Hawaii has a variety of fish and fishing spots, and you can nab a diverse number of species in the same afternoon. Deep water sits close to shore on almost every island, so charter boats out of harbors like Nawiliwili on Kauai can be fishing within minutes of leaving the dock. Shore anglers work rocky points like Ka’ena Point on Oahu for ulua and papio, and Hilo’s Waiakea Pond gives Big Island visitors an easy, in-town place to fish for mullet and aholehole.
RV travel in Hawaii works differently than on the mainland. Rentals here are mostly campervans and small Class Bs, hookups are rare, and there’s no ferry between islands, so you pick one island for your trip. What a campervan does give you is a place to sleep near the water, a kitchen for cooking your catch, and room for rods and coolers without hauling gear in and out of a hotel. Nonresidents 15 and older now need a marine fishing license, and everyone nine and older needs a freshwater license, so read the Know Before You Go section before you cast.
Best Places for RV Fishing in Hawaii
| Fishing spot | Island | Best for | RV camping experience | Good to know |
| Lake Wilson (Wahiawa Reservoir) | Oahu | Peacock bass, largemouth bass, catfish (catch-and-release for bass) | No camping at the lake; nearest vehicle-friendly camping is on the North Shore | Closed to fishing access since May 3, 2026 for dam rehabilitation; no reopening date |
| Nawiliwili Harbor | Kauai | Offshore charters for marlin, ahi, mahi mahi, ono | Kumu Camp in Anahola accepts camper vehicles, about 15 miles north | Charters book out; reserve ahead |
| Ka’ena Point State Park | Oahu | Shore fishing for ulua and papio | Camp Mokuleia near the park’s Mokule’ia entrance | Vehicle access beyond the gate requires a permit; the Keawa’ula (west side) section is currently closed for storm repairs |
| Kona (Honokohau Harbor) | Big Island | Offshore charters for blue marlin, ahi, mahi mahi, ono | Kohanaiki Beach Park, a county campground about 3 miles north of the harbor | Permit and overnight parking pass required; gate locks at 9 p.m. |
| Waiakea Pond | Big Island | Mullet, aholehole, ulua/papio from shore | No camping in Hilo; nearest permitted camping is outside town | 20-fish aggregate daily limit |
| Makena Landing | Maui | Kayak fishing along the reef | Camp Olowalu, about 25 miles northwest, takes campervans | Small lot fills early; launch before the trade winds pick up |
| Haleiwa (Waialua Bay) | Oahu | Pier and shore fishing for papio, ulua, goatfish | Camp Mokuleia, about 6 miles west | Hook-and-line only inside the regulated harbor area |
Fishing Spots in Hawaii
Here are some of the best fishing spots in Hawaii. You’ll find mahi mahi fishing in the state, along with a variety of other types of fishing.
Lake Wilson (Wahiawa Reservoir)
Status: closed to fishing. DLNR closed lake access through Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area on May 3, 2026, ahead of a rehabilitation project on the Wahiawa Dam. The boat ramp, banks, and shoreline are off-limits until further notice, and the state expects water levels to stay low for the foreseeable future. The park itself remains open for onshore picnicking.
When it reopens, Lake Wilson is Oahu’s main freshwater fishing spot. The Division of Aquatic Resources manages the reservoir in central Oahu as a public fishing area, and it holds peacock bass (tucunare), largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, tilapia, and oscar. Bass and peacock bass are catch-and-release only here; it’s unlawful to keep any. Anglers need a Freshwater Game Fishing License plus a free Wahiawa entry permit, and boats are limited to 18 feet and fishing use only.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Camping is prohibited at the reservoir under DAR rules, so this is a day trip from a North Shore campground like Camp Mokuleia (roughly 20 miles) once the lake reopens.
- When open, access is from the state park’s boat ramp and shoreline; there are no hookups nearby.
- Best suited for: freshwater anglers who want a bass fix on an Oahu trip, once access is restored. Check the DLNR State Parks page for Wahiawa Freshwater SRA before planning around it.
