Hawaii vacation itinerary that includes all the must-see and do attractions and activities? See our page with what we believe are the very best Hawaii vacation itineraries .

Regarding selecting your accommodations, see our article: How to choose the best Hawaii hotel, condo or villa .

We love helping readers stretch their Hawaii vacation budget to get the most out of their stay. Here’s our popular series of Hawaii vacation money saving articles:

–  How to save money on your Hawaii accommodation

– How to save money on tours and activities

– How to save money on dining in Hawaii

– How to save money on a Hawaii rental car

Things to know before you go to Hawaii:

– What to pack for a Hawaii vacation  — With this packing checklist, you’ll be prepared for all the fun and adventures you’ll enjoy in Hawaii.

– How to be comfortable on the long flight(s) to Hawaii .

– Hawaii vacation safety tips

– Hawaii weather — This page provides information on weather patterns as well as the upcoming Hawaii weather forecast. On the topic of weather, lots of people have questions and concerns about rain, be sure and read these FAQs about rain on your Hawaii vacation .

– Hawaii vacation etiquette  — This article covers all you need to know for being a polite first-time visitor to Hawaii.

– Most surprising things about visiting Hawaii — This article helps you to be prepared for what you may encounter as a first time Hawaii visitor.

– Hawaiian words to know for your vacation

We hope this guide to your first time visiting Hawaii will be useful. We’ve written over 3,000 articles here at Go Visit Hawaii, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for, use the search box at the top of the page.

Sign up for our free email newsletters that are issued two to three times per week to keep up to date with Hawaii deals, travel news and tips. Use this link to enter your email address.

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Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide

Hawaii  is located in the Pacific Ocean off the West coast of the United States of America .   The capital is Honolulu and the state is a tropical paradise that is completely unlike the mainland.

Technically part of Polynesia, the culture here is unique and very different than you will experience anywhere on the mainland. Our Hawaii Travel guide is designed to help you plan and prepare for your trip to the islands.

There are active volcano, dream beaches, jungles and more palm trees than you can imagine. This state is full of adventure and the ultimate tropical vacation for those that don’t want to exercise their passports from the USA.

The state of Hawaii is comprised of 8 islands; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Lanai, Molokai, Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe.

Each one offers a treasure trove of landscapes and experiences and the most difficult part of your planning will be choosing which Hawaiian Islands to visit during your trip.

Destinations

Hawaii travel: quick tips, don’t visit hawaii without:.

GET A GUIDEBOOK

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

HAWAII BUCKET LIST

Hike the kalalau trail.

This 22-mile round trip hike along the coast of Kauai is one of the most spectacular hikes in the USA. It is graded difficult and takes at least 2 days to complete if you’re just looking to hike it. More intrepid adventurers will extend their time here for several nights, camping out among the rainforest.

WHALE WATCHING

Every year hundreds of Humpback whales migrate into the waters around the Hawaiian Islands during the winter months. The whale watching in Maui from January to April is spectacular. Due to the ocean topography off the islands, the whales actually get very close to shore. It is not uncommon to see whales breaching out of the water while you stand on the beach.

ATTEND A LUAU

Attending a luau in Hawaii is one of the best ways to learn about Hawaiian culture, history and folklore. Traditionally, luaus offer a feast that is typical of Polynesian earth pit preparation followed by a performance.. We never leave Hawaii without attending at least one luau when we visit and you shouldn’t either!

MORE THINGS TO TRY IN HAWAII

There is no shortage of great  things to do in Hawaii  during your visit and the biggest problem you’ll face is fitting them all into your itinerary.

Each island has its own offering and unique things to check out during a visit, so be sure to look at our island guides once you decide where you’re itinerary will take you.

FOODIE BUCKET LIST

When you’re visiting Hawaii, you can find a vast range of international cuisines all over the state.

The food these days is a real fusion of Asian, Pacific, and European dishes. There are Mexican, Chinese, Korean, and plenty of fast-food chains. 

If you want to try traditional Hawaiian food, head to a Luau – or feast. You’ll be fed great food, cocktails, and other beverages all night while immersing yourself in the local culture.

The centerpiece will be the Kalua Pig, which is slow-cooked below ground after being wrapped in banana leaves.

HAWAII FESTIVALS

Plenty of festivals and events are held throughout the year in Hawaii, so the chances are high that something interesting will be happening no matter what time of year you arrive!

Big events include the Honolulu Festival, held in March to celebrate Hawaiian culture, the Merrie Monarch Festival held over Easter celebrating Hula dancing, and Lei Day, on the first day of May. 

On top of this, there are food, wine, and music festivals, and plenty of surfing competitions.

Pack like a pro on your trip to Hawaii!

Popular regions in hawaii.

Oahu might not be the largest island in Hawaii, but it is home to the state capital Honolulu , and it’s where most first-time visitors will travel to. Honolulu is where the city meets the sand, and you can start your Hawaii travel vacation in style by staying at the resorts along Waikiki Beach. History buffs can pay their respects at Pearl Harbor and visit the memorial and museum that’s dedicated to the Japanese attack in 1941 that drew the USA into World War II.  Hikers can climb Diamond Head, an epic volcanic crater with stunning views over the island. Snorkelers will love a dip in the Pacific Ocean at Hanauma Bay, where the waters are teeming with coral and marine life.

Beautiful Molokai is the place to travel in Hawaii if you’re looking for supreme natural beauty mixed with culture.  Molokai has seen little development, and you can still find a traditional way of life in the rural villages often lost on the larger islands.  Most travelers visit Molokai as part of their Hawaii travel itinerary, to see the dramatic sea cliffs. They are some of the tallest in the world, and the best way to see them is by helicopter. You can also enjoy the white sand Papohaku Beach or hike through Kalaupapa National Historical Park.

If you’re looking to travel to Hawaii for surfing, road tripping, beaches, parties, volcanoes, waterfalls, resorts, or culture, then nothing quite beats Maui.  The laid back island has it all. You can spend one day surfing on the North shore and the next road tripping along the beautiful eastern Hana Highway .  There are dramatic black sand beaches, stunning white-sand beaches, superb snorkeling and diving, and of course, the epic Haleakala National Park, where you can find a volcanic landscape that’s unnervingly otherworldly, alongside some of Hawaii’s tallest mountain peaks.

Escape the larger islands when you travel to Hawaii by taking a trip to Lanai, the smallest island in the archipelago, easily accessible by tourists. Lanai is a world away from the rest of Hawaii (although just a few miles by boat from Maui). It’s home to both high-end resorts and undeveloped wilderness. Ride ATVs along the dirt tracks to secluded beaches, snorkel with turtles in the Pacific Ocean, then spend the night in luxury at a fancy Hawaiian resort.

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest island you can include in your Hawaii travel plans. Although it’s the largest island by area, it’s not nearly as populated or developed as Oahu and Maui; it’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for an adventure. If you want to travel to Hawaii for volcanoes, this is the island to visit. Hawaii is home to the incredible Volcanoes National Park, where geothermal energy can be seen exploding from the earth around you.   Mauna Kea is Hawaii’s largest mountain peak, while the Kohala Coast is a dramatic and historical place – this was the birthplace of many famed Hawaiian kings in centuries past.

Finally, there’s Kauai, one of the best islands to add to your Hawaii travel itinerary. Vast tracts of Kauai remain untouched by development, and the island is often called the Garden Isle for its serene, green beauty. There’s rainforest, tall cliffs, and dramatic volcanic peaks awaiting you on Kauai. The Waimea Canyon State Park is where you’ll find all the outdoor action. This ten-mile long canyon is surrounded by rainforest and dotted with hidden waterfalls connected by intrepid hiking trails.

HAWAII TRAVEL BUDGET

Setting a budget for your Hawaii travel itinerary is highly dependent on your travel style. It is possible to visit just about anywhere in Hawaii on any budget and still have a great trip. That said, you can make your trip as basic or as luxurious as you desire.

To help you set your budget, we’ve included some base range price estimations for travel around Hawaii. Of course, keep in mind that prices can fluctuate based on seasons, availability and festivals.

ACCOMMODATION:  The cheapest accommodation in Hawaii will be hostels, which can be found for between USD 20 and UD 30 per night. Basic hotels are likely to cost up to USD 100 for private rooms, and anything more luxurious above this price.

