People from all over come to witness the glorious, majestic, breathtaking views of the Na Pali Coast. From the stunning sea cliffs, the waterfalls, pristine beaches, and lush valleys, the Na Pali Coast is truly something spectacular. I knew that in my precious time on Kauai I had to witness this myself. That’s why I decided to book an epic adventure through Kauai Sea Tours!

THE PRACTICALITIES

WHEN TO VISIT

The best to time of year to visit the Na Pali Coast would be May-September. The water is calmer, which means your chance of actually visiting the Na Pali Coast, entering sea caves, and snorkeling in the coves are much higher! You are more likely to have sunny days, clear blue skies, and warm water!

If you visit from October-April (we went in January) there is a higher chance of rainstorms, bigger swells, cancellations, reroutes to somewhere other than the Na Pali Coast, and a bumpy ride. We may not have entered the sea caves or had a great snorkeling experience, BUT winter season means whale season! So, we did have an epic boat ride while chasing whales.

GETTING THERE

To get to the Na Pali Coast, you’ll first fly into Lihue Airport. From here you can rent a car, take the bus (long wait times), or grab an uber (few and far between). Getting around Kauai is a little challenging, so your best bet is too rent a car! We booked a jeep with a rooftop camper from Kauai Rooftop Campers. You will have to hop on the bus from the airport to get to rental pickup spot. Roughly an hour and a half. After you’ve secured your rental car, the real fun begins!

BOOKING YOUR ADVENTURE

When I’m booking an excursion for my vacation I always look on Viator first! They’re my go-to when it comes to finding the best tours and activities around the area! I’ve booked countless trips through them and have never been disappointed!

Viator has everything from relax and chill to adventurous and thrilling! Me and Paige were looking for excitement! For heart-racing, adrenaline pumping adventure! And that’s when we came across the half day raft and snorkel adventure with Kauai Sea Tours on Viator.

We immediately booked the excursion because it was exactly what we had been looking for! For 6 hours we would be on a motorized raft speeding through the open ocean, chasing whales, snorkeling in coves, checking out the sea caves, and of course admiring the Na Pali Coast. The cost per person was roughly $218. For the experience we had, it was worth every penny!

Book your Kauai Sea Tours Adventure HERE!

If this excursion is a little too intense for you, check out some of Viator’s other options! There are all kinds of tours to choose from!

TRIP OVERVIEW

On the day of your excursion, you’ll meet at Kauai Sea Tours. Here, you will make sure all waivers are signed, you’ll go over safety instructions, and the day’s route. You will also have some time to use the restroom, and I would highly suggest you do so. It’s a long day with no pit stops, if you know what I mean…

WHAT TO PACK

For a trip like this, you don’t need much! Most things are provided for you! And when you’re booking through a reputable company, who does this multiple times per day, year-round, they have everything you could possibly need!

Kauai Sea Tours will provide you with a life jacket, snacks, lunch, water, drinks, all snorkeling gear, and a dry bag if you didn’t bring one. Here are a few things I would recommend bringing.

• SUNSCREEN
• SUN SHIRT
• RAIN JACKET
• HAT (THAT CAN’T BE BLOWN OFF!)
• TOWEL
• PHONE/WATERPROOF CASE/LANYARD
• SUNGLASSES
• DRY BAG

That’s it! Not too much to worry about. Just don’t forget to bring you adventurous spirit and fun attitude!

EXPECTATIONS OF THE NA PALI COAST TOUR

Don’t skip over this section! It is very important to fully understand what you are getting yourself into. This isn’t a fun, little snorkeling adventure for the whole family to enjoy. You will not be sailing off into the sunrise while whales and dolphins swim around you. In fact, you may not even see the Na Pali Coast at all…

THE UNPREDICTABLE OCEAN

Here’s what you need to understand. The ocean is unpredictable. The weather can be unpredictable. Any time you are booking an outdoor excursion there will be factors out of your control.

We did our Na Pali Coast tour during January. The weather and the waves were a huge factor as to whether or not we would see the cliffs or not. Luckily the morning of, our guide told us we would try to make it to the coast, but there was a good chance that on the way back the waves would start to get pretty gnarly. He wasn’t lying. But what that meant for our tour specifically was that snorkeling was a maybe, going into the sea caves was a definite no, and we might have to skip seeing the Na Pali coast if the waves got too intense.

So, for your trip, be prepared for a few things.

One, if the weather is bad the trip could get cancelled altogether. You will be reimbursed if Kauai Sea Tours cancels the tour. Two, you may not get to see the Na Pali Coast. If the waves are too large making it unsafe to visit that side of the island, then your tour guide will reroute you to a safer destination. Three, depending on wave size, you may or may not enter the sea caves. Our waves were 15ft, which meant entering sea caves were deemed unsafe. Four, depending on the season of your tour, whales may or may not be migrating in the area. The best time to see whales in Kauai are November-May. And five, snorkeling may or may not happen. If your excursion is during the summertime I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say your snorkeling experience will be better than ours!

THE INTENSITY OF THE TOUR

The last thing I want to make sure you are fully prepared for is that this tour is a workout! The motorized raft in which you are in is what the Navy Seals use. This raft is fast, bumpy, and makes quick, sharp turns that could easily throw you off the boat if you are not holding on. After 6 hours of this absolutely epic tour, we were wiped! Our entire body was sore from the neck down. You are holding on for dear life the entire time. And while we were loving every second of it, and crying because we were laughing so hard, others were not enjoying it as much…

Before you set foot on the boot, your guide will make sure you are fully aware of everything I am telling you. But it’s important that you listen. If you do not think you are capable of holding on for 6 hours, speeding through the open ocean, and bouncing up and down until your insides feel like scrambled eggs, then this might not be the excursion for you.

If you love scrambled eggs, then I promise you will have the trip of a lifetime!!

THE ADVENTURE TO THE NA PALI COAST

Now that you booked your experience, have everything you need, and are fully prepared for the adventure you’re about to have, let me tell you about ours!

**It’s important to note our tour was in January. The best time to visit would be May-September. That experience will most likely be completely different than ours. Either way, fun as hell!

TO THE NA PALI COAST WE GO

We set out to sea as the sun was starting to make an appearance. The water was calm, the sky was colorful, and the Na Pali Coast was calling our name. The ride to the coast takes about an hour, and what a magical hour it was. Our tour guide, Paul, was having fun in the waves, showing off his boating skills. We took a morning dip in the ocean. And then continued our ride while hundreds of little pink spinner dolphins showed us the way.

