A Travel Guide to Hawaii

By Madison White on December 23, 2019

For many people, Hawaii is a dream destination. You’ve heard about how beautiful, magical, and relaxing it is, but how do you know what to do while you’re there? Or where to stay for that matter? Lucky for you, this article details all you need to know about planning a trip to Hawaii.

 

When to Visit Because Hawaii is made up of islands, the weather is very stable throughout most of the year. This is great news because it means that there isn’t really a bad time to visit Hawaii. Temperatures usually average between 75 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit which is perfect for enjoying the outdoors and the ocean. Whenever you choose to visit, you won’t be caught out by terrible weather. Hurricanes are possible in Hawaii, but very rare. Hurricane season typically occurs from June to November. Although the weather may be beautiful year-round, Hawaii is an extremely popular tourist spot which means it could be less than ideal because of the crowds and the high prices. If you are wanting to avoid crowds, you’ll want to avoid peak tourist season which occurs during most of the summer and during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hawaii tourism is surprisingly high during the months of winter which most areas consider the offseason. So while you may think it would be a good idea to go then to get a break from winter weather, you may be surprised to find out that you’re not the only one. Hawaii’s tourism website recommends visiting in the months just before peak seasons like April, May, and October. These tend to be the slowest times for tourists but have some of the best weather and events happening. You’re likely to find cheaper flights and accommodation during these times and enjoy more of the islands rather than having to compete with other travelers. Which Island to Visit When people actually visit Hawaii, they usually don’t see the whole thing. As you may know, Hawaii is made up of four main islands and a couple other, smaller ones which each bring unique characteristics. Most people choose to only visit one island during their stay, but it may be possible to travel between islands by boat or flight. Depending on the type of traveler you are and what you want to do, you may choose different islands. The four main islands are as follows: Kauai—the Garden Isle, Maui—the Valley Isle, Big Island—the Orchid Isle, Oahu—The Gathering Place. As each of the names suggests, each island brings something new and different to the beautiful state. If you are really wanting to see beautiful, natural scenery, you may want to visit Kauai. They have many beautiful gardens as well as a very famous waterfall—Wailua. Maui is the second-largest island in Hawaii and is often a popular choice. Many people say it has some of the best beaches in the world. In winter, it is a popular place to spot whales. The Big Island is just what the name suggests, the biggest island. It’s landmass hosts many natural beauties that visitors can see by hiking or by helicopter. If you’re into volcanoes, you can expect to see many in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Oahu is another popular choice as it is where many of Hawaii’s most famous attractions are located. Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is located on this island. It is also home to Pearl Harbor which many people choose to visit. Waikiki Beach is a very famous beach that attracts people from around the world. How to Get There Because Hawaii is located way out in the Pacific Ocean, the only way to travel there is by plane. Unless, of course, you’re looking for an intense journey by boat. If you live in America, you will likely fly out of an airport on the West Coast like Los Angeles or San Francisco. You can expect those flights to be around 5-6 hours. If you live outside of America, you may take other routes that leave from East Asia. Transportation from there will be mostly determined by what you plan to do. If you are planning on mostly staying in one area and only going on a few, popular excursions, you likely won’t need much beyond a few taxis. If you are planning to go more off the beaten path, then you may want to consider renting a car. What to Bring Because the temperature is warm year-round, you can leave your winter clothes at home. You won’t be needing the parka! Hawaiians tend to dress casually, so you’ll be totally fine walking around in shorts and flip flops. Even in more upscale dining establishments, proper dress is usually more casual than it is elsewhere. You won’t need to worry about ironing your tuxedo for these dinner occasions. Essentially, you just need the things you’ll be wearing for your activities. This will probably include a few swimsuits, some cover-ups, light clothing, and a light jacket for the evenings. If you plan on doing some hiking while there, you might want to bring along some proper hiking boots. It’s hard to scale a volcano in flip flops. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen! Where to Stay Tourism is one of Hawaii’s largest industries so there will be no shortage of places to stay. You should be able to find different accommodations at different price points—so you can decide to stay in a more basic hotel or splurge for a luxury resort. This being said, Hawaii isn’t really a budget-friendly place to vacation. It will cost a pretty penny to fly and stay there so if you’re trying to save some cash, you might want to choose to go somewhere else. Hawaii boasts a large number of hotels and resorts, especially on their most popular island, Oahu. You can expect these hotels and resorts to be clustered in popular areas like Honolulu or Waikiki Beach. There are many options to choose from whether you are looking for a boutique hotel or a full-service luxury resort. One of the most well-known resorts is Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa. As expected, this resort is very popular for families and there are lots of kid-friendly activities. If you’re looking for a relaxing couple’s retreat, you may want to look elsewhere. Hotels and resorts are a popular choice because you know what to expect. They are often easy to get to and many will shuttle you there from the airport. You can usually expect swimming pools or beach access as well as dining options. What they lack in individuality, they make up for in amenities and services. Another option for staying in Hawaii is to seek out Inns and B&Bs. You are going to get a quieter, more personalized experience when staying here. You are more likely to find quirky treehouses and tiny homes here. You can seek out these places through searching the web or using hosting sites like Airbnb. You’ll likely be a little further away from all the hustle and bustle of the resorts. In these cases, however, you’ll be more responsible for entertaining yourself. Most of these places don’t come with planned activities although your host may be able to give suggestions. If you’re an independent traveler, this may be the perfect option for you. The final option is vacation rentals or more commonly VRBO (vacation rental by owner). This is when the owner of a house rents it out to travelers when they are not there. It is a great way for them to earn money, especially during peak seasons. Renting a vacation home is another great option if you’re looking to get off the beaten path and try things out for yourself. It may also be a great option if you are traveling with a lot of people for an event like a wedding or a family reunion. Renting a house to share often is a lot cheaper than renting multiple hotel rooms. Like the B&Bs, these places are likely to have more character and charm. They will add a unique dimension to your Hawaiian vacation. What to Do Hawaii has something for everyone. Choosing what activities you want to do will largely be based on what you want to get out of your trip. Are you looking to see some natural wonders? Experience something adrenaline-inducing? Find some rest and relaxation? Or learn about Hawaiian culture? Most people choose to do a mix of all of these things to get a diverse and exciting vacation. Luckily, you get to choose what you do and don’t do! If something doesn’t quite sound like something you’d want to do, just swap it for something else, or spend your afternoon lounging poolside—nothing wrong with that! Natural Wonders Hawaii is home to some of the most unique and beautiful places on Earth. Many people journey to these islands to see sights that they’ve never seen before. The natural beauty of Hawaii can be experienced in a variety of different ways that suit different people. The most common way to see Hawaii’s natural wonders is to hike. It is common to go on hikes either up volcanoes or into forests where waterfalls will be. These lead to astounding and wonderful discoveries and memories. Before you go on a hike, consider if you want to go on your own or with a guide. Remember that guides will have lots of knowledge and experience in the Hawaiian wilderness and can give you exciting information about the places you’re going. You should also check the physical requirements before signing up for a hike. Hikes can range from beginner to advanced and you wouldn’t want to sign up for something that is beyond your ability. Also, don’t forget your hiking shoes! Besides just hiking, there are lots of other ways to witness Hawaii’s natural beauty. You could go on guided tour drives that stop at different locations. Or how about a helicopter ride over a volcano? Many people also choose to go on boat rides to witness the islands from a different viewpoint. Don’t forget that there is a whole other view below the water as well! You wouldn’t want to skimp on the snorkeling or diving where you might see amazing fish and ocean creatures. Some people travel to Hawaii to witness very specific natural events like whale migration. If you are keen on seeing whales or other certain species, make sure that you are visiting in a time where they will be easy to spot. Whale spotting season happens mostly in the winter so plan accordingly. Rest and Relaxation It isn’t hard to find some peace while soaking in all the beauty of the place around you. If getting some much-needed R&R is on your list, make sure you choose the appropriate accommodation. It will make a huge difference. You’ll probably want to steer clear of any resorts or hotels that are geared towards families as you can expect many kids to be running and splashing in the pool. Not ideal when you’re trying to nap in the afternoon sun. You may want to consider finding a place a little further away from the popular spots to ensure some quiet and tranquility. You may also want to search for hotels and resorts that specialize in spa packages or promote themselves as adults only. Hawaiian Culture While Hawaii is part of the United States, it has a very different culture and lifestyle than the rest of the country. It would be a real shame to visit and not experience some things that are completely unique to these islands. Some of these things are well known, like attending a luau, which most hotels and resorts will arrange for their guests. You might also want to try some of the local food which centers on seafood. Poke bowls are a popular dish that you may want to try. If you’re a history buff, you wouldn’t want to miss out on visiting Pearl Harbor. Hawaii is a wonderful and diverse place that offers so much to its visitors. You can undoubtedly find some amazing activities to do and places to visit while staying there. Remember to enjoy yourself, soak up the sun, and take lots of pictures! You’re going to want to remember this trip.

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