Choose from 196 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii
Makua Beach (Tunnels Beach)
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Nuuanu Valley Rain Forest
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Polynesian Cultural Center
- All major areas are wheelchair accessible, and American Sign Language interpreters are available for most shows. Wheelchairs and scooters can be rented on site for an additional fee.
- A number of gift shops and restaurants are set throughout the park, including the main Hukilau Marketplace.
- A limited number of foreign language tours are offered starting at $25.
- Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis and run from $5 to $15.
- While cameras are welcome around the site, photos and video are not allowed during the “Ha: Breath of Life” show.
Makena
Makena is home to some of Maui's best beaches, including Big Beach—one of the only stretches of Maui's shoreline that has been entirely protected from development—and nearby Little Beach, which is known as the island's clothing-optional outpost and hosts drum circles led by sun worshippers. Snorkeling is also especially popular in Makena, and pods of spinner dolphins have been known to frequent the waters of Keone’o’io.
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Magic Island
- Magic Island is a must-see for sunbathers and families.
- The area offers a free parking lot, but on weekends its 450 spaces fill up fast.
- There are three restroom and changing-room blocks staggered throughout the park.
- Petty thefts have occured here, so keep an eye on your belongings and don’t leave valuables in your car.
Kaanapali
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Poipu Beach Park
Poipu Beach Park is Kauai’s most popular beach resort for families, with a natural ocean pool, golden sand and an endless array of watersports.
This beach is watched over by lifeguards, to ensure safe seaside fun for all the family. You’ll also find a playground, washing facilities, picnic tables, shady lawns and mini golf,.
The vacation activities are boundless at Poipu, from summertime surfing and year-round snorkeling to hiking, horseback riding and golf.
Other beaches nearby include protected Baby Beach for youngsters, body-surfing waves at Brennecke’s, snorkeling from Lawai and shoreline walking at Shipwreck’s Beach.
As this is a resort area, you’ll also find great shopping and dining at Poipu Beach, including popular oceanfront restaurants and seafood beach bars.
Practical Info
Poipu is on Kauai’s southern coast, a 25-minute drive from the airport. Getting here from Lihue is easiest by rental car or taxi.
Oahu Cruise Port
If you want to explore Honolulu and the surrounding area on your own, rent a scooter to travel around in style.
How to get to Oahu
Ships dock in Honolulu, the state capital. You’ll pull in the harbor by the Aloha Tower Marketplace, where you can find cabs, rental car shuttles and the Waikiki Trolley Red Line.
One Day on Oahu
Before it gets too crowded, visit the sites of the Pearl Harbor complex, including the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri Memorial and the USS Bowfin submarine memorial. The Japanese attack, which killed more than 2,000 people on December 7, 1941, is remembered through film, museum exhibits, artifacts, aircraft and personal stories.
Pearl Harbor will take up most of the morning, so head to Waikiki next to relax. Honolulu’s famous stretch of sand is home to high-rise hotels, Diamond Head crater and landmarks like the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, father of surfing. Visit Diamond Head’s observation deck for views of the coast, and then find the perfect spot on one of the several beaches to people watch and work on your tan – try Fort DeRussy Beach for snorkeling or Kuhio Beach for a calm swimming spot.
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Menehune Fish Pond
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Mission Houses Museum
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Makapuu Lighthouse
- Makapu’u Point is ideal for lighthouse enthusiasts and anyone looking for a lovely, low-impact outdoor experience.
- There is no access to the lighthouse.
- Good walking shoes are recommended, as are a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. On cloudy days, tote a rain jacket.
- The trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, though it does have a moderate grade to the lighthouse. The side trail to the tide pools is not accessible.
Kualoa Ranch
- All onsite experiences are part of fully guided tours, and reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance.
- Kualoa Ranch offers lockers, a gift shop, a visitor center, and a restaurant, Aunty Pat’s Cafe, which serves dishes featuring Kualoa-grown meats and vegetables.
- Insect repellant and rain jackets may be helpful on jungle tours.
- Horseback riding tours are limited to visitors ages 10 and up; ATV tours are limited to those 16 and over.
- Some tours include round-trip transport from Waikiki hotels.
North Shore
- Only expert surfers should attempt to ride the North Shore’s massive winter waves.
- Parking can be difficult to find, especially during the winter surf season.
- Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water.
Pearl Harbor
- To make the most of Pearl Harbor’s multitude of historical and maritime attractions, set aside an entire day to explore the site, and be sure to choose a tour that includes all the areas important to you.
- The famous Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is open daily from 7am until 5pm, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
How to Get There
Kona (Kailua-Kona)
- Kailua-Kona serves as an ideal starting point for first-time visitors to the Big Island.
- Hawaii does not recognize daylight saving time like the rest of the US (nor does the majority of the state of Arizona).
- Dozens of hotels line the water in Kona, with a match for every budget.
- Kona typically serves as a home base for couples and families with kids looking for a beach vacation, but is also a convenient starting point for outdoor adventurers and culture buffs looking to explore the rest of the Big Island.
Oahu Chinatown
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Polihale State Park
Novelty-seekers can revel in the knowledge that Polihale State Park is the westernmost public beach in the entire state of Hawaii, while adventurers will love how the park is accessed by a rugged dirt road where 100-foot sand dunes line the empty shoreline. If you’re a photographer, Polihale State Park is one of the few places on Kauai where you can photograph the sunset disappearing into the water and somehow be the only person around.
Different from the popular tourist centers of Poipu, Kapa’a, and Hanalei, the main draw for visitors to Polihale is not its popularity, but how it somehow continues to be completely and totally wild. There are no facilities to be found anywhere at Polihale, and the only place which is safe for swimming is a protected area towards the south end of the beach which is known as the Queen’s Bath.
Camping is permitted along the length of Polihale, although campers will need to pack in all of their own supplies since the closest town is over 30 minutes away. A windswept wilderness of sculpted sand and powerful surf, a visit to Polihale State Park is a reminder of what it means to be free.