Nature
Hawaii Nature Guides
Explore Hawaii wildlife, native birds, tropical flowers, marine life, and the plants and animals travelers are most likely to notice across the islands.
Explore Nature Guides »We may earn a commission when you book or buy through links on this page.
Use Trip Match or our island quizzes to figure out which island fits your travel style.
Browse itineraries, attractions, and tours. Save anything to My Trip Planner as you go.
Lock in hotels, tours, and car rentals. Print your trip plan and you're set.
Chat with Hawaii Guide, ask by voice, build an itinerary, check weather briefs, search smarter, and listen to narrated routes from one hub.
Start Here+ My OS
Not sure which tools to use? Three quick questions and we'll surface the four or five Hawaii Guide tools that matter for where you are right now in your planning.
Find My Tools »
Hub+ My OS
Your all-in-one starting point — island guides, cost calculators, booking tools, quizzes, live conditions, and 20+ years of expert advice organized in one dashboard.
Open Planning Hub »
Interactive Guide
Choose Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, or the Silent Generation for a trip approach and handpicked planning resources.
Find Your Generation »
Guide
A simpler path for choosing an island, setting a comfortable pace, and finding accessible options.
Plan a Comfortable Trip »Add HawaiiGuide to your home screen and it opens like an app — planning tools, live conditions, and audio driving routes that keep working when the signal drops.
Get the App »
Dashboard
A home-screen style launchpad for the Hawaii tools travelers reach for most — today, live conditions, maps, saved trips, beaches, hikes, booking, and personalized planning help.
Launch OS »
Tool Hub+ My OS
One hub for planning chat, voice Q&A, personalized itineraries, weather briefs, smart search, and narrated audio routes.
Explore Planning Tools »
Matcher+ My OS
Answer 5 quick questions and get personalized hotel, tour, and attraction recommendations matched to your travel style.
Try Trip Match »
Lodging
Live hotel and vacation rental rates by island, plus a plain-English breakdown of every accommodation type — from luxury resorts to budget hostels.
Compare Types »
Matcher+ My OS
Answer five quick questions and match with the best Hawaii stay region for your island, travel style, lodging needs, and driving tolerance.
Find My Region »
Free Tool+ My OS
Filter Hawaii parks, beaches, gardens, and attractions by island to see which stops need advance reservations, tickets, entry fees, or parking fees.
Check Reservations »
Guide
What's coming, what's already in effect, and which Hawaii parks, beaches, and attractions need advance reservations, entry fees, or parking fees in 2026. The editorial reference behind the Reservation Checker tool.
Read the Guide »
Matcher+ My OS
Match Hawaii trails by island, difficulty, length, view type, and kid-friendly fit before you check current closures and conditions.
Find a Hike »
Browser+ My OS
Browse 35 curated Hawaii snorkel spots by island, difficulty, region, access, lifeguards, fees, and what you want to see.
Browse Spots »
Matcher+ My OS
Match 74 curated Hawaii beaches by island, what you want (swim, snorkel, surf, sunset, secluded, turtles), group fit, and how far you'll walk. Photos, swim guidance, and maps for every beach.
Find a Beach »
Free Tool+ My OS
Adjust island, dates, accommodation, dining, activities, and flights — see your estimated Hawaii trip budget update in real time.
Explore Costs »
Free Tool+ My OS
Pick your island and travel month — see real DBEDT hotel and vacation rental rates for that month vs the annual average, plus our booking timelines for lodging, flights, and cars.
Check My Month »
Live Data+ My OS
One auto-updating snapshot of what Hawaii costs right now — gas by island, hotel and vacation rental rates, rental cars, and every attraction fee we track.
See Current Prices »
Calculator+ My OS
Enter your trip details — party size, duration, island, travel style — and get a detailed cost breakdown for flights, hotels, food, and activities.
Calculate Costs »
Calculator+ My OS
The all-in number on a Hawaiʻi rental — base rate, the insurance trap, state surcharges, airport concession fees, and live AAA gas prices. Updated daily.
Estimate Car Rental Cost »
Guide+ My OS
How renting works in Hawaiʻi — booking strategy, the coverage you actually need, island-by-island driving notes, and the discounts we use ourselves.
Read the Guide »
Calculator+ My OS
Estimate hotels, resorts, condos, vacation rentals, taxes, parking, resort fees, and cleaning fees by island, month, rooms, and trip length.
