Are you planning a trip to Hawaii as a solo female traveller and you are unsure whether it is a safe place? You came to the right place!
The Hawaiian islands are such a unique and unrepeatable place that they should be on every solo traveller’s bucket list.
As a solo female traveller, being on the road can be challenging, scary and lonely on one hand but on the other hand, it can be (and the majority of the time is) rewarding, self-enriching, spiritual, fun, uplifting, inspiring, adventurous and most importantly life-changing.
The Hawaiian islands are famous for their sandy beaches, stunning landscapes and rich, authentic history. They also draw so many solo travellers due to all the possible activities to be done, places to explore and to experience the welcoming and family culture of the locals.
Among all the incredible activities, solo female travellers can thrive in the most beautiful marine nature reserves to snorkel with unique wildlife like mantas rays, turtles, and tropical fish, only found in the Hawaiian archipelago, surf around dolphins, watch and spot whales to the most outstanding and astonishing hikes to explore the land of the volcanoes.
That being said, the Hawaiian paradise doesn’t come without its risks and dangers. There are not only climatic and nature-related dangers, such as volcano eruptions, earthquakes, storms and hurricanes, and tsunamis but also there are some social issues that all solo female travellers should be aware of from their safety point of view.
The Hawaiian Islands’ crime rate is way lower than other places in the US or other highly visited countries worldwide. Gang violence targeted at visitors our tourists is very rare, murder is not that common and most incidents affecting tourists are sexual assault, petty thefts, drug-related crimes and scams.
There are several neighbourhoods and areas in Hawaii that solo female travellers should be aware of for them to avoid and minimise the aforementioned scenarios.
With all the dangers that solo travellers face, it is normal to wonder whether the Hawaiian island is safe for women to travel by themselves. Part of this is because of how different the Hawaiian islands are compared to other places in the US for example, with a unique and different culture and remote geography, which can give some sense of fear.
Generally speaking, the Hawaiian islands are safe to travel as a solo traveller, provided they know the essential tips and areas to be aware of.
As a solo female traveller myself (especially years ago), I often get asked, is it safe to travel to the Hawaii Islands alone as a woman?
Yes, it is. Hawaii is a tourist hotspot and a very safe destination for solo female travellers. The islands offer an endless range of activities, from epic hikes to unforgettable swims or simply chilling on the most beautiful tropical beaches in the world. Despite being a paradise with an authentic culture (the locals are known for their hospitality and for being very friendly and welcoming) and a unique landscape, there are some areas and things to be aware of to optimise and strive for safety. These are sticking to well-lit and popular areas, particularly during the daytime. Avoiding high-crime neighbourhoods, where sexual assault, petty theft and mugging are prevalent. Lastly, being aware of natural and climatic phenomena, like volcano activity and ocean conditions as well as the precautions to be kept in mind before going full-on into your adventure goes a long way to keep yourself safe.
In this post we will describe all the safety tips to keep in mind and exercise, areas to avoid as well as the safest areas in the Hawaiian Islands. Keep reading below!
What are the most important safety tips to travel The Hawaii Islands alone as a woman? Top 23 safety tips.
- Be cautious at night after the sun is down, avoid poorly lit areas. Try ride apps instead like Uber or Lyft. Avoid walking around Kuhio Avenue at night. This area is notorious for prostitution going on. Although it is getting better in the last couple of years, still some of that goes on and some hectic situations are happening. So watch out for this conflictive zone. Understandably, exploring the island by foot is rewarding and cheaper but it is a good practice not to put a price on your safety.
The sunset hours can be beautiful but be cautious at dark. - Do not leave your belongings unattended and left in public places. This applies when swimming in the ocean, walking in the forest or leaving stuff inside your car. This is quite a common issue in Hawaii. Leave everything locked in the boot/trunk of your car.
Do not leave your belongings unattended. - Do not hitchhike. Do not accept strangers’ rides even if they come from friendly conversations. Better to be safe than sorry.
- Have a backup of all your documentation such as passport and ID copies, as well as credit card and bank information. This is so crucial in case of loss and you would be surprised how difficult it is to retrieve all those details. Just email everything to yourself so that you can check it on your phone.
- Ensure someone knows your whereabouts. Email your itinerary to someone, family, friends, or partner or even let the hotel/accommodation know.
- Have an emergency contact number indicated in your phone, in case you lose your phone or are in a difficult situation, someone can reach that person.
- If you are after meeting new people or even dating, make sure you meet in public spaces where you can be seen. Instead of getting in the car with a stranger or meeting in a private place without getting a feeling for those people first. Here, trust your intuition, if someone or something doesn’t feel right, simply leave.
- Watch out for scams. There are tons of scams towards tourists going on in Hawaii, especially around “guided tours”, if you are harassed by pushy salespeople, that is your red flag. Don’t do it, it will most likely be a fraud.
- Don’t flash any expensive items or valuables, like watches, jewels or even expensive cameras, computers or phones. This will put a target on your back and there are specialised people chasing tourists to then mug them in a minute of distraction from their belongings. Simply, leave them in the hotel. Ensure the doors and windows are locked before leaving the hotel.
- As a solo traveller, it is crucial to pick a highly reviewed accommodation, located in a safe area, close to well-lit and communicated streets. Make sure they have surveillance cameras and if possible 24 hours reception or concierge. Make sure you get all the information about what to be alert about in that area. Their local knowledge can be very useful.
- Stay sober. Getting drunk by yourself is a terrible idea, try not to do that otherwise, you will be highly vulnerable and exposed to all sorts of dangers. Try to have a good time with a group of people, where you can be spotted and where they can ensure you are back in your hotel safely.
