What first springs to mind when you think of Hawaii? White sandy beaches? Grass skirts? Drinking cocktails from coconut shells? There is so much more. With so many different places to visit it may be a little hard to narrow it down. Below you will find 8 amazing places to visit in Hawaii.
Hawaii has all that to offer and more. With a pristine coastline and inviting island life, Hawaii has been a popular destination for travelers for decades and with good reason. Whether you choose to base yourself in Maui, Oahu, Kauai or Lanai or choose to island hop throughout, it is safe to say that your stay in Hawaii will be the island adventure of a lifetime.
With breathtaking panoramic coastal vistas and crisp, cool blue seas, the islands of Hawaii certainly have a South Pacific feel to them. Friendly and hospitable islanders invite you to experience their rich and abundant culture and learn the fascinating history of these sacred isles.
Although the best cameras to pack are your eyes, there is no camera on earth that can capture the sheer beauty of Hawaii, be sure to bring a camera and a big memory card when thinking about what to pack for Hawaii as there is a photo opportunity on every corner!
8 Amazing Places to Visit in Hawaii
Bamboo Forest, Haleakala National Park, Maui
The Bamboo Forest in Haleakala National Park is lush, green and truly amazing. The famous Pipiwai Trail that leads to Waimoku Falls is a must do activity. Walk along the wooden pathway surrounded by bamboo canes that lurch upwards to pierce the contrasting blue skies.
Found in East Maui, the Bamboo Forest is photogenic beyond belief, the best cameras to capture these impressive plants would be DSLR although with the right lighting even instant Polaroid can capture the memory perfectly. As the sun gleams through the paper thin bamboo leaves take in a big breath of fresh air…you’re here, you’ve arrived…this is Hawaii.
Haiku Stairs (Stairway to Heaven), Oahu
The Haiku Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, is a treacherous and majestic hike that takes you up 3,922 steps! The Haiku Stairs span across Oahu’s Ko’olau mountain range and it is truly breath-taking; not just the hike but the views too! For a much easier hike with amazing views you can also check out the Lanikai Pillbox Hike on Oahu.
Boasting views of the jungle and of the coast the Haiku Stairs, the vistas will seem unreal but pinch yourself for the ocean lapping onto the sand and the humble dwellings below are certainly tangible.
The Haiku Stairs were originally created during World War II for the military to access the communications antennae and as such the trail is officially closed meaning hikers access the path at their own risk.
Seven Sacred Pools, Maui
Seven Sacred Pools can be found on Maui and is one of Hawaii’s best kept secrets, While many tourist B-line for Waikiki Beach, the more savvy travelers will find their way to Seven Sacred Pools.
Found in Haleakala National Park, Seven Sacred Pools are seven cool blue and warm watered swimming holes connected by a series of mesmerizing waterfalls between the towering bamboo forest. The most amazing of the waterfalls at the Seven Sacred Pools is the Waimoku Falls and makes for an impressive end to the hike through the bamboo forest.
Thurston Lava Tube, Big Island
The Thurston Lava Tube is an underground tunnel created naturally from Hawaii’s volcanic lava. Hawaii (The Big Island) is likely the world’s most iconic volcanic isle and as such no visit to the state would be complete without experiencing some of the island’s amazing geographic features.
The subterranean Thurston Lava Tube has been formed by ancient lava flows that have since dried and cooled, found on Big Island the Thurston Lava Tube is a great way to see Hawaii’s rich and interesting geological history. The Thurston Lava Tube is estimated to be over 500 years old and can be found in Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park. Be sure to mind your head! In places, the caves are only a few feet high!
Glass Beach, Kauai
Glass Beach can be found in industrial Kauai. Glass Beach is an amazing natural phenomenon where you would normally find sand, shells, and rocks on the shoreline you are met with little crystals of sea glass. Everywhere you look there are tiny, rounded and weathered glass pebbles. The Glass Beach’s base rock is basalt but after thousands of years of regular glass being discarded into the sea, the remains have washed ashore in Hanapepe Beach on Kauai. Glass Beach seems to be missing from many popular guidebooks and travel blogs making the site another of Hawaii’s hidden and glistening, gems.
Queens Bath, Kauai
If you’re looking for a remote and romantic spot look no further than Queen’s Bath on Kauai. Queen’s Bath is a picturesque tidal pool on the island of Kauai that is a sinkhole encompassed by igneous, volcanic rock. It features the bluest of blue waters, as the sun shines down the pool glimmers from bright turquoise to deep emerald from light azure to glittering cerulean. The jet black lava rock provides an impressive contrast and perfect backdrop for such a secret and spectacular spot.
Visitors are advised to proceed with caution as the rocks can be slippery and the waves choppy. With hundreds of beaches around Hawaii to enjoy it is recommended that Queen’s Bath is appreciated from a distance.
Donkey Beach, Kauai
For wildlife lovers Donkey Beach is a must visit. Although sea currents here are strong the chances of seeing Hawaiian Monk Seals are high, as more often than not they can be found lounging and lazing around on the perfect white sands.
While Donkey Beach is not great for swimming, nor surfing for that matter, there are very few people who choose to visit this beach. This mean you will be able to enjoy world class views and wildlife sightings all to yourself.
Dolphin Watching, Maui Coastline
The amazing seas surrounding Maui are home to a number of pods of Spinner Dolphins. These playful and acrobatic dolphins can be sighted all year round and although they can take a while to find they are certainly worth the wait. As the sun rises over the ocean watch as the Spinner dolphins shoot up and out of the water high into the air before gracefully slipping back into the sea. Get your camera at the ready for sure!
Hawaii has so much on offer it is hard to narrow its wide selection of amazing places down to just eight! Although famed for sandy white beaches and world-class surf, Hawaii’s rich and varied landscape has so much more to offer! Venture out more to find these 8 amazing places to visit in Hawaii.
[…] include Maui’s Haleakala National Park, where you can ascend and see the dome of the Haleakala Crater. The view is other-worldly filled with rock gardens, red desert terrain, and cascading waterfalls. […]