Estimate Lodging Cost »
Budget
Island-by-island breakdown of how to save on flights, hotels, car rentals, food, and activities without missing the best experiences.
Save Money »
Guide
Whether travel insurance is worth buying for a Hawaii trip, what credit cards already cover, and the Hawaii-specific scenarios — hurricane season, medical evacuation, CFAR — that change the math.
Read the Guide »
Prep+ My OS
The prep hub for what to bring, what to leave home, reef-safe sunscreen, cultural pre-flight notes, documents, and a trip-specific packing quiz.
Start Packing »
International
Hawaii planning guidance for visitors from outside the U.S. — flights, ESTA or visa basics, customs, currency, phones, driving, and arrival differences.
Choose Your Country »
Planner+ My OS
Save attractions, hotels, tours, and articles as you browse. Organize by island, then share or print your complete trip plan.
View My Trip »
Beta+ My OS
Saw a beach on TikTok? Drop the screenshot in — we read the place names off the image and match them to our guide pages, ready to add to your plan.
Try Start Anywhere »
Itineraries+ My OS
Day-by-day trip plans for every island — from 3-day getaways to full week adventures. Each stop mapped and linked so you can customize as you go.
Browse Itineraries »
Free Tool+ My OS
Answer a few questions and get a personalized day-by-day trip plan with mapped stops, restaurant picks, and insider tips. Free and instant.
Build My Itinerary »
Quizzes+ My OS
Interactive Hawaii quizzes and planning tools — island matchers, cost calculators, packing help, reservation checks, beach picks, snorkel spots, activity ideas, dining style, and Road to Hana guidance.
Take a Quiz »
Daily Game+ My OS
The daily Hawaii photo game — one photo a day, guess the island, then the exact spot. Build a streak and share your score.
Play Today's Photo »
Quiz+ My OS
Five questions and we tell you which Hawaiian island matches your travel style, group, and budget.
Take the Quiz »
Quiz
Pick a window of time and we line up weather, crowds, prices, and events to find your best month for Hawaiʻi.
Take the Quiz »
Quiz
Four quick questions and we hand you off to the Beach Finder with 74 curated beaches already filtered to your island, vibe, group, and effort.
Take the Quiz »
Quiz
Match your skill level, group, and what you most want to see (turtles, coral, manta rays) to the right Hawaii snorkel spot.
Take the Quiz »
Quiz
Match your energy level, interests, and party mix to the right Hawaii activities and tours — from helicopter rides to mellow garden walks.
Take the Quiz »
Quiz
Generates a Hawaiʻi packing list tuned to your island, month, and activities — from reef-safe sunscreen to cold-weather layers for Haleakalā sunrise.
Take the Quiz »
Quiz
Drive yourself or hire a tour? Five questions on your group, anxiety level, and trip flexibility tell you which Road to Hana approach actually fits.
Take the Quiz »
Hub+ My OS
Start here for local food guides, restaurant search, island dining pages, food trucks, fine dining, casual dining, and recipes.
Open Hawaii Eats »
Finder
Search Hawaii restaurants by island, region, cuisine, dining style, and budget from the Hawaii Eats hub.
Search Restaurants »
Calculator+ My OS
Compare groceries, casual local meals, restaurants, resort dining, snacks, drinks, adults, kids, and island price differences.
Compare Food Costs »
Quiz
Tells you where to eat in Hawaiʻi — plate lunch joints, fine dining, food trucks, farm-to-table — based on your style and budget.
Take the Quiz »
Recipes+ My OS
Cook island favorites at home, with recipe backstory and tips for what to order when you get to Hawaii.
Browse Recipes »
Food Trucks+ My OS
Island-by-island food truck guides for garlic shrimp, poke, plate lunches, shave ice, fusion favorites, and beach-day meals.
Find Food Trucks »
Fine Dining
Upscale Hawaii dining guides by island, from oceanfront tasting menus to farm-to-table restaurants and special-occasion meals.
Browse Fine Dining »
Casual
Relaxed Hawaii dining by island, including plate lunch spots, local favorites, family-friendly meals, and easygoing restaurants.
Browse Casual Dining »Your daily trip companion — saved itinerary, live weather and surf near your stay, island events, daily briefing, and practical reminders in one place.
