15 Hawaii Instagram accounts you need to follow right now

Let me tell you something about finding really good Instagram accounts about Hawaii: it’s really, really hard to decide which ones NOT to include. You see, Hawaii’s beauty and charm is magnetic to most people, so there are naturally a TON of Instagrammers out here in the Islands doing their thing.

Many of them are uber-talented, and narrowing them down to this list took some time. Enjoy, and let us know in the comments if you know any more.

1. Best dreamy ocean shots – @hisarahlee

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbSwe-mhrBd/?taken-by=hisarahlee

Sarah Lee’s style is distinct — a balance of dreamy and being in the moment. She captures her subjects on surfboards, diving into the deep blue water and floating under the ocean’s surface like a mermaid.

2. Best overall Hawaii – @threeifbysea

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbz2DzNFtvW/?taken-by=threeifbysea

“Best overall Hawaii” is a pretty big claim, but these three brother photographers deliver. They blend the exoticness of Hawaii with dramatic flair and the feeling of being comfortably secluded.

3. Best Hawaiian storytelling – ge_keoni

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZm9-9JjRfZ/?taken-by=ge_keoni

It’s one thing to gaze at dreamy photos of Hawaii, it’s another to read the ancient Hawaiian tale that goes with the place you’re gazing at. Art and history all in one!

3. Best drone footage of Hawaii – @waterproject

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbul8IrHlMO/?taken-by=waterproject

Hawaii from above is just as stunning as Hawaii from the ground, and @waterproject has aerial drone photopraphy down to a science.

4. Best dramatic rendering of Hawaii – @jasonjko

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWd0gLTFufw/?taken-by=jasonjko

There’s a hint of dark and stormy in @jasonjko’s Instagram feed, and we like it. His photos play with lighting and tine, which create unexpected moods around the otherwise dreamy Hawaii locations he’s capturing.

5. Best Hawaiian volcano and lava shots – @cj_kale

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPnjY9xDj4a/?taken-by=cj_kale

CJ Kale elevates photography to fine art. Many of his shots focus on the active flowing lava from Kilauea, but you can also enjoy other breathtaking shots of the Big Island, as well as scenes from his travels to Alaska, Mongolia and beyond.

6. Best Hawaiian shorebreak shots – @clarklittle

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZQUTc2glsn/?taken-by=clarklittle

Clark Little, who was raised and lives on the North Shore of Oahu, has a knack for placing himself and his camera right in the impact zone of the waves, called the shorebreak. He’s famous for photographing from inside the wave, often leaving to you wonder how he survived the shot.

7. Most relaxing Hawaiian vibe – @br_i_an

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYtn3UdlGD_/?taken-by=br_i_an

A single subject gazes out to the sea or some dreamy island lookout…you can’t help but feel just as relaxed and comfortable as they are. Follow this account for more…

8. Best underwater Hawaii shots – @chadkoga

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcw1SAgbpQ/?taken-by=chadkoga

@chadkoga takes you on his journey or diving down below the surface of the Hawaiian sea, where a whole new world awaits. Prepare to see Hawaii as you likely rarely see.

9. Best Hawaiian surfing lifestyle – jake_of_all_trades

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSVRfXLB-Q2/?taken-by=jake_of_all_trades

Want that all-around-good-vibes Hawaii ocean adventure lifestyle? Follow this guy. He not only gets the good shots but he gives us front-row access to some pretty talented characters, including surfer-wildman Jamie O’Brien, pictured above.

10. Best all-around Hawaiian Islands – @hawaiimagazine

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bac-T0oAaXh/?taken-by=hawaiimagazine

Hawaii Magazine’s Instagram account captures the photos, people and places behind its rich stories of life in the Islands.

11. Best Hawaii surfing photography – @laserwolf.photo

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYfLVxLlbKv/?taken-by=laserwolf.photo

Surf photography is a tough, scrappy and exhausting line of work. Many people make a go at it but very few have the raw talent and patience to put in the years of work. Brandon “Laserwolf” Campbell is one of the honored few, and his magnificent surf photography speaks for itself.

12. Best Hawaii landscapes, sunsets and hikes – @petervanosdall

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba94Yy4DyKK/?taken-by=petervanosdall

His Instagram account description may be pretty straightforward (“Landscapes, sunsets and hikes of Hawaii”), but his photos are soft, soothing and sultry. Nothing quite like a Hawaiian sunset!

13. Best Hawaii waterman lifestyle – @haakeaulana

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcscDvthKDX/?taken-by=haakeaulana

In Hawaii, the term “waterman” applies to anyone — male or female — who centers their life and spirit around the ocean. This can mean surfing, paddling, diving, fishing, carving canoes, or just gathering at the beach. The @haakeaulana takes you there.

14. Best Hawaii wahine (woman’s) perspective – @ladyslider

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRuUPLaA32F/?taken-by=ladyslider

Mix the richness of Hawaii with creative girl power and you got @ladyslider. Tara Michie, the talent behind the lens, is  a “Hawaii-based creative motived by visually pleasing things.” Here you will find her musings on waves, wanderlust and style.

15. Best of Waikiki – @the96815

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYCmc_5BeOx/?taken-by=the96815

Everyone who comes to Hawaii keeps a little fondness for Waikiki, especially nowadays as it transitions from kitschy tropical to sophisticated island contemporary. @the96815 (96815 is the ZIP code for Waikiki) guides you around the beaches, bars, eateries and other lively happenings around Hawaii’s favorite tourist and locals haunt.
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Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui (chat with our in-house Concierge at extension 71).

Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo or rental home in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui.