#ThingsToDoInHawaii

[kattysicecreamery]

We finally made it to Burger Shack in Kapalua and it did not disappoint! Photo 1 - NUTTY COCOMEL / $15 peanut butter, salty caramel, chocolate Photo 2 - OREO COOKIE SHAKE / $15 oreo crumbles / chocolate Photo 3 - me enjoying the Oreo shake. Not sure what’s happening with my baby hair that’s getting long, but I’m calling it my Else bang. Photo 4 - my giant burger that was consumed rapidly. It was $3 to upgrade from chips to fries and they were worth it! It was pricy but it was delicious! As Josh said, you’re getting burgers and shakes at the Ritz Carlton in Maui, of course they are pricy. We parked in the parking lot for DT Fleming park and spent some time at the beach. #visitmaui #hawaiitag #lethawaiihappen #alohaoutdoors #havealohawilltravel #thingstodoinhawaii #alohaoutdoors #allaboutmaui #hawaiistagram #hawaiilife #hawaiiwego #hawaiiviewventures #simplymaui #hawaiitag #hawaiiangetaway #mauivacay #maui2022 #maui2022🌴 #mauilife #ilovemaui🌈🌺 #ilovemaui #mauivacay #mauivacation #hawaiivacations #hawaiirightnow #mauifood #mauifoodie (at The Burger Shack) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmwg4RwLV40/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mckenzie-photography]

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Only 1min so I had to make it good. Full video on IGTV. This one should be a screensaver 😜 . . #hawaii #epichawaii #naturephotography #photography #notimelikethepresent #depthoffieldphotography #instagramhawaii #tourhawaii #hawaiivacation #turtlebayresort #thingstodoinhawaii #everydayallday #dronevideo #rootsmedia #todaystheday #hawaiianairlines #PUSH #hawaii_nei_all_day #screensaver #applescreensaver #thepowerofnow #nakedhawaii #islandvibes #hawaiinewsnow #dji #mavicair @hawaiinewsnow @smugmug @viewbug @bayphotolab @hawaiianairlines @hawaii_nei_all_day @instagram @adventure_hawaii @djiglobal @dji_official @luckywedronehi (at Oahu) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5YaD59AnlM/?igshid=1bsevphs8pbjz

[seekingmyserendipity]

[breaknanger]

Rewards come in many forms. Reward yourself to a unique experience, feel rewarded by working through some shit in our rage room, or simply earn rewards as part of our Smash Club rewards program. Free to join and you get 20% off every booking! #breaknanger #weeklyquote #motivation #motivationalquotes #rageroom #smashroom #breakshit #artstudio #hawaii #kakaako #smashclub #rewards #smashcancer #cancerawareness #explore #familyfun #thingstodoinhawaii (at Kaka’ako) https://www.instagram.com/p/Clm4vefr78g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[reallyliteral]

unpublished hawaii feb 2018 🌺🐚 Reminiscing on vacation days to hawaii, feeling the heat of the sun & the crash of cool waves, stopping on the side of the road for shrimp trucks, finding sand EVERYWHERE, walking through @alamoanacenter hand in hand w my love, and eating so many pineapples and coconuts 🥥 ☁️ sappha top 🐑 made ethically in small batches from white cotton eyelet 🥛 by Rumi @areyouami in dtla, california 🌾 bluma espadrilles 👡 handmade from canvas & jute 🇪🇸 by Isabel @castanerofficial in catalonia, spain via @marcheasuivre.decale #slowfashion #ethicalfashion #locallymade #sustainablefashion #ecofriendly #circulareconomy #vintage #buyvintage #sustainablebloggers #sustainableliving #slowliving #locallove #shopsmall #handmade #precovid #hawaii #oahu #thingstodoinhawaii #castaner #areyouami #alamoana #honolulu #waikiki #alamoanacenter (at Ala Moana Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNInPrvMEDp/?igshid=tesgcdg89ktp