Open Today »
On Island
The on-island hub for live conditions, trail and road status, ocean report, weather, jellyfish, drive times, flights, and your saved trip.
Use On-Island Tools »
New+ My OS
A 3-minute Hawaiʻi briefing every morning at 5 AM HST — surf, weather, park status, what’s happening this week, and a story or two worth your time. Free.
Listen Today »
Weekly+ My OS
Free weekly conditions digest — surf, jellyfish risk, trail status, upcoming events, and new posts. One email every Friday morning. Separate from the daily podcast.
Subscribe Free »
Voice+ My OS
Tap the mic and ask anything about Hawaii. Answers are narrated by Mele or Kani and grounded in 1,100+ pages of Hawaii Guide. Free.
Ask a Question »
Live+ My OS
One dashboard, four islands — live weather, surf, jellyfish risk, whale activity, trail status, and volcano conditions updated in real time.
Check All Islands »
Alerts+ My OS
The closures, advisories, fees, and reservation changes that actually change a trip — volcano and park status, trail and road closures, ocean advisories — refreshed every couple of days with what to do about each.
See What's Changed »Opt in to high-severity weather and major travel alerts for the islands on your trip, with notification deep links and an unseen-alert badge on the installed web app.
Choose Alerts »
Ocean+ My OS
Live surf forecast, tide charts, water temperatures, and box jellyfish warning calendar — pulled from NOAA for all four islands.
Check Conditions »
Weather+ My OS
Real-time forecast, 7-day outlook, microclimate comparison (windward vs. leeward), and sunrise/sunset times for every island.
Check Weather »
Cams+ My OS
Beach cams, surf cams, and volcano cams across all four islands. Check conditions in real time before you head out.
View Webcams »
Safety+ My OS
Box jellyfish warning dates calculated from the lunar cycle. Know which days to avoid south shore beaches — updated automatically.
Check Dates »
Whales+ My OS
Are humpback whales in Hawaii right now? Season status, monthly activity tracker, and best shore viewing spots across all islands.
Check Status »
Sun+ My OS
Today's sunrise and sunset times, golden hour windows, daylight hours chart, and monthly calendar for every island.
Check Times »
Time+ My OS
Live HST clock plus time differences from every US and international zone. Hawaii is UTC-10 year-round — no daylight saving.
Check the Time »
This Week+ My OS
Farmers markets, live music, festivals, and cultural events across all four islands. Updated weekly.
See Events »
Status+ My OS
Current closures, conditions, and alerts for popular hikes and scenic drives. Diamond Head, Kalalau, Hana Highway, and more.
Check Status »
Gas+ My OS
Today's average gas prices for every Hawaiian island — updated daily from AAA. Plus why fuel costs more here and how to save at the pump.
Check Prices »
Flights+ My OS
Live delay status for HNL, OGG, KOA, ITO, LIH, MKK, and LNY, full arrivals and departures boards, and per-flight tracking with email alerts on delays, gate changes, and cancellations.
Track a Flight »
Airports
Choose the right Hawaii airport, compare resort-area transfer times, and decide whether to rent a car, book a shuttle, or use rideshare on arrival day.
Plan Arrival Day »
Eruption+ My OS
Live Kīlauea eruption status, lava viewing spots inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and safety guidance pulled from USGS alerts.
Check the Volcano »
New Hub
One playful hub for the daily Guess the Spot photo, Hawaii quizzes, Passport stamps, field-guide finds, coloring pages, printables, original photos, and more.
Find Something Fun »
New+ My OS
Stamp the beaches, waterfalls, and scenic lookouts you visit across all four islands, then earn route badges by finishing Hawaii Guide checkpoint hunts.
Open Your Passport »
Map+ My OS
Toggle layers for attractions, hotels, and tours across all four islands. Filter by category, search by name, and plan your route visually.
Open the Map »Snap or upload a photo — reef fish, birds, flowers, trees, fruit, critters — and get an instant ID with Hawaiian names, plus a one-tap scavenger-hunt check-off when it's in our field guides.
Try the Lens »
New Tool
Your saved itinerary, scavenger hunt spots, passport stamps, and saved places — pulled into one shareable trip recap. Everything's already saved on this device.
