Explore Hawaii by Bike
There are so many incredible places, scenic vistas, and hidden spots to discover in Hawaii, and there is no better way to see them than by bike! Whether you want to try a guided bike tour or explore independently, this article tells you everything you need to know about biking the Hawaiian islands!
If you are planning on visiting the Hawaiian Islands, you are probably wondering if you need to rent a car, or if it is possible to explore the islands by any other means.
The short answer is that while having a car at your disposal does tend to make exploration easier, you should not limit your adventures to what you can see by car!
Biking is a wonderful way to explore the islands, either as a substitute for a car, or as a supplementary mode of transportation! By allowing you to immerse yourself into the diverse landscape of the islands and revel in the fantastic island flora and fauna around you, biking can actually be a highlight of your visit to Hawaii!
Below, we will break down the best biking routes and bike tours on the islands of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai. Continue reading for everything you need to know about biking in Hawaii!
Oahu
At the epicentre of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu has much to do and see! Whether you are staying in downtown Honolulu or tranquil Kailua, biking is a great way to explore the bustling city life, shores, and rainforests of Oahu!
Honolulu
When it comes to exploring the city of Honolulu, biking can be a great option for certain neighbourhoods, and with Biki bike sharing rentals, you can easily choose a bike from over 100 locations around Honolulu to get around town!
If you are staying in Waikiki, biking is a fun way to get around and travel along the shore. From the Biki station near Duke’s statue by Waikiki beach, you can ride all the way down the shoreline towards Diamond Head, loop around Kapiolani Park, and complete a 4 mile circuit by following the Ala Wai canal back into the centre of Waikiki – this simple loop is a great way to get to know Waikiki better and discover some tranquil parts of the lively neighbourhood as well!
Another great bike loop, particularly for families with young children, is the 2.5 mile circuit around Ala Moana Beach Park, including the Magic Island Peninsula. This bike loop is on a completely protected pedestrian/bike only lane that goes right along Ala Moana beach and threads around the great Banyan trees of the Magic Island. Plan to enjoy the calm, clear waters of Ala Moana and bring a picnic to enjoy in the park while you are there! Right across the street is the Ala Moana Center, an impressive outdoor shopping mall that is lovely to wander around, and exploring further afield in the creative neighbourhood of Kaka’ako is highly recommended while you are in the area!
For a more challenging bike ride, you can bike from Waikiki to Hanauma Bay for an incredible snorkelling experience! Hugging the shore, you can follow the main road from Waikiki towards Diamond Head and then up and along Kalaniana’ole Highway until the Hanauma Bay turnoff!
Kailua
On the opposite side of the island from Honolulu is the town of Kailua, from which you have access to some of the prettiest beaches on Oahu! With an Active Oahu e-bike rental, you will be able to explore the boutiques of Kailua at your leisure before biking to Kailua or Lanikai Beach for some beachside fun!
Most importantly, heading to the beach by bike means that you don’t need to worry about fighting for a parking space in the crowded beach parking lots!
North Shore
For a bike ride that will take you off a paved road, the Ka’ena point trail on the Northwestern end of Oahu is a single path trail that is easy to follow and relatively flat. At the same time, the trailhead has some fun dips and twists along with brilliant views of the sea and mountains! Even better – it is almost always sunny, but with little to no tree cover, you will definitely want to bring a hat with you.
Maui
Maui has many great options and opportunities to explore the island by bike!
One of the aspects that sets this island apart from the other islands when it comes to biking is the presence of the Maui Bicycling League (MBL) that organises monthly rides around the island for residents and visitors alike. The bike tours are guided and led by MBL volunteers, making for a safe and memorable experience! Tours are geared towards intermediate to advanced riders and are often around 30 miles in length. Check out the MBL website for more information about their monthly bike tours!
A must see on the island of Maui is the 10,000 foot (3,000 metre) tall Haleakala Volcano, known as the ‘House of the Sun’, and a unique way to experience this incredible place is by bike! Bike Maui offers guided and self-guided bike tours that start with an unforgettable sunrise from the top of Haleakala, after which you will bike down the dormant volcano on a paved road with 29 switchbacks and amazing views of the island and Pacific Ocean beyond!
For more ideas of how to explore Maui by bike, check out the Boss Frog's website for trail ideas and bike rental!
Big Island
The largest of the Hawaiian Islands, the Big Island offers plenty of space and a variety of terrain for bike riding!
One of the more remarkable bike rides you can do will no doubt be in the Volcanoes National Park where you will be able to see ancient lava fields, craters, and active volcanoes as you bike along the trails. For a breakdown of available bike paths in the National Park, check out this page of their website. It is also worth noting that there are numerous bike tour companies that offer guided bike tours through the Volcano National Park as well!
For a pleasant and car free bike ride along the coast, biking along the 4 mile stretch of Government Beach Road is a must! Along the path, you will see quaint neighbourhoods, a section of forest that creates a delightful tunnel of trees, and a lava field! Located on the Hilo side of the island, the path is accessible from Pahoa.
One of the most popular biking routes on the island is from Kailua-Kona to Kawaihae along Queen Kaahumanu highway. With great views of the Kohala coast, this route will take you along the bike and running portion of the world famous IRONMAN course! Needless to say, it is more of a challenging ride, especially when combining the soft hills with strong winds!
Reach out to local bike clubs, The Hawaii Cycling Club and the Coffee Talk Riders, for more information about biking on the Big Island!
Kauai
Kauai is known for its super relaxed vibes, and biking is the perfect way to get around the island!
One of the most popular activities to do in Kapaa, one of Kauai’s largest towns and located on the eastern coast, is bike along the Ke Ala Hele Makale trail by the seashore! This bike path runs from Lydgate Beach Park all the way to Donkey’s Beach so that you can stop for beachside fun and picnics as you go! There are also plenty of bike rental options in Kapaa for you to choose from so you can enjoy this great bike path.
Another fun bike trail on Kauai is the 10 mile Koloa Heritage trail located near Poipu, another popular town in the south of Kauai. The trail has 14 cultural sights to stop at and provides an interactive way to learn more about the island’s history.
The small but lively town of Hanalei on the North shore is another great place to explore by bike, and for a bit more of a challenge, the road from Hanalei to Haena offers incredible scenery, though bikers must contend with a tight road and traffic.
The Hawaiian Islands offer so much pristine landscape to explore, and as much fun as driving around in an open-door jeep might sound, biking offers an unparallel mode of transportation that lets you explore off the beaten path to get to know Hawaii better! Whether you want to bike around town, along the shore, with a group or on your own, Hawaii has so many great biking options to make your trip unforgettable!
To complement all the biking, check out some more amazing outdoor activities to do in Hawaii while you are there!