Experience Hawaii Off The Beaten Path

The Hawaiian islands are places of epic and wild beauty that offer a plentiful range of off-the-beaten-path experiences. Hike to deserted beaches, hidden waterfalls and volcanic highlands, or go off-road touring in the remote backcountry. Help restore an ancient Hawaiian fishpond or take a walking tour of a historic town. Learn to take photos like a pro and night-dive with manta rays. Extraordinary adventures await across Hawaii.

BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURESJust a one-hour drive from Honolulu, O'ahu's North Shore is a world away of pristine mountains, valleys and forests. NORTH SHORE ECOTOURS offershiking adventures and an off-road driving tour on private conservations lands, providing guests with secluded access to O'ahu's natural beauty. Experience the island's breathtaking natural terrain and vistas while learning about Hawai'i's exotic plants, culture and history — without the crowds.

WINDWARD COAST VOLUNTOURISMEarly Hawaiians employed an innovative aquaculture system of fishponds to catch, reproduce and raise fish. On the Windward Coast, nonprofit PAEPAE O HE'E I A is dedicated to restoring HE'EIA FISHPOND. Visitors are welcome to help with ongoing restoration work on Saturday Community Workdays (second and fourth Saturdays each month). Activities include invasive mangrove and seaweed removal, in addition to wall refurbishment. Private one hour Walking Tours are also available.

UPCOUNTRY MAUIExplore Maui's paniolo (cowboy) heritage and lively arts traditions in MAKAWAO in Upcountry Maui. Browse the shops and art galleries; watch glass blowers, wood sculptors and painters at work; and visit Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center, home to art classes and exhibits. Maui Friday Night Parties come to Makawao every third Friday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with live music, great food, shopping and art, as well as kids activities. And don't miss the Makawao Rodeo, held every Fourth of July.

WATERFALLS, JUNGLES AND MOREThe guides at EPIC MAUI HIKES are passionate about providing guests with unforgettable outdoor adventures. Imagine hiking through bamboo trees and playing in Maui's waterfalls on the Jungle/Waterfall Adventure. Or consider the magic of the Road to Hana, a one- or two-dayadventure that can include a private waterfall, black-sand beach, red-sand lagoon, and cliff jumping. Epic Maui Hikes always provides you with GoPro photos, and they also offer a video option.

MANTA RAY NIGHT DIVINGFew adventures compare to watching gentle manta rays swim through the ocean at night, illuminated by spotlights, in search of plankton. Book the Manta Ray Night Dive/Snorkel with BIG ISLAND DIVERS to experience this amazing phenomenon. Divers and snorkelers alike enjoy watching magnificent manta rays gliding and somersaulting through the water as they feed on the plankton that are attracted to the spotlights.

HIKES AND OFF-ROAD EXPLORINGGuided hikes with HAWAIIAN WALKWAYS explore some of Hawai'iIsland's most spectacular, but seldom seen areas. Discover the slopes of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the upland meadows and rainforests of Mauna Kea, Kohala's historic valleys, and Hualālai's cloud forest as your guide shares stories of the land, plants, animals and people of Hawai'i. Hawaiian Walkwaysrecently launched BIG ISLAND JEEP TOURS, the only jeep tour in the U.S. that traverses lava terrain.

PHOTO ADVENTURESYou'll see and capture images of Kaua'i in the company of pros with KAUA' I ADVENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS. The small group workshops held amid Kaua'i's stunning scenery show you how professional photographers view and shoot the island, while providing hands-on photography education. Each workshop is customized to match clients' skills and interests. Choose from Sunset & Night Adventure, Sunrise to Sunset Full Day, Custom Private Adventure, and Digital Post Production workshops.

OVER ON THE WEST SIDEVenture to the West Side where you'll find HANAPĒPĒ, "Kaua'i's biggest little town." Home to many historic, plantation-style buildings, Hanapēpē has been a location for productions like The Thorn Birds and Flight of the Intruder. Now you'll find loads of unique shops, eateries and galleries. Every Friday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is Art Night in Hanapēpē, an opportunity to meet local artists and gallery owners while enjoying music and local food. Come then or any other time and take the fascinating, self-guided Hanapēpē Walking Tour.