Hawaii’s four main islands – Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island – are home to some of the best beaches, water sports, and outdoor activities in the world. There’s A LOT to do and see when you’re in paradise, so I created a list of the top 101 things to do in Hawaii.

The Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide

I’ve grouped these activities by island so you can plan an epic Hawaii itinerary, whether you’re going to one island or all four.

If you’re celebrating in Hawaii, I’ve got the best honeymoon, birthday, mother-daughter, and bachelorette party activities to make your trip extra special.

Here are the best 101 things to do in Hawaii!

Know Before You Go

A car is essential on all four of the main Hawaiian Islands – Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Renting cars saves you money because rideshares and hired drivers are expensive. Plus, a rental car gives you flexibility over your itinerary and room to store and transport your belongings.

I drove all over the Hawaiian Islands, but I only had to fill up my tank once on each island because the islands are so small.

Oahu

Hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail

Try at least one of the Best Foods To Try in Hawaii

Tour the Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Take the ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial

See a luau

Visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

Do a UTV raptor tour at Kualoa Ranch

Go ziplining at Kualoa Ranch

Go on a scenic drive along the North Shore that includes stops at Kahuku Point, Ehukai Beach (where the Banzai Pipeline is), and Waimea Bay Beach Park

Get shave ice at Matsumoto’s Shave Ice

Eat at Maui Brewing

Spend some time at Halona Beach Cove

Sail and snorkel along the coast

Spend some time at Waikiki Beach

Eat at The Hideout

Stay at one of the best hotels on Oahu

Go outrigger canoe surfing

Hike to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse

Lounge on the beach at Hanauma Bay

Stay at one of these incredible vacation homes

Eat at Haleiwa Beach House

Go surfing or take a surf lesson

See the Byodo-In Temple

Hike to Manoa Falls

Try paddleboard yoga

Enjoy the views at Pali Lookout

Kauai

Visit the Wailua Falls Overlook

Hike a portion of the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail

Do the scenic drive through Waimea Canyon State Park

Visit the Opaeka‘a Falls Overlook

See a luau

Eat at Keoki’s Paradise

Go snorkeling or diving

Eat at JO2 Restaurant

Visit Secret Falls – you have to paddle 3 miles (round-trip) and hike 2.5 miles (round trip) in the mud through the jungle and over several stream crossings

Sail along the Nā Pali Coast

Visit Kōkeʻe State Park

Do a helicopter tour

See seals and turtles on Poipu Beach

Shop at Warehouse 3540

Eat at Red Salt at Koa Kea

Stay at one of the best hotels on Kauai

Go outrigger canoe surfing

Visit the Kilauea Lighthouse

Stay at one of these incredible Airbnbs

Eat at one of the food trucks in Po’ipu

Go surfing or take a surf lesson

Enjoy the views at Hanalei Valley Lookout

Hike the Canyon Trail to Waipo‘o Falls 

Visit the Allerton-McBryde botanical gardens

Go tubing in the sugar plantation canals

Maui

Stay at the Hana-Maui Resort

Drive The Road To Hāna

Swim at Hanawi Falls

See a luau

Eat at Morimotos

Snorkel at the Molokini Crater

Sail along the coast on a catamaran

Eat at Monkeypod

See the views at the Wailua Valley State Wayside overlook

Stay at the Andaz Maui

Spend a few hours exploring Wai’anapanapa State Park

Hike the Pīpīwai Trail

Drive to the summit of Haleakalā National Park

Do a helicopter tour (my favorite is a no-doors helicopter ride that includes the island of Molokai)

Eat at Hāna Harvest

Go outrigger canoe surfing

Do a wine tasting at Ulupalakua Ranch and Vineyards

Play a round of golf

Eat at Hāna Ranch Restaurant

Go surfing or take a surf lesson

Whale-watch

Spot sea turtles at Maluaka Beach

Horseback ride through the pineapple plantation at Ironwood Ranch

Watch the sunset at Makena Cove

Have a beach day

The Big Island of Hawai’i

Sail along the coastline

See Rainbow Falls

Do a sunset and stargazing tour

Swim with manta rays

See a luau

Eat at Pineapple’s Island Fresh Cuisine

Go snorkeling or diving

Eat at The Rim at Volcano House

Hike to Akaka Falls

Spend some time at Hapuna Beach

Marvel at the views from the Waipi’o Valley Lookout

Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Drive the Chain of Craters Road

Hike through the Pu’u Loa petroglyph field

Eat at Canoe House

Stay at one of the best hotels on the Big Island

Go outrigger canoe surfing

Walk through the Thurston Lava Tube

Do a helicopter tour

Stay at one of these incredible vacation homes

Eat at Beach Tree Bar

Go surfing or take a surf lesson

See lava glow at night – you’ll need to check with park rangers for where to view lava

Drive the scenic route along the Mamalahoa Highway (Hwy. 19) from east to west

Go parasailing

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What would you add to this list of 101 things to do in Hawaii? Share with us in the comments!

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This list of 101 things to do in Hawaii is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this list of 101 things to do in Hawaii are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this list of 101 things to do in Hawaii.