Jarden and I were both born and raised here in Hawaii, so I think it’s about time I made a bucket list of the 8 Hawaiian Islands! If you’re looking for the ultimate list of things to do, eat, see and explore, you’ve come to the right place.

The list is generally organized by island, and you can click on the bolded items for more information. Can’t wait to check off more of these things myself!

The Ultimate Hawaii Bucket List (101 Things To Do In Hawaii)

Oahu

1. Skydive over the Hawaiian Islands

Skydiving Hawaii


Learn more: Skydiving in Hawaii


2. Watch the sunset at China Walls

3. Go to KCC Farmer’s Market

4. Snorkel at Shark’s Cove

5. Search for the best acai bowl on the island

Acai Bowl Lanikai Juice


Learn more: 8 Local Foods to Try in Hawaii


6. Eat at Zippy’s Restaurant

7.  Have maitais on an Oahu Booze Cruise

Hawaii Booze Cruise Na Hoku


Learn more: The Best Oahu Booze Cruise


8. Kayak to Mokulua Islands

9. Visit Iolani Palace

10. Buy a poke bowl from Foodland or Tamura’s

11. See beached turtles at Turtle Beach

Turtle Hawaii

12. Hike to the bunkers at Lanikai Pillboxes

Lanikai Pillboxes Hike Hawaii


Learn more: Lanikai Pillboxes Hike


13. Hike to Koko Crater Arch

Koko Crater Arch Hawaii

(source)

14. Do SUP sunset yoga

15. Stargaze at Mokuleia

16. Eat authentic Hawaiian Food at Highway Inn or Helena’s

17. Hike 1,048 steps to the top of Koko Head

Koko Head Crater Trail


Learn more: Koko Crater Trail Hike


18. Buy shave ice from Matsumoto’s

19. Watch the surfers at the famous Pipeline Beach

20. Go to a shrimp truck in Haleiwa


Learn more: 5 Best North Shore Shrimp Trucks


21. Jump off of Waimea Rock

Jumping Off Waimea Rock

(source)


Learn more: 10 Things to do on North Shore Oahu


22. Go to a Luau

23. Pay Respects at Peal Harbor

24. Learn how to surf

25. Visit Bishop Museum

26. Hike Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs Hawaii


Learn more: Stairway to Heaven Hawaii


27. Swim with sharks

28. Jump off a Maunawili Falls

29. Hike to Diamond Head Crater

Diamond Head Hike Hawaii


Learn more: Diamond Head Hike


30. Climb down to Makapu’u Tide Pools

31. Walk down the Waikiki strip

32. See the Honolulu City Lights during Christmas

33. Visit the King Kamehameha Statue

Kamehameha Statue Hawaii

(source)

34. Travel to Secret Island

35. Swim with wild dolphins


Learn more: Swim with Dolphins Oahu


36. Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center

Kauai

37. View the Na Pali Coast by boat

38. Visit Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls Kauai Hawaii

(source)

39. Walk on Hanalei Beach Pier

40. Hike the Kalalau Trail

41. Snorkel at Tunnels Beach

Swim with turtles hawaii

42. Visit Koloa Rum Company

43. Go mountain tubing through caves

Kauai Tubing Adventure


Learn more: Mountain Tubing in Kauai


44. Visit Glass Beach

45. See the blue Waikapalae Wet Cave

46. Swim in Queen’s Bath

47. Visit Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon Kauai Hawaii

(source)

48. Zip line through the Kauai backcountry

49. See Shipwreck Beach

50. Hang out in Hanalei Town


You may also like: Bar-A-Cuda Kauai


51. See monk seals at Poipu beach

Molokai

52. Take in the sights of Kahiwa Falls

Kahiwa Falls

 

(source)

53. Visit the Kalaupapa Leprosy Settlement

54. See the Phalic Rock at Palaau State Park

55. See the 4th tallest waterfall in the world – Olo’upena Falls

56. Mail a coconut at Post-A-Nut

mail a coconut molokai

(source)