FOOD:  Food generally costs more in Hawaii than anywhere else in the USA, as much of it has to be imported. In larger towns and cities, you can eat out at cheap restaurants and spend around USD 10 per meal. You can find buffets at resorts for around USD 25 per person, which can be good value.

TRANSPORTATION:  Transport is expensive when you travel to Hawaii. Inter-island flights can cost up to USD 200 per person, while car hire will set you back at least USD 75 per day.

ACTIVITIES:  Activities vary in price, of course, but a snorkeling day trip can cost around USD 100 per person, while Scuba diving is likely to cost USD 100 per dive.

100 USD PER DAY

Not including the flights to get here, budget travelers will still be looking at spending USD 100 per day if they want to do more than just sit around the hostel. 

This will get you a few day trips, plenty of beers, and surfboard or snorkeling hire from the hostel you’re staying at, but it will be money well spent!

300 USD PER DAY

Travelers with a budget between USD 100 and USD 300 per day, will be able to spend their Hawaii travel vacation enjoying the sun, sea, and sands from the comfort of a holiday resort in Oahu or Maui. 

They’ll enjoy plenty of food and drink, and great day trips around the island they’re staying on!

500 USD + PER DAY

With a budget above USD 300, luxury travelers can enjoy the finest hotels in Hawaii, as many day trips as they can fit into their schedule, and the best food and drink during their stay.

You’ll be able to splurge on luaus, helicopter rides, diving trips, 5* dining, private whale watching and much more.

WHERE TO STAY IN HAWAII

Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Hawaii. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.

For more specific advice, check out Best Area to Stay In Maui – Best Hotels & Travel Tips

HOW TO GET AROUND IN HAWAII

Anyone looking to travel to Hawaii will need to fly into Oahu and connect to the other airports across the archipelago. Despite this being an island state, there are few public ferry connections, aside from the regular service between Maui and Lanai.

There are private boat charters , or you can join day trips by helicopter or boat to explore other islands. On the islands themselves, there’s limited public transport . Most travelers will choose to rent a car if they want to get off the beaten track and not have to join day tours all the time.

TOP HAWAII TOURS

Oahu & maui adventure.

8 Days Waikiki to Kahului Visits: Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Road to Hana & Maui

BEST OF BIG ISLAND & KAUAI

7 Days Kapa’a to Kailua-Kona Visits: Kauai, Waimea Canyon, Hilo, Volcano National Park & Big Island

HAWAII MULTI-ISLAND

14 Days Waikiki to Kailua-Kona Visits: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island & their many highlights

WHEN TO VISIT HAWAII

When planning your travel to Hawaii, it’s important to consider when to visit the state. As a tropical archipelago, the islands experience distinct wet and dry seasons , which can seriously affect the experience you have while on vacation. 

The dry season is April to October , while the wet season is November to March. The busiest time to travel to Hawaii is generally between June and August when many people arrive during the school holidays for their vacations. Prices are much higher at this time of year, and the beaches can be really crowded. 

Christmas and New Year are busy too. Despite it being the wet season, it’s still hot, and storms are rare. Expect higher prices this time of the year. 

If you can, try to time your trip to coincide with the shoulder seasons, before or directly after the peak months during the dry season. You’ll still enjoy great weather, but you’ll beat the bulk of the crowds!

For more information, check out the  Best Time to Visit Maui: Month by Month Breakdown

DO YOU LIKE TO BEACH HOP?

Safety in hawaii.

Hawaiian culture is very friendly, and the islands are well used to having tourists around. That being said, the cities and popular beach resorts can see waves of crime hit them through the tourist season, so be aware of petty thieves when you travel to Hawaii. 

Travelers should also keep abreast of the weather situation and watch out for Pacific storms, as well as the threat of volcanic eruptions across the archipelago – although these are both rare, at least on a dangerous scale.

As with any destination, we recommend learning and adhering to certain safety practices when you travel. Be sure to read our personal  travel safety tips , compiled from our travels across 7 continents.

HAWAII TRAVEL: BOOKING RESOURCES

Hawaii travel guide: related articles.

Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel to Hawaii and start planning your dream trip.

The Best of the Road to Hana in Maui (Top Stops, Waterfalls, Tours & Hikes)

Ultimate hawaii packing list: 27 essential items to not forget, the best hawaiian islands to visit: island comparison guide, molokini snorkeling trip in maui: overview & planning guide, best time to visit maui: month by month breakdown, best luau in maui: pick from the top 10, 10 best maui hikes for insane views, 21 bucket list things to do in hawaii, 20 best beaches in maui: ultimate maui beach guide, best area to stay in maui – best hotels & travel tips, maui jeep rental: should i or shouldn’t i, 13 amazing things to do in honolulu, hawaii, what to do in maui – 42 unmissable activities, helicopter ride in maui (what to expect with the doors off), maui whale watching in hawaii.

Your First-Time in Hawaii Itinerary (The Best 10 Days)

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I fell in love with Hawaii during my first visit when I was 24. I was invited out to free-load off my then-girlfriend, now wife, Erica who was working on Oahu. During that first trip to Hawaii, I knew I would live in Hawaii someday. 

3-years later my company posted a job on Oahu, and I jumped at the opportunity. I never regretted the move. 

Your first time in Hawaii may not be so serendipitous. You want to plan the right Hawaii vacation for you, your partner, or your family. Hawaii is an expensive place to visit and a long way to travel, you want to do the trip right. This first time Hawaii itinerary is how you do your trip right.

Don’t miss our comprehensive itineraries designed to give you the best vacation. With one download you’ll get the best sights, restaurants, beaches, and more carefully mapped out for the optimal experience. They’re really that good. 

Here is your first time Hawaii itinerary (10-days), Maui and Kauai:

Day 1: Welcome to Maui 

Day 2: Historic Lahaina Town and North Shore

Day 3: Whale Watching, Snorkeling, and a Luau

Day 4: Road to Hana

Day 5: Day Trip to Lanai

Day 6: Haleakala and Upcountry

Day 7: Hiking and Beach Day

Day 8: Fly to Kauai, Hanalei Bay, & Waterfall Hike

Day 9: Poipu Beach, Waimea Canyon, and Na Pali Sunset Cruise

Day 10: Tube Down a Mountain and Fly Home

The best Hawaiian island for your first-time trip to Hawaii is Maui. Maui has the best weather, things to do, resorts, restaurants, food trucks , and still has that laid-back, surfer island-style one expects in Hawaii. The second best island to visit is Kauai or Oahu , depending on what kind of vacation you want. 

We provide itineraries for all the options plus the mistakes to avoid for your first time to Hawaii.

Before you get too far into trip planning, be sure to read our complete guide to planning your first trip to Hawaii . That’ll give you all the need to know information so you can decide exactly where to go, what to do, how to island hop easily and more. It’s a short cut to your best trip planning.

What You Need to Know for Your First Time Visit to Hawaii

First-time visitors fall in love with Hawaii and come back for more. That isn’t tourism marketing, I got the data to prove it.

30% of visitors to Hawaii were first-time visitors in 2023. That means 70% of visitors decided to return to Hawaii after their first trip. The average number of trips was 6. 

The first thing to know for your Hawaii itinerary is Hawaii is a safe place to visit. The locals, like Erica and me, are friendly and hospitable. The aloha spirit is strong in Hawaii and you will feel it. 

This is your place to start planning your first trip to Hawaii. Here is where I cover the foundation for your trip. After this, your mind and soul will be ready for creative, freestyle vacation planning or just get on the plane. Planning is half the fun.

🍍 What Hawaiian island is best for first-timers?

🍍 What is a good first-time Hawaii itinerary? 

🍍 What are the mistakes first-time visitors to Hawaii make? 

🍍 Tips for first-timers: What to book before you leave and do you need a rental car?

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What is the Best Hawaiian Island for First-Time Visitors

Maui. Maui is the best Hawaiian island for first-time visitors . When you decided it was time to visit the 50th state in the union, Maui was the image that popped in your head. You just didn’t know it.

I’ve been to all six major Hawaiian islands and some of the small islands. There are 8 large islands and a total of 137 islands in the Hawaiian chain . Maui is our favorite but for all the reasons that make it the best Hawaiian island for first-timers. 

