Discover the
Best Hawaii Travel Podcast
A hawaii travel podcast helping visitors plan smarter trips with practical tips, local voices, current travel updates, and cultural respect.
Over 650,000 downloads and counting. If you are planning a trip to Hawaii and want to feel ready before you go, this is a good place to start.
Hosted by Bryan Murphy, founder of Hawaii's Best Travel and Certified Hawaii Destination Expert.
A Hawaii Travel Podcast Built for Real Trip Planning
Most Hawaii travel content tells you where to go and calls it a day. This show goes further. Each episode covers the things that actually change how a trip goes, including which island fits your travel style, what needs a reservation months out, how to respect local culture, and what's changed since you last looked. It is the best hawaii travel podcast for people who want to arrive prepared, not just excited.
Why listen before your trip?
The podcast covers the kinds of questions most first-time and repeat travelers have but often can't find clear answers to. Here's what you'll get out of tuning in.
Choose the right island
Each island is different. The show helps you figure out which one fits your budget, travel style, and the kind of trip you are hoping for.
Avoid common planning mistakes
From underestimating drive times to skipping reservations, there are easy mistakes to make. Hearing about them in advance is a lot better than learning the hard way.
Know what to book early
Some hikes, beaches, and activities fill up fast. The show tells you what needs a reservation and how far out to plan so you don't miss out.
Understand local and cultural context
Hawaii has a rich culture and a real community. The show shares context that helps you visit with awareness and genuine respect for the islands.
Get current travel updates
Hawaii travel conditions change, including new rules, access updates, closures, and seasonal shifts. The show keeps you informed with what's current.
Travel with more confidence
The more informed you are before you go, the more relaxed and present you can be when you get there. That's the whole point of this hawaii travel podcast.
Many listeners find the show while searching for the best hawaii podcast before a trip. Whether you are visiting for the first time or heading back, you will find something useful here.
Listen NowStart Here: Listener Favorites
New to the show? These episodes are a good place to begin if you are planning a Hawaii vacation.
Best Island to Visit in Hawaii
Compare the islands and choose the best fit for your trip.
Listen to EpisodeHawaii Travel Tips to Save Your Family Money in 2026
Learn practical ways to plan smarter without cutting the parts that matter.
Listen to EpisodeIs Hawaii Still Worth Visiting in 2026?
Understand what has changed and what visitors should know before booking.
Listen to EpisodeUltimate Kauai Travel Guide
Plan Kauai with realistic tips for reservations, beaches, weather, and pacing.
Listen to EpisodeOahu Travel Guide
Get clear tips for Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, North Shore, reservations, and first-timer planning.
Listen to EpisodeMaui vs Big Island
Compare two popular islands and decide which one fits your family or travel style.
Listen to EpisodeRoad to Hana: Drive or Tour?
Learn the pros, cons, and respectful ways to experience East Maui.
Listen to EpisodeHawaiian Words and Phrases
Learn simple words and phrases that help you understand Hawaii more respectfully.
Listen to EpisodeListen to the Latest Episodes
Catch the latest Hawaii travel tips, island guides, interviews, and travel news from Hawaii's Best Travel. New episodes drop regularly to keep you up to date before your next trip.
Hawaii's Best Travel
Hosted by Bryan Murphy. Hawaii's best podcast for practical trip planning, island guides, cultural insight, and current travel updates. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
Also available on
Certified Hawaii Destination Expert
Meet Your Host, Bryan Murphy
Bryan Murphy is the founder and host of Hawaii's Best Travel, an independent Hawaii travel media outlet focused on helping visitors plan better trips with practical advice, cultural respect, and clear decision-making.
Through the podcast, Bryan shares island guides, travel tips, local interviews, and timely updates to help travelers make better decisions before they go. Hawaii's best podcast grew from a simple goal: give people the kind of honest, useful information that actually makes a difference when you're planning a trip to Hawaii.
Bryan is also a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert, which means the information on the show is grounded in formal training alongside the real experience of visiting, researching, and covering Hawaii travel for years.
Learn More About Hawaii's Best TravelWhat you'll hear on the show
Hawaii's best podcast covers a wide range of topics built around one goal: helping you plan and experience Hawaii better. Here's a closer look at what you'll find.
Island Guides
Each island has its own personality, vibe, and logistics. The podcast breaks them down individually, covering Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai with practical tips for first-time visitors and repeat travelers alike.
