Top Hawaii Adventures

Molokini Snorkel Adventure Lahaina or Ma'alaea Harbor (near Kihei)

There’s snorkeling, and then there’s snorkeling at Molokini. Situated 2 1⁄2 miles off the coast of southern Maui, Molokini is a long-extinct volcano that has been designated as a State Marine Life and Bird Conservation District.  Its half-moon shape serves to protect the waters within from waves and rough surf, making it an ideal location for snorkeling and one of the top-ten dive spots in the world.  Visibility is often 150’, letting you see all the way down to the ocean floor!  While snorkeling here I saw colors I didn’t even know existed. There are over 250 species of fish living within this reef- some found nowhere else in the world. Don’t touch the turtles, though- it’s a pretty hefty $25,000 fine!  Boat is the only way to get here. Several companies offer full- and half-day trips which include meals, snacks and showers. Prices range between $40/person to $110/person depending on the type of boat you choose to go on (raft, powered or sail) and the services offered (breakfast and/or lunch, drinks, etc.). Some things to keep in mind:

• Molokini is best in the morning. Afternoon trade winds make snorkeling impossible on most days.
• Book a trip to Molokini in advance. This is one of the most popular activities of all the islands and thus fills up quickly.
• If you’re coming during whale season (December 15^th- May 15^th) bring some binoculars. You may just get a snorkeling trip and whale watching trip all rolled into one!

Warren & Annabelle’s Magic Show Lahaina

A magic show? On Maui?? You’re kidding, right??? No, we’re not kidding. This is one of the most entertaining shows we’ve seen anywhere, never mind in Hawaii. Forget pulling a rabbit out of a hat, magician Warren Gibson pulls a full-size bowling ball out of his top hat!  He’s one of the most renowned sleight-of-hand magicians in the world and his show is truly amazing.

The evening begins as you and other guests discover the “secret passage” to Annabelle's Parlor. There, Annabelle, the resident ghost at the piano, takes your musical requests and entertains you prior to the show. Go ahead... try to stump her. People were calling out some pretty random songs and she nailed every single one as soon as it was mentioned. Appetizers, desserts and cocktails are available as a package or a-la-carte in Annabelle's Parlor.

After some time with Annabelle you’re led into the theater for the interactive magic show.  Want a truly unique experience?  Sit in the front row. You’re about to be treated to the most incredible 2-hour magic show around. Warren works the crowd expertly with his mix of southern charm and over-the-top bravado. The entire evening lasts about 3.5 hours. Guests must be 21 or older. Special family shows are held seasonally during major school vacations. Tickets for the show only are $45/person. There’s also a $79.95/person price which includes a combination platter of appetizers, a dessert and two beverages.

Na Pali Coast Haena

The Na Pali coastline on Kauai is one of the most unique, picturesque places in the entire world. It’s no wonder this coast has been featured in Hollywood films time and time again. The Na Pali Coast is isolated from the rest of Kauai by its enormous cliffs that dive down thousands of feet into the ocean below.  Sitting in a boat at the base of these majestic cliffs is truly a humbling experience.

There are three ways to see the Na Pali coast: boat, helicopter or hike. The first two require money, the third requires time and energy. The hike to get to the Na Pali coast, also called the Kalalau Trail, is one of the most famous in all of Hawaii. It’s 11 miles of rough terrain, towering waterfalls and majestic canyons.  This adventure is truly for the experienced hiker, though there is a much easier 2-mile hike nearby (information on that hike is located on the link above).  Most people camp at Kalalau Beach when they finally make it there.  If that’s the case, you’re going to need a permit. To get the necessary camping permits contact the Division of State Parks (808-274-3444).

If hiking isn’t your thing, or you just don’t want to deal with a 22-mile roundtrip excursion into the jungle, but you’re still feeling adventurous, then taking a boat tour is going to be your ticket to this natural wonder.  Several boat tours include snorkeling and breakfast/lunch or lunch/dinner.  You’ll see plenty of caves, wild life and (in season) dolphins and whales.  Prices range between $90-$120/person depending on the length of the trip and the services/activities offered.  Since you’ll be out on the water for a while you’ll want to bring something to combat motion/sea sickness.

A helicopter tour will let you see more than just the Na Pali coast, since they cover the entire island.  You’ll get to see parts of the rainforest and waterfalls not accessible by land (like Manawaiopuna Falls, better known as “The Jurassic Park Falls”).  Helicopter tours are a great way to see the Na Pali coast because it gives you a different perspective than you would have from the bottom looking up.  No matter how you see it, the Na Pali coast is a not-to-be-missed part of Kauai.

Zipline Tours Kipu Falls (near Wailua)

Outfitters Kauai offers a truly unique adventure that has it all:  soaring on a zip-line through Kauai’s dense jungle canopies, hiking through a rainforest and rope-swinging into a pool at the bottom of a mountain stream waterfall.

