Whether you simply live in Hawaii – or worse, work at an establishment inundated with tourists from across the world – sometimes you just need an escape. While Hawaii’s most popular tourist destinations are visited for a reason, sometimes you want to get away from it all. Luckily, there are a few hidden beaches, hikes and destinations found across the Hawaiian Islands that have yet to become popular among tourists. Without further ado, here are 13 of the least touristy destinations you’ll find in Hawaii. We think these less touristy places in Hawaii are truly magical and need to be on your upcoming bucket list!
- Kahana Bay Beach, Oahu
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com Though Kahana Bay Beach Park is found off the highway, the remote location on Oahu’s northern windward coast makes this a secluded spot perfect for a beach day. Surrounded by the stunning Ko’olau Mountains, this stretch of sand is backed by ironwood trees and you will find an ancient Hawaiian fishpond on the south side of the bay. On the overcast day I stopped by Kahana a few weeks ago, I was one of only a handful of people on the large sandy beach. Easily one of the Kahana Bay Beach Park, 52-222 Kamehameha Hwy, Hauula, HI 96717, USA
- Makawao Forest, Maui
Ewen Roberts/Flickr We’ve talked about Maui’s brilliant Redwood trail, and the enchanting Bamboo forest, but the gorgeous Makawao Forest offers some incredible hiking on the Kahakapao Trail where you will see wild Koa, young Redwood trees, Raspberry bushes, Eucalyptus varieties, and fragrant Ginger plants. Located in upcountry Maui at a high elevation, the forest is a little colder than most of the island, bringing a welcome refuge from Hawaii’s typical weather. One of the Makawao Forest Reserve Mountain Biking Trails, Haiku, HI 96708, USA
- Kaiwi Shoreline Trail, Oahu
Patricia Barden/Flickr Instead of heading to the paved Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, veer right at the trailhead and take the dirt path that leads down to Alan Davis Beach Park, Kaho‘ohaihai Inlet, Pele’s Chair, and beyond. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles long round trip, and will surely leave you feeling at peace with the world. This is a great Kaiwi Shoreline Trail, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
- Waimea Beach, Kauai
Clement Faydi/Flickr Kauai’s secluded Waimea Beach is, quite simply, the stuff dreams are made of. The rare black sand beach is located on Kauai’s relatively undeveloped western shore and will absolutely enchant you. Though most focus on the beach’s incredibly rich black sand, I am absolutely head over heels for the picturesque Waimea Pier, the embodiment of Old Hawaii. The pier was once an important location for whaling ships that came into port during the 19th century, and while the pier isn’t original, you will still find people using the pier for fishing and crabbing. Waimea Beach is one of our favorite Waimea Bay Beach, North Shore, HI 96712, USA
- Ching’s Pond, Maui
Bruce Irschick/Flickr Combine vibrant sapphire pools with some stellar spots for cliff jumping, and you’ve got one of Maui’s local hangouts. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. This great Palauhulu Stream, Hawaii, USA
- Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House, Oahu
Kelly G./Yelp Located in the Makiki Heights neighborhood of Oahu sits the Spalding House, a satellite museum of the Honolulu Museum of Art that sits on 3.2 picturesque acres and features a variety of modern art, including David Hockney’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges, a permanent installation that showcases work done for the stage performance of the famous opera. Luckily for us, most tourists don’t go to art museums on a beach vacation. This is one of the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), 900 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA
- Kamehame Beach, Hawaii Island
Daniela/Flickr
Situated on Hawaii Island’s southeastern coast, Kamehame Beach is one of the country’s foremost nesting sites for the Hawksbill turtle and honu. The beach is an official turtle-breeding site, so the only guaranteed access is through volunteering with a turtle-monitoring program.
