Hawaii: A 2020 Bucket List

One of the reasons why Hawaii continues to bring back repeat tourists year after year is that it’s constantly evolving. Thanks to their increasing popularity as a must-see vacation destination, the Hawaiian Islands, which experience sunshine some 350 days out of the year, are continuing to expand their offerings.

It’s unsurprising that, if you’re due to make a trip to Hawaii in 2020, you’re wondering how on earth you’re supposed to fit everything in during your stay. That’s why we’ve done our own work and put together this 2020 bucket list to help visitors to the Hawaiian Islands make the most out of their stay. Print this list off and put it somewhere safe – it’ll come in handy when you touch down at your destination of choice!

Try out a water sports activity

Hawaii is known for its water sports, thanks to its choppy coastline that’s perfect for water-based adrenaline-inducing activities. Even if you’ve never given water sports a go yourself, you need to add it to your Hawaiian bucket list to give something a go during your stay on the island. There’s something for every skill level, so don’t be afraid if your only experience with water is your local swimming baths.

Hike the Hawaii Volcanos National Park

If you’re visiting Hawaii, you just have to make the most out at least one of its beautiful natural elements on offer. The Hawaii Volcanos National Park is a bucket list must, thanks to its stunning scenery, interesting ecology – and the fact that you get to go up-close-and-personal with a real-life active volcano. The higher you hike, the better the view you’ll get of The Big Island and the coast beyond.

Take a ride in a helicopter

Got a thrill-seeker in your vacation group? They’ll love taking one of the many helicopter tours that offer birds-eye views over the islands. It might seem a little scary, but a helicopter tour needs to make it onto your Hawaiian bucket list, simply because it’s something that you’re guaranteed to never forget for the rest of your life. Prices aren’t as costly as you’d expect, and the views more than make the experience worthwhile.

Snorkel at Tunnels Beach

Hawaii offers a wealth of snorkelling potential, but if you want to get up close to some fascinating sea life, there’s no better place to head that Tunnels Beach. From land, Tunnels Beach might look like any other beach in Hawaii: postcard-ready, with white beaches and clear blue seas. Head under water and you’ll find a whole world of hidden tunnels and caves, which give Tunnel Beach its name. Expect to see a whole range of beautiful sea life, and maybe even the odd wild turtle or two.

Stop off at Hawaii’s Tropical Botanic Garden

There’s so much natural beauty to be found in Hawaii that you almost might think a trip to its Tropical Botanic Garden is unnecessary. But trust us – this is a must-see experience that you need to add to your Hawaiian bucket list ASAP. It’s home to some of the most beautiful lush gardens in the area, and the small entry fee you pay to get inside is used to fund the not-for-profit organisation, so you’re doing your bit for the island just by being a tourist.

Visit the Secret Waterfall in Kauai

Because it’s a tropical island, you’ll find waterfalls pretty much all over Kauai, a smaller island off Hawaii – but the one that’s really worth visiting is so little-known, it’s almost still a local secret (hence its name!). The Secret Waterfall is best visited by kayak or canoe, and there are plenty of rental companies that can help you out and point you in the right direction. Follow the Wailua River, which is a sight enough in itself, and then leave your canoes on the riverbank and head off in search of the waterfall. Unless your map reading skills are incredible, this one might be best leaving in the hands of a local tour guide!

Go whale spotting

You can’t visit Hawaii in whale watching season without heading out on a boat yourself and seeing what you can spot. The anticipation of whale watching is addictive enough, but it makes it all the more worthwhile when you catch sight of one – or several – whales just off Hawaii’s coastline. Be mindful that if you really want to be in with a chance of seeing a whale, you need to visit between November and April. January tends to be the best time for a guaranteed whale spotting.

Catch a Hawaiian Sunset

Hawaii is famous for its incredible sunsets, so of course, it’s a bucket-list must that you have to catch at least one of these for yourself during your stay. The more you can see, the better, and try to vary things a bit – a sunset over a beach, for example, is an essential, but try catching one from up on the mountains, or on a boat out in the sea. Hawaii’s sunsets look far more beautiful in real life than in photos, so prepare to be blown away.

Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?

Many people think that Hawaii is only one island, because that’s how it’s so often referred to. While it’s true that Hawaii’s main island is a big tourist hit, don’t rule out its surrounding smaller islands as potential vacation destinations. Every location in Hawaii has its similarities, but each island offers something slightly unique from the other. Read on to learn more about the most popular Hawaiian islands and what they have to offer to tourists like yourself.

What Are The Four Hawaiian Islands?

