Planning

Top 10 Luxury Resorts in Hawaii

If you’re after a true luxury vacation, you’ll find it in Hawaii. It’s always warm, the breeze is always blowing through the palm trees, and it’s never hard to find a mai tai. But mostly, no matter what island you’re on you’ll be able to find a true 5-star luxury resort.

RELATED: Not very familiar with the Hawaiian Islands? Read up on the lay of the (is)lands for Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island.

So whether it’s an award winning spa, plus poolside amenities, luxe guestrooms, or world class dining you’re after, here are 10 of the best luxury resorts in Hawaii:

Maui: Maui is the island that’s most easily associated with luxury. You’ll find dozens and dozens of fantastic beach resorts lining the island’s golden sands, but if you’re after true luxury…

Four Seasons Maui: Nobody does luxury like the Four Seasons (obviously, since half of this list are Four Seasons properties). Sitting on Wailea beach in south Maui, this is one of my favorite places to wile away a day. The pools are gorgeous, the hotel itself is first class, the staff is friendly, the restaurants are all stellar, and yet the overall vibe is comfortable and not stuffy. Pricing starts at $549/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua: The Ritz exudes luxury and a big bonus for this property is how secluded it is. Nestled in the private resort/golf community of Kapalua on west Maui, you’ll feel worlds away from the crowds in nearby Ka’anapali and Lahaina. Kapalua is a golfer’s paradise, but the Ritz also boasts a spa, six restaurants, and a gorgeous pool. Beach access is at D.T. Fleming beach. Pricing starts at $499/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Kauai: Kauai is where you go when you want to get off the gird and be surrounded by natural beauty. If your idea of “off the grid” still includes turn down service…

St. Regis Princeville: While not as large or lavish a property as some of its Four Seasons counterparts, the St. Regis Princeville (on the north shore of Kauai) has THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP OF ANY RESORT IN HAWAII. Sure, it only has one pool, but while you’re sitting by it you’re gazing out not just on the ocean (so unimpressive ; ) but also those gorgeous green jagged mountains Kauai is famous for. Pricing starts at $515/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort: This contemporary luxury resort in south Kauai sits on what may arguably be one of the best beaches in Hawaii (I’ve regularly seen turtles and Hawaiian monk seals sunning themselves here). The spa and restaurants are top notch and you’re steps away from bustling Poipu beach and all of the water/beach activities available there while still being able to retreat into the resort grounds and amazing pools. Pricing starts at $449/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Best Family Friendly Resorts in Maui

While Maui may be known as the honeymooner’s isle, I think it’s actually the best island for families as well. All of those gorgeous (and safely swimmable) beaches mean plenty of fantastic beach resorts. Maui lacks the hustle and bustle (i.e. one million people crammed onto a tiny island) of Oahu but has PLENTY to keep you and your kiddos busy.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

I feel like this post needs a disclaimer up front: pretty much anywhere you go in Hawaii (especially Maui) is going to be kid friendly. Maui is not a stuffy destination. The most posh and expensive hotel on the island (hello, Four Seasons) caters to children quite amazingly and unless you’re at the adults only pool (many resorts have them) or at an adults only hotel (Hotel Wailea is the only one that comes to mind), you’ll always find kids boogie boarding in the waves, bobbing around in the pool, and having dinner with their families. That being said, this list includes resorts that may appeal to children especially due to their pools or kids clubs, and parents due to their locations and convenience factors.

