
Highest-rated free things to do in Hawaii by visitors
Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.
Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were cost-burdened, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Hawaii.
From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Hawaii using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

#30. Laniakea Beach
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,288 reviews)
- City: Haleiwa Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Ko Olina Lagoons
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,783 reviews)
- City: Ko Olina Kapolei Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. North Shore
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,293 reviews)
- City: Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Wailea Beach
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,960 reviews)
- City: Wailea Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Hanalei Beach
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,898 reviews)
- City: Hanalei Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. International Market Place
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,181 reviews)
- City: Honolulu Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Papakolea Green Sand Beach
- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,215 reviews)
- City: Naalehu Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Nakalele Blowhole
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,351 reviews)
- City: Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Shark's Cove
- Rating: 4.5/5 (821 reviews)
- City: Pupukea Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Wai'anapanapa State Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,075 reviews)
- City: Hana Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Tunnels Beach
- Rating: 4.6/5 (972 reviews)
- City: Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Ho'okipa Beach Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,642 reviews)
- City: Paia Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Queen's Bath
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,649 reviews)
- City: Princeville Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Rainbow Falls
- Rating: 4.2/5 (4,014 reviews)
- City: Hilo Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,858 reviews)
- City: Pahala Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Kalalau Trail
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,750 reviews)
- City: Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Manini'owali Beach
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,446 reviews)
- City: Kailua Kona Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Napili Bay
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,774 reviews)
- City: Kapalua Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Kailua Beach Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,081 reviews)
- City: Kailua Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,694 reviews)
- City: Honolulu Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Koko Crater Arch Trail
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,661 reviews)
- City: Honolulu Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Wailua Falls
- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,614 reviews)
- City: Lihue Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Poipu Beach Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,009 reviews)
- City: Poipu Koloa Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Manoa Falls
- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,805 reviews)
- City: Honolulu Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Hana Highway - Road to Hana
- Rating: 4.3/5 (10,190 reviews)
- City: Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Mauna Kea Summit
- Rating: 4.7/5 (4,642 reviews)
- City: Kailua Kona Island of
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Lanikai Beach
- Rating: 4.6/5 (3,129 reviews)
- City: Kailua Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Ka'anapali Beach
- Rating: 4.6/5 (9,477 reviews)
- City: Lahaina Maui
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Waikiki Beach
- Rating: 4.2/5 (18,918 reviews)
- City: Honolulu Oahu
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Waimea Canyon State Park
- Rating: 4.8/5 (8,703 reviews)
- City: Waimea Kauai
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.