It all starts with a ¼ mile foot trail through the jungle that leads to a steep valley at the confluence of two streams, with a 150’ waterfall on one side and a lazy 80’ wide tropical stream on the other. The steep terrain allows for a ground-level launching platform that wraps a huge Banyan tree with a 30’ diameter trunk.  Participants (called “Zippers”) are outfitted with mountain climbing harnesses and helmets and walk through a labyrinth of aerial Banyan roots to arrive at the gated take-off area.  The gate opens, the Zipper takes a giant step and zooooom; forget about all your earthly limitations. You're sailing 50’ above ground, over rivers and waterfalls, and through the treetops at a speed of about 35mph.

You’re not finished yet... working your way back to the starting point is half the fun. You'll cross streams and waterfalls on a foot trail that leads to a Swiss Family Robinson-style system of aerial platforms and stairs that take you back to the launching pad to do it again.

A short hike through the jungle to the beautiful Kipu Falls for swimming and rope swings rounds out this exciting three hour tour. Once there, the more adventurous types will be jumping into swimming holes at the base of waterfalls cascading over black lava rock cliffs, and swinging on ropes tied to tree branches high above mountain pools.

At $94/person ($75 for kids ages 10-14) it’s not the cheapest activity around.  However, there really is nothing like it.  If you do one activity on Kauai this should be it.

Polynesian Cultural Center North Shore

You could literally spend all day here. They have one of the best luaus around (the Alii Luau), special features at the IMAX theater, authentic island crafts and souvenirs and more. The place is divided into seven separate villages, each one depicting a different Polynesian Culture (Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, etc.). You get a real feel for the history of Polynesia. They constantly have different shows going on... everything from a Fire Knife Dance Competition to a Hula Workshop. There are different ticket packages available which include admission to several different shows/activities ranging from $50-$195/person.

Pearl Harbor Duck Tour Honolulu

See Pearl Harbor and Honolulu from both land and sea aboard a duckboat:  a fully-restored, authentic World War II amphibious vehicle. The tour begins with a visit to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center where you see historical exhibits and dramatic footage of the actual bombing. Next, you board a Navy launch to head out to the USS Arizona Memorial to pay your respects and see other historical information on display.

You then get back on the duckboat and launch into the Pacific Ocean as you enjoy spectacular views of Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head. After that it’s back up on land as you get a historical tour of Honolulu. At only $36/person ($29 for children) it’s really a great value.

Volcano Hike Volcano National Park

There is nothing more amazing than standing at the top of a cliff watching the world be created.  That’s exactly what you see if you’re tough enough to hike through the Volcano National Park to where the lava is spewing into the ocean. It’s about a 90-mile drive from Kona to the top of the volcano and Kilauea Crater where the Volcano National Park begins. Once up there you can stop at the visitor’s information center for some up-to-date information on the weather conditions and location of any surface flows accessible that day by hiking. They’ll let you know approximately what the distance is to the flow and how long it will take you to get out there.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can drive down the side of the volcano an additional 18 miles to see where the lava is flowing into the ocean. Once down there the actual distance from the last ranger station to the lava flow will vary by day. When I was there it was a 3-mile hike each way to get to the surface flow. It took me about an hour and a half trekking up and down over lava rocks in the dark to get to the spot of the flow, but once I got there... man, was it worth it. Watching that glowing red lava spill into the ocean as pieces of the earth are created is a truly religious experience.

Some tips for your adventure if you do go out after a surface flow:

• Bring plenty of water. It’s a pretty strenuous hike and you’ll need to be well hydrated for it.
• If you’re going to be out there at night, bring a flashlight. This may seem like common sense to some, but it didn’t even occur to me as I was leaving Kona at 2 in the afternoon. Luckily a local friend of mine reminded me to take one. If I didn’t have it with me I wouldn’t have been able to do the hike.
• Follow the flashing beacons. They present the safest path to the flows. If you stray too far down to the right (as you’re heading out to the flow) there are very steep drop-offs of about 200’ or more into the ocean.
• Be very careful when you finally do make it to the flow. Don’t go too far out to the edge of the cliffs. Lava benches may look sturdy from a distance but they’re actually very brittle and break away easily. Trust me when I say you don’t want to land in the 2,100°F lava.

Helicopter Tours of The Big Island Waikoloa or Hilo

Want to see the lava but don’t feel like risking life and limb?  A helicopter tour of the active volcano is a great way to get up close and personal with the liquid lava and still keep your eyebrows intact.  The flights leave from both Waikoloa and Hilo, though they are shorter and considerably less expensive from the latter launch site. The upside to the flights leaving from Waikoloa is that they cover the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa and also visit the spectacular Kohala Coast. While these tours from Waikoloa are more expensive you are in the air longer (usually around 2 hours) and get to see much more. Prices range from $150-$300/person depending on the length and where you depart from.

Of course, these activities are just some of the more popular for each island. We could write a six-volume set on all the activities on all the islands, but hopefully this will give you a good idea on where to start. For more information on these and other activities for each island visit our website or ask your travel consultant about their favorites.