Westin Maui Resort & Spa: This is my number one hotel recommendation for families visiting Maui (especially if you want to be on the west side). It’s located right on Ka’anapali Beach (which is great for swimming and snorkeling) next door to the Whaler’s Village, which has a lot of shopping and dining options. There are also snorkel catamarans that pick up right on the beach. The resort has a huge “aquatic complex” with five pools (one for adults only) and a great waterslide. There are parrots and flamingos on the grounds and there’s a kid’s club as well. Pricing starts at $250/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Grand Wailea: This is my other number one hotel recommendation for families visiting Maui ; ) This is your best south side option. While this is a world class resort for anyone (gorgeous open air lobby, plenty of shops, dynamite spa, amazing dining, and one of the island’s best beaches), it’s especially great for families. The Grand Wailea has one of the best pool complexes on Maui (probably anywhere really). The nine different pools include tons of water slides (they actually just opened a new “lava slide”, a rope swing area, a rapid river, water elevator, hot tubs, a swim up bar, and an adults only pool. The Grand Wailea also has a kids club, a teen club, a gaming lounge, and a ton of cultural activities to participate in. Pricing starts at $350/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Sheraton Maui: Most Sheraton resorts are pretty family friendly and this one is no different. It’s located on Ka’anapali Beach (just a few doors down from the Westin) right in front of Black Rock (one of Maui’s most popular snorkeling spots). It has a nice pool area and several dining options. You can also walk down the bike path to the Whaler’s Village for shopping and dining. Pricing starts at $240/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

25 Things to Know Before You Go to the Big Island

UPDATE: Since April/May 2018 the Big Island’s active volcano, Kilauea, has been experiencing heightened geothermal activity. While the current eruption is confined to a very small part of the island, the activity is impacting some activities on the island (most notably the closure of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the operation of guided hikes to the lava flow). This warning is by NO MEANS to discourage you from visiting the island at this time as it’s perfectly safe. But, it’s a good idea to check current conditions on the island before planning any adventures, and as always, remain flexible as conditions can change rapidly.

1.The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands. It’s home to three active volcanoes: two that erupted last in the 80s and 90s and Kilauea, which has been erupting continuously since 1983. These eruptions mean the island is actually still growing!

2.The Big Island (also called Hawaii island) is, as the name suggests, big! In fact, all of the other Hawaiian islands could fit inside it. So don’t expect to see the hole island without a LOT of driving or staying in two different locations.

3.The island breaks pretty evenly into two halves or “sides.” Kona side and Hilo side. Kona side is the west side and it’s where most visitors stay. It’s dry and sunny and where the majority of the island’s beaches are. Hilo side is the east side of the island and it’s a lush rainforest. It rains more on this side of the island and it’s also where Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located.

4.If you’re only going to stay in one location, stay in Kona and plan daytrips to Hilo. I would plan two day trips: one along the south shore to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with stops at the green and black sand beaches and another one along the north shore to see Hilo and the surrounding areas (a lot of waterfalls).

5.It’s called the “Orchid Isle” and it’s been mostly untouched. While you will find plenty of nice resorts in the Kona/Kohala area, largely the Big Island has been left pretty much undeveloped. It’s great for those wanting to really get away.

6.Don’t come to the Big Island for less than one full week. Unless you’re just jetting over to see the volcano, you need at least a week. Two is preferable.

7.Hawaii was the 50^th state added to the United States of America. Despite it being a US state, more than one person has asked me if you need a passport to travel there. You don’t. Also, when referring to the contiguous United States, you don’t call it “the states” like you would when traveling internationally. You refer to it as “the mainland.”

8.It may feel like a different country, but remember, you’re still in the US. Hawaii has a very distinct culture and its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean often makes it feel like a foreign land, so many visitors question how things are done. Here’s the deal, everything works like it does back home, except when it doesn’t : ) Seriously though, your phone service and everything works exactly like it does at home. But you will find yourself subject to the quirks of “island life.” Things move slower so relax and just go with the flow.

RELATED: Not very familiar with the Big Island? Read up on the lay of the (is)land and my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels.

9.Hawaii has its quirks. To protect the environment from invasive species, you aren’t allowed to bring in any plant or animal species (including veggies) or soil. You’ll fill out a form when you arrive and all bags will be screened by the Department of Agriculture before you go home. Hawaii also has a ban on plastic shopping bags so bring your own or plan to pay for $0.50 tote bags. Most grocery stores still have paper bags available.