A great spot to disappear, in this Kamehame Beach, Hawaii 96777, USA
- Kaneana Cave, Oahu
Ken Lund/Flickr Nearly 100 feet high and 450 feet deep, Kaneana Cave is said to be the place where the shark man was said to leave his victims until he was ready to eat them. The cave is dark and wet, so bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight. Various small tunnels that lead from the main cavern have not been explored, mapped, or maintained, so it is imperative that you not enter. One of the Kaneana Cave (Makua Cave), 86-260 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792, USA
- McBryde Garden, Kauai
Owen and Aki/Flickr McBryde Garden, Kauai Located near Allerton Gardens on the southern shore of Kauai, the McBryde Garden is operated by National Tropical Botanical Gardens and encompasses 252 acres, including the largest ex situ collection of native Hawaiian flora in the world. It’s often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, which is why you won’t find too many tourists. This McBryde Garden, 4425 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA
- Papohaku Beach, Molokai
Patrick McNally/Flickr You will be surprised to find very few people on this stunning beach, which is the longest white sand beach throughout the Hawaiian Islands. It is one of two beach parks that allow camping on Molokai, and the swimming can be extremely dangerous unless the ocean is completely flat and calm. On one of the P?p?haku Beach, Hawaii 96770, USA
- Judd Trail, Oahu
Eric Tessmer/Flickr Found near Oahu’s Pali Highway in the Nu’uanu neighborhood is the Judd Memorial Trail, a magical slice of forest paradise that awaits your arrival. With surprises around every turn, the entire family is sure to fall in love with this one-mile hike that is home to one of the best swimming holes on the island — and a local hangout. We love Judd Trail, definitely located in a Judd Trail, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
- Kohala Mountain Road, Hawaii Island
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com Meandering across the northern tip of Hawaii Island from Waimea to Hawi, Kohala Mountain Road will transport you to another place. Known locally as “The High Road,” this scenic road measures in at just under 20 miles - and is positively stunning the entire way, passing by rolling hillsides, ranchlands, and some pretty jaw-dropping vistas. Despite the stupendous views and wide open spaces, this mountain road is rarely crowded, and full of magnificent pull offs to stop for either a secluded picnic or a quick photograph. We love this Kohala Mountain Road, Kohala Mountain Rd, Waimea, HI, USA
- Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Oahu
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com Found in the center of Oahu, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered the pages of a fairy tale at the picturesque Wahiawa Botanical Garden. The hidden destination is a magical slice of paradise home to a variety of stunning plants and several meandering walking paths perfect for an afternoon stroll. Found on a high plateau in central Oahu between the Waianae and Ko’olau mountain ranges, this enchanting 27-acre botanical garden features everything from taro to native Hawaiian ferns — and everything in between. This gorgeous place is one of the these 15 tourist destinations locals love. We think you’ll love them, too! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Address: Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Less Touristy Places in Hawaii July 29, 2022 Megan McDonald How much coastline does Hawaii have? Hawaii has plenty of gorgeous coastline, considering it’s made up of a series of beautiful small islands. Combined together, you’ll find over 750 miles of jaw droppingly beautiful coastline to explore. That includes cliffs that fall into the ocean below, miles of sandy beaches, and more. If you love the beach, you’ll love the Hawaiian islands! Which Hawaiian island has the most tourists? Oahu easily outshines the other islands in terms of visitors. Oahu sees over 4.7 million visitors annually. Visitors primarily stay in Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor. They also spend a good portion of their visit enjoying Waikiki Beach. You’ll see thousands of tourists at each of those spots every day. Which island is the least touristy in the Hawaiian islands? Lanai Island is considered the least touristy of all of the Hawaiian islands, having only a couple of small places to stay when you visit. It’s a great place to go if you love solitude and staying away from crowds.
