Hawaii in Summertime: 7 Essential Activities That Guarantee an Unforgettable Trip

Did you know that most travelers miss out on Hawaii’s best summer experiences just by sticking to the usual beach routine?

If you’re dreaming of a trip to Hawaii but worry about missing the real magic—or feeling overwhelmed by all the options—this episode is for you. Unlock the secrets to an unforgettable Hawaii vacation by discovering the seven must-do activities that locals and seasoned visitors swear by.

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In this episode of our travel podcast, we reveal how to move beyond the tourist traps, connect with authentic Hawaiian culture, and make the most of your time across the Hawaiian Islands.

👉 In this episode, you will:

• Get expert travel tips on the seven essential summertime activities across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
• Find out how supporting local businesses and embracing “island time” leads to a richer, more meaningful experience.
• Discover packing hacks, event recommendations, and ways to plan your itinerary for a stress-free and adventure-filled Hawaii vacation.

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Scroll up ⬆️ and hit play now to discover how your summertime trip to Hawaii can be so much more than just another beach getaway!

Whether you’re planning your first visit to Hawaii or returning for a new adventure, this episode is packed with travel hacks and insights on responsible travel, must-see festivals, and the best ways to experience true Hawaiian culture.

🎧Related episodes:

• Oahu Travel Guide
  • Listen
• Kauai Travel Guide
  • Listen
• First Time to Hawaii
  • Listen

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💻Related blog posts:

• Summertime in Hawaii
• Top 10 Sunscreens for Hawaii

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🤓Chapters:

• 1:56 Understanding Hawaii's Summer Weather
• 4:28 Top Summer Activities in Hawaii
• 7:09 Exploring Hawaii's Historical and Cultural Sites
• 8:09 Summer Events and Festivals in Hawaii
• 10:07 Packing Tips for a Hawaiian Summer Vacation

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This podcast is for travelers looking to plan a trip to Hawaii. Discover travel tips, itineraries, and traveling tips & hacks with guides to help you explore Hawaii. Whether you’re planning a vacation to the Hawaiian islands, dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, or visiting Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, Oahu, or Big Island we’ll help you travel with aloha.

Edge of the Ocean, Stick Figure (w/ permission)

Ukulele and Chill, Coby G (w/ permission)

Transcript

157_Summertime in Hawaii

[00:00:00] Ever wonder what it's like to experience Hawaii during the summertime? Well, join me as we explore everything that makes Hawaii in the summer so special from endless sunny days to vibrant island culture events and unforgettable activity. So whether you're a season traveler or planning your very first trip.

[00:00:19] To Hawaii. This episode is your ultimate guide to making the most out of your Hawaiian summer vacation. Let's go. Aloha. Welcome to Havas Best Here you'll learn what to know before traveling as we discover Hawaiian culture, local businesses, and the experiences that make Hava one of the most incredible places in the world.

[00:00:42] And now. Your host, Brian Murphy. Aloha and welcome to Hawaii's Best And today, like I mentioned, we're exploring everything about Hawaii during the summertime. Now, if you've ever thought about visiting Hawaii during the summer, you're in the right place. I'm gonna break down everything from the must do summer activities to the best local events that really show what Hawaiian culture is all about.

[00:01:05] So whether you're traveling for the first time, or you've been to the islands many times. I think this episode will have something for everyone, and I think it might be obvious if you found this podcast if you'd listened to a few episodes. Visiting Hawaii is not just about working on that tan, you know, at the beach, at the pool though, let's be honest that, you know, that's a big part of it.

[00:01:28] And that's fun. You're on vacation, that's awesome. But there's so much more to Hawaii and I wanna be able to unpack that today, and we do that in previous episodes as well. But it's really about the pulse of island life, the festivals, the fresh produce, you know, hitting the markets, local vendors.

[00:01:47] Supporting local and those amazing cool trade winds that perfectly balance the hot summer days in Hawaii. So I think first up, we should probably just talk a little bit about those hot summer days. Talk about the weather in Hawaii during summer. So it's obviously is warm, it's sunny. The average temperature is around a comfortable 85 degrees.

