If you’re an active baby boomer looking for fun, you’ll find plenty of boomer adventures in Hawaii. While lounging on the beach with a tropical drink in your hand is relaxing, our active Hawaii travel ideas are a lot more fun.
In between sun worshiping, try one of our suggested active adventures in Hawaii. They’re based on first-hand travel experiences. Of course we’ve included where to stay and how to plan your Hawaii vacation, too.
Since Hawaii is filled with adventure, we’ve organized this page by island to make it easy to find an active travel experience for your next trip, no matter which island you visit.
Boomer Travel Tip
we’ll be adding more Hawaiian travel adventures so bookmark this page. Or subscribe to the My Itchy Travel Feet Weekly Broadcast so you’ll be the first to know!
Big Island Adventures
As anyone who has been there knows, Hawaii has got to be one of the best islands for active boomer travel. Beautiful expansive beaches, culinary excellence, cultural richness and jaw-dropping landscapes abound in Hawaii’s Big Island. Take a look at our personal experience traveling around Hawaii to plan your own amazing adventure!
Hiking to a Green Sand Beach in Hawaii
If you’re a traveler who’s “been there, done that” on the Big Island of Hawaii, here’s an off-the-beaten-path adventure for you. Travel to South Point for a hike to a green sand beach, Papalokea. You’ll feel like you’ve come to the ends of the earth, or at least the southernmost end of the United States, which […]
Boomer Snorkeling Adventure on the Kona Coast
Snorkeling on the Kona Coast makes a fun adventure whether you’re on a Hawaii shore excursion or booking independently as part of a Hawaiian vacation. Snorkeling is one of our favorite active travel experiences. Add a fast ride in the ocean on a zodiac raft and Alan and I are in adventure heaven. That”s what […]
Horseback Riding in Hawaii’s Waipi’o Valley
When baby boomer travelers drive Highway 240 on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island, the road ends at Waipi’o Lookout. Peering over the rail at the dramatic valley fronted by a long, black sand beach, active travelers will be asking, “How do I get down there?” You have three choices—hike the road with its 1,000 […]
Hawaiian Culture Lives at Place of Refuge
Are you planning a vacation to Hawaii? Be sure to take a break from resort activities in the Kailua-Kona area to experience Hawaiian culture and history. A 30-minute scenic ride south on Highway 11 will introduce you to Pu’uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park, also known as Place of Refuge. What did ancient Hawaiians do if […]
A garden lover’s paradise on the Big Island of Hawaii
Hawaii is America’s very own tropical paradise and a favorite playground for boomer travelers. With breathtaking views, unique culture, fun adventures and tropical landscape, this spectacular group of islands should be on everyone’s travel list. Today, Suzanne Fluhr from Boomeresque offers advice on how to see the incredible local flora up-close at the Hawaii Tropical […]
Take a Waterfall Walk at Akaka Falls State Park
The waterfall walk at Akaka Falls State Park is an easy way to see one of Hawaii’s most spectacular waterfalls. Whether you are roadtripping on the Big Island or visiting when your cruise ship docks in Hilo, Akaka Falls State Park makes a fun boomer travel adventure. Alan and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. How […]
Slow Food Dining in Hawaii
We first wrote about slow food dining in Hawaii on October 16, 2011. Since then, the slow food movement has grown (and one or two restaurants have gone out of business). So we’re updating our report to provide the latest information. When planning a boomer adventure to Hawaii’s Big Island, what comes to mind? Sun. […]
Come on Baby, Do the Loco Moco
Warning: This blog post could be hazardous to a boomer traveler’s health. Want to experience a Hawaiian fast food tradition? Try a Loco Moco. A loca whatta? You heard me right. Fried egg, over a hamburger patty, over rice, topped with brown gravy. I call it, “a heart attack on a plate.” Unfortunately, Loco Mocos […]
Delicious Hawaiian Breakfast Bread Recipe
Waianuhea Bead and Breakfast is no longer in business but this breakfast recipe is still delicious! What baby boomer traveler doesn’t love to eat? Trying recipes at home, based on regional dishes that you’ve experienced on the road, is a great way to keep the travel memories alive. From time to time, I share recipes […]
Active Travel in Kauai
The travel adventures you’ll find on Kauai will keep you busy for days. The Garden Isle’s beautiful landscape and various possibilities for active travel are seemingly endless. For those looking for a little something special, try our suggestions for active travel in Kauai.
