Chinaman’s Hat
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, East Shore
Snorkel to a great uninhabited island just off the coast
Kaneohe Bay Sunken Island
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, East Shore
Kayak through calm, blue green water to a large sunken island
Moanalua Valley to Haiku Stairs ♦
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Excellent ridge hike with Jurassic Park-esque views leading to the top of the famous Haiku Stairs (where they can be legally viewed without trespassing) and World War II era top secret military radio station
Olomana Ridge
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, Southeast
Legendary hike along a nice-edge ridge
Hanauma Bay
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore
Heavily visited bay popular for its picturesque appearance and the quality of its snorkeling
Shark’s Cove
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore
Nice area for snorkeling and/or diving with rock shelves and sea caves and plentiful marine life
Turtle Beach
Location: Hawaii, Oahu, North Shore
Excellent beach for hanging out with turtles
Manta Ray Night Dive ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona
Amazing night dive (or snorkel) featuring up-close encounters with manta rays
Kona Diving
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona
The nicest area for diving on the Big Island, with generally good visibility and abundant marine life
Pololu Valley/Beach
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North Shore
Beautiful valley with a rocky black sand beach
Emesine Cave
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo area
Unmarked, rarely visited pristine lava tube
Boiling Pots and Pe’epe’e Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Waterfall upstream from an interesting series of carved bowls famous for their churning water in heavy flow
Nanue Falls ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo Area
Rarely visited waterfall, perfect for Robinson Crusoe-esque swimming and jumping
Flowing Lava! ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Area
If lava is visible and accessible, it’s the experience of a lifetime to go and see it up close. Kilauea (presumably) won’t erupt forever, so go if you can!
Lava Trees State Monument
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park Area
Short hike through an area with numerous lava trees
Volcanoes National Park
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Volcanoes National Park
National Park based around the highly active Kilauea volcano; features views of the caldera and crater and the dramatic, scarred volcanic landscape via roads and hikes
Umauma Falls Ziplining
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Excellent zip lining course with great coastal and waterfall views
‘Akaka Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Very tall and impressive waterfall accessed via a scenic 1 mile jungle hike
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, North of Hilo
Nice botanical garden with a waterfall and bay views
Rainbow Falls
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo
Beautiful waterfall with very easy access; under the right conditions, the spray from the falls makes rainbows
Kealakekua Bay ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Kailua-Kona Area
Fantastic spot for snorkeling that generally sees a lower volume of tourists due to more difficult access