A workation in Hawaii is everyone’s dream. Working from a scenic island sounds like a scene out of a movie.
Honolulu, the capital and principal port of Hawaii, U.S., is the seat of Honolulu county. A modern city, it extends about 10 miles (16 km) along the southeastern shore of Oahu Island and 4 miles (6 km) inland across a plain into the foothills of the Koolau Range.
It is the crossroads of trans-Pacific shipping and air routes, the focus of interisland services, and the commercial and industrial center of the state. Thus Honalulu is very strategically located.
The city-county (area 597 square miles [1,545 square km]) comprises all of Oahu and some outlying islets, which have an area aggregate of only 3 square miles (8 square km) but extend for more than 1,300 miles (2,100 km) and constitute the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It is administered as a single entity and has about 80 percent of the state’s population.
Here’s everything you need to know about planning a workation in Honolulu in 2021.
How to plan a Workation in Honolulu
Mobile Network in Honolulu
There are zero issues with network availability in Honolulu. This is because, services like AT&T, Verizon works best everywhere, and all properties provide WiFi. A workation needs strong network coverage. It is therefore important to always verify wifi availability with the hotel you are staying at.
Traveling in and around Honolulu
The best way to get around Honolulu is by car. And fortunately, the island has some of Hawaii’s most reasonable rates for car rentals, particularly at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Located on Oahu’s south shore, the airport is conveniently situated about 5 miles away from downtown Honolulu and Pearl Harbor attractions like the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.
Walking to some locales (think: Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Center) is another option when staying in Waikiki. You can also take the public bus system or the Waikiki Trolley to get to and from many parts of the island, but these options are slower and may not service some areas. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are available as well, but fares can quickly add up.
Food Options in Honolulu
From barefoot fish tacos at Duke’s Beach House in Waikiki to the eclectic food scene in trendy Chinatown, Honolulu has something for every taste. Sample fine Hawaii Regional Cuisine at local institutions like Alan Wong’s Restaurant, Roy’s Waikiki, or Chef Mavro. Explore Honolulu’s residential neighborhoods and eat like a local with plate lunches, poke, and fresh produce from the city’s many fantastic farmer’s markets.
Weather Conditions in Honolulu
Honolulu’s weather is moderate and warm year-round. The average temperature all year is 77.6 degrees F. The temperatures do vary a bit from season to season. In January, the average daily high is 80 degrees, with a low of 66 degrees.
The hottest month is August, with average highs of 89 degrees and lows of 75 degrees. As far as rain is concerned, some precipitation falls at least 11 days per month on average, but the amount of precipitation per month is minimal, ranging from .5 inches in July to over 2.3 inches in January.
Best Time to Plan a Workation in Honolulu
The best time to visit Honolulu is from mid-April to early June or between September and mid-December. During these shoulder seasons, attractions are less crowded, festivals are plentiful and airfare and room rates are at their lowest
Things to pack for a Workation in Honolulu
When traveling to Hawaii, fight the urge to fit everything possible into one suitcase. You don’t need to bring your entire closet on vacation. The type of clothing you pack can make or break your vacation.
In Hawaii, it’s all about being comfortable and having fun. Pack plenty of activewear including shorts, tank tops, and T-shirts. In addition to your clothing and outdoor gear, be sure to pack these miscellaneous, yet necessary, items as well:
-An Extra Bag for Souvenirs
-Emergency Cash
Where to stay in Honolulu for a Workation
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki
Accommodation Type: Ocean view, Suites, Non-smoking rooms
Cost : $215.55 per day
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Free Parking, Pool, Bar, and lounge
Address: 2058 Kuhio Ave, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815-2196
Prince Waikiki
Accommodation Type: Suites and Family rooms, Oceanview
Cost : $308.47 per day
Amenities: Valet Parking, Wifi, Gym, Pool
Address: 100 Holomoana St, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815-1436
Hotel LaCroix
Accommodation Type: Ocean view, Family Suites, and Nonsmoking Rooms
Cost : $135.91 per day
Amenities: Wifi, Parking, Yoga
Address: 2070 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815-2048
Queen Kapiolani Hotel
Accommodation Type: Nonsmoking room and suites, Oceanview
Cost : $167.77 per day
Amenities: Private parking, Wifi, Gym, Bar, Yoga classes
Address: 150 Kapahulu Avenue Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815-4097
Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach
Accommodation Type: Suites and Family room, Oceanview
Cost : $275.41 per day
Amenities: Pool, Wifi, Gym, and Free Parking
Address: 349 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96815-2583
Cost for a 1-Month Workation in Honolulu
| ITEMS | COST AVERAGE | COST PER MONTH |
| Meal | $42 | $1260 |
| Transportation | $21 | $360 |
| Travelling+ Sight seeing Rent | $195 per day $115 per night | $5,850 $3,450 |
Off-beat places to explore in Honolulu
The city of Honolulu falls roughly into three areas that include Waikiki, Downtown, and Pearl Harbor. The main attraction is Waikiki, a peninsula covering nearly half a square mile, with a beautiful stretch of soft-sand beach. This small area is one of the most densely populated in the whole of the United States, with more hotels, restaurants, and shops than in the rest of Hawaii.
Downtown, the center and historical area are full of sightseeing opportunities, with museums, historic buildings, and famous statues. Plan your time here with our list of the off-beat places to explore in Honolulu-
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor is the largest natural harbor in Hawaii, named for the numerous pearls that were once harvested from its depths. While it is still an active naval base, it is also a National Historic Landmark that houses several attractions that are part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific Monument, including memorials for the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah, as well as Battleship Row and Ford Island.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service, is free and open to the public. Here, tourists can learn about the tragic 1941 attack, as well as other aspects of the harbor’s military and natural history.
This is also the starting point for tours to the USS Arizona, as well as the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island.
As this fascinating museum includes a video presentation, historic photographs, two hangars with various WWII aircraft, as well as flight simulators that allow visitors to experience take-off and landing on an aircraft carrier.
USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial is the most visited tourist attraction in Hawaii and one of Pearl Harbor’s five locations that are part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.
The memorial floats above the sunken remains of the USS Arizona, which was destroyed, along with 1,177 crew members, on December 7, 1941.
Free tours of the memorial begin at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center with a film about the attack and its historical context, after which visitors board a U.S. Navy boat and are brought to the memorial.
Here, you can view the massive marble wall, which is engraved with the names of all who lost their lives when the ship was bombed. Because of the tour’s popularity, visitors should arrive early to secure tickets or reserve a spot ahead of time.
Enjoy the Beaches and Sights of Waikiki (Best for Workation)
This neighborhood on the southern shore of Honolulu is known for its high-end resorts, entertainment, shopping, and dining, as well as its gorgeous beaches.
It is also famous as the home of Olympic gold-medalist Duke Kahanamoku, a swimmer and surfing instructor who is credited as the “father of modern surfing.” The sport is so highly revered here that, in addition to a statue of Duke, the markers along the Waikiki Historic Trail are actually made of surfboards.
The Royal Hawaiian Center and International Marketplace are popular gathering places, and tourists will find the bulk of Waikiki’s restaurants and boutiques along Kuhio and Kalakaua Avenues.
Cafés and nightly entertainment are also abundant on the boardwalk, known as the Waikiki Beach Walk.
Diamond Head State Monument
The most recognizable of Hawaii’s natural landmarks, Diamond Head has a distinctive profile. Located on the eastern portion of Waikiki’s coastline, this historic peak was once an important part of the island’s coastal defense.
Today, visitors can hike up the steep trail that rises 560 feet from the floor of the crater to the summit in just 0.8 of a mile, which is great fun!
At the summit of Diamond Head Crater is an enormous lighthouse built-in 1917, as well as bunkers and the Fire Control Station that controlled artillery at Fort Ruger and Waikiki.
For many tourists, the reward for the challenging uphill hike is the amazing panoramic view of the shoreline below. Those planning on making the trek should be well-prepared with water and sturdy footwear.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Hanauma Bay is a unique natural bay that formed within the crater of an ancient volcano. In the past, it was such a popular snorkeling destination that it became polluted and damaged from over-use.
Thanks to restoration efforts that began in 1990, today the bay is pristine, and its ecosystem thrives, allowing visitors to truly enjoy the reef and its many inhabitants.
To combat damage to the fragile ecosystem and preserve the bay for future generations, the number of daily visitors is limited, and all beachgoers are required to watch an educational video about how they can ensure that they are not harming the reef and ecosystem they are about to enjoy.
To learn more, visitors can also check out the exhibits at the Hanauma Bay Education Center, which contains interactive displays.
Address: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, 7455 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, Hawaii
How to Reach Honolulu for Workation
There are two terminals in the city airport, Honolulu International Airport, the Inter-Island, and the Main. Inter-Island Terminal is the home base of Hawaiian Airlines which offers frequent local service to the other Hawaiian islands.
The Airport Waikiki Express provides a shuttle service to hotels in Waikiki every half hour.
If Oahu is the heart of Hawaii, then Honolulu is its racing pulse. In this cosmopolitan capital city, you’ll find everything from historic landmarks to fine dining to world-class shopping. So, plan your workation in this amazing small town of Honolulu!
