Things to Do

Adventures, by type and by island

From floating over a coral reef to standing at the rim of an active volcano. Browse by what you feel like doing, then jump to the island lists. Always confirm details on the official link before booking.

⚠ Book early Water Land & air Culture Oʻahu Maui Kauaʻi Big Island

The “book the second it opens” list

A few of Hawaii’s best experiences run on timed reservation systems that sell out within minutes of release. Put these on the calendar — we set an alarm for the exact day/time the window opens.

Book on the official systems▶ How reservations work🌐 recreation.gov (Pearl Harbor / Haleakalā)🌐 Hawaiʻi State Parks🌐 gohaena.com (Hāʻena/Kēʻē)🌐 Waiʻānapanapa reservations
ExperienceIslandBooksWhere
USS Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor boat)Oʻahu56 days ahead, 3pm HST — sells out fastrecreation.gov
Haleakalā sunrise (summit entry)Maui60 days ahead, 7am HSTrecreation.gov
Hanauma Bay snorkel reservationOʻahu2 days ahead, 7am HST (online window)pukas.hnl.info (city system)
Diamond Head hike entryOʻahuUp to 30 days ahead (out-of-state must reserve)gostateparks.hawaii.gov
Waiʻānapanapa (black-sand beach, Road to Hāna)MauiUp to 30 days ahead; timed entrygostateparks.hawaii.gov
Hāʻena State Park / Kēʻē Beach (Nā Pali trailhead)Kauaʻi30 days ahead, opens midnight HSTgohaena.com

Timing matters more than anything else here

“Books 56 days ahead” means you literally cannot reserve earlier — and the slots can vanish the same minute. Since our dates land in June 2027, these windows open in spring 2027. We’ll track exact open-dates on the Plan page as the trip nears.

🌊 On & in the water

Watch📷 Photos▶ Snorkel guide▶ Molokini▶ Manta rays▶ Nā Pali boat▶ Surf lesson
Coral reef snorkeling
Coral reef snorkeling · Photo: USFWS Pacific / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Manta ray, Kona
Manta ray, Kona · Photo: William Stamps Howard / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nā Pali by boat
Nā Pali by boat · Photo: Dcrjsr / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Surf at Waikīkī
Surf at Waikīkī · Photo: Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view from Los Angeles, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🤿

Snorkeling

The signature Hawaii activity. Top spots: Hanauma Bay & Electric Beach (Oʻahu), Molokini & Honolua Bay (Maui), Poʻipū & Tunnels (Kauaʻi), Two Step & Kealakekua (Big Island).

🐠

Scuba diving

Intro “discover” dives for first-timers; certified diving at Molokini, Kona, and Lānaʻi’s lava tubes.

🦈

Manta ray night snorkel

A Big Island bucket-lister off Kona: lights draw plankton, and giant mantas glide right past you. Magical and beginner-friendly.

🛶

Boat & sunset cruises

Nā Pali Coast tours (Kauaʻi), Molokini trips (Maui), sunset + dinner sails, whale-free summer wildlife cruises.

🏄

Surf & SUP lessons

Waikīkī’s gentle rollers are the world’s most famous learner waves. Stand-up paddle on calm bays everywhere.

🐢

Just the beach

Sometimes the best plan is a calm cove, a book, and honu (sea turtles) cruising by. Summer = calmer north shores.

Ocean safety is non-negotiable

Never turn your back on the waves, swim where lifeguards are, and check conditions daily. More on the Things to Know page.

⛰️ On land & in the air

Watch📷 Photos▶ Land & air▶ Volcanoes NP▶ Helicopter▶ Mauna Kea stars▶ Kualoa Ranch
Helicopter tour
Helicopter tour · Photo: Jim G from Silicon Valley, CA, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Waterfall hike
Waterfall hike · Photo: Paul Hirst (Phirst) / CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Kualoa Ranch valley
Kualoa Ranch valley · Photo: Famartin / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kona coffee country
Kona coffee country · Photo: Kona Historical Society / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌋

Volcanoes & craters

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP (Big Island) and Haleakalā (Maui). Lava fields, steam vents, summit sunrises above the clouds.

🚁

Helicopter tours

The way to see what you can’t drive to — Nā Pali cliffs (Kauaʻi), remote waterfalls, lava country (Big Island).

💧

Waterfalls & hikes

ʻAkaka Falls (Big Island), Road to Hāna falls (Maui), Waimea Canyon trails (Kauaʻi), Mānoa Falls (Oʻahu).

⭐

Stargazing

Mauna Kea (Big Island) is among Earth’s best night skies. Note: the summit visitor-station program has been limited — guided summit tours are the reliable route.

🐴

Ranch, ATV & zipline

Kualoa Ranch (Oʻahu, the “Jurassic Park” valley), horseback rides, ziplines on Maui & Kauaʻi.

🌺

Gardens & scenic drives

Botanical gardens, coffee farms, lavender farms, and the islands’ famous coastal drives.

🌺 Culture, history & food

Watch📷 Photos▶ Culture & food▶ Luau▶ Polynesian Cultural Ctr▶ Pearl Harbor▶ ʻIolani Palace
Luau & fire dance
Luau & fire dance · Photo: Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ʻIolani Palace
ʻIolani Palace · Photo: billsoPHOTO from Honolulu, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center · Photo: Steven Pavlov / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Island farmers market
Island farmers market · Photo: Staecker / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
🎭

Luau

A feast with music, hula, and fire-knife dancing — a fun, festive night (and a great idea for Ava’s birthday). Many can accommodate gluten-free with advance notice.

