Your Ultimate Guide to Wanderlust O‘ahu 2019

With more than 180 yoga and meditation sessions, hikes, runs, lectures, concerts and outdoor experiences, here is our guide to a truly well-balanced weekend at this annual event.

February 25, 2019

Jackie Kojima,

Photo: courtesy of wanderlust festival / melissa gayle

It’s not too late to start accomplishing those New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more and finally find true bliss. But if all you’ve done so far is switch to diet cola while watching workout videos, you may need a little, or a lot, of inspiration from people in the know at Wanderlust Oʻahu. The three-day festival that embraces balance starts at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore on Feb. 28. Here is your go-to guide for navigating all the festival has to offer. Namaste!

What It Is

Created a decade ago by married duo Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant and their longtime friend Sean Hoess in New York, Wanderlust aims to help participants find their true north with experts, artists, guides and outdoor experiences including mindful triathlons which consist of running, yoga and meditation. This year marks the seventh anniversary of Wanderlust Oʻahu and, by the way, Hoess’s wedding anniversary; he got married at Turtle Bay right before the inaugural festival in 2013. This year’s festival will feature four expert-led workshops on Thursday, Feb. 28 called Immersions, 67 yoga and meditation sessions, 51 movement-based workshops, 17 hikes and runs, 11 guest lectures called Speakeasy Talks, 19 premium experiences and 17 musical performances. What better place is there to get your life in order than under warm, sunny skies looking out over pristine ocean views?

PHoto: courtesy of Wanderlust Festival / Melissa Gayle

When and Where

Wanderlust Oʻahu will be Thursday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 3.

Thursday, Feb. 28: Activities run from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stop by ʻOhana Night (5:30 to 10 p.m.), a celebration with Hawaiian food, lei-making workshops led by the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Ensemble, Polynesian dancers and more.
Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2: Activities run from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday, March 3: Activities run from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where to Park

If you’re staying at Turtle Bay, self-parking is $15 per night. Free parking is available near the beach but the busy area is first come first served. If you don’t mind sleeping under the stars and want to avoid driving out every day, you can camp near the beach at Turtle Bay for $156.75. Camping is open from Feb. 27 to March 3, with checkout on March 4. The campsite is a short 10-minute walk from the main resort building. Catching the bus is another option, although it will take you more than two hours to get to the resort from Waikīkī.

Day Passes and Deals

Ticket prices vary depending on the day.

Thursday, Feb. 28—$109.73 to $256.03
Friday, March 1—one-day ticket is $151.53
Saturday, March 2—one-day ticket is $161.98
Sunday, March 3—one-day ticket is $125.40
March 1 to March 3—three-day ticket is $465.03

One-day tickets cover one Speakeasy Talk—where leaders, yogis and experts lecture on a range of issues—and up to three activities per day, from yoga and meditation to stand-up paddleboarding and hiking. You pay to add on experiences such as equine yoga ($82.56), horseback riding ($89.87) and ziplining at CLIMB Works Keana Farms ($125.63). You’ll make your choices through the online scheduler wanderlustoahu2019.sched.com. There are a few special deals:

People under the age of 18 receive free admission with a ticket-buying adult.
Military personnel and families receive 25 percent off yoga day tickets with the promotion code MILITARY. Students and 18 to 25 years old receive the same discount with the promotion code STUDENT.
Kamaʻāina receive 20 percent off yoga day with the promotion code LOCALS.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Photo: Courtesy of wanderlust festival/melissa gayle

What to Do

Dozens of activities are offered from sunrise to sundown. On Thursday, Feb. 28, choose one of four Immersions, which are all-day workshops led by teachers and experts. One of the highlights is the Big Magic Creativity & Courage Immersion ($256.03) with Elizabeth Gilbert, renowned author of Eat Pray Love, which has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Gilbert will explore the themes from her latest bestseller, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear and lead participants in letter-writing to explore their creative consciousness.

From Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 3, sign-up to participate in yoga classes, meditation and breathwork sessions, hikes, runs, premium activities and food experiences, concerts and more. In between classes, stop by the Kuilima Market, located on Kuilima Point, overlooking the resort. You’ll find handmade jewelry, yoga accessories, small-batch beauty products and one-of-a-kind clothing pieces crafted by local artisans. Kuilima Market is open from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the rest of the festival.

Photo: Courtesy of Wanderlust festival / melissa gayle

Entertainment

Catch Friday’s headliner, Bob Moses, the Vancouver-bred duo comprised of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance, ($20.90, $25 at the door) and two-time Grammy award winner Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday ($26.13, $30 at the door). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Combo music tickets for both days are also available for $40.76. Local favorite Mike Love is scheduled to open for Rae.

If you’re searching for a unique concert experience, sign up for the Sound Off Silent Disco on March 1 and March 2 at 10:30 p.m. Choose one of three dance parties from three different DJs, put on your headphones and rock out with friends.

What to Eat

After your soul-quenching yoga sessions and workouts, you’ll definitely be in the mood for some delicious and nutritious fare. At the Food Co-Op, comprised of local vendors, you’ll find food for vegans, vegetarians,gluten-free friends and anyone else including an array of salads, ʻahi poke bowls, and kombucha. There are also two premium food experiences: The Happiest Hour ($57.48) on Friday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. and a Farm to Table dinner ($135.85) on Saturday, March 2 at 6 p.m. Both events will serve dishes made from fresh, organic ingredients from the North Shore.

Tips

Bring your own yoga mat, since it also doubles as a handy picnic blanket. You can also rent a Manduka mat for $5 per day.
Pack water and small snacks to keep you energized (just in case the lines get long at the Co-Op).
Don’t stress about planning your Wanderlust experience to the exact second. Class or workshop walk-ins are usually welcome as space permits. Experienced attendees agree that some unstructured time is useful in exploring the festival grounds and breathing in the fresh Hawaiʻi air. So, choose the classes you want, lay your yoga mat out in the sun and get ready to totally bliss-out!