Hawaii Volcanoes

I still can’t believe it took me this long to make it to Hawaii. We based ourselves on Oahu for the week, which turned out to be perfect. Close to everything, great beaches, and easy enough to catch a day trip to the Big Island for the volcanoes.

The Day Trip to Volcanoes National Park

We flew over to the Big Island early one morning specifically for Kilauea. It’s a long day when you factor in the flights and drive from Hilo, but absolutely worth it. Walking across the Crater Rim Trail felt surreal. All that hardened lava, the sulfur smell hanging in the air, steam vents everywhere.

The Thurston Lava Tube was closed when we got there, which was a bummer, but hiking down into the crater itself more than made up for it. There’s something wild about descending into an actual volcanic crater, surrounded by all that ancient lava rock. The scale of it doesn’t really hit you until you’re down there looking back up at the rim.

We packed in as much hiking as we could before having to head back to the airport. It was a whirlwind, but honestly? That’s the only way we could’ve fit the volcanoes into our Oahu-based trip, and I’m glad we made it happen.

Life on Oahu

Coast of Oahu

The rest of the week was all about exploring Oahu. We spent way too much time just driving around the island with no real plan, which is exactly how I like to travel.

Driving around Oahu

One afternoon we stumbled on the Byodo-In Temple tucked into the Valley of the Temples. It wasn’t on our original itinerary, but that’s the thing about Oahu. You can just wander and find incredible spots. The temple grounds were so peaceful, totally different energy from the beaches.

Byodo-In Temple

Waimea Bay and the Jump

Waimea Bay was a highlight for sure. We’d heard about people jumping off the rock, and it looked like a good time. Maybe 20 feet or so? Nothing crazy, but fun for sure. We must’ve done it three or four times before calling it quits.

The bay itself is gorgeous even if you’re not into cliff jumping. Crystal clear water, decent waves, and a really chill vibe.

Snorkeling

One of the mornings we went snorkeling and encountered a ton of fish. We even swam by a sea turtle at one point just cruising around. We followed one for a while, keeping our distance, and it was just mesmerizing watching it glide through the water.

That’s one of those experiences you can’t really capture in photos. You just have to be there, floating in the ocean with these ancient creatures.

Waterfalls and Hiking

The rainforest hikes on Oahu were incredible. Everything was so green and alive, and we found some amazing waterfalls along the trails. Nothing too intense, but enough to work up an appetite and feel like we actually explored the island. There’s something about hiking in Hawaii that’s different from anywhere else. Maybe it’s the humidity, or the fact that you can cool off in a waterfall or the ocean right after.

Beach Days

Houses in Oahu

We balanced all the hiking and adventure with serious beach time. Sunset Beach on the North Shore was incredible. Perfect sand, amazing waves, and way less crowded than some of the more touristy spots. We also hit up some random local beaches where we were the only tourists. Those ended up being my favorite moments, honestly. Just floating in crystal-clear water, not thinking about anything.

Would I Go Back?

In a heartbeat. A week on Oahu gave us a solid feel for the island, and the day trip to see the volcanoes was the perfect addition. Next time I’m thinking we’d stay longer on the Big Island. There’s so much more to explore over there. But for a first trip to Hawaii, basing ourselves on Oahu was the right call.

If you’re planning a trip, my advice is don’t overschhedule. Some of our best experiences came from just seeing where the day took us. Hawaii rewards spontaneity.