7 Must Do Things When Traveling Solo in Honolulu, Hawaii

Do you ever want to travel to some place that nobody else wants to go? Have you ever had the urge to travel solo? Do you ever just need to reset and take time for yourself? This last December, I decided it was time for a mini break from everything and anything and packed my bags to Honolulu, Hawaii for an epic solo trip.

Back Story..
This isn’t the first time I did a solo trip though. I had traveled to Australia last year to meet with friends and before heading there I stopped in Honolulu for a few days solo. And even if I met up with friends in Australia, I had my own hotels so I spent a few days on my own there as well. That is when I fell in love with the idea of it and totally wanted to do it again for a longer period.

It’s crazy how times can change, if you met me 6 years ago I would have never thought I’d be this ambitious or confident to do anything alone – including little things like going to the movies alone, or going to networking events alone. Many of you may think about it and think it’s too scary or you don’t like being alone – but honestly it’s kind of awesome {think about it} you get to do whatever YOU want to do; you don’t have to WAIT on anyone; you can meet A TON more people; etc. One thing I learned about traveling is never let FEAR stop you from doing YOU – the worst that could happen is you do it and you don’t like it; but hey at least you tried right? That’s all that matters!

Photo by Jess Loiterton

My Trip to Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii is a great travel destination to relax, reset and catch some beach time. These last few months have been quite stressful and I was overdue for a trip myself. So without a doubt, I decided to plan a week trip to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Everyone kept asking me why I chose this city specifically when there are other amazing, less touristy areas on the island – well the answer is Honolulu is an easy spot to travel solo. With many tourists visiting and more nightlife activities; it makes it easy to meet new people. Though I do want to visit Maui soon – I felt that city is more for families and if you’re in a relationship.

Traveling alone can feel intimidating at first, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. One of the reasons I love solo travel is how much it pushes you outside of your comfort zone and teaches you to rely on yourself. In fact, there are so many ways solo travel can build confidence, especially the more you do it.

Anyway, if you ever decide to take a solo trip to Hawaii, I have curated 7 must-do ideas to do while on your own exploring Honolulu, Hawaii. See below:

1) Go on a hike.
Hawaii is a very outdoorsy and active type state – and Honolulu has some of the best hikes you should definitely explore. Unfortunately when I went, it was rainy season, so I only got to check out Diamond Head. But when I spoke to the locals these are the ones they recommended:

–Diamond Head: This is a very popular touristy hike and can get pretty crowded. I did this hike when I was there last. It was quick and easy yet you still get a nice view. Though if you are looking for a less crowded and more peaceful hike, this isn’t a hike you should do.

–Wiliwilinui Ridge: I heard this hike is very scenic, with amazing views of the city!

–Koko Head Stairs: This trail was a railway that was built during World War II and was used to move personnel supplies up and down. There are 1,048 railroad steps – and is a real kick-butt workout! However, I heard these steps could be dangerous as the stairs aren’t shaped evenly, are worn down and can get very slippery if you decide to go on or after a rainy day.

–Pillbox Hike: This was recommended to me many times – if you’re staying in Waikiki, it’s about 30ish minutes west of Oahu. This hike is known for its glorious views as it overlooks the surrounding suburbs and beautiful beaches of Oahu.

–Manoa Falls Trail: If you want a hike with a waterfall, this is a must I heard.

2) Explore cheap eats and drinks during happy hour.
If you’re on a budget, no worries, most if not all restaurants and bars in Honolulu offer guests with happy hour specials daily. If you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll want to check out my Ultimate First Timers Guide to Honolulu for happy hour specials and more tips!

3) Head to a private beach.
The public beaches can get very crowded with tourist swarming around. If you want to relax and have the beach to almost yourself – here are some beaches that you’ll find more locals hanging out at:

–Diamond Head Beach: There are multiple areas of this beach – I went here the last time and it was very peaceful as there wasn’t many people around. I noticed a lot of surfers chill at this beach – so if you are one of them, definitely check it out!

–Halona Cove: You have to hike a bit to reach this beach – but it will be all worth once you arrived. This beach has been featured in known films such as 50 first dates and Pirates of the Caribbean.

-Mokule’ia Beach: This beach is located on the North Shore of Oahu and has some amazing panoramic views. You can do more than just layout here, but is the perfect spot for fishers, snorkelers and surfers.

4) Sign up for a tour or fun activity!
If you’re traveling solo, joining a group tour or activity is a great way to explore more of Oahu while meeting other travelers. It makes starting conversations so much easier because you already have something in common, you’re experiencing the same activity together!

Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone in your group. Even something as simple as, “Hi! Where are you from?” can go a long way. You can even chat with your tour guide if you want to practice getting more comfortable talking to new people. You never know, you might end the tour with a new travel friend!

Here are some activities that I have personally have done, and can recommend: Waikiki jet ski adventure, Oahu ziplining experience, and Oahu photography tour. If you want to spend some time on the water, you can also snorkel with Hawaiian sea turtles, go parasailing over Honolulu, or book a dolphin and whale-watching tour.

For something more adventurous, this hidden waterfall hiking tour in Oahu is incredible, while a traditional Hawaiian luau experience would be a fun way to spend an evening. And if you really want to splurge, you can even see Oahu from above on a helicopter tour.

5) Have dinner.
If you have a fear of dining alone, you must do it while traveling. Two ways to enjoy dining solo is to sit at the bar (if you want to be more social – I found that sitting at the bar is best especially if you’re alone. I had some of the best conversations with the bartenders and/or have met other solo travelers as well.) or sit where there’s a view.

6) Head to the Honolulu zoo or visit the Pearl Harbor Museum.
If you want to do more than just beach and hiking; you can head to the zoo or explore the Pearl Harbor attraction for a day.

7) Pamper yourself.
Because why not, you’re on vacation and you deserve it? You can book a nice 90-minute massage here!

If you are ready to take on this challenge – here are a few of my top tips if you’re traveling alone for the first time:

1) Find a place where you feel the most comfortable and safe.
For most of us, traveling alone can seem intimidating and I get that because that’s how I felt initially too. Since I have traveled to Honolulu for a few days last year, I felt comfortable; not to mention it’s super safe. Waikiki area is a very busy and touristy area, most of all times (even late at night) there are people outside. If you want to start off easy, I recommend you choosing a city where you’re familiar with and/or is a touristy location. I would also do some research before heading there to get an idea of where you’re headed.

2) Always let someone know where you are.
This should be quite standard – if you plan on traveling solo or even with a group of friends, always let someone close to you know where you are, or better yet, send them your location on Find My Friends app (that’s what I use). No matter where you decide to go, you never know what could happen.

3) Talk to locals.
One of the things I loved doing while traveling in general is meeting and talking to the locals – they are the key to finding out the must-see spots and eats around town! Don’t be afraid to dig deeper; ask them about the history and culture of the city – you’ll be surprised at what you can learn just by talking to them.

4) And lastly trust yourself & be confident, spontaneous and adventurous!
You have nobody to count on but yourself when you travel solo – but you got this! This is your time to do what YOU want to do and overcome your fear.

Check out my archive of Oahu, Hawaii hotels I’ve personally stayed at!

From the laid-back culture, sunny weather, and welcoming environment, Honolulu, Hawaii is a must vacation spot to check out when traveling solo. Don’t let fear get in your way – traveling solo has only made me more stronger, independent and confident. It has helped me to reset and figure out more of what I am capable of – it’s truly a gift, a breathe of fresh air and something you should at least try once! 🙂

Looking forward to my next solo adventure! What are your favorite cities to travel alone?

xo,

Fancy Nancy