As we began inching closer to the majestic sea cliffs, Paul told stories of the Hawaiian culture and what the Na Pali Coast signified to the community. He showed us caves, and beaches, and ancient burial sites.

For the next hour we traveled up the coast in awe and amazement. What a sight to behold! The Na Pali Coast was truly majestic! Paul found a nice spot for us to take a break and enjoy the views. We all excitedly jumped out of the boat and swam beneath the cliffs. This moment for us was one we will cherish forever!

LUNCH AND A SHOW

After the best morning of our lives, we had a spectacular afternoon! Kauai Sea Tours provided us with a delicious lunch, sandwich, chips, and a drink. And because it was migrating season for whales, our eyes were peeled for a spout! We spotted one off in the distance, and off Paul zoomed. To our surprise, there were three males fighting over a female! What a show we got with our meal!

We continued our journey back home and like Paul said, the waves were starting to get gnarly! Paige and I were in the front of the raft laughing so hard with every crash and bounce that the waves brought, but the members of our group in the back of the boat were not having as much fun. They were getting absolutely soaked. So, Pro Tip: sit in the front!

OUR SNORKELING ADVENTURE

The tour is called a half day raft and snorkel adventure. So, I guess I was expecting something a little more exciting. Granted, our excursion was in the middle of January and that’s typically not the best time to snorkel.

We pulled over into a little cove where a few other tour groups were snorkeling as well. We geared up and jumped in. The water was freezing, the cove was pretty murky, and the waves were still going strong. We have lived on Oahu for 8 months at this point, so snorkeling for us wasn’t as big of deal because we could walk across the street and snorkel whenever. But for those that book the adventure solely for the purpose of snorkeling on the Na Pali Coast, then I would highly recommend booking during the summertime! The waves will be calmer, the water will warmer, and the snorkeling location will be different.

Our snorkeling adventure wasn’t all bad though! In the 15 minutes that we swam we did follow a sea turtle and that’s always cool! Once everyone was nice and cold, we hopped back in the boat and headed for home.

FINAL ADVICE

• Don’t forget to tip your guides! They’re incredible!
• Choose an adventure fit for your lifestyle. During the winter, this one is pretty gnarly. Are you up for it?
• Don’t forget the sunscreen! Nose and ears people.
• The morning water and sunrise is a magical experience, but the Na Pali Coast is better lit in the afternoons. This may affect what time you want to book your excursion.
• If whale watching is a priority for you, book in the winter.
• If snorkeling is a priority for you, book in the summer.
• Most importantly, stay safe and have fun!

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post THE BEAUTIFUL NA PALI COAST: AN ADVENTURE GUIDE appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

If you’re looking for something a little more strenuous or adventurous check out my other Hawai’i hiking blog posts and find a trail that fits your speed!

HAWAI’I HIKES

Before getting into my favorite Hawai’i hikes there’s some things you should know.

• PARKING
  • Parking can be very difficult! Sometimes it would be worth it to Uber because most of these trails start just off a neighborhood, which are already lined with cars. You can be circling for a while trying to find an open spot or may have to walk further than expected.
• SMASH AND GRABS
  • Unfortunately, smash and grabs are pretty common on Oahu. It is very important to make sure that you leave nothing valuable in your vehicle. Some will tell you to leave your car unlocked to avoid a broken window. That choice is yours. We may or may not have done that and allowed someone to steal a cooler, work scale, and home health equipment like gloves and masks, etc…
• HIKING WITH ALOHA
  • Now using this phrase on every hike! Be sure to hike with Aloha. Meaning, be respectful, be courteous, be self-aware. Make sure to leave no trace and no trash. Listen to nature instead of music. All land should be respected but go the other extra mile on these Hawai’i hikes and hike with Aloha.

Now let’s get into it!

KO’OLINA BEACH PARK WALKING TRAIL

If you’re already planning to vacation in Oahu, then Ko’Olina is probably already on your list of places to visit. It’s a great tourist attraction, with hotels, restaurants, gift shops, a golf course, you name it, it’s there. Ko’ Olina Beach Park is the perfect place to be any time of day! Sunrise, mid-day, or sunset. It’s all great!

The trail itself is 2.6 miles long with an elevation gain of only 173 ft. Most likely, you won’t even walk the whole thing. You’ll find a perfect spot in the sand along one of the 4 lagoons, let your kids play in the water, grab lunch at the numerous restaurants nearby, and then find yourself at a gift shop picking up chocolate covered macadamia nuts and an Aloha t-shirt.

HOWEVER, if your goal is to go for a walk, maybe you have stroller, or kids who need to get their energy out, this is the trail for you! Beautiful views, excellent walking path, and a place to cool off after working up a sweat.

MAKAPU’U POINT LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL

If you only have time for one easy Hawai’i hike, I suggest Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail. This trail is perfect for the family! Epic views of Oahu’s southeastern coastline, paved path for strollers and little legs, great potential for whale sightings, and only 2.5 miles with an elevation gain of 475 ft round trip.

The hike takes about an hour to hour and a half to complete. Great for a late morning stroll! But don’t forget your sunscreen, hat, and water. You’ll also want to bring binoculars in case you see whales off in the distance! During humpback whale migrating season (November-May), the whales will be very active and the chance to see them are very high!

And of course, you will see Makapu’u Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse was built in 1909 and sits on a 600ft sea cliff. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Molokai and Lanai from here!

This is a must-do easy Hawai’i hike!

MANOA FALLS

Manoa Falls Trail is one of those easy Hawai’i hikes that must be done when visiting Oahu. It’s a popular tourist attraction, so the trail can get crowded! But if you’re wanting to see a waterfall, this is your chance. This out and back trail is 1.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 577 ft.

Before setting off on the trail, you will have to pay a fee to park. Try and arrive early to not get turned around due to lack of parking. There is a visitor center and bathrooms located in the Paradise Park Building near the parking lot. Be warned, the service is very spotty. Try downloading the trail or a map beforehand.

Manoa Falls Trail is relatively easy and can be done with children. Like most hikes in Oahu, trails will muddy. So, be sure to wear proper foot wear . The hike itself is beautiful! Bamboo lines the well-worn trail and lush tropical greenery envelope you as you make your way to the waterfall. Sadly, you cannot swim in this waterfall and there is a barricade once you reach the end. Due to the amount of people and the narrow viewpoint, you will have to wait in line until it’s your turn if you would like to take a picture in front of Manoa Falls. Please be respectful of other people’s time and space but be sure to enjoy the beauty of Manoa Falls.

