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Why Hawaii Is a Great Option for COVID-Conscious Travelers
- jennifer96117
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Plus activities and accommodations on the most popular islands
Hawaii is a place where outdoor living, spacious accommodations, and the genuine spirit of aloha converge to create a safer travel experience.
The Hawaiian Islands aren’t just beautiful. The warm climate means outdoor dining and activities are the norm. The islands’ geography naturally encourages dispersed, less-crowded experiences. And perhaps most importantly, Hawaii’s communities have embraced a culture of care and respect that makes COVID-safer and immunocompromised travelers feel welcomed rather than shunned.
If you are COVID-Conscious, wear a mask, or are looking for exciting outdoor experiences with a comfortable climate, Hawaii deserves a closer look. Let’s explore why.
Why Hawaii Works for COVID-Conscious Travel
1. Climate and Nature
Hawaii’s climate is the first gift it offers. Year-round sunshine and warm temperatures (78-85 degrees Fahrenheit) mean that outdoor dining, activities, and gathering spaces aren’t limited to summer months. Hotels, restaurants, and attractions have invested heavily in open-air spaces, covered lanais, and beachfront settings where natural ventilation is simply part of the experience.
For immunocompromised travelers, this matters tremendously. You can enjoy meals with ocean breezes, participate in activities under open skies, and move through your days with significantly reduced indoor exposure. Many restaurants have expanded their outdoor seating permanently, and many attractions operate primarily in open environments.
Hawaii’s main draw is nature itself. Beaches, volcanoes, waterfalls, hiking trails, and gardens are inherently lower-risk for COVID-conscious travelers. You’re not navigating crowded indoor museums or packed entertainment venues. Instead, you’re experiencing the outdoors in its most spectacular form.
2. Aloha Spirit
There’s something genuine about Hawaiian hospitality that goes beyond marketing language. The concept of aloha—respect, compassion, and care for others—is deeply embedded in island culture. I have heard of many first-hand accounts of COVID-conscious travellers stating that locals were more accommodating to maskers than in any other part of the country they’ve been in. They also saw more people masking than those in the mainland USA.
3. Transportation
While Hawaii does require flying to reach, the islands themselves offer alternatives to crowded public transit. Many visitors rent cars, allowing for more control over their environment. Inter-island travel via small aircraft or ferry options can be less crowded than mainland alternatives, and many travelers find they can arrange private or semi-private transportation options more easily here than in other destinations.
The Downsides
People have different tolerances for risks. Unfortunately, there are downsides to visiting Hawaii that may prove too much for some travellers.
Air Travel Remains Necessary
Getting to Hawaii requires flying, which carries inherent risks. If you live on the East Coast, flights take at least 10 hours, which means 10 hours of not eating if you mask. For COVID risk on flights and mitigation strategies, view my recent article.
Peak Season Crowds
December through March and summer vacation periods bring significant visitor volume. If you’re immunocompromised or COVID-conscious, traveling during shoulder seasons (April-May or September-November) will give you more space and fewer crowds while still offering excellent weather.
Limited Accessibility in Some Areas
While many resorts and restaurants are accessible, some natural attractions require hiking or uneven terrain. If you have mobility limitations, you’ll need to research specific activities carefully (or let your travel advisor do that for you).
Here are a few accommodation and activity options for Hawaii’s three most popular islands.
Oahu
Oahu is Hawaii’s most developed island, home to Honolulu and the famous beaches of Waikiki. While Waikiki can be crowded, Oahu offers much more than its most famous beach. The island’s geography creates numerous pockets of space and quieter experiences.
Activities and Experiences
Beyond Waikiki, Oahu offers beautiful alternatives. Depot Beach Park, on the Leeward coast, is a locals’ favorite with a wide stretch of white sand. Kawela Bay/Turtle Bay is located on Oʻahu’s northeastern tip, past Haleʻiwa and near Kahuku. It’s protected from large waves and surf, making it a great place to snorkel. You might even catch a glimpse of a honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle). Kailua Beach offers spacious, family-friendly environments with excellent water conditions and is a short drive from Honolulu.
Diamond Head offers a moderate hike with spectacular views. The trail is well-maintained and can be done at your own pace, with options to turn back if needed. The viewpoint alone provides an incredible perspective. Koko Head Regional Park offers hiking options with varying difficulty levels. The famous Koko Head crater trail is steep but short, while other trails in the area provide gentler alternatives with equally beautiful views.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is where you can attend a Lū’au in an open-air environment (warning: large crowd), visit 6 outdoor island villages representing unique cultures and an outdoor shopping market, and ride on a canoe. This is a great option for families.
Accommodations
Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach awaits with spacious balconies designed for soaking in ocean views and island breezes—the perfect outdoor retreat for travelers seeking both luxury and privacy. The hotel has an open-air lobby and a 280,000-gallon Oceanarium.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is Oahu’s most exclusive beachfront sanctuary, where The Kahala Hotel & Resort captivates with elegant rooms featuring expansive private balconies overlooking pristine waters and lush tropical gardens. Indulge in world-class dining, a full-service spa, championship golf access, and curated cultural experiences.
