From the ocean to the mountains to the valleys, volcanoes and everywhere in between, Hawai‘i’s environs are overflowing with possibilities for adventure. Whether you choose biking through craters and lava fields, taking a private catamaran out to sea or spending the day at one of the world’s most beautiful—and challenging—golf courses, there’s no shortage of excursions. Take a deep dive into our curated guide of the islands’ top activities from the editors of Modern Luxury Hawaii.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS RESORT OAHU AT KO OLINA
Bike Hawai‘i
Soaring cliffs and deep ocean blues make for a majestic backdrop as you ride through O‘ahu’s lush Ka‘a‘awa Valley with this outfitter. Mountain-biking tours take you along dirt trails in Kualoa on the island’s windward side. Adrenaline junkies should opt for the company’s signature downhill bike ride, which meanders through 5 miles of rainforest along the Pu‘u ‘Ohi‘a trail. Honolulu, O‘ahu, bikehawaii.com
Haleakala Bike Company
Haleakalā, Maui’s famous shield volcano, provides bicyclists with the ultimate downhill adventure—a 23-mile ride from a dream world in the clouds into cowboy country. The self-guided tour takes you on a 3,000-foot drop over 10 miles and 29 switchbacks. Bikes, helmets, backpacks, a map with points of interest and transportation to the summit are all included. 810 Ha‘ikū Road, Ste. 120, Ha‘ikū, Maui, bikemaui.com
Volcano Bike Tours
Experience the creation of new earth with a full-day bike adventure through the craters and just-cooled lava fields of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This outfitter, based in Hilo, offers a 15-mile tour along the rim of Kilauea—the world’s most active volcano—with a unique chance to hike through the lava tubes you’ll encounter along the way. 2352 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Hilo, Hawai‘i Island, bikevolcano.com
Alaka‘i Nalu
The premier marine services provider at the luxurious Hualalai Resort offers countless ways to explore the beautiful North Kona Kohala Coast. You can power snorkel with an underwater scooter, paddle in a traditional outrigger canoe or take a ribcraft to a secluded cove. You can also enlist the knowledgeable staff to help design your own custom marine experience. 100 Ka‘upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, alakainalu.com
Dolphin Quest at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Sign up to feed, play and swim with the six resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins with Dolphin Quest at The Kahala’s shallow lagoon—it is pure magic. It’s also an opportunity to learn about preserving marine life; participating in the experience supports vital marine mammal conservation, education and scientific study. 5000 Kāhala Ave., Honolulu, O‘ahu, kahalaresort.com/experiences/dolphin-quest
Kailua Ocean Adventures
Learn about the history of the wa‘a (Hawaiian outrigger canoe) and the area of Kailua with a guided tour led by local watermen. Kailua is home to one of Hawai‘i’s most scenic and premier paddling bays, and some of Hawai‘i’s very own heavy-hitting canoe clubs (Kailua, Kai Oni, Lanikai and Windward Kai) train in these waters. 526 Kawailoa Road, Kailua, koacanoes.com
Pacific Whale Eco-Adventures
Protecting the ocean through scientific research and advocacy is part of this marine conservation group’s charge; the other is an offering of award-winning eco-tours specializing in whale-watching, sunset cocktails and snorkeling at Molokini, Honolua Bay or Lāna‘i. With a certified marine biologist on board, you’re guaranteed to have a fun and educational experience. 300 Ma‘alaea Road, Ste. 211, Wailuku, pacwhale.com
Sail Hawaii
Learn to sail or refine your skills with a beginner-to-advanced-level sailing and navigation course in the beautiful waters of Hawai‘i. 1777 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 116, Honolulu, sail-hawaii.com
Tradewind Charters
Escape on a private charter aboard a luxurious sailing yacht or catamaran. Book a private half-, full- or multiday adventure for you and up to 74 guests; join a sunrise sail—mimosas included—off the coast of the iconic Diamond Head crater or a Friday night fireworks cruise along the Waikīkī shore. Kewalo Basin Harbor, 1125 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, O‘ahu, tradewindcharters.com
Trilogy Excursions
