Summer days are here, and while the world has changed for the past few months since the virus, I am having such travel nostalgia.
A few months ago (pre-pandemic) I had the glorious time of going to Hawaii, hubby and I visited the beautiful Islands of Oahu and Maui. We spent 2 weeks in the sunshine (It wasn’t sunny everyday fyi) and basically every outdoor activity ๐ It was my first time in Hawaii so I thought I would share my travel highlights for some of you Island first timers. So get ready to be beached and pin this post on Pinterest for your reference so you can come back to it when you can actually go there and in a somewhat normal state (I hope soon!) ๐ฉ
In this post, I’m showing you some things to do in the islands of Oahu and Maui, two of Hawaii’s most known places to go to. Let me know what you guys think in the comments!
Non-Stop Beachin’ in Waikiki beach or at least in every 2 miles. Hawaii is the ultimate place to relax and unwind so get ready to for get lots of beachin’ in it’s a group of islands after all. The best part is you don’t have to find particular beaches that are good, they are all great! ๐ค This photo was in Waikiki beach, probably the most popular beach of all of Hawaii, and for a good reason, it’s right smack in the best spot of Oahu, near hotels, malls, restaurants. Beware of the large crowds you will not get a spot in the sand if you get up late. Oh how I miss the ‘old’ normal.
Dole Plantation.ย This has gotta be THE most popular tourist spot of the paradise island. Being a first timer, I never really knew how everyone was OBSESSED with their Pineapples over there. Thus, all the yellows and pineapples all over, it’s literally all around be it on desserts, shirts, stuffed animals and etc. And all this pineapple goodness can be found in the Dole Plantation. Go visit their garden, take the train tour, and you’ll see this cute little pineapple there. And while you’re there go get some..
Pineapple Ice Cream!ย I get it now how everyone’s absolutely going gaga over this simple dessert! It’s pineapple ice cream made from Dole’s very own pineapples that they grow in the plantation. Sweet but not sweet like a mango or other fruits. It’s dairy free and comes in this beautiful color!๐๐
Put a Flower in your hair or wear a Hawaiian shirt!ย Yep you gotta go with the locals and blend in! I love the flowers (even if they’re faux) they sell some cute ones all over the place! I made sure to bring lots home!
Take a trip down to the Road to Hana Ah going to Hana is a trip you need to take at least once in your life! What is Hana anyway? It’s a charming small town in Maui but to get there you’ll need to go through 60 plus miles of long, winding roads, there are lots of attractions along the way like falls like this photo, hiking spots…
…and some yummy food spots along the way! Try the Hawaian Barbeque. This one is from a good place on the road to Hana you can check them out here. It’s such a yummy feast hubby and I gobbled this up so quick we were so hungry as we left our hotel early when we decided to take the road to Hana. The caramelized bananas for dessert definitely hits the spot!
Wainapanapa Black Sand Beach. This beach is also on the Road to Hana, it’s pretty popular for its great waves, blow holes, state park and much more! You can snorkel here as well, it gets pretty crowded especially in the afternoons.
I just had to pose by these rocks. This shot was a bit scary btw!๐ฉ The blow holes were in the next rock over! This is last year’s Anthropologie dress, similar ones here and here.
Take a Hike or Two. After doing only relaxing activities like eating, or laying out on the beach, burn some calories by going to one or a few hikes. There are lots of trails all over the islands. We went to several hikes like this, the photo shown above is the pill box hike there are lots of amazing sweat-inducing trails that will for sure make you want to run to the beach to cool off afterwards! Try the Rail Road Hike in Oahu it’s pretty challenging in the 80+ degree heat don’t say I didn’t warn you! ๐ For more trails to explore, check them out here.
Take a photo by an Aloha sign!ย There are lots in the islands here is my fave it’s in one of the pill box hikes I mentioned above. I believe this was in the Lanakai Pillbox hike. There are several pillbox hikes in HI so make sure to check some of them out! ๐
Try Local “Fast Food” like Spam Musubi. I swear every 7-11 has one of these babies. Hawaii is heavily influenced by Japanese culture and I’ve been to Japan where most of their convenience stores have ready to eat snacks- most have rice in them, designed to be a meal in itself where you can take it anywhere to eat!
Go Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. Omg this has gotta one of the highlights of this trip! This popular snorkeling place is so awesome that you can actually see a variety of fish on the shallower part of the bay. Which is perfect for kids or those of us who are not ready for to venture in the deeper part of the ocean. Find out more details of Hanauma bay here.
Catch a Wedding at the Wedding Beach. This was actually a nice surprise, as we didn’t expect to actually find the Wedding beach. This beach is in Maui, called Paako Cove or Secret beach. It’s hidden from street view but actually is a pretty popular beach. It’s partly hidden, and this place is a popular place for private weddings! We chanced upon this couple getting married by the sunset! Omg it was such a spectacular experience!
I can’t say this enough, but definitely go Beach hopping- yes try some Nude beaches if you are more adventurous! Just an fyi, I was not nude in this photo, my bikini just didn’t get shown๐ I’m too modest for that! But there are some nude beaches if you guys are interested in that kind of thing! But I definitely loved all the beach time I got- just don’t forget your sunscreen and hat!
Go visit other islands- this was in front of our rental place in Maui! The water in this pic is not the greatest but we loved where we stayed in Maui, a reasonably priced homey place called Lanakai Beach Rentals.
Try some Shaved Ice by the Food Trucks and more local food.. we found this near Laniakea beach and more importantly also try..
..the yummy uber-popular Fish Tacos in Paia Fish Market.ย Don’t forget to eat lots of seafood when you’re in Hawaii. As they are as fresh as they can get! ๐ This yummy giant fish taco is from Paia Fish Market! I forget if this was the Mahi Mahi or Snapper. The place is super popular so expect a line when you get there. It is worth the wait and the servings are huge enough to share! Check it out here.ย ย
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post! Hawaii is such a beautiful, if not perfect paradise! ๐ฉ I wish I could actually live there someday! Let me know if you have any questions about the places above I mentioned, there were many more worth sharing but this post would be too long if I include everything here! I’ll probably do an update the next time I get there and will for sure keep you on the loop!๐ Don’t you just love the islands of Hawaii? Let me know if you’ve been to Hawaii or if you’re planning to visit in the comments below!
