Hawaii’s tropical climate and laid-back atmosphere of the Pacific Islands are just part of what makes the state so special. Occupying the tops of massive volcanic peaks jutting out of the sea, the islands feature a diverse and beautiful landscape that ranges from the stark lunar surface of Kilauea Volcano to lush green forests filled with exotic flowers.
Waterfalls flow down the mountainsides like tears on the dramatic Na Pali Coast, while ancient rivers have carved deep into Kauai’s rock to create Waimea Canyon. The Big Island is home to an active volcano and Oahu is home to Pearl Harbor and its rich history.
Around them, the mighty Pacific Ocean is home to an abundance of ocean life, endless opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive, surf or just take a dip after sunbathing. Perhaps the most special part of the islands, however, are the people, whose hospitable attitude really makes you feel like you’re in paradise.
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1 Waikiki Beach en Diamond Head State Monument
Waikiki, with its beautiful stretch of beach on the ocean, is Hawaii’s number one tourist attraction. A suburb of Honolulu, Waikiki is popular for its major resorts, dining, entertainment, and shopping. The Waikiki Historic Trail includes historic markers made from surfboards, inspired by Waikiki’s own Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer and avid surfer. The boardwalk, known as the Waikiki Beach Walk , is lined with cafes and entertainment venues, while Kuhio and KalaKaua roads are home to most of the area’s restaurants and boutiques. Diamondhead State Monumentsits at the end of the crescent-shaped beach creating a striking profile on the shoreline. Once an important vantage point for the island’s coastal defences, a steep walk to the top takes you to the old bunker and artillery control station and rewards your efforts with panoramic views.
Lodging: Where to Stay in Waikiki
2 Pearl Harbor en USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor is a National Historic Landmark and an active military base that earned its place in history for the 1941 attack that killed 1,177 military personnel on the USS Arizona . The site is now home to several attractions that are part of the World War II Valor at the Pacific Monument , including the USS Arizona Memorial , which soars above the remains of the sunken ship—parts of which are visible from the water. There is no charge for a guided tour of the monument, but reservations are recommended due to its popularity. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has free admission and is the meeting point for guided tours, including transportation to thePacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island , where visitors can see WWII aircraft and artifacts, as well as experience landing a plane on an aircraft carrier in a flight simulator. Other points of interest include the USS Oklahoma , USS Utah , and the Battleship USS Missouri whose decks can be toured by visitors.
Accommodation: Where to Stay near Pearl Harbor
3 Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve
Formed in the crater of a volcano on the island of Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a unique protected bay that has long been popular with snorkelers. After overuse caused pollution and damage to the fragile reef ecosystem, restoration efforts have restored the bay to its original splendor and it is once again open to visitors. The Hanauma Bay Education Center is a great place to learn about the bay, and there are several snorkel rental companies that offer lessons so visitors can see the breathtaking reef system and its inhabitants up close.
4 Volcanoes National Park
The park’s centerpiece, Kilauea , has been operating since 2018, and visitors should be aware that parts of the park are closed during periods of seismic activity that could pose a threat.
Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Volcanoes National Park offers a unique, close-up view of an active volcano system where lava seeps from fissures in the earth. The surrounding landscape is formed by cooled lava rock, both old and new, that has poured down roads in a display of its unstoppable power. During the area’s most active periods, tourists have the chance to experience the thrill of feeling seismic activity, hearing the boom in gas emissions, or even seeing a pillar of ash escape into the sky. The park has many things to do and see, including the Thurston Lava Tube , the Jagger Museum, Devastation Trail , and the steaming Halema’uma’u crater. Adres: 1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii
Official site: www.nps.gov/havo
Accommodation: Where to Stay on the Island of Hawaii
5 Haleakala National Park
Located on Maui, Haleakala National Park provides access to the inactive Haleakala Volcano, which stands at over 10,000 feet. Views from the top extend over the entire island and are particularly beautiful at sunrise. The dormant crater is visible and shows a lunar-like landscape, while other parts of the park are covered in subtropical rainforests, which are home to endangered species. Visitors can freely explore the many hiking trails or sign up for guided ranger-led tours, and the more adventurous can spend the night in the park surrounded by some of Hawaii’s most impressive scenery.
Accommodation: Where to Stay near Haleakala National Park
6 Waimea Canyon State Park
Located on the west side of the island of Kauai, Waimea Canyon is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The canyon stretches for ten miles in length, reaches depths of 3600 feet, and is a mile wide at some points. This dramatic spectacle is best viewed from the two main lookouts, Puu ka Pele and Puu hinahina. The landscape of the canyon has rock layers in different colors and some beautiful waterfalls. Guided tours of the many challenging hiking trails and rafting trips that explore the river below are available, and there are additional trails for all abilities in nearby Kokee State Park .
Address: Waimea Canyon Drive, Uninc Kauai County, Hawaii
7 Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
Na Pali State Wilderness Park on the island of Kauai contains some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes. These were made famous in the movie Jurassic Park, which shows a dramatic coastline with cliffs that seem to ripple and the “Wall of Tears” on Mount Waialeale, named for the way hundreds of waterfalls howl from the mountain’s slopes. Some of the best ways to view the scene are to approach the water or take a helicopter ride to view the simply breathtaking sight from above. Expert hikers can explore the Kalalau Trail , an eleven-mile trek that crosses five valleys and takes a full day each.