10.The Hawaiian Islands run on the Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone. Hawaii also doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time so they’re 3 hours behind West Coast time (6 hours behind East coast time) when we’re on Daylight savings time, and 2/5 hours when we’re not.

11.Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures. Here’s some terminology for you: “Hawaiian” refers to anyone born with Hawaiian blood. “Local” refers to anyone born in Hawaii (except white people). “Haole” refers to white people and tourists in general. The term “kama’aina” is also thrown around which refers to anyone from or living in Hawaii regardless of their ethnicity.

12.It seems like a world away but Hawaii is actually only a 5 or 6-hour flight from California. It’s 6 hours going to Hawaii, and 5 hours coming back from Hawaii. Kona (KOA) is the airport that you’ll most likely fly into. You can get a direct flight to Kona from Los Angeles (CA), Oakland (CA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Diego (CA), San Jose (SJC), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA). There’s also an airport in Hilo which mostly gets flights from Honolulu and Maui, but there’s also one direct flight from Los Angeles.

12 Budget Hotels on Maui

While Maui has the reputation for being super expensive, it’s actually possible to find a place to stay at ALL price levels. If you’re looking for one of the cheapest ways to do Maui, you’ll find several budget hotels in Maui that are perfect for saving a few bucks but still staying in style.

Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the is(land) here to get an idea of what part of the island you’d like to stay on.

Maui Budget Hotels

Ka’anapali Beach Hotel: Located right on bustling Ka’anapali Beach, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is the perfect place to stay on Maui’s west side. Located on the Ka’anapali beach walk nearby the Sheraton, Westin, and Hyatt, you’ll enjoy being in west Maui’s gorgeous resort area at a fraction of the price. This charming “old Hawaii” hotel starts at $149/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Maui Coast Hotel: Located super close to Kamaole Beach I in the heart of Kihei on Maui’s south side, the Maui Coast Hotel has great amenities including outdoor pools, a hot tub, a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, a poolside café, tennis courts, a fitness center, and a shuttle to Kihei and Wailea. Pricing starts at $157/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Lahaina Inn: Located in the heart of Front Street in Lahaina, this inn is housed in a restored 1938 building and features plantation style rooms with private lanais. Guests at the Lahaina Inn can also use the facilities at the nearby Royal Lahaina Resort. Pricing starts at $115/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

Aston at Papakea Resort: Located in the Ka’anapali area near Honokowai Beach Park, the Aston at Papakea is an all-condo resort with a pool, tennis court, and putting green. Pricing starts at $159/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

25 Awesome Maui Airbnbs

One of the trickiest parts of planning a trip for me is finding just the right place to stay. My trips to Hawaii are pretty active and include plenty of exploring so I don’t want to pay a bundle on a fancy beach resort when I’ll be off trekking to the summit of Haleakala for sunrise or hiking through the bamboo forests of Hana, however sometimes a budget hotel can leave a little to be desired when I’m in the mood to lounge at the beach or poolside.

So I’ve got the perfect solution for you…you can save a bundle and still get amazing amenities by staying in an Airbnb on Maui! And yippee for you…I’ve got a $35 credit for you to use towards your stay! You can grab that right here.

But before I let you in on some of my favorite Maui Airbnbs, you probably have a few questions…

What is Airbnb? Airbnb is an online booking platform that connects people who are looking to rent out their home (or condo, guest cottage, garage apartment, etc.) with people who are looking for that type of accommodation. Operating in over 200 countries and 35,000 cities, Airbnb has over 10,000 listings in Hawaii alone!

How does it work? By doing a simple search by island, you’ll be able to find a wide (price and type) range of accommodation. Some Airbnb listings are for a shared or private room in the “host’s” house and some are for an entire apartment, condo, or house. You can refine your search to fit certain criteria (part of the island, price, style, etc.) before you start weeding through specific properties. Once you settle on a property, you’ll work out the details with the host and submit your payment through Airbnb’s online booking system, which mediates the transaction.