PU’U MA’ELI’ELI TRAIL

Just north of Kaneohe sits Pu’u Ma’eli’eli Trail. This out and back is 2.4 miles long with an elevation gain of 600 ft. Getting to the trailhead is a little odd, as you will park in the McDonalds parking lot and walk along side of the highway (guardrail in between you and traffic) to reach the trailhead. It’s not a far walk at all and there is a narrow trail to the side of the highway that makes reaching the trailhead a breeze.

I would advise checking the weather to make sure there’s no rain in the forecast as this trail stays pretty muddy year-round. If there was a recent rain it could still be extremely muddy. Just proceed with caution. The trail begins pretty steep and then gradually takes you up and down as you make your way closer to the pillboxes.

Towards the end, you will come across two bunkers used in WWII that are neat to explore, with one being your final destination. You’ll get sweeping views of the coastline and paddlers and boaters making their way out to Kaneohe Sandbar.

All in all, this hike is fairly easy, albeit muddy, but your kids will love exploring the bunkers and the trail is shaded the majority of the time.

WAIMEA VALLEY TRAIL

Another must do easy Hawai’i hike on Oahu is Waimea Valley Trail. Located inside the cultural and ecological nature preserver, Waimea Valley. Upon entering the preserve, you will be required to pay an entrance fee, which varies between adults, seniors, students, children, military, and group prices. If you choose to forgo the hike, but wish to see the waterfall, you can purchase a shuttle for an additional price.

If you choose to hike the trail you won’t be disappointed. You’ll walk 1.9 miles (round-trip) through the rainforest with an elevation gain of 249 ft. The path is paved the whole way, which is great for those with a stroller. At times you will encounter an 8% grade, but nothing too difficult to manage.

The trail will pass by cultural sites, ponds, flora & fauna that are unique to Hawai’i and Hawai’i only. Walking through Waimea Valley will give you an appreciation of the Hawaiian people and their culture. The trail is not only beautiful, but it’s educational as well. With displays scattered throughout the forest with descriptions of the history, plant species, and techniques used by the local people. A perfect trail for the history buff.

And for the sightseeing buff, a waterfall at the end of the trail will leave you speechless. If you’re feeling adventurous, grab a life vest and jump in! The water is cold, but swimming up to the Waimea Falls in the heart of Oahu is a once in a lifetime opportunity that shouldn’t be skipped!

Oahu, Hawai’i has some of the most beautiful hikes in the world and these easy Hawai’i hikes are just a glimpse. Be sure to check out our other Hawai’i hiking posts for even more beautiful views!

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post EASY HAWAI’I HIKES ON OAHU THAT ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

If you are in fact looking to spend a whole day hiking or up for a more exhilarating experience, check out my blog post HAWAI’I HIKES: 6 DIFFICULT HIKES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS. Or maybe you have children and these moderate Hawai’i hikes are a little too strenuous for you, check out my blog post EASY HAWAI’I HIKES ON OAHU THAT ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY.

HAWAI’I HIKES

Before getting into my favorite Hawai’i hikes there’s some things you should know.

• PARKING
  • Parking can be very difficult! Sometimes it would be worth it to Uber because most of these trails start just off a neighborhood, which are already lined with cars. You can be circling for a while trying to find an open spot or may have to walk further than expected.
• SMASH AND GRABS
  • Unfortunately, smash and grabs are pretty common on Oahu. It is very important to make sure that you leave nothing valuable in your vehicle. Some will tell you to leave your car unlocked to avoid a broken window. That choice is yours. We may or may not have done that and allowed someone to steal a cooler, work scale, and home health equipment like gloves and masks, etc…
• DANGEROUS RAINFALL
  • When it rains it pours on the island. For these difficult Hawai’i hikes, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND avoiding going after a heavy rainfall or if you are expecting rain later on. The mountains on Oahu are very steep and because most of the rain stays in the mountains, the trails can be extremely slippery and muddy. The difficult trails are narrow with steep drop offs. With many deaths and frequent airlift rescues reported on these trails, it is better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, just avoid these hikes under rainy circumstances.
• HIKING WITH ALOHA
  • Now using this phrase on every hike! Be sure to hike with Aloha. Meaning, be respectful, be courteous, be self-aware. Make sure to leave no trace and no trash. Listen to nature instead of music. All land should be respected but go the other extra mile on these Hawai’i hikes and hike with Aloha.

Now let’s get into it!

KA’ENA POINT TRAIL

Ka’ena Point Trail starts at the westernmost point on the island that you can go. There is only one highway to get there, Farrington Hwy. You will follow this highway all along the western coast of Oahu, passing through small towns, home to mostly locals. Once you reach the end of Farrington, you can park anywhere along Keawaula Beach. I would avoid parking at the very end, in the roundabout, due to smash and grabs.

Ka’ena Point Trail has multiple options of completion. Round trip, from the end of the Farrington on the West coast to the start of Farrington on the North shore is 10 miles with an elevation gain of 675 ft. However, you can turn around at any point. We decided to just walk to the very tip of the island which was about 6.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 515 ft. There is no shade on this hike, so hiking as early as possible would be best! Dogs are also not allowed on this hike because a majority of it is an enclosed bird sanctuary to the Laysan Albatross.

If you’re a bird guy like me, then making it to the sanctuary is a must! Watching the Albatross in their element was the highlight of the hike for me. And this trail had some pretty epic views too!

PU’U O HULU TRAIL (PINK PILLBOX)

One of the most popular moderate Hawai’i hikes we heard of was the Pu’u O Hulu Trail aka Pink Pillbox Trail. This out and back trail is only 1.3 miles long with an elevation gain of 613 feet. It is a steep climb to the top considering how short of a hike it is. But the views are worth it! The Pink Pillbox hike would be a great hike for those who are looking for something quick and efficient, but one that doesn’t lack epic views!

You’ll begin this hike by parking on Kaukama Rd. From there following the trail is quite easy. It is also a highly trafficked trail, so getting lost shouldn’t be an issue. Once you reach the top you’ll encounter multiple pillboxes, including the famous Pink Pillbox. You’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the coastline, Waianae and Nanakuli, and on a clear day, Mount Ka’ala (the tallest mountain on Oahu).

The ridge does get quite narrow and rocky, so if you are hiking with littles (which is doable) just keep an eye on them. I would recommend hiking early in the morning or later in the evening (before sunset). The west side of the island is much drier and hotter, and this trail offers little to no shade. Even though this trail is a heavily trafficked trail, it is a great one and I would highly recommend adding it your list of moderate Hawai’i hikes!

