9 essentials to know before budget traveling hawaii
In August 2022, I was on the dwindling end of a 3.5-year relationship. So what does any sane couple do when they’re on the brink? Take a week’s vacation across the world together, of course! As you can imagine, there were ups and downs- but no one cares about the downs, you’re here for travel advice, eh?
I want to preface this with our circumstances. I am a very financially frugal woman (a nice way of saying cheap). On a waitress’s salary, I manage to almost always be on the go, and to do so, I part with many everyday luxuries. For this trip, we slept in a minivan, made food on a camp stove, skipped a shower or two, and took advantage of all of the free, natural excursions Oahu has to offer.
With that known, let’s hop into it. Here are 9 things I think you should know if you’re thinking of spending some time in Oahu:
#1: You can park practically anywhere overnight:
One thing that caught us by surprise was the freedom to park practically anywhere. In an attempt to live as cheaply as possible, and avoid $200 per night stays AND a rental car cost, we combined them. My boyfriend and I rented a mini-van from Airbnb with a comfy mattress for the week instead of splurging on a hotel. This allowed us to wake up to the most stunning sunrise views by the beach or mountains every morning. We road-tripped everywhere and avoided lugging bags around to different hotels, as well as the flexibility of parking meant we could change our scenic location as often as we pleased.
GLAMPING LOCATIONS MAP TO PARK OVERNIGHT: https://pin.it/17kcfYE43
Here are some locations you’ll be safe to park overnight.
For the first few nights, we stuck to this map. But after not being bothered, we started wingin’ it and stopping wherever seemed safe. Use your discretion and be smart about it.
#2. Ditch expensive restaurants; make hawaiian poke in your car:
In my quest to avoid living on canned beans, but also avoiding high restaurant prices, I stumbled upon a brilliant hack. Most supermarkets offer fresh poke, with many different flavors. So armed with some rice, cucumber, and avocado, we concocted our own delicious poke bowls on the go. A wallet-friendly and delish alternative to the $20+ restaurant bowls that saved us a pretty penny.
An alternative, if you don’t want poke for EVERY meal, give spam musubi a try. Ooh, is this stuff good. Spam Musubi is a common hawaiian dish which is Spam on top of rice, wrapped in seaweed, with a tangy sauce in the middle. You could find this premade at most grocery stores as well. Well worth the try.
#3. Want to surf? Don’t overlook the overcrowded Waikiki beach:
While assuming that the best surf spots would be tucked away from tourist hubs, we found the opposite to be true in Waikiki. Among the sea of tourists, we discovered the perfect surfing conditions for beginners. Not to mention the dozens of sea turtles swimming all around you while you surf, Waikiki beach is a paradise for novices like us; tourists pile into this city for a reason. I found an incredible shop tucked away under a restaurant, 3 blocks off the beach that rented large beginner boards for $20 a day (an absolute steal). To find, locate the Billabong shop on Waikiki beach, walk 3 blocks inland, and look for the restaurant whose name resembles “Firebird”, “Smoke Bird Grill”, or something along those lines. The shop is right below it.
My biggest regret of the trip is not spending more time in Waikiki and becoming much better surfers.
#4. Driving around the island didn’t take as long as we thought:
Contrary to our initial assumption, driving around the island wasn't a time-consuming, logistical nightmare. We mapped out our stops on my favorite tool, Google MyMaps, in advance, and hit the road. In 7 days, we managed 2 and a half loops around/through Oahu, exploring at our own pace and having ample time to soak in all the wonders. If you are planning a road trip around, my advice would be to map out your trip beforehand, take your time, stay flexible, and spend more time in some places than others, based on your interest in them.
#5. Koko Crater IS difficult. And so are the Mermaid Caves:
Brace yourself for the Koko Crater hike; it's a raging beast; for me at least. Despite being in almost peak physical condition at the time, this fully uphill hike, scaling a railroad track for about 2 miles, left me humbled. I was huffin’ & puffin’ with about 20 stops for breath along the way. The difficulty is very real, but the panoramic views at the summit make it worthwhile. Do not (and I repeat) do not use this hike as a first-date hike.