[00:02:11] Now it's actually important to define. Wind. Summer is in Hawaii for most of Hawaii. There are only two seasons, really, it's summer, you know, between May and October actually, and winter between October and April. Just a little fun fact. The highest temperature ever recorded in Hawaii was a hundred degrees at Paha on the big island of Hawaii on April 27th, 1931.

[00:02:38] It's warm, yes, but it is not that heat that you may be trying to experience from the continental us, especially the, you know, Southern California, Arizona, Utah area. You know, those places can get really hot. On top of the warm weather in Hawaii. What's nice about being on the islands is that you get these cooling winds called the trade winds, and these breezes not only help keep you know things comfortable, but also brings that fresh, salty air days are also longer.

[00:03:09] During the summer in Hawaii, this means more sunshine to enjoy all the activities the island has to offer. Whether you're up for an early morning hike, a midday surf, or sunset luau, you've got plenty of time to fit it all in without feeling rush. But just a little pro tip, you don't wanna stuff your itinerary.

[00:03:27] I see so many of them and it's like, do this and do that. Every minute feels planned and you know, it's, it's important to have a plan when you're go in Hawaii, but it's also important to. Leave room and to just be able to experience, uh, the island, you know, those fruit stands off the side of the road, the local farmer's markets, stuff like that.

[00:03:47] It's important to just. Be on island time, a little bit on vacation, and not just schedule every little minute and every little second that you are in Hawaii. Another plus about Hawaii in summer is that there is less rainfall. Summer is the drier season in Hawaii, so those sudden downpours are fewer and farther between.

[00:04:10] So that really helps, you know, being able to really. Book some of those activities that are outdoors going to festivals. More often than not, those aren't gonna be rained out and you know, you get some rain in Hawaii, that's just that warm tropical rain. There's nothing better. So now let's go ahead and we're gonna dive into some of the best activities you can find during Hawaii during these summer months.

[00:04:35] If you're coming to Hawaii and you want to do more than just chill at the beach, you wanna make some memories. You want to get out and experience some culture, experience some wildlife, and those once in a lifetime activities that many people come to the islands for. So first up. It's kind of an obvious one.

[00:04:52] It's snorkeling. Hawaii is basically a snorkeler paradise, uh, for beginners and for advance. And Hawaii has some of the clearest waters and most vibrant marine life. You'll find really anywhere in the world, and especially in the summer months. Now, come winter, the visibility is a lot lower and very unsafe in spots like Sharks Cove on the North shore of Oahu.

[00:05:18] So be aware that if you are visiting, happen to be visiting in the winter months and you, you hear about Sharks Cove being a, a snorkelers spot that's not so during, uh, winter, but during summer it is. And also places like Panama Bay on Oahu are iconic. But every island has those gems and those snorkel spots.

[00:05:40] So the calm summer waters makes visibility incredible. So you're likely to spot everything from colorful coral to sea turtles, maybe even a dolphin if you're lucky. I have to add in here though. If you come across marine life, please keep your distance. Don't pursue, don't chase. Sometimes you may see marine life and they may get close, but don't pursue after them.

[00:06:09] Don't try to startle them. You know, maybe grab your camera, capture that memory, but please keep your distance. If you prefer to stay dry and explore the land, the hiking in Hawaii is top notch. Over on Maui the Kapa. Lua Costa Trail is a nice family hike that is about 1.9 miles on a relatively flat trail in West Maui with pave sections and great views.

[00:06:35] And if you're on the big island of Hawaii, check out the trails around Hawaii, volcanoes National Park. You can literally hike around the craters and see Earth, like new Earth being formed, which is pretty cool. Mind blowing. When you go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, sometimes it's erupting and sometimes it's, it's quiet.

[00:06:55] Don't get your hopes up. Be sure to follow their Instagram account, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and you can get all UpToDate about current eruptions and what to know and best viewing spots and and parking and all that good stuff. Another must do is on the island of Oahu and it's visiting Pearl Harbor.

[00:07:13] This site packs so much historical significance in one visit, and during summer, the longer days allow for plenty of more time to explore the USS Arizona Memorial and the museum exhibitions. It's a moving experience reflecting on the events of December 7th, 1941, where. Incredible bravery and sacrifice was shown.

