From scenic white sand beaches and water teeming with manta rays and tropical fish to active volcanoes, botanical tropical gardens, and plenty of fresh seafood, Hawaii’s Big Island has something for everyone.

★ Best time to travel: Mar – Sep

Hawaii Outfits

This is your ultimate guide for what to wear in Hawaii. A trip to the Big Island carries all the colorful and festive charm of a tropical beach vacation, with a little bit more outdoor activity. So, with Hawaiian shirts, throw-on-and-go dresses, and floral-printed swimsuits, you’ll have everything you need for Hawaii outfits. 

Women

1. Festive Night Out

1. Festive Night Out - Outfit Items
Farm Rio - Red Forest Birds Belted Midi Dress

Farm Rio

Red Forest Birds Belted Midi Dress
Shop at Farm Rio
Mango - Leather Braided Sandals

Mango

Leather Braided Sandals
Shop at Mango
Serpui - Paola Wicker Bag

Serpui

Paola Wicker Bag
Shop at Urban Outfitters
Dorsey - Leonora Gold Bracelet

Dorsey

Leonora Gold Bracelet
Shop at Dorsey
Cult Gaia - Ida Gold-Tone Earrings

Cult Gaia

Ida Gold-Tone Earrings
Shop at Net-a-Porter

2. A Walk About

2. A Walk About - Outfit Items
Oroton - Campsite Print Shirt

Oroton

Campsite Print Shirt
Shop at Oroton
Levi’s - 501 Original High Rise Women’s Shorts

Levi’s

501 Original High Rise Women’s Shorts
Shop at Levi’s
WeWoreWhat - Bralette

WeWoreWhat

Bralette
Shop at WeWoreWhat
Mansur Gavriel - Upcycled Woven Tote

Mansur Gavriel

Upcycled Woven Tote
Shop at Mansur Gavriel
Dauphinette - Provincial Orchid Earring

Dauphinette

Provincial Orchid Earring
Shop at Dauphinette
Boden - Knot Detail Suede Flat Sandals

Boden

Knot Detail Suede Flat Sandals
Shop at Boden

3. Tropical Swimming

3. Tropical Swimming - Outfit Items
Eres - Mouna Bikini Top

Eres

Mouna Bikini Top
Shop at MyTheresa
Eres - Malou Bikini Bottoms

Eres

Malou Bikini Bottoms
Shop at MyTheresa
Zimmermann - Tropicana Floral Patchwork Linen Shorts

Zimmermann

Tropicana Floral Patchwork Linen Shorts
Shop at Saks Fifth Avenue
Roxanne Assoulin - Pearl Jam Set of Six Enamel and Faux Pearl Bracelets

Roxanne Assoulin

Pearl Jam Set of Six Enamel and Faux Pearl Bracelets
Shop at Net-a-Porter
Birkenstock - Arizona Big Buckle Sandals

Birkenstock

Arizona Big Buckle Sandals
Shop at Shopbop

Men

1. Casual Days

1. Casual Days - Outfit Items
Polo Ralph Lauren - Floral-Print Cotton Shirt

Polo Ralph Lauren

Floral-Print Cotton Shirt
Shop at Mr. Porter
Tommy Bahama - On Par IslandZone 10-Inch Shorts

Tommy Bahama

On Par IslandZone 10-Inch Shorts
Shop at Tommy Bahama
Sperry - Authentic Original Suede Boat Shoe

Sperry

Authentic Original Suede Boat Shoe
Shop at Sperry
H&M - Straw Hat

H&M

Straw Hat
Shop at H&M
Warby Parker - Haskell Sunglasses

Warby Parker

Haskell Sunglasses
Shop at Warby Parker

2. Deep Sea Diving

2. Deep Sea Diving - Outfit Items
J.Crew - Garment-Dyed Slub Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt

J.Crew

Garment-Dyed Slub Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt
Shop at J.Crew
MC2 Saint Barth - Light Fabric Swim Shorts

