Epic experiences you can only have in Hawaii
Best things to do in Hawaii that are worth the flight
Hawaii is one of the world’s top bucket-list destinations for a reason. But, depending on where you live, the islands might be quite a distance away. So, is Hawaii really worth the flight, both in distance and cost? Trust us—it absolutely is.
From live volcanoes to waterfalls hidden in verdant rainforests to ancient royal history, Hawaii offers experiences and natural beauty you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
Here are unforgettable, unique things you can only do on the Hawaiian islands—proving the journey is more than worth it.
Watch the Earth form right before your eyes. Located in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes occasionally erupt, treating visitors to awe-inspiring displays of molten lava.
Pro tip: Opt for an evening lava-viewing tour for the best effects, and always check current volcanic activity before visiting.
Imagine floating in the Pacific at night while enormous manta rays—some with wingspans over 12 feet—glide past you. Kona is one of the only places in the world where you can experience this rare underwater encounter.
The manta rays are drawn in by lights that attract plankton, creating an incredible, peaceful experience beneath the stars.
Punaluʻu is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii. The sand, created from cooled lava, gives the shoreline its dramatic color. It's also a popular basking spot for endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu).
This beach offers a completely different vibe from Hawaii’s golden shores—and makes for fantastic pictures.
Reminder: Always view sea turtles from a respectful distance.
Where else but Hawaii can you enjoy a gourmet meal while overlooking an active volcanic crater? At The Rim restaurant and Uncle George’s Lounge, located inside the historic Volcano House near Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, you can dine just steps from one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Finish your dinner with views of atmospheric steam or glowing lava (during active periods)—an unforgettable dining setting.
Step underground into another world through one of Hawaii’s ancient lava tubes. These tunnels were formed by flowing lava centuries ago and remain largely untouched.
The most accessible is Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can walk through a 500-year-old tunnel carved naturally through volcanic rock.
Plunge into cascading flumes and pitch-black tunnels on an inner tube and armed with a headlamp as you tube down Kauaʻi's historic sugar canals with Kauai Backcountry Adventures.
Feel the rush of cool mountain water propelling you through engineering marvels carved by hand into the island’s lush landscape—passages where Hawaiian plantation workers used to carry water to Hawaiian sugar crops.
Kauai, known as the Garden Isle, offers idyllic hikes through rainforests to some of the most stunning waterfalls in Hawaii. Explore trails leading to hidden gems like Hanakāpīʻai Falls, where you’ll trek through bamboo groves and old-growth jungle.
This hike offers a perfect mix of adventure and serenity—and is absolutely worth the effort.
Important: Pack water, wear sturdy shoes, and check weather conditions before heading out.
Wailua Falls in Kauai is not only breathtaking but often displays a rainbow in the morning hours, thanks to the play of sunlight on the mist.
These dramatic, twin 83-foot falls are easy to access and offer a perfect photo opportunity. While swimming is not officially sanctioned at the base, visitors often explore carefully.
Travel tip: Go early to beat the crowds and catch the morning light for the best rainbow visibility.
Trek along the famous and difficult Kalalau Trail - the only land route to Kauai's stunning Na Pali Coast. Follow an ancient Hawaiian footpath as it hugs dramatic cliffs rising 4,000 feet above the blue Pacific Ocean. Cross flowing streams, climb steep inclines, pass through lush valleys, and discover hidden beaches.
The first two miles reward you with jaw-dropping views that appear in many movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, King Kong, Tropic Thunder, and Jurassic Park.
Not up to the challenge? You can also view the Na Pali Coast by boat or helicopter tour.
Hawaii is home to the only royal palace in the U.S.—ʻIolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. Once home to Hawaii’s monarchy before the state became part of the U.S. in 1959, it now rivals palaces in Europe in both history and elegance.
Walk through opulent rooms, including the throne room and the royal prison quarters, while learning about Hawaii's rich cultural and political history. Fun fact: The palace was built in 1882 and was wired for electricity even before the White House was.
Challenge yourself on Koko Crater Trail (also known as the “Stairmaster”), where you'll climb 1,048 old railway ties straight up the side of a volcano. Every step follows the tracks that once carried military supplies during World War II.
The climb is tough but worth it - at the top, you'll see amazing views of Oahu's coastline, parts of Molokaʻi, and the bright blue ocean all around.
Venture into the heart of Hawaii’s pineapple heritage at the renowned Dole Pineapple Plantation in central Oahu. Wander through the world's largest garden maze, taste super sweet pineapple that was just picked from the fields, and ride the Pineapple Express train through rows of spiky plants and learn how these tasty fruits grow.
Don't leave without trying the famous Dole Whip ice cream - it's pineapple-flavored heaven (then bring back some for us).
Walk above the sunken USS Arizona, where 1,177 sailors lost their lives in 1941 in Pearl Harbor during an infamous surprise attack. Watch as oil still bubbles up from the underwater ship, called "Tears of the Arizona."
This important memorial helps us remember a day that changed America forever, thrusting the country into the Second World War. You can touch the names of heroes carved into the memorial wall and help to honor their sacrifice.
