Things to Do in Hawaii

Volcanoes, whales, reefs, waterfalls and some of the world’s best beaches — here is what to see, do and eat in Hawaiʻi, island by island, with what you need to book ahead and what has changed this year.

Things to DoTop 20 Things to Do in HawaiiSnorkelling, volcanoes, whales, hikes, waterfalls and historyExplore → EventsHawaiʻi Events, Month by MonthMerrie Monarch, the Aloha Festivals, the Triple Crown and free weekly eventsSee the calendar → DiningWhere to Eat in HawaiʻiPoke, plate lunch, shave ice and the restaurants worth the driveFind a table →
Before you go: several of Hawaiʻi’s best sights now need a reservation, some weeks ahead — see Reservations & Fees. Kauaʻi is recovering from Hurricane Lowell (8 September 2026) and Kīlauea erupts in episodes, so check the Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island pages before you fly.

Top 20 Things to Do in Hawaii

Hawaiʻi is six visitable islands, and they are far less alike than the brochures suggest. These are the experiences that are worth planning a trip around — with the island for each and what you need to know before you go.

  1. Panoramic view of the Pearl Harbor memorial and harbour on Oʻahu
    Oʻahu

    Visit Pearl Harbor

    The USS Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri and the Pearl Harbor museums tell the story of 7 December 1941. Book the memorial program ahead — see reservations.

  2. Diamond Head crater rising behind Kapiʻolani Park and Waikīkī on Oʻahu
    Oʻahu

    Hike Diamond Head (Lēʻahi)

    The crater trail climbs to bunkers and a summit view over Waikīkī. Out-of-state visitors need a timed entry reservation.

  3. Tropical reef fish swimming over coral in clear Hawaiian water
    Oʻahu

    Snorkel Hanauma Bay

    A drowned volcanic crater turned marine preserve. Booking opens exactly 48 hours ahead at 7:00 am Hawaiʻi time and sells out in minutes; closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

  4. Aerial view of Waikīkī Beach and its hotel strip on the south shore of Oʻahu
    Oʻahu

    Learn to surf in Waikīkī

    Queen’s and Canoes are gentle, forgiving breaks — the place surfing was taught to the world. Lessons and board rentals line the beach.

  5. A large wave barrelling over the reef on Oʻahu’s North Shore
    Oʻahu

    Watch the big waves on the North Shore

    In winter, waves at Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline draw the world’s best surfers; in summer the same water is calm enough to swim. See the Oʻahu guide.

  6. Sunrise over Lanikai Beach on the windward coast of Oʻahu, with the Mokulua islets offshore
    Oʻahu

    Explore the windward coast

    Sunrise at Lanikai, the Byodo-In Temple beneath the Koʻolau cliffs and the valleys of Kualoa Ranch make an easy day from Honolulu.

  7. Downtown Honolulu skyline at dusk on Oʻahu
    Oʻahu

    See ʻIolani Palace and the Bishop Museum

    The only royal palace in the United States and the state’s great museum of Hawaiian and Pacific culture, both in Honolulu.

  8. Sunrise over the clouds from the summit of Haleakalā on Maui
    Maui

    Watch sunrise from Haleakalā

    The summit sits above the clouds at dawn. Sunrise needs two payments — a reservation and the park entrance fee — and people often book only one. See the Maui guide.

  9. One of the one-lane bridges on the Road to Hāna, surrounded by rainforest on east Maui
    Maui

    Drive the Road to Hāna

    More than 600 curves and dozens of one-lane bridges through rainforest and past waterfalls. Waiʻānapanapa’s black sand beach needs a reservation, with no same-day option.

  10. A humpback whale breaching clear of the water off the coast of Maui
    Maui

    Go whale watching

    From December to April, peaking January to March, thousands of humpback whales gather off Maui — often visible from the west and south shores without a boat.

