17 Perfect Places To Go In Hawaii If You’re Feeling Adventurous
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Megan Shute
Author
With near perfect weather year-round and arguably some of the most incredible natural scenery in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the country’s greatest adventures. From camping on the beach and visiting Waimea Canyon to waterfall hikes and skydiving, there is no greater place for an adventure than Hawaii. And while the options are almost endless, here are 17 places adventure seekers are sure to love.
Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this short 20-minute walk through a thick forest leads visitors to a 500-foot lava tube that once carried molten lava. Be sure to check out Kilauea Caldera while you’re there!
The Mokulua Islands, often referred to as simply the mokes, lie off Lanikai Beach and are a wildly popular kayaking destination. Is there really a better way to spend a day than by kayaking to twin islands off the coast?
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The Na Pali coast encompasses 16 miles of rugged coastline along northwestern Kauai, and is completely awe-inspiring, whether you’ve been there once, or a hundred times.
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Many tourists tend to hit up the Waimea Canyon lookout and leave, but locals know that the real way to go is to hike through Koke’e State Park.
This infamous 64.4-mile stretch of highway between Kahului and Hana features 59 bridges, 46 of which are only one lane wide, and 620 curves through lush, tropical jungle. The Hana Highway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and while it only takes two and a half hours to drive the entire road, you could easily make several stops along the way and make it either a day, or two day, adventure.
There is little more adventurous than jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet in elevation, and nowhere is skydiving more gorgeous than over the Hawaiian Islands.
If you’re not quite ready for the adrenaline rush that is skydiving, consider a helicopter tour of an island instead – we suggest Kauai.
Due to the high altitude, dry environment and stable airflow, the summit of Mauna Kea is one of the world’s best sites for astronomical observation. It is also the highest point in Hawaii.
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This crescent-shaped, partially submerged volcanic crater is located between the islands of Maui and Kaho’olawe, and is a killer snorkeling and scuba spot. This may only be a day trip, but trust me, it is perhaps one of the coolest experiences you will ever have.
Located on the Mauka (mountain) side between mile markers 6 and 7 en route to Hana is this tranquil, calm, bamboo forest, just one part of a fantastic hike that features lush jungle, four waterfalls, and several fresh water swimming holes.
Perhaps one of Oahu’s most stunning hidden waterfalls, this trek through the mud is never uphill for too long and offers the opportunity to jump in a beautiful waterfall at the end.
Located near the Haleakala Crater, this hike provides a stunning contrast to the typical Hawaiian landscape.
While the valley is absolutely breathtaking, the road into the Waipio Valley from the lookout is pretty gnarly, gaining 800 vertical feet in just 0.6 miles, making it the steepest road of its length in the United States.
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One of the only wrecks that was not sunk as an artificial reef, the corsair ran out of fuel during World War II, and was ditched by the pilot. The airplane is in excellent condition – one of the cockpit gauges features an intact glass face. The elusive garden eel can be seen near the wreck, and the plane sits in 107 feet of water.
The trail, found in Polipoli State Park, is populated by redwood trees that were brought to Hawaii in the 1920s to reestablish the watershed. Albeit unusual for the Hawaiian landscape, it is a stunning sight.
So, this is by far the craziest adventure we’ve included on this list. Cage diving with sharks is considered relatively safe, but we can’t guarantee you won’t be absolutely terrified the entire time.
Ideal for the budget-conscious nature lover, you can secure a camping permit at any number of beaches throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Pack up your car with camping supplies and head to the beach for a weekend of waking up late, sipping your morning coffee on the beach, and hanging out in the water.
How many of these amazing places have you been? What other adventures would you add to this list?
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