Nawiliwili Harbor
Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, about two miles southwest of Lihue, is the departure point for most of Kauai’s sport-fishing charters. The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation facility has 82 berths, a two-lane launch ramp, a landing pier, restrooms, and a fish hoist. The draw is how fast the bottom drops off. Several Nawiliwili operators say they can be fishing within about ten minutes of leaving the harbor. Charters troll and jig for marlin, ahi (yellowfin tuna), mahi mahi, and ono, and most run four-, six-, or eight-hour trips with six anglers maximum.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Nearest camper-friendly base: Kumu Camp, a nonprofit campground on Anahola Bay about 15 miles north of Lihue. Its website lists tent sites and spaces for camper-top vehicles, with hot showers and an outdoor kitchen. Kauai’s county and state campgrounds require tents and do not allow sleeping in vehicles.
- Early charter departures are easier from a nearby base than from a hotel across the island; most boats leave around dawn.
- No hookups at Kumu Camp or anywhere on Kauai’s public campgrounds.
- Best suited for: anglers who want a Kauai offshore trip without a resort stay.
Ka’ena Point State Park
Ka’ena Point is the northwestern tip of Oahu, and the state park that wraps around it is a shoreline fishing destination: rocky coves, tide pools, and deep water close to the rocks. Ulua and papio are the main targets. The park has two sections. The Mokule’ia section on the North Shore has a gate at the end of the paved road; driving beyond it requires a Vehicle Access Special Use Permit from State Parks, and the dirt roads are designated for fishing and coastal access, not off-roading. Without a permit, you walk in from the parking area. The Keawa’ula section on the west side is currently closed for road repairs after storm damage. There’s no drinking water in either section and no restrooms on the Mokule’ia side.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Nearest base: Camp Mokuleia in Waialua, a private campground on the same stretch of coast a few miles east of the Mokule’ia gate. It offers tent sites and tentalos with a hot-water shower house. Be sure to confirm the current policy on sleeping in vehicles before booking.
- Park your rig in the gravel lot at the end of the pavement; the permit roads beyond aren’t suited to a campervan.
- No hookups. Bring all your water.
- Best suited for: shore anglers comfortable with rocky terrain, heat, and no shade. Be cautious: The coast is exposed to open-ocean swell, and waves can wash over the fishing ledges.
Kona (Honokohau Harbor)
Kona is Hawaii’s big-game capital. The Big Island’s west coast drops into deep water close to shore, sheltered from the trade winds by the island’s volcanoes, which is why the Kona coast has a long record of large blue marlin. Nearly all of the charter fleet runs out of Honokohau Small Boat Harbor, a DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation facility between Kailua-Kona and the airport. Charters target blue, striped, and black marlin, sailfish, ahi, mahi mahi, and ono, with most boats leaving early in the morning. Shared and private trips are both common; private boats typically take six anglers.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Nearest base: Kohanaiki Beach Park, a Hawaii County campground about 3 miles north of the harbor off Highway 19. It has restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking water, and 24-hour security. A county camping permit is required, and campers pick up an overnight parking pass at the guard shack. The gate locks at 9 p.m. and reopens at 5:30 a.m., so plan dawn charter departures around it.
- Kailua-Kona has groceries, fuel, and tackle shops a few minutes south of the harbor.
- No hookups at county parks.
- Best suited for: anglers who want a marlin trip and a beach campground within a short drive of the dock. Most Big Island campervan rentals are based on the Kona side.
Waiakea Pond
Waiakea Pond sits inside Wailoa River State Recreation Area in Hilo, a short drive from downtown and Hilo Airport. The pond is spring-fed and brackish, connected to Hilo Bay by the Wailoa River, which is why the catch is saltwater species: striped mullet (‘ama’ama), aholehole, and ulua and papio. DAR manages the pond as the Waiakea Public Fishing Area. You may fish one line with one lure or two hooks, and the daily limit is 20 fish total across aholehole, ulua/papio, and mullet, with no more than 10 mullet. A boat ramp is inside the park. State park rules apply, and camping is not permitted.
RV Trip Snapshot
- There is no permitted camping in Hilo. Nearest options are Hawaii County beach park campgrounds north along the Hamakua Coast or the drive-in campgrounds near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, roughly 30 miles southwest. County permits are required and are booked through the Hawaii County camping site.
- Because this is an in-town fishery, a campervan mainly buys you flexibility: fish early, resupply in Hilo, then head to camp.
- No hookups at county or national park campgrounds on the Big Island.
- Best suited for: families and beginners who want easy, flat shore access and a place to fish without a boat.
