I Spent My Hawaii Vacation Money On This Super Cute Dress: 9 Free Things to Do on the Islands
So you’re finally in Hawaii and you just spent half of your money shopping for the best threads and the other half in a crazy alcohol-fueled frenzy. That’s perfectly good and all, but what happens when you are running low on funds and still want to have an amazing time?
An all-inclusive Hawaii resort is generally the answer to a lazy tourist’s problems, but you came to Hawaii to explore! So get out of the damn hotel and check out these 9 free things to do on the islands.
Mt. Tantalus
Not much of a mountain climber? Don’t worry. Mt. Tantalus in Oahu is referred to by residents as “the hill,” so it’s not like you’ll be scaling any cliffs. Chill out and strap on your hiking boots because you don’t want to miss the tropical jungles of Puʻuohiʻa (a local name for the mountain).
Peppered with some of the most beautiful estates on the island, Mt. Tantalus offers many free activities to do in Hawaii like cycling, bird-watching, hiking, running, and sight-seeing. You can easily escape here by car for a scenic drive in Honolulu’s backyard rainforest. Take Round Top Drive across the mountain for some of the most breathtaking views the island has to offer.
Fireworks
Every Friday night is like the Fourth of July on Waikiki Beach. Fireworks are one of the best free things to do in Hawaii at night. Stroll onto the beach at about quarter-to-eight to watch the sky light up.
The show is put on by the Hilton Hawaiian Village at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, but you don’t need to be there to see it. You can steal a spot to veg virtually anywhere on the beach and still enjoy the show. The fireworks last for about 10 minutes and the event is a great way to start off a night of debauchery with a bang.
Snorkeling
This kind of activity is a given for any tropical locale, so plan ahead. You can purchase a snorkel and fin set for less than $100 and throw it in your suitcase. If you’re renting simple equipment like this when you get there, you’re doing it wrong.
You can snorkel as much as you want for free at spots like Oahu’s Hanauma Bay near Honolulu and Shark Cove located on the North Shore. If you want to venture farther out, you’ll need to pay for the boat ride. For super free fun, however, you can see plenty of fish right from the shore. Check out this guide for some of the best spots on the islands to snorkel.
Torch Lighting
If you have an hour to kill and no change in your pocket, why not dip into the free torch lighting ceremony at Kuhio Beach Park in Waikiki? The show features traditional Hawaiian music and dancing on a beachside setting at sunset. Held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, the event usually starts at 6 p.m.
Make sure to bring a towel or blanket with you, as the seating is any grass spot that you can plunk down on. Since it’s near dinner time, pack a picnic and your flask, so you can chow down and get your drink on while enjoying the show. Say Mahalo to the Honolulu Office of Economic Development for putting on this free event for tourists who may have spent too much, too soon.
Pearl Harbor
Free fun activities in Hawaii can also be about discovering history. Oahu’s Pearl Harbor is an incredible place to explore. The USS Arizona Memorial is a brilliant white structure with sharp features that cut into the skyline. It is surrounded by water and is only accessible by naval boats. The building was erected 54 years ago, over the wreckage of the actual ship, where over a thousand crewman died in the Battle of Pearl Harbor.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor’s center is also home to the Pacific Aviation Museum, the USS Missouri (Mighty Mo), and the USS Bowfin Submarine, all of which can be toured as well.*
Although this may not seem like a typical activity for your Hawaii vacation, when are you ever going to have the chance again to see an island monument so rooted in American history?
* There may be a small fee to visit some of the exhibits, so it’s best to check first.
Complimentary Classes
Want to learn how to lei? No, not the kind that happens after a night of pina coladas and sexy beach romps. It’s the flower garland that every tourist is adorned with upon arrival. The Royal Hawaiian Center in Honolulu offers a variety of complimentary classes that include a free lei-making class.
The center offers a variety of complimentary classes Monday-Friday and live entertainment Tuesday-Saturday. Classes include activities like learning LomiLomi massage, playing the Ukelele and even how to Hula yourself. Classes fill up super quick, so high tail it there early if you want to participate.
The Trails
Hiking is by far one of the best free things to do when you’ve spent your vacation money on useless knick knacks and cool clothes. Locals will tell you that, in Honolulu, the #55 bus circles the island, with virtually every stop exposing another trail begging to be tread.
There are many apps on the market that can lead you to the best hikes on any of the islands. AllTrails is currently one of the most popular out there and you can download it for free while riding on the #55. Of course, you can always get a map or ask the locals too, if you don’t have a smartphone, grandpa.
Free Events
The International Marketplace is not only an exquisite shopping and dining center, it’s also home to a variety of free events year round. Located in the middle of Honolulu, it’s the perfect place to people watch, grab a souvenir, and get the inside scoop on Hawaiian culture.
The marketplace offers everything from free yoga classes to events like Sunset Stories. Held August through December each year, the event takes place on Kalakaua Avenue just after sundown. Stories of Hawaiian icons like Don Ho and Queen Emma are told through Polynesian song and dance. If you can keep your grubby hands off your wallet and avoid the stores, the marketplace is a huge resource for free fun activities in Hawaii.
Turtle Beach
Everyone can agree, sea turtles are awesome. Most people only get to see these gentle giants in a zoo or aquarium. Yet, this is not the case for the wandering and curious Hawaiian visitor! Aptly named Turtle Beach, the sandy destination is a free Hawaiian activity that anyone at any age can appreciate.
Locally known as Laniakea Beach, the home of the honu (Hawaiian for sea turtle) is located between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay, right off of highway 83. Finding the beach can be a challenge. The trick is to look for the parked cars on the mountain side of the road.
Always remember to respect Turtle Beach and never approach a honu. The simple site of them chilling with you on the same sand is more than enough to make this one of the best free activities to do in Hawaii.
Although budgeting is usually the smartest decision, no one can control your overstimulated need to splurge on the first day. If you find yourself in this kind of a pickle, at least now you have 9 different ways to still have a killer time in Hawaii, without spending a dime.
The post I Spent My Hawaii Vacation Money On This Super Cute Dress: 9 Free Things to Do on the Islands appeared first on Live Your Aloha Hawaii Tours & Activities.
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