Things to Do in Hawaii: Best Beaches, Hikes, Attractions & Activities

What to do in Hawaii: beaches, nature, and culture

Hawaii rewards every type of traveler, whether you want active outdoor adventures or simply to slow down and soak in the natural beauty. You can snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles in the morning, hike through a volcanic crater or rainforest in the afternoon, and watch a spectacular sunset from a public beach that costs nothing to visit. The best activities depend heavily on which Hawaiian island you choose, so matching your interests to the right island is the first step. Each island has its own character and standout attractions.

On Oʻahu, combine history at Pearl Harbor (USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri), urban beaches at Waikiki, and iconic hikes like Diamond Head crater and Koko Head Stairs. On Maui, drive the legendary Road to Hana with 600+ curves and dozens of waterfalls, watch sunrise from Haleakalā summit (10,023 feet elevation), and spot humpback whales during winter months (December to April). On Kauaʻi, hike or boat the dramatic Nā Pali Coast and explore Waimea Canyon (the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"). On the Big Island, spend a full day at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park seeing Kīlauea's active lava, drive to Mauna Kea summit for world-class stargazing, and snorkel with manta rays at night.

Plan around reservations and advance booking

Hawaii has added timed-entry reservation systems at several of its most popular sites to protect them from overuse, manage crowds, and preserve fragile ecosystems. You now need advance reservations for Diamond Head State Monument ($5 per person, book on recreation.gov), Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve ($25 per person, online reservations), Haleakalā National Park sunrise viewing ($1 reservation fee plus park entrance, recreation.gov), and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (free but limited tickets, recreation.gov). These sites book up days or weeks in advance, especially during peak travel seasons (summer, Christmas/New Year, spring break).

We link directly to the official reservation systems on each attraction guide page so you can book directly and avoid third-party resellers who charge markup fees. Do not wait until you arrive in Hawaii to try to book these popular sites - you will likely find everything sold out. Plan your trip dates first, then immediately book reservations for time-sensitive attractions before arranging other details.

Respect the places you visit: travel with mālama

Many sites in Hawaii are culturally significant to Native Hawaiians, ecologically fragile, or both. Traveling respectfully means staying on marked trails (going off-trail damages native plants and can cause dangerous erosion), keeping a safe distance from wildlife like endangered Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles (federal law requires 10 feet minimum distance), using only reef-safe mineral sunscreen (chemical sunscreens damage coral reefs), and following all posted rules at Hawaiian sacred sites like heiau (ancient temples) and burial grounds. Never remove rocks, sand, shells, or coral from beaches or parks - it is illegal, ecologically harmful, and culturally disrespectful (many believe it brings bad luck).

The Hawaiian concept of mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) guides how locals approach their environment. As a visitor, you can practice mālama by packing out all trash, staying on designated paths, respecting wildlife, and supporting conservation efforts. Our comprehensive travel tips section covers ocean safety, cultural etiquette, and respectful tourism practices in detail. The respectful tourism guide explains how to be a thoughtful guest rather than just a tourist.