MC2 Saint Barth

Light Fabric Swim Shorts
Shop at MC2
Birkenstock - Arizona Eva Sandals

Birkenstock

Arizona Eva Sandals
Shop at J.Crew
A.P.C - Charlie Logo-Print Denim Baseball Cap

A.P.C

Charlie Logo-Print Denim Baseball Cap
Shop at Matches

Kids

1. Après Beach

1. Après Beach - Outfit Items
Zimmermann Kids - Tropicana Flip Dress

Zimmermann Kids

Tropicana Flip Dress
Shop at Saks Fifth Avenue
Petit Nord - Ruffled Suede Sandals

Petit Nord

Ruffled Suede Sandals
Shop at MyTheresa
DanaSophia - Pink Plumeria Hawaiian Style Cute Hair Clip 3 PC Set

DanaSophia

Pink Plumeria Hawaiian Style Cute Hair Clip 3 PC Set
Shop at Etsy
Super Smalls - Garden Get-Together Ring Set

Super Smalls

Garden Get-Together Ring Set
Shop at Super Smalls
WeeFarers - Polarized Sunglasses

WeeFarers

Polarized Sunglasses
Shop at Maisonette

2. Fun in the Sun

2. Fun in the Sun - Outfit Items
Janie and Jack - Palm Leaf Poplin Shirt

Janie and Jack

Palm Leaf Poplin Shirt
Shop at Janie and Jack
Minnow - Palm Green Boardie with Pockets

Minnow

Palm Green Boardie with Pockets
Shop at Minnow
Bobo Choses - Printed Slides

Bobo Choses

Printed Slides
Shop at MyTheresa
Amazon - Kids Snorkel Set

Amazon

Kids Snorkel Set
Shop at Amazon
Polo Ralph Lauren - Logo Cotton Cap

Polo Ralph Lauren

Logo Cotton Cap
Shop at MyTheresa

Pro Tip

😎

You’ll spend plenty of time barefoot on Hawaii’s white sand beaches, but don’t forget hiking boots. Between lush botanical gardens and active volcanoes, there are plenty of opportunities to hit the trails.

The Perfect Day

Girls Trip

MORNING

For a truly memorable girls’ getaway, wake up at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and head outside for breakfast—acai bowls with tropical fruit and local honey—paired with lush views of the Pacific. You can spend the morning on property, either at the white-sand beach or taking a snorkel lesson from a marine biologist at the on-site 1.8 million gallon lava rock aquarium, or make for Makalawena Beach. Located about 4 miles south of the resort, the beautiful public beach is tucked into a cove, making it a tranquil swimming destination.

DAY

For lunch, take a scenic drive down the coast and find Da Poke Shack. Pick up a poke plate with super-fresh fish and traditional sides, and take it to go, either to the beach or a nearby beach-front park.

Spend the afternoon at the Hualalai Spa at the Four Seasons, getting a treatment infused with local ingredients under the spa hales—wooden structures that open onto tropical gardens.

EVENING

Cap off the day at Copper Bar, where you can watch the sunset over tapas and creative cocktails.

Family Trip

MORNING

Fuel up for the day the way Hawaiian surfers have for decades with loco moco, a heaping plate of rice topped with a burger patty, fried egg, and gravy. Cafe 100 created the dish in the 1940s and still has one of the Big Island’s best versions.

DAY

Check out active volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa—at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and hike the crater rim trail for views of rainforests and lava fields. After exploring the park, relax over lunch at Kona Brewing Company for local craft beer and Hawaiian-inspired pub food. Stay for a tour before hitting the Magic Sands Beach Park, where lifeguards oversee swimmers and sunbathers on black rock–trimmed white sands.

Stop into Hilo Hattie, local purveyor of splashy floral fashion since 1963, for matching family shirts, dresses, and other fun souvenirs.

Romantic Getaway

MORNING

Start the day with breakfast at Manta, the open-air restaurant at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel with some of the most beautiful views of Kawaihae Bay. Take a scenic drive to the east coast of the island to visit the Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden to see a vibrant rainbow of flora. Stroll the lush grounds, and don’t miss the orchid garden and founder’s birdhouse.

DAY

Afterwards, break for a leisurely lunch at Merriman’s, acclaimed chef Peter Merriman’s flagship restaurant. Order the fresh catch along with a Merriman’s Mai Tai in the mountainside gem.

EVENING

In the evening, book a tour with Big Island Divers. Take off at sunset for a night dive or snorkel to marvel at manta rays in what’s considered one of the world’s most memorable dives.

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