Before I went to Hawaii, I knew there would be beaches, sun and sea turtles. But, I did not know much about the Hawaiian weather, the beautiful Maui mountains or the incredible people that live there. Today, I will let you in on some things I learned while I was in Maui.
1. Rain is normal.
If it starts to rain, do not worry! Soon it will likely stop raining and the sun could be shining bright in 5 minutes. There might even be a rainbow. Depending on the island you go to and the time of year, you may be likely to experience quick rain showers. But then you get to see loads of rainbows!
2. Environment.
People on the islands care about the environment more than most people do. This is a great thing. Help them take care of their home! Do not throw your trash on the ground. You should never do this, but be conscientious. Be kind to the environment, as well as the people.
3. The tropical beauty.
Take time to appreciate the tropical vegetation and landscape of the islands. It is all so special: the mountains, the color of the water, the unique wild life aka chickens and more. Everything is so beautiful, take some time to look at it and enjoy it all.
4. Expensive food.
Food can be expensive, especially things that have to be transported to the island. Eating at a restaurant every day can also add up. If possible, I think going to the grocery store to buy food is a great option. This way, you can make your own food occasionally, save some money and bring the food down to the beach. I am vegan and bought mostly vegetables, and some plant based milks. The prices were not much different than where I live. But if you buy meat and dairy, the prices can be much higher than what you may be used to paying.
5. Go snorkeling, or on a boat.
Go snorkeling, go on a boat, see the island from a new point of view. I highly recommend going on a boat off of the coast so you can see the island from the sea. The island looks different from this perspective and is so unique to see. It almost made me cry because how beautiful it was.
6. Waterproof/Action camera?
If you have a GoPro, bring it! There will be so many different opportunities to use it. You will be so glad you brought the camera, so you could capture so many incredible moments. I bought a GoPro specifically for Hawaii and I am so glad I did. I used it while snorkeling and zip-lining. Now I have irreplaceable pictures that I value so much.
7. Book ahead of time.
Going during busy season, especially June-September, can mean you need to book excursions way ahead of time. If you don’t, you may risk them being fully booked. So, if there is something you want to do for sure, like go in a submarine or zip-lining, I suggest booking it as soon as you can.
8. Save money on flights.
Flights can be expensive, so I recommend looking for sales. Flights to Hawaii do go on sale, they actually pop up often if you make a point to keep checking. The flight can be the most expensive part of the trip, next to the hotel, so I think it is worth the time. You can also sign up for websites that alert you when certain flights go on sale.
9. So many activities to do.
Hawaii has so much to offer. The island you are visiting determines the availability of activities. But there are so many things to do besides swimming in the ocean. You could learn how to surf, take cooking classes, learn how to make a lei, swim in the pool, shop, hike, bike, go on a helicopter, paddle-board, etc. There is SO much to do, so many options. Maybe try something new?
10. Wear reef-safe sunblock!
Have you ever been on vacation and got sunburnt on the first day? Then, every following day you get more and more red? This can really effect your vacation! Wear sunblock! Getting sunburn on the first day of your vacation can really effect the rest of your days and what activities you choose to do.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this information was helpful and gave you a small insight on the beautiful Hawaiian islands. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me in the comments and I will help in anyway I can.
To beautiful sunsets and crashing waves,
Arianna xx
Aloha Arianna 