You will get help comparing islands, understanding what makes each one different, and deciding where to spend your time and money.
Hawaii Travel News
Hawaii changes. Entry rules, reservation systems, trail access, and local policies shift over time. The show covers current Hawaii travel updates so you are not planning based on information that's two years out of date.
If something significant changes for Hawaii visitors, this hawaii travel podcast will cover it in a way that's clear and useful.
Cultural Insight
Understanding local culture is part of being a good visitor. The show covers Hawaiian history, language basics, what words and phrases to know, how to show respect at cultural sites, and why it matters.
This content is not preachy. It's practical context that helps you visit Hawaii with more awareness and genuine appreciation.
Local Interviews
Bryan regularly brings in local voices, including business owners, guides, and residents who share firsthand perspective on what's happening in Hawaii and what visitors should know.
These conversations add texture and honesty that you do not get from a travel blog or an AI-generated itinerary.
Family Travel Tips
Traveling with kids takes extra planning. The show covers kid-friendly beaches, age-appropriate activities, pacing strategies for families, and how to get the most out of a family Hawaii trip without burning everyone out.
Many of the show's listeners are parents planning their first family trip to Hawaii. There is a lot of content here specifically for you.
Responsible Travel
Hawaii is a real place with real communities, a fragile ecosystem, and a lot of visitors. The show talks about how to visit in a way that respects the land, the culture, and the people who live there year-round.
This means covering things like reef-safe sunscreen, staying on trails, not touching wildlife, supporting local businesses, and showing up as a thoughtful guest.
Money-Saving Tips
Hawaii is expensive. The show covers real, practical ways to manage your budget without sacrificing the things that make a Hawaii trip worthwhile, from when to book flights to where to eat well for less.
The goal is not to make Hawaii feel cheap. It's to help you spend smarter so you can do more of what matters.
Food, Beaches, Hikes, and Things to Do
From the best shave ice spots to hidden beaches, sunrise hikes to local food trucks, the show covers the experiences that make Hawaii worth the trip. These are practical recommendations with honest context, not just a top-ten list.
Each recommendation comes with the kind of detail that helps you decide if it's right for your group, your pace, and your priorities.
Trusted by Hawaii Travelers
With 280+ reviews on Apple Podcasts and a 4.9-star rating, Hawaii's best podcast has earned the trust of first-time visitors and repeat Hawaii travelers alike. Here's what a few of them had to say.
So glad I found this podcast
"I stumbled upon this podcast as I'm planning for a first time trip to Hawaii and have very little time between work and being a parent to research like I would like to. This podcast has been so helpful to listen to you in car rides, commutes, doing dishes, working out. Squeezing in as much information as I can between life to be able to make the most out of every second of our trip. I really like this podcast!"
VanessaMW2 — Apple Podcasts
Helpful, practical, and actually useful for planning Hawaii
"I've listened to all of the Hawaii podcasts out there to help plan our trip. I don't like reading blogs, etc. This is the only podcast that was genuinely helpful and real. Brian gives practical advice that feels easy to follow and not overwhelming. I also liked that he talks about more than just where to go. He shares helpful context about Hawaiian culture and respect for the islands. It feels honest and genuinely useful. Definitely worth listening to if you're planning a Hawaii trip."
juniroa83 — Apple Podcasts
The MOST helpful podcast when planning a Hawaii trip!
"I started planning my first trip to Hawaii with my family a few months ago. Having never visited before, I was starting from square one. I found Bryan's podcast and was so happy to have a reliable source for all things related to Hawaii vacation planning. His episodes are well organized, succinct but full of great information, and provide immediate, usable information that was so valuable in the planning process. Bryan responds to direct questions through his social media accounts, and truly values listener feedback. Thank you so much!!"
Nutmeg Tree Hugger — Apple Podcasts
Reach Travelers Actively Planning Hawaii Trips
Hawaii's Best Travel works with select brands, tourism partners, hotels, activities, and local businesses that serve Hawaii travelers. If your business helps visitors plan better, travel responsibly, or experience Hawaii with more care, let's talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Hawaii's Best Travel podcast is a hawaii travel podcast hosted by Bryan Murphy. It covers practical trip planning advice, island guides, cultural insight, local interviews, and current Hawaii travel updates. The show is designed to help visitors plan smarter trips with more confidence and more respect for the islands.