It is important to stay sober and on guard when travelling solo. - Don’t disclose all the details of your solo trip to strangers. Do not disclose where you are staying and what your exact plans are. Do not post your travel plans on social media. Making friends and meeting new people is fantastic but protect yourself flag out the idea that you are not by yourself so that you portray an image of someone backing you up and you are not all alone.
- Socialise with other travellers. This aspect is so important when travelling solo, no matter how shy you are, try to connect to other tourists, this way you can be sure to be taken care of and take care of others too. it is good to know you can reach out to someone if you need to.
- Be aware of public transport in Hawaii. The public transit system is full of questionable folks’, from aggressive homeless to outright criminals ready to mug tourists. It is recommended to either get a rental car or ride apps instead. Especially for long-distance transportation.
- Always keep your money safe in The Hawaiian Islands. Whether you are a beginner in solo travel or you are a seasoned one, losing your money and your travel funds is one of the biggest safety issues. Petty theft, mugging and pickpocketing are very common in Hawaii. No matter what the situation may be, whether you lose your money or it gets stolen, it can ruin your trip. Always keep an eye on it, and carry with you only the right amount that you think you will need on that day. Leave the rest in the hotel.
- Be informed of local laws and state rules. This becomes particularly important around especially culture and religion. Hawaii has a profound respect for its land and its people, you want to ensure you know their rules and respect their history.
- Acquire a Sim card for your phone so that you are connected at all times when on your solo trip in Hawaii. This applies to navigating on the Internet and being able to call locally and overseas.
- Charge your phone. This sounds ridiculous but it is the number one issue that triggers the rest of the drama. You never know when you will need your phone, especially when hiking and lost in the forest.
- Download all the maps and references needed in case there is no signal or data connection where you are. maps. It is a very helpful resource to navigate offline.
- Be aware of your limits. It is so easy to get carried away by social pressure or even emotions. Be sure and honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do. These limits apply to hikes, swims, food or whatever the situation might be. Being aware of these limits can make a difference in your trip.
- Don’t underestimate the power of the ocean. Currents can be very strong and you can encounter big swells sometimes it can be rough, simply don’t go swimming, snorkelling or surfing. It can cost your life. Talk to the locals, they will be able to point you in the right direction. Also, inform yourself about the sea conditions, as jellyfish, sharks and other bits can be problematic and affect your physical integrity.
- Hikes can be dangerous. They are awesome and unique but they can be risky if not well prepared for them. To begin with, it is crucial to wear the appropriate hiking clothes, the right shoes, rain jackets, cell phone with all maps downloaded in case of no data where you will be hiking. Following up on having all the right gear, it is essential not to go hiking alone. It is best to join a walking group or to go with a group of friends. This is because it is not uncommon to be exposed to various small crimes along the way as well as sudden natural disasters or landscape casualties, such as floods after heavy rain. Do not get near volcanoes as only the fumes of the lava can kill you or suffocate you. Respect the signs “Kapu” and “No Trespassing” that you might encounter on the way as not respecting these, can put you in a really bad position, as they would be interpreted as not respecting Polynesian sacred land.
- Among other things, protect yourself from mosquitoes and other bugs. These are very active and can be aggressive, especially after rain. Also, when swimming, do not feed fish or turtles as this, will attract sharks and bigger fish risking those swimming areas.
What are the most dangerous areas of Hawaii islands to avoid as a solo female traveller? Top most unsafe places in Hawaii.
As a solo traveller, it is best not to get hotels and frequent these areas, especially at night. These zones have high crime rates as well as other risks to keep in mind. Some of those areas include certain areas of Waikiki beach, Honolulu, and the North Shore.
Be particularly cautious around the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. This an incredible snorkelling spot but lately, there has been an increase in rapes and sexual assaults around this area. Try to avoid it or go with a group of travellers, not by yourself.
- Wahiawa
- Makaha, Oahu
- Ewa Beach, Oahu
- Waipahu, Oahu
- Kalihi and Chinatown in Honolulu, Oahu
- Kapaa, Kauai
- Hanamaulu, Kauai
- Kahului, Maui
- Napili-Honokowai, Maui
- Pahoa, Island of Hawaii
- Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii
What are the safest areas of Hawaii islands? Top safest Places in Hawaii.
Although there are areas to be avoided and to be careful when visiting them, there are also tons of safe and favourable places when travelling alone as a woman or even in a group of ladies. These are:
- East Honolulu
- Kailua (avoiding certain areas of Kailua-Kona)
- Hanalei
- Wailea
- Honokaa
- Kilauea
- Schofield Barracks
- Pakala village
- Halawa
- Kaunakakai
FINAL THOUGHTS.
It does take some courage and bravery to travel as a solo female around the Hawaiian Islands, especially for the first time. But when you try it, your life will change forever.
Hawaii is a unique place on the planet to travel alone as a woman, as there are tons of things to see, explore and do. It is generally a very safe place to visit, but there are a few things and areas to be aware of.
It is also, important to be respectful of Hawaii’s Polynesian culture and not less important, it is essential to respect and watch out for the climatic and weather conditions. These include ocean conditions, and seismic and volcanic events, among others.
As a solo female traveller, you will meet locals who are extremely welcoming and friendly as well as other travellers to make the journey fun and comfortable. It will bring unique opportunities and experiences that you would have not even thought of and that most people only dream of. Travelling solo as a woman around Hawaii is a great place to live all of that.
Besides all the safety tips regarding your safety as well as adventure precautions described in this post, it is crucial to exercise common sense. Being aware of your surroundings is crucial as trusting your instincts.
As you prioritise being safe when on your trip around the Hawaii islands, it is important to also have fun and not overthink. Of course, crimes and bad things can happen but not as often as the media tell you! Enjoy!