Geocaching Hawaii | How to make every day an adventure

Want to add a little adventure to the mundane?

Want to get your kids to hike without whining? Or maybe you like puzzles or discovering hidden pockets of beauty in the world. If so, check out the secret world of geocaching in Hawaii. Geocaching is basically a giant treasure hunt that reaches across the world. Simply install an app on your phone (or plug coordinates into a GPS), select a cache, and navigate to it. Once you find it, you can dance a little jig and log your find.

All about Geocaching Hawaii

Caches come in all shapes and sizes from tiny scrolls to large ammunition boxes packed with treasure. Oh, the treasure. For kids, the real magic of geocaching lies in that treasure. Maybe you’ll find a coin from another country, a pin, a necklace, or something shiny. Select a tiny trinket, leave something for the next person, and you’re on your way. It’s extra fun to find a trackable item which is a sort of physical geocaching “game piece.” Each Trackable is etched with a unique code that can be used to log its movements as it travels in the real world. A modern day Flat Stanley?

Not all caches are easy to find. You may have to solve a puzzle or detect a sneaky container. You’ll learn to use your “geo-senses”. Just make sure you’re not seen by any “muggles”. Yes, there is a whole set of terminology around geocaching. If you’re thinking it sounds a bit geeky, well, I agree with you. Still, the kids really love it. It’s great if you have a bit of time to kill (why not make a Costco run more fun) and it actually does encourage them to hike without whining. I have to admit, I don’t like looking for things. Losing my keys on a regular basis is enough of a challenge. But I love discovering hidden viewpoints, or tiny coves, or even learning a bit about local history. It’s extra fun when you’re on vacation.

Cache with a view over Kaneohe. Rock walls are popular hiding spots around the island.

The bird decoys were fun to find on the Aiea Loop Trail.

A funky trackable guy.

Okay, geocaching doesn’t eliminate all whining.

Our 100th find was at the Ala Wai Harbor was in sneaky pressure gauge.

Lots of fun marine discoveries at the harbor – porcupine fish, butterfly fish, tube worms and this sinister looking barracuda.

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