Hawaii attractions

Located on the north shore of Kauai, Hanalei Bay is one of the island’s most picturesque stretches of coast. Its crescent is lined by nearly 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of white sand backed by volcanic peaks, towering waterfalls, and laid-back towns. The beaches offer an array of watersports, while the nearby poke and shave ice stands serve island street food staples, and colorful shops stock everything from surf gear to local crafts.

The untouched, white-sand beach and crystal clear waters found at Lanikai Beach are renowned for their beauty. Away from the crowds of Waikiki and Hawaii’s North Shore, Lanikai (known locally as Kaʻōhao Beach) sits on Oahu’s eastern shore. Locals frequent this hidden paradise that features striking turquoise waters and picture-perfect views. It consistently ranks among the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Just beyond Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Honokohau Beach rests Honokohau Harbor, a bustling 262-slip marina with restaurants, outfitters, restrooms, and more. Most visitors will come here for scuba and snorkeling adventures—or for their chance to reel in that trophy catch. From here, 1,000-pound marlin and billfish troll the waters, alongside dolphins, whales, and the world’s largest rays.

Hawaii’s volcanic activity creates beaches that range from powdery white sands to fine black pebbles, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is one of the most striking. Part of the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park, the black sand shoreline is framed by tall coconut palms and crashing waves, making it a popular photo spot. It’s not only the views that pull in the crowds—the beach is also known for its population of sea turtles.

Step into one of America’s most pivotal moments at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where restored aircraft and interactive exhibits reveal the story of aviation during and after the 1941 attack. Set inside original hangars on Ford Island, the museum offers a rare chance to see bullet holes from the battle, climb into cockpit simulators, and connect firsthand with the legacy of World War II aviation.

Protected by the Wailua River State Park, the Wailua is the largest navigable river in the Hawaiian archipelago (a feature found only on the island of Kauai). As the 20-mile (32-kilometer) river meanders through a lush valley, it passes through jungle landscapes and past two notable waterfalls—Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls—as well as the vegetation-covered Fern Grotto. The river offers boat tours and outdoor recreation for a broad range of travelers, including kayakers, paddleboarders, and hikers.

The USS Bowfin, a fleet attack submarine, was launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. This earned her the nickname of the Pearl Harbor Avenger. Fittingly, the USS Bowfin’s permanent home is at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum in Pearl Harbor on Oahu, where she serves as a memorial and National Historic Landmark.

Keauhou Bay is a picturesque cove on Hawaii’s sunny Kona coast that’s known for its rich history and opportunities to swim with manta rays. The birthplace of the longest-reigning monarch in the Kingdom of Hawaii, King Kamehameha III, the bay is now lined with upscale resorts and tour companies—but its main appeal remains its cultural significance and abundant marine life.

The largest authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, Lili‘uokalani Gardens brings green-ified Japanese culture to Hawaii’s pretty Hilo Bay—it’s right on the famous Banyan Drive in downtown Hilo. Arched stone bridges, moats, stone lanterns, pagodas, and a tea house make up the walkable gardens, which were named after Hawaii's last reigning monarch and dedicated to the immigrants who worked in the sugar fields.

Waimea Valley on Oʻahu’s North Shore is a lush, cultural destination where botanical gardens, ancient sites, and a waterfall swim come together in one memorable visit. Walk shaded trails, explore sacred spaces, and stop for a photo in front of a 45-foot (13.7-meter) waterfall. Once a spiritual and political center, the valley offers a peaceful way to experience native flora, traditional practices, and Hawaiian history.

The Haleakalā volcano stretches more than 10,000 feet (3,055 meters) above Maui’s white-sand beaches. Most of its slopes, flora, and fauna are protected within Haleakalā National Park, where you can hike, bike, and camp to catch sunsets and sunrises of a lifetime. The park’s diverse landscapes range from volcanic rock formations to lush waterfalls, the highlight being the plunging Haleakalā Crater visible from the volcano’s summit.

Flowing just north of Hilo, Akaka Falls is one of the best-known waterfalls on the Big Island. Surrounded by lush, tropical jungle and plunging into a scenic gorge, the 442-foot-high (135-meter-high) Akaka Falls is easily accessible by a short, paved loop trail within Akaka Falls State Park, making it one of the most popular and scenic attractions on the island.

Kilauea Volcano is the star of the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The volcano remains active—in fact, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the world—spouting orange lava, venting steam, glowing, and sputtering with near regularity. When conditions are safe, you can drive around the volcano’s edge on the 11-mile (17-kilometer) Crater Rim Drive.

British explorer Captain James Cook met his death along the seafront of Kealakekua Bay on February 14, 1779, after a violent skirmish with the King of Hawaii in nearby Kowrowa village. Today, a white stone obelisk in Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park overlooks the forested coastline and its crystal clear waters, commemorating his death. Reachable only by boat or on foot, it’s a popular attraction along Hawaii’s Kona Coast.

With 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of public beach situated right between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach Park is a local favorite and top destination for Oahu visitors. There are paths for walking, calm water for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, gentle waves for surfing, and plenty of soft, golden sand for sunbathing.