WAIMANO FALLS TRAIL

You can’t go to Hawaii and not hike to a waterfall. It is a must do. There are waterfalls everywhere, but not all waterfall hikes are swimmable. Waimano Falls Trail is one of those great moderate Hawai’i hikes that doesn’t take long to complete, gives you a great workout, and allows you to play in the refreshingly cold water!

This out and back trail is only 2.9 miles long with an elevation gain of 800 ft. It’s technically classified as a hard hike, due to the fact that the majority of the elevation gain happens all within half a mile. However, the trail is short and aside from one steep section, the rest is a breeze.

Before starting the trail, you’ll have to find parking along Komo Mai Dr. It can be challenging because this is a residential area, and cars are already lining the streets. Uber would be a great option as it would drop you off right at the trailhead.

Once you begin the hike, the first mile is pretty laid back. The trail is well marked, plenty wide, and has great viewpoints along the way. You’ll eventually come to a fork in the trail and will want to continue RIGHT to begin your descent to the swimming hole. Here is where the hike starts to get a little more difficult. You’ll encounter that steep descent, some rope sections, and muddy/slippery rocks and roots. But before you know it, you’ve reached Waimano Falls!

THE SWIMMING HOLE

Waimano Falls isn’t a ginormous waterfall by any means, but it’s a beautiful waterfall to spend an hour or so playing in. There are two sections, the top section and the bottom section. The top section where the main waterfall flows into has a large, but shallow swimming hole. You are able to walk right up to the base of the waterfall and get about waist deep. I would recommend bringing sandals/water shoes because it is very rocky.

The bottom section has a much deeper, but smaller swimming hole. And there is a rope swing! We spent about two hours at the falls jumping from the rope swing, swimming, and watching others work up the nerve to jump. It was quite entertaining! The jump is small, but so is the swimming hole. We had a lot of fun here and I would highly suggest taking the plunge before beginning your trek back.

LANIKAI PILLBOX

When researching what moderate Hawai’i hikes were best on the island, the hike that was mentioned the most was Lanikai Pillbox. Everyone raved about how this was the perfect hike to watch the sunrise and get great 360 degrees views of Oahu. It took us 9 months to finally get around to completing this trail, but the reason for that was because most of the “most popular” hikes are usually WAY over-crowded, parking is a nightmare, you may have to make reservations, or even pay a small fee to complete the hike. We tend to stay away from these sorts of hikes. Crowds and parking usually make the hike not worth it. HOWEVER, please don’t let the negatives stop you from completing this hike, because Lanikai Pillbox is totally worth it, and I can’t believe it took us 9 months to understand that!

PARKING

Parking for Lanikai Pillbox is a little difficult. Recently, street parking was no longer allowed, and the best option would be to park in the Kailua Beach Boat Ramp Parking Lot. Or down the street even further at Kailua Beach Park. From Kailua to the trailhead is about a half a mile walk. So, if you are wanting to make it to the top to enjoy the sunrise be sure to give yourself extra time for parking and walking.

THE CLIMB

Once arriving at the trailhead, the ascent begins immediately. Lanikai Pillbox is an out and back hike with a short distance of 0.7 miles. Because there are two pillboxes on the trail you could extend your hike to the second, which would make your hike 1.6 miles total and with an elevation gain of 623 ft. The hike itself will take less than an hour, but the climb is decently steep and can be challenging for kids or for those who don’t hike often.

360 VIEWS

I would highly suggest making the climb before sunrise. Just be sure to pack a headlamp or flashlight! If you get there early, you may be lucky enough to claim a seat on one of the two pillboxes. But if not, there are plenty of areas along the trail that are just as perfect to watch a new day begin. The views are unreal! Not only of the sunrise, but of the Ko’olau Mountain Range, the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding towns. Watching the early morning rowers, whales off in the distance, the soft glow of the sunrise, and the mountains turn green is the perfect way to start your morning!

Moderate Hawai’i hikes can be over-crowded, but I promise Lanikai is worth it!

KOKO CRATER TRAMWAY

Another “most popular” hike in O’ahu is the Koko Crater Tramway to Koko Head Lookout. This hike is 1.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 912 ft. Hiking to the lookout consists of over 1,000 railroad tie steps that run straight up the side of the crater, which was previously used by the military in WWII for transporting supplies to the lookout. Now, people from all over the world come to Oahu to make the trek up this crater and I would suggest you give it a go as well!

Most of the time we like hiking for the adventure, the views, the conversations, the nature, but sometimes we like hiking purely for the workout itself. And this was one of those times. We arrived at the Koko Head parking lot and were in awe at the stairs that stretched straight up the side of the crater. We started early because there is no shade, and the sun would soon be beating down on us. Within 30 minutes we made it to the top. The hike doesn’t take long, but that doesn’t mean it was easy! Our legs were shaky, our backs were sweaty, but we accomplished Koko Crater, and the views were worth it!

The hardest part may have been the descent. With your legs already tired, the steep grade and gravity forcing you down, it took a lot of control to not go tumbling down the mountain. Accidents and evacuations happen all the time on this hike, so please be careful, know your limitations, and trust your instincts.

HONORABLE MENTION: MOKOLI’I ISLAND TRAIL

Last but not least, Mokoli’i Island Trail is a must do moderate Hawai’i hike! The hike itself is an out and back that is only 0.2 miles, and 206 ft of elevation gain. Incredibly easy right? Wrong. What makes this hike moderate, but not hard is getting there. This trail is located on Mokoli’i Island aka Chinaman’s Hat.

To get there, first park at Kualoa Regional Park at Kualoa Point. Grab your kayak, paddleboard, canoe, what have you, and head towards to the ocean. I would advise going on calmer days for safety purposes. Once you’ve reached the island, about a 15-minute paddle, find a good place to tie up your vessel. Then begin your 206 ft ascent to the top of the island. In all honesty, it was quite harder than I imagined.

Our feet were wet, we were wearing sandals, the gravel and dirt was loose, there were no ropes, we had to rock climb some sections and navigate this “trail” to the top. It didn’t take too long, but it was a little more challenging than the stats make it out to be. However, we would do it again in a heartbeat for views like this! 360-degree views, stunning mountains, and perfectly blue water made Mokoli’i Island Trail one of our favorites yet!

Oahu Hawai’i has some of the most beautiful terrain to hike in with the most epic views! These moderate Hawai’i hikes gave us memories that will last forever and views that will play on repeat in our minds until the end of time. I highly recommend completing as many as you can and experiencing the awe that is Hawai’i.