Why Airbnb in Hawaii? Airbnb is a popular accommodation source all over the world, but Hawaii is an Airbnber’s dream. Hawaii has a great variety of accommodation options, which makes it the perfect place to try out Airbnb. Since Hawaii is a major vacation destination, there are of course MANY condos to choose form but besides condos, Hawaii has a ton of “ohanas.” Ohana means family (any Lilo and Stitch fans out there???) and in Hawaii the term is applied to separate living units located on the same property as the main house. Many homes in Hawaii are divided up into multiple spaces (each with its own private entrance, bathroom, kitchenette, etc.) while some have a guest cottage on the property. Because so many homes are configured this way, it’s easy to find a private apartment or cottage on the same property with a local host.

How does it save me money? There are several ways you’ll save money on a trip to Hawaii by staying in an Airbnb. The biggest way you’ll save money is that it’s soooo much cheaper than staying at a resort or hotel. On many islands you can find condos or ohanas either right on or just a block or two from the beach. Plus, resorts can get expensive really fast if you have more than two adults staying in a room. Airbnbs are perfect for larger parties who can rent an entire house or multi bedroom condo and split the cost. Another big benefit that Airbnbs offer is the full kitchen (or kitchenette depending on what you book). Having a place to cook some meals and a fridge to store snacks and drinks can really save you a lot. Another big plus to staying in a hosted Airbnb is that they often provide gear for you to use. If you’re staying at a beach resort, they’ll only provide chairs and umbrellas for you at their beach, but an Airbnb or condo will often have chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, coolers, and snorkeling gear for you to use during your stay. This is a pretty big bonus if you’re the adventuresome type who likes to check out different beaches and do day trips to explore the island.

Before I let you in on some of my favorite Airbnb’s, if you’re not very familiar with Maui, you should read this post to get the lay of the is(land) and decide which area you’d most like to stay.

25 Awesome Maui Airbnbs

West Side

Maui’s west side is the island’s largest resort area (home to Lahaina, Ka’anapali, Napili, and Kapalua) and has sooo many condos and Airbnbs to choose from.

Beachfront condo at Napili Bay: This one bedroom unit in the Napili Shores complex starts at $198/night.

Old Hawaii condo with a private beach: This one bedroom unit (with a shared pool and beautiful grounds) has an almost private beach where sea turtles are commonly spotted and starts at just $149/night!

Napili Hale Plantation House: This beach chic two bedroom/two bathroom home is within easy walking distance to Napili Bay and starts at $195/night.

The Whaler at Ka’anapali Beach: This oceanfront condo complex is a great way to stay on bustling Ka’anapali Beach (with excellent access to snorkeling at Black Rock) at a fraction of the price of the major resorts. This one bedroom condo (sleeps six) starts at $180/night.

How to Survive the Long Flight to Hawaii

Yay! You’re going to Hawaii! What a dream. But first you have to get there. What a nightmare. Just kidding. But seriously, I have soooo many people tell me that they’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, but they don’t think they can handle the flight. Well folks, it’s really not that bad! In this post, I’ll be giving you a little insight into what it’s really like to fly to Hawaii from different parts of the US mainland, dishing up some advice on dealing with jet lag, and letting you in on ALL of my secrets to surviving the long flight to Hawaii.

How Long is the Flight to Hawaii?

So first up, exactly how long is the flight to Hawaii? Well it depends where you’re traveling from. From the west coast, flights are only 5-6 hours (6 hours going, 5 hours coming home). From the midwest, flights can be 7-9 hours (hey, America is a big country and there’s a big difference between Denver and Atlanta). And from the east coast, flights can be 10+ hours (yikes!). Now I have not flown direct from the east coast, but I have flown direct from Dallas, TX (8 hour flight) so I have some personal experience here. I will say, these are DIRECT flight times (my preferred method of travel), but the majority of flights to Hawaii connect on the west coast so you’ll be able to break it up.

