Overall, it's luaus, leis and loads of beach activities!
Where I went:
There are 8 Hawaiian islands (2 of which are forbidden to visitors). Of the 6 remaining islands, each has its own unique vibe:
Hawaii (the Big Island) is natural beauty at its best—from snorkeling and cliff jumping to volcanoes and beaches.
Maui is all about luxury—the ideal place to splurge on upscale hotels, high-end shopping, premiere golf courses and bespoke island activities.
Lanai is for honeymooners. It’s where you go for quiet beauty, stunning views and a 5-star resort experience. At least that’s how my parents described their trip to the island😉
Oahu is the OG for Hawaiian tourism—a bustling destination with a vibrant mixture of food, culture, and sports set against stunning backdrops.
Kauai is the island of adrenaline and adventure. There are limitless activities for active travelers.
Molokai is the authentic Hawaiian experience—fewer tourists, more natives and unspoiled natural beauty.
With all that the Hawaiian islands have to offer, it’s hard to choose just one! Luckily, I was able to visit four of them during a 2-week cruise. Molokai and Lanai will have to wait until my next trip😊
What I did:
There are a million blogs and travel websites about Hawaii, and they all have fabulous suggestions. Here is my list of must-try island activities and adventures—
My favorite activity on the Big Island of Hawaii was definitely a lava boat trip to the Moku Nui volcano. The island of Hawaii is visually stunning—a nature-lover’s dream!
And you can’t visit Maui without traveling the exhilarating Road to Hana! Make sure to stop at Maluaka Beach where the sand is literally covered with Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. Simply breathtaking! Maui is also a great spot for a little indulgence—from high end resorts to trendy restaurants. It has something for everyone.
I am an outdoor adventure girl so, of course, I fell in love with Kauai at first sight. From zip-lining to surfing to off-roading on ATV’s, it is a thrill-seeker’s paradise. My favorite activity was definitely the backcountry cave tubing.
In Oahu, don’t miss out on the opportunity to snorkel at Hanauma Bay. You’ll swim with majestic spinner dolphins, sea turtles and tropical fish in every color of the rainbow! The crystal-clear waters reflect the most amazing shades of blue and green. A photographer’s dream.
Oahu was by far my favorite destination. I truly embraced the traditional Hawaiian vacation—surfing at Waikiki Beach, attending a luau with fireknife dancers, making leis, learning to hula, and observing a traditional Hawaiian imu ceremony.
What I wore:
I wore casual beachwear for the majority of my time there and I made sure to pack plenty of bikinis and sandals for the pools and beaches I visited. I wore bright colors and fun accessories, like my Ray-Ban sunglasses and colorful bracelets.
What I ate and drank:
When in Hawaii, my staple diet consisted of salads, fish tacos, and tropical fruit. The fresh seafood was amazing, and I loved drinking water straight out of a coconut!
If you’re looking for a local experience (maybe some spam musubi and loco moco), my parents highly recommend the Hole-in-the-Wall food tour. It was booked when they visited and the owner was nice enough to e-mail the itinerary to them. For $2.00 public bus tickets, they not only traveled like locals, but they ate some of the best food they’d ever had for a fraction of the cost of hotel dining.
The drinking age in Hawaii is 21, and the local cocktails are the Blue Hawaiian and the Mai Tai. Cheers! Or as they said in Hawaii, HipaHipa!
Social media musts:
Hawaii is full of beautiful colors! From beaches with bright blue oceans to pretty pink flowers on every street corner, you can't go wrong in looking for a pop of color anywhere you go.
My travel playlist for Hawaii:
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