Trip report

Question

Just getting home from a Christmas visit to Honolulu. Thought I’d share a couple things that might help others. Stayed two nights in the Marriott near the zoo, then a week at Hilton Hawaiian Village lagoon tower.

FYI the Hilton has free laundry facilities on each floor with soap and everything. Looked that up before our trip and was under the impression they only had an expensive laundry service. Not so.

If you go to the zoo, I recommend you start counterclockwise starting with the sloths. It was less busy (most people seem to go clockwise) and we seemed to time our animal viewings well. The sloths were wide awake and moving around. If we had gone the other way they would have been fast asleep and difficult to see.

We really love snorkeling but had very low expectations based on what we’d heard on these forums and given that it’s winter meaning many of the “good snorkeling spots” wouldn’t be accessible due to high surf. But we were pleasantly surprised.

Snorkeling right in front of the Hilton was quite good. There were tons of turtles, to the point I was startled a few times when I was snorkeling along and came face to face with one.

We also saw a giant porcupine puffer fish, a white mouth moray eel and I saw a yellow head moray swimming through the reef like a beautiful ribbon. Of course we saw all the usual trigger fish, parrot fish and moorish idols. I also saw a trumpet fish that I swear was bigger than me. We also saw a flying gurnard (saw that our first day at the beach near the Marriott). I had no idea what it was. Had look up white fish with wings. Yes the coral is sparse and mostly brown. You have to swim further to see more colourful coral. Saw some purple, orange, yellow and even some really beautiful indigo corals.

We did do a tour to Hanauma Bay. It was great. More fish, bigger fish, bigger schools of fish, but also more people “trying” to snorkel. They provide so much information and warn you not to touch the reef. But lots of people suck. I told one lady she was standing on the reef and she said “I know”. Like she did not care. So that kinda made me sad.

Tons of great restaurants in Honolulu, but the Sunday Brunch at the Orchid Room was the best meal of my life (and I’m old and have eaten a lot of good meals).

Went to the north shore the day after the Eddie. The waves were huge. Wish I could have done another day up there. I loved visiting different beaches and just driving through the jungle with incredible view of lush mountains. Highly recommend.

Hope my trip report helps others with their plans.

Answer

It sounds like you had a fantastic time in Honolulu! Thanks for sharing your experiences; I’m sure this will help others planning their trips. Here’s a quick recap and some additional insights based on your report:

Accommodation Tips:

The Marriott near the zoo and the Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon Tower both seem like solid choices. It’s great to know about the free laundry facilities at the Hilton, as that’s often an unexpected perk that many guests overlook. It’s nice to have that convenience while staying in a busy resort.

Zoo Visit:

Starting counterclockwise at the zoo to see the sloths is a fantastic tip! It’s always a good idea to avoid the crowds and have the best experience with animals that are more active during the day. Sounds like you timed your visit just right!

Snorkeling at the Hilton:

It’s great to hear that you had a positive snorkeling experience right in front of the Hilton, even in winter. Seeing so many turtles, a giant porcupine puffer fish, and even a flying gurnard must have been magical! It’s true that the reef may not be as vibrant as some other spots, but you still got to experience a lot of beautiful marine life. The yellow head moray eel and the trumpet fish you mentioned sound like highlights of the trip.

Hanauma Bay Snorkeling:

It’s no surprise that Hanauma Bay offered an even better snorkeling experience with larger fish and more colorful coral, but unfortunately, as you pointed out, the crowds can sometimes take away from the natural experience. It’s always disappointing when people don’t respect the reef and wildlife, but your experience with the lady standing on the reef serves as a reminder to be cautious and mindful in such protected areas. Thank you for taking the time to educate others!

Food Recommendations:

Sunday brunch at the Orchid Room sounds amazing! It’s always wonderful to have a memorable meal like that on vacation. Honolulu is known for its fantastic food scene, so I’m sure you discovered many other gems, but it’s great to know the Orchid Room stood out as the best. Could you share any specific dishes you loved there?

North Shore Visit:

Visiting the North Shore after the Eddie and seeing those huge waves must have been exhilarating! The drive through the lush jungle and seeing the beaches along the way sounds like a perfect way to explore Oahu’s natural beauty. I agree, a full day up there could easily be worth it, and it’s always exciting to see the North Shore in action.

Overall Tips for Future Travelers:

If you’re staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, take advantage of the snorkeling right by the hotel, especially if you're in the winter months when other spots may be closed due to high surf.
Start your visit to the Honolulu Zoo counterclockwise to catch the animals when they are most active, especially the sloths!
For a more secluded snorkeling experience, try exploring the waters near the Hilton or visit less-crowded beaches along the North Shore.
If you’re a foodie, don’t miss the Sunday brunch at the Orchid Room—it might just be the best meal of your trip!
For a different kind of adventure, visit the North Shore after big wave events like the Eddie—it's a spectacular sight and worth the drive.

It seems like your trip was filled with amazing experiences! Hopefully, others can use your insights to make their trip to Honolulu even more enjoyable.

Trip report

More Honolulu Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions