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

So Many Choices, So Little Time: Hawaii's Most Popular Activities | Hawaii.com (1)

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 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 is Hawaii number 1? ›

Hawaii Rankings
Crime & Corrections#10
Health Care#1
Infrastructure#47
Natural Environment#1
Opportunity#41
3 more rows

What is the best Hawaiian island to visit for the first time? ›

Oahu is a perfect choice for your first time in Hawaii as it offers a blend of everything. First and foremost, Oahu boasts some of the most iconic and easily accessible Hawaiian attractions. Honolulu, the capital city, is located on Oahu, making it a hub for flights.

Which part of Hawaii has the most activities? ›

Oahu Brings the Best of City Life and Country Living

Honolulu, the state's capital, is Oahu's bustling hub with parks, museums, theaters, restaurants, shopping malls, cultural events and indoor and outdoor concerts.

Where is the prettiest place in Hawaii? ›

The Na Pali Coastline on Kauai is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places on earth. This coastal region isn't just one of the best places to see in Hawaii, but it is also super rich in Hawaiian cultural history.

Who owns Hawaii? ›

The Hawaii State Government.

The State of Hawaii owns land on every island, including 127.1 acres on Niihau and over 1 million acres on Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

What is the number one killer in Hawaii? ›

Heart Disease

Which Hawaiian island is the cheapest to visit? ›

O'ahu
  • O'ahu is recommended by many residents as the cheapest island in Hawaii to travel. ...
  • The lowest accommodation cost here is $150-$200 per night. ...
  • A must-do when coming to O'ahu is to emerge into its beaches: the Waikiki Beach with a view of the Diamond Head crater or the Lanikai Beach with crystal clear water.
Jun 20, 2024

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 is the least touristy Hawaiian island? ›

The smaller islands of Hawaii that are open to visitors are Lanai and Molokai. Lanai has three hotels (two of which are luxurious Four Seasons Resorts) for overnight visits, but it's also a popular day trip option from Maui by ferry or plane. Molokai is the least-visited Hawaiian island.

Is Hawaii very expensive? ›

According to a study by Payscale.com, the cost of living in Honolulu, Hawaii is 88% higher than the national average with housing clocking in at 202% higher than the national average.

What is the friendliest Hawaiian island to live on? ›

Molokai: The Friendly Isle

The island gets very few tourists and has the largest indigenous population by percentage. If you want to escape the resorts and crowds and get a feel for everyday island life, this may be the place for you.

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 most visited in Hawaii? ›

Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki. These areas attract tourists by the thousands daily.

What brings tourists to Hawaii? ›

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.

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