*An honorable mention to this humbling of mine is the Mermaid Caves. Instagram may show a magical, underground crystal cove, but the reality is a bit different. A humble piece of advice: once you've descended the ladder and grabbed that obligatory photo, get going. Personal experience taught me a lesson here.
Once down there, I ventured into the water, aiming for a waist-deep feel of the current. I did not anticipate the force of the water pulling me in. Once fallen, I struggled to stand against the push, all while being dragged and slammed against nearby rocks. Fortunately, my boyfriend pulled me back to safety. Lesson learned.
#6. Don’t worry, you’re definitely going to swim with Sea Turtles:
After a long day of adventuring one night, we stumbled upon a stinky little parking lot off the highway to crash at, thinking we’d be safe from law enforcement in such a random place. To our surprise in the morning, we were actually at a wonderful snorkeling spot called Electric Beach. Situated next to a power plant, it defied expectations. The beach offered a unique combo of safety and marine beauty. Here we saw a plethora of turtles on their morning breakfast run. We put on our snorkels and hopped right in with them.
If we’re still on this turtle thing, don’t skip Sharks Cove just because it’s the most popular thing on Trip Advisor. Sharks Cove far exceeded our expectations. Depending on what time of day you go, you can skip out on the tourist frenzy and explore the plethora of sea life all by yourself. In a 15-minute timespan, I grazed fins with over 10 sea turtles who have no fear of humans. Here we saw starfish, eels, parrotfish, trumpetfish, brain coral, fan coral, and so many more wonders.
#7. We didn’t experience the tourist dislike as some told us we would:
Before our trip, we had heard rumors of native Hawaiians harboring resentment towards tourists. However, our encounters showed something different. Far from the assumed hostility, locals were warm, welcoming, and eager to share the beauty of Hawaii with us, leaving us pleasantly surprised and grateful for the hospitality.
Another note to add to this was the lack of homelessness. Even driving through rural areas, homeless setups were few and far between. That being said, the people we saw in poorer communities were more likely to be unwelcoming to us; understandably so, I guess. There were a handful of times I had to interact with men who made me uneasy and who clearly didn’t want me there. But again, very few and far between.
#8. Want Hawaiian Culture? Skip the Resort Luau:
For a hint of Hawaiian culture without denting your wallet, head to Waikiki Beach. During my budgeting for this trip, I thought a real, authentic luau, with fire dancers and all would be the one moment of splurge I’d give myself. Turns out, I didn’t need to. Underneath the palms on the west side of Waikiki Beach, you'll find free hula shows showcasing the islands' most traditional dance. These cultural performances, held at sunset, offer a cost-effective way to immerse yourself in the spirit of the island.
#9. Stay Hydrated, Buy Water:
A surprising factoid we encountered was the scarcity of free water. Unlike the convenient water fountains we were used to in the US, we had to buy water everywhere, even at 7/11’s. Buying a Big Gulp cup just to fill it with water was nonexistent. It's a little thing, but worth noting if you're used to free water refills on the go.
This point may just be a reflection of my frugal nature, but living on the road, even for a week, means the little things can add up big time. My suggestion would be to buy a water bottle to hold onto, and try to find the biggest jugs of water you can. Save money and single-use plastic all at once. All assuming you cant find a tap to drink from.
Closing Thoughts
As I reflect on my Oahu adventure, it's the unexpected twists and turns that have left a mark on me. From coming face to face with giant sea turtles, to the cautionary tale of the Mermaid Caves, to having my phone taken by the ocean and our minivan breaking down 150 miles away from the return spot, (forgot to mention those two problems, eh?), each experience shaped my perspective of the island in profound ways. Honolulu is one of the most expensive cities in the US, however with the right planning and surrendering of certain luxuries, you can make a week in paradise, cheaper than the same time northern Virginia. Oahu, a stunning masterpiece of blues and greens, became a trove of surprises for two budget-conscious travelers for one sunny August week.
