Best Places to Visit in Hawaii

What are the absolute best places to visit in all of Hawaii? Here’s my list of my absolute favorite places in Hawaii, and I’ve even tried to put them in order, starting with my most favorite.

1. The Green Sand Beach on the Big Island
I used to live on the Big Island and we used to have a four wheel drive so we would go down here every so often. It’s not easy for tourist to get to normally unless they are willing to hike out a few miles and back a few miles. But it’s awesome. Truly a completely unique site in all of the world. And the sand is really green. It’s a green mineral that’s been pounded into sand by the action of the waves. The whole area, south point, is isolated, dry and windy, but it’s pretty cool. Definitely a place worth a visit if you are on the Big Island.

2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island
This place is just cool. Where else can you visit a volcano that has been spewing lava as safely as a volcano can spew lava for 20+ years (to see what it’s doing right now, go to eruption updates)

3. the Na Pali Coast on Kauai
Beautiful, wild, teeming with dolphins, no houses or civilization – hike it or camp it or boat it, or even have the boat drop you off at the beach you can only get to by boat … of course you’ll have to swim the last few hundred feet or so.

4. Waikiki Beach on Oahu
Ok, Waikiki Beach is FULL of people and shops and totally only looks like Hawaii if you are facing the ocean, but man, the beach is awesomely clean, the water is amazing, the conditions are perfect even when they’re off, and chances are you can find a luxury hotel if that’s what you want OR a hotel that feels like a luxury hotel for under $200 a night OR a hotel that is perfectly fine for $60 or so a night. And right there in Waikiki where everything else you need is also. I like Waikiki.

5. Any Beach on Maui
Literally, Maui is an island of wonderful beaches. I am partial to Kaanapali, but they’re all great. You can’t go wrong on Maui.

6. Oahu North Shore in the Winter
Prepare to be amazed. Ever watched waves hit the beach so hard they make the ground you are standing on shake a little bit? The North Shore is truly awesome when the waves are big.

7. Dolphin Quest
There’s two – one on Oahu and one on the Big Island. You get to touch the dolphins … unless they’re not into it that day (the dolphins have a choice) but they are into it a lot. I hate to compare dolphins and dogs, but if you know what it’s like to be around a really lovable and loving dog – well, dolphins are like that times a thousand.

8. Punaluu Beach on the Big Island
Punaluu is a black sand beach that the turtles really like. The swimming is marginal and the snorkeling is crappy … except for the turtles. They’re everywhere. And the beach is just unique and interesting. Nice place. You can camp there too. Oh, the turtles also really like Kahaluu Beach on the Big Island, all the water in Hilo, and Kohala Coast shoreline areas. Yes, they’re plentiful on the other islands too but they really seem to like the Big Island (all that rocky shoreline I think).

9. Manoa Falls on Oahu
This is a short, really nice hike that’s easy to get to and easy to enjoy. The hike is uphill, so it’s not for everyone, and sure there are many cool waterfall hikes all over, but I like this one for it’s ease of access for everyone.

10. Pearl Harbor on Oahu
If you are into the history of the war at all this is a fun place. I’m not so into the Arizona memorial but I really like the submarine tour and the Mighty Mo, and so does my son.

11. Waimea Canyon on Kauai
Never thought you’d see anything like this in Hawaii? Me neither. Totall out of place and character in my opinion, but very cool.

So, if I had to pick my favorites, these are them. How about your favorites? Leave me a comment. Thanks!