Hawaii Travel Tips
Coming to Hawaii brings back the feeling of being a child on Christmas morning - it is exciting ! You may have a countdown app on your phone or are mentally checking off each day to get closer to your trip to paradise. Maybe you have been to Hawaii before or maybe this is your first time - Regardless if you have never been here or come every year these are a few tips to keep in mind when visiting the islands :
Do not over plan.
I understand for most that making the jump here to the Aloha state is a BIG dream vacation where you want to see all that you can see ! Though this is a great idea it’s important to keep in mind that if you cram a ton of activities in each day you will not have time to fully enjoy yourselves. If you are a family traveling with kids they most likely will begin to get cranky on day 3 if your schedule is go go go. However, if you really want to have a full itinerary then it is best to only plan activities that are in close proximity of each other so you are not zipping from one end of the island to the other in the same day. One big note to keep in mind is anything planned that needs good outdoor weather such as a family photoshoot ( something super important to thing about scheduling during your time here ) you want to be able to have some wiggle room for a reschedule if needed due to rain. Less is truly more where definitely make sure to see what is on your bucket list but take the time to enjoy yourselves in a laid back manner while here.
2. SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN
It is not fun to be frolicking around on the sand on day one and a lobster by day two of your vacation. When coming to Hawaii it is super important to keep in mind that the sun here is A LOT harsher than the sun on the mainland. Even if it is overcast do not be fooled that sun will still get you. Make sure when prepping for your vacation to have reef safe sunscreen ( Hawaii is a reef safe only sunscreen state to help keep our oceans thriving ) either packed in your bag or one of the first things you grab when arriving to island. Though one big important thing to note though the islands sell brands that are labeled reef safe not all are truly reef safe- you’ll want to check the ingredients on the back to make sure it is safe for our ocean life. Here are some reef safe choices : Safe Sunsreens .
Once you have your reef safe sunscreen be sure to reapply throughout the day so you can enjoy your trip and not feel crispy at any point.
3. When in doubt don’t go out.
If the weather is funky fresh out, if the wind seems strong, or the waves are large keep the golden rule of when in doubt don’t go out. Hawaii may seem like paradise but there is a dark side where it can be dangerous. The ocean here has strong currents/waves and if there is brown water that is unsafe to go in. If you feel hesitant about something it’s always best to trust your intuition. You want to make sure to have a fun yet safe time here in Hawaii.
4. Support Local and TIP
Did you know that the resort you are staying in is owned by a big corporation who is most likely not based here in Hawaii ? That AirBnb is probably owned by someone on the mainland and not a local resident since very few have vacation rental properties. Overall most of your trip’s funds will go into the pockets of those NOT located here in the islands unless you make sure to support local during your visit. This means instead of stopping by McDonald’s for breakfast visit a little ma and pop shop on the corner to grab a bite ( the food here in Hawaii is AMAZING so be sure to enjoy the local cuisine ). Another big big thing to keep in mind is to tip. A large majority of those who live in Hawaii work 2+ jobs to make ends meet due to the high cost of living and low wages. Your tip helps put food on the table for those serving you - but truthfully. I know it is expensive visiting Hawaii but the turn over rate of people who have to leave the islands due to the high cost is super high where tips really do make a big difference.
5. The weather changes all the time here in the tropics.
The forecast can show rain then be sunny 2 minutes later or vise versa. The weather here sticks to the term tropical. This means one side of the island can be pouring and the other side can be perfect weather. It’s best to keep an eye on the weather but also be prepared to go with the flow for whatever is present. An app/site I love to use and recommend when here in Hawaii is Windy.
6. Last but not least book a photoshoot to capture your time here !
You are coming to Hawaii ! Don’t relive your trip solely through phone photos ! Instead take the time to schedule a session to fully document some of your memories here in Hawaii to look back on forever. I promise even if your family is not one who takes family photos or you have a family member who grumbles when it comes to pictures that my sessions are made to be laid back and nothing but fun for the whole family !
