There’s no better time for seniors to take the leap and travel. According to the Reading Eagle, the younger generations have been hopping on the trend the past few years, racking the miles and helping the travel industry bounce back. As such, with tourism systems booming back in place, older adults have access to more resources that will enable them to go on a journey with ease.
And if you’re the adventurous type of senior, what better place to journey than Oahu, Hawaii? The island is known for its famous beaches, beautiful natural wonders, and thrilling activities—all of which can be explored via road trips. If that sounds appealing, here are the must-know tips for adventurous seniors on how to take a road trip in Oahu.
Consult with your healthcare provider
Before you travel and go on a road trip to Oahu, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss how to stay healthy. This can be helpful in several ways—they can recommend vitamins to build up your immune system, for example, or write you a signed note detailing your prescribed medications so you can purchase them in Hawaii. You can also clear the more exciting activities and gauge their safety for you as a senior citizen, such as if you’re interested in cliff diving or snorkeling. Your healthcare provider can grant you advice on how to proceed.
Rent a car
Renting a car is undoubtedly the best way to get the most out of Oahu as an adventurous senior citizen. You won’t want to follow a one-size-fits-all-plan—not when the road trip itinerary for scenic drives in Oahu has at least four to six hours’ worth of breathtaking sightseeing spots. Of course, the island’s quintessential road trip is the Oahu Circle Drive, filled with numerous points of interest like the glamorous jungle scenery of Kualoa Ranch and the Dole Pineapple Plantation with its vast corn maze and sweet treats. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Renting a car means choosing when to hit the brakes and explore
You’ll also be happy to know that driving is generally accessible in Oahu. You’ll still want to follow our advice from our previous post ‘Five Tips for Seniors to Continue Driving Safely Well Into Their Golden Years’, like eliminating common distractions and taking a traveling companion with you. Overall, however, renting and driving a car in Oahu can promise you safety and excitement.
Wear prescription sunglasses
One of the most significant reasons people pick Oahu for their Hawaiian vacation is its ideal island paradise weather. Oahu can have around 271 total days of sunshine annually, promising that a road trip there is bound to be a gloriously sunny and warm affair. On the one hand, that’s excellent news—you’re less likely to get colds or flu during your trip, and it’s essentially always the perfect time to head to stop by the beach and relax.
However, constant sunniness means your eyes will be continuously exposed to UV light, which can contribute to you getting eye illnesses like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration in the long term. Note that there are consequences in the short term as well. As a senior, your eyes are relatively light sensitive and at greater risk of photokeratitis—when your cornea and conjunctiva get damaged by UV rays and light glare, leading your eyesight to blur and feel irritated. To avoid this, wear prescription sunglasses when traveling around Oahu. Doing so will allow you to see your surroundings with visual acuity—something you’ll definitely want when taking a scenic drive—and protect your eyes against harsh UV light.
Take advantage of senior discounts
A road trip in Oahu can be an expensive vacation. However, with your senior citizen card, it doesn’t have to be as pricey as it might’ve been otherwise. There are plentiful discounts for seniors in Hawai—all you have to do is ask. Some examples of places that offer discounts are locally-owned grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants. These discounts range between 5% and 25%, which saves you a lot of money if you’re on a mission to visit plenty of sites in Oahu during your road trip.
Travel can be tricky as a senior citizen, but there’s no better time than now to take a road trip to Oahu. Follow the above tips to make the best of it.