[jon-no-h]

Happy Aloha Fryyay! . Oh My Goodness! You can make your own postcard. Take a photo and make your friends so jealous. . . #hawaii #epichawaii #alohafriyay #instagramhawaii #alohafriday #photooftheday #tourhawaii #hawaiivacation #mokolii #thingstodoinhawaii #chinamanshat #mokoliiisland #nikonmirrorless #sunrise #everydayallday #funtimes #hawaiianairlines #PUSH #hawaii_nei_all_day #thepowerofnow #alohafryyay #nakedhawaii #islandvibes #nikonz6 @hawaiinewsnow @nikonusa @smugmug @viewbug @bayphotolab @hawaiianairlines @hawaii.randr @hawaii_nei_all_day @instagram @adventure_hawaii @valley_of_the_temples_hawaii (at Kaneohe, Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3xtVq0AlP-/?igshid=vrwiyp0asj97

[realnoni]

Letters From Steve May 2019

Did you hear? We were voted #1 on TripAdvisor! #ThingsToDoInHawaii #HawaiiFarmTour #HawiianOrganicNoni

[ourlifeinparadise-blog]

Have you ever been for a helicopter ride? Flying over Maui, Hawaii seeing sights we could never see by foot. #travelingtheworld #adventures #hawaii #helicopterride #maui #travelcouple #marriedlife #vacationtime #placestovisit #thingstodoinhawaii #bucketlist #beautifuldestinations #travelblogger #mustsee #island #islandadventure #traveladventures (at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters) https://www.instagram.com/craftourlifeinparadise/p/Bw7wI4GleQB/?igshid=1h6mjdj183zgn

[duncanbarker-blog]

I won’t keep you guessing—a doors off helicopter tour of Kauai is 100% worth it and is the best thing we did on the island. In fact, it’s one of our favourite ever travel experiences—it seriously blew our minds.

Kauai is one of the world’s most beautiful islands and the best way to appreciate the dramatic scenery of The Garden Isle is from above. It’s the oldest Hawaiian island, and although it is volcanic in origin, the last eruption occurred millions of years ago, and since then erosion has shaped the craggy sea cliffs and the mountains have become covered in lush rainforest.

A helicopter tour is one of the top things to do in Kauai and we originally planned to take a regular helicopter trip (one with doors), but I kept reading rave reviews of the doors off helicopter rides.

At first I was reluctant—flying without anything between us and the ground far below seemed terrifying and wouldn’t it be freezing and windy? But there is one major advantage—an unobscured view for photos without having to deal with the reflections when shooting through glass.

We decided to get over our fear and go for the adventurous option.

There are only a few companies offering doors off helicopter trips on Kauai, and we decided on Jack Harter because they were highly recommended by the excellent guidebook The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty.

Note: Our trip was not sponsored (we paid our own way everywhere in Hawaii), we just really loved it.

Getting Onboard

After some agonising, we decided on a 2 pm trip (more on the best time to fly below). Jack Harter’s doors off helicopter trips are for 60–65 minutes (some company’s “hour-long” tours are more like 50–55 minutes) and believe me, it goes by fast, and you’ll want every extra minute in the air.

We checked in at the Jack Harter office where they discreetly weigh you, which determines which seat you’ll be in. You’ll also need to leave behind anything that could blow away (more tips on preparing for the trip at the end of the post). From there it’s a short minibus ride to their field at Lihue airport where we waited in an open-air seating area for our helicopter and had a security briefing.

One of the advantages of the doors off helicopter is that they only seat four passengers plus the pilot, whereas the best doors-on helicopters (the Eco-Star) seat five passengers, so you could end up in the back middle seat which has the worst view. As we were lighter than the couple we were flying with, we were seated in the front with the pilot and they were in the back by themselves.

