Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Hawaii Vacation Blog

More Tips for Hawaii First-Timers

a young girl riding a wave on a surfboard in the water

In our previous article, we shared some valuable tips for your first Hawaii trip. Once you come on vacation to Hawaii you will immediately fall in love with this unbelievably beautiful Aloha state. And in order to make your visit even more pleasant and adventurous, we have prepared a list of fun activities to do and more important tips for Hawaii first-timers

1) Choose not Crowded Beaches

To experience the best Hawaii vacation we recommend staying away from Waikiki Beach (Oahu) and exploring more secluded beaches:

      The winners in the ‘Best Hawaii Beach’ contest category for the USA today:

  • Hulopoe Beach – Lanai.
  • Hapuna Beach – Big Island.
  • Kaanapali Beach – Maui.
  • Wailea Beach – Maui.
  • Kaunaoa Beach – Big Island.
  • Makena “Big” Beach – Maui.
  • Punaluu Black Sand Beach – Big Island.
  • Lanikai Beach – Oahu.

2) Choose the Winter Months for Whales and Giant Waves

If you are coming to Hawaii to see giant waves and whales, choose the winter months (late October-end of February). Since Oahu North Shore has one of the biggest waves in the world and exciting surf competitions during the winter.

If you want to see whales and dolphins then visit Hawaii from October to February. Although whales can be seen from all of the Hawaiian Islands, the shallow Auau Channel between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai is one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. 

You may also see whales and dolphins from the southern shore of Oahu, especially at Makapuu Lighthouse and along the seaside overlooks near Diamond Head

3) Try Surfing 

If you are in Hawaii for an adventurous unforgettable vacation – surfing is a must-do. Hawaii waves are one of the best in the world for beginner and advanced surfers. The world-famous North Shore of Oahu is one of the best spots in Hawaii to learn surfing during the summer. If you visit in winter – Waikiki beach offers a great variety of surf schools and surf shops (‘Moku’ surf shop – the cheapest surfboards to rent on the island!). 

4) Go on the Pearl Harbor Tour 

The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is a great, historic site that ranks among the top three most heavily-visited tourist destinations in Hawaii. Daily visitation averages about 4 thousand people who come to see what happened at this important moment of American history – when America entered World War II. Find out how to get Pearl Harbor Tickets to visit the USS Arizona.

For more information about the tour to the Memorial feel free to read our article about how to get Pearl Harbor tickets and why it might be better for you to visit Pearl Harbor on a Tour, especially if you are in Hawaii for the first time

a large ship in a body of water

Would you like to see More Tips for Hawaii First-Timers? Follow our Facebook group where we post awesome articles about Hawaii and answer travelers’ questions. 

Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Group Tour with Downtown Honolulu From $79 $59

Enjoy an interesting 5-6 hour excursion to Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona and Downtown Honolulu. ONLY Pearl Harbor Tour including a guided walk through Downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha Statue and other Hawaiian sites. Small Group Self-Guided Pearl Harbor Tour with exclusive service.

Private Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Tour From $500

Private Pearl Harbor Tour & USS Arizona visit (Tickets Upon Availability). During this ~6-7 hour tour you have enough time to explore ALL of Pearl Harbor National Park. See Pearl Harbor, visit the USS Arizona Memorial, step on the submarine USS Bowfin, take a free guided tour on the Battleship USS Missouri and visit the Aviation Museum.