The Hawaiian Islands have so much to offer – so why visit one island when you can explore all four? Visit all four of the main islands – Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii (also known as ‘The Big Island’) to discover their unique landscapes and enjoy wonderful sightseeing and events on each of them. Surrounded by sun, sea and friendly locals, Hawaii is the perfect destination to experience charming island life. In this blog, our travel expert Astrid shares the best way to island hop in Hawaii to ensure you make the most of your getaway.
Go hiking on at least one island
The Hawaiian Islands have so many different trails to hike. Not only will you get to breathe in the fresh Hawaiian air, but these trails will bring you through tropical rain forests, forking rivers, and cascading waterfalls. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the Waipio Valley on ‘The Big Island’, one of the most popular hiking spots.
Surf the Hawaiian waters
Known as the birthplace of surfing, Hawaii has some of the best surf in the world. Pick up a board and try something new to make your trip unforgettable. If surfing isn’t for you, sit back and relax as you watch the professionals at work gliding over the huge, glistening blue waves. Peahi in Maui and Sandy beach in Oahu are popular surfing beaches to visit.
Explore the beaches
Hawaiian beaches are beautiful, and each coastline offers something different. Luckily when you are island hopping you can visit an array of beaches. On ‘The Big Island’ you can go to Punalu’u Beach, famous for its black sand and home to endangered green sea turtles, or visit Honaunau Beach, a haven for divers who want to swim amongst the native fish and colourful coral.
The beachfront of Maui, during December to April, is one of the best places in the world to spot migrating humpback whales. Lanikai, Oahu with its pristine sand, clear waters and calm waves has previously been named one of the best beaches in the world! Visiting as many beaches as you can is one of the best ways to island hop in Hawaii.
Try Hula Dancing
Hawaii’s traditional form of dancing is the Hula. Take in one of its spectacular performances as a little after dinner entertainment, or try the dance yourself. If you want to see the best of the best hula dancing, visit Hilo in the spring for the world’s premier hula competition.
Visit Museums
There is a lot of history and culture in Hawaii. The Iolani Palace, located in downtown Honolulu, is a great place to go to learn about Hawaiian monarchy. The Kauai Museum shows the geology of Hawaii and the early native Hawaiian life. This gives its guests a taste of what it was like in Hawaii thousands of years ago.
See the Volcanoes
A sightseeing tour is a great way to island hop in Hawaii. Take a day tour to the Volcanoes National Park, on ‘The Big Island’, where you will see a real smoking volcano, the only active volcano in Hawaii. You can even walk through the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Cave!
Visit Pearl harbour
What is a holiday without learning a bit about its history? On the island of Oahu you can take the Pearl Harbour Experience Tour and visit the memorial site which is placed right above the shipwreck. See the battleship Missouri, the scene of the Japanese surrender by General Macarthur in 1945. This is a must when island hopping in Hawaii.
Go shopping on the islands
If you are in need of a little retail therapy, visit Kalakaua Avenue on the island of Oahu or explore the quaint old whaling town of Lahaina. There are shops to suit everyone, from high-end designer boutiques to smaller artisan shops and cafés, a true delight to stroll around.
Helicopter ride
Take in the Kauai Island from above by taking one of its exciting helicopter rides, you can fly across rainforests, waterfalls and the stunning Napali coastline.
Want to experience Island hopping in Hawaii? Contact us today and speak with one of travel experts!