Jet Lag Traveling to Hawaii

Now about jet lag. Hawaii does not observe Daylight Savings Time so the time difference depends on the time of year. It’s 2-3 hours behind west coast time, 4-5 hours behind Central Time, and 5-6 hours behind Eastern Time. So your jet lag experience will vary greatly depending from where you’re traveling. If you’re going from the west coast, you may not notice it much at all.

Here’s what I’ve found after traveling back and forth a lot: it’s way harder to adjust coming home than going there. Mostly this is due to the direction you’re traveling, but I also think adjusting to a non-vacation routine just isn’t as much fun as the other way around.

So, what’s the easiest way to adjust? Personally, when I’m traveling (only 4 hour time difference) for a week or less, I try to stick to my home schedule (wake up and bed time) as much as possible. It’s easy to get up at 5 or 6 in Hawaii with the time change and since sunrise is so early, I like to get my day started early (a good strategy for beating the crowds at popular spots) and hit the hay pretty early (with the sun!). This isn’t too hard on Hawaii as outside of Waikiki there’s not much nightlife. This makes the transition back home a lot easier.

Now if you’re trying to acclimate to Hawaii time…most flights to Hawaii arrive in the afternoon. Do not nap! Stay awake and busy as late as you can. If you can make it until 8 or 9 PM, I consider that a victory!

Onto my tips for surviving the flight to Hawaii…

Tips for Surviving Long Flights

Before You Go

Use Seat Guru. Use Seat Guru to look up the layout of your aircraft (just put in your airline and flight number). Most aircrafts have some sweet little spots with extra legroom or more privacy that may be worth an upgrade.

Window or aisle. Ah, the eternal question. If you like to sleep and don’t need to go to the bathroom much, book the window. If you like more leg room and being able to b up and move around, book the aisle.

Get hydrated. While you want to drink plenty of water once you get on the plane, if you’re already dehydrated, it won’t help as much. So make sure you drink plenty of water the day or two before your flight.

Staying Healthy

Take antibacterial wipes to wipe down the surfaces around your seat. Trust me, it’s so gross.

Bring hand sanitizer also. You won’t want to have to wash your hands I that tiny bathroom.

Bring face towelettes. I don’t know about you but I feel so grimy after a long flight and being able to clean my face really helps.

Take an Emergen-C (or Airborne). Traveling can wreck your immune system so I always take an Emergen-C packet everyday for a few days after flying.

Oahu Travel Tips

1.Oahu is the second oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. It was created by a volcano almost 3 million years ago. It’s also the second smallest of the four main Hawaiian Islands, but has by far the largest population at almost one million people.

2.It’s called the “Gathering Place.” Oahu is called the gathering place, because…well…it’s where the people gather! Oahu is home to a lot of people and it’s by far the most heavily visited of the Hawaiian Islands.

3.Hawaii was the 50^th state added to the United States of America. Despite it being a US state, more than one person has asked me if you need a passport to travel there. You don’t. Also, when referring to the contiguous United States, you don’t call it “the states” like you would when traveling internationally. You refer to it as “the mainland.”

4.It may feel like a different country, but remember, you’re still in the US. Hawaii has a very distinct culture and its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean often makes it feel like a foreign land, so many visitors question how things are done. Here’s the deal, everything works like it does back home, except when it doesn’t : ) Seriously though, your phone service and everything works exactly like it does at home. But you will find yourself subject to the quirks of “island life.” Things move slower so relax and just go with the flow.

5.The Hawaiian Islands run on the Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone. Hawaii also doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time so they’re 3 hours behind West Coast time (6 hours behind East coast time) when we’re on Daylight savings time, and 2/5 hours when we’re not.

