Hawaii Activities

It’s usually around day three or four that you’ll want to get out of the sun—or at least take a break from the beach. That’s where the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden comes in. It sits right up against the Koolau Mountain Range, which is as beautiful as it sounds—lush and natural and packed with every shade of green imaginable and unimaginable. There’s also a loop for an easyish walk around the reservoir that was built by the US Army as flood control.

A 3,600-acre working ranch that hugs most of the eastern side of the island, Hana Ranch is worth a trip for the epic views alone. The sustainable ranch is home to 1,500 cattle, and it supplies much of the grass-fed meat on so many menus on the island. But even vegetarians would love Hana Ranch: It also offers world-class picnics, horseback riding, mountain biking, and personalized off-roading tours.

The great thing about this coastline hike is that there are several trails that run parallel to the island’s southern shore (with varying degrees of difficulty). The one closest to the ocean is more technical, and if you’re on the way back, the inland trails are friendlier and easier on the feet. Bring plenty of water and start early at Shipwreck Beach. From there, you’ll hike through different ecosystems and across sand and lava rock along the ocean (and curiously enough, along the edge of a golf course for part of it). The trail will lead you to either a semisecluded beach or Makauwahi Cave, a limestone formation that requires a good army crawl to enter.

If you’re not into birdwatching this wildlife reserve is worth visiting for the insanely beautiful ocean view and the historic lighthouse alone. But if you are a birder, you’ve come to the perfect place. It’s that easy to spot many different species up close and personal here—the seabirds often fly really low, which makes for a pretty magical experience. Images courtesy of USFWS.

Some of the best water adventures on the Kona coast are with Analakai Adventures. And the most amazing of the adventures that the company offers is what they call the Manta Ray Night Snorkel, and what we call insanely cool. Once it’s dark out, a guide paddles you out in a double-hull canoe and uses a light to draw in the manta rays. The creatures are extraordinary—like graceful aliens (aliens that can grow to have a fifteen-foot wingspan.) Then it’s up to you: Slip into the water and snorkel among the rays or enjoy them from the canoe. Either way, it’s probably the most serene experience you can have before going back to your hotel and going to sleep for the night. Impressively, the company uses no motors and is completely harmless to the environment.

If it’s Tuesday, it’s luau night at the Mauna Kea. Starting at 5:30, walk down to the cliffs of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (whether or not you’re staying there), grab dinner from the endless buffet tables, and settle in for the show. The evening’s program includes a dynamic history of the kings of Hawaii, theatrical reenactments of the islands’ legends, and plenty of hula dancing. The highlight for the kids is a toss-up between getting up on stage to learn how to hula dance and watching the fire dancers at the end of the night.

Powdery white sand, crystal-clear water, and distant green peaks describes…most of Oahu. But Bellows Beach, nestled into the southeast edge of the island, has an added advantage: Most people don’t know it’s there—and those who do are mostly locals. The ironwood trees that frame the sand provide welcome shade, and the wind that whips this slice of coast churns up waves made for boogie-boarding. Disclaimer: Bellows is open only on weekends, so plan accordingly.

The Mauna Lani Beach Club is an Auberge Resort property, which is to say it’s incredibly luxurious and beautiful. And if you come with kids, you’ll want to head straight to the beach. This is where you’ll meet your guide, jump into a canoe, paddle out to the ocean, and take in a view of Hawaii you can get only from the water. These guided tours are also an opportunity to learn about the history of the island. And perhaps most important of all, learn about all the ways visitors can help the island’s sustainable initiatives.

Miles from the ocean and high in the hills of Maui’s pastoral Upcountry, this lavender farm is a very worthy day trip—even if it means tearing yourself away from the waves for a few hours. It’s an incredibly relaxing experience to stroll among the lavender fields. There are 55,000 lavender plants here, including forty-five different varieties of lavender (and in case you didn’t know that there even were forty-five types of lavender, well, you’re not alone), spread across thirteen well-tended acres. There are also chicken coops, a shop that sells farm-made bath products, and spectacular views everywhere you look.

Part surf shop, part yoga studio, part surfing school, Pome is quintessentially Paia: Crunchy, stylish, spiritual, earth-friendly. On-site, you'll find everything from affordable Reiki sessions to Ashtanga and Kundalini, along with a surf-centric smattering of goods, like surfing animal coloring books, boards, and sunscreen wristbands. They also do a surf school, which is great for beginners (and also includes an eco-tour of Maui).