8 Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Coffee beans in Kona
The Kona Coffee Living History Farm is the only living history farm in the country dedicated to the history and traditions of coffee farming. Costumed interpreters can be found throughout the grounds, covering everyday tasks from food preparation to farm chores, always happy to answer questions. Visitors are also free to explore the plantation, which still produces coffee, where you may even spot a Kona Nightingale. Visitors can also find tours of modern Kona coffee producers, such as plant tours at Hula Daddy and barbecue tours at Mountain Thunder Plantation.
Location: Captain Cook, Hawaii
Official site: www.konahistorical.org
9 Hana Road
The dramatic Hana Road, officially named Hana Highway, is a scenic 52-mile stretch of highway on the island of Maui that winds from Pā’ia through lush forests and along the coast to the remote town of Hana. This trip is worth it, both for the sightseeing along the scenic drive, the must-do things along the way, and the visit to the town itself. Attractions along the route include numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and beaches. Hana’s location, relatively cut off from the rest of the island, has allowed it to retain more of a traditional Hawaiian culture than other towns.
Lodging: Where to Stay on Maui
10 Waipio Valley Lookout
One of the most beautiful spots on the Big Island of Hawaii is the Waipio Valley Lookout. Surrounded by lush cliffs, the fertile valley opens out to the ocean, where the black sand beach is greeted by white waves and blue water. Hiking in Waipio Valley is considered some of the best in the state, and many of the trails are suitable for beginners. For an extra special experience, local guides offer horseback riding tours of the valley, allowing you to enjoy the sights from a different perspective.
Accommodation: Where to Stay on the Island of Hawaii
11 Hamakua Heritage Corridor
This scenic drive along the Hamakua Coast stretches from Hilo to the Waipio Valley Lookout on the Big Island of Hawaii. In addition to spectacular coastal views and the region’s lush landscape, several of the Big Island’s top attractions are located along the way, making this an ideal day trip excursion. From Hilo, tourists take the Onomea Scenic Drive past Onomea Bay and the famous Hawaii Tropical Garden , which features over 2,000 species of tropical plants. As the route heads north, it continues past the 442 foot Akaka Falls and its sibling Kahuna Falls and then the World Botanical Gardens , where you can view a triple waterfall namedUmauma Falls , just like Mauna Kea . Other attractions along the way include a view of the Pacific Ocean at Laupahoehoe Point , hiking at the Kalopa State Recreation Area , and the quaint town of Honokaa . The ride ends at the legendary Waipio Valley Lookout , once home to King Kamehameha.
12 Mount Cross
White Mountain
The tallest mountain in Hawaii, Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is a world away from the tropical paradise below. The summit, which can only be reached in a 4WD vehicle, is often very cold, with snow in the winter months. The Mauna Kea Observatory is an active research facility that welcomes tourists during the day. Only experienced hikers should make a climb to the top on the 6-mile trail, which rises at 13,800 feet from the Visitor Information Station . Evening stargazing programs, held at the visitor center, which sits at about 9,200 feet, are popular with tourists and locals alike.
Accommodation: Where to Stay on the Island of Hawaii
13 Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center offers visitors the chance to get an up-close look at what lies beneath the surface of the ocean and learn about the unique marine life and ecosystems surrounding Hawaii. The centerpiece of the aquarium is the massive Living Reef, which is home to over 40 Pacific coral species and thousands of fish. The 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit gives visitors the chance to walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by ocean life, including sharks, stingrays, and other marine life. The center’s Turtle Lagoon is another popular spot, and behind-the-scenes turtle encounters can be booked.
Address: 192 Ma’alaea Road, Wailuku, Hawaii
Official site: www.mauioceancenter.com
Lodging: Where to Stay on Maui
14 Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is located on Oahu, less than an hour from Honolulu. Through music, dance, craft demonstrations and games, the center showcases the culture and daily life of the Polynesian islanders of Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, as well as that of New Zealand’s Maori people . The center is divided into sections representing each of these locations. Many of the artists come from the islands they represent, with a high degree of authenticity. Visitors can tour the area during the day or catch a show at night.
Address: 55-370 Kamehameha Hwy, Oahu, Hawaii
Official site: www.polynesia.com
Lodging: Where to Stay in Oahu
15 Princeville Botanical Gardens
The Princeville Botanical Gardens is a family-owned business, home to a wide variety of exotic flowers, medicinal plants, and nutrient-bearing plants. Visitors can enjoy the gardens through guided tours and learn about the plants, their uses, and other interesting facts while seeing cacao trees, beautiful flora, and working beehives. The tour also includes the opportunity to taste both raw and processed cocoa (in the form of gourmet chocolate), as well as honey made from the nectar of the tropical flowers.
Address: 3840 Ahonui Place, Princeville, Hawaii
Official site: www.kauaibotanicalgardens.com
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