Hawaii is open and we’re happy to have tourists back! There are a couple of steps you need to take when planning to visit, so we wanted to share these travel details so your trip goes as smoothly as possible!
Overview: Traveling to Hawaii
Hawaii is welcoming travelers to the state, but to be exempt from the 10-day quarantine you must have:
- Proof of vaccination OR a negative Covid test from an approved testing facility.
- A Safe Travels account (to upload your vaccine or negative test results and fill out a health questionnaire).
These requirements could change in the future, so we encourage everyone to carefully monitor the details for traveling to Hawaii on the state’s website to ensure you are set.
All travelers need to create a Safe Travels account online and take a health screening questionnaire to receive their QR code that will be scanned at the airport.
Basically, if you are fully vaccinated, you’re all set and do not need to take a Covid test prior to visiting Hawaii. Just upload your vaccine card to the Safe Travels website and get your QR code.
If you’re not vaccinated, you’ll need a specific Covid test within 72 hours of your final departing leg to Hawaii (more below).
Details for the Proof of Vaccination Exemption
As of July 8, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers can bypass the 10-day quarantine. In addition to uploading a copy of the vaccination card to your Safe Travels account, you also need to bring the physical vaccination card with you to Hawaii.
Travelers must be vaccinated in the United States. At this time, those vaccinated in other countries do not qualify for the vaccination exemption and would need the COVID test.
Travelers are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after their second shot date (or first shot date for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). If the travel date is less than two weeks after the second shot, this would not meet the requirements for the vaccination exemption and the COVID test would be needed.
Details for the Negative COVID Test Exemption
A negative COVID test can also allow travelers to bypass the 10-day quarantine. But be careful as there are very specific requirements for the type of COVID test that is accepted and when the test must be taken to qualify for the exemption.
The state of Hawai‘i only accepts the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab. Make sure to book your test through one of these partnered facilities AND ensure it is a NAAT COVID test. Travelers that have the wrong type of test or a test from a non-partnered facility will be required to quarantine.
The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before the last leg of your departing flight to Hawaii. Be especially careful if you have any layovers on your trip. You can use this calculator to ensure your test date falls within the 72-hour window.
The negative COVID test results must be uploaded to the Safe Travels account prior to departure. It is recommended to have a hard copy with you too.
Summary
In summary, to travel to Hawaii without having to quarantine for 10-days you’ll need:
(1) A Safe Travels account
And
(2) Proof of your COVID vaccine OR a negative COVID test
Be sure to review the state’s website for details for each type of exemption to ensure you qualify for a smooth travel experience.
We hope this is helpful for you in planning your trip to Hawaii! Don’t forget to book a sub-scooter snorkel adventure so you can meet some Hawaii marine life! Seats on the boat have been filling up quickly, so we recommend booking in advance once you have your travel dates set. Mahalo and we look forward to welcoming you to a day in the Hawaiian sea!