Discover Molokini, Lāna‘i or West Maui from the deck of a 64-foot catamaran or at fisheye view with snorkel and mask with Maui’s oldest family-operated water activities company. Cruises include beverages, snacks and an onboard marine naturalist. sailtrilogy.com
Kapalua Resort
One of Hawai‘i’s best places to tee off is Kapalua, the site of tourney wins for prominent PGA players Fred Couples and Davis Love III, as well as Greg Norman’s first win on U.S. soil. The 73-par Plantation Course, which hosts the opening tournament of golf’s PGA Tour, boasts wide fairways, generous greens and dramatic ocean views from every hole. The Bay course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane, runs right alongside the Pacific. Plantation course, 2000 Plantation Club Drive, Lāhainā, Maui; Bay course, 2000 Village Road, Lāhainā, Maui, golfatkapalua.com
Mauna Kea & Hapuna Golf Courses
Designed in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones Sr. on what was once a lava field, the championship Mauna Kea Golf Course and sister course Hapuna Golf Course offer sweeping views as well as top-notch holes. Of particular note is Hapuna’s signature hole 12, a par-4 hole at almost 700 feet elevation with panoramic views. 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive, Kohala Coast, Hawai‘i Island, maunakearesort.com
Mauna Lani Resort
Nestled along the vibrant blues of the Kohala Coast, the Francis H. I‘i Brown North and South golf courses stand atop vast fields of prehistoric black lava. One of the most photographed holes in Hawai‘i is the over-the-water 15th hole at this resort’s South course, which is both challenging and spectacularly beautiful. 68-1400 Mauna Lani Drive, Kamuela, Hawai‘i Island, maunalani.com
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Situated on a rolling plateau eight stories above the Pacific, this 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed championship course is framed on either side by blue waters and emerald mountains. Phil Mickelson holds the course record on this ocean-links-style course, which features 85 bunkers, five water hazards, wildly capricious trade winds and no shortage of beauty. 2250 ‘Ainakoa St., Koloa, Kaua‘i, poipubaygolf.com
Princeville Resort
This golfers’ paradise is a newly renovated 1971 Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. The par-72 course winds around lakes, dense native woodlands and scenic sea cliffs with views of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay. Currently by invitation only, 5-3900 Kūhiō Highway, Princeville, Kaua‘i, princeville.com
Turtle Bay Resort
O‘ahu’s North Shore may derive its fame from its reputation as the birthplace of big-wave surfing, but Turtle Bay Resort’s 1970s original Tom Fazio and Arnold Palmer Signature golf courses offer another impressive reason to visit. Dense wetlands, contoured tree-lined fairways and magnificent ocean views make these greens bucket list-worthy. 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, turtlebayresort.com
Hawai‘i Forest & Trail
Expert naturalists guide guests on exciting hikes in search of waterfalls, ancient lava tubes and rare birds. Explore one-of-a-kind landscapes and learn the science and myths of Hawai‘i Island. 73-5593 A Olowalu St., Kailua-Kona, hawaii-forest.com
Hike Maui
Enjoy an award-winning eco-adventure to places as diverse as the jungle of Hāna, where waterfalls and natural swimming pools abound, or the summit of Haleakala crater, where huge cinder cones collide with the clouds. Kahului, Maui, hikemaui.com
Gunstock Ranch
Experience Hawai‘i as a true paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) at Gunstock Ranch with horseback rides suitable for all skill levels. Get a look behind the scenes at grazing cattle and native wildlife, and sample some tropical seasonal fruit. With 900 acres based against the majestic Ko‘olau Mountains on O‘ahu’s beautiful North Shore, guests can also enjoy a fun-filled eco-adventure in an off-road vehicle. 56-250 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, O‘ahu, gunstockranch.com
Princeville Ranch Stables
This private ranch on 2,500 acres is one of the oldest continually working cattle ranches in the nation. Enjoy a wide-open pasture ride with your choice of three unique tours—one of which includes a waterfall picnic. The family-owned company also offers personalized private rides, including riding to the top of Pu‘u O Henui with 360-degree views of the island. Kapaka Road off Kūhiō Highway, Princeville, Kaua‘i, princevilleranch.com
Turtle Bay Stables
