Hawaii is known as a hotspot vacation destinations for people looking for adventure, romance, and nature. While each island differs from the others, all of the islands offer remarkable scenery and memories for the whole family. If you need a reason to visit the islands, here are some of the most popular below.
1) Aloha Spirit
Hawaii is full of vibrant local people embracing the Aloha Spirit and preserving Hawaii’s unique culture. There are immense opportunities to learn a new skill such as, hula lesson, luau, drum circle and even a traditional Hawaiian cooking class to experience authentic traveling! The vibe on the islands are super friendly and chill- honestly everything you’d expect from Hawaii.
For a truly authentic experience, visit a small village tucked away in a private valley where you fully immerse yourself in the traditional Hawaiian lifestyle and dive into the community’s sustainability projects.
One of my favorite cultural experiences was taking a small tour boat along the Nā Pali Coast where we learned the history of the land and how everything among the islands is intertwined. No one or thing is superior to another and everything works together in a harmonious lifestyle among the islands. It is truly remarkable to see and immerse yourself in the Hawaiian way of life.
2) National Parks
National Parks are given their name for a reason. They offer the world a place untouched and protected by the government for its remarkable scenery, nature, and wildlife. As always, Wanderland Travel needs to mention the amazing hikes Hawaii is filled with! The different islands offer many different hikes, suitable for pretty much all different fitness levels. On Oahu, the Diamond Head hike is a popular track. It’s fun and relatively easy and walked by all different kinds of people. If you want a real fitness challenge, make a stop at the Koko Head trail. This is probably one of the most unique hikes you’ll ever do!
On Maui, there are several fun hikes you can do along the Road to Hana. I’d also recommend stopping by Iao Needle State Park, one of my ultimate Maui highlights. Here, you can do several hikes, the shortest of which is only about 10 minutes long. On Big Island, you’ll find fun hikes all over the island, which bring you to beautiful destinations. I loved visiting Green Sand Beach and snorkeling in Captain Cook. Both destinations are a 2-hour round trip hike.
3) Beaches
Hawaii’s beaches are some of the most spectacular in the world. Wanderland Travel chooses accommodations steps from the water so guests can soak up as much beach time as possible between all their island activities.
You’re sure to capture an instagram-perfect moment whether you’re playing beach volleyball, snorkeling in crystal clear waters, surfing the waves, or simply soaking up the sun in a beach-side hammock.
Hawaii’s climate is beach-perfect all year round, which is why we offer fall, winter, spring, and summer trips.
Of course, one of the most well-known features of Hawaii are the incredible beaches. They were the thing I was looking forward to most when planning our trip and they did not disappoint! No matter which Hawaiian island you visit, you’re gonna love the tropical spots of paradise they offer.
Even better, there is so much diversity in beaches! Oahu is the place to be for gorgeous tropical beaches with white sand and clear blue water. Some of Maui’s highlights include red and black sand beaches, while on Big Island you can even visit a green sand beach – one of only four in the world!
If you crave outdoor adventure, look no farther. Hawaii’s tropical climate is the perfect setting for an adrenaline-pumping zipline adventure over lush jungle canopies. Pack plenty of snacks and water to hike through the forest to discover secret waterfalls, and cool off with a swim in the middle of the jungle. From horseback riding in Waipio Valley to scuba diving at the best reef spots, the Hawaii islands are an adventure-seeker’s dream come true.
4) Nature
The Hawaiian islands are the capsulate the truth of nature.
Besides beautiful beaches, the Hawaiian islands have so much more to offer in terms of nature! Honestly, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful destinations I’ve ever visited. On top of that, the natural surroundings are also incredibly diverse. I’ve visited Oahu, Maui and Big Island and was amazed at how different the islands are from each other.
If you are looking for the most picture-perfect beaches or visit gorgeous botanical gardens, go for Oahu. Do you want to go on road trips through rainforests and stroll across red and black-sand beaches? Head to Maui, which offers it all! And for fans of volcanic landscapes or gorgeous valleys, Big Island is the place you can’t miss.