57. Take the Halawa Valley Drive

58. Take in Papohaku Beach

59. Take a tour of a macadamia nut farm

Maui

60. See the sunrise from the top of Haleakala

haleakala sunrise maui

(source)

61. Watch a Jaws surfing competition

62. Walk around Old Lahaina Town

63. Visit the Ocean Vodka Distillery

64.Vist Ali’i Kula Lavender Farms

Alii Kula Lavender Farms

(source)

65. Relax at Ka’anapali Beach

66. Snorkel at Molokini

67. Visit the Black Sand Beach (Wai’anapanapa Beach)

Black sand beach maui

68. Swim at Wai’anapanapa caves

Waianapanapa Caves Maui

(source)

69. Check out Twin Falls

70. Visit Big Beach

71. Drive the road to Hana


Learn more: The Best Road To Hana Stops


72. Walk through the bamboo forest

Bamboo Forest Kipahulu Maui


Learn more: Bamboo Forest Maui


73. Take in Papohaku Beach

74. Drink out of a coconut

75. Take the Halawa Valley Drive

76. Visit the Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu Beach)

Red sand beach maui

(source)

77. Take a tour of a macadamia nut farm

Big Island

78. Visit Akaka Falls

79. Watch lava flow into the ocean

lava ocean hawaii

(source)

80. Go on a whale watching tour

81. Sample and purchase chocolates at Big Island Candies

82. Go on a helicopter tour

83. Visit the Green Sand Beach (Papakolea Beach)

Papakolea Beach

(source)

84. See the views at Waipio Valley

85. Walk through the Thurston Lava Tube

86. Swim at Hapuna Beach

87. Parasail above the waves

88. Rent out a beach house

89. Attend Merrie Monarch Festival

Merrie Monarch Festival

(source)

90. Cruise around Kealakekua Bay

91. Visit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens

92. Go scuba diving

93. Spend the day at Kaunaoa Beach

94. See snow on Mauna Kea during the winter

Hawaii Mauna Kea Snow

(source)

95. See the spectacular Rainbow Falls

96. See the active volcanoes at Hawaii Volcano National Park

97. Night swim with manta rays

Night swim manta rays

(source)

98. Go on a kona coffee farm tour

Lana’i

99. Visit Garden of the Gods on Lana’i

Ni’ihau

100. Step foot on the “Forbidden Island” of Ni’ihau

Kaho’olawe

101. Gain access by volunteering to the restricted island of Kaho’olawe

Anything else I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments below!

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10 Comments

  1. Rebecca

    March 3, 2017

    Drive the road to Hana on Mahi

  2. aglobalstroll

    March 4, 2017

    ack I can’t believe I forgot that! I think it was so obvious I just forgot to put it in lol…I replaced Hamoa Beach (which you need to drive the road to hana to get to anyway) with it. Thank you!

  3. Nell

    August 13, 2017

    How about a visit to Leonard’s Bakery? Home of the Malasadas (Portuguese donut)

  4. Tasha - A Global Stroll

    August 13, 2017

    Ahh so true! Must add that to a possible part 2!

  5. April

    September 17, 2017

    Planning 25th anniversary Nov 30- Dec 14.
    Thinking of longest stay on Kauai, short visits to Big Island, & Oahu. Worried about rain.
    Overall, would you recommend different destinations given the time of year ?

  6. Hawaii Nei All Day

    September 18, 2017

    That is a nice long list right there, Mahalo for this!

  7. Tasha - A Global Stroll

    September 28, 2017

    Your very welcome!

  8. Tasha - A Global Stroll

    September 28, 2017

    Well November is generally the start of rainy season on Kauai, and it depends on the Big Island and Oahu, but I don’t think it would be too bad! It depends on what side of the island also, as some areas are wetter than others – are you doing a lot of outdoor activities? If so, the rain might be a bit of a bother if it does rain, but it probably wouldn’t be dumping raindrops 🙂

  9. Lake View Trip

    December 26, 2019

    Very amazing blog post. I really enjoyed whil reading this blog. Keep it up!

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