🏛️

History & heritage

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona, ʻIolani Palace (the only royal palace on U.S. soil), Bishop Museum (Oʻahu), Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau (Big Island).

🥥

Polynesian Cultural Center

Hands-on villages of Pacific cultures + a big evening show. A full, easygoing day on Oʻahu’s north-east coast.

🧺

Farmers markets

KCC Market (Oʻahu) is the famous one — tropical fruit, local food, perfect for assembling a celiac-safe picnic.

☕

Coffee & farm tours

Kona coffee country (Big Island) has many free tastings/tours; pineapple & chocolate farms elsewhere.

🛥️

Submarine ride

Atlantis Submarines (Oʻahu, Maui, Big Island) descends to reefs/wrecks — great for non-snorkelers. (Maui location has had closures — verify.)

By island

Oʻahu activity list

Oʻahu — watch & book📷 Photos🗺️ Map▶ Top things to do▶ Pearl Harbor▶ Diamond Head▶ Kualoa🌐 gohawaii: Oʻahu🌐 Kualoa Ranch🌐 Polynesian Cultural Center🌐 ʻIolani Palace
ActivityWhat it isBook?
Pearl Harbor / USS ArizonaWWII memorial + boat to the sunken battleshipYes — 56-day window
Diamond HeadCrater-rim hike over WaikīkīYes (out-of-state)
Hanauma BayProtected snorkel coveYes — 2-day window; closed Mon/Tue
Polynesian Cultural CenterPacific-cultures park + night showRecommended
Kualoa RanchMovie-set valley: ATV, zip, horseback, toursYes
ʻIolani PalaceRoyal palace tour, downtown HonoluluRecommended
North Shore dayHaleʻiwa town, turtles, food trucksNo
Waikīkī surf lessonBeginner waves, the classic introDay-of OK
Lanikai / Kailua beachesPostcard turquoise water (windward)No

Maui activity list

Maui — watch & book📷 Photos🗺️ Map▶ Top things to do▶ Road to Hāna▶ Haleakalā▶ Molokini🌐 gohawaii: Maui🌐 Maui Ocean Center🌐 NPS: Haleakalā
ActivityWhat it isBook?
Road to HānaFamous all-day drive: waterfalls, beaches, forestReserve Waiʻānapanapa
Haleakalā sunriseSunrise above the clouds at ~10,000 ftYes — 60-day window
Molokini snorkel/diveBoat tour to a crescent crater reefYes
ʻĪao ValleyLush valley + green “needle” (verify access)Reserve
Maui Ocean CenterExcellent aquarium, all-ages, indoor optionRecommended
LuauOld Lahaina–style feast & hula (e.g., Te Au Moana)Yes — weeks ahead
Lānaʻi ferry day tripSnorkel Hulopoʻe Bay (when ferry runs)Check schedule

Whale watching is a winter activity (roughly Dec–Apr) — humpbacks are gone by June, so we won’t plan on it. Some Maui attractions have had closures (Atlantis sub, ʻĪao access) — verify before relying on them.

Kauaʻi activity list

Kauaʻi — watch & book📷 Photos🗺️ Map▶ Top things to do▶ Nā Pali boat▶ Waimea Canyon▶ Wailua River🌐 gohawaii: Kauaʻi🌐 gohaena.com (Hāʻena/Kēʻē)🌐 Smith's Wailua River
ActivityWhat it isBook?
Nā Pali Coast boat tourThe iconic cliffs from the water (+ snorkel)Yes
Nā Pali helicopterAerial of cliffs, falls & Waimea CanyonYes
Waimea Canyon & Kōkeʻe“Grand Canyon of the Pacific” drive + lookoutsNo
Hāʻena / Kēʻē BeachNorth-shore beach + Kalalau trailheadYes — 30-day, midnight
Wailua River / Fern GrottoEasy, scenic river boat (Smith’s)Recommended
Poʻipū snorkel + monk sealsCalm south-shore reef & wildlifeNo

The Kalalau Trail beyond the first beach requires a separate camping/hiking permit (90-day window) — likely more than we need for a relaxed trip.

Big Island activity list

Hawaiʻi Island — watch & book📷 Photos🗺️ Map▶ Top things to do▶ Volcanoes NP▶ Manta rays▶ Mauna Kea🌐 gohawaii: Hawaiʻi Island🌐 NPS: Volcanoes
ActivityWhat it isBook?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NPKīlauea craters, lava fields, steam ventsNo (check eruption status)
Manta ray night snorkelGlide with giant mantas off KonaYes
Mauna Kea stargazingWorld-class skies (altitude caution)Guided tour recommended
Punaluʻu black-sand beachBlack sand + basking turtlesNo
Two Step / Kealakekua BayTop-tier snorkeling; Captain Cook monumentTour needs permit
Kona coffee farm tourTastings in coffee countryNo
ʻAkaka FallsEasy loop to a 442-ft waterfall (Hilo side)No
Papakōlea green-sand beachRare olivine beach — long hot hike/4WD shuttleNo
Build these into an itinerary → Safety & what to know →