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Megan Shute
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With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com
Though Kahana Bay Beach Park is found off the highway, the remote location on Oahu’s northern windward coast makes this a secluded spot perfect for a beach day. Surrounded by the stunning Ko’olau Mountains, this stretch of sand is backed by ironwood trees and you will find an ancient Hawaiian fishpond on the south side of the bay. On the overcast day I stopped by Kahana a few weeks ago, I was one of only a handful of people on the large sandy beach. Easily one of the Kahana Bay Beach Park, 52-222 Kamehameha Hwy, Hauula, HI 96717, USA
Ewen Roberts/Flickr
We’ve talked about Maui’s brilliant Redwood trail, and the enchanting Bamboo forest, but the gorgeous Makawao Forest offers some incredible hiking on the Kahakapao Trail where you will see wild Koa, young Redwood trees, Raspberry bushes, Eucalyptus varieties, and fragrant Ginger plants. Located in upcountry Maui at a high elevation, the forest is a little colder than most of the island, bringing a welcome refuge from Hawaii’s typical weather. One of the Makawao Forest Reserve Mountain Biking Trails, Haiku, HI 96708, USA
Patricia Barden/Flickr
Instead of heading to the paved Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, veer right at the trailhead and take the dirt path that leads down to Alan Davis Beach Park, Kaho‘ohaihai Inlet, Pele’s Chair, and beyond. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles long round trip, and will surely leave you feeling at peace with the world. This is a great Kaiwi Shoreline Trail, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
Clement Faydi/Flickr
Kauai’s secluded Waimea Beach is, quite simply, the stuff dreams are made of. The rare black sand beach is located on Kauai’s relatively undeveloped western shore and will absolutely enchant you. Though most focus on the beach’s incredibly rich black sand, I am absolutely head over heels for the picturesque Waimea Pier, the embodiment of Old Hawaii. The pier was once an important location for whaling ships that came into port during the 19th century, and while the pier isn’t original, you will still find people using the pier for fishing and crabbing. Waimea Beach is one of our favorite Waimea Bay Beach, North Shore, HI 96712, USA
Bruce Irschick/Flickr
Combine vibrant sapphire pools with some stellar spots for cliff jumping, and you’ve got one of Maui’s local hangouts. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. This great Palauhulu Stream, Hawaii, USA
Kelly G./Yelp
Located in the Makiki Heights neighborhood of Oahu sits the Spalding House, a satellite museum of the Honolulu Museum of Art that sits on 3.2 picturesque acres and features a variety of modern art, including David Hockney’s L’Enfant et les sortilèges, a permanent installation that showcases work done for the stage performance of the famous opera. Luckily for us, most tourists don’t go to art museums on a beach vacation. This is one of the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), 900 S Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA
Daniela/Flickr
Situated on Hawaii Island’s southeastern coast, Kamehame Beach is one of the country’s foremost nesting sites for the Hawksbill turtle and honu. The beach is an official turtle-breeding site, so the only guaranteed access is through volunteering with a turtle-monitoring program.
A great spot to disappear, in this Kamehame Beach, Hawaii 96777, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
Nearly 100 feet high and 450 feet deep, Kaneana Cave is said to be the place where the shark man was said to leave his victims until he was ready to eat them. The cave is dark and wet, so bring sturdy shoes and a flashlight. Various small tunnels that lead from the main cavern have not been explored, mapped, or maintained, so it is imperative that you not enter. One of the Kaneana Cave (Makua Cave), 86-260 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, HI 96792, USA
Owen and Aki/Flickr
McBryde Garden, Kauai Located near Allerton Gardens on the southern shore of Kauai, the McBryde Garden is operated by National Tropical Botanical Gardens and encompasses 252 acres, including the largest ex situ collection of native Hawaiian flora in the world. It’s often overshadowed by its famous neighbor, which is why you won’t find too many tourists. This McBryde Garden, 4425 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA
Patrick McNally/Flickr
You will be surprised to find very few people on this stunning beach, which is the longest white sand beach throughout the Hawaiian Islands. It is one of two beach parks that allow camping on Molokai, and the swimming can be extremely dangerous unless the ocean is completely flat and calm. On one of the P?p?haku Beach, Hawaii 96770, USA
Eric Tessmer/Flickr
Found near Oahu’s Pali Highway in the Nu’uanu neighborhood is the Judd Memorial Trail, a magical slice of forest paradise that awaits your arrival. With surprises around every turn, the entire family is sure to fall in love with this one-mile hike that is home to one of the best swimming holes on the island — and a local hangout. We love Judd Trail, definitely located in a Judd Trail, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
Meandering across the northern tip of Hawaii Island from Waimea to Hawi, Kohala Mountain Road will transport you to another place. Known locally as “The High Road,” this scenic road measures in at just under 20 miles - and is positively stunning the entire way, passing by rolling hillsides, ranchlands, and some pretty jaw-dropping vistas. Despite the stupendous views and wide open spaces, this mountain road is rarely crowded, and full of magnificent pull offs to stop for either a secluded picnic or a quick photograph. We love this Kohala Mountain Road, Kohala Mountain Rd, Waimea, HI, USA
Found in the center of Oahu, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered the pages of a fairy tale at the picturesque Wahiawa Botanical Garden. The hidden destination is a magical slice of paradise home to a variety of stunning plants and several meandering walking paths perfect for an afternoon stroll. Found on a high plateau in central Oahu between the Waianae and Ko’olau mountain ranges, this enchanting 27-acre botanical garden features everything from taro to native Hawaiian ferns — and everything in between. This gorgeous place is one of the these 15 tourist destinations locals love. We think you’ll love them, too! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Address: Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Less Touristy Places in Hawaii July 29, 2022 Megan McDonald How much coastline does Hawaii have? Hawaii has plenty of gorgeous coastline, considering it’s made up of a series of beautiful small islands. Combined together, you’ll find over 750 miles of jaw droppingly beautiful coastline to explore. That includes cliffs that fall into the ocean below, miles of sandy beaches, and more. If you love the beach, you’ll love the Hawaiian islands! Which Hawaiian island has the most tourists? Oahu easily outshines the other islands in terms of visitors. Oahu sees over 4.7 million visitors annually. Visitors primarily stay in Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor. They also spend a good portion of their visit enjoying Waikiki Beach. You’ll see thousands of tourists at each of those spots every day. Which island is the least touristy in the Hawaiian islands? Lanai Island is considered the least touristy of all of the Hawaiian islands, having only a couple of small places to stay when you visit. It’s a great place to go if you love solitude and staying away from crowds.