  11. A green sea turtle swimming over the reef beside a snorkeller in Hawaii
    All islands

    Snorkel with sea turtles

    Green sea turtles feed along reefs on every island. Watch from a respectful distance — at least 10 feet — and never touch them. Molokini Crater off Maui is a favourite snorkel trip.

  12. Kapalua Bay at twilight on the west coast of Maui
    Maui

    Relax on West Maui’s beaches

    Kāʻanapali and Kapalua Bay are known for calm, clear water and sunsets behind Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. See our Maui beaches.

  13. Lava glowing in the Kīlauea caldera at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island
    Hawaiʻi Island

    Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Kīlauea erupts in episodes inside Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Nobody can promise you lava — check the USGS update the same morning and go in the evening for the glow.

  14. Telescope domes on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaiʻi Island
    Hawaiʻi Island

    Stargaze on Maunakea

    The summit is home to some of the world’s great observatories and some of its darkest skies. The summit road needs a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

  15. A charter boat heading out on calm water at sunset in Hawaii
    Hawaiʻi Island

    Night snorkel with manta rays

    Off Kona, boats light up the water and manta rays with wingspans up to 16 feet barrel-roll beneath you. It runs almost every night of the year.

  16. Carved kiʻi, thatched hale and palisade at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau on the South Kona coast
    Hawaiʻi Island

    Walk through Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

    A restored place of refuge on the South Kona coast, with carved kiʻi, thatched hale and a great stone wall — one of Hawaiʻi’s most important cultural sites.

  17. Rainbow Falls in Hilo with a rainbow in the spray, Hawaiʻi Island
    Hawaiʻi Island

    See Rainbow Falls and Hilo

    Go in the morning for a rainbow in the spray, then explore Hilo’s farmers market, gardens and bayfront.

  18. The fluted cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast on Kauaʻi in late afternoon light, seen from a boat
    Kauaʻi

    See the Nā Pali Coast

    No road reaches it: see the cliffs by boat, by helicopter or on the Kalalau Trail with a Hāʻena State Park permit. Check current conditions after Hurricane Lowell first.

  19. Waimea Canyon on Kauaʻi with Waipoʻo Falls dropping into the red rock gorge
    Kauaʻi

    Look into Waimea Canyon

    The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” drops into red rock gorges, with Waipoʻo Falls visible from the lookouts. See the Kauaʻi guide for current access.

  20. A fire-knife dancer performing at a Hawaiian lūʻau at dusk
    All islands

    Go to a lūʻau

    A feast of kālua pig and poi with hula and fire-knife dancing. Every island has them; most book up in high season. See events and dining.

More ideas by island: Oʻahu · Maui · Hawaiʻi Island · Kauaʻi · Molokaʻi · Lānaʻi · All activities

Explore Hawaii by Island

Choosing the wrong island is the most expensive mistake in Hawaiʻi planning. Start with the island guides, then dive into each island’s things to do, beaches, dining and events. Not sure? Compare them on our islands page.

Aerial view of Waikīkī Beach on Oʻahu

Oʻahu

Honolulu, Waikīkī, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore — the most to do, and the most people.

Things to doBeachesDiningEvents

A humpback whale’s tail fluke above the water off Maui

Maui

Haleakalā, the Road to Hāna, whale season and long golden beaches.

Things to doBeachesDiningEvents

A pāhoehoe lava flow moving over older rock on Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaiʻi Island

Active volcanoes, Maunakea’s stars, manta rays and beaches in four colours.

Things to doBeachesDiningEvents

The Nā Pali Coast cliffs on Kauaʻi seen from a boat

Kauaʻi

The Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and the lushest landscapes in the islands.

Things to doBeachesDiningEvents

A quiet, empty Hawaiian beach

Molokaʻi

No traffic lights, no resorts: sea cliffs, Kalaupapa and old Hawaiʻi.

Things to doBeachesDiningEvents

Palm trees silhouetted against a Hawaiian sunset

Lānaʻi

One small town, two resorts and red-dirt back roads to empty beaches.

