Our Hawaiian Bucket List

We love Hawaii for more than just the enticing beaches, Hawaiian vacation rentals and surf lessons. Here are our top five things on our Hawaiian Bucket List:

#1 Volcano Visits

No matter how you do it: by land or air, seeing an active volcano is a completely breathtaking experience. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (island of Hawai’i) is a fantastic place to learn about active volcanism, biological diversity, and even traditional Hawaiian culture (past and present). At the park, you can see Maunaloa, which last erupted in 1984. Kilauea is also home here and has been continuously erupting since 1983. Loihi (not in the park, on the southern coast of Hawaii island) has been erupting since 1996 – you may even get to see the steam break the surface and add a new island to the Hawaiian chain. If Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is too far from your Hawaiian villa rentals for your day trip, try Haeleakala. This should be a fantastic day trip on the island of Maui. Leahi (Diamond Head) on O’ahu is another excellent option.

Remember, volcanic activity changes daily so no two trips are the same. Booking tours are a great way to get up close and personal, but depending on time of year and location, may be full. Bring layers – the summits of the volcanoes are at a higher elevation and often pack rain. Night tours can also be arranged from your Hawaiian vacation rental and offer spectacular light shows to go along with the natural beauty of the volcano.

#2 Pineapple Plantations

When you say Hawaii, often hula dancing, surfing, colorful sunsets, and delicious fresh fruit may come to mind. Juicy pineapples call to us when we visit one of our Hawaiian villas. The biggest and perhaps best known is Dole Plantation on O’ahu. Admission is free, but the best option is a behind-the-scenes look at their operation. You’ll learn the history of pineapples and agriculture of the islands along with many other fun activities.  

Maui Pineapple Tour is located in Hali’imaile and closer to our Maui vacation villas. This tour allows guests to see the growing and cultivation techniques and also gives you the opportunity to visit the distillery. Pau Maui Vodka is the world’s only vodka distilled from pineapples! The distillery tasting is one of our favorites for our guests 21 and older.

#3 Jungle Adventures

The sand and waves are not the only thing we love about our Hawaiian villas. Hawaii’s natural landscape is both colorful and lush. There are a multitude of tours our villa specialists are happy to help book all providing different types of jungle adventures. From a guided kayak tour down Wailua River, hidden waterfalls, hiking, zip lines, and 4x4 exploring to gorgeous views; Hawaii has it all. Let us know how active you want to be and we are happy to help you find the perfect adventure to accent your Hawaii villa experience.

#4 Surfing and Paddleboard Lessons

We don't think this one needs explaining! This is just a fun activity for everyone of any level of expertise!

#5 Na’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens

At Villa Luxe, we love colorful flowers. Na’Aina Kai, or Land by the Sea, is one of the botanical gardens home to the island of Kauai. This particular property spreads across the northeast side of the island and also features a sculpture park and hardwood plantation. The gardens are now a non-profit focused on not only providing beautiful landscapes, but also ensuring sustainability, preserving natural resources, and using science to conserve. This also happens to be an exquisite location for any special occasion you might be planning.