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post 5 MODERATE HAWAI’I HIKES THAT ARE WORTH YOUR TIME appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

HAWAI’I HIKES

Before getting into my favorite Hawai’i hikes there’s some things you should know.

• PARKING
  • Parking can be very difficult! Sometimes it would be worth it to Uber because most of these trails start just off a neighborhood, which are already lined with cars. You can be circling for a while trying to find an open spot or may have to walk further than expected.
• SMASH AND GRABS
  • Unfortunately, smash and grabs are pretty common on Oahu. It is very important to make sure that you leave nothing valuable in your vehicle. Some will tell you to leave your car unlocked to avoid a broken window. That choice is yours. We may or may not have done that and allowed someone to steal a cooler, work scale, and home health equipment like gloves and masks, etc…
• DANGEROUS RAINFALL
  • When it rains it pours on the island. For these difficult Hawai’i hikes, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND avoiding going after a heavy rainfall or if you are expecting rain later on. The mountains on Oahu are very steep and because most of the rain stays in the mountains, the trails can be extremely slippery and muddy. The difficult trails are narrow with steep drop offs. With many deaths and frequent airlift rescues reported on these trails, it is better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, just avoid these hikes under rainy circumstances.
• HIKING WITH ALOHA
  • Now using this phrase on every hike! Be sure to hike with Aloha. Meaning, be respectful, be courteous, be self-aware. Make sure to leave no trace and no trash. Listen to nature instead of music. All land should be respected but go the other extra mile on these Hawai’i hikes and hike with Aloha.

Now let’s get into it!

KAHEKILI TRAIL

Out of all of these difficult Hawai’i hikes, I would say Kahekili is the most difficult. There are many aspects that can make a trail difficult, whether that is a steep incline, lots of scrambling/climbing, overgrown or muddy terrain, long distances, and/or level of fear due to exposure. Kahekili Trail has it all. This trail was both mentally and physically challenging and it was less than 4 miles long. An out and back trail with an elevation gain of 1,791 ft, Kahekili was no joke.

PARKING & CAUTION

To access the trailhead, you will park just down the road from the Ka’a’awa fire department at the Swanzy Beach Park. You will then walk ~0.3 miles to the start of the trailhead by turning left just past the fire department and continuing on Huamalani St. The trailhead begins between the two houses at the end of the cul-de-sac. Please be courteous as you’re walking directly through a residential area.

There is a sign at the beginning of the trailhead warning you just how dangerous this hike is and how everyday people are being rescued from the Crouching Lion Trail, the connecting trail. When we finished our hike, we saw three people get rescued via helicopter. Therefore, be cautious and be smart. If you are unsure of your ability to complete a hard and dangerous hike, sit this one out. It is important that you are sure footed, won’t become paralyzed due to a fear of heights, and have the strength and endurance to complete this hike. If you feel confident and I didn’t scare you off yet, then you should totally hike Kahekili Trail because it is AMAZING!

THE ASCENT

For the first half a mile you are hiking through the forest ascending towards the tree line. There are already quite a few rope sections, and you will most likely encounter mud even if it hasn’t rained recently. Once making it out of the tree line the real fun begins! The trail will become very narrow and have steep drop-offs on both sides, but the views are incredible! There are about 4 points where you can stop to take a break, catch your breath, and soak the views in without feeling like you’re going to fall of the mountain.

During this mile stretch, there are more rope sections, high step-ups, and lots of scrambling. I felt like the majority of this hike I was on my hands. Using the 3 points of contact method was a MUST during the steep climbs for safety. The hike is difficult but oh so worth it to see views of the Kualoa Ranch and valley, the mountainside, and an ocean that stretches for miles.

SAVE YOUR LEGS

Although the hike does continue on to eventually meet up with the Crouching Lion Trail, I would suggest turning around before descending back into the forest. If you were to complete the trail, the next half a mile to mile is pretty brutal. The trail is very muddy with little to no ropes, the brush is overgrown, and there’s very few “epic” views. The trail descends back down into the forest and there is a small waterfall to see. But, in my opinion, save yourself the time, struggle, and scratches by turning around after finishing the exposed ridge line.

KULI’OU’OU RIDGE

Many Hawai’i hikes can go from sea level to 3,000 ft quickly. But, if you’re looking for something a little friendlier but still packs a punch, Kuli’ou’ou Ridge is the perfect trail!

PARKING

Parking for the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge isn’t too bad. You will have to park in a neighborhood and maybe walk further than anticipated, but you should be able to parallel park somewhere along Kalaau or Kuli’ou’ou Road.

TRAIL SPECS

This trail can be done one of two ways. An out and back with a distance of 4.4 miles and 1,666 ft or a loop at 4.6 miles and 2,211 ft composed of hiking two different ridge lines. (All Trails elevation gain may be a little off.)

We chose to do the out and back because it had rained earlier in the week and the loop offers more of an exposed route which could be a little more dangerous in wet conditions. The trail is very well maintained and has a consistent gradual incline throughout the whole hike. Yes, it is still difficult and has some steep sections with a little bit of scrambling but overall, it is a great trail with great views at the top!

CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING

The reason this trail is difficult is purely because of the incline. There are no rope sections, exposed cliff walks, or an unmanageable distance. The trail itself is really nice and would be great for those looking for something more challenging than they may be used to, with a great reward at the end. With sweeping views over the entire southeast corner of the island, it’s a sight to see, especially early in the day! I highly recommend this difficult hike!

MOUNT KA’ALA

Not only is Mount Ka’ala a must do because of the hike itself, but also because it is the highest mountain on Oahu! What a cool accomplishment to be able to say you hiked the tallest mountain on the island! Mount Ka’ala is a 6.8 mile out and back with an elevation gain (according to All Trails) of 5,311 ft, which is definitely incorrect considering the peak is only at 4,025 ft. I think we clocked in an elevation gain of around 3,500 ft. But regardless, it is a difficult hike!

PARKING

Parking for this trail is a little difficult. It’s kind of a lose/lose. Some say Uber will not drive back the entirety of the road to drop you off at the trailhead, but also this is a popular destination for those smash and grabs. So please make sure to leave your car empty of all valuables. Even things you may not think are valuable, will be valuable to someone else. You have been warned!

CONQUERING THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN ON THE ISLAND

The first mile of the hike is pretty laid back. You’re walking on pavement the majority of the time until you reach the forest. From there you will finally start making your ascent. It does get steep pretty fast. For the next two miles you’ll be in the trees. The bugs are bad, so bring bug spray if you can. You may even see a wild pig or two!