Tubing Through Kauai’s History
For a Kauai adventure that sends baby boomer travelers laughing and squealing through sugar plantation history, try tubing down one of the old irrigation canals. Kauai Backcountry Adventures offers exclusive access to 17,000 acre Lihue Plantation, a former sugar cane kingdom. The company provides transportation, guides and equipment including a hard hat with headlamp plus […]
Adventure along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast
If you’re on a trip to the Hawaiian Islands, don’t miss the adventure along Kauai’s Na Pali coast. I know you’ve seen it, even if you’ve never been to Kauai. Photos of the jagged coastline appear in almost every travel article about this scenic Hawaiian island. It’s one of our favorite boomer adventures in Hawaii. […]
Visting Kauai’s Waimea Canyon
Want to visit the United States‘ other Grand Canyon? Travel to Kauai to experience Waimea Canyon. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon offers photographic opportunities along with numerous hiking adventures. Or you can just stand at one of the lookouts to marvel at the beauty of the lush green foliage punctuated […]
Paddling, hiking and zipping through Kauai
Baby boomers, are you looking to add a little adventure to your beach vacation in Kauai? If so, spending the day on Kipu Falls Zipline Safari will satisfy your need to paddle, hike, zip and jump through Kauai’s mountainous scenery. Alan and I arranged this excursion through Kauai Outfitters. We boarded a van at their […]
The Best Hawaii Apps for Your Next Trip to the Islands
Since January 2015, we’ve been sharing our top apps for Hawaiian Travel. This is the most recent update that includes eliminating apps that are no longer published plus we introduce you to our latest finds in Hawaii apps. If you’re an app user who’s traveling to Hawaii, bookmark this page so that you don’t miss […]
The Best Hawaii Travel Planner
Use our Hawaii Travel Planner to make the most of your Hawaiian trip. Discover the planning tools, products and resources that we use for a trip to Hawaii.
Boomer Adventures in Maui and Lanai
Although there may be many islands to hop while in Hawaii, make sure you take some time to explore marvelous Maui. Famous for luxury resorts (here are my recommendations for where to stay), Maui also provides plenty of adventure for the active boomer traveler. We’re including Lanai here because it’s a short ferry ride away.
How to Experience an Haleakala National Park Sunrise
Are you interested in seeing a Haleakala National Park sunrise on your trip to Maui? It’s a beautiful experience. And you can do it on your own! Hawaii is one of the many US states that has been blessed with more than its fair share of natural beauty. From an expansive coastline to colorful flora […]
Explore La Perouse Bay: Boomer Adventure At the End of the Road on Maui
When you’ve soaked up all of the rest and relaxation that a Maui resort provides, it’s time to go off-the-beaten-path That’s how I came to explore La Perouse Bay (Keoneʻōʻio in Hawaiian). When I visited The Valley Isle as a guest of Visit Maui, I took time out from luxurious fun for a scenic drive. This […]
Stand Up Paddleboarding on Maui
Trying a new-to-you active travel experience is energizing. The empowerment from learning a new skill lasts for days and results in unforgettable travel memories. I’m convinced that it also keeps this boomer thinking young. That’s why I said yes to learning about stand up paddleboarding on Maui with a lesson offered by Visit Maui during […]
Paragliding Over Maui
I’m paragliding over Maui. Let me write that again. I’M PARAGLIDING OVER MAUI. The wind whips through the wing (you might think of it as a parachute) as Dexter Binder, certified instructor at Proflyght Paragliding, offers calm instructions. On a tandem ride, we swoop left and right across the Maui hillside. Paragliding is the most quiet, peaceful experience […]
Fun in the Air: Helicopter Adventure Over West Maui and Molokai
Although Alan and I are big advocates of boots on the ground adventures to truly know a destination, there is also something special about seeing it from a seat in a small aircraft or helicopter. Take the Hawaiian Islands, for instance. Steep sea cliffs with thundering waterfalls are no match for our boomer hiking skills. That’s why, when […]
Maui Sunset Cruise
Maui sunsets are nothing short of spectacular. Combine a blazing ball of fire dipping into the sea with a relaxing ride on a catamaran and you have the best of both worlds. That’s why, when Visit Maui invited me to experience a Maui sunset cruise on the Alii Nui, they didn’t have to twist my arm. This […]
Maui Whale Watching
On a Maui whale watching adventure with Seabourn Odyssey, Alan learned, once again, just how hard it is to photograph whales from a moving boat. The cruise excursion began when Alan and I tendered from the ship over to the pier in Lahina, where we boarded the Trilogy catamaran for a morning of whale watching. […]
How to Take a Maui Ziplining Adventure
