The Best of Hawaii: A Guide to the Island

The Hawaii islands are a true paradise. From the white sand beaches to the volcanoes, Hawaii has something for everyone. In this blog post, we will be going over some of Hawaii’s best resorts, exceptional experiences as well as the best things to do on each island! So grab your sunscreen and get ready for an adventure in Hawaii!

Hawaii: Big Island

Hawaii island, also known as the Big Island, is the largest of all the Hawaiian islands. This island is home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a must-see for any visitor to Hawaii. The park has two active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been the home to Kilauea for over 30 years. Mauna Loa is now known as one of Hawaii islands’ extinct volcanoes.

Hawaii island hosts some famous beaches such as Hapuna Beach Park and has some fantastic resorts to check out. For example, the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Hualalai features villas with private pools, a golf course, and luxury suites.

Hawaii island also has plenty of activities that you can do. For example, if you are into snorkeling, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is for you. The park has over 80 miles of coastline, filled with fantastic snorkeling spots.

If you would like to explore the Kilauea volcano but prefer to do it from a safe distance, many helicopter tours are departing from Hilo that will give you a birds-eye view of Hawaii’s most active volcano.

Oahu

Oahu, Hawaii’s second-largest island, is home to the famous Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach which features a collection of high-end shops and restaurants. This area is perfect for those looking for some good food or maybe want to buy a Hawaii souvenir.

If you are interested in learning about Hawaii’s history, then be sure to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, located at Pearl Harbor. This memorial commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor that happened on December 07, 1941.

Pearl Harbor is also home to the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a museum and memorial ship open to visitors.

Oahu, Hawaii’s third-largest island, also features some beautiful resorts such as the Turtle Bay Resort which offers miles of pristine beaches, resort pools with water slides, among other things. This hotel is excellent if you want to be near Sunset beach for some epic surfing and all the fun Hawaii offers!

Disney has a resort in Maui, and it is called Aulani Resort. This resort caters to children and adults alike with fabulous pools, a lazy river, a water play area for the kids, and an 18-hole golf course.

Maui

Maui is Hawaii’s third-largest island and is home to some of Hawaii’s best resorts. One resort, in particular, the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, is a world-class resort that offers luxurious villas with ocean views, a spa, and plenty of activities to keep you busy.

Another popular Maui resort is the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua which features beautiful beachfront accommodations, championship golf courses, and award-winning restaurants.

Maui has some amazing things to do, and there are plenty of activities that don’t involve snorkeling or surfing. But most people come for Hawaii’s waters, filled with many different types of life you can see up close, including dolphins, turtles, sharks, among other things. Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world, and this island is home to many amazing ones.

Maui features several awesome activities to do on land, such as hiking which takes you through beautiful rainforests, past waterfalls, and more. There are plenty of different trails for all levels, so there should be something everyone can do.

Maui is also home to Haleakala National Park, and this park has a variety of trails and scenery that you can enjoy. There are many different types of hikes here, including cinder cones, lava flows, and it offers the best sunrise in all of Hawaii. Make sure to bring layers as the temperature at the top of Haleakala National Park is cold and windy.

One popular restaurant on Maui is Mama’s Fish House, a must-stop for those who love seafood. This restaurant overlooks the ocean and has a vast menu with something for everyone. But be prepared for a long wait for a table due to its popularity.

Finally, this Hawaii island is home to the world-famous Road to Hana. This drive is a long and winding road that takes you through some of Hawaii’s most beautiful scenery, including waterfalls, bamboo forests, and more. There are plenty of stops along the way where you can park your car and explore on foot, so make sure you have plenty of time if you want to do this drive.

And don’t be afraid to make the entire loop instead of returning the way you came. Some people would say the views on the other side of Hana are the most beautiful, but parts of the road can be treacherous.

Kauai

Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth-largest island, is the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands, formed over five million years ago. Kauai is also known as the “Garden Isle” due to its lush landscape and many different types of vegetation.

One of the most popular things to do in Kauai Hawaii is the helicopter tour of the island. These tours offer views of Hawaii’s incredible waterfalls, such as Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay, making for some truly epic photos.

If you’re feeling adventurous, Kauai also features a variety of great hikes to go on, including the Kalalau trail that follows along part of Hawaii’s Na Pali coast. Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and this trail is one you won’t want to miss.

Kauai Hawaii features several great resorts such as The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, which offers lush gardens, lagoons with waterfalls, among other things. This resort also includes a spa, so Hawaii relaxation is in full swing here.

Molokai

Hawaii’s fifth-largest island is also home to many great things for Hawaii visitors to see and do. For example, Molokai features Kalaupapa State Park, where visitors can explore this area to learn about the history of the Molokai Leper Colony that is still standing today.

One of Molokai Hawaii’s most popular activities is the mule ride down to Kalaupapa. This ride takes visitors down a 2,000-foot cliff trail and offers some fantastic coastline views. Make sure to check ahead of time to find out if the trail is open, as storms can often close it for several months at a time. For those who wish to avoid the cliff trail, tour options include direct flights to Kalaupapa airport.

Molokai also features several great hikes, including the Pala’au State Park, and you will often find the beaches empty for you to enjoy without distraction. Dixie Maru is a popular snorkeling bay, and Papohaku Beach is Molokai’s longest beach at over three miles long but beware of the powerful waves and admire the ocean from the beach.

There is only one hotel in Molokai, Hawaii, and it’s the Hotel Molokai which offers beautiful ocean views. Hawaii visitors will not be disappointed with what this Hawaii island has to offer and often remark that it is the most authentic Hawaiian Island.

Lanai

Hawaii’s sixth-largest is also one of its most rural islands and is home to just over 3000 people. Lanai Hawaii is best known for being Hawaii’s pineapple island and was once Hawaii’s largest employer.

The island of Lanai features the Four Seasons Resort Hawaii at Manele Bay which is located directly on a private beach. The hotel also offers access to nearby Hulopoe Beach for snorkeling, kayaking, and even surfing, with lessons available if Hawaii visitors are interested.

Just 20 minutes away is another Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Sensai Lanai. This resort is set on a hilltop and offers some of the best views of Hawaii’s other islands.

Lanai Hawaii also features excellent hiking trails such as the Munro Trail, which takes visitors through Lanai’s lush rainforest. Lanai Hawaii is Hawaii’s most untouched Hawaiian Island, a great place to enjoy Hawaii in all its beauty.

There are only two resorts in Lanai, Hawaii, and both are Four Seasons Resorts, so if you’re looking for Hawaii luxury, this may be the best destination for your stay.

If you are looking for a vacation or just to get away from the daily grind, Hawaii is the perfect destination. From white sand beaches to volcanoes and everything in between, there is something that will excite every kind of traveler. And don’t forget about all these resorts! Of course, you can stay on one island for your whole trip if you want, but we recommend checking out more than once, so you experience what this beautiful state has to offer. So pull up Google Maps, pack your bags, and head over to paradise – it’s waiting for you with open arms. 

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