Hawaiʻi Bucket List – 5 Epic Outdoor Adventures

Cowboys in Hawaiʻi? Yes, really. Take a horseback tour of the peaks of Haleakalā. Exploring a dormant volcano at more than 3,000 meters above sea level is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, made all the more memorable on horseback.

Hook up with Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures for tubing like you’ve never experienced before. This “river” is actually the irrigation system for the old Līhuʻe Plantation. As your guide sets you up at the launch site, you’ll be handed an inner tube and . . . a headlamp? Just put it on – you’ll need it as you pass through the dark tunnels and caverns that were dug by hand for the plantation in the 1870s. 

With a crater rim that dominates Oʻahu’s south shore skyline, Diamond Head State Monument is a hike just begging to be experienced. It’s a bit of a strenuous climb to the top, traversing nearly 200 stairs, dark tunnels and military bunkers (it was once a military defense outpost), but you’ll be left speechless when you see the sweeping views of Waikīkī, the south shore and the indomitable Pacific Ocean. 

A whale-watching excursion off the coast of Hawaiʻi Island is a truly unique experience. From December through April, discover the remarkable beauty of these ocean giants and find your connection with nature. Outfitters such as Kohala Blue Sail Hawaiʻi offer multiple tour packages. Combine whale watching with snorkeling, or book a sunset sail to witness one of Hawaiʻi’s impossibly pretty sunsets alongside these majestic creatures. 

Some people like to frequent clubs and bars after dark. In Hawaiʻi, nature lovers prefer to wear a snorkel and go swimming with majestic manta rays. Multiple companies offer night-time snorkel and dive trips where you can see massive manta rays – some as wide as 5 meters across, wingtip to wingtip – feeding in the plankton-rich water. It’s an unforgettable adventure that will leave you saying, “Only in Hawaiʻi!”

Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is your main gateway to Oʻahu and the rest of Hawaiʻi, but airports are available on each island so it’s easy to explore the entire state. Fly into Hilo (ITO) or Kona (KOA) international airports on Hawaiʻi Island, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, Lāna‘i Airport (LNY) on Lāna‘i, Molokaʻi Airport (MKK) on Molokaʻi and Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) on Kauaʻi.