Trip to Hawaii

This travelogue illustrates an island hopping trip in the paradise of Hawaii, traveling to Lanai, Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii by rented car and inter-islands flights. Tour of Hawaiian volcanoes and national parks on my own or by organized day trips booked while on place. Wonderful beaches, majestic volcanoes, dense jungle covering the wettest spots, beautiful mountains and also a miniature Grand Canyon! These are just few of the natural wonders that can be seen during a vacation to Hawaii.

WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN HAWAII?

Although the Hawaiian islands are usually associated only to a beautiful sea, this spot secluded in the Pacific has a lot more to offer and could be the ideal destination for passionate naturalists, geologists and photographers, thanks to the spectacular landscape forged by ancient volcanoes. Your trip to Hawaii will probably start from the capital Honolulu, a dynamic city with skyscrapers almost up to the beach line, where you can spend beautiful days strolling along the famous Waikiki Beach, or visiting the more remote beaches along the east coast of Oahu island, frequented by windsurfers in search of the perfect wave. Changing island, tourists who want to trek among spectacular scenery, will find numerous trails immersed in the nature of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii (The Big Island) where walks varies between extinct volcanoes or lush rainforest rich in waterfalls and natural swimming pools. For those who want to experience the thrill of a helicopter flight, Hawaii offers a wealth of tours to suit all budgets, including a flight over an active volcano, while the local diving clubs offer excursions for divers and snorkelers. These are only brief examples of what you can do in Hawaii and in this section of travel-tour-guide.com will find numerous photos organized by island, that could help you in planning your tour to this beautiful corner of the Pacific.

HOW TO GET TO HAWAII?

The Hawaiian islands are served by daily flights from many major US airports, bound for Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue, Kona and Hilo. Travelers from Europe will find convenient day connection probably in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle, while tourists from Asia may choose a direct flight from Tokyo, Seoul or Manila. People visiting Hawaii in conjunction with a tour to other islands in the Pacific, may instead get direct flights to Honolulu from Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Guam or Majuro atoll. Direct flights are available as well from Australia and New Zealand.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND IN HAWAII?

During your holiday to Hawaii you will likely want to visit more than one island, so, how to move between them? In Hawaii there is a very efficient air transport network that provides numerous daily connections between the smaller islands and Honolulu, as well as several direct flights between the islands without having to change the plane in Honolulu. Ferries are little used, while to move comfortably within each island, it's strongly recommended to rent a car for the maximum freedom of visiting even the hidden corners of the islands.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HAWAII?

The best season to go to Hawaii is the summer, roughly from April to October, as these months are not not only drier and warmer, but see less tourists as most Americans prefer to visit Hawaii in winter, probably to escape the cold of the continental states. In any case, people should be aware that a real dry season in Hawaii doesn't exist and rains are actually possible any time of the year, although the heaviest downpours are usually limited to mountainous areas.

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN HAWAII?

As already anticipated, Hawaiian islands have a lot to offer, including many hidden treasures that can be discovered only with long hikes. Anyway, what are the not-to-be-missed places in Hawaii? Below you will find a brief list of the most important spots that shouldn't be really missed.

• Grand Canyon of the Pacific (Kauai island): it is a real miniature Grand Canyon, easily reachable with a few minutes drive from the main beaches of Kauai. Nearby the canyon there is also the wettest spot in the world, which is definitely worth a visit, even for just curiosity.
  
  
• Na'Pali Coast (Kauai island): one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world, with cliffs, rocks with odd shapes and "Jurassic Park" waterfalls. Accessible by helicopter or with a trek lasting several days (weather permitting, by boat too).
  
  
• Pearl Harbour (Oahu island): in the immediate vicinity of Honolulu, this great open-air museum is dedicated to World War II and offers the chance to visit a restored submarine, war ships and symbolic places of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The complete tour takes a full day.
  
  
• Oahu eastern coast: not far from the skyscrapers of Honolulu, there is a series of picturesque beaches very popular especially with windsurfers. Snorkeling enthusiasts should not miss a stop at Hanauma Bay.
  
  
• Haleakala National Park (Maui island): the crater of the extinct volcano is located at 3000 meters above sea level and is accessible by car. From the visitor center there are a number of trails of varying lengths and difficulties that allow you to enjoy the beautiful lunar landscape, but watch for altitude sickness!
  
  
• Winding road to Hana (Maui island): it is a winding road that runs along the north-eastern coast of Maui, passing through a dense jungle with waterfalls and natural pools of fresh water. Some paths lead to further falls, among bamboo forests and tropical flowers.
  
  
• Volcano National Park (Hawaii - The Big Island): probably the best-known national park in Hawaii where, depending on the conditions of the moment, you can also observe an eruption in progress with the help of helicopters, boats, or by guided treks.
  
  
• Mauna Kea Observatory (Hawaii - The Big Island): the observatory is located atop the Mauna Kea volcano in a lunar landscape absolutely spectacular and at an altitude of 4200 meters, where you can occasionally find some snow! The site is accessible only by 4x4 and you may want to book a tour group.
  
  
• Secluded islands of Molokai and Lanai: if you are looking for secluded places in Hawaii far away from the normal normal tourist routes, Molokai or Lanai may be the island for you.