Makena Landing
Makena Landing is a small Maui County park on the south shore between Wailea and Makena, built around a boat ramp that serves kayaks and small boats. For anglers, it’s the launch point for kayak fishing along the rocky coast toward Nahuna Point, where lava arches and reef structure hold fish. Conditions are calmest in the morning; in summer, the trade winds build by mid-morning and make paddling hard. The park has restrooms, outdoor showers, a small grassy barbecue area, and a paved lot that fills early on weekends and during the 7–9 a.m. tour-boat pickup window.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Nearest campervan-friendly base: Camp Olowalu, on Highway 30 south of Lahaina, roughly 25 miles and 45 minutes away. The camp’s own site lists car camping with hot showers, restrooms, a dishwashing station, and a fire pit. Aggregator listings say there are no power or water hookups at vehicle sites.
- Kayak storage is the practical RV advantage here; a campervan with a roof rack lets you launch at first light instead of renting on site.
- Best suited for: kayak anglers who already have some ocean experience and can read swell and wind.
Haleiwa (Waialua Bay)
The pier and breakwater at Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, next to Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, is a longtime North Shore spot for pier and shore fishing. Target species include papio, ulua, and goatfish. DAR regulates the harbor portion of Waialua Bay: inside the marked area, you may fish with one line or one rod with no more than two hooks, plus limited crab and bait nets. Ali’i Beach Park has parking, restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. Winter surf on this coast can exceed 25 feet, so fish the pier during calm conditions.
RV Trip Snapshot
- Nearest base: Camp Mokuleia, about 6 miles west along Farrington Highway. Haleiwa town has groceries and fuel for resupply.
- Beach park lots close at night; sleeping in a vehicle in a county lot is not permitted.
- Best suited for: anglers who want an easy, walkable fishing stop paired with a North Shore camp.
How to Plan an RV Fishing Trip in Hawaii
Here are some tips to plan an RV fishing trip on one of the Hawaiian islands.
Choose an RV-Friendly Base Camp
Hawaii is one place where you should start with the campground, not the fishing spot. State park campgrounds do not allow sleeping in vehicles, including campers, vans, and trailers. DLNR’s only exception is a small campervan area at Wai’anapanapa State Park on Maui. Kauai’s county parks require tents. Hawaii law also prohibits using a vehicle for overnight habitation on public property outside a permitted campground, so a beach parking lot isn’t an option.
That leaves a short list of private campgrounds that take camper vehicles, Hawaii County beach parks with permits on the Big Island, and private-land sites booked through platforms like Hipcamp. Book these first, then plan your fishing around them. Expect no hookups; plan for solar or a generator where allowed, and locate dump stations and water fills in advance.
Pack Your RV for a Fishing Trip
- Medium-heavy spinning gear for shore ulua and papio; charter trips will supply offshore tackle
- A kayak, roof rack, and straps if you’re launching at Makena Landing or Anahola Bay
- Polarized sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
- A cooler with plenty of ice; Hawaii campgrounds don’t sell it
- Freshwater jugs for camps without drinking water
- Printed copies of your camping permits and fishing licenses; some campgrounds and rangers check after dark
- Rubber-soled shoes for lava rock and reef
Know Before You Go
- Marine license: Nonresidents 15 and older need a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License to fish in the ocean, from shore or by boat. Hawaii residents and active-duty military and their families are exempt.
- Freshwater license: A Freshwater Game Fishing License is required for anyone 9 and older fishing in public freshwater. Wahiawa Reservoir also requires a free entry permit (when open).
- Regulated areas: Many harbors, bays, and ponds have their own gear and bag rules. Check the DAR regulated-areas pages for the spot you’re fishing.
- Storm impacts: Campgrounds can be impacted by hurricanes or volcano activity. Check the State Parks alerts page for the island you’re visiting before you book.
- One island per trip: There is no vehicle ferry between islands. Rent and camp on the island where you plan to fish.
Find an RV for Your Hawaii Fishing Trip
A campervan in Hawaii likely won’t have hookups and slide-outs … or many amenities at all. It’s about waking up a few miles from the harbor instead of an hour across the island, having a fridge and a stove for the mahi you brought back, and keeping rods, a kayak, and coolers with you instead of in a hotel closet. Pick your island, book your campground, then plan your fishing.
Find your RV for a Hawaii fishing trip on RVshare, or browse rentals on Oahu and Maui.