In Hawaii, there are four main islands to be aware of: the main island, which is usually just referred to as Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. These are not the only Hawaiian Islands by a long stretch, but they’re the most populated by tourists, and tend to be the ones with the biggest pulls for prospective vacationers looking for a trip away in the sunshine. Hawaii is the largest island of them all, followed by Maui and Oahu, and finally, Kauai. Here’s a little more information about each of the islands:

Hawaii

Hawaii’s main island, often referred to as the Big Island, is the most ideal destination for travellers who want to see and do it all. It features every type of landscape, from tropical woodlands to sparse volcanoes, and boasts nearly a full year of sunshine. If you’re after a varied beach selection, Hawaii’s Big Island will more than meet your needs. There’s so much to see, do and explore, whether you prefer to make your own adventures, or you’d rather enlist in the local wisdom of a professional tour guide.

Hawaii has not one but two international airports, and with it being the most touristy island of the four, you’d expect to find that travel to the Big Island is the easiest. However, it is sometimes common for tourists to have to switch over at Honolulu Airport to get to Hawaii, so be aware that booking direct might not be an easy option. You’ll have your biggest struggle with accommodation – more specifically, how to narrow it down! There are so many options for every budget and personal taste.

Maui

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, Maui ticks all the boxes. It’s quite often the Hawaiian island that honeymooners and couples celebrating key relationship milestones will consider visiting, thanks to its charming village life and incredible selection of beaches. You’ll find plenty to appeal to the inner romantic in Maui, including tailored romantic tours and island activities, and romantic restaurants that offer stunning evening sunset views over Hawaii’s coastline.

You can often get to Maui directly without having to switch over at Honolulu airport nowadays, so it’s becoming an increasingly convenient destination for people who prefer to travel efficiently. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay – and there are plenty of adults’ only spa results if you’re after something really special.

Oahu

Being relatively smaller than Hawaii, you’d think that Oahu would offer a more peaceful, laid-back vibe. It’s true that you can find plenty of scenic havens in Oahu, but if you’re a fan of the big city life, you’ll love Oahu for its on-the-go shopping and restaurant scene. Staying in Oahu means getting the best of both worlds: you can visit the hustle and bustle of the city during the day, and while away your late afternoons away from all the action in a secluded beach-side hotel resort.

Oahu is home to Honolulu International Airport, which has great transportation links to many US airports. From hotel high-rises to traditional resorts away from the city, there are plenty of accommodation choices to look between. You can rest assured that there’s something to suit every vacation requirement in Oahu.

Kauai

Don’t even think about visiting anywhere other than Kauai if nature is your thing. Kauai is well known for its stunning scenery and natural beauty, and it’s on this island that you’ll really get the sense of serenity and seclusion. It’s quite common in Kauai to feel as if you have the island to yourself, because there are so many hidden nature spots that you won’t often have to share with other tourists. If you enjoy outdoor activities, there are plenty of affordable activity offerings on the island, including whale-watching, hiking, zip lining and water sports.

With Kauai being the smallest of Hawaii’s four main islands, if you want to fly direct from the US, you should be prepared to dish out a little more cash. It might make more sense to stop over at Honolulu and take a second flight from there, so consider your options carefully. You can expect Kauai’s hotel scene to appeal to every taste, but some of the best resorts are located on Kauai’s stretch of beautiful coastline.

Making Your Decision

Deciding which Hawaiian island is for you is ultimately a case of weighing up the pros and cons that each island presents for you personally. It might be that you can’t seem to see any cons for either – which may make the decision more difficult! But many people generally find that one island of the four calls out to them more than the rest, so it could end up being a case of simply listening to your heart.

Even once you’ve decided which Hawaiian island you want to visit, there’s no reason why you can’t hop over to the other islands if you want to check them out also while you’re there. Even if you’re visiting Hawaii for one specific purpose, if you find yourself being drawn to the vibrant lifestyle of Oahu, the scenery of Kauai, the romance of Maui or the adventure potential of the Big Island, why not make a day out of island-hopping?

Transportation links are good, with boat and plane travel being the speediest. Look out for companies that offer island tours, which tend to be the easiest way to get the most out of your island-hopping experience, and may provide additional perks, like food and overnight accommodation.

There is no place like Hawaii

I think anyone who have visited Hawaii is going to agree that there is just no other place on the world like Hawaii. There is something special about this the most remote land in the world.

The food, the laid back culture that almost forces you to relax, the water, the ocean, the year around beautiful temperature, the thunderous occasional pouring rain, and what you might refer to as liquid sunshine – where is raining while the sun is out and they are like droplets floating in the air. There is just no other place on Earth like here in Hawaii. Let me give you a tour of the place. Slowly but surely. See you soon again.

-Mahalo