So Many Choices, So Little Time: Hawaii's Most Popular Activities | Hawaii.com (2024)

Dolphins? Pearl Harbor? Helicopter tour? So many choices, so little time. Hawaii offers an abundance of unforgettable experiences. It’s all here for you. The hard part is deciding how to spend your precious days in paradise. Hawaii.com now offers you a convenient way to explore the best of the islands’ activities before you reach these sandy shores. See Hawaii.com’s exclusive vacation packages and discounts on Hawaii tours.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the top activities, by island. Check it out and start planning your dream vacation. Hawaii is waiting for you!

5 Activities on Kauai

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Photo courtesy clockwise from large photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Dana Edmunds, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Titus, Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ), Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson.

1)Na Pali Coast Boat Tour —Explore the majestic Na Pali coast on your choice of the deluxe 60 foot “Lucky Lady” catamaran or for plenty of excitement and thrills try one of their world famous Raft adventures.
2)Waimea Canyon —The Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon offers superb hiking, photography, and sightseeing.
3)Movie & Kauai Tours —Kauai is a place that sets the imagination soaring. Her extraordinary beauty and charm have been immortalized in dozens of Hollywood films and television shows and yet, there’s nothing like meeting the real thing.
4)Waterfall Helicopter Tour —For the first time ever, visitors can now land at Manawaiopuna Falls and feel the awesome power of the waterfall made famous in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie ‘Jurassic Park’.
5)Zipline or ATV Adventure —Koloa Zipline is the premier zipline on Kauai. The course consists of 8 lines and lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

See More Things To Do on Kauai

5 Activities on Oahu

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Photo courtesy clockwise from large photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Kirk Lee Aeder, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ), Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Kirk Lee Aeder, Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ).

1)Pearl Harbor/USS Missouri —Relive the dramatic series of events that unfolded on Dec. 7, 1941, during this daylong tour of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Battleship Missouri, Pacific Aviation Museum and USS Bowfin Museum. A key turning point of World War II, the attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most significant events in US history.
2)Polynesian Cultural Center —The Polynesian Cultural Center, which attracts 1 million visitors a year, is the state’s top paid visitor attraction. It has earned its reputation many times over.
3)Grand Circle Island Tour — Get to know Hawaii from the inside out with an all-day tour that circles the entire island, covering 120 miles of Oahu’s best sightseeing spots.
4)Dolphin Excursions —Swimming with the dolphins is an event that is certain to make your day, if not your entire vacation!
5) Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay — The most popular place to snorkel on Oahu is Hanauma Bay, and for good reason – it’s a marine sanctuary!

See More Things To Do on Oahu

5 Activities on Maui

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Photo courtesy clockwise from large photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ron Garnett, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ), Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson.

1)Haleakala Downhill Bike Ride —About the only thing that tops the view from the summit of Maui’s 10,000-foot volcano is flying down its slopes on a bicycle.
2)Molokini Snorkel —If you’re itching to try out your underwater gear in a place teeming with marine life, Molokini is a hot ticket stop.
3)Heavenly Hana Tour — Visit Hana, a cultural treasure in East Maui accessible via a narrow, winding road marked by tiny 59 bridges, wildly gorgeous foliage and waterfalls.
4)Haleakala Sunrise —Haleakala, a massive shield volcano that rises 10,023 feet above Maui’s coastal areas, is an enormously popular and easily accessible visitor destination.
5)Maui Ocean Center —Rounding the corner into the Living Reef at the Maui Ocean Center is like stepping into a psychedelic fishbowl.

See More Things To Do on Maui

5 Activities on the Big Island

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Photo courtesy clockwise from large photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Kirk Lee Aeder, Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB), Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson, Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ), Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Kirk Lee Aeder.

1)Volcano and Island Tour —This sweeping tour of the Big Island serves to highlight its most popular sightseeing spots, from the world’s most active volcano to the second largest cowboy ranch in the United States.
2)Paradise Helicopter Adventure —Experience lava, rainbows, waterfalls and authentic Hawaii.
3)Stargazing on Mauna Kea —Mauna Kea is one of the clearest places on the planet for viewing the night sky and offers a rare opportunity to experience the polar tundra in Hawaii.
4) Kona Snorkeling Tour —Set sail down the beautiful Kona Coastline aboard our spacious 50 foot catamaran the “Hokuhele.”
5) Manta Ray Night Snorkel —“One of the top then things to do in your lifetime,” according to The Travel Channel.

See Things To Do on the Big Island

Enjoy your adventures! Make every moment count.

So Many Choices, So Little Time: Hawaii's Most Popular Activities | Hawaii.com (2024)

FAQs

What are the most popular times to go to Hawaii? ›

Summer and mid-spring—during breaks from school—are also peak periods. In general, you'll find cheaper rates and fewer visitors in late spring and fall (before Thanksgiving). Above: Visitors flock to Hawaii's warm, sunny beaches year round.

What is a few sentences about Hawaii? ›

It is the only state not on the North American mainland, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state in the tropics. H.I. Hawaii consists of 137 volcanic islands that comprise almost the entire Hawaiian archipelago (the exception, which is outside the state, is Midway Atoll).

What is the number one attraction in Hawaii? ›

1. Explore Pearl Harbour. The 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour led to the USA entering World War II. Today the harbour is still an active military base, but it's also Hawaii's most famous visitor attraction.

What's the cheapest time to go to Hawaii? ›

Cheap flights to Hawaii

The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March.

What is the least crowded month in Hawaii? ›

The Best Time to Visit Hawaii for The Fewest Crowds

January, February, September, and October have the fewest people on the Hawaiian Islands. To avoid the crowds, these months are the best time to visit Hawaii. September and October are the least crowded as visitor counts drop to the islands after Labor Day.

Which island in Hawaii has the most activities? ›

Some people enjoy the hustle and bustle of Oahu, which offers just about every activity under the sun. Others prefer the quiet solitude and raw beauty of Kauai. For a true Hawaiian experience, you really ought to visit more than one island to get a sense of Hawaii's unique variety.

Why is Hawaii so famous? ›

Relaxation and natural beauty are the top draws. Known for its active volcanoes, wildlife refuges, and tall active peaks, it's little wonder that 88% of our respondents cite natural beauty as a reason for visiting Hawaii. Relaxing by the beach is the second most popular reason for visiting.

What is the nicest island in Hawaii? ›

In our opinion, O'ahu is without a doubt the best Hawaii Island to visit. Other islands come close, but with attractions like Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum, and the famous Waikiki Beach to name a few, O'ahu has something for everyone. It is hard to beat as the top island to visit.

Is Hawaii very expensive? ›

To live comfortably in Hawaii, an annual income of around $70,000 to $100,000 for a single person, or $120,000 to $200,000 for a family is recommended. Is it expensive to live in Hawaii? Yes, Hawaii is known for its high cost of living due to factors such as housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation.

Is Hawaii closer to Japan, USA or Australia? ›

Honolulu is 4704 miles from the closest Australian capital city which is Brisbane. Honolulu is 1197 miles from San Fransisco. Honolulu is 3857 miles from Tokyo. So your answer is Honolulu is closer to the US mainland than Australia or Asia.

Is Maui or Honolulu better? ›

Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.

What month is best time to go to Hawaii? ›

The best time to visit Hawaii is between March and September. This is when the islands see the highest temperatures and the lowest amount of rain. It's the perfect time to enjoy the beach or the water.

What month is rainy in Hawaii? ›

Hawaii's rainy season lasts from October to March, with Hawaii's rainiest month being December.

What is the hurricane season for Hawaii? ›

Hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June to November, though the Aloha State sees the most hurricanes in July, August, and September.

What is the best amount of time to spend in Hawaii? ›

If you are looking to hike, snorkel, or camp, we recommend taking even 14 days for your vacation. If you are just looking to enjoy the hotel or resort you are staying in and plan on being around the pool most days, 10 days is probably sufficient.

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