Solo in paradise? Sign me up! And I know just the place. Hawai’i is often thought of as the stereotypical honeymoon or romantic getaway destination. And while that’s true, it’s far from the full scope! It’s also an amazing place for solo travelers, largely because… You definitely won’t be alone!
Why Hawai’i?
Hawai’i hosts over 10 million tourists each year. Ten million! So, chances are good that you won’t get lonely there. It’s also stunningly beautiful, there are tons of things to do, and if you don’t know the meaning of aloha before you go, you’ll start to understand as soon as you land. Nearly everyone who goes to Hawai’i says the same thing: “I can’t wait to go back!”
Read this, too: The Activities You Need to Book BEFORE Your Trip to Hawai’i
Is It Safe?
Yes! I’ve been to Hawai’i several times, and I’ve never once felt even the least bit unsafe. In fact, it’s one of the safest states in the United States, according to SafeWise.com. The people in Hawai’i are helpful, visitors to Hawai’i are generally happy to be there, and because tourism is the primary industry in Hawai’i, there are a lot of practices and systems in place to keep tourists safe. It’s a great place to go solo!
That said, don’t do anything outrageous anywhere you’re traveling solo, but particularly in Hawai’i. Take the most popular hikes instead of the most secluded hikes so there will be people around in case you fall or get hurt. Don’t swim in the ocean alone if you’re not used to swimming in the ocean–instead, opt to swim at beaches with lifeguards on duty, such as Waikiki Beach.
Have your adventures, do what you want when you want to do it (one of the advantages of traveling solo!), but be safe, be smart, and listen to your gut, just like you should be doing anywhere, even at home!
All you need: The Top Safety Tips for Your Trip to Hawai’i
How Can I Get There and Get Around?
Well, there are two options: Flying, or cruising! The vast majority of people fly to Hawai’i, but there are cruises, too. Most of the cruises from the U.S. mainland sail from California, but that’s not the only place from which Hawai’ian cruises sail. Cruising takes longer, of course, so keep that in mind when you’re planning!
Once you’re on the island, you will most likely need to rent a car! This can be expensive, but you can also be strategic about it. Remember that you’ll have to pay for parking if you have a car overnight. If you’re staying in Waikiki, you can have a blast without a car, or you can rent a car just for a day or two.
There are plenty of car rental companies within walking distance of hotels and other accommodations, so you can easily rent a car for the day, then turn it in for the night instead of paying for overnight parking.
Get the scoop: How to Survive the Flight to Hawai’i
Which Island Should I Visit?
Any! All! Why choose?! It all depends on your preferences. Do you want to visit Pearl Harbor or be around a lot of people? O’ahu is your best bet. Always wanted to see spewing lava? The Island of Hawai’i is the place to do it! I go into detail about what each island has to offer in my post about What to Know Before You Visit Hawai’i!
Read next: Which Island is the BEST Hawai’ian Island?
What Should I Do?
What do you want to do! If you love the outdoors, check out all the Hikes in Hawai’i, learn to surf, or take a river kayaking tour. Prefer cultural experiences? Participate in a Malama Volunteer program, visit the many heiau and other historic sites, or visit I’olani Palace and Pearl Harbor! Are you a foodie? Visit the many farmers’ markets, tour coffee or macadamia nut farms, and go to a luau!
More here: The Best Hikes in the Hawai’ian Islands
How Can I Save Money?
Hawai’i has an expensive reputation, but you might be surprised at how many ways you could actually save money in the islands! Google the FREE things to do in the island or islands you’ve visiting. Evaluate if you need a car, or if you can go without one for a few days. Shop at ABC (very common convenience store brand in Hawai’i) or at the grocery instead of going out to eat for every meal. Get a little creative, and think a little outside of the box!
Keep saving: All the Ways You Could Save BIG on Your Next Trip to Hawai’i
Want more? Check out my dedicated Solo Travel Page, and check out my Hawai’ian Islands Page, too!
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