Hawaii – my personal tips and recommendation

If you are too tired and bored reading my blog posts underneath I though I summarize my trip and give you some tips and recommendations.

Three weeks – three island: Perfect! It is not too stressful, but you see a lot and you can do a lot. Although, you want to spend some relax time on a beach, there is plenty of time.

Oahu: Waikiki is a great to start the trip in Hawaii. Stay a few days and you will get over the jetlag and get used to the climate, the beach, the people and the food. Parking is very expensive, therefore I recommend a shuttle bus from the airport to Waikiki (robertshawaii.com or speedishuttle.com) 

To do:
#Longboarding in Waikiki – it is a must! The place where surfing was born! I recommend to rent a longboard one block away -> 2446 Koa Ave (below the restaurant La Cucaracha) costs 14$ for two hours. Half the price you pay right on the beach

#Diamond Head:  Of course a great hike. But remember, to get there its not that close. Better take the bus, otherwise you are exhausted, before you even get there.

#Mai Tai at Tikis or Hula Grill – for Hawaii just a must.

Dinner recommendations for Waikiki:
Pizza d’Agostino: streetfood pizza for only 6$ but tastes amazing.
Uncle Clay’s Shaveice: if you have tested shave ice and you didn’t like it – try again @uncle Clay. There is a reason why it is rated #1 on Tripadvisor on over 1800 “restaurants”
Marukame Udon: there is a reason why there is always a queue. One of the best Japanese noodles in the world.

After the few days Waikiki, rent a car (http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/) usually its way cheaper to rent it out of Honolulu Airport, instead of Waikiki.
Drive along the coast and make a stop in Kailua or Lanikai Beach. Probably the most beautiful and calm beaches in Oahu (maybe even in Hawaii?)
Spend a night in the North Shore. The ambience is very different up there and there are lots of beaches. In December-February I personally could spend the whole day watching surfers in the biggest waves. If this is not for you, spend the day in Waimea Valley and don’t forget the Turtle Beach (also called Lanikea Beach) There are always turtles, most likely also on the beach.

Backpacking in Oahu: just one recommendation: Seaside Hostel is the only thing you need to look for. 25$ and you get everything you need.

Big Island
If your main goal is to visit the volcano, better fly straight to HILO and rent a car there.

Kilauea Volcano: you can spend easily one day at the Park. Lots of hiking trails and views of the most active volcano in the world.
Stay until it gets dark, so you can also see the lava lighting up.

Mauna Kea: Also an activity for the night. If you have a 4×4 drive, head up to the summit. Otherwise it is also worth “just” going to the visitor center. At night there are telescopes where you can see the Moon, the Mars and the Jupiter. If the moon is not that bright, you will see the whole milky way. Amazing experience, but make sure you bring all your clothes. It does get cold.

Hidden places in Big Island: Dirt Road doesn’t know a lot of tourits. Along the coasts you find jungle, tide pools, snorkelling places, black beaches, dolphins in the oceans and lots of hippies. Kehena Beach is certainly worth a visit. Kalapana is a lot of fun on Wednesdays when Uncle Roberts Farmer market is on.

I can recommend the following two Air Bnb on Big Island:

https://www.airbnb.ch/users/show/824662 (20minutes from Pahoa)
https://www.airbnb.ch/users/show/4244550 (10minutes from Kona)

in Kona you only have to do the Manta Ray Snorkelling. Also one of my personal highlights in Hawaii: http://www.hawaiiislandandoceantours.com/ (only 6 pax per tour)

Maui
Maui was our favourite. Make sure to go straight out of Kahului, there is not much beside a shopping center.
Lahaina is the place to be (maybe also to live?) the village is quite tiny but has lots to offer. A lot of nice restaurants, bars, art galleries, shopping places (also a very new outlet) and beaches.

There are great surfspots around Lahaina. Make sure to rent a surfboard for few days including a rack for the car. Around 15 dollars a day and you are very flexible.
Many spots, almost no people. Of course avoid Lahaina Breakwall, where the ocean is covered with surfschools.
Best restaurants
Kimos   make sure you leave space for the Hula Pie.
Lahaina Grill  best fish ever
Dukes Beachhouse another chance for amazing fish and a Hula Pie 😉
Ono Tacos: one of the best fast food/streetfood on Maui.

If you have more days, make sure to spend a day on the road to Hana. and yes, you definitely need a whole day. the part after Hanais better. I recommend to drive until the Oheo Gulch.

The beaches in the south (Big beach etc.) are also worth a visit. Everywhere you will have spectacular sunsets. But, don’t forget the sunrise on Haleakala. It sounds hard to get up at 2 AM, but its an unforgettable experience. If you aim for adventure, you should definitely consider the downwhill bike tour. You go through 6 climate zones and you ride on your own: http://www.bikemaui.com/

Enough blabla, let’s have a look at some pictures: