Hawaii is not one trip. It is six visitable islands, and they are far less alike than the brochures suggest. Oahu has the history and the city. Maui has the classic beach-and-scenery mix. The Big Island has the volcanoes and the most variety. Kauai is the lush, laid-back one. This guide covers the best things to do in Hawaii across all four main islands — and if you are still deciding what to do in Hawaii, or looking for fun things to do in Hawaii beyond the usual beach day, this is the shortlist. Because this site is built by snorkelers, every pick comes with the practical detail that decides whether the day actually works: which beach to enter from, whether you need a reservation, and what it costs.
Start with the island guides when you know where you are going: things to do in Maui, things to do in Oahu, things to do in Kauai, and the Big Island hub, which now has its own things-to-do section. If you have not picked an island yet, our best Hawaiian island for snorkeling guide compares all four head to head. New this week: our guide to things to do in Waikiki, the ranked best things to do in Maui, and town guides for Wailea, Lahaina and Kihei. Also new: Things to Do in Lanai, Things to Do in Kailua-Kona, Things to Do in North Shore Oahu, Things to Do in Kauai with Kids, Things to Do in Princeville, Things to Do in Molokai, Things to Do in Kapaa, Things to Do in Hana and Things to Do in Hilo.
The best things to do in Hawaii
These are the experiences worth planning a trip around, in no particular order — the list that comes up again and again when people ask what not to miss.
1. Snorkel with green sea turtles
Honu, Hawaii’s green sea turtles, graze on reefs around every island, and snorkeling with them is the single most memorable thing most visitors do. The calm bays give the best chances: Hanauma Bay on Oahu, Kapalua and Napili on Maui, Kahalu’u on the Big Island, and Poipu on Kauai. Go in the morning, when the water is calmest and the turtles are feeding. Stay at least 10 feet away — it is the law, and the turtles will come to you if you float quietly. Our Poipu Beach snorkeling guide explains the late-afternoon haul-out, when dozens of turtles come ashore, and our Turtle Town guide covers the reef off Maluaka Beach where turtles visit cleaning stations.
2. Watch the sunrise from Haleakala
Haleakala’s summit sits above the clouds at 10,000 feet, and sunrise there is cold, quiet, and unlike anything else in Hawaii. You need a reservation for sunrise entry, and you need warm layers — it can be near freezing at the top before dawn. Book as early as you can; sunrise slots sell out weeks ahead in peak season. If sunrise is full, sunset is the easier fallback and needs no reservation. Our Maui things-to-do guide has the full Haleakala plan.
3. See Kilauea, an active volcano
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island protects Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Kilauea has been erupting in episodes since December 2024. Nobody can promise you lava on your day — check the USGS update the same morning and go in the evening for the glow. Since October 2026 some summit trails and overlooks have been closed because of earthquakes and inflation, so check the park’s current alerts before you drive out. Entry to the park is $30 per private vehicle, good for seven days. Pair the volcano with a snorkel day at nearby Two Step or Kahalu’u — our Big Island hub pairs every activity with the snorkel day it belongs to.
4. Visit Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona Memorial, over the battleship sunk on 7 December 1941, is one of the most moving places in the United States. The boat to the memorial is free with a timed ticket — reserve ahead, because walk-up standby is not guaranteed. The Battleship Missouri, where the war ended, is nearby, along with the Pearl Harbor museums. Allow at least half a day. Our Oahu things-to-do guide covers Pearl Harbor alongside Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Hanauma Bay.
5. Drive the Road to Hana
The 64-mile Road to Hana threads 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges along Maui’s northeast coast, past waterfalls, rainforest, and coastal overlooks. Drive it slowly, start early, and do not try to see everything — pick three or four stops and enjoy them. The black-sand beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park needs a reservation. Our Maui things-to-do guide lists the stops worth your time and the ones to skip.
6. See the Na Pali Coast
On Kauai, sea cliffs rise 4,000 feet straight out of the Pacific along a coast no road has ever reached. The only ways in are by boat, by air, or on foot via the Kalalau Trail — and the trail needs a permit. A morning boat tour from the west side usually includes a snorkel stop. Our Kauai things-to-do guide covers boat prices, permit rules, and the seasonal switch that decides whether the north shore is even open.
7. Night snorkel with manta rays
Off Kona on the Big Island, manta rays gather at night to feed in the lights of the dive boats. You float on the surface holding a light board while rays with wingspans up to 12 feet glide inches below you. It is one of the most unique wildlife experiences in Hawaii, and the tours run most nights of the year. Book ahead — boats are small and sell out. Our manta ray night snorkel guide covers operators, prices, and what the night is actually like.