Active travel means many things to many people. Some like to leisurely stroll around a new destination while others search out more thrilling adventures. Well, today, we’re going to be catering to the latter group of adventure seekers. Guest contributor, Susan Guillory from The Unexplorer, is here to tell us about how she was talked […]
Exploring Lanai on a Jeep Safari Cruise Excursion
If you travel on South Pacific cruises as much as Alan and I do, you’ll be repeating cruise ports a lot. So when you arrive in Hawaii, what choices are there for cruisers who’ve already enjoyed whale watching on Maui or a thrilling helicopter ride over the island? Our advice? Book a Lanai jeep safari. […]
Fairmont Kea Lani Review: Maui beach resort for the active boomer
There’s no better tropical active travel escape than Maui. And, after a day of hiking or water adventures, settling into a 5-star resort on the beach makes the escape even better. Nancy D. Brown, from What A Trip blog, shares her Fairmont Kea Lani review so that you know what to expect at this luxurious […]
Luxury in Maui at Montage Kapalua Bay
Romantic accommodations in a quiet, scenic setting with unassuming personal service is my kind of luxury travel experience. And that’s exactly what I found when the Maui Visitor’s Bureau invited me to stay at Montage Kapalua Bay. Luxury in Maui: Montage Kapalua Bay Review Although I’ve traveled to Maui twice before, this was my first […]
Relax in Luxury at Wailea Beach Villas
You’ve just stepped off the plane at Kahului Airport on Maui. You sign for the rental car and head for the villa rental in Wailea. On the way, you’ll need to stop at the grocery store to stock up. But you’re oh-so-tired from the flight. If you reserve a villa at Wailea Beach Villas through Destination Resorts Hawaii, a concierge has already […]
Molokai Adventures
Looking for that authentically Hawaiian experience without all of the tourists? Moloka’i offers just the right balance of boomer activities and accommodations—mostly vacation rentals—without the suffocating masses. Take a look at some of our favorite Molokai memories below to plan your own adventure!
The Road to Halawa Valley, another scenic Hawaiian drive
You’ve probably heard of Maui’s famous Road to Hana with its 30 bridges and countless waterfalls. But did you know that there’s another beautiful Hawaiian drive that’s off-the-beaten-path but filled with history and scenic vistas? That’s right, the road to Halawa Valley winds along the Moloka’i scenic southern coast, ending at a beach where Polynesian […]
Best Molokai Beaches for Boomer Travelers
Are you a fan of uncrowded beaches, each one different from the other? Spend a couple of days at the best Molokai beaches during your trip to Hawaii. On my visits to this Hawaiian island, I discovered why the beaches on Molokai definitely deserve a spot on your active travel in Hawaii itinerary. The Hawaiian […]
Finding Paradise on Moloka’i
Close your eyes. Now picture traveling to your perfect paradise. What do you see? Alan has always claimed that a secluded cabin somewhere in the Montana mountains would be his ideal escape. His romantic getaway envisions the two of us sitting on a deck, drinking a morning cup of coffee as we watch the wildlife that […]
Active Travel in Oahu
A trip to Oahu can prove that Hawaii is much more more than just sun and fun on Waikiki Beach. Visiting Pearl Harbor is a must. And book an excursion to explore the Mighty Mo if you ever have the chance. Our articles will also introduce you to temple watching and another scenic drive.
Visit Nu’uanu Pali on Oahu Island
As one of our favorite destinations in the USA, Hawaii has always held a special place in our heart. Luckily, we’ve been able to explore much of the Big Island as well as many of the other surrounding islands. However, today’s guest writer and photographer behind Travel Photo Discovery, Noel Morata is going to take […]
Touring the Mighty Mo With Silversea Cruises
When the Silversea cruise ship, Silver Spirit, called on Honolulu, Hawaii, during our South Pacific Grand Pacific Voyage, Alan joined the Silver Shore Collection excursion, Heart of the Missouri. Along with 9 fellow cruise guests, he toured the Mighty Mo for a fascinating 90-minute exploration of the massive battleship. Today, he shares his story with us. […]
Exploring Byodo-in Temple on Oahu Island
As much as we love Hawaii‘s beautiful beaches and luxury lodgings, some of our best memories have included exploring the many off-the-beaten path locations around the islands. Today’s guest author and photographer, Noel Morata from behind Travel Photo Discovery, takes us to one of Oahu’s most spectacular sites, the Byodo-In Temple. One of the most […]
Remembering the USS Arizona on Memorial Day
I photographed the USS Arizona Memorial while on a Seabourn cruise excursion to the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, better known as Pearl Harbor. Unfortunately, a photo doesn’t capture the somberness of the visit. When I boarded the Navy boat in Pearl Harbor that takes visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial, […]
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