Solo Female Travel Hawaii
In October, a fellow blogger asked me if I had ever been to Hawaii. My response:
"No, and I'm not sure if I ever will. It's just so expensive to fly to such a small island."
Fast forward two weeks and I was clicking submit on skyscanner.com for a three week travel plan. My first stop being Oahu, Hawaii.
Travel is so unpredictable. Places I never imagined are suddenly imaginable thanks to a lot of research and killer flight deals.
So last month I began adventuring, touring and discovering Oahu, Hawaii as a solo female traveler.
With no plans and no idea what the island had to offer, I had to start on some research....about two days before I showed up. I sat on the plane on my layover in Phoenix staring at my phone waiting to see if I could sleep on the couch of a friend of a friend my first night. God, I am such an awesome procrastinator. And for having little planned-not even a place to sleep, I have to say things went extremely well.
Solo female travel is extremely intimidating at first. Half of the people you meet will think you are completely insane and the other half with think you are the coolest person alive. Traveling alone opens you to meet amazing new people and to lead you on adventures you never knew existed. It also strips you of all your comfort and forces you to be in situations most would find uncomfortable.
For example: eating alone. Others tell me all the time they feel bad for people at restaurants who sit alone and that in fact they look lonely. With solo travel, be prepared for those "I feel bad for you" stares. But you are not afraid.
I took a tour on the island and was the only single traveler of the group. But I never felt alone. I paired up with some friendly guys from the Philippians and we had a kick-ass time biking the beaches of North Shore, SUPing, Kayaking and just hanging out. Plus everyone else wants to learn your story. Once they find out you're alone it's a flood of questions:
"Aren't you scared being a female and alone?"
"How long are you traveling for?"
"You're not seriously all by yourself...are you?"
But in the end, a majority give you major props. And hell, maybe I am a little crazy...but I like it that way.
So I show up to Hawaii and stayed with some amazing people from Advlo.com, who were more than kind to open their home for me for the first few nights. After that, I just started floating. A hotel here, staying with an old high school friend there. I usually discovered where I was sleeping the day of after being sent on the street with my backpack and no plan. I'll admit it was extremely stressful but extremely fun. I always love to be a little spontaneous. We should all learn to do that a bit more. (Note: make sure you're not traveling there during the Honolulu Marathon, as all hostels will be booked)
I also went on some KILLER hikes. The landscape here is absolutely insane. Jurassic Park meets Lost meets Avatar meets Narnia. All the locals stroll around and I'm there next to them staring up and screaming "BEACHES AND MOUNTAINSSSSSSSSSS".
Hawaii is absolutely one of a kind. The island of Oahu is no longer than 26 miles across, but the ecosystems are completely different based upon the area. The beaches are sunny almost everyday and see about 10 inches of rain per year. Some mountains are actually rain forests that can see up to 400 inches of rain per year with low clouds often lingering.
Did you know 3 of the top 10 rainiest places in the world are located on the islands of Hawaii?
The contrast explains why rainbows are so incredibly common here (At least one a day).
The absolute most difficult and annoying thing I had to deal with while traveling alone in Hawaii was lack of transportation. Unfortunately, I tried renting a car but those dreams were quickly smashed. Locals also told me how risky renting a car is, because if you take it out of the city islanders can spot rental cars and then break into them.
The bus system is quite slow (3 hours to get to the other side of the island) and hitchhiking may be common on the other islands, but Oahu is not the best place. Mopeds are probably the best solution, however that means you must travel light enough to carry everything from place to place on your back. The friend I couchsurfed with the couple days had a moped and we rode that around until we got pulled over by the police for riding two people on a one-seater. Oops.
Overall, I give solo female travel Hawaii 4.8 stars and am definitely returning in the future. I could spend 6 months there and not do every hike I wished. I never felt scared or intimidated and by traveling solo I made dozens of new friends in a matter of 7 days. Not bad, right?
Solo traveling will always lead you to fun and exciting adventures that wouldn't be possible otherwise. You will meet the skeptics who think you will end up on the side of a milk carton. You will meet the people who envy you because they've always wanted to do it. But most importantly it will teach you that the world is not scary and that good people outweigh the bad tremendously.
At any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.
Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure, outdoor, and sustainable tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here.
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Hi all, I have always thought about solo traveling & finally feel comfortable with the idea as I recently traveled to Waikiki with friends for several days & instinctively knew I would return solo. I will be in Maui for about 10 days in mid October & trying to figure out what activities I can enjoy with other solo travelers. I plan to surf every day & do that shark cave diving one of you guys mentioned. I’m excited!!!