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Megan Shute
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With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Less Touristy Places in Hawaii July 29, 2022 Megan McDonald How much coastline does Hawaii have? Hawaii has plenty of gorgeous coastline, considering it’s made up of a series of beautiful small islands. Combined together, you’ll find over 750 miles of jaw droppingly beautiful coastline to explore. That includes cliffs that fall into the ocean below, miles of sandy beaches, and more. If you love the beach, you’ll love the Hawaiian islands! Which Hawaiian island has the most tourists? Oahu easily outshines the other islands in terms of visitors. Oahu sees over 4.7 million visitors annually. Visitors primarily stay in Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor. They also spend a good portion of their visit enjoying Waikiki Beach. You’ll see thousands of tourists at each of those spots every day. Which island is the least touristy in the Hawaiian islands? Lanai Island is considered the least touristy of all of the Hawaiian islands, having only a couple of small places to stay when you visit. It’s a great place to go if you love solitude and staying away from crowds.
Hawaii In Your Inbox
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Megan Shute
Follow me on:
Twitter Website
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Less Touristy Places in Hawaii
July 29, 2022
Megan McDonald
How much coastline does Hawaii have? Hawaii has plenty of gorgeous coastline, considering it’s made up of a series of beautiful small islands. Combined together, you’ll find over 750 miles of jaw droppingly beautiful coastline to explore. That includes cliffs that fall into the ocean below, miles of sandy beaches, and more. If you love the beach, you’ll love the Hawaiian islands! Which Hawaiian island has the most tourists? Oahu easily outshines the other islands in terms of visitors. Oahu sees over 4.7 million visitors annually. Visitors primarily stay in Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor. They also spend a good portion of their visit enjoying Waikiki Beach. You’ll see thousands of tourists at each of those spots every day. Which island is the least touristy in the Hawaiian islands? Lanai Island is considered the least touristy of all of the Hawaiian islands, having only a couple of small places to stay when you visit. It’s a great place to go if you love solitude and staying away from crowds.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hawaii has plenty of gorgeous coastline, considering it’s made up of a series of beautiful small islands. Combined together, you’ll find over 750 miles of jaw droppingly beautiful coastline to explore. That includes cliffs that fall into the ocean below, miles of sandy beaches, and more. If you love the beach, you’ll love the Hawaiian islands!
Which Hawaiian island has the most tourists?
Oahu easily outshines the other islands in terms of visitors. Oahu sees over 4.7 million visitors annually. Visitors primarily stay in Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor. They also spend a good portion of their visit enjoying Waikiki Beach. You’ll see thousands of tourists at each of those spots every day.
Which island is the least touristy in the Hawaiian islands?
Lanai Island is considered the least touristy of all of the Hawaiian islands, having only a couple of small places to stay when you visit. It’s a great place to go if you love solitude and staying away from crowds.
Hawaii In Your Inbox
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Megan Shute
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With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Megan Shute
Follow me on:
Twitter Website
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Follow me on:
Twitter Website
Follow me on:
Twitter Website
- Twitter Website
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