Some things are true for any Hawaiian island. They all have the following Hawaiian charms and specialties: luaus , Hawaiian history, beaches , the weather is amazing, the ocean is 75 to 80 degrees year-round, surfing, outrigger canoeing, and other ocean sports. 

Let me break down the pros and cons of visiting Maui as your first island.

Maui is the best Hawaiian island for first-time visitors for the following reasons:

✅ Resort areas of Ka’anapali and Wailea

✅ Best snorkeling of any Hawaiian island

✅ Road to Hana’s waterfalls, food stalls, black sand beaches, red sand beach, etc.

✅ Best island for singles who want a beach vacation and activities

✅ Haleakala National Park – hiking, Pools of ‘Ohe’o , sunrise or sunset experience

✅ Whale watching is the best on Maui from mid-December to mid-April

✅ Family-friendly resorts and beaches

✅ Island of Lanai is a ferry ride away

✅ 65+ activities for kids to do on Maui

✅ Sea turtles abound for snorkeling and on the beach ( Ho’okipa Beach Park )

✅ Maui food truck scene

✅ Glamping, camping, and car park sleeping options ( Camp Olowalu )

✅ Cheap flights on Southwest, Alaskan, and Hawaiian to Kahului Airport

✅ The only adults-only resort in Hawaii – Hotel Wailea

✅ Snorkeling Molokini crater

✅ The Lahaina Banyan Tree – 16 trunks and covers 2-acres

Reasons why Maui may not be the best first Hawaiian island for you:

❌ Maui is the most expensive island to visit ( Oahu is the cheapest )

❌ Not a tropical jungle island like The Garden Isle of Kauai

❌ Not volcanically active like the Big Island (note: Kilauea volcano on Hawai’i is not currently erupting but always check if it is)

❌ Lack of nightlife, entertainment, or a club scene like Oahu

❌ No Disney Aulani Resort or other Disney property

❌ No night snorkeling with manta rays

❌ Oahu has the best surfing and places to learn how to surf

❌ Hiking is better on Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island

First-Time Visit to Hawaii: 10-Day Itinerary

Here is your first time Hawaii itinerary. This itinerary will leave you relaxed and confident you saw and experienced the best things to do on Maui and one other island. 

From two locals, this is our ideal Hawaii itinerary for first-time visitors. 

We lived on Maui and never got island-fever. There is so much to do but don’t worry, I’m not prescribing an action-packed vacation. This is the cream of the crop to get your feet wet in the sand and to realize why all the celebrities vacation on Maui.

A 10-day Hawaii itinerary is a perfect length of time. As a first-time visitor, we recommend you check out two Hawaiian islands. The first being Maui and then we give you two options – Kauai or Oahu. 

Kauai is for those looking for the outdoors, jungle hikes, and solitude (no crowds). 

Oahu is for those who want a few days of a Hawaiian social scene. Honolulu is the Manhattan of the Pacific. The place doesn’t shut down at 9:00 pm like the other islands. But Oahu also has more family resorts , beaches , and the best hiking of any other island .

Use your civil liberties to play around with the itineraries to make them fit your dream Hawaii vacation.

If you are looking for more details on a trip to Maui, or another island, then learn more about our Hawaiian Island Wayfinder Itineraries .

Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary

Maui Wayfinder Itinerary

Kauai Wayfinder Itinerary

Cruising Hawaii Guide

Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary

Hawaii 10-day itinerary: maui and kauai.

Explore the Valley Isle and then hop on a 35-minute flight to the Garden Isle.  

Where to Stay on Maui

The two resort areas on Maui are Ka’anapali and Wailea. Ka’anapali is on the west side of Maui and Wailea is in the south. 

Picking one over the other is no easy task. Opinions abound on where to stay and for good reason, the weather and beaches are perfect in both locations. The main differences are the type of hotels and experience.

Wailea offers four-star resorts. Ka’anapali is for those who seek a more walkable area, proximity to the historical town of Lahaina, a more lively experience, and more vacation rental options. 

There is so much more to these two resort areas so I recommend you read the full breakdown in this article . The second thing is to decide if a vacation rental is a better option for your Hawaii vacation.

Glamping and Camping on Maui: Camp Olowalu in West Maui offers glamping, tent camping, and car camping in their newly renovated, beach-side campgrounds. This is an affordable and safe way to stay in Maui.

Erica, Henry, Hattie, and I had a wonderful time staying in their glamping tentalows.

Day 1 (Maui): Welcome to Maui

You’ll land at Kahului Airport (OGG) in the central valley of Maui. It is an open-air airport with two Starbucks and all the major car rental companies. The car rental desks are a short 10-minute walk or a quick electric tram ride away from the baggage claim.  Save on your rental by using Discount Hawaii Car Rental .

Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island but still only takes about 45-minutes to get where you want to go. Grab your rental car or an Uber or Lyft or taxi to your hotel. 

Local Tip: If you booked a vacation rental, head to Costco first to stock the kitchen. Groceries are twice as much or more than groceries on the mainland. You can save some serious money by shopping at Costco. Plus, Costco has beach supplies like beach chairs, reef-safe sunscreen, snorkel equipment, umbrellas, boards, etc. 

Local Tip: Consider renting snorkel equipment for the week on Day 1. For the best-priced snorkel equipment, don’t rent at the resorts but go to Boss Frog’s, The Snorkel Shop, or Snorkel Bob’s. They have shops all over the island.

Today is a day to get a lay of the land. Check in to your resort or condo to relax. It was a long flight across the Pacific. 

Pool and Sunset: Soak up the sun at the pool, walk the beach, or walk the shops around your resort. The restaurants and bars in Wailea and Ka’anapali have great happy hour deals. Get your first mai tai and smell the Hawaii air. It smells like flowers. 

Both resort areas face the sunset so sit back and enjoy.

Day 2 (Maui): Historic Lahaina Town and North Shore

Jet lag will have you out of bed early. Embrace the opportunity with a run or walk along the beach paths in Ka’anapali or Wailea. Then get some Hawaiian breakfast.

You’re heading to West Maui today for sightseeing and snorkeling. Maui has the best snorkeling in Hawaii . 

Breakfast : Hit up Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop in Olowalu if coming from South Maui. It is never too early for a chocolate mac nut pie. They also have a phenomenal lunch menu but you can beat the crowds by going for breakfast. Staying in Ka’anapali means you can visit CJ’s Deli and Diner for breakfast or drive into Lahaina for a lot of breakfast spots on the ocean.

Snorkeling in North West Maui: Continue to drive up the Honoapiilani Highway past Lahaina and Ka’anapali. The road gets windy but it is paved. Go snorkeling in the Honolua Bay , a marine preserve at the end of a 5-minute jungle walk. If the waves are big or snorkeling visibility is poor, go to Nakalele Blowhole that is a few minutes past Honolua Bay.

If you have kids or don’t enjoy the rocky beach at Honolua Bay, head to Napili Bay or Kapalua Bay for a sandy beach with facilities and showers. There are public parking lots but arrive by 10:00 am for a spot or park along the road.

These three bays are well-protected and rich in Hawaii-only-fish and sea turtles. Snorkel on the sides of the bay to find the sea turtles. Check out more of our favorite things to do in Napili and Kapalua .

Historic Lahaina Town: Head to Lahaina for lunch, sightseeing, and shopping. Lahaina was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The whaling town has kept most of its charm but does come off as touristy and kitschy to many. Personally, I like this place. 

🍍 Visit Banyan Court to walk amongst the 16-trunk, 1.8-acre sprawling banyan tree. 

🍍 Visit the historical courthouse with its free museum and art gallery at the banyan tree.

🍍 Walk the harbor and the historical trail.

🍍 Shop along Front Street

🍍 Grab a shave ice or gelato to escape the heat. Lahaina is Hawaiian for “cruel sun.”

Lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise, Lahaina Coolers, Cool Cat Cafe, Kimo’s, Lahaina Fish Co., Down the Hatch, or Aloha Mixed Plate to name a few of our favorite places.

My favorite is Aloha Mixed Plate for Asian-Hawaiian fusion. It is located on Front St. but 1-mile north of the main downtown area, behind the Cannery Mall. They have free parking.

After lunch and checking out Lahaina, you can go back to your resort for some pool time and relaxation. Whalers Village in Ka’anapali or The Shops at Wailea have good happy hours and dining if you seek an escape from your resort for dinner.

