Hawaii is a popular summer destination for people around the world. It’s also really hard to ignore their beautiful beaches and rich culture. That’s why even after the US just lifted its travel ban and COVID-19 lockdown, Hawaii has already been receiving several visits from foreigners wanting to experience its enchanting islands once again.
So, if you can travel to Hawaii now, you must take every chance to make the best memories. To help you make the best out of your visit, here are five things you should look into.
Book Your Accommodation a Few Weeks or Months Earlier
Before your actual trip, you must prepare a set plan Hawaii trip. Since it’s a popular tourist destination especially during the summer, you must remember that the competition for accommodations can also be tight. This means others may have tried booking months before their trip to make a reservation. To have the most fantastic memories in Hawaii, you must ensure a decent place to stay.
Before heading to the islands, it’s best to call various available accommodations and book your stay. It’s better to be extra careful than being impulsive and end up having no place to sleep. You might be surprised that some hotels offer you an early reservation.
Settle on a Single Island
What makes Hawaii more famous to travelers is that it boasts several islands with a beauty of its own. Thus, if allowed to fly to Hawaii, the first thing that would come to mind is to book an island hopping tour. However, if you genuinely want to enjoy your Hawaii trip, it’s best to settle on a single island only.
Visiting multiple islands may have been possible before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, various protocols have changed, and it might be harder for you to obtain the necessary passes during your trip. Also, every island of Hawaii presents a vast majority of land, which also boasts diversity.
This means that although you intend to discover every island you plan to visit, you will always need more time, especially for week-long travelers. So, instead of wasting your time getting passes for island visits, it’s best to explore a single island.
Consider Exploring the Island by Yourself
As mentioned, every Hawaii island is enormous, and you can easily visit the entire place by renting a car or participating in day tours. However, to make the best of your trip, you should consider the former option and drive around yourself. You may never know what places you might arrive at and whatever things you may discover.
Moreover, it’s the best way to see most of the Hawaii islands you’ve visited. You can move at your own pace, stay in a tourist spot for a long time, or take your time driving along the coastal views—it’ll be all up to you. You can plan your itinerary in advance without pressure from the group tour crowd.
Research About the Beaches You’re Going to Visit
Swimming in Hawaii’s pearly white and crystal clear beaches is at the top of most itinerary lists, and it can be harder to hold back. With every visit to the beach, always remember that there’s more to the ocean than it seems. Due to Hawaii’s location, its beaches can easily get dangerous in some spots, which can become unpredictable sometimes.
Also, Hawaii is home to a lot of dangerous flora and fauna. That’s why you must do your research and prepare a list of family-friendly beaches since these places are safer than the other beaches. Although Hawaii offers you to wander around and discover hidden trails or spots, it’s still better to do your research as a visitor.
Eat Like a Local
Since Hawaii is an island state full of rich culture, you should take the chance to eat with the locals. Aside from their hearty meals, being with the locals will let you understand more of their culture. So, instead of eating in pricey restaurants, you can visit the places where the locals usually eat.
You can expect a lot of freshly caught fish and enjoy their seafood, or if you’re trying to beat the summer heat, you can go for shave ice. Many people have been craving this famous shave ice (not shaved ice!) with fluffy ice shavings topped with different syrups and fun flavor combinations.
For traditional food recommendations, you can expect to order the famous poke, full of rich, flavorful, simple ingredients that many locals and visitors love. Poi will also be a good option if you’re craving something else. It’s made from taro root, a vegetable like a sweet potato. It’s a Hawaiian staple that most local households probably have.
Final Thoughts
Hawaii is a wonderful island you can spend your whole summer trip with. However, even if you’ll stay for a longer time in the islands, you’ll still need more time for everything the place offers. So whether you’re here for a week or a month, it would help you best to make the best out of your Hawaiian trip.