Jump in a rugged UTV vehicle and zoom across Kualoa Ranch where they filmed Jurassic Park. Splash through mud puddles and drive past the exact spots where movie dinosaurs once chased actors.
This working ranch has been the backdrop for over 200 movies and TV shows - you might recognize scenes from Lost, Hawaii Five-O, and Jumanji.
Dive down to a real WWII airplane that crashed offshore! This Corsair fighter plane wreck site now sits on the ocean floor where tropical fish and other marine life make their home in and around the cockpit.
While primarily a scuba dive site, some tour outfitters will offer snorkel tours to float right above this underwater time capsule, where you’ll spot frogfish, garden eels, and a resident octopus darting through the wings.
Swim in crystal-clear water inside Molokini Crater - a half-sunken volcano that forms a perfect C-shape in the ocean, about 2.5 miles offshore from Maui. This natural fish bowl protects you from the channel’s powerful waves and currents, and the hundreds of colorful fish species that you won't see along the shore.
The water around the coral reefs is so clear you can see more than 100 feet ahead. Look for parrotfish, triggerfish, and even reef sharks.
Climb to the top of the Haleakalā dormant shield volcano (after a 3.5-hour drive) where the rust-red, barren landscape looks exactly like Mars. You'll stand above the clouds at 10,000 feet, looking down at otherworldly crater views. NASA astronauts actually trained here because it resembles the moon's surface.
But don’t be fooled by this volcanic desert. It’s extremely cold up there, so bring a warm jacket.
Glide alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles as they gracefully swim through blue waters. These peaceful creatures, called "honu" in Hawaiian, can live to be 80 years old. Hawaiians believe turtles bring good luck and protect families.
Watch them nibble on seaweed or surface for air, but remember: look but don't touch these protected animals.
Navigate 620 curves and cross 59 bridges on Maui's legendary Road to Hana, which starts in Kahului and ends in Hāna. Stop to jump in waterfall pools, walk on black sand beaches, and eat fresh banana bread from roadside stands.
This winding road takes you through rainforests with rainbow-colored trees and past ocean lookouts and waterfalls. The journey itself is the adventure.
From Pālā‘au State Park, enjoy breathtaking views from Kalaupapa Lookout, perched 1,600 feet above the Pacific. The dramatic sea cliffs are the tallest on Earth, leading down to the sparkling waters below.
The Kalaupapa Peninsula was once a settlement for those with Hansen’s disease, but is now a National Historic Park, sharing powerful stories of resilience and sacrifice. Although access is limited, the lookout provides a poignant glimpse into Hawai‘i’s history.
Explore Halawa Valley, a sacred site where lush jungles, waterfalls, and rich history converge. One of Hawaiʻi’s oldest inhabited areas, its cultural heritage is shared by local guides.
On the way to picturesque Mo‘oula Falls, encounter ancient taro terraces and heiau (temples) as you discover how early Hawaiians lived in harmony with nature. Join a guided hike with Halawa Valley Cultural Tours for this unique experience.
The ancient art of storytelling through dance, chant, and movement is said to have originated here, with the goddess Laka blessing the land with inspiration.
Today, hula is still celebrated island-wide, especially during the annual Ka Hula Piko Festival ("Center of the Hula"), where musicians and dancers gather at the base of Ka‘ana to honor hula’s origins. If you’re lucky enough to be there in May, witnessing this celebration among locals is a culturally rich, unforgettable experience.
Molokaʻi’s sweetest after-dark tradition happens behind Kanemitsu Bakery in Kaunakakai. Wander down a dimly lit alleyway, knock on the back door, and be rewarded with warm loaves of hot bread smeared with your choice of cinnamon, butter, strawberry jam, and even cream cheese.
Locals and visitors alike line up nightly (except Mondays) for this old-school Molokaʻi indulgence. Yes, it feels like a secret—and yes, it’s worth the wait.
Skip the standard postcard and mail your loved ones a coconut instead. At the charming Hoʻolehua Post Office, you’ll find free coconuts, markers, and inspiration to create your very own tropical “Post-a-Nut.”
Decorated by hand and mailed straight from the island, these personalized coconuts are a quirky and beloved memento of your visit.
Venture into a misty, high-elevation rainforest where over 200 native plant species—many found nowhere else on Earth—have thrived for centuries. Managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Kamakou Preserve is also home to rare birds, colorful mosses, and botanical wonders that feel straight out of a fantasy.
Private tours aren’t available, and TNC offers limited guided hikes from March to October, weather permitting. Please contact 808-954-6581 or hike_molokai@tnc.org before visiting Kamakou Preserve on your own.
Our Hawaii vacation rentals put you steps from surf, sunsets, and waterfalls—whether you crave a secluded jungle bungalow or an oceanfront escape near island-hopping adventures.
Some standout experiences include watching lava flow, snorkeling with manta rays at night, visiting the royal palace, hiking to jungle waterfalls, and swimming inside a volcano.
Yes, but volcanic activity can vary. The best place to see lava is on the Big Island at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park when eruptions are active.
Yes. Its natural beauty, cultural depth, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences make it an unforgettable and meaningful trip for any traveler.