See Your Replay »
Free Guides
18 free illustrated guides — reef fish, birds, tropical flowers, canoe plants, bugs, shells, night skies, local grinds, whale behaviors, and more — plus a digital scavenger hunt that checks off what you spot and saves it to My Trip.
View Field Guides »
Nature
Explore Hawaii wildlife, native birds, tropical flowers, marine life, and the plants and animals travelers are most likely to notice across the islands.
Explore Nature Guides »
Near Me+ My OS
Already in Hawaii? Find beaches, trails, attractions, hotels, and tours sorted by distance from where you're standing right now.
Find What's Nearby »
Island Guide
Plan a quieter Lanai trip — Hulopoe Bay, Garden of the Gods, Four Seasons stays, snorkeling, day-trip logistics, and local tips for Hawaii's smallest publicly visitable island.
Explore Lanai »
Island Guide
Plan a respectful Molokai visit — Halawa Valley, Papohaku Beach, Kalaupapa context, quiet beaches, and the slower pace that makes the island different.
Explore Molokai »
Film
Where Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lost, The Descendants, Blue Crush, and dozens more were actually filmed — by island, with visit links.
Explore Locations »
Blog
Trip planning tips, airfare updates, event guides, food recommendations, and the latest Hawaii travel news — updated regularly.
Read the Blog »
Explore
Guides for experiencing Hawaii's natural beauty the right way — reef-safe practices, trail etiquette, cultural respect, and sustainable tourism tips.
Learn More »
News
Airline changes, new hotels, regulation updates, weather advisories, and everything else affecting your trip — refreshed weekly.
Read the Latest »
Events
Merrie Monarch, Lei Day, King Kamehameha Day, Aloha Festivals — the full festival calendar plus monthly event roundups for every island.
Browse Events »
Listen
Free narrated guides for hundreds of beaches, attractions, planning pages, and articles. Voiced by Mele and Kani — pick your narrator and tap any tile to play.
Browse the Library »
Beta+ My OS
Free narrated audio tours for Hawaii's iconic drives and walks. Listen segment-by-segment with Mele and Kani, check in at stops, and earn HawaiiGuide Passport badges when you finish.
Pick a Drive »
Language
The 13 letters of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with tap-to-hear pronunciation for every letter, place name, and common word. Learn the ʻokina and kahakō before you arrive.
Hear It Spoken »
Culture
Hawaii's iconic hand gesture — its origin story, what it really means, and how (and when) to throw one naturally during your visit.
Learn the Shaka »
Culture
How to be a good guest on the islands — shoes off indoors, what kapu signs mean, wildlife distance laws, lei customs, and the road manners locals notice.
Be a Good Guest »
Book+ My OS
Hotels, tours, rental cars, flights, vacation packages, and the reservations Hawaii now requires — the booking stage of planning in one place.
Start Booking »
Hotels
Browse 200+ hotels and resorts across all four islands, ranked by guest reviews. Compare rates on Expedia and Booking.com side by side.
Browse Hotels »
Tours+ My OS
Expert-curated picks across all four islands — snorkel cruises, helicopter tours, whale watching, and more — with pricing, ratings, and free cancellation.
Browse Tours »
Concierge
Browse 4,700+ Hawaii tour options from FareHarbor and Viator. Filter by island and category to find the right experiences for your trip.
Explore Tours »
Flights+ My OS
Choose your departure airport and Hawaiʻi destination to estimate flying time, total travel-day length, connections, time difference, and arrival-day impact.
Estimate Your Travel Day »
Airports+ My OS
Compare HNL, OGG, KOA, ITO, LIH, and smaller island airports — terminal maps, transfer context, inter-island connections, and arrival tips.
Compare Airports »
Cruises+ My OS
The four ways to cruise Hawaii in 2026 — Pride of America inter-island, West Coast round-trips, repositioning sailings, and small-ship adventure cruises. Ports, real costs, and honest tips.
See Cruise Guide »
Luaus
Compare prices, reviews, and what to expect at the best luaus on every island — from Oahu's Polynesian Cultural Center to Maui's Old Lahaina Luau.
Read the Guide »
New+ My OS
Match with the right Hawaii luau by island, budget, show style, oceanfront setting, cultural depth, family fit, and transportation needs.
Find My Luau »
Packages+ My OS
Bundled Hawaii trips with flights, hotels, rental cars, and tours. Compare packages for Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai in one place.