8. Watch humpback whales
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. A whale-watch cruise gets you closer, but a morning at a west Maui beach with binoculars is a genuine alternative. Winter is also big-wave season on north shores, so check conditions before heading to a north-facing beach.
9. Snorkel Molokini Crater
Molokini is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater off Maui, and the water inside it is some of the clearest in Hawaii — visibility often over 100 feet. You can only get there by boat, and morning trips have the calmest water. It is a half-day trip, usually paired with a second stop at Turtle Town. Our Molokini snorkeling guide covers operators, prices, and the morning-versus-afternoon choice.
10. Go to a luau
A luau combines a feast of kalua pig cooked in an underground oven with music and dance from across Polynesia. Prices run from about $140 to $230 per adult. Book early — the good ones sell out, especially in summer. If you are choosing between islands, Maui and Oahu have the widest choice; Kauai’s luaus are smaller and more personal.
11. Watch the giant waves of the North Shore
In winter, Oahu’s North Shore produces some of the biggest surf on Earth. Watch from the sand at Waimea Bay or Banzai Pipeline — never swim there in winter. In summer the same beaches go calm, and Sharks Cove becomes one of the best snorkel spots on Oahu. Our Sharks Cove guide covers the summer-only window and the entry over the rocks.
12. Hike Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon on Kauai is roughly 14 miles long, a mile wide, and over 3,000 feet deep — the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The lookout points along Waimea Canyon Drive give you the view without a hike; the canyon trails reward you with the quiet. Go in the morning before the clouds build. Pair it with a west-side beach afternoon — our Kauai things-to-do guide has the pairing.
13. Stargaze on Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea’s summit is one of the best stargazing sites on the planet, and the visitor center at 9,200 feet runs free nightly stargazing programs. The summit road needs a 4WD vehicle and acclimatisation — do not rush from sea level to 13,800 feet. A guided sunset-and-stars tour is the easy option if you do not want to drive it yourself.
14. Visit ‘Iolani Palace
‘Iolani Palace in Honolulu is the only royal palace in the United States, and the guided tour is one of the best history experiences in Hawaii. It pairs naturally with a Pearl Harbor day or a Waikiki morning. Book the guided tour rather than the self-guided audio — the guides are the difference.
15. Eat a plate lunch and shave ice
Hawaii’s food is part of the trip: a plate lunch (two scoops of rice, mac salad, and your protein) from a local spot, shave ice after the beach, poke from a grocery counter. Skip the resort restaurants for at least one meal a day and eat where the locals queue.
Things to do in Hawaii by island
If you are still choosing, this is the short version. The full guides linked under each island cover everything properly.
Oahu: the most to do, the easiest logistics
Oahu has the most to do and the easiest logistics — Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, and the North Shore in one compact island. It is the best first-timer island. Read the full things to do in Oahu guide, and the best beaches in Oahu for the snorkeling-angled beach list.
Maui: the classic beach-and-scenery mix
Maui is the classic Hawaii: Haleakala sunrise, the Road to Hana, Molokini, Ka’anapali Beach, and the best whale watching in the state. It is the best island for a first snorkeling trip. Read the full things to do in Maui guide and the best beaches in Maui.
Big Island: volcanoes and the most variety
Hawaii Island is the biggest and the most varied — two active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, the manta ray night snorkel, coffee country, and the clearest water at Kealakekua Bay. You need a rental car and more days here than anywhere else. Read the Big Island hub and the Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook guide.
Kauai: the lush, laid-back one
Kauai is the greenest island — the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, and the calmest summer snorkeling on the North Shore. It is the best island for slowing down. Read the full things to do in Kauai guide and the Poipu Beach snorkeling guide for the south shore anchor.
The best snorkeling in Hawaii
This site exists because snorkeling is the best way to see Hawaii, and the honest answer is that the best snorkeling is spread across all four islands. Molokini and Turtle Town on Maui, Hanauma Bay and Sharks Cove on Oahu, Kealakekua Bay and the manta night snorkel on the Big Island, Poipu and Tunnels on Kauai. Our best Hawaiian island for snorkeling guide compares the islands head to head, and our best snorkeling in Hawaii for beginners guide lists the calmest entry-level spots if you are new to it. If you only have one snorkel day, make it a morning boat trip — Molokini from Maui or a Na Pali boat from Kauai — because the water is calmest before the wind picks up.