The show is hosted by Bryan Murphy, founder of Hawaii's Best Travel and a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert. Bryan started the podcast in 2019 with the goal of giving Hawaii visitors honest, practical information they can actually use.
The podcast covers a wide range of Hawaii travel topics including island guides for Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai. You will also find episodes on trip planning, food, beaches, hikes, Hawaiian culture and language, responsible travel, family travel, money-saving tips, local interviews, and current Hawaii travel news.
Yes. Many listeners discover the show while planning their first Hawaii trip and find it helps them feel significantly more prepared. The show covers the basics without being condescending, and it goes deep enough to be useful for repeat visitors too. Whether you are planning your first trip or your fifth, you will find something practical here. It is the best hawaii travel podcast for people who want real answers before they go.
Yes. The show covers all the main Hawaiian islands with dedicated episode guides and regular updates. You will find content for Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai. Each island has its own episodes covering logistics, experiences, culture, and what to know before you visit.
You can listen to hawaii's best podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, and most other podcast apps. You can also listen directly on the Hawaii's Best Travel website.
Yes. Hawaii's Best Travel works with select partners and sponsors who serve Hawaii travelers well. The show only works with brands and businesses that fit the audience and the editorial standards of hawaii's best podcast. If you are interested in reaching an engaged audience of active Hawaii trip planners, visit the Partner With Us page or request the Media Kit.
Plan Your Hawaii Trip With More Confidence
Listen to this hawaii travel podcast before your next trip and get practical advice, local insight, and current updates to help you make better decisions. Over 650,000 downloads and a 4.9-star rating tell the story.
Show Notes
7 Things Most Visitors Don’t Know Before Visiting Kauai
[dssb_sharing_buttons columns="5" icon_width="fixed" alignment="left" icon_color="#000000" use_custom_icon_size="on" icon_font_size="16px" icon_bg="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.27.6" _module_preset="902308d5-676a-4946-ad7a-2d744e0bfafe"...
Best Local Food in Kauai: 10 Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
[dssb_sharing_buttons columns="5" icon_width="fixed" alignment="left" icon_color="#000000" use_custom_icon_size="on" icon_font_size="16px" icon_bg="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.27.6" _module_preset="902308d5-676a-4946-ad7a-2d744e0bfafe"...
Do You Need a Real ID to Fly to Hawaii?
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you use the links. View our Privacy Policy and for more.Do You Need a Real ID to Fly to Hawaii? Yes, you need a Real ID or other accepted form of identification to fly to Hawaii. Your driver's...
5 Hawaii Family Travel Mistakes Most Parents Realize Too Late
[dssb_sharing_buttons columns="5" icon_width="fixed" alignment="left" icon_color="#000000" use_custom_icon_size="on" icon_font_size="16px" icon_bg="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.27.6" _module_preset="902308d5-676a-4946-ad7a-2d744e0bfafe"...
Big Island Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go
[dssb_sharing_buttons columns="5" icon_width="fixed" alignment="left" icon_color="#000000" use_custom_icon_size="on" icon_font_size="16px" icon_bg="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.27.6" _module_preset="902308d5-676a-4946-ad7a-2d744e0bfafe"...
What Is King Kamehameha Day? What Hawaii Visitors Should Know
[dssb_sharing_buttons columns="5" icon_width="fixed" alignment="left" icon_color="#000000" use_custom_icon_size="on" icon_font_size="16px" icon_bg="#FFFFFF" btn_padding="|||0px|false|false" _builder_version="4.27.6"...
Maui Travel Guide in 10 Minutes: What to Know Before You Book
[dssb_sharing_buttons columns="5" icon_width="fixed" alignment="left" icon_color="#000000" use_custom_icon_size="on" icon_font_size="16px" icon_bg="#FFFFFF" _builder_version="4.27.6" _module_preset="902308d5-676a-4946-ad7a-2d744e0bfafe"...
Hawaii Travel Mistakes to Avoid Before You Book
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you use the links. View our Privacy Policy and for more.You found a cheap flight. You asked ChatGPT to build your itinerary. You figured four islands in 10 days was totally doable. And now...
Be a Guest on the Show
Want to be a guest on Hawaii’s Best? We’re always looking for local voices, cultural experts, and businesses that help visitors experience Hawaii responsibly — reach out and let’s talk story.