Neither option is bad—in the front you can see out the front window as well as the doorless sides, but one of you (Simon is this case) is crammed into the rather small middle seat and isn’t next to a door (or lack of one). In the back, both passengers get window seats, but you don’t have the full frontal view. You don’t have a choice anyway, so it’s not worth worrying about where you end up.

Take Off

Once our helicopter had landed the crew helped us into our seats and buckled us up in our thankfully robust harnesses. We had two-way headphones which enabled us to talk to our pilot Ben and hear his commentary as we flew over the island. Before we had time to think about what was happening, we rose gracefully straight up into the air.

It was unnerving at first having nothing between me and the earth below and I clung on to the loop above the door frame. It’s didn’t take long to get used to it, though, and I soon felt at ease and got busy snapping photos of the extraordinary landscapes below us.

At first we flew over the golf courses and beaches of the resorts near the airport, before flying surprisingly close over the first of many lush green mountains. The ride was smoother and warmer than I expected and the wind didn’t bother me, although I could feel its power if I tried to lean my camera out beyond the doors.

Soon we left the more developed parts of the island and soared over vibrant mountains and farmland, the trees looking like tiny pieces of broccoli below us.

Jurassic Park Waterfall

Our trip took us around the entire island in a clockwise direction, and the first major sight was Manawaiopuna Falls which was featured in the Jurassic Park movie (it’s where they land the helicopter).

There’s no way to reach the falls on foot or by road as it’s on private land and surrounded by the rainforest covered mountains of the Hanapepe Valley. The 400 ft (122m) falls are a stunning sight from above. Our pilot did a good job of circling around so that both sides got a good view.

Beyond we came across even more waterfalls—a series of six or more all plunging into blue pools surrounded by the verdant mountains. We’d never seen waterfalls from this angle before and it was a special sight.

Olokele and Waimea Canyons

As we headed further west the landscape became drier, greens beginning to fade to brown as we flew through the Olokele Canyon.

This merged into one of Kauai’s highlights, the Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.

We’d visited Waimea by car a few days earlier and we loved flying down into the canyon that we’d only observed from distant viewpoints. It was a more immersive experience and we could really appreciate its scale from above.

Recommended Reading: 17 Unmissable Things to Do in Kauai

The canyon is immense at around 14 miles (23 km) long, 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, and up to 3,600 feet (1,100 metres) deep. The orange and red earth contrasts with the bright green of clusters of trees growing down its rugged sides.

Note how tiny the helicopter in the upper left corner looks!

Na Pali Coast

Just when you think the scenery can’t get any better, it does. The Na Pali coast is the most beautiful part of Kauai and is the highlight of the helicopter ride.

Na Pali means cliffs in Hawaiian and for 17 miles mammoth craggy sea cliffs soar above the ocean, some as much as 4,000 feet (1,200 m). It’s the most stunning coastline I’ve ever visited and seeing it from a helicopter is the best way to experience it.

We also took a boat trip along the coast which was beautiful, and you can usually hike it along the strenuous Kalalau Trail, but the trail is currently closed after serious flooding and landslides in April 2018.

See Na Pali as many ways as you can, but by helicopter is something else. We weaved in and out of the inlets, getting incredibly close to the massive jagged cliffs with their changing colours of greens and greys and oranges. We soared above golden beaches and watched the enormous winter waves pound into the rocks. It’s a breathtaking place.

Flying into one of the Na Pali coast’s inlets

Recommended Reading: 17 Stunning Road to Hana Stops in Maui

North Shore

The whole of Kauai’s North Shore is gorgeous. Due to the landslides and road closures, we weren’t able to travel by road beyond Hanalei, so it was wonderful to see the beaches from Ke’e to Hanalei from above. It just confirmed that we must come back.

Mount Waialeale

From the north coast we turned back inland to Mount Waialeale which rises to 5,243 feet (1,598 metres) at the centre of the island.