Book either of these resorts with me and unlock exclusive benefits: resort credit, complimentary breakfast, and premium amenities.
For those seeking a quieter Oahu experience, the Kailua Beach Properties, like the Kailua Beach Villa, offer vacation rentals on the windward side, away from Waikiki’s crowds. Other villas available on the island include the Honolulu Beachfront Retreat and Ewa Beachfront Cottage.
Maui
Maui offers a slower pace than Oahu while maintaining excellent infrastructure and amenities. The island’s focus on natural beauty—beaches, forests, volcanic landscapes—makes it ideal for COVID-conscious travelers seeking restorative experiences.
Activities and Experiences
The Road to Hana is Maui’s most famous drive, winding through lush vegetation with numerous stops at waterfalls, pools, and viewpoints. You set your own pace, stop when you want, and experience the journey at a comfortable level. Many travelers break it into two days, reducing the intensity and allowing for more rest.
Wailea and Kihei beaches offer excellent swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation in less-crowded settings than Waikiki. The water is calm and clear, perfect for those seeking gentle ocean experiences.
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater is a bucket-list experience. Private and semi-private snorkeling tours allow you to control group sizes and pacing. The underwater world here is extraordinary, and morning tours offer the calmest conditions and fewer crowds. Please note that this is only accessible by boat.
Farm and garden tours like those at the Lā Kāhea Community Farm, Ku’ia Estate Chocolate Cacao Farm, Maui Pineapple Tour, and the Kula Botanical Garden are more accessible ways to experience local culture and nature while in an outdoor environment.
Accommodations
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is Maui’s premier beachfront destination, where spacious private balconies frame stunning ocean and sunset views from every angle. Enjoy world-class amenities including a full-service spa, multiple dining venues, pristine beach access, and engaging activities like wildlife tours and penguin presentations. Get resort credit, complimentary breakfast, and more when you book with me.
OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa offers many villas on-site, from one to three bedrooms with kitchens and a private balcony. Enjoy on-site resort and spa amenities included with your villa. Get a $200 credit when you book with me.
For a more intimate experience, vacation rentals offer privately-owned condos and homes with full kitchens and private outdoor spaces. These properties give you maximum control over your environment while maintaining proximity to Maui’s best beaches and activities. For example, Turtle Cove offers a private beach and can accommodate up to six people.
Big Island
The Big Island is Hawaii’s largest and most geologically diverse, offering everything from active volcanoes to pristine beaches to lush forests. Its size means fewer crowds in many areas, and its variety means you can experience multiple environments without extensive travel.
Activities and Experiences
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the Big Island’s crown jewel. Crater Rim trails offer various difficulty levels, from short walks to more challenging hikes. You can experience volcanic landscapes without intense physical exertion, and the sheer scale of the landscape creates natural spacing between visitors. The Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuhu) is a short, easy walk through a tunnel of native ferns and volcanic rock.
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay offers pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life in a protected marine sanctuary. The bay is calm, the water is clear, and the experience is genuinely awe-inspiring. Tour operators offer various group sizes, allowing you to choose your comfort level.
For an overview of the island with limited exertion, consider a helicopter tour. View waterfalls, secluded beaches, and an unprecedented view of Kīlauea’s lava flows. The best way to see the island is from above. Some helicopter tours are even wheelchair accessible!
Accommodations
The Fairmont Orchid offers beachfront luxury on the Kona coast with excellent outdoor spaces and a strong wellness focus.
Mauna Lani Resort and Hualalai Resort both offer private villas with full access to resort amenities. You can also find larger group accommodations like the Laule’a Ohana Retreat or smaller villas like the Honl’s Beach Hale, which offers a private oceanfront.
For those seeking quieter experiences, the Volcano Village area near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers vacation rentals and smaller properties with outdoor entrances and no shared walls. These accommodations put you close to the park’s main attractions. They also have an optional breakfast, and some villas come with a private hot tub.
Of course, there are a lot more activities and accommodations to choose from on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. Listing every outdoor and COVID-safer activity on these three islands would make an extremely long article, and that’s not including the other, smaller Hawaiian islands open to the public! Hopefully, this article helps you get an idea of what is out there.
If you are ready to book your own Hawaii vacation and don’t know where to start, let me help! I can recommend home rentals, hotels, activities, and transportation based on your comfort level.
Did you know that I already booked a Hawaii vacation for someone who takes precautions? You can view an example of their itinerary here.
We have a new wheelchair accessible group cruise! Join me on Holland America’s Zuiderdam for an 11-DAY WILD BRITISH ISLES: IRELAND & CLIFFS OF MOHER. June 22, 2027, round-trip from Amsterdam. Only 5 cabins left at the group rate!
If you do not need a travel agent but have been helped by my resources, I would really appreciate a tip! Thank you!
NOTE: I cannot actually drink coffee or any caffeinated beverage due to my POTS, so you will not actually be buying me coffee. Money will most likely go to treats for my dog, instead.
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