Things to doBeachesDiningEvents

Hawaii Through the Year

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Humpback whale season, big surf on north shores and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on Oʻahu’s North Shore (November–December). Peak prices over the holidays.

Spring (Mar–May)

Whales into April, the Merrie Monarch hula festival in Hilo the week after Easter, and some of the best-value weeks of the year in late April and May.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Calm water on north shores, school-holiday crowds and festivals across the islands. Hurricane season begins in June.

Fall (Sep–Nov)

The Aloha Festivals on Oʻahu in September, warm water, fewer visitors and good fares before the holidays.

Events month by month Plan your trip Reservations & fees

What to Eat in Hawaii

Fire-knife dancers performing at a Hawaiian lūʻau dinner show
A lūʻau is dinner and a show in one.

Hawaiʻi’s food blends Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Portuguese and American cooking. Start with the everyday classics:

  • Poke — cubed raw fish, usually ʻahi, seasoned with shoyu, sesame and limu. Fish counters often beat restaurants.
  • Plate lunch — two scoops of rice, macaroni salad and a main such as kalbi, katsu or kālua pig.
  • Loco moco and saimin — Hawaiʻi’s comfort food, at diners and drive-ins on every island.
  • Shave ice and malasadas — the two sweets every visitor should try.

Our Hawaiʻi dining guide explains which restaurant awards are real, and each island has its own page: Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi.

Hawaii’s Best Beaches

Waikīkī Beach with Diamond Head behind it on Oʻahu
Waikīkī and Diamond Head, Oʻahu.

White sand, black sand, green sand and red sand — Hawaiʻi has beaches for every mood, but the ocean here is powerful. North shores are rough in winter and south shores in summer, and many beaches have no lifeguard. Read the conditions before you swim, and wear reef-safe sunscreen: it is the law.

Hawaiʻi beaches guide · Oʻahu · Maui · Hawaiʻi Island · Kauaʻi

Hawaii in Pictures

Snow on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaiʻi IslandFire dancers performing at a lūʻau at sunset in HawaiiCinder cones on the floor of Haleakalā crater on MauiThe view into Waimea Canyon from a lookout on KauaʻiGreen sea turtles resting on a Hawaiian reefThe Byodo-In Temple beneath the Koʻolau range on OʻahuThe summit of Haleakalā rising above the clouds on MauiPalm tree silhouettes against a Hawaiian sunset

Hawaii Visitor FAQ

What are the top things to do in Hawaii?

Snorkelling Hanauma Bay or with sea turtles, watching sunrise from Haleakalā, driving the Road to Hāna, visiting Pearl Harbor and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, seeing the Nā Pali Coast, whale watching in winter, a manta ray night snorkel off Kona and a lūʻau.

Which Hawaiian island is best for a first visit?

Oʻahu has the most to do and the easiest logistics; Maui has the classic beach-and-scenery mix; Hawaiʻi Island has the volcanoes and the most variety; Kauaʻi is the most lush and laid-back. Many first-timers combine Oʻahu with one neighbour island.

What do I need to book ahead in Hawaii?

Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head for out-of-state visitors, Haleakalā sunrise, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, Hāʻena State Park on Kauaʻi and the Pearl Harbor memorial program all need reservations. Our Reservations & Fees page lists each booking window and price.

When is the best time to visit Hawaii?

April to May and September to October usually bring good weather, smaller crowds and lower prices. Winter (December to April) is whale season and big-wave season on north shores; summer is busier with calmer north-shore water. Hurricane season runs June to November.

How many days do I need in Hawaii?

Plan at least five days on one island, or seven to ten days for two islands. Inter-island travel is by plane, so allow half a day for each island hop.

Plan the Rest of Your Trip

Hotel deals in Honolulu, Maui, Kauaʻi and on Hawaiʻi Island at Rooms Cheap · tours and lūʻau tickets at 101 Things to Do in Hawaii · island-by-island planning at My Hawaii Planner · restaurants at the Hawaii Dining Guide · car rentals at USA Auto Rental.