Most of Kauai is green, but Mount Waialeale turns the vibrancy slider up to max. The summit is one of the wettest places on Earth, with an average of 450 inches (11,430 mm) of rain annually. Every surface is covered in lush vegetation and waterfalls stream down its sides.

Wailua Falls

Finally, we returned to the eastern side of the island flying over farmland with cows that looked like teeny toys and the beautiful double waterfall of Wailua Falls, which we made sure we returned to by car later for a closer look.

Is a Doors Off Helicopter Tour on Kauai Worth It?

At over $300 per person our helicopter trip was by far our most expensive activity in Hawaii, but it was also the most memorable and one of our favourite ever travel experiences.

The scenery is truly awe-inspiring and the diversity of landscapes makes this the best Hawaiian island to take a helicopter trip on. From the farmland of the south coast to the cliffs of the North Shore, the dry red Waimea Canyon to the ultra-wet Mount Waialeale, it’s all beautiful.

Are we glad we got over our fear and did the doors off helicopter tour? Absolutely!

The doors off experience wasn’t as scary or cold as we feared and it made for a more adventurous, immersive, and photo-friendly experience. 60 minutes flew by and we could happily have stayed up longer.

I highly recommend saving up for a helicopter trip on Kauai. Hawaii is a long way from anywhere so while you’re here you might as well make the most of it.

If you really can’t afford it, there are plenty of other things to do in Kauai, most of which cost nothing. 

The Best Time of Day for a Helicopter Tour of Kauai

I agonised over the best time of day for our helicopter trip. The morning is often recommended as it’s usually calmer and less cloudy (especially in the winter when we visited), but the afternoon is better for light on the Na Pali coast as it’s in shadow in the morning, as can be the canyons.

We chose the 2 pm trip and it turned out to be the right decision as the Na Pali coast looked stunning and the afternoon is warmer. It was actually cloudy the morning of our trip and brightened up in the afternoon, so it worked out well.

Overall I think you’ll have an amazing time whenever you go. The weather is so changeable that every trip is different and has its pros and cons. Some angles on our trip had beautiful lighting while at other times we were shooting into the sun. This will be the case at any time of day.

I recommend scheduling your ride near the beginning of your trip as they can be cancelled due to weather and you’ll want time to reschedule.

Doors Off Helicopter Kauai Tips

Wear warm clothes — I wore jeans, t-shirt, cardigan, fleece, and running shoes and I was perfectly comfortable (and I feel the cold).

Leave any loose items in your car including hats and bags. For me this included my camera bag and lens cap.

Sunglasses are OK to wear, but I left mine behind as I was taking photos and didn’t want to take them off.

Tie back long hair.

They have plastic ties you can use to secure your phone to your wrist.

For photography, a wide angle lens is best, use continuous shooting mode, and aim for a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 to avoid motion blur.

I often get travel sick, but I didn’t have a problem on this flight. If you are worried, take medication like Dramamine an hour in advance.

The Details

A 60-65 minute doors off helicopter trip on a Hughes 500 with Jack Harter costs $309 per person. We booked on the Jack Harter website, but it’s rather outdated and we had to send credit card details to complete the reservation by email (phone or fax(!) is also fine). You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance.

They offer flights every hour or so throughout the day from 8.30am to 3.15pm. Our trip was at 2 pm in January. You need to check-in 45 minutes before your departure at their office at 4231 Ahukini Road in Lihue.

We were staying in Poipu just a 25-minute drive away. See my tips on where to stay in Kauai for a comparison of the different areas and resort reviews. 

The only other doors off helicopter tour on Kauai is with Moana Loa. Their tours have the advantage of being private (2-3 people so no one ends up in the middle seat), but it’s more expensive ($325 per person), slightly shorter (55-60 minutes), and our guidebook, The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, doesn’t think their helicopters are as good as Jack Harter’s. They get similarly excellent reviews, though, so I’m sure it would still be an amazing experience. Let us know if you’ve flown with them!

