Given that I wasn’t able to travel internationally this year (fingers crossed for 2021!) I was really missing that sense of being somewhere unknown and adventurous. The idea of Hawaii came up unexpectedly when I heard of a few friends who were traveling there since the borders opened up at the end of October. Though Hawaii isn’t the first place on my bucket list, it sounded like the perfect escape from east coast winter as well as just the all encompassing dread of 2020.
In this first timer’s guide to Oahu, I’ll walk through my process of traveling to Hawaii during COVID-19 as well as the highlights of things to do and places to stay.
Remember to check local advisories before making your travel plans as conditions are always changing. Please practice social distancing, wear a mask, and be respectful!
Safe Travels Hawai’i
Earlier this year, Hawaii established a 14-day mandatory quarantine rule for anyone entering the islands. This placed a major dent on its tourism, a core component of the state’s economy. It was understandable though, given that they didn’t have as many resources as the mainland and needed to protect a rural and confined population.
In October the Hawaiian government finally lifted this restriction. They set up the Safe Travels Hawai’i program to ensure safe tourism to the islands while protecting the local community.
The current rule is that all travelers must have a negative test BEFORE beginning the final leg of their trip. Anyone without am negative test PRIOR to departure must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival (check https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ as rules can change last minute).
Here are the steps to be able to enter Hawai’i without needing to quarantine:
- Sign up for a Safe Travels Hawai’i account:
- Take a COVID test with one of the Trusted Testing Partners 72 hours before your flight
- Upload test results prior to your flight. You will receive a QR code via email.
- Present the QR code once you arrive at Hawaii to bypass the quarantine if you have a negative test result
Each island also has different rules for travelers. Currently, Kaui is requiring everyone to quarantine for 14 days even if you have a negative test result. Additionally, you will need to go through the same process for inter-island travel (unless you are flying to Oahu from another Hawaiian island).
Where to Stay
There are many accommodation options in Oahu, from resorts to boutique hotels to Airbnbs. It’s also important to consider which part of the island you’d like to stay in. As a first-timer, we stayed in the tourist center of Waikiki. Shops, restaurants, and beaches are all within walking distance and it’s close to the aiprort so this is a great option if it’s your first time there! If you rent a car, which we did, you’ll still be able to explore the rest of the island.
Airbnbs
Modern, Ocean View Studio (this is where we stayed!)
Laylow Waikiki
We only stayed in one hotel during our entire time in Hawaii and I am so happy that got to be The Laylow Waikiki (disclaimer – this is a sponsored stay but all thoughts and opinions are my own). I actually had my eye on The Laylow even before committing to the partnership. I loved the playful and trendy aesthetic and it felt like it had a more youthful and laid back vibe compared to the luxury resorts nearby. The hotel was perfectly situated on a main street in Waikiki with lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance. It felt very lively to step out of the hotel and immediately be in the action. Plus, it was only a ten minute walk to the beach!
The Laylow’s restaurant, Hideout, was also a highlight of our trip. They serve Modern Hapa Hawaiian cuisine for breakfast and dinner. We had the pleasure of dining here one night, having a delicious Laylow “Hawaiian Style” Mai Tai in front of one of their fire pits while listening to a live singer. I can’t remember the last time I listened to music live!
Things to Do
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, a wild adventure, or city life, there’s no shortage of things to do in Oahu! Below are the activities we did given our short time:
Sunrise hike at the Lanikai Pillboxes
If you’re flying from the mainland, jet lag will actually work in your favor because you’ll get to catch a sunrise or two! On our first morning we opted to watch the sunrise from the Lanika Pillbox hike. This is a popular hike at any time of day, but sunrise offers spectacular views of the sun waking up over the Pacific Ocean with the two small islands of Moku Nui and Moku Iki in the foreground. It’s a short but steep hike and can be super slippery if it’s rained – a 20 minute climb will reward you with some amazing views.
Go to a luau
Yes, it’s touristy, and at first I was against it. But my whole group wanted to go for a true Hawaiian experience. Because of COVID, there was only one luau operating on the entire island (Chief’s Luau). I can’t compare to what the experience is like before COVID, but it was a fun time watching the dancers and fire show and learning a bit about the Hawaiian culture. This is a pricey activity, and you won’t miss much if you skip this.
Crouching Lion Hike
So this hike is technically illegal – there were signs at the trailhead warning that the hike was closed because of dangerous conditions. However, we saw lots of young people going up and down so decided to brave it. This hike is about an hour drive from Waikiki and you’ll travel through some remote towns along the way. It’s a great way to see what the local parts of the island look like compared to the tourist hub. The views on the drive are also pretty amazing, with lush mountains and jungles on one side and the ocean on the other.
The trail on the hike is loose and gravelly – it can also get muddy if wet. Wear shoes with a good grip and be prepared to use your hands to pull yourself up at certain points. You’ll get some pretty amazing views of the bay once you reach the first viewpoint, but brave souls can venture further up the rock formations. Careful though, the trails are narrow and the cliff edge is literally right there!
Go snorkeling
You can either choose to buy/rent a snorkel and visit one of the many beaches on the island, or join a boat excursion. We did a two hour boat tour which took us to a popular spot nearby filled with sea turtles. It was a short but fun tour, and I probably saw at least 6 turtles swimming around!
Have a beach day
It’s not a vacation without at least one day of chilling on the beach, and there are no shortage of beaches to choose from. Lanikai Beach is probably the most popular beach because it’s known as one of the top beaches in the United States. Waikiki Beach is famous for obvious reasons. So grab a towel and some reef safe sunscreen and relax!
Embark on a foodie adventure in the North Shore
The North Shore is best known for laid back vibes, big waves, and amazing sunsets. A lot of professional surfing contests also take place here. For those who don’t surf, you’ll still find plenty of activities to do. Once you get to the hub of the North Shore, all along the Kamehameha Highway you’ll find tons of cute boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, and food trucks! Some of the top things you should try: garlic butter shrimp, shaved ice, and an acai bowl.
No matter how you choose to vacation on Oahu, you can’t go wrong. There’s a little bit of something for every traveler out there. In this crazy year, an adventure somewhere new was much needed for my soul and Hawaii definitely fulfilled that craving.