I also love the Maui food truck scene. There are food truck parks around the resort areas and towns. Check out Wailea’s best happy hours if you’re heading back to lodging in South Maui for the night.

Day 3 (Maui): Whale Watching, Snorkeling, and a Luau

Day 3 of our Hawaii Itinerary is my favorite day. Erica and I love whale watching. Maui is home to the largest humpback whale migration in the world. You will see calves playfully breaching, groups of males pursuing females in courtship, and whales singing their hearts out. Check out our video for what to expect when whale watching in Maui.

Whale watching is a 2-hour tour so if you go in the morning, you will have a lot of the day left for snorkeling and beach-bumming. 

Don’t feel like you are missing out if you’re on Maui during the whale off-season. This leaves more time for snorkeling or going on a snorkeling cruise.

Snorkeling Day: Maui is the best Hawaiian island for snorkeling because you can find great snorkeling from the shore. Our favorite shoreline snorkeling spots are the following.

Shoreline Snorkeling

🍍 Kamaole Beach Park III (South Maui): Get here in the morning to beat the trade winds so the water is calm and clear for your snorkeling. This beach is great for the whole family and is located in central Kihei, a popular place to stay. 

🍍Turtle Town at Maluaka Beach (South Maui): Called Turtle Town for a good reason. Maluaka Beach is the best place to snorkel but Turtle Town refers to the area from Nahuna Point to Black Sand Beach. To find the turtles, head south down the beach till you reach the rocks at the end of the sand.

🍍 Black Rock (West Maui): A famous rock jumping location located in front of the Ka’anapali Sheraton , the rock is also a good snorkeling spot. We have a full guide on Black Rock Beach .

🍍 Airport Beach (West Maui): Airport Beach is in front of the Westin Ocean Resort Villas. There is a big parking lot with bathroom facilities. The beach is ideal for lounging all day and then jumping in for snorkeling in the reef located less than a hundred feet from shore.

🍍 Napili Bay (North West Maui): Crescent-shaped bay with the delicious Gazebo breakfast and lunch restaurant overlooking the bay. Excellent snorkeling and calm waters.

🍍 Kapalua Bay (North West Maui): Another crescent-shaped bay with a large beach next to Napili Bay.

Snorkeling Cruises

A snorkeling cruise may be more of an adventure for you. Plus, a boat or sailboat can take you to pristine reefs and Maui landmarks that are more jaw-dropping than the snorkeling, like the Molokini crater.

Our favorite snorkeling cruises are Molokini crater , Lanai snorkeling and dolphin watch, and Olowalu Kayak Snorkeling .

Luau: Finally, the time has come for a Hawaiian feast. The luaus feature Hawaiian and Polynesian dancing while you dine on Kalua pig, poi (taro plant), and haupia (coconut milk-based dessert). 

Feel free to get dressed up with your best Aloha Shirt or tropical attire. Dressing up isn’t required but it is a fun way to get involved.

Luaus include interactive events before the festivities like coconut husking, spear throwing, hula lessons, and basket weaving. 

Luaus can be found in the resorts or standalone locations. The best luaus on Maui are below.

🍍 Old Lahaina Luau

🍍 Feast of Lele

🍍 The Grand Luau at Honua’ula

🍍 Drums of the Pacific

🍍 Royal Lahaina Luau

🍍 Te Au Moana

For a breakdown of what each of these luaus offer, check out our Maui luau article !

Get The Maui Itinerary

The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.

Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Maui.

Day 4 (Maui): Road to Hana

This drive is worth the hype. It isn’t about the road (which is very safe now), it is about the stops. Swim in waterfalls, eat fresh banana bread, drink from coconuts, walk black sand beaches and through bamboo forests, and so much more.

Head out at 7:30 am or earlier. If you are coming from Wailea or Ka’anapali, it will take you 30-minutes and 45-minutes, respectively, to get to the start of the drive-in Paia. 

The drive is only 45-miles but plan to be on the road for 8 to 12-hours to do the stops you want to do. You can drive it on your own, but we highly recommend going on a tour so you can really take in the sights and not have to worry about the Road to Hana etiquette .

Tips for driving on your own:

🍍 Gas up at Costco or Safeway Express (click for directions) for the cheapest gas on the island

🍍 If you stop at Kipahulu, Pools of O’heo then you can reuse your Haleakala National Park for your Day 5 visit to the summit. NPS passes are good for 3-days.

🍍 Pack lunch and refreshments.

🍍 Let locals pass. They are trying to get home, let them pass you.

🍍 You can return via the backside for fresh scenery and adventure. The road is remote and unpaved in spots so do this at your own risk. Many car companies won’t send emergency services per their contract if you have problems. Cell coverage is spotty too.

Check out our full Road to Hana Guide for stops, routes, and everything you need to know before you go!

Day 5 (Maui): Day Trip to Lanai

The best part of visiting Maui is you have the islands of Lanai and Molokai a few miles away. We recommend taking a day trip to Lanai , the Pineapple Isle.

The island of Lanai was once home to the largest pineapple plantation in the world, by Dole. Today, it is home to 3,367 permanent residents and two five-star Four Seasons Hotels. There isn’t even a traffic light on the island.

Take the Maui-Lanai Ferry from Ma’alaea Harbor across the Au’au Channel. Spend the day on one of the best beaches in the world, Hulopoe Beach, with snorkeling and soaking up the sun. Hulopoe Beach is located where the ferry drops you off. 

Take a taxi or bus to Lanai City from the beach. Grab a coffee at Coffee Works and walk the small town.

For some local flavor, head for lunch at Cafe 565, Blue Ginger Market, or Richard’s Market. All three restaurants are around the city’s central park – Dole Park.

Day 6 (Maui): Haleakala and Upcountry

This is another big day on the road on Maui but worth the driving. If you reserved a Haleakala sunrise permit, plan on staying in Haleakala for the morning going on hikes and checking out the silversword plants and Nene birds. 

If you don’t have a Healakala sunrise permit, that is totally cool. Go to Haleakala National Park in the morning and then check out Upcountry Maui. The other option is to tour Upcountry Maui in the morning and then go to Haleakala in the afternoon and to watch the sunset from the summit.

Local Tip: Remember to bring your National Park Service pass from the Road to Hana. If you visited the Pools of O’heo then you already have your vehicle entrance pass for Haleakala. 

Upcountry Maui: Escape the heat of the Maui coastline. Head up the volcano for the Swiss Alps-like area of Upcountry. Where the cowboys roam and the coffee grows. 

You can do the Upcountry activities in the order below as you cruise through Upcountry on route 37. Pick your favorites, you don’t have to do them all. They are quick stops so you can do 3 or 4 plus lunch.

• Makawao Town: Walk the historic small town of Makawao. Grab a donut-on-a-stick from Komoda Store and Bakery , coffees from Sip Me , and then walk the art galleries, Makawao History Museum, and shops along Baldwin Avenue. 
• Ziplining at NorthShore Zipline Company or Piiholo Ranch Zipline – play in the tree canopy at one of these two zipline companies.  ( Our favorite zipline course is in Kapalua, so you can add this to a West Maui day and go for some other Upcountry options)
• Surfing Goat Dairy – tour a goat farm, milk some goats, taste goat cheese, and have fun for the whole family. 
• Kula Country Farm – pick strawberries and enjoy their farmer’s market. If you are visiting in October, you must check out their pumpkin patch and corn maze.
• Ali’i Kula Lavender – sweeping views of Maui set amongst fields of lavender and a botanical garden. Their coffee and bakery is worth a stop alone.  Note: O’o Farm lunch location is next to the lavender farm. O’o Farm is a lunch and agro-tour.
• Kula Botanical Gardens – a family’s lovingly cared for garden with a covered bridge, 8-acre garden, koi pond, and waterfalls.
• Mr. Shim’s Coffee Plantation Tour – tour a working coffee plantation by Mr. Shim himself. 
• MauiWine – take a free wine tour and try their tasting room with $12 to $16 tastings. They specialize in pineapple wine but offer mainstream varietal wines. Across the street is Ulupalakua Ranch Store for lunch or a snack.

