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
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
Learn more: 8 Local Foods to Try in Hawaii
6. Eat at Zippy’s Restaurant
7. Have maitais on an Oahu Booze Cruise
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
12. Hike to the bunkers at Lanikai Pillboxes
Learn more: Lanikai Pillboxes Hike
(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
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
(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
Learn more: Stairway to Heaven Hawaii
27. Swim with sharks
28. Jump off a Maunawili Falls
29. Hike to Diamond Head Crater
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
(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
(source)
39. Walk on Hanalei Beach Pier
40. Hike the Kalalau Trail
41. Snorkel at Tunnels Beach
42. Visit Koloa Rum Company
43. Go mountain tubing through caves
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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(source)
65. Relax at Ka’anapali Beach
66. Snorkel at Molokini
67. Visit the Black Sand Beach (Wai’anapanapa Beach)
68. Swim at Wai’anapanapa caves
(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
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)
(source)
77. Take a tour of a macadamia nut farm
Big Island
78. Visit Akaka Falls
79. Watch lava flow into the ocean
(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)
(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
(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
(source)
95. See the spectacular Rainbow Falls
96. See the active volcanoes at Hawaii Volcano National Park
97. Night swim with 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!
Rebecca
Drive the road to Hana on Mahi
aglobalstroll
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!
Nell
How about a visit to Leonard’s Bakery? Home of the Malasadas (Portuguese donut)
Tasha - A Global Stroll
Ahh so true! Must add that to a possible part 2!
April
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 ?
Hawaii Nei All Day
That is a nice long list right there, Mahalo for this!
Tasha - A Global Stroll
Your very welcome!
Tasha - A Global Stroll
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 🙂
Lake View Trip
Very amazing blog post. I really enjoyed whil reading this blog. Keep it up!