6.Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures. Here’s some terminology for you: “Hawaiian” refers to anyone born with Hawaiian blood. “Local” refers to anyone born in Hawaii (except white people). “Haole” refers to white people and tourists in general. The term “kama’aina” is also thrown around which refers to anyone from or living in Hawaii regardless of their ethnicity.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Oahu? Read up on the lay of the (is)land and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels.

7.It seems like a world away but Hawaii is actually only a 5 or 6-hour flight from California. It’s 6 hours going to Hawaii, and 5 hours coming back from Hawaii. Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the airport that you’ll fly into. You can get a direct flight to Honolulu from Newark (New Jersey), Atlanta (Georgia), Boston (Massachusetts), New York (New York), Washington, DC, Phoenix (Arizona), Dallas (Texas), Houston (Texas), Denver (Colorado), Chicago (Illinois), Anchorage (Alaska), Seattle (Washington), Portland (Oregon), and pretty much every major city in California.

8.Hawaii sits north of the equator, so its seasons match the mainland US seasons. Our winter is their winter, and our summer is their summer. Now, winter is a relative term in Hawaii, but it generally does mean more rain and higher surf (especially on the north shore).

9.Expect to pay more…for everything. This probably isn’t a huge surprise to anybody. The Hawaiian Islands are some of the most remote islands in the world and pretty much everything has to be shipped in. So expect to pay more for food, gas, and other supplies than you would on the mainland US. This doesn’t mean that it’s as outrageously expensive as you might think. As is the case anywhere, you can go luxury, or you can go budget. The choices are there for both and everything in between.

10.The resort areas are more expensive. As an extension of #9, generally speaking everything in a resort area will be WAY more expensive than on other parts of the island. On Oahu, this pretty much means Waikiki. Restaurants and bars will always be more expensive in resorts than in locally owned/independent places. Ko’olina is also a more expensive resort area.

11.Stock up on groceries for your condo or hotel room. If you’re looking to save a few bucks, or just need to pick up some essentials that you forgot to pack, you’ll have plenty of options on Oahu. There are a couple of Costcos, Walmarts, Targets and a variety of grocery store chains (including Whole Foods). And if you need a pharmacy/drug store, that would be Longs (this is a CVS/Walgreens equivalent). While thousands of miles away from home, there’s really nothing that you can’t find on Oahu if you forget to pack it.

12.Casual is the name of the game on Oahu. There’s really nowhere to go on Oahu where shorts and flip-flops won’t do. Even in the nicest restaurants, ladies will be fine in a casual sundress and sandals, and men will be okay with khakis and an aloha shirt. Tommy Bahama rules.

Saving Money on Activities in Hawaii

You probably think you’ve paid for the bulk of your trip before you even show up with your airfare and accommodations already paid for, but you’d be surprised how quickly the other stuff adds up. You’ll be bombarded with activities and excursion opportunities from the minute you arrive at the airport plus I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about how expensive food is in Hawaii. So once you’ve go the big stuff paid for, how do you save money once you get there? And how do you know where to save and where to splurge? Listen up, here’s what you need to know:

Things to Do in Hawaii for Free

There’s plenty to do for free. Don’t worry, I’m not just going to tell you that you can save money by only doing free stuff. Who couldn’t figure that gem of a tip out? We’ll get to how you can save money on paid activities and excursions later, but first…there really is a lot you can do for free in Hawaii and thankfully, the free stuff is some of the best stuff!

Beach bumming: Everybody comes to Hawaii for the beaches right? Well get out there and see them! If you’re staying at a beachfront hotel or condo, the temptation is to just hag out on “your” beach, but the awesome ting about Hawaii beaches is that each one looks a little different, especially on different parts of the island. One of my favorite things to do is go “beach hopping.” Plan to visit a different beach each day (or a couple each day) until you find your favorite. You’ll soon realize that different beaches are good for different things. Some are great for swimming and boogie boarding, some for snorkeling, and some for beach combing. Do some research before you get there and make a list of all the beaches you want to check out. Here’s a tip: You’ll have a much more comfortable day at the beach if you have the right gear. Many surf or gear shops will rent chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, etc. to you for the week. Trust me, you’ll have so much more fun if you have the right gear instead of just sitting on a towel in the sand the whole time. But if you are going to rent, I would price check it first as it may be cheaper to buy your own gear at Costco and leave it behind at the end of your trip.

