Hawaii is more than beaches. In one trip you can stand at the edge of an erupting volcano, swim beside a sea turtle, watch the sun rise above the clouds, hear a chant older than any building in the islands and taste a plate lunch that tells the story of a dozen immigrant cultures. Here are the experiences that define the islands, and where to find them.
The best things to do in Hawaii
1. Snorkel with green sea turtles
Honu, Hawaii's green sea turtles, graze on reefs around every island. Calm bays such as Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu, Kapalua and Nāpili on Maui, Kahaluʻu on the Big Island and Poʻipū on Kauaʻi give good chances. Keep at least 10 feet away and never touch. See where to see sea turtles.
2. Watch the sunrise from Haleakalā
At 10,023 feet, the summit of Maui's great volcano looks down on a sea of clouds. Sunrise needs a vehicle reservation and warm clothes; sunset does not need a reservation and is just as beautiful.
3. See Kīlauea, an active volcano
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island protects Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Kīlauea has erupted in episodes since December 2024; since October 2026, some summit trails and overlooks are closed because of earthquakes and inflation. Read our volcanoes guide.
4. Visit Pearl Harbor
The USS Arizona Memorial, over the battleship sunk on 7 December 1941, is one of the most moving places in the United States. The boat to the memorial is free with a timed ticket; the Battleship Missouri, where the war ended, is nearby.
5. Drive the Road to Hāna
Maui's famous road winds through rainforest and past waterfalls and black-sand beaches. Start early, book Waiʻānapanapa State Park and drive with patience.
6. See the Nā Pali Coast
Kauaʻi's 3,000-foot sea cliffs are best seen by boat or helicopter, or on foot from Hāʻena, which reopened on 15 October 2026 after Hurricane Lowell.
7. Go to a luau
A luau combines a feast of kalua pig cooked in an underground oven with music and dance from across Polynesia. Prices run from about $140 to $230 per adult.
8. Watch the giant waves of the North Shore
From November to February, Oʻahu's North Shore receives some of the biggest surf on Earth. Watching the surfers at Waimea Bay, Pipeline and Sunset Beach is free.
9. Swim with manta rays at night
Off the Kona coast of the Big Island, giant manta rays feed on plankton drawn to underwater lights, often somersaulting inches beneath snorkelers. It is one of the world's great wildlife encounters.
10. Watch humpback whales
From December to April, thousands of humpbacks come to Hawaii to breed and give birth, especially in the channels around Maui. You can often see them breach from the shore.
11. Learn to surf in Waikīkī
The gentle, rolling waves of Waikīkī, where Duke Kahanamoku spread surfing to the world, are perfect for a first lesson.
12. Stargaze on Mauna Kea
The 13,803-foot summit is one of the best astronomical sites on Earth. Sunset and stargazing from the visitor station at about 9,200 feet, or on a tour, is unforgettable.
13. Hike in a tropical valley
From Diamond Head to Kauaʻi's Hanakāpīʻai Falls, Hawaii's trails cross craters, ridges and rainforest. See our maps for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and the Big Island.
14. Visit ʻIolani Palace
The only royal palace in the United States was home to Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani, until the kingdom was overthrown in 1893.
15. Eat a plate lunch and shave ice
Rice, macaroni salad and kalua pork or chicken katsu; then a cone of finely shaved ice soaked in tropical syrups. Hawaii's everyday food is one of its great pleasures.
Planning tips
- Choose one or two islands; each extra one costs flights, a car and half a day.
- Book reservation-only sights early: Haleakalā sunrise, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Waiʻānapanapa and Hāʻena.
- Plan outdoor trips for the morning, when the sea is calmest and the trails coolest.
- Respect the ocean: swim at lifeguarded beaches and read our ocean safety guide.
- Respect the land: stay on trails, obey closures and read visiting Hawaii respectfully.
Which island for which experience?
| Experience | Best island |
|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor, city, food | Oʻahu |
| Big-wave surf watching | Oʻahu (North Shore, winter) |
| Sunrise above the clouds | Maui (Haleakalā) |
| Whale watching | Maui |
| Active volcano | Big Island |
| Manta rays, stargazing | Big Island |
| Sea cliffs and canyons | Kauaʻi |
| Seclusion | Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi |
Read which Hawaiian island to visit to match your interests to an island.
Quick answers
What is the number one thing to do in Hawaii?
There is no single answer, but the most memorable experiences for most visitors are snorkeling with sea turtles, watching the sunrise from Haleakalā on Maui, seeing Kīlauea's volcano on the Big Island and visiting Pearl Harbor on Oʻahu.
What can you do in Hawaii for free?
Swim and snorkel at any beach (all beaches are public), hike most trails, watch turtles, sunsets and big-wave surfing, visit the USS Arizona Memorial and watch free hula shows in Waikīkī.
What should you not miss in Hawaii?
A luau or hula performance, a snorkel trip, a sunrise or sunset from a high place, a plate lunch and shave ice, and from December to April, humpback whales.
How many things can you do in a week in Hawaii?
On one island, comfortably one big outing a day plus beach time. Trying to see everything on several islands in a week usually means too much time in cars and airports.
Keep exploring: Hawaii with kids, Hawaii for couples, Oʻahu, Maui, reservations to book ahead.
Facts checked October 2026. Opening days, prices and closures change, so check with each attraction before you go.
- National Park Service: Haleakalā
- National Park Service: Kīlauea summit closures (7 October 2026)
- National Park Service: Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- DLNR: Kauaʻi park status, 13 October 2026
- NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
- Hawaii's Best Travel: Hawaii reservations and fees 2026
- Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety
