The Complete Hawaii Bachelorette Party Itinerary & Guide

Far-flung in the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is a unique and indulgent place to host your once-in-a-lifetime trip. While there are plenty of places to have boozy dinners and parties on the beach, a Hawaii bachelorette party can also be focused on the outdoors, wellness or relaxing for a few days at a huge home rental and avoiding tourist sites entirely. With several major islands to choose from, it's not surprising Hawaii beckons brides-to-be who are looking for a tropical and outdoorsy gathering.

Hawaii is one of the best bachelorette party destinations for West Coasters, with direct flights to several islands available from nearly all West Coast airports. And once everyone has arrived, there's no shortage of things to do, from serene sunset hikes past waterfalls and surfing along the North Shore to day trips to lava-covered national parks. And of course, where to stay is limited only by your imagination (and budget), with everything from affordable open-air bungalows to five-star hotels with endless amenities. For a bachelorette party that exemplifies the spirit of aloha, Hawaii is the place to go.

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Hawaii Party Planning In This Article:

• Hawaii Bachelorette Party Locations and Themes
• Places to Stay in Hawaii for a Bachelorette Party
• Expert Hawaii Travel Tips

Hawaii Bachelorette Party Locations and Themes

When it comes to things to do in Hawaii on your bachelorette party, you have a lot of options. It usually helps to narrow it down by island, since the major islands are known for different types of vacations. The ideas below should give you a general idea of what each island offers.

Oahu for Nightlife and Partying

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Oahu is the home of Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and gorgeous Hanauma Bay, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Oahu is the best pick for your Hawaii bachelorette party if you're hoping to socialize late into the night. If your Honolulu bachelorette party is focused on nightlife, start your celebration at the beach bar at the Moana Surfrider Hotel in downtown Oahu. The oceanfront bar is anchored by a huge banyan tree, with live music and awesome sunset views. It's a great spot for your first cocktail of the evening.

For an elegant second stop, consider heading to Lewers Lounge at Halekulani Hotel. The lounge has live jazz most nights and makes some of the best classic cocktails—think martinis and negronis—you'll find on the South Shore. Or, for something more lively, head to The District. It's a classic nightclub experience with themed nights, including salsa classes and music at least once a week. For super-vintage Hawaiian vibes, go grab a drink at the La Mariana Sailing Club. It's a historical Hawaiian tiki bar that opened way back in 1957. Drinks are served in carved tiki glasses, there's live old-school Hawaiian music, and the zombies are as good as they get.

After a night or two of staying out late, you'll probably need somewhere to relax for a bit. If your crew prefers pools to the beach, book a cabana at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Cabanas fit eight to 10 people and overlook Waikiki Beach, with DJs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If your besties would rather keep their toes in the sand, reserve day passes or a cabana at the Kahala Hotel and Resort. Access to the five-star property comes with beach loungers and umbrellas, full use of the pool facilities, and Wi-Fi in case a few of your attendees need to catch up on emails between snorkel sessions.

Maui for Luxury

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If you're looking for a more luxurious Hawaii bachelorette party, Maui is the place to go. The devastating wildfires in 2023 destroyed Lahaina and parts of West Maui, so exercise caution if you're visiting that area. (Tourism to most of West Maui reopens on Nov. 1, 2023, though it's still important to be respectful, and especially cautious and compassionate when visiting that part of the island.)

You'll find direct flights to Maui from major airports like Los Angeles and Oakland, but it's easy to connect to the island through Oahu, too. Collect everyone from the airport in style with a stretch limo stocked with Champagne and snacks. From there, head either to a private villa or a luxury hotel like the Ritz-Carlton Maui, and relax by the beach or pool.

The next morning, you can start your day with a private yoga class on the beach from Island Spirit Yoga, or treat everyone to a catered Hawaiian brunch. Spend the afternoon on a private snorkeling adventure on a luxurious catamaran with a company like Sail Maui, or go on a group whale watching or dolphin-spotting adventure.

On your next day, consider booking a helicopter tour over Maui's dramatic landscapes, including hidden waterfalls and the Haleakalā Crater (take a doors-off tour for the best photo-taking opportunities). You could also spend the day at a high-end spa like Mohalu by Spa Grande or the Spa Montage, or spend the afternoon browsing the high-end and local shops at the pretty Whalers Village.

Don't forget to set one evening of your Maui bachelorette party at a traditional luau. While budget options are available, if you really want something special, host your own private luau dinner party at your villa or Airbnb. Several companies offer catering and entertainment, complete with leis, music and traditional dancers.

Kauai for Wellness and Simplicity

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Kauai is known as the "Garden Island" as it's extremely green and lush, and it's only a 25-minute flight from Oahu. It's a great spot to host your Hawaii bachelorette party if you care about wellness, health and simplicity more than hitting the clubs or shopping.

Consider renting a traditional villa in the hills for your crew, and start the weekend off with a sunset yoga or meditation session to help everyone relax and focus on the island's beauty. The next morning, lace up your hiking shoes and take a private guided hike along the famous Napali Coast, or hike to the fascinating Makauwahi Cave Reserve archeological site, then walk back along the coastal trail to Poipu for lunch at Living Foods Market and Cafe.

If you have another full day, consider communing with nature on a remote kayak tour along the Wailua River. Kayak Wailua offers group and private tours where you paddle to a waterfall and swimming hole in the jungle. After a few days of physical activity, be sure to leave time for a bit of physical wellness at one of the island's gorgeous organic spas. Nanea Spa and the Hi'ilani Spa both use only organic ingredients for treatments like after-sun facials and macadamia scrubs.

Hawai'i for Extreme Adventure

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The Island of Hawai'i, often called the Big Island, is known for outdoor adventure. It's a great place to host a Hawaii bachelorette party for any bride with daring friends seeking an adrenaline-pumping and nature-loving experience. Your guests will fly into Kona, and depending on what time they arrive, you can start with a tour and tasting at one of Kona's famous coffee plantations, or host a catered picnic on the beach or lawn of your group's Airbnb.

Spend the first full day of your adventurous Hawaii bachelorette party with an outdoorsy adventure, like a visit to Volcanoes National Park, a guided horseback riding tour through lush farmland or a full island tour that visits the Big Island's prettiest natural sites. Of course, water-based activities like surfing lessons, snorkel tours and paddleboard rentals are also easy to find.

When it comes to dining, consider booking outdoorsy lunch and dinner experiences, like a sunset dinner cruise or a walking food tour through downtown Kona. And if you don't want a private home, consider Volcano Village Estates, an eco-hotel near the national park.

Places to Stay in Hawaii for a Bachelorette Party

There are plenty of hotel and housing options for a Hawaii bachelorette party, so check out TripAdvisor, VRBO, Airbnb, Expedia and Hopper Homes. Here are a few Hawaii hotels and vacation rentals to check out.

Kauai Bachelorette Party Hotels and Vacation Rentals

Photo: Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort

Executive Villa Near the Beach: This five-bedroom home that sleeps 14 guests with lush tropical greenery is just a five-minute walk to Shipwreck Beach on the North Shore.

Hale La: Enjoy this large beach house, which has huge lanais, views of Niihau and a big lawn with an ocean-view tiki bar. It starts in the mid-$600s, and has five bedrooms to accommodate up to 11 of your Hawaii bachelorette party attendees.

The Outriggger Kaua'i Beach Resort and Spa: This luxury resort sits on a huge beach known for frequent sea turtle sightings in the adorable town of Lihue. It has fantastic outdoor amenities and is home to the highly regarded Rainforest Spa, which uses products local to the island.

Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort: The Sheraton tends to be a bit less expensive than some of Kauai's other beachside hotels, but it has equally impressive features like an oceanfront pool and outdoor beach bar.

Maui Bachelorette Party Hotels & Vacation Rentals

Photo: Hana-Maui Resort

Wailea Beach Villa: With a handful of beaches within a 10-minute walk and access to condo pools and hot tubs, this four-bedroom rental with ocean views is a great choice for anyone spending time around Wailea (and it's only half an hour from the airport).

Kihea Penthouse: This three-bedroom, ocean-view penthouse is just a few minutes from the beach and has excellent views—and an excellent price, starting in the mid-$500s per night.

Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort: This is a five-star hotel with suites for up to eight people and one of the best pool complexes on the island. It comes complete with a three-story slide, a grotto and a "Tarzan pool" with rope swings.

Hana Maui Resort: A hotel on Maui's eastern shore near the gorgeous town of Hana, rooms here are scattered across several bungalows on a huge ocean-view lawn. The resort can arrange arrivals via helicopter if you'd rather not drive the famous Road to Hana.

Oahu Bachelorette Party Hotels & Vacation Rentals

Photo: Alohilani Resort

Top-Floor Waikiki Condo: This condo for eight guests is in one of the best locations in Oahu for both beaching and nightlife. It's a 10-minute walk to the beach and equally close to some of Honolulu's best restaurants and bars. It starts around $220 per night.

Diamond Head Estate: This impressive private home rental near Diamond Head with easy access to a secret beach and a big deck with a pool and hot tub sleeps nine.

The Twin Fin Waikiki: The Twin Fin is a hip oceanfront hotel in Waikiki with free beach rentals like surfboards, beach chairs and boogie boards. It's just across the street from Kuhio Beach and within walking distance to lots of shops, bars and restaurants.

Alohilani Resort: The elegant and high-end Alohilani Resort is a stellar spot for a Hawaii bachelorette party with a social focus. The resort's SWELL Pool and Bar has afternoon DJ sets, and the on-site "Drip Hawaii" IV bar can help you recover after a long night out.

Pro tip: The Knot has partnered with Hotel Planner to help you secure the best group hotel rate and get free hotel advice from an expert travel planner.

Expert Hawaii Travel Tips

Photo: Matthew Micah Wright / Getty Images

Hawaii may be a small state, but the logistics of your Hawaii bachelorette party will vary from island to island. Here are some general Hawaii travel tips to keep in mind.

Best Airlines Flying to Hawaii

Nearly all major US airlines fly to Hawaii, and most international airlines partner with one that does. You'll find flights on Star Alliance, One World and SkyTeam to Honolulu (the largest airport) and Maui. Airlines like Hawaiian, Alaska, United and American fly to Honolulu and Maui as well, plus Kona (the Big Island) and Kauai. While flights to Hawaii can be expensive, they're also readily available.

How to Get Around

Depending on where you stay, you may or may not need a rental car. It really depends on what you want to see, and if you're planning on taking tours that include transportation.

If you host your Hawaii bachelorette party in Honolulu or around Waikiki Beach, you won't need a car (and parking can be expensive, too). Honolulu's airport is only about 10 miles from Waikiki, and rideshares and taxis are available.

On the other islands, a car may be more useful. For example, Kauai's airport is 90 minutes from the Napali Coast, and drives to some jungle hikes are up winding, small roads where taxis may not want to go. If that's the kind of party you're planning, a car rental can be helpful. Maui and the Big Island are similar: If you're staying near a large town, you can probably get away without renting a car. But if you want the freedom to explore islands at your leisure, cars can be helpful.

Many Hawaii bachelorette party tours include pickup from hotels or downtown areas, so it's probably a good idea to figure out what you want to do, then evaluate whether you'll need a car. Just be sure to do that in advance, as rentals can be pricey. In general, don't count on much public transportation in Hawaii.