Hawaii: The Ultimate Diving + Adventure Guide
I’m often asked where my favorite places are to travel to, and without a doubt Hawaii is at the top of the list. Hawaii offers the absolute best of all tropical environments - cerulean blue waters, golden (and black, green, and red) beaches, vibrant sunsets, rich culture, volcanoes, and emerald green mountains. Each island offers something unique and there are never-ending adventures to embark on. Having been to all the major Hawaiian Islands (some multiple times), I am always in awe of the incredible beauty and ecological diversity to be discovered there.
Hawaii is an explorer's dream. Explore hidden waterfalls deep in the jungle, jump from cliffs, witness an active volcano, sample fresh pineapple straight from the field, gaze at the stars, hike to WWII bunkers, and navigate rivers by paddleboard.
In addition to boundless adventures on land, the ocean offers plenty of incredibly diverse diving experiences. There are countless endemic species of aquatic life that can’t be found anywhere else and topography like lava tubes that create surreal underwater worlds. Each dive offers something new and memorable to discover - which is why I keep going back for more.
For my fellow adventures and divers, here is a hand-picked adventure and diving guide for each island. Admittedly, I also like some luxury to complement my adventures so I included my favorite places to stay and to go for apres dive.
Pro Tip: The best way to experience getting around the islands is to rent a Jeep Wrangler and take the top off
The Big Island
While it is very difficult to rank the islands, the Big Island (Hawai’i) has quickly become a top choice for a vacation to Hawaii. The Big Island offers tons of adrenaline-pumping experiences like hiking, volcanos, unique beaches, and stunning diving. One of the best parts of the Big Island is that is way less crowded than the other major islands and it truly feels like you are getting off the beaten path.
Diving Recommendations:
Jack’s Diving Locker - the OG dive shop on the island.
Manta Night Dive or Snorkel - dive with Manta Rays swimming and swooping around you at night!
Blackwater Dive - float over thousands of feet of ocean and experience deep sea creatures nightly migration to the surface.
Lava tube/Reef diving - the most beautiful lava tube and coral formations! Discover so many different creatures to include everything from colorful endemic fish to large tiger sharks.
Adventure Recommendations:
Mauna Kea Stargazing (note: if diving make sure to adhere to the guidance, waiting at least 18 hours, prior to going up the mountain which is almost 14k above sea level)
Fun Fact: Mauna Kea is actually the tallest mountain in the world if measured from its base at the bottom of the ocean coming in at 33.5k feet tall!
Visit Kilauea Volcano park
Explore remote Beach exploration (black beaches, green, pink beaches)
Helicopter lava fly over
Hilo Day trip with waterfall hike
Stay:
Westin Hapuna - beautiful hotel with a perfect beach for sunsets
Eat:
On the Rocks in Kona - beautiful views of the Kona harbor with famous Mai Tai and live music
Kona Brewing Company - fun spot to try local brews
Maui
“The Valley Isle” Maui is an absolute jewel with never ending places to explore. It offers giant waves, waterfall hikes, stunning beaches, and consistently amazing dives. There is nowhere I enjoy a sunset swim more than at Charley Young Beach near Kihei, Maui. Also Maui is the most luxury options of all the islands with a ton of amazing resorts for those looking for some extra pampering.
Diving Recommendations:
Extended Horizons (out of Lahaina)
Check out the Cathedral dives (lava tubes) which are actually closer to the island of Lanai. You can dive inside these tubes and discover how the formations and light looks like being inside a church. It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
Malakuna Crater (far side) - the quintessential Maui dive, however dive the far side of the crater offers stronger current and more pelagic life (black mantas, hammerheads, tiger sharks) for the more advanced divers.
Shore Dives - one of my favorite aspects of Maui is the easy access of shore dives. These tend to be more shallow dives with tons of macro life to see like finding colorful and unusual nudibranchs.
Adventure:
Road to Hana (North Shore) - the best road trip you will ever experience! Take a full day to explore the iconic road through Maui’s north shore. Stop along the way at waterfalls, fresh fruit stands, insanely beautiful beaches, and secret hiking paths.
Beach exploration - Maui also has some of the most famous beaches in Hawaii. My favorites are: Charley Young Beach (for the sunsets), Big beach, and for those a little more adventurous check out a drum circle on Little beach;)
Stay:
Andaz Maui - stunning hotel with one of the best hotel pools I’ve been to.
Eat:
Monkeypod Kitchen
Morimoto Maui @ the Andaz
Maui Brewing Co.
Kauai
“The Garden Island” offers the most spectacular views and landscape of any island in the world. The Napali coast is so breathtaking it doesn’t look like it could be a real place. The beaches are wild and seem untouched with some of the best surfing breaks in the world. The diving on the south shore is ideal with gentle currents and the most enormous turtles I’ve seen. Kauai also has tucked-away rivers to offer endless opportunities for exploration.
Diving:
Poipu on the south shore is the best location on the island for diving. There you can do zodiac and shore diving. I love any chance to zodiac dive and to do backroll entries! This location has not only the most turtles (Honu) I’ve ever seen on a dive, but also the most enormous. They were so big they often looked like rock boulders! If you are a turtle lover this THE ultimate dive for you.
Adventure:
Aloha Surfing School - Surf Hanalei Bay and Tunnels Beach
Paddleboard or canoe on the Wailua river
Explore the Maniniholo Dry Caves near Ha’ena Beach Park
Hike trails to secluded beaches on the Na’Poli coast
Take a Napali coast helicopter ride
Stay:
Lihue (near airport) -
The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort
Hanalei Bay (north shore)-
Hotel1 Hanalei - views of Hanalei Bay and secluded beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Eat:
Hanalei Poke
Oahu
“The Main Island” is arguably the most famous (and most populated) of all the islands. While Oahu is crowded and there can be traffic, it is still an incredibly beautiful place that has a lot to offer. When I travel to Oahu I mostly stay up on the north shore near the best beaches and breaks on the island. I would recommend to not spend too much time in Honolulu, but to instead head up north on one of my favorite drives in the world. Drive through coffee and pineapple fields to Haleiwa and the gateway to the north shore which offer the most famous surf breaks and beaches in the world. DIving on Oahu is also possible, and there are a few offerings that make it a true adventure.
Diving:
Trident Adventures - owned by former Navy SEALs, they offer dives with helicopter entries! This is definitely on my bucket list for next time I am on Oahu.
One Ocean Diving - Freedive with Tiger Sharks and learn more about these fascinating creatures while experiencing them close up.
Adventure:
There is a never end list of adventures on Oahu!
North Shore Surfing - for beginners check out Pua’ena Beach Park
Sunrise crater hike - climb Diamond Head (a dormant volcano) in Honolulu to see the sunrise
Pillbox Hike - check out WWII bunkers and an incredible view of Lanali beach
Dole Plantation - the best fresh pineapple ever!
Lanai Beach - picture perfect white sand beach.
Waimea Bay Beach - home to huge waves (in the winter) and calm waters in the summer. There is also a cliff you can jump from. This is my favorite beach to spend time at.
Stay:
The Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore - The most iconic Hawaiian hotel (check out Forgetting Sarah Marshall) with the most beautiful sunsets. You can also snorkel right off shore at their beach. They also offer many wellness options and cultural experiences.
Eat:
Matsumoto’s Shave Ice in Haleiwa (will change your life forever)
Sunrise Shack - Acai Bowls
Ted’s Bakery
Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill
Duke’s Waikiki
Ready to book your trip to beautiful Hawaii? As a Fora travel advisor, I can get you the best rates, perks, and insights! Reach out to learn more here.