Snorkeling: Another great Hawaii pastime is snorkeling and many of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii can be accessed right off the beach. If you have your own gear at home, bring it along. If not, there are plenty of places where you can rent by the day or the week (always rent from a gear/surf shop and not your resort as they’ll really gouge you!), but I would suggest picking up a set at Costco when you arrive. You’ll get a nice set for close to the weekly rental price at a gear shop plus you know you’re the first person who’s used it. FYI: Many gear rental places advertise snorkeling gear for $1.99/day but once you get to the shop you realize it’s for kind of a crappy snorkel set and they end up “upselling” you on a more expensive rental. You usually come out ahead just renting your own.

Hiking: If you really want to see the best of the Hawaiian Islands, you’ll usually have to get a little off the beaten path. Hiking is free and this is how you’ll see some of the best scenery in Hawaii. Do some research in advance to know which hikes you want to do (or ask a local!). I recommend getting a copy of the Hawaii Revealed guidebook series. You’ll be able to find them places once you get there but I would order it from Amazon in advance (you’ll save a lot of money!).

Sight seeing: Besides gorgeous beaches and hikes, each island has a number of sights (historic, cultural, and natural) that are must sees. On Oahu, you’ve got to see Pearl Harbor, the sights of Waikiki (including the Iolani Palace), Hanauma Bay, and the famous north shore. On Maui, don’t miss the Road to Hana and the summit of Haleakala. The Big Island has Hawaii Volcano National Park plus four other historic and cultural sites ran by the National Park Service. On Kauai, you’ve got to see the Waimea Canyon, fern grotto, and tree tunnel that leads to historic Koloa town.

How to Save $1000 on Your Trip to Hawaii

How to Save Money on Excursions and Tours

There are plenty of things to do in Hawaii that are free, but there are also a few experiences that you can only get through an excursion or tour. How can you save money on them? The best way is to do your research ahead of time (before you arrive in Hawaii) and book directly through the tour operator. If you wait until you arrive on the island, many activities will be booked up and they’re less likely to offer discounts when the tour is almost full and people who waited until the last minute are competing over a few remaining spots. Many companies offer a discount if you book online directly through them. This is because most tours rely heavily on resort concierge desks to promote their tours to the guests. The concierge get a commission for referring guests to the tour company (sometimes up to 40%) so tour companies have to keep their prices high so they walk away with a decent profit on the tour after paying out commissions. So if you go directly to the tour company, they’re often willing to cut you a deal because they don’t have to pay a commission to a concierge for your spot. For example, if a company pays a 40% commission for concierge recommendations, they’ll still come out ahead if they offer you a 20% discount for booking directly. But this way, you also come out ahead.

Also, if you go this route, you can do your research on companies ahead of time (I recommend Trip Advisor) and read honest reviews about the tours and pick which one you feel is best for you. If you go with a concierge recommendation, not only are you usually paying more, but 99% of the time, you’re just being recommended the tour provider who pays out the biggest concierge commissions, not necessarily the best one. If the tour provider’s website doesn’t advertise a direct booking special, I would still call and ask for their best price. You never know until you ask!

Planning

Maui Budget Hotels

25 Awesome Maui Airbnbs

How Long is the Flight to Hawaii?

Jet Lag Traveling to Hawaii

Tips for Surviving Long Flights

Before You Go

Staying Healthy

Things to Do in Hawaii for Free

How to Save Money on Excursions and Tours

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