[00:07:34] So it's, it's not just a tourist spot, it's a place of remembrance and education. I would highly recommend visiting Pearl Harbor at least once when visiting Oahu. I. And don't forget about Coloa Ranch on Oahu on the east side. This place is incredible. Whether you wanna do some horseback riding a TV through valleys, and this is kind of where a spot where a lot of famous movies were filmed.

[00:07:58] Think Jurassic Park Lost, and you can do zip line, all you know, all that stuff. And a good place to grab a bite Also on the east side of Oahu. Alright. Now let's talk about some of the summer events and festivals that you can expect if you're visiting during the summer months. At the Aloha Stadium, you got the Hawaii State Farm Fair.

[00:08:18] So a must visit for anyone interested in local agriculture and the culinary traditions of Hawaii. Get to meet local farmers, check out livestock, and even taste some incredible produce as well. It's a family friendly event, so know that you, when you go with your family, you're supporting local farmers, uh, as well as local families as well.

[00:08:38] And, uh, you get to taste kind of the island and something just out of the ordinary. Than your typical beach day. If you're looking for something more active, check out the foam tastic, color, fun run, or walk on Kauai in August. It's a run or walk through scenic routes filled with colorful foam stations.

[00:08:58] It's perfect for families and just a great time with, uh, music and food as well. Everything surrounded by great music and great food. Also, if you want to take a deeper dive into Hawaiian culture, you can't miss the. King Kame MEA celebration early June and Prince Lot Hula Festival, uh, the third weekend in July.

[00:09:18] These festivals honor Hawaii's history with stunning parades, hula performances, and Hawaiian music as well. And we've done a whole episode about King Kame, MEA and King K Day. So I'll be sure to link that in the episode's description. And also lastly, a fun festival. It's the Made in Hawaii Festival in August.

[00:09:40] We've done episodes on this as well, so I'll be sure to link that, but this is an amazing time. If you're visiting late in the summer, it's held at the Honolulu Convention Center and it showcases all things local. All across all the islands from crafts and clothing to unique foods and artwork and music.

[00:10:00] It's a perfect place to pick up authentic Hawaiian gifts and support local artisans. I. All right. So packing for your summer vacation in Hawaii is all about preparing for the sun, the sea, and pretty much everything in between. First, let's talk about clothing. You're gonna wanna keep things light and breathable.

[00:10:19] Cottons, linens, fabrics, that'll let your skin breathe as you soak up the sun. And, but also think about packing some sun shirts, some things that are, that are sun protectant, uh, so you're not using so much, uh, sunscreen. You wanna pack plenty of shorts, tees, and of course swimsuits and also sundresses are great.

[00:10:40] And uh, and Aloha shirt for a night out would be cool too. Uh, don't forget to pack a light jacket. Sweater, even though it's summer, things can cool off in the evening, especially if you're on Hawaii Island, the big island with higher elevations. At the uh, volcano National Park. You wanna make sure you have things ready to go for that.

[00:11:01] And those can also be kind of breezy days with the trade winds as well. Reef say sunscreen is absolutely crucial. You wanna check out our blog posts about the 10 best reef, say sunscreens. Uh. Some of 'em support local. Most of them you can buy on Amazon, and I'll link that below as well. You also want to get a hat, sunglasses, something that'll just help protect you from the sun and not always having to rely on just lathering yourself in sunscreen.

[00:11:31] Having that SPF clothing as well will be helpful. All right, so we've covered a lot today, and as you can see, summertime in Hawaii is truly a special time. And if you're looking for more tips, be sure to go to hawaii's best travel.com where we got some travel guides and some of the things that we mention in today's episode.

[00:11:52] We'll also be linked below. Few are planning on visiting Hawaii in the summertime. I hope you have an amazing time. Be sure to tag us on our Instagram at Hawaii's best, and I hope you get to visit Hawaii soon. So until next time, my friends, be well. Aloha Mahalo for listening to this episode of Hawaii's.

[00:12:12] Best to Stay up to date on future episodes. Please subscribe and visit us at hava. Best travel.com.