Part of the Ko’olau Range on the windward coast of Oahu, Mt. Tantalus (Puʻuohiʻa) towers over Honolulu. A scenic drive winds to the summit, where the Tantalus Lookout at Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park offers sweeping views over south Oahu, from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor. It’s considered one of the best sunset views on the island.

In the heart of downtown Honolulu, Kewalo Basin is a small boat harbor that is the launching point for popular water-based adventures. Begin a deep-sea fishing charter, whale-watching expedition, or snorkel excursion from this private harbor. A stroll along the street-side dock displays tour options from parasailing to sunset cruises. Visitors won’t find beach access here, but a popular surf spot draws locals with their boards.

Located on Oahu’s windward (eastern) side, secluded Waimanalo Beach Park is a slice of paradise. The beach’s three miles (4.8 kilometers) of soft white sand is flanked by the towering Koolau Mountains, ironwood trees, and the azure ocean. Less developed than many Oahu beaches, Waimanalo typically has the feel of a wild, hidden sanctuary.

The Hawaii State Capitol—Hawaii’s seat of government—was designed in a modernist style to reflect the landscape and culture of the Hawaiian Islands; you’ll see two cone-shaped legislative chambers to symbolize volcanoes, columns mimicking palm trees, and a reflective pool representing the Pacific Ocean. The symbolism doesn’t end there, and the building is open to the public for self-guided tours, during which you’ll learn about its architecture and significance

One of the most photographed locations in Kauai, the Spouting Horn—a natural blowhole on the South Shore—puts on one heck of a show. When waves course through this sunken lava tube, a violent geyser erupts some 50 feet (15 meters) into the air. But it’s not just the constant misty spray (and gorgeous views) that attract visitors: It also moans.

Spanning 300 acres (121 hectares), Kapiʻolani Regional Park is one of the largest parks on Oahu, and also its second oldest. Located between Waikiki and Diamond Head, the park is home to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Shell, jogging paths, numerous athletic fields and courts, and a beach, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and recreation.

A historic sugar plantation set in the Garden Isle's lush tropics, Kilohana Plantation is a hub for Hawaiian culture and history. Visit the estate—centered around a historic Tudor-style mansion—to see tropical orchards, take narrated train rides, visit a rum distillery, eat at the on-site restaurant, and participate in a theatrical luau. In addition, the rooms of the historic manor house have been converted into shops selling artisan arts and crafts for unique Kauai souvenirs.

The father of modern surfing welcomes you with open arms in Waikiki. The 9-foot (2.7-meter) -high bronze cast statue of Duke Kahanamoku is a tribute to the multi-skilled—and two-time Olympic gold medal-winning—Hawaiian surfer and swimmer, and is a prime gathering destination for visitors to Oahu.

Sitting on Maui’s northwest shore, Honolua Bay is a marine‑protected sanctuary prized for its emerald-blue waters, thriving coral reefs, and abundant marine life—including sea turtles, tropical fish, and occasional manta rays. In winter, the bay draws expert surfers to its legendary waves. Whether you're drawn underwater or drawn to incredible vistas, Honolua Bay offers a pristine, unforgettable slice of Hawaiian coastal beauty.

The tumbling Manoa Falls is a 150-foot (46-meter) waterfall that you discover at the end of a moderate 1-hour hike close to Downtown Honolulu. This 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) route is one of Oahu’s most accessible hikes, thanks to a paid parking lot, gravel path, and its well-marked trail. While it is no longer possible to swim in the pool at its base, views of Manoa Falls are well worth the effort of the hike—just be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.

Stretching 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) along O’ahu’s windward North Shore at Pupukea, Sunset Beach is famed for its dramatic transformation between seasons. With giant 30-foot (9-meter) swells in winter and calm waters in summer, it offers year-round reasons to visit. Whether you’re watching pro surfers or simply soaking in a Hawaiian sunset, this destination is a Hawaiian favorite.

Set along Honolulu’s southern shore, Magic Island is a man-made peninsula at the eastern edge of Ala Moana Beach Park. Locals and visitors come to swim in the calm lagoon, stroll the shoreline path, or picnic on the grassy lawns. With views stretching from Waikiki to Diamond Head, it’s one of Oahu’s most peaceful spots to watch the sunset.

Polihale State Park sits on Kauai’s remote western edge, where golden sand dunes stretch for miles and the Na Pali cliffs rise in the distance. Known for its wild beauty and sense of solitude, this off-the-grid beach draws adventurous travelers looking to experience Kauai’s rugged coastline. Local legend holds that spirits once departed this world from Polihale, giving the area cultural weight alongside its natural drama.

Mākena offers a more untouched side of Maui, and it’s a must for nature lovers seeking space, scenery, and adventure. Just south of Wailea, this dry volcanic stretch of coastline is where travelers can still catch a glimpse of the island’s past. Whether you’re snorkeling with sea turtles, watching the waves crash at Big Beach, or hiking across lava fields in the Ahihi-Kinau Nature Reserve, Mākena feels worlds away from the island’s busier resort zones.

Haleiwa is the heart of Oʻahu’s North Shore, an easygoing surf town known for big-wave beaches, art galleries, and shave-ice stands. Stroll through its charming streets lined with boutiques and cafés, then head to nearby Waimea Bay or Sunset Beach to watch world-class surfers take on legendary winter swells.