Where to Eat in Upcountry Maui

Our favorite lunch places in Upcountry can’t be missed. Pick your favorite based on when you get hungry during your activities. 

🍍 Kama Hele Cafe – a food truck near Makawao featuring homemade and local dishes. A good breakfast stop.

🍍 La Provence Restaurant (before Kula Country Farms) – a French bistro and bakery that is too cute to miss.

🍍 O’o Farms – a farm tour ending with a farm-to-table gourmet lunch

🍍 Ulupalakua Ranch Store – farm to table food from the local cattle company.

Day 7 (Maui): Hiking and Beach Day

Erica and I love exploring Hawaii by trail. One can hike in a jungle or a desert. We prefer the jungle as there aren’t very many bugs in Hawaii.

Start the morning with refreshing hikes after driving through Upcountry the day before. 

‘Iao Valley State Park: The first stop is ‘Iao Valley State Park . This is more of a scenic outlook than a hike. Drive through Maui’s capital of Wailuku into one of the wettest places on Earth. The ‘Iao Valley gets over an inch of rain a day on its peaks. This place is rich in Hawaiian history and home to the ‘Iao Needle. Pay $5 for parking and walk the 0.4-mile paved path to the observation deck. 

Waihe’e Ridge Trail: This is a real hiking trail for those outdoor enthusiasts. Exit Wailuku and drive to the northwest shore for Waihe’e Ridge Trail . The 3.9-mile out-and-back trail features waterfall views and hikes along a ridgeline in the West Maui Mountains. This is a fun hike to take in Maui.

Beach Day: After a morning of hiking, time to head to the beach. Relax at one of the local beaches in your area. Check out our shoreline snorkeling spots above for the best beaches. 

Wailea and Ka’anapali have excellent beaches in front of the resorts. You don’t have to go far to find a good beach on Maui.  But, if you want to go after the best, we have you covered with the best beaches on Maui .

Day 8 (Kauai): Fly to Kauai, Hanalei Bay, & Waterfall Hike

Time to pack your bags and head to another island. You can find great island-hopping flight deals from Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. We recommend you depart Maui’s Kahului Airport for Kuaui before 9:00 am for Lihue, Kauai. Flights are frequent.  

Where to Stay on Kauai: Our favorite place to stay is in Princeville on the North Shore of Kauai. Princeville is home to the nicest resorts , the beaches have stunning mountain backdrops, and you are close to the cutest town on the island – Hanalei. The cons of staying in Princeville is it is wetter during the winter and the winter surf makes the beaches not safe for swimming. 

The next option to stay in the South Shore. Perhaps a better option during the winter months as the south shore of Kauai is dryer and doesn’t get the big waves during the winter. South shore also has nice beaches like Poipu Beach.

The most affordable area to stay is the populated east shore of Kauai. More budget accommodations are available and it is a convenient location between north and south shore activities. 

The itinerary is structured for someone staying in Princeville but it will work regardless of where you stay as Kauai is small. One can almost circumnavigate the island in an hour and 30 minutes. The impassable Na Pali Coast stops a full circumnavigation of Kauai.

Grab your rental car on Kauai. Remember to check out Discount Hawaii Car Rentals for the best deals on the big car rental companies.

Drop-off your bags at your resort and then head to Hanalei Bay for lunch. Hanalei is a charming town on the idyllic Hanalei Bay with waterfalls dotting the 4,000-foot cliffs towering over the bay. 

For lunch in Hanalei check-out The Hanalei Gourmet, Hideaway’s Pizza Pub, or Cafe Turmeric. Those are our three favorites in Hanalei.

 After lunch, you have two options to fill your afternoon. 

Get The Kauai Itinerary

Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Kauai.

Option 1 . Go for a swim in Hanalei Bay.  Or if you’re not visiting during the summer months, check out the best beaches on Kauai in the winter .

Option 2. Hike a 2-mile section of the famous Kalalau Trail. No permit is required to hike from the trailhead to Hanakapiai Beach . The beach is beautiful but dangerous during the winter with big waves and strong riptide. From the beach, you can take another 2-mile trail to Hanakapiai Falls . Both hikes have steep inclines and are unpaved.

Alternatively you can opt for the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu, starting at Shipwreck Beach outside of the Grand Hyatt . The full trail is 4 miles out-and-back, but you can walk as much or as little as you’d like. Take in the sights of the coastline and head back at your discretion.

After the swim or the hike, soak up the amenities at the resort or hotel you picked. 

Day 9 (Kauai): Poipu Beach, Waimea Canyon, and Na Pali Sunset Cruise

Today you explore the Garden Isle. Hop in your car for a road trip through paradise.

Poipu Beach: On the southern tip of Kauai is Poipu Beach . This beach has amazing snorkeling, swimming, bodyboarding, and home to many resting monk seals. The beach has been voted the best beach in America a few times. 

Enjoy the golden-sand beach and soak up the late morning sun. 

Hanapepe Town : As you drive east around the island, stop in Hanapepe. Pick up some taro chips from Taro Ko Farm . The rustic shack is open, just knock for fresh-made chips. Park the car and walk around the historic town. Check out the Swinging Bridge, art galleries, and shops.

If you need another beach stop, drive over to the Salt Pond Beach Park . It is a family-friendly and not crowded beach. 

Lunch: Head to Chicken in a Barrel BBQ at Waimea Plantation Cottages. The BBQ is outstanding and the location is ideal. Have lunch and walk the beautiful grounds of Waimea Plantation Cottages.

From here, it is a quick drive up to Waimea Canyon.  

Waimea Canyon: Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon is a 10-mile long, 3,600-feet deep canyon. The red-dirt walls are breathtaking. Choose to enjoy the canyon from two lookouts or hike the many trails around the state park.

Leave time to get to the boat launch.

Na Pali Coast Sunset Dinner Cruise: No trip to Kauai is complete without seeing the Na Pali Coast. Since hiking it is off the table for most people, hop on a sailboat for a luxury experience at a decent price ($210 per person). 

Leaving from Hanapepe/Eleele, dinner cruises will take you on a scenic 4-hour tour of the Na Pali Coast. You can have a dinner cruise or drinks only, depending on your operator. We love this dinner cruise with Holo Holo Charters , and check out the list of all our favorite Na Pali Coast boat tours .  

Day 10 (Kauai): Tube Down a Mountain and Fly Home

In the mountains above Lihue is an adventure like no other. Don a headlamp, sit in a tube, and flow gently down an engineering marvel. Dug by hand in 1870, you can tube down flumes, canals, and through tunnels of the former Lihue Sugar Cane Plantation. 

The 3-hour tour comes with lunch. Check out Mountain Tubing Adventure for tickets. Age 5 and up are $156 per person.

Grab your bags, it is time to head home. 

Hawaii 10-Day Itinerary: Maui and Oahu

For those desiring more nightlife, entertainment, and a vast selection of Pacific and Hawaiian regional cuisine then head to Oahu over Kauai for your final 3-days.

Erica and I lived on Oahu for two years. We love Oahu and so do most as it is the most visited Hawaiian island. But one should consider that Oahu is the most populated island, has nasty traffic, and the beaches get crowded. 

But one can still find quiet places, sea turtles, great snorkeling and surfing, and far more entertainment and cuisine compared to the other Hawaiian islands. Oahu is the Gathering Place for good reason.

Another good reason to end your trip to Hawaii in Honolulu is the airport. Flying home from Oahu may be easier and cheaper compared to going back from Kauai or Maui. 

Oahu 3-Day Itinerary After Maui

For our Oahu itinerary, check out our Best 5-Day Oahu Itinerary.  

For your last 3-days in Hawaii, I recommend you do the following days of our 5-day Oahu itinerary:

🍍 Day 8 (Oahu): Welcome to Waikiki

🍍 Day 9 (Oahu): Exploring North Shore

🍍 Day 10 (Oahu): Windward Side and Fly Home

See our 5-Day Oahu Itinerary or our Oahu Wayfinder Itinerary below for more details.

Get The Oahu Itinerary

Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Oahu.

Hawaii Itinerary for 10 Days: Don’t Make These Mistakes

Hawaii is a safe place. Don’t take this list as a do or die list. These are friendly recommendations to help you get a flavor of the culture and be a curious visitor. I wish I had this list for my first few visits to Hawaii. 