Things to do in Hawaii with kids
Hawaii is one of the easiest family destinations in the US, and the best family days are the simple ones. Calm, sandy beaches with gentle entry — Poipu Beach on Kauai, Kahalu’u on the Big Island, Kapalua Bay on Maui, and the inner reef at Hanauma Bay on Oahu — let kids snorkel safely with a parent in waist-deep water. The Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea is a three-acre open-air marine park with a glass tunnel where sharks and rays glide overhead; it is the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and a perfect rainy-day or rest-day stop. Older kids love the manta ray night snorkel (most operators take kids aged 5 and up with a parent) and a whale-watch cruise in winter. Practical rules: reef-safe sunscreen only, water shoes for rocky entries, and never let kids snorkel alone — Hawaii’s ocean looks calm and can change fast. Our Poipu Beach guide has a full family section, and our beginner’s guide covers the basics for first-time snorkelers of any age.
Free things to do in Hawaii
The best things in Hawaii are mostly free. Every beach in Hawaii is public, so the beaches themselves cost nothing — the bill comes from parking and rentals, not entry. Free days that are genuinely good: sunrise at any east-facing beach, a self-guided walk through Waikiki and the ‘Iolani Palace grounds, the views from Diamond Head’s surroundings (the crater hike itself has a fee and a reservation for out-of-state visitors), the North Shore in summer, the Waimea Canyon lookouts, and the Hilo Farmers Market. The Oahu guide has a free section, and so does the Maui guide — both list what is actually free versus what only looks free once parking is counted.
How many days do you need in Hawaii?
Seven days is the honest minimum for one island done properly. Five days works if you arrive early, skip the island-hopping, and accept that you will miss things. Ten to fourteen days lets you do two islands without rushing. Island-hopping eats half a day each time once you count the airport, the rental car, and check-in — so two islands in seven days means two rushed halves, not two full trips. If it is your first visit, pick one island and see it properly. If you are coming back, add a second island and go deeper instead of wider.
When is the best time to visit Hawaii?
April to May and September to October usually bring the best 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, though direct hits are rare. For snorkeling specifically, summer is the calmest on north shores and winter is the calmest on south shores — the seasonal switch matters more than the month. Our island guides explain the switch for each coast.
Things to know before you go
A few things that catch first-timers out. Several of the best experiences need reservations: Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head for out-of-state visitors, Haleakala sunrise, Wai’anapanapa State Park, Ha’ena State Park on Kauai, and the Pearl Harbor memorial program all need to be booked ahead. Hawaii bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate — use a reef-safe mineral sunscreen, and read our reef-safe sunscreen guide before you pack. Never turn your back on the ocean, never snorkel alone, and check the daily ocean conditions before you get in — our Poipu Beach guide explains how to check conditions for any beach. Rent a car on every island except central Honolulu; the bus works in town but not for beaches and trailheads.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Hawaii?
There is no single answer, but the most memorable experiences for most visitors are snorkeling with sea turtles, watching sunrise from Haleakala on Maui, seeing Kilauea volcano on the Big Island, visiting Pearl Harbor on Oahu, and seeing the Na Pali Coast on Kauai. If you only pick one, pick the one on your island — the best experience is the one you can do properly, not the one on another island’s list.
Which Hawaiian island is best for first-timers?
Oahu for the easiest trip — the most to do, the easiest logistics, and Honolulu as a base. Maui for the classic beach holiday. The Big Island for the most variety if you have a week or more. Kauai if you want the quietest, greenest trip. Our best island guide compares all four in detail.
How many days do you need in Hawaii?
Seven days for one island done properly, ten to fourteen for two islands. Five days works for a focused single-island trip. Each island hop costs about half a day, so do not plan three islands in a week.
What are the best things to do in Hawaii with kids?
Calm-beach snorkeling at Poipu, Kahalu’u, Kapalua, or Hanauma Bay’s inner reef; the Maui Ocean Center; a whale-watch cruise in winter; and the manta ray night snorkel for kids aged five and up. Keep days short, bring water shoes, and never let kids snorkel alone.
What free things can you do in Hawaii?
Beaches are all public and free. Sunrise walks, the Waimea Canyon lookouts, the North Shore in summer, Hilo Farmers Market, and self-guided walks around Waikiki and Honolulu cost nothing. Parking and rentals are where the money goes, not entry fees.
Do you need reservations for things in Hawaii?
Yes, for several of the best experiences: Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head for out-of-state visitors, Haleakala sunrise, Wai’anapanapa State Park, Ha’ena State Park, and the Pearl Harbor memorial program. Book these first, as soon as your dates are set, and build the rest of the trip around them.
What is the best time of year to visit Hawaii?
April to May and September to October for the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices. December to April for whales and big waves; summer for the calmest north-shore snorkeling.
Is Hawaii expensive?
Yes, and the costs that surprise people are the resort fees, parking, and rental cars — not the activities. Most of the best experiences are free or cheap once you are there. Book accommodation with parking included if you can, and eat at least one meal a day away from the resorts.