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[kattysicecreamery]

Last sweets of 2022 and our last day in Maui! 🍰🍪🍩🍭🧁🍦🍫 The @sheratonmaui Black Rock Shave Ice and (more) @monkeypodkitchen Pies! Hope you all have a happy and safe New Year’s celebration! I don’t think I’ll make it to midnight tonight! 😂 A hui hou! #visitmaui #hawaiitag #lethawaiihappen #alohaoutdoors #havealohawilltravel #thingstodoinhawaii #alohaoutdoors #allaboutmaui #hawaiistagram #hawaiilife #hawaiiwego #hawaiiviewventures #simplymaui #hawaiitag #hawaiiangetaway #mauivacay #maui2022 #maui2022🌴 #mauilife #ilovemaui🌈🌺 #ilovemaui #mauivacay #mauivacation #hawaiivacations #hawaiirightnow #mauifood #mauifoodie #mauidesserts #shaveice🍧 #shaveice (at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm3EAXVrO_h/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[mckenzie-photography]

Just think I only had to drive 20mins to capture this don’t miss your chance. Adventure often. . . #hawaii #epichawaii #instagramhawaii #rollwithit #beautifulchaos #tourhawaii #hawaiivacation #instahawaii #ohthechaos #thingstodoinhawaii #allthedetails #thewave #inthebarrelphoto #everydayallday #bigwave #takeeverychance #hawaiianairlines #PUSH #hawaii_nei_all_day #thepowerofnow #nakedhawaii #islandvibes #nikonz6 @hawaiinewsnow @nikonusa @smugmug @viewbug @bayphotolab @hawaii.randr @hawaiianairlines @hawaii_botanica @hawaii_nei_all_day @instagram @konabrewingco @travelandleisure @adventure_hawaii (at Oahu) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6JvBPEA_lz/?igshid=100w93ah4cnqa

[dakinecoupons-blog]

Top 16 Things To Do in Hawaii

If you're looking for things to do in Hawaii, you're in luck!

The Aloha State is one of the top US destinations for vacationers and planning a trip to the islands can be an exciting experience.

The isolated volcanic archipelago is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, tropical flora and colored, sandy beaches. But the 6 Pacific islands are also well known for being the perfect destination for those looking to spend an unforgettable vacation!

Over the centuries, each island has developed its own vibe. But if there is one thing the Hawaiian islands have in common, it's offering people everywhere the rare opportunity to choose between myriad things to do in Hawaii and live an authentic Aloha experience.

The Paradise of the Pacific is the perfect destination for adventurous vacations, romantic getaways or tranquil family holidays. Here's a list of 16 things to do in Hawaii next time you plan your visit.

Things to do in Hawaii for thrill seekers

1. Surfing - Surfing is the #1 activity to do in Hawaii. Booking a lesson with an experienced instructor is a must, if you come visit the islands.

2. Snorkeling - Make sure to book a snorkeling tour for your next visit. It's one of the most thrilling things to do in Hawaii!

3. Kitesurfing and Windsurfing - For adrenaline seekers, kite and wind surfing are a must! You can bring your own equipment or rent it and you can find great instructors all over Hawaii.

4. Stand up Paddle Boarding - SUP is quickly becoming popular all over the world! Make sure to try stand up paddle boarding when you visit!

5. Hiking - Looking to plan a day of adventure? From easy trails to more challenging excursions, you can take advantage of Hawaii's hiking opportunities and plan the perfect expedition!

6. Ziplining - Make sure to book a 'zip and dip' tour in Hawaii. It's fun, it's safe and it's perfect for both adventure seekers, as well as for families.

7. Helicopter Tours - Exploring Hawaii from up above is an invaluable experience! Book a helicopter tour next time you come to Hawaii!

Family friendly things to do in Hawaii

8. Whale Watching - Whale watching is one of the most amazing things to do in Hawaii. Booking a tour is a must when you visit!