Once you get past the tree line, the real fun begins! For the next mile you will have insane views of the valley, the ocean, and the North Shore. You also get to do some scrambling, which we always enjoy. I would recommend bringing gloves with you. There are quite a few rope sections. You may not need them much going up but coming down we found them to be very useful! This section is a lot of fun, but also probably the most dangerous. There are a few sections where you are on the edge of the cliff. There is a fence and/or ropes to hold on to if needed. But just be cautious of foot placement and you’ll be fine!

INTO THE RAINFOREST

The last mile of the ascent towards the top is what makes this hike really unique. You’ll enter the rainforest. Because this is the tallest mountain on the island, the majority of the time it is covered by clouds. There is a thriving rainforest at the top, Mount Ka’ala Natural Area Reserve. It is a gated section, so be sure to close the gate behind you to keep out any unwanted critters that could affect the habitat. You’ll follow a narrow boardwalk that leads you right to the top of the mountain. If you’re taller, like me and my wife, you may have to crouch most of the time because of the hanging branches, but nevertheless still awesome!

Unfortunately, the summit is anticlimactic. You’re surrounded by trees, so you don’t have the great views like you did at other sections of the trail, BUT you just summited the tallest mountain on Oahu Island and that’s pretty awesome!

MOUNT OLYMPUS (‘AWA’AWALOA)

Before moving to Hawai’i and doing any research on Hawai’i hikes, I had a buddy tell me I had to conquer Mount Olympus. He said that it was the best hike on the island but not for the faint of heart. So naturally, I had to check it out for myself. He wasn’t lying. Mount Olympus was challenging but very rewarding in more ways than one.

PARKING

Finding parking for Mount Olympus couldn’t be easier! The trailhead starts in Wa’ahila State Park. There is a really big parking lot, so as long as you get there decently early you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a parking spot! Wa’ahila State Park is absolutely stunning and reminded me a lot of Washington State. Even if you’re not completing Mount Olympus you should definitely visit this park for a picnic or shorter stroll.

THE MUDDY CLIMB

Mount Olympus, or ‘Awa’awaloa, is a 6 mile out and back with an elevation gain of ~2,000 ft. Again, our specs were different than those listed on All Trails. Nonetheless, the beginning of the hike is fairly easy and great for those with kids. The trail starts just off the parking lot and for about half a mile you’re walking on a very wide path in the forest. You’ll eventually break off to the left where things will start to get steeper and rockier. I think this section is still doable with kids. It’ll just be a little slower going. After about an hour of hiking you will come to your first viewpoint. If you are hiking with children, this is where I would suggest you turn around. From this point on, the hike gets steeper, narrower, and much much muddier.

The rest of the hike is a steady climb towards the top. Although, it is insanely muddy! Luckily, the trail wasn’t super narrow that we feared slipping and falling. We ended up embracing the mud and had a really fun time climbing towards the top! You will eventually reach the Kolowalu junction and can choose to turn around here if you’d like, continue to summit Mount Olympus.

In order to summit the mountain, you will encounter a more exposed and narrower trail. There are also many rope sections which can be difficult due to the steep grade. You will get muddy, no doubt about it. So, for those of you who like to hike in white Nikes, this may not be the hike for you… or your shoes. After climbing and clawing your way to the top you are rewarded with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, the Manoa and Palolo Valley, and Diamond Head Crater.

A fantastic hike packed with adventure, scenic views, and a great challenge! Highly recommend!

MOUNT OLOMANA (THREE PEAKS)

All of these Hawai’i hikes are difficult for different reasons. Mount Olomana (“Divided Hill“), aka Three Peaks, is difficult for many reasons. The elevation gain, the upper body strength needed to do countless rope climbs, and the mental fortitude needed to psychologically overcome this hike.

Mount Olomana is another hike in which many people have succumbed to death or injury. It isn’t a joke. This hike is cruel and should only be completed by experienced hikers. Like all other difficult Hawai’i hikes, if it has just rained or is going to rain, PLEASE avoid this hike! The majority of the trail is exposed and at some sections you are completing a technical 4th-5th class scramble. However, if you’re capable and willing to complete this hike you won’t regret it!

PARKING

There is no parking at the start of this trailhead, and you will be required to walk about a half mile to find parking. Some suggest parking at Maunawili Valley Neighborhood Park, I however wouldn’t suggest that. There are multiple signs stating you will be towed if you are not using the parking lot for the park itself. We parked along Auloa Road and didn’t have a problem. However, there are not designated parking spaces, and your car must be COMPLETELY off the road/sidewalk. Again, there are multiple signs saying you will get a ticket if you violate those rules. In fact, we saw a cop issuing many tickets to the vehicles that were even slightly parked on the sidewalk. I’m pretty sure they camp out there knowing this is an issue. Therefore, maybe uber to the trailhead, or park at your own risk.

GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD

After finding legal parking, or catching an Uber, you will have about a half mile hike to the start of the trailhead. You’ll walk along Auloa Road towards Kalaniana’ole Hwy. From there you will take a right onto Loop Road. You’ll follow this Road until you meet the start of the trailhead. This is also the entrance to the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, so be mindful of the coming and going traffic and avoid walking in the middle of the road.

You have now reached the start of the trailhead and are met with an ominous sign letting you know that there have been many deaths on the trail and to hike at your own risk.

PEAK 1

Honestly, from the start of the trailhead to the first peak isn’t that difficult or scary. There is one section where you have to do a vertical rope climb, and then at the summit of the first peak you will be exposed to the elements and steep drop offs. But getting to this first peak is only difficult because of the elevation gain. The majority of the time you are in the trees trekking towards the summit.

This section of the trail was mild-moderately trafficked. There are some big step ups and a little bit of scrambling, but overall, not too bad. Once you reach the summit the view is incredible! And if you decide to turn around at this point, which most hikers do, you’ve still completed a great hike with a great reward of a view of the second and third peak and surrounding mountains. Turning around after the first peak would be a great hike in itself and one I would highly recommend!

PEAK 2

As I said, most hikers stop after reaching the first peak. If you are not comfortable with heights and/or narrow trails on a mountain ridge with steep drops offs, now would be the time to turn around. If this doesn’t bother you, then keep trekking towards the second peak.

I personally didn’t think the trek from the first to the second peak was physically challenging. The hardest part is being completely exposed to the elements, walking on a narrow ridge line, and finishing with the exposed rope climb to summit the second peak. So, mentally it is a little more challenging if you have to overcome that fear of heights. But if you’re up for the challenge and you’re a confident hiker then I think summiting the second peak is totally doable for you!

