Hawaii is the ultimate destination for sole travelers. Here's tips for exploring the Aloha State alone
Ahead, a solo trip guide to Hawaii, with tips on when to visit, where to stay, and what to do:
Hawaii is a prime destination for solo travelers for many of the same reasons it's great for couples and families — there's all kinds of outdoors activities spread across the islands to fill up itineraries, from hiking to waterfalls to taking helicopter rides over Kaui's rugged landscape where scenes of 'Jurassic Park' were filmed.
But when it's time to relax, top-notch spas that you can enjoy in solitude pushes the Hawaiian islands ahead of other solo travel destinations.
A stand-out spa for solo travelers in Hawaii that's worth booking a trip around is Halekulani Hotel's Spa in Honolulu that's set on Waikiki Beach. The spa's signature massage includes a traditional Lomilomi massage that incorporates warm river stones and calming Maile oil. Spa-goers can also enjoy a scalp treatments in the salon and pedicures in a weightless recliner.
Over on Maui, the Fairmont Kea Lani's Willow Stream Spa has experiential showers, like ones inspired by morning mists and evening storms plus treatments such as Volcanic Foot Experience with a volcanic clay mask.
Hawaii is also a great destination for solo travelers who want to travel with purpose.
Coming out of COVID, the tourism board has been encouraging travelers, whether as part of meetings and convention groups or those on a solo trip, to connect with the destination by volunteering. The ideas is that when you malama (or give back) you forge deeper connections with Hawaii's land, people and culture.
Volunteer opportunities through the Mālama Hawaiʻi Program include beach clean-ups, planting native plants to help restore shorelines, and helping restore the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Many hotels will offer incentives to guests who volunteer while on the Hawaiian islands, like free nights or discounts at restaurants.
Another perk to visiting Hawaii as a solo traveler is you can travel to the islands when the crowds empty out.
Since Hawaii is a popular destination with families, the islands tend to get busier when schools are out on breaks. According to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority's figures, January and February are the least busiest months.
With a tropical climate, Hawaii is a year-round destination, so you've got some flexibility here. You can surf all year round on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, though the waves tend to be calmer and more beginner friendly in the summer since storms churn out some big waves in the winter.
If you're hoping to see migrating whales, the best whale watching happens between January and March, though the official season runs from mid-December to mid-May.
Of course, your solo trip to Hawaii might be tied to an event like the Honolulu Marathon in December, the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival that happens each October, or food festivals like the Kapalua Wine and Food Festival on Lahaina in June.
If you want to see a few of the islands during your solo trip to Hawaii, you can island hop with Hawaiian Airlines, which offers about 170 daily flights between the islands.
If you're looking to do a good deal of exploring while on an island, it's best to have a rental car. Also, don't rely too much on Uber or Lyft. While you'll have no problem catching one in Waikiki, you might not be able to get one in more remote destinations, like parts of Kauai, so it's best to ask your hotel to help arrange airport transfers and other trips with a local cab company.
Many hotels also have shuttle services or beach cruisers you can borrow.
From snorkeling to hiking, many of the best things to do in Hawaii are free. However, hotels, dining out, and excursions can add up.
Here are the most recent average hotel nightly rates (from Dec. 2024) across the most-visited islands, according to Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism:
Statewide: $435
Oahu: $249
Maui: $701
Hawaii: $538
Kauai: $455
The beauty of solo travel is that you're on your own timeline when traveling and you can customize an itinerary that you'll love.
Some standout hotels include Prince Waikiki in Honolulu, which is close to attractions like the Honolulu Museum of Art, Waikiki Beach, and the Pearl Harbor Museum. The hotel has plenty to keep solo travelers engaged, like Cocokealohi Coconut Palm Hat Workshop and whale watching outings and sunset cruises on the Vida Mia Yacht, which was chartered by HBO for the filming of 'White Lotus.'
On Kauai, Ko'a Kea Resort is the place to stay—no other hotel on the island puts you as close to the water as this luxury resort. Wake up with the sun for yoga on the manicured lawns, dip into a lava rock-encircled hot tub, or curl up with a book in a swing chair. The hotel has a partnership with Hoku Sports should you want to get out on the water for a surf lesson, but you can also book an ocean front cabana for a massage and feel the breeze of trade winds.
On Maui, Wailea Beach Resort is an ideal retreat for solo travelers who want to strike a balance of both relaxation and adventure. The resort has oceanfront infinity pools, serene adults-only areas, and easy access to nearby beaches and walking paths. Solo travelers can join a group outrigger canoe tour and learn about Hawaiian traditions while paddling along the coastline. Or, engage in cultural programming like lei making and storytelling sessions to get a deeper understanding of the island's heritage. When it's time to unwind, slip away to Olakino, the resort's newest adults-only wellness pool that peers out at the Pacific.
At Four Seasons Resort Lanai, enjoy a table for one and Japanese dishes at the cliffside Nobu Lanai, and snorkel in the reef that's teeming with tropical fish and green sea turtles.
Here are some top thing to see and do solo travelers to Hawaii:
Join a tee time at one of Hawaii's famed golf courses like Kailua's Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, which has been described as playing on the set of Jurassic Park (minus the dinosaurs)
Drive the Road to Hana in Maui. It's all eyes on the road as you navigate this serpentine-like terrain, but thankfully there's plenty of scenic spots to pull off to take a swim in waterfall pools or shop at a farmers market. Several tour outfitters also take visitors out on Road to Hana excursions.
Choose from a dozen or so day hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that will show off some cool things created by Mother Nature, like crystals formed by volcanic gas, a volcanic crater, and a cave where a stream of lava flowed 500 years ago.
Take a helicopter ride In Kauai with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, and get an aerial view of Waimea Canyon, which is nicknamed the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific' and see the rugged Na Pali Coast.
Visit the Kānepuʻu Preserve on Lānaʻi where you can walk along a self-guided interpretive trail with illustrated signs to help you identify dozens of Hawaiian plants.
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