Tips for Traveling to Hawaii
I have traveled to Hawaii a couple of times, and I have learned a lot from those trips. Here are a few tips for first time travelers…
Hanalei Bay, Kauai
Tip #1: Travel in the Off Season
Reason #1 to travel in the off season: The weather probably won’t be as bad as you think…
I have made 2 trips to Hawaii in the last couple of years and both have been in the off season- one to Oahu in October and one to Kauai in December. Both trips were perfect. When I was planning these trips, I was worried about the weather since that time of year is technically the rainy season, BUT the rain didn’t stop me during either trip. It rained almost everyday, but only in short bursts. After the rain passed, the rest of the day was beautiful!
Reason #2 to travel in the off season: There are less people!
This might be obvious, but there will be less people traveling to Hawaii in the off season! More parking will be available, there will be less traffic, and you won’t have to fight for a spot on the beach. This is a huge plus in my book.
Last pro of traveling to Hawaii in the off season: Travel is generally cheaper!
Both trips that I have taken to Hawaii in the off season I was able to get fairly cheap flights & had more options of places to stay.
Tip #2: Rent a car
During both of the trips I took to Hawaii, I wanted to see as much of the island as I possibly could, and that wouldn’t have been possible to do without renting a car. In Oahu, I literally drove around the entire island during my week-long stay, and I saw so much more than I would have been able to if I had just stayed within walking distance of my home base. In Kauai, my husband and I decided to rent a Jeep which ended up being a great choice because we were able to go on some pretty sketchy backroads that we wouldn't have been able to go on without it. Renting a car just allows you to have a lot of freedom, and I would definitely recommend it if you are looking to get away from some of the main tourist spots.
Tip #3: Get your day started early
I know that vacation is a time for rest, but if you are wanting to have the best experience you can, I would recommend starting your day early. A lot of the popular spots get busier as the day goes on, so if you are wanting to enjoy the locations for the peace and quiet they can offer, go before everyone else gets there. Also parking can become an issue later in the day, so be aware of that!
Tip #4: Have a plan
In my opinion, all good trips have a plan behind them. I myself am a very indecisive person, and I know that if I don't have at least a general idea of what I will be doing each day of my trip, I will probably miss out on a lot of cool things. My recommendation is for you to make a plan for most of your days, and leave one or two as flex days so you can relax or do some of the things you learned about while you were there.
Tip #5: Do everything you can!
I would HIGHLY recommend taking full advantage of your trip to Hawaii while you are there! Visit all the places you can, see all the sights you can see, experience as much as you can! My guess is that you may only go to Hawaii once in your life, don’t miss out on opportunities while you have them.
Nā Pali Coast, Kauai
If you are traveling to Hawaii specifically to take wedding or elopement photos, my two biggest recommendations are #1. start your day early and #2. have a good plan.
#1. Start your day early because photos love good lighting! Generally you want to take photos as close to sunrise or sunset as possible, and less people are likely to be up at the crack of dawn, meaning less people will be in the background of your photos. I think that is completely worth getting up early for the best lighting situation!
#2. Having a plan with your photographer will help you to have a great experience. The less uncertainty there is the less stress and confusion there will be.
If you are looking for a photographer that prioritizes your travel & photo experiences, contact me! I’d love to give you all my tips & tricks for how to have the best experiences while you are traveling for your wedding to elopement!
If you are looking for advice on where to take photos on Kauai, visit this blag post!