You are again met with 360 views, just like the first peak, but this time you get to look back on what you’ve already completed which was a cool experience!

PEAK 3

Here is where things go from a physical and mental level of moderate difficulty to an extreme level of difficultly. Summiting the third peak is where accidents happen. Where people have fallen to their death. Please do not take this lightly. If the weather conditions are not *perfect*, if you physically or mentally are not in the right space then please turn around. The last section of this hike takes immense concentration, foot/hand work, full body strength, and both physical and mental endurance. Now is the time to decide to continue on or turn back. We continued on…

It was a decision that we didn’t take lightly. We went into this hike not knowing if we would complete it in its entirety or not, we wanted to make a game time decision, see how we were feeling and take things one step at a time. We both felt great and were ready to tackle the third and final peak.

At this point, the traffic was non-existent. We didn’t know how many people were in front of us and we couldn’t see anyone behind us. This allowed us to take our time and ensure proper footing and hand holds. You will be met with many rope sections at this point, some of which you will you have to put your full body weight into. Just pray those ropes are tightly secured! Especially during the initial 70 ft rope repel to start your descent towards the third peak. Throughout the rest of the hike from peak two to peak three you are walking along the narrowest ridge line, holding onto rocks and ropes for dear life.

Fortunately, I was able to finish the hike in its entirety which was an incredible experience! Being able to look back at the other two peaks to the North, see the Ko’olau Mountain range to the West, and the vast blue Pacific Ocean to the East was an incredible view that made the hike worth it in so many ways!

KNOWING YOUR LIMITATIONS

My wife on the other hand didn’t finish. We ended up running into those who were now on their return from the summit, and a large group had snuck up behind us. With about 10 people on a ridge where only one person can fit comfortably, she was a little shaken up. She no longer felt comfortable and sure footed and decided it was best to stay put and allow me to finish. I think that was a great decision for her knowing what the weight of continuing on a hike when mentally shaken up can cost people.

If you ever don’t feel confident in your ability to continue on it is perfectly acceptable to turn around and try again another day. You should be proud of whatever you can accomplish and take solace in the BREATHTAKING views you’ve already witnessed!

HONORABLE MENTION: KAMAILE’UNU RIDGE

Kamaile’unu Ridge holds a special place in my heart. It was the very first hike my wife and I completed after moving to the Island. It was also the mountain that sat in our backyard. So, for 9 months every day we looked outside and thought to ourselves, “We climbed that, b****”, which is pretty cool.

PARKING

Getting to the trailhead was easy for us because we just had to walk half a block to get there. But for those who don’t live at the base of the mountain you will most likely want to Uber there. Like most Hawai’i hikes, parking and break-ins are a constant battle. If you’re lucky enough to find a place to park, great! But on the flipside of that you may get your window smashed…

FROM MAKAI TO MAUNA

Once you’ve arrived at the trailhead, you have to find the start of the trail. The majority of this hike is overgrown. Therefore, navigating on the “trail” is very subjective. Just start climbing. For a little over a mile, you will climb up 1,587 ft. This out and back is a scramble towards the top, with overgrown brush, jagged lava rocks, and steep step ups. I would highly recommend starting early because there is no shade, and the rocks can get very hot throughout the day. Once you make it to the top though, the view of the valley is just incredible! Our first real hike from Makai (sea) to Mauna (mountain) was breathtaking.

You can continue on this hike towards the taller peaks, which I would recommend doing! It flattens out for a little while before climbing straight up again but you will be rewarded with more awesome views of the valley and surrounding mountains.

SHORT, STEEP & SWEET

The reason I decided to include this hike under difficult hikes is because of the incline, navigating the trail, and the amount of scrambling needed to be done. Kamaile’unu Ridge is a really short hike that offers stunning view of Waianae Valley but navigating this trail and the elevation gain make it a difficult climb. It’s short, steep and sweet!

These difficult Oahu, Hawai’i hikes are some of the best hikes you will do in the country! They are unbelievably challenging, both mentally and physically. Yet, they also feel like an adult jungle gym with the rope climbs and scrambling. These hikes are not for the weak and if you really want to push yourselves give these a go! Just please whatever you do, lead with caution, safety, and that Aloha spirit. Have fun out there, friends, and good luck! Aloha!

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

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HAWAII APPLICATION

First things first when applying for travel contracts is to make sure you can get that state’s license in time. Some jobs are willing to wait for the license to come through, but just to be safe it’s better to already have the contract underway when applying for your next contract.

After changing plans from Alaska to Hawaii, I knew a potential set back in securing a Hawaii travel position would be the fact that I didn’t already have a Hawaii license. Hawaii is not a part of the compact so you must file for a full state licensure. Luckily for me, the Hawaii licensure is one of the shortest and easiest applications I’ve applied for! However, that doesn’t mean it has the quickest processing time.

I was told repeatedly by my recruiter that it would take a bit of “pestering” to get the Hawaii state board to process the license quickly. Since I had a job on the line, I did not mind doing that at all. I updated the board every step of the way. I made sure to email when all appropriate forms where in the mail or important documents were being sent via email.

Unfortunately, the biggest hang up with getting the license approved was needing licensure verification from every single state that I currently or have ever been licensed. Fortunately, many of the states I’ve worked in have been compact states and don’t fall in this category. But even still, that required 6 other states to then send Hawaii a licensure verification or provide instructions on how to verify online myself. This was a tedious process, especially when each state has different rules.

As tedious as this process is, the other states processed things fairly quickly for me and I was able to get a Hawaii license approved and issued in 2-3 weeks. I was originally told to expect 6-8 weeks. You never want to be overbearing when reaching out to state boards for “expediting” your license, but I’ve found that establishing a line of communication early on and letting them know that you have a travel position lined up soon has helped me get most licenses processed much faster than the expected timeframe.

WHAT NEXT?

So, you just got hired for your first Hawaii travel therapy contract and secured your Hawaii license, now what? Do you ship or rent a car? Do you rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment? Should you ship all your belongings or check multiple bags on your flight? What is going to be the most cost-effective strategy? These are all great questions to be thinking about! We didn’t have anyone telling us what the best solutions were. But that’s why I’m here, to help you so you can go into your Hawaii travel therapy contract with excitement instead of stress.