5) Cuisine
Hawaiian cuisine reflects the many nationalities who have settled in the island in years past: Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, and Polynesian. The result is a melting pot of mouth-watering dishes centered around fresh ingredients. No trip to Hawaii is complete without a traditional luau where you’ll try an array of the island’s favorite savory meat, seafood and vegetarian plates, and sweet and fruity desserts. Here are some of our must-try Hawaiian dishes!
If you’re a foodie, the Hawaiian food is gonna be one of the main reasons to pay Hawaii a visit! There are so many amazing little restaurants, local health cafes and food trucks spread across the towns and island. There’s something for everyone! A personal favorite of mine was the famous Hawaiian poke, but I also loved trying acai bowls, Thai food and big hummus salads. The food on the islands is super diverse! The different areas or islands will also offer different specialties. For example, you’ll find lots and lots of banana bread on Maui, especially along the Road to Hana. A must-try!
I also found Hawaiian food to be pretty allergy & diet-friendly. As a vegan, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any of the incredible food the island had to offer. Pretty much every restaurant or food truck we visited, offered some vegan options. And some were even completely dedicated to plant-based food!
6) Marine Life
If you love spotting wild animals in their natural environments, Hawaii is the place to be for you. You can spot all different kinds of cool animals, like monk seals or loads of incredible and diverse fish. Maybe you’ll even see the official Hawaiian state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a! (What a mouthful, eh!)
A highlight for me personally were all the times swimming with wild turtles in the ocean. I was hoping to maybe, hopefully, get to see a turtle once during my time in Hawaii – and maybe even be in the sea with it. But wow, I must have swum with turtles at least 5 times on the different Hawaiian islands. It was such a surreal experience! Really, the incredible wildlife alone is reason enough to visit Hawaii.
7) Breathtaking Views
It’s impossible to count how many stunning viewpoints exist amongst the Hawaii islands. Some of our favorite memories are capturing Hawaii’s natural beauty at sunrise and sunset. Below are some of our favorite viewpoints for the opportunity to savor awe-inspiring views, and capture the postcard-perfect moment with friends.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (#hawaiivolcanoesnationalpark)
Waimea Canyon (#waimeacanyon)
8) Volcanoes
Hawaii emerged from the water millions of years ago, forged by the power of volcanoes. Over time, volcanoes have formed some of Hawaii’s most breathtaking landscapes. Few people have the opportunity to come face-to-face with an active volcano, an experience found at the top of many traveler’s bucket lists. visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to wander through lava tubes, hike the rim of an active volcano, and watch lava glow as sunset. Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a plethora of craters, scalded deserts, and volcanic trails.
9) History
While most of us are drawn to Hawaii for it’s incredible experiences in nature, no trip is complete without a souvenir or two. Locally crafted jewelry, lei necklaces, koa wood carvings, and of course a classic Hawaiian shirt are great ways to bring your Hawaiian memories back home. Travelers also enjoy picking up some locally produced products such as Kona coffee, coconut oil, and macadamia nuts- they don’t taste the same grown on the mainland!
Hawaii has an interesting history. The Polynesians first arrived in Hawaii over 1,500 years ago! Historic landmarks across the islands highlight the global influences that have molded Hawaii into the state it is today. Learn more about Hawaii’s history here.
No visit to Oahu would be complete without a journey to the past to pay respects at the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Memorials. Accessible only by boat, this memorial is one of several sites in Hawaii commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor and honoring those who lost their lives as well as the few remaining survivors.
10) Sunrises & Sunsets
I’m a sucker for a good sunrise or sunset. Although they’re usually beautiful no matter where you view them, the ones in Hawaii really are next-level. Honestly, every single morning and night the sky looked downright amazing. My favorite sunset ever was the one we watched on top of the Haleakala volcano in Maui.
As an added bonus, the dark skies are also perfect for stargazing! Although it was rather hard to spot the milky way, Hawaii is home to some of the most incredible starry nights. If you’re on the Big Island specifically, I’d recommend going to the volcano Mauna Kea and driving up as high as you can get with a regular car. This is especially cool because Mauna Kea is the highest mountain on earth when including its mass below sea level, at 10.203 m!
Looking to book a trip to Hawaii? Contact Wanderland Travel today!
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