We always say to travel with Aloha at the Hawaii Vacation Guide, this list will help you make the most of your Hawaii itinerary. 

🍍 Buy your pineapples at Costco. Costco has the cheapest pineapples on the islands.

🍍 Food in Hawaii is expensive. Buy your groceries at Costco if you have a condo. The second cheapest is Target and Walmart. Safeway is the cheapest local grocery store. Read our guide to cheap groceries for more.

🍍 Never turn your back on the ocean. The ocean is dangerous, don’t let your guard down .

🍍 Please don’t touch the sea turtles, sleeping monk seals, coral, and other wildlife in Hawaii. Hawaii’s creatures are endangered or at risk, watch but don’t harass.

🍍 Wear reef-safe sunscreen. It’s the law as of January 2021. Read Hawaii Reef-Safe Sunscreen for details on what and where to buy reef-safe sunscreen on the mainland and Hawaii.

🍍 They are called Aloha Shirts , not Hawaiian shirts

🍍 Leave lava rocks and sand in Hawaii or you will fall victim to Pele’s Curse . 

🍍 Don’t honk your horn. People drive slow on the islands, so prepare yourself mentally to drive with aloha.

🍍 Don’t leave valuables in your car or unattended on the beach

🍍 Leave your shoes at the door. You will see the pile of slippers (aka, sandals). Leave yours on the pile.

🍍 Try the local food. Eat poke, musubi (rice and spam wrapped in seaweed), malasadas, dine at a food truck with local grindz, and sip a peaberry Kona coffee.

🍍 Don’t walk on the coral reefs. Use a noodle to stay buoyant

🍍 Restaurants, bars, and shops close early, especially local shops. Check closing hours and plan on shopping in the afternoon and having early dinners.

🍍 Locals are residents, Hawaiians are indigenous people of Hawaii.

🍍 Leave yourself downtime in your itinerary. There is so much to do that some visitors get burnt out. Leave yourself time to relax at the beach, a coffee shop, or sit on your board in the ocean.

Tips for Your First Time to Hawaii Itinerary

How many days do people spend in hawaii.

9 days in Hawaii was the average number of days people visited in 2023. 1.2 was the average number of islands visited. 

We aren’t ones to follow the flock, but the average is close to our recommendation of 10-days in Hawaii. You don’t have to be average, set your own itinerary for Hawaii. Add extra days to this itinerary or an extra island or remove the extra island. Have some fun with this itinerary as you do more Hawaii vacation planning.

If you want to ignore all our advice like some of our newsletter readers, see how Dave and Mary visited 4 Hawaiian Islands in just 2 weeks .

The average length of stay of visitors to each Hawaiian island was the following in 2023:

🍍 Maui: 8.8 days

🍍 Kauai: 7.7 days

🍍 Hawai’i: 8.4 days

🍍 Oahu: 7.6 days

🍍 Lanai: 5.1 days

🍍 Molokai: 6.3 days

(source: Hawaii Tourism Authority )

People spend the most time on Maui and for good reason. 

Hawaii Activities to Book in Advance

Consider booking a luau, whale watching, Haleakala sunrise, and a snorkel or boat trip before you leave for your Hawaii vacation. These activities fill up during the peak seasons of the winter and summer months. Plus, by booking early you can get the best price and pick of a tour operator.

Luau: If you want to go to a traditional Hawaiian party with dancing and music for your first time to Hawaii. We recommend going on Day 3 of our 10-day Hawaii Itinerary.

The most popular Luaus in Hawaii fill up fast. If you are visiting during the winter or summer peak seasons, we recommend you book one or two months in advance to play it safe. Early booking also gets you a good seat for seated luaus. 

Maui luaus are the best in Hawaii. The town of Lahaina has the two most popular luaus – The Feast at Lele and Old Lahaina Luau. Decide what one to choose here: Feast at Lele vs Old Lahaina Luau .

Check out more of our favorite luaus on Maui here .

You can always find tickets for luaus at the last minute but luck plays a factor. 

Book Whale Watching: If you are visiting between mid-December and late March, sign up for a whale-watching cruise . Sign up to get the boat you want at the right price. You can book online so you can do this before you arrive. 

By whale watching early in your vacation (Day 3 of our 10-Day Hawaii Itinerary), you can rebook for free if you don’t see whales on your cruise. Book the sunrise tour or the 7:30 am tour for they will be less crowded and a lower price.

We recommend the Pacific Whale Foundation , Hawaii Ocean Project , and for a little more adventure on a raft,  Ultimate Whale Watching . Check out our Maui Whale Watching Guide for tips to save money when booking.

Snorkel and Adventure Cruises: Maui offers amazing shoreline snorkeling but for more of an outing, you can go on a snorkeling cruise. These cruises are a way to make a day out of snorkeling by being on the water, being pampered with a meal and snacks, and going to pristine snorkel spots.

Our favorite snorkeling destinations by guided tour are the following. You can find discount tickets on our recommendations page . 

🍍 Molokini Crater and Turtle Town

🍍 Lanai Snorkel and Dolphin Cruises

🍍 Olowalu Kayak Snorkeling

🍍 Hawaiian Paddle Sports – Outrigger Canoe, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, and Kayak

The popular cruises are catamaran boat cruises and luxury-ish sailboat cruises. Boat trips are around $85 per person and sailboat excursions are around $180 per person. They are 5-hours in duration.

Related articles:

• 6 Maui Adventure Cruises That You Will Never Forget
• Lanai or Molokini: What Has Better Snorkeling?

Haleakala National Park Sunrise Permit : One of the most memorable things you can do on Maui is to see the sunrise or sunset from 10,023 feet above sea-level. Haleakala means ‘house of the sun’ in Hawaiian because it is from the summit that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun to slow it down.

A reservation is required with the National Park Service for a sunrise viewing from the summit. Reservations can be made 2-months in advance. So set your alarm to book your tickets. Another batch of tickets becomes available 2-days before arrival but they are more competitive. 

Book your Haleakala sunrise tickets here with the National Park Service . 

You can also book with tour companies that will pick you up at your hotel, provide breakfast, and your permit.

The sunset is also outstanding at Haleakala and the sunset does not require a permit. Get a rundown of whether you should go to Haleakala for sunrise or sunset .

Do You Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?

We get asked this a lot, “do you need a rental car when you visit Hawaii?”

We recommend you get a rental car for any Hawaiian island, not just Maui. From our analysis, a rental car will pay for itself if you do three or more activities during your stay in Hawaii. 

But getting a rental car is expensive in Hawaii. Rental cars cost more than the national average.

We break out the decision to rent a car or not in this article: Should You Rent a Car on Maui? . We also give alternatives to renting a car that applies to all the islands. 

If you choose to rent a car, we always rent through Discount Hawaii Car Rental . They are a booking comparison website that uses all the national car carriers but with discounts you can’t get directly with them. We saved $300 during our trip to the Big Island in January. 

• Rental Car Recommendations
• How to Drive Safely on Maui (plus 13 tips to drive with Aloha)
• How to Choose the Best Car to Rent on Maui 

Have a wonderful first visit to Hawaii.

Save this itinerary to your favorite travel board and follow us for more!

Thanks for reading The Hawaii Vacation Guide! I'm the co-founder, with my wife Erica, of the best Hawaii travel guide on the internet in our biased opinions. We enjoy traveling throughout Hawaii after living on Maui and Oahu. We share our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii. Editing our videos, teaching the kids how to snorkel, and learning about the 'aina (land) and Hawaii culture are my favorite things to do. Have a wonderful trip to the Aloha State.

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Planning Your Hawaiian Vacation

Hawaii 101 - get started here.

So you're thinking about Hawaii and here you are at our website. Now what?  If you're still on the fence about Hawaii, then hopefully we'll convince you along the way it's one of the most amazing places you could ever visit.

If you've already decided Hawaii is your next vacation stop, then the following steps and articles should help you better start to plan your trip and understand the layout of our site. There's a lot of useful and professional information here, so pull up a chair and let us get to the good stuff.

— article continued below —

The Hawaiian Islands

1.) Select Your Island(s) to Visit

Six unique islands - which one is for you.

You've got several options here, so how do you go about choosing that perfect island for your own trip? In fact, why choose just one?

You might want to take our Which Hawaii Island to Visit quiz. Once you know which island (or islands) best suit you, then you can really begin to plan.