RENT OR SHIP CAR

As soon as I signed my Hawaii travel therapy contract, I started looking at what the best option would be as far as having a car on the island. Because I signed a home health contract I HAD to have a vehicle. That was non-negotiable. I looked into the cost of renting a car for 6 months. The total was near $7000. Ouch. It would have been nice to put miles on someone else’s vehicle, but I couldn’t afford that. Luckily, we were living in California and to ship a car from Long Beach, CA to Honolulu, HI was around $1,500 (one-way). There are a few different companies you could go through, but we ended up booking through Car Shipping Hawaii.

A FEW THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WHEN SHIPPING A CAR:

SHIP YOUR CAR FOR SURE

Working with Car Shipping Hawaii was such a great experience for us! We had absolutely no problems and they walked us through every step of the process. I would highly recommend using them! Shipping our car to the island was a no-brainer. The total cost will be about ~$2,500 (it’s cheaper to ship back to Cali).

WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING SHOULD I RENT?

Oh, the dreaded housing search. This is our least favorite part about signing new travel therapy contracts. Packing up our belongings, finding a new temporary house that is within our budget, reasonably close proximity to work, and makes us feel safe is a lot harder than it seems! Especially when you have to commit to a place before you really get to see it or the area it’s in. This is ultimately one of the big reasons why we purchased our RV, “Georgia”, three years ago. It gave us some sort of stability through this dreaded process. Yes, it’s fun to live in new homes, but sometimes those homes can be cockroach infested, have bad landlords, make the commute to work extra-long, or out of budget. Check out my blog post TRAVEL THERAPY HOUSING PROS AND CONS for more insight. So, what should you do in Hawaii?

UNFURNISHED APARTMENT

The main benefit of renting an unfurnished apartment is that it is going to be the cheapest option. I would hope because there is nothing in it. We played around with the idea of this. We could save more money by signing a 6-month lease on an unfurnished apartment with a full kitchen, bath, gym, pool, extra amenities. The downfall is we would have absolutely no furniture. No bed, couch, tv, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, washer/dryer, you name it. However, we were planning on bringing our backpacking equipment: blow up mattress and sleeping bag. Maybe we could get away with no bed??

The average monthly cost of an unfurnished apartment that we were seeing were around $900-$1,200. There are companies on the island that will rent furniture month-to-month. If you do the bare minimum, you were looking at around another $300/month. Now you’re at $1,500. You can find furnished apartments and not have to sleep on a mummy mattress for $1,500/month. Thank God!

FURNISHED APARTMENT/AIRBNB

Luckily, there are quite a bit of furnished apartments on Furnished Finder, as well as great options on Airbnb. I found that Furnished Finder had cheaper options month-to-month vs. Airbnb. The average cost of a furnished apartment varied depending on location but ranged anywhere from $1,000-$3,000/month. Obviously, there are some really nice homes you could stay at if you wanted to ball out, but I think most of us are going to look for budget-friendly options.

Another thing to consider is are you looking for a shared house or a separate unit? I travel with my wife, and we have done shared housing before, but for an extended period of time we find we will pay extra for privacy. If you are traveling alone, then a shared housing unit really isn’t too bad for cost of living in Hawaii (we just lived in California and Washington, so our “too bad” is relative).

In the end, we went with a furnished beach front studio condo for 6 months at $1,400/month. The apartment complex comes with a pool, small gym, full kitchen (we will have a full-sized fridge which we are very excited for, RV’ers IYKYK). Because we could only move in on July 1st, we still needing housing for 19 days.

Finding housing for that long was turning out to be VERY expensive. I mean its Hawaii, if it was cheap everyone would be here all the time. But we found the cheapest option was to book 1 month on Furnished Finder in a shared housing unit. We have a private bedroom/bathroom and share the kitchen with one other person. There are other tenants, but they have a separate floor/shared living space. And honestly, we are loving it. The tenants/landlords are kind, there are fruit trees in the backyard that we can help ourselves too, we stare at a beautiful mountain out our bedroom window, and we’re just across the street from the beach. For 19 days, $1,200 was manageable.

HOW DO I GET MY STUFF TO HAWAII?

You’ve landed the job, got your license, you shipped your car, you have your housing figured out, now you just need to get there! But how do you pack for 6 months and how do you get it there? Fair question. We struggled with this one because we are both over-packers. If you don’t have too many things and live out of one suitcase you can just skip this part, it’s not for you. But for my over-packers, keep reading.

Honestly, I didn’t even look into what the cost would be like to ship your things via UPS or USPS. I figured those rates would be astronomical. We booked our flights through Southwest, which means you get two free checked bags, a carry-on, and a personal bag. That’s already 4 bags per person! However, don’t get carried away and go over that 50lb weight limit on the checked bags because that will be an extra $100/bag. I would suggest purchasing a luggage weight. It helped us tremendously. We were able to pack our bags to the tenth of a pound and didn’t have to deal with the frantic last-minute “stuff clothes in your carry-on” situation.

Alright, you know you can have two large bags and two smaller bags, that’s still not a whole lot of space for the over-packer, especially when you want to take camping gear, hiking gear, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards. Yes, we could just rent some of those things in Hawaii, but at the rate at which we will be using said gear just doesn’t make sense for us. But also, the rate for each additional checked bag is $125. Getting to Hawaii is adding up quickly and I don’t really want to spend all my money on getting clothes there. I laid out everything I wanted to take and quickly realized there was no way I could take all that. After sifting through and removing more items about 5 separate times I finally could fit what I needed for my Hawaii travel therapy contract.

OUR TRAVEL NECESSITIES

We ended up spending $250 on two extra checked bags. That’s 10 bags total. Honestly, it’s still probably too much and we could have made 8 bags work, but you know, we’re over-packers, it’s what we do.

IS THERE MORE?

Everything I’ve said up until this point are really big items to cross of your list for getting to Hawaii for that travel therapy contract. You will definitely come across smaller expenses you may not have been prepared for, but it happens. You don’t have any food or condiments, so you are starting fresh there. Because Paige doesn’t have a car, she has to get a bus pass which is $80/month. If your car isn’t in Hawaii yet, you may need to rent a vehicle for a while. And I’m sure more unexpected expenses will pop up, they always do. Is it all worth it to be living in Hawaii for 6 months? Absolutely!!

As I said earlier, everyone has a different experience and will do things differently than I did. We planned our entire trip in under two weeks, not because we wanted to but because we had to. I’m sure there are more cost-effective ways to do things and by all means comment below and let future travelers know! If you have any other questions regarding the process of getting to Hawaii for a travel therapy contract, please contact me here. Goodluck and be sure to follow me on Instagram for some epic Hawaii adventures. Mahalo!

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