Technicolor tropical dreams look like Hawaii. It's no mystery why this Pacific archipelago is synonymous with paradise: its emerald waters, powder-white beaches, and soaring mountains appear like a picture postcard brought to life. But, filled to the brim with culture and opportunities for adventure, Hawaii is so much more than a pretty face. From immersing yourself in Native Hawaiian culture at a luau or cultural center to hiking through rainforests, surfing waves, and snorkeling around vibrant coral reefs, there is no shortage of things to do in Hawaii.
With year-round sunshine and balmy temperatures, Hawaii is always delightful. However, to avoid the biggest crowds (and highest hotel rates), skip the peak season (late December–early January). Late spring and early fall are excellent alternatives. Each island has a packed calendar of events and festivals, so perhaps visit to coincide with Oahu’s King Kamehameha Celebration in June, for example, or the Island of Hawaii’s Merrie Monarch Festival around Easter.
Public transportation on Oahu is good, albeit slow, but you’ll want your own wheels for getting off the beaten track and for exploring around the other Hawaiian Islands. A standard vehicle is suitable for getting to the main Hawaiian sights, but you might consider renting a 4WD vehicle for going off-road on the Island of Hawaii and Lanai. To get between the islands, you’ll need to fly: Inter-island flights are quick and frequent.
Hawaiian people are typically warm and welcoming to visitors, but decades of mass tourism to the islands has brought the occasional conflict. Before visiting, take time to learn about native Hawaiian history and culture. While there, heed local customs, such as respecting elders, removing shoes before entering a home, practicing Aloha ʻAina (love of the land) by treading lightly, and using Hawaiian words such as aloha (“hello” and “goodbye”) and mahalo (“thank you”).
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone HST (UTC -10) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 225 | Tours 2,307 | Reviews 294,103 |
Hawaii is known for its surfing scene, lush landscapes, active volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. Its also known for its vibrant culture—many are familiar with its luaus, leis, hula dancers, and ukelele music.
...MoreThat depends on which island you are planning to visit. If, like most people, you will be on Oahu, you’ll want to hike up Diamond Head for views of Waikiki; go snorkeling in Molokini Crater; head for the North Shore to watch the surfers (or take a lesson); and eat your way around Honolulu’s Chinatown.
...MoreTravelers typically find that Oahu has the biggest variety of activities. On Oahu, you can enjoy the outdoors by hiking, snorkeling, surfing, or lounging on the beach; soak up culture and history at Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, and the Bishop Museum; and sample some great food in Chinatown and from the North Shore’s food trucks.
...MoreIt depends on which island you are visiting, but hanging out at the beach is popular across the archipelago. Otherwise, exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii, visiting Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head on Oahu, and driving the Road to Hana on Maui are common activities.
...MoreThat depends on how many islands you want to visit. If you are staying on just one island, five full days is a good minimum length. If you want to see one or two more, add on at least five more days. Remember to take the long flight (and jet lag) into account when making plans.
...MoreHawaii is expensive, no matter where you’re traveling from. The cost of airfare and accommodations alone are tough on the wallet, especially if you want to stay on the ocean. Since Hawaii is an archipelago in the middle of the Pacific, food is also very expensive. That said, you can soften the blow by visiting outside of peak seasons.
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