FREE Hawaii Summary Guidesheets for each Island

Updated with a new summary map for  each Hawaii Island  + estimated driving times from popular starting points.

Includes the top  must-see & do  attractions,  best times to visit ,  where to stay  briefing,  airport detail , a monthly  weather summary , and where to find the most  noteworthy local ono 'grindz'  (best eats) on each respective Hawaiian Island.

Download the Hawaii Guidesheets

2.) Determining When to Visit

Selecting the best time of year.

Honestly, there isn't a 'bad time' to go to Hawaii. Visiting Hawaii is a dream come true for many visitors, and who can blame them? It's a remarkable, unique, & beautiful paradise.

If you're like most visitors, you're probably asking, "What is the best time of year to travel to Hawaii ?" or " When should I visit Hawaii ?"

Be sure to read over each of those two articles, and then try the Quiz at the bottom of each page. Doing so will help if you're still not exactly sure about the Best Month to Visit Hawaii .

3.) Choose your interests

Sights, beaches, trails, activities, and more....

If you've decided on the island(s) your going to visit, then you're set to begin your planning.  The next step is to consider your interests.  One could spend years in Hawaii and never see everything, so carefully narrowing down your favorites is worth the time and effort now, ahead of time.

We'd suggest you go ahead and click on the tabs in the top navigation corresponding to the islands that you're planning to visit. Here you'll see that under the Attractions drop-down (in the sub-navigation menu) that we've gone ahead and categorized all the best spots in general categories: Sights, Beaches, Trails (Hikes), Regions, and Towns. We also have travel Articles and Facts for each island, plus a listing of Activities you can book on the island in question. On some islands, like Maui, we've even split of the Hana Highway into its own category - since so many places fall into that popular scenic drive. Our  Hawaii Must See and Do  for each island may also be a big help for some folks by presenting the top-rated attractions on our site.

4.) Learn beyond the basics

Educate yourself on hawaii's history, weather, our safety tips, & more.

OK, once you've nailed down a list of your favorite places you can get to the nitty-gritty of 'Beyond the Basics.' Some of this may seem irrelevant, but we highly encourage visitors to read as much as they can on the islands before visiting. Hawaii is like no other places in the United States, and quite honestly, is very much like visiting a foreign country. Check out topics like our  Hawaii Safety  page, our  Rental Tips , and our  Accommodation Tips .

You might also want to read up more on Hawaii Weather ,  Hawaii History , and the  Geology of Hawaii .

5.) Packing your bags

What to pack & what not to pack....

Regardless of how much you've traveled in the past and where you've been,  there is one good rule to follow when coming to Hawai'i, leave as much as you can at home!  Seriously, bring only what you'll need during your stay and nothing more. Chances are a pair of shorts, and a nice Aloha shirt is all you'll need for even some fine dining. Leave the formal wear back home. And please don't bring your passport if you're a U.S. citizen (you'd be surprised how many folks do). A light jacket and a long pair of pants might also be helpful for those visits to higher elevations around the islands. You'd be surprised at how many "chilly" people there are in Hawaii each day. Sure it's tropical, but not everything's at sea level either. On the other hand, don't overdo it and bring your winter coat to Hawai'i unless you feel you need it for visiting the summits of Haleakala or Maui or Mauna Kea on the Big Island at sunrise or sunset. If you're visiting Kauai or Oahu, add your larger coat to the list of do NOT bring. With the motto, 'less is more' in mind, here are a few other items to bring. Sunblock (the UV on Hawai'i is typically 14+ in the spring, summer, and fall), a backpack (for any hikes) and a water bottle, slippers (flip flops, shower shoes, zoris), mask, snorkel, and fins (or rent locally instead), two bathing suits (one to wear while the other dries) and a cover-up, camera and film (or digital cards), lightweight raincoat or poncho (it's tropical here), bug spray with DEET (for any forest hikes), flashlight (for just in case), hiking boots / hiking rods (even if you're not a hardcore hiker, it's not a bad idea to bring proper footwear for some trails), and most importantly a list of all your troubles to leave behind. Seriously, we enforce that last one! For more tips and suggestions, visit our  What to Pack page.

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14 Critical Things to Know BEFORE Planning a Hawaii Trip

Are you planning your first hawaii vacation and want some helpful hawaii travel tips find out things that no one tells you before planning a hawaii trip, this post about planning a hawaii trip was written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

I’ve been going to Hawaii for vacations since I was a kid. I know how lucky I was to have so many opportunities to explore the Hawaiian islands.

But because I’ve been going for the past 25 years, there are a lot of Hawaii travel tips that I’ve picked up along the way while traveling all the Hawaiian islands.

In fact, I didn’t even realize most of these were things the average tourist didn’t already know before going on their Hawaii trips.

So, I figured I’d break down the most crucial things I think travelers should know before planning a Hawaii vacation (and dispel a few rumors in the process!)

Keep scrolling to take a look at how to plan a trip to Hawaii like a pro!

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Hawaii Itineraries complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

What to Know Before Planning a Hawaii Trip

1. you can’t drive between the hawaii islands.

One of the top things people ask me is “Can you drive island to island in Hawaii?”

The answer is a simple no. The islands are much too far apart to drive and there are no bridges between islands in Hawaii.

There also isn’t a statewide ferry. There was the Super Ferry many years ago that was short-lived. Additionally, there used to be a ferry to Molokai, but that’s no longer running. Right now, there’s only the Lanai ferry from Maui, but it’s just for people.

So, if you want to travel between islands during your vacation in Hawaii, you’ll need to island hop in Hawaii via airplane.

There are tons of inter-island flights each day between the Hawaiian islands. While the main hub is at the Honolulu International Airport, each island offers some inter-island flights. It’s the easiest way to see more than one island.

2. Avoid Golden Week

It’s really tricky to take vacations if you live in Japan. You have to request them really far in advance.

But, there’s a thing called Golden Week where people in Japan have 4 holidays off from work. That makes it a very popular time to plan a Hawaiian vacation. That’s because it’s the shortest flight to get to the United States from Japan.

Golden Week happens at the end of April and early May (in 2022, it’s April 29-May 5.) And Hawaii is flooded with Japanese tourists. This is not the best time to visit Hawaii.

I recommend avoiding Golden Week (especially if you’re heading to Oahu ) because it will be tricky to find hotel rooms, beaches will be crowded, and you might not get to do all the tours or attractions you want.

Plus, the prices of hotel rooms seem to skyrocket for vacations to Hawaii that week. Do yourself a favor and check the dates before you book to save yourself some money.

3. Save Money with Companion Fares

The flights to Hawaii can be really expensive from anywhere on the Mainland, even if you travel during shoulder season (mid-April to June and September to mid-December).

One of my biggest Hawaii tips for saving money is to get an Alaska Airlines credit card. It comes with the Alaska Airlines companion fare, which is basically a BOGO deal for plane tickets. Well, you’ll pay full price for the first ticket and then just $99 for the second ticket.

My husband and I each have a card and we’re able to get our airplane tickets to Hawaii for half price because of it.

Alaska Airlines has a ton of direct flights to all the main 4 Hawaiian islands and they offer competitive rates.

We’ve flown almost all the airlines that go to Hawaii (we still need to try Southwest) and Alaska Airlines is by far our favorite. I think it’s the best way to visit Hawaii.

4. Most Sunscreen is Illegal

In Hawaii, any sunscreen that isn’t reef-safe is banned from the Hawaiian islands. That’s because preserving Hawaii’s incredible sea life is a priority for the state.

So, when you are packing for Hawaii , you’ll want to make sure to only bring reef-safe sunscreen .

Our favorite reef-safe sunscreen is the Babyganics sunscreen spray . I started buying it when my oldest was a baby and now our whole family uses it. Find the best prices here.

While some mineral-based sunscreen can leave a chalky white residue, the Babyganics spray sunscreen soaks right in and offers awesome protection.

If you aren’t sure if your sunscreen is reef-safe, just wait to buy it in Hawaii. You can be assured that all sunscreen for sale in the Hawaii islands is reef-safe. But, it’s usually more expensive to buy it at hotel gift shops (so head to Walmart or Target instead).

