Hawaiian Islands have it all for a great vacation

Hawaii consists of six islands – Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the Big Island - and each has its own distinctive style.  The islands are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, and they offer a wide range of activities. No matter what you enjoy doing, you can find it in the Hawaiian Islands.

Water Activities

In Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the most famous beach is Waikiki Beach, but many of the island’s beaches are known for optimal surfing conditions. To enjoy the sand and surf without the crowds, head to the secluded beaches on Molokai or Lanai. Watch the windsurfers from the black and red beaches of Maui. Almost every island offers surf lessons for those who want to do more than watch.

At Makena Beach State Park on Maui, you can snorkel with dolphins and sea turtles and explore sea caves.  Sailing and snorkeling packages are available on Oahu.

Whale watching is a popular event.  From December to early May, humpback whales can be seen in the waters off of every island.  While each island offers whale watching tours, Maui offers some of the best places for seeing whales due to shallow waters and clear visibility.

To see all of the islands in a short amount of time, consider booking an island hopping cruise.

Land Activities

Hike through a rainforest on any of the six islands, such as Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui, which contains tropical areas filled with waterfalls and streams.

Stand on an active volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.  Since 2008, Halemaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano has been erupting, and visitors can view the eruption from the Jaggar Museum overlook.

There is a variety of guided tours on the islands that may appeal to the active or adventurous vacationer.  Head to Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Milokai where you can join a guided mule tour that will take you along some of the highest sea cliffs in the world.  If your interests include hiking, downhill biking through a rainforest, kayaking, or mountain biking, there are tours available for those activities as well.

To see the islands without exerting a lot of energy, guided tours by jeep are available.

For those who enjoy botanical gardens, set some time aside to visit the World Botanical Gardens and the Kauai Gardens.

For golf enthusiasts, the Hawaiian islands will not disappoint.  While many of the golf courses are private or affiliated with a resort, there are a number of courses open to the public.  The Big Island Country Club has an independent, daily fee golf course that is often ranked in the top ten of its kind.  Oahu also has a number of independent golf courses, including two that compare with the world’s most challenging layouts.  If laid-back golf is more your style, go to Ironwood Hills Golf Course on Molokai where there’s no golf pros and no clubhouse; all you have to do is show up and enjoy the beautiful view.

Exploring History

Visit Pearl Harbor on Oahu to learn more about the attack that marked the U.S. entry into World War II.  View the floating memorial built above the hull of the sunken Battleship USS Arizona, see the USS Oklahoma Memorial, and view the Battleship Memorial where General Macarthur accepted the surrender of Japan.  Two museums onsite offer more information.

The islands are rich with the history of the native Hawaiian people, and heritage sites, ecotourism, and museums offer visitors insight into their traditions and lives.

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