I just booked a solo Hawaii trip too. I am staying 5 nights in Honolulu first and want to hike, swim and learn to surf. I need some ideas for my 2 days and 3 nights in Maui. I arrive at 4 pm in Maui on a Thursday and want to do something different. Any recommendations?
Hi everyone I’m so excited after reading this …..I’m travelling to hawaii November to 10th for 7 days my first time ever traveling alone. Just got divorced!! Anyone going around that time?? Are the hostels nice?? Thank youuuuu.
Annmarie
Hi Annemarie!
I will be travelling to Oahu on Aug 5th till 16th. Too bad you’re traveling later. I myself am going thru a divorce so that’s why I am going on this trip to take some time out for myself before the process starts.
I have booked a hostel at The Plumeria in the Waikiki area. I got a private room that cost about $45 a night. Which I think is a pretty good deal. I hope it’s decent. I will let you know once I have stayed there.
Excited to see us women travelling solo!!
We owe it to ourselves to explore!!!
Hi Annemarie! I’ll be in the Big Island Nov. 12-20. This is my first trip to Hawaii. Which island will you be at?
Hi. Im looking to travel to hawaii, probably Maui again, this time solo. Anyone planning a trip beginning of August? Im looking at Aug 8-12-13?
I will be in Oahu, so if you’re heading to the Island let me know!!!
Thank you for taking your time to write and to share with us this great article 🙂
Hi! This article is awesome!!!
I just booked a trip to Hawaii solo from Aug 5th till the 16th. I am staying at hostel called The Plumeria with a private room. It soothed my budget without sharing a room with 8 roommates and without spending a fortune on a Hotel 🙂 Plus it’s in the Waikiki area
I am staying all 11 days in Oahu hoping to relax and go on adventures. I have to say i am a bit nervous since I have never travelled alone before, but I am looking to take some time off from what is a difficult time in my life and to beat the crazy insane life of NYC.
I would love to go on many hikes. Does anyone know if this is safe to go on your own?
I came across so many hike trails, some look more doable solo then others.
If any one is heading to this beautiful island during this time….feel free to contact me! I would love to meet some fellow female solo travelers
I am a newly separated woman in her 50s who has never done anything alone. And I am thinking of traveling solo one day! Just the thought scares the crap out of me but this article is making me really want to do it! I am planning to travel solo to Hawaii in a year or two. I feel like my entire life just opened up to me. I’ve never eaten in a restaurant alone. I have some groundwork to do before I attempt Hawaii, but this article really gives me hope. Thank you!
Glad to hear this, Vickie! Go for it and please update me on your adventures! (first time I ever ate out alone I was truly terrified, but soon realized it actually quite enjoyable) 🙂
Hi Vickie,
Did you decide to go to Hawaii this year? I’m in the exact same boat and leaving for Oahu for the next 2 months!
Hi!! It’s amazing how many of us are in the same boat.. just the idea of eating alone scares me and thrills me at the same time. I keep repro to myself life is for living…x
Hi Emily!
I went to HI last year. It was a trip of a lifetime!!
I found an Air B&B in maui and traveled all over. There was a storm so it prevented me exploring the other islands but that has given me a good reason to go back!!
I rented a jeep a had the time of my life! All the the little towns are so beautiful. Did road to Hana and loved it. Even met Mic Fleetwood at his restaurant on the island! You girls buckle up, and go for it!! You will not regret it!! xoxo
My next trip is in October. I’m going to Portland, and renting a car and driving down to So. Ca. Stopping at camp grounds along the way. 🙂
I’m spending the first five nights of my October solo trip in Honolulu and want to learn to surf and hope to bike around Oahu and explore too. My hotel is booked on Waikiki beach. But I’m then going to Maui for a three night adventure, arriving in Kahului in the early evening and want to rent a car (or jeep!) and do the drive to Hana the next morning and explore beaches along the way and stay in Hana for the second night in order to seethe sunrise on the top of Halekelea and ride my bike down the volcano. My plan is to make my way to and stay in Wailea for the third night. Any recommendations for a north shore hotel, a Hana hotel and a Wailea hotel?
Hi! Ill be traveling solo in Oahu in mid October, 10/14-10/18
I wanted to take Surfing Lessons, beach it, eat food, find yoga classes etc…
Maybe if I get lucky find some locals to make friends with and do night bondfire?
Let me know if you’d n there at the same time!
therealannepark@gmail.com
-Anne