5. You’ll Probably Need a Rental Car

Unless you are staying in Waikiki, you really do need to rent a car in Hawaii . That’s because most of the tours and shuttles pretty much just pick up from Waikiki hotels. So you’ll want to look into Hawaii car rentals.

There are Uber drivers on Oahu (primarily in Waikiki), but it’s really hit/miss on all the other islands and you won’t want to have to rely on that as your main source of transportation.

The best way to travel in Hawaii is definitely driving on your own.

So, make sure to budget a car rental for all (or at least most) of your trip to Hawaii.

And keep in mind that it does cost more to rent a car in Hawaii if you are under 25 years old. It’s best to book Hawaii rental cars well in advance to get the best price and availability.

The best place to rent a car in Hawaii is through Discount Hawaii Car Rental . They get amazing deals from top brands like Alamo, Thrifty, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and Payless. Check out the latest rental cars available and more details.

6. Rush Hour is Brutal

All the islands experience horrible traffic in the morning and at night. Keep this in mind when choosing where to stay in Hawaii.

Think about where you want to go in Hawaii first and then plan to stay closest to your activities. Otherwise, you may be stuck in traffic anytime you want to leave your hotel.

This also means you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to get to any scheduled activities.

We almost missed our Oahu luau because I didn’t realize it would take almost 2 hours to get from Waikiki to the North Shore in the evening.

Hawaii is also known for having a ton of year-round road construction.

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7. Don’t End Your Trip with a Spa Day

Yes, we might have learned this the hard way.

If you live somewhere that isn’t as sunny as Hawaii, chances are you will get sunburned at some point during your trip.

It’s really easy to fall asleep when sunbathing, forget to re-apply sunscreen when swimming, or being on a boat where you don’t even realize you are getting sunburned.

That’s why I suggest you do spa treatments early in the trip.

You definitely don’t want to get a massage (or a body scrub) when your skin is so sensitive.

Instead, kick off your trip with some spa time BEFORE you have a chance to get sunburned.

8. Hawaii is Expensive

I know the Hawaii islands have a reputation for being expensive, and that’s because it’s true. And not just in terms of hotels or airfare.

Almost everything in Hawaii is imported from somewhere else. That’s how it goes for island destinations.

Simple groceries like cereal or milk will give you sticker shock. And you’ll have to pay to park just about everywhere in Waikiki.

All these little things do add up.

I don’t say this to scare you and there are tons of tips for traveling to Hawaii on a budget , but it’s important to create a realistic Hawaii travel budget. All our trips to Hawaii seem to have hidden costs we weren’t expecting.

9. Decide Between Condo or Hotel

One of the fun things about planning a Hawaiian vacation is figuring out where to stay .

Not only does Hawaii have some incredible luxury resorts, but there’s also a ton of options for condos or vacation rental homes throughout the islands.

There are lots of pros and cons to staying in a condo vs hotel in Hawaii .

If you want to save money by cooking your own food or want a place with separate bedrooms, condos are a great option.

But, hotels and luxury resorts usually have on-site restaurants, kid-friendly amenities, amazing pools, and sometimes even have a luau . And some offer Hawaii vacation packages that are a really good deal.

Some resorts even have condo options available, so it’s a lot to explore!

Find out the best Hawaii hotels for families !

10. You’ll Need to Bring Your Own Bags

If this is your first time to Hawaii, you might end up having to awkwardly carry items you buy in Hawaii.

That’s because Hawaii banned the use of plastic bags years ago.

So, if you are planning on shopping in Hawaii (even the grocery store), you’ll need to bring your own bags.

Some gift shops will sell you a small paper bag, but many don’t even have that option.

We always pack a few nylon bags that fold up compactly and stick them in our suitcases. They come in handy as easy beach bags, too. Find the best prices here.

11. Hawaii isn’t a Weekend Trip

I remember being in high school when a friend told me he was going to head to Hawaii for the weekend because his mom had a work thing there.

Having been to Hawaii probably 10 times by then, I didn’t really know how to respond. But my first thought was that it sounded like a total whirlwind.

See, it’s a 6-hour flight from the West Coast and it will take some time to get to your hotel or vacation rental.

It takes people an average of 7 days to actually start relaxing on vacation (instead of stressing about school or work.)

And, you’ll really want at least 4-7 days per island. Staying a shorter amount of time than that (especially for a first trip) will leave you feeling disappointed that you couldn’t stay longer.

The ideal Hawaii vacation is actually about 10 days.

12. Front Load Your Hawaii Itinerary

I admit people tend to call me a “planner” and I don’t mind it one bit. When you’re planning a trip to Hawaii , you’ll want to make sure there’s enough time to do the things on your list.

When you plan a vacation to Hawaii , you’ll want to schedule your most important activities first, in case they get canceled due to rain or weather conditions. That way, you still have time in your trip to reschedule them.

We usually leave at least the last 3 days completely free of plans. Then, we can decide what we want to do.

Usually, we end up going back to eat at some of our favorite places, picking up souvenirs , and just relaxing by the pool.

13. Learn Some Simple Hawaiian Words

One of my favorite things about visiting Hawaii is seeing how they incorporate Hawaiian words and terms into everyday life.

So, when you’re planning a Hawaii vacation, be sure to take a few moments to learn some important words in the Hawaiian language.

The Hawaiian word for children is “keiki” and so you’ll want to ask for a keiki menu at restaurants. It also helps when you are figuring out how expensie activities are for children.

If you’ve seen Lilo & Stitch , you know that “ohana means family.” This word pops up everywhere in Hawaii.

The trash cans in Hawaii usually have the phrase “please kokua” on them. No, that’s not the Hawaiian word for garbage. It means “please help.”

The word “mahalo” is Hawaiian for thank you. Use this as much as possible! You can even say “mahalo nui loa” which means “thank you very much!”

Incorporating some Hawaiian words during your Hawaii vacations is a great way to learn a bit about Hawaiian history and culture, too. It’s also a great idea when traveling to Hawaii with kids.

14. You Won’t Get a Free Lei at the Airport

If you’re visiting Hawaii for the first time, you might be wondering if you’ll get a free lei when you arrive at the airport.

I’ve been traveling to Hawaii for the past 25 years and that has never happened to me. I think it’s something that used to happen way back in the day, but it’s definitely not a thing anymore.

But, you can always book a lei greeting at the airport before your trip if you want to make it extra special. Find the best prices here.

Or, you can check with your resort to see if they have a free (or paid) lei greeting option. For many people, receiving a fresh flower lei is the ultimate way to kick off their Hawaii vacation.

FAQ about How to Plan a Hawaiian Vacation

You’ll want to think about the point of your trip. Is it to see specific attractions, experience Hawaiian culture, do a lot of water activities, go hiking , or just to relax? That will help you figure out which island(s) to visit. Then, you’ll want to check airfare for your desired dates and book your accommodation.

The best way to see Hawaii on a budget is to visit during the off-season (the cheapest time being in September.) That’s when airfare and hotel stays are the cheapest and you can usually find the best Hawaii packages. You can also look into budget vacation rentals. And then fill your itinerary with free things to do in Hawaii like outdoor entertainment, hiking, swimming, going for walks, and relaxing at the beach.

While you might never want to leave Hawaii, usually people plan to stay 7-10 days during their vacation to Hawaii. That gives enough time to get over jet lag, participate in a few scheduled activities, explore the Hawaiian island a bit, and have time to relax and unwind.

How to Plan a Trip to Hawaii Wrap Up

I hope you enjoyed my Hawaii travel advice for your first time in Hawaii! These are my top tips for planning a trip to Hawaii like a pro. So, whether you’re planning a family trip to Hawaii or an adult-only getaway, I have you covered.

If this post about Hawaii vacation planning was helpful and you want more content on the topic of planning trips to Hawaii, please check out our other posts about traveling to Hawaii with kids or without kids here at Hawaii Travel with Kids.

If you’re looking for tips on specific islands for your Hawaiian vacations, check out my planning tips for Oahu , Maui , the Big Island , and Kauai .

Looking for more Hawaii trip planning tips? Find out how to rent a car in Hawaii, 50 places to visit in Hawaii , best Hawaii travel apps , if you need t ravel insurance for Hawaii , Hawaii Packing List for Flight , 101 Things to do on Oahu , and 105 ways to save money in Hawaii !