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Home » Destinations » North America » United States

5 Hawaiian Adventures You Can't Miss

Modified: Feb 19, 2025 · Published: Dec 7, 2016 by LC Hunter |

Hawaii is the ideal destination for adventure travelers and nature lovers alike. Regardless of your budget, there's plenty to do, see, and experience. For those seeking Hawaiian adventures, lovers of luxury and backpackers will find no end of activities to participate in, whether scuba diving off Maui's shores or hiring a board to go surfing in Oahu.

The sheer number of Hawaii vacation rentals will ensure that you have a comfortable place to rest after a day of adventuring. Here are some Hawaiian adventures you can't miss out on on your next visit to the 50th State.

Table of Contents

  • Adventures in Hawaii
    • 1. A Good Old Fashioned Road Trip
    • 2. Scuba Diving in Maui
    • 3. Hike the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast in Kauai
    • 4. Hang Ten on a Surfboard in Oahu
    • 5. Explore Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Adventures in Hawaii

Sunset surfing in Oahu (Credit: Anthony Quintano)
Sunset surfing in Oahu (photo: Anthony Quintano)

1. A Good Old Fashioned Road Trip

A road trip is an excellent way to see a country in a minimal amount of time. Most of Hawaii's islands are drivable and worth visiting for different reasons.

A road trip on the Big Island will allow you to see the island's lava fields up close. Drive around Molokai while ogling its palm tree-filled beaches.

The more adventurous can tackle Maui's Route 340 on the side of the island's cliffs, driving through steep ravines as the waves crash into the shores below - so long as their car rental agreement allows it.

2. Scuba Diving in Maui

Maui is an ideal place to go diving for several reasons. You can swim in from the beach and still expect to see a lot due to the island's gently sloping shores.

Also, you have a good chance of meeting Hawaiian green sea turtles. The turtles often show great curiosity in divers and may approach you to check you out. What a fantastic photo opportunity that would be. Remember not to touch the turtles, as they are a threatened species. Take the time to enjoy watching them in their natural habitat.

Related: Adrenaline Adventures in Maui

Green Sea Turtle
Here's your chance to see a Green Sea Turtle up close (photo: snorkelingdives.com)

3. Hike the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast in Kauai

A trek along the Kalalau Trai in Kauai is a must-do for serious hikers. It features mud, raging streams, and scrambles up rocky inclines. What more could you ask for? Remember to bring plenty of water, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, and wear a good pair of hiking boots.

Less experienced trekkers would do their best to spread the hike over two days. That way, you won't rush to finish it and can take in the scenery.

After completing the hike, you can reward yourself by coming home to one of the Kauai beach villas, where you can put your hopefully not-too-blistered feet up and enjoy the views.

4. Hang Ten on a Surfboard in Oahu

You can't go to Oahu and not try your hand (or foot, as it were) at surfing. Oahu's coastline is dotted with surf breaks - some friendly, making them ideal for beginners. Others are fierce, to be tackled by only the very experienced surfers.

Waikiki Beach is home to surf schools and locals offering lessons. This would be an excellent place to start if you're new to the surfing scene.

Enjoy the endless flow of lava into the sea at the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. (Credit: Matt MacGillivray)
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (photo: Matt MacGillivray)

5. Explore Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

There's plenty to do on the Big Island of Hawaii, but the top of the list is visiting the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This park is one of the few places in the world where you can trek through fields of lava. Imagine how cool that would be!

Five separate volcanoes formed the Big Island, two of which are still active. Kilauea, in particular, has erupted continuously for the last thirty years. The park has more than 150 miles of paths open to daring hikers.

_________

This story was brought to you in partnership with Luxury Retreats.

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About LC Hunter

LC is an ex-expat who is currently re-exploring her home country of Australia. Follow her adventures at home and abroad via her blog Birdgehls, where she writes about travel, expat life, gushes on about various animals and bemoans her often futile attempts to go completely green. Or, you can look her up on Facebook.

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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