Hawaii holidays are what we dream about. The outstanding beauty of the islands make eco-tourism and adventure travel one of its greatest assets. There are several outstanding hiking trails, notably on Kauai and the Big Island, as well as kayaking adventures on all islands through lush and vibrant rainforest. The public has access rights to much of the state-owned land as well as all rights to the coastline making exploring easy.
Hawaii travel offers a huge variety of possibilities from absorbing the active beach life of Waikiki, to pampering yourself in one of the mega golf and spa resorts in secluded sweeping beach locations, to enjoying the outstanding scenic attractions by road, to exploring the rich wilderness by foot, kayak, horse or bicycle. Hawaii has something for everyone.
Hawaii Islands is a chain of over 100 islands in the empty north pacific ocean some 2000 miles off the west coast of North America. Only six of these offer tourist accommodation, and all others, except Niihau off Kauai, are uninhabited. Most of these uninhabited islands lie in a chain extending to the north west and are tiny coral atolls.
Hawaii has four main holiday destinations.
Oahu Holidays Overview:
Busy Waikiki Beach - surfing and people watching
Stunning and challenging Koolau Mountain golf courses
North Shore surfing and quirky Halawei Town
Waikiki Lifestyle - boutique shops, high rise resorts, nightlife
Hanauma Bay and coast - blowholes, beaches and snorkelling,
go to the Oahu Travel Guide
Kauai Holidays Overview:
Na Pali Coast - stunning coastal cliffs, hikes and scenic tours
Sea and river kayaking through remote forests and coastlines
Secluded cove beaches around Hanalei
Solitude of Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park
Archaeological sites of Wailua river valley
Resorts and golf courses of Poipu and Princeville
go to the Kauai Travel Guide
Maui Holidays Overview:
Old Lahaina Town - art galleries, shops and fine restaurants
Whale watching from the shoreline
Snorkelling and diving - Molokini and Lanai Islands
Waterfalls and tropical scenery - Road to Hana
Grand resorts of Wailea, beach resorts of Kaanapali
go to the Maui Travel Guide
Big Island Holidays
Volcano National Park - active lava flows and cinder cones
Impressive historical sights and petroglyphs
Traditional Polynesian and farming communities
Secluded beaches and resorts of Kohala Coast
Stunning Waipio Valley and waterfalls of Hamakua Coast
Charming bed and breakfast accommodation in rural locations
go to the Big Island Travel Guide
Sightseeing is most dramatic on Kauai, followed closely by the Big Island with its active volcano and dramatic waterfalls. Discerning travellers and those seeking adventure should also head to Kauai, followed by the Big Island. If you are after a Hawaii beach holiday, Waikiki Beach on Oahu has the liveliest atmosphere with lots of water activities, followed by Kihei Beach on Maui. For luxury beach resorts, Wailua and Kaanapali on Maui and the Kohala Coast on the Big Island have the nicest beaches, whilst the most dramatic beaches are on Kauai. For fine dining and bars, there is no better place than Old Lahaina Town on Maui with the added attraction of its art galleries. Golf holidays are excellent on all islands, with Oahu having the greatest variety of courses. Surfing is at its best in the winter months, particularly on the north shore of Oahu whilst the best scuba diving and whale watching is on Maui. The Big Island has the best game fishing and most impressive and interesting archaeological sites as well as the fascinating Volcano National Park.
Our minimum recommended duration for a self-drive sightseeing holiday:
Oahu - 2 days based at Waikiki
Kauai - 4 days based at Kapaa, Poipu or Hanalei
Maui - 3 days based at Lahaina, Kaanapali or Kihei
Big Island - 3 days based at Kailua and 2 days at Hilo/Volcano
Two internal airlines each offer hourly flights from Oahu to Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, with connections also available between Maui and the Big Island and also from Oahu to Lanai and Molokai. Flight times are around 40-minutes. Oahu is the main international airport but international flights from USA and Japan also arrive in Maui and the Big Island.
Internal Flights and Car Hire
Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Fiji Holidays Guide
Cook Islands Holidays Guide
Samoa Holidays Guide
Tonga Holidays Guide
Tahiti Holidays Guide
Hawaii Holidays Guide
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