Compare Packages »
Resorts
The honest Hawaii all-inclusive answer: true resort inclusions are rare, but these properties come closest for families, luxury stays, and low-planning trips.
Compare Resorts »
All-Inclusive
Compare bundled Hawaii vacation packages by island — flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, pricing, and what is actually included.
Compare All-Inclusive »
Personalized+ My OS
Answer 8 quick questions and get a custom guide — your itinerary, top activities, restaurant picks, packing list, and budget estimate. $9.99.
Build My Planner »
Guidebooks+ My OS
Comprehensive 40+ page guides for Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai. Beaches, hikes, restaurants, itineraries, and insider tips. $19.95 each.
Browse Guides »
Free PDF+ My OS
One-page quick-reference cheat sheets for all four islands — plus 14 free printables including beach bingo, coloring pages, a packing checklist, and a travel journal. Free download.
Get the Guidesheets »
Free Preview
Browse the island guidebook web viewer for free — island overview, weather charts, and top beaches included. Unlock the full digital guide when you're ready.
Browse Free Previews »
Guide+ My OS
The complete 2026 relocation guide — costs, housing, jobs, shipping, pets, cultural adjustment, and honest island-by-island advice.
Read the Guide »
Free Tool
Get a personalized relocation budget based on your origin, island, household size, shipping needs, and pets.
Calculate Your Costs »
Costs
Rent, groceries, gas, utilities, and taxes broken down by island with 2026 data, budget scenarios, and mainland comparisons.
See the Numbers »
Towns
Town-by-town guide to the best neighborhoods on each island — for families, retirees, remote workers, and budget-conscious movers.
Find Your Town »
Checklist
Step-by-step action plan covering shipping, pets, jobs, insurance, housing, culture, and everything else you need before the move.
Get the Checklist »
Shipping
Costs by origin, Matson vs Pasha comparison, step-by-step process, scam warnings, and ship-vs-buy decision guide.
Learn About Shipping »
Guide+ My OS
Waikiki, North Shore, Pearl Harbor, and beyond. The complete guide to Hawaii's most visited island.
Explore Oahu »
Activities
Surfing, snorkeling, hiking Diamond Head, visiting Pearl Harbor — curated activities and tours across Oahu.
See Activities »
Beaches
The best beaches on Oahu — where to swim, snorkel, and catch the sunset, with safety and parking notes.
Find Beaches »
Attractions
From Diamond Head to the Polynesian Cultural Center — every must-see attraction on Oahu, mapped and rated.
View Attractions »
Food
Plate lunches, poke bowls, shave ice, and fine dining. Where and what to eat on Oahu.
See Restaurants »
Lodging
Waikiki resorts, North Shore retreats, Ko Olina luxury — find the right spot for your budget and style.
Browse Hotels »
Hotels
Browse Oahu hotels and resorts by area — real ratings, photos, and current booking links.
Browse Hotels »
When to Go
Month-by-month weather, crowds, and prices for Oahu — so you book the right window.
When to Go »
Itineraries
Day-by-day Oahu trip plans. Pick a duration, customize stops, and hit the ground running.
See Itineraries »
Budget
Free beaches, cheap eats in Chinatown, TheBus day passes, and smart ways to save on Waikiki hotels and North Shore tours.
Save on Oahu »
Car Rentals
Renting a car on Oahu? Booking strategy, the coverage you actually need, and the discounts we use ourselves.
Rental Guide »The fastest way to a personalized trip plan — five questions, real recommendations.
Try Trip Match
Need help planning?
Search & Planning Chat →
Trade winds are strong right now, with high surf hitting the south shore today. Windward areas are seeing frequent showers through the weekend.
South-facing beaches have dangerous surf today through Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will build rough water by Sunday or Monday. The bigger picture is a tropical system, Fausto, heading our way. It's weakening but should arrive near the islands by Tuesday or Wednesday as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing strong winds, rough seas, and heavy rain. The exact track is still uncertain, so check the forecast daily.
Get your beach time and water activities in today through early next week on the leeward side, where conditions stay calmer. Be ready to shift plans by midweek when conditions turn rough.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
Current Time in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Standard Time · UTC−10 · No Daylight Saving
You’re on Hawaiʻi timeMainland US
International
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Full HST breakdown, FAQ & DST schedule →
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