9. Sightseeing - You can never get bored while sightseeing in Hawaii! You won't regret booking a tour to go sightseeing with your friends or family!

10. Beach Hopping - Enjoy some fun under the sun! Go beach hopping in Hawaii and return home with a nice tan and plenty of wonderful stories to tell your loved ones.

11. Sunset cruises - Looking for something romantic to do in Hawaii? Book a sunset cruise and watch the sun going down as you enjoy live music and delicious food.

12. Local farm tours - Maui, Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai are home to some of the most well known local farms you can visit on a typical farm tour in Hawaii.

13. Horseback Riding - Looking for a tranquil countryside adventure? Make sure to book a horse riding tour and experience Hawaii in a memorable way.

Cultural things to do in Hawaii

14. Hawaiian Cultural Attractions - If you're curious to learn more about the Hawaiian culture, make sure to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu, the Arts & Cultural Center on Maui and check out the many state and national parks in Hawaii.

15. Luaus - Attending a Hawaiian luau is a must if you visit the Aloha State. Enjoying an evening of hula and fire dance performances is definitely an experience to remember.

16. Tasting the local cuisine - One of the best things to do in Hawaii is tasting the cuisine of the locals. Seek out the Hawaiian farmer's markets and get a taste of what Hawaii has to offer.

https://dakinecoupons.com/things-to-do-in-hawaii/

[reallyliteral]

unpublished hawaii feb 2018 🌺🐚 Leopard spots & tiger stripes. Love your body how it is. 🥰 This photo was taken on a gloomy day at lanikai beach but that didn’t stop me from feeling the sand between my toes & enjoying the view of the beautiful twin islands of nā mokulua 🏝 🐆 swamis leopard one piece 🐾 made ethically in small batches 👙 by Emily & Kat @inamoratawoman in la, california #slowfashion #ethicalfashion #locallymade #sustainablefashion #ecofriendly #circulareconomy #vintage #buyvintage #sustainablebloggers #sustainableliving #slowliving #locallove #shopsmall #handmade #precovid #hawaii #oahu #thingstodoinhawaii #inamorata #lanikaibeach #namokulua #kailua (at Lanikai Beach,Kailua) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNDdlyIsO0m/?igshid=d4s02s84epuo

[namsienghi]

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NAM SIENG HAWAII @namsienghi | Morimoto Waikiki’s WHITE PARTY @morimotoasiawaikiki — with Iron Chef Morimoto @chef_morimoto #thingstodoinhawaii #luckywelivehawaii #luckywelivehi #hnl #hilife #waikiki #hawaii #morimotowaikiki #chefmorimoto #liondance #dragondance #barongsai #mualan #chineseliondance #culture #tradition #南仙 #舞獅 #goodluck #lucky #fortune #namsieng #namsienghi (at Morimoto Asia Waikiki) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpMKrhbh9Ox/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k163x05kzxjd

[realnoni]

Going diving? Take Noni with you!

Scuba Diving

Once non-divers witness the amazing world underwater, they’ll understand our obsession and why it’s so important to protect the ocean. For someone just discovering the mystical underwater world, there’s seemingly no end to the different methods used to visit the ocean. The most common are: scuba diving, snorkeling, skin diving, and freediving. But what’s the difference between them?

SCUBA is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Divers enjoy the freedom of being able to explore amazing parts of the ocean such as coral reefs and shipwrecks through their own air supply carried weightlessly on their backs. Scuba diving involves specialized training and certification. A basic Open Water scuba certification typically involves three phases: a) knowledge and basic scuba theory, b) skills and proficiency in using scuba equipment and c) open water skills demonstration. The scuba diving equipment comprises a pressurized gas tank filled with Enriched Air Nitrox with extra oxygen.

Did you know? Oxygen tanks contains 36% oxygen and therefore less nitrogen to reduce decompression sickness.

Click here for more!