Mount a well-trained horse and trot along 12 miles of oceanfront trails and seaside pathways at the luxe Turtle Bay Resort. Along the way, you’ll encounter swaying palms, crashing surf and settings featured in scenes of Pirates of the Caribbean and Lost. Try the new HorSea Yoga! 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, O‘ahu, turtlebaystables.com
Napali Kayak
Kayaking the Nā Pali Coast is a thrilling experience. During a 17-mile journey across an expansive blue sea, you’ll witness a soaring lava rock coastline cascading with waterfalls and electric green vegetation. 5075 Kūhiō Highway, Hanalei, Kaua‘i, napalikayak.com
Kailua Beach Adventures
Explore O‘ahu with one of the island’s most experienced kayaking companies. Not only is there plenty of options for rentals and guided tours, but Kailua Beach Adventures also facilitates ongoing island restoration projects and routine beach clean-ups. 130 Kailua Road, Ste. 101B, Kailua, O‘ahu, kailuabeachadventures.com
South Pacific Kayaks
Discover crowd-free Maui coastlines, glide over crystal-clear waters and witness the majesty of migrating humpback whales. Avid kayakers should book the South Maui Premier Tour, where a 4 ½-mile paddle leads to secluded snorkel spots. Makena Landing, Kihei, Maui, southpacifickayaks.com
Hans Hedemann Surf School
Justin Timberlake has learned to surf from Hans Hedemann, a Hawai‘i-born ASP World Tour competitor who launched his surf school in 1995. Learn to ride waves at Waikīkī Beach or on the North Shore. 150 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu, O‘ahu, hhsurf.com
Titus Kinimaka’s Hawaiian School of Surfing
Pro surfer and stuntman Titus Kinimaka offers beginner and advanced surfing classes, as well as an extreme class for veteran surfers who want to experience the tow-in sensation of big-wave riding. Quiksilver, 5-5088 Kūhiō Highway, Hanalei, Kaua‘i, hawaiianschoolofsurfing.com
The LineUp at Wai Kai
This new surf-centric activity hub is the perfect day trip excursion for active travelers. The Wai Kai Wave, Hawaii’s first deep-water standing wave, offers hands-on instruction from the sport’s best (like partner Shane Beschen, former world No. 2 ranked surfer and X-Games Champion). The LineUp at Wai Kai also includes a 52-acre lagoon for water sports and more. 91-1621 Keoneula Blvd, Ewa Beach, O‘ahu, atthelineup.com
O‘ahu’s Wai Kai Wave, Hawai‘i’s first deep-water standing wave, offers an unrivaled experience for surfers of all levels. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LINEUP AT WAI KAI
Alii Nui Maui
Gigantic green sea turtles, tropical fish and gorgeous full heads of coral greet snorkelers who venture into Maui’s calm nearshore waters. This charter’s 65-foot luxury sailing catamaran will take you there. 1455 S. Kīhei Road, Unit 201, Kīhei, Maui, aliinuimaui.com
Hawaii Adventure Diving
Experience everything from a shark cage tour to a pelagic free-dive tour (where you will snorkel at the surface of deep ocean water to encounter sealife such as sharks, whales, dolphin, barracuda, mahimahi and more). 66-105 Hale‘iwa Road, Hale‘iwa, hawaiiadventurediving.com
Island Divers Hawai‘i
Sunken shipwrecks, stingrays and white-tip reef sharks are just some of the sights you could encounter on a scuba dive tour with this O‘ahu outfitter. The Sea Tiger wreck is wide enough to swim through—and big enough to get lost in. 377 Keahole St., Ste. E-101, Honolulu, O‘ahu, oahuscubadiving.com
Seasport Divers
This scuba charter’s 48-foot Anela Kai is the epitome of dive-boat luxury. From late spring to early fall, you can book tours to Ni‘ihau and dive through lava formations and sea caves. 2827 Po‘ipu Road, Koloa, Kaua‘i, 742.9303; 4-976 Kūhiō Highway, Kapa‘a, seasportdivers.com
LightSUP Hawaii
What makes these tours so special is its patented board that has an expansive front viewing window and LED lights. Pods of dolphins and turtles frequently pass underneath your feet during the sunrise session, while the reef becomes a magical lit-up universe during the sunset tour on Puako’s picturesque shores. South Kohala Coast, Hawai‘i Island, lightsuphawaii.com
Hawaiian Surfing Adventures
Glide along the lower mile of Hanalei River, past shock-green taro fields, on a stand-up paddleboard. This family-run outfitter rents SUP equipment and offers small group lessons of four. 5-5134 Kūhiō Highway, Hanalei, Kaua‘i, hawaiiansurfingadventures.com
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