World class beaches, exquisite food, and luscious tropical rainforests- Hawaii has it all! Planning any trip can be overwhelming, and Hawaii is no exception. I found the following tips to be extremely useful when traveling to Hawaii. Here are my top 10 practical tips for planning a getaway to the Hawaiian Islands!
Rent a Car
Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Car
Smash & grabs happen all too often on Oahu. Don’t be the next victim! Make sure to leave everything hidden from sight (yes, even items that don’t seem tempting!) or locked in the trunk. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.
Book Tours, Car Rentals & Restaurant Reservations Early
Lately, Hawaii has been experiencing over-tourism to the point where visitors have had to deal with car rental shortages during peak travel season. Popular tours and restaurants may also get booked up months in advance! Therefore, I recommend that you make these bookings as soon as you are able to. Another tip is to schedule tours in the first few days of your trip so that they can be rescheduled for later in your trip if they are canceled due to inclement weather, etc.
Keep These Items Handy in Your Trunk
After lugging my snorkel fins & hiking boots back and forth from the car to the hotel room on multiple outings, I realized that it would be more convenient if I kept certain go-to items in the trunk at all times! These included snorkel gear, hiking shoes, water shoes, towels, a light jacket for unexpected showers, a change of clothes, sunscreen & mosquito repellent. You never know when these might come in handy unexpectedly. This was a game changer!
Start Your Day Early
This is a general tip that I live by when traveling. If you enjoy hiking, snorkeling, or taking in the sights without crowds, then this applies to you! Arriving early to various destinations was also ideal for taking unobstructed photos.
The Weather Can Be Unpredictable
Although one usually associates Hawaii with beautiful, sunny weather, tropical weather can be unpredictable, especially during the rainy season. But don’t worry! Rainfall tends to be brief, particularly during afternoon storms. Be sure to keep a light jacket handy just in case!
Bring Multiple Swimsuits
On my most recent trip, I brought five swimsuits. But hear me out! Sometimes, it would take up to two days for them to dry. It was also nice having multiple pairs to choose from depending on the day’s activities. My husband actually bought two more swim trunks during our trip so that he’d have a pair of trunks to wear while another pair was drying. Believe me, you’ll need more than just one!
Wear Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Wearing reef-safe sunscreen is vital to keeping Hawaii’s coral reefs healthy and free from toxic chemicals that damage their fragile ecosystems. If you plan on packing sunscreen in your luggage, please do your research! Here’s a list of recommended reef-safe sunscreen brands.
Experience Hawaii’s Culture
Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture by trying the local cuisine or watching a live hula performance or two! There’s so much good food that it’s impossible to try it all in one trip. It’s also always a good idea to embrace the aloha spirit- living in harmony with the people and land around you.
Have Some Cash On You
Some of the tastiest meals I’ve had in Hawaii were from roadside stands and vendors! From flavorful huli huli chicken to freshly baked banana bread, you won’t regret picking up some snacks along the way. Many vendors (and restaurants/shops) prefer cash, so it’s best that you have some cash on hand throughout your trip!