Hawaii holidays

For many, Hawaii is shorthand for paradise — a land of golden beaches, swaying palm trees and fruity umbrella drinks. But there’s so much more to the state than its stereotypes. From the Big Island’s volcanoes and Maui’s legendary surf breaks to Oahu’s fascinating history, each of the eight major islands offers something special for travellers. Get ready to say ‘aloha’ to culture, nature and adventure on a holiday to Hawaii.

Top destinations in Hawaii

Hilo

The heartbeat of Hawaii’s Big Island, Hilo is beloved for its historic downtown, where history and creativity meet at the doorstep of the world’s largest volcano.

Honolulu

With its legendary beaches, world-class museums and culturally diverse food scene, Hawaii’s capital city is one of the most iconic tropical getaways on the planet.

Kahului

Welcome to Maui’s ultimate coastal gem. From hiking up volcanoes to relaxing on palm-fringed beaches, holidays in Kahului can be as action-packed or slow-paced as you like.

Hawaii: fast facts

Language

English, Hawaiian

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

Honolulu - UTC−10 (HST)

High season

December – March; June – August

Low season

April – May; September – mid-December

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Hawaii holiday highlights

Hawaii
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Get in the water

Water sports are one of the best things to do in Hawaii. Ride the rolling waves at Oahu’s surf havens, Waikiki Beach and Sunset Beach. Or spot Hawaiian green sea turtles while snorkelling in Kaunaoa Bay on Hawaii’s Big Island. Keen to dive? Look no further than Molokini, a partially submerged volcanic crater just off Maui’s southwestern coast.

See an active volcano

Located on the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes. See the lava lake glow in the Halemaumau Crater. And walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, a cave formed by ancient volcanic flows. With guided trails running through rainforests past lava streams and sulphur banks, the park has endless hikes and adventures.

Attend a luau

No Hawaiian holiday is complete without experiencing a traditional luau, a feast featuring music and cultural performances. Expect dishes like ‘kalua pig’ (shredded pork) and ‘haupia’ (coconut pudding), plus lots of hula and fire dancing. For the best chance of getting an authentic luau experience, look out for Native Hawaiian–owned companies and events hosted by local cultural centres.

Things to do in Hawaii

Honolulu
Heather Goodman

Top attractions

Snorkelling through the 7,000-year-old coral reef of Oahu’s Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a peak Hawaii experience. The number of daily visitors is limited, so book ahead. Don’t miss the lava tubes, craters and active volcanoes on the Big Island’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. And the museums of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial offer a moving perspective on the bombing in 1941.

Beaches

Hawaii has some of the best beaches on earth, ranging from powdery white stretches to volcanic black sands. Stake a spot on Maui’s sprawling Makena Beach. Or witness unbeatable sunsets from Poipu Beach in Kauai. For a unique experience, head to Papakolea Beach on the Big Island, where you’ll find one of only four green-sand beaches in the world.

Nature

From volcanoes and sugary sand beaches to lush rainforests and waterfalls, Hawaii boasts countless natural wonders. Explore the secret caves along Kauai’s North Coast and visit the 2,000-metre-deep Waimea Canyon, known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’. In Oahu, hike the trails around Diamond Head State Monument, a 230-metre tuff crater and one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks.

Cuisine

Blending influences from Polynesia, Asia and North America, Hawaiian cuisine is all about fusion flavours. Break up a beach day with a ‘poke’ bowl (marinated raw fish), and satisfy your comfort food cravings with ‘loco moco’ (rice topped with a hamburger patty, gravy and fried egg). Casual restaurants in Hawaii are also likely to serve ‘Spam musubi’, a type of Spam sushi.

Culture and museums

Take a break from the beaches to explore some of the fascinating museums in Hawaii. Learn about Hawaii’s history and Polynesian culture at Honolulu’s Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the largest museum in the state. And visit the capital’s 19th-century Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the US. Love coffee? Take a tour of the Kona Coffee Living History Farm.

Nightlife

From stargazing on the beach to cocktails on the ‘lanai’ (porch), nightlife in Hawaii tends to be low-key. But there are plenty of high-energy spots too. Honolulu’s Waikiki is full of bars and clubs, and the Big Island’s Kailua-Kona is known for its live music venues on the water. For a classic Hawaiian evening, reserve a spot at a traditional luau.

Find the best time to visit Hawaii

Weather in Hawaii through the year

May – October: Hawaii’s long summer is prime time for beach days, hikes and sunsets. Daytime temperatures hover around 29°C, and the steady trade winds help keep humidity in check. It’s cooler in the mountains year-round, so pack a light layer. Keep in mind that tropical storms and the occasional hurricane can roll through from June to November.

November – April: Winter here feels like summer almost anywhere else. Daytime highs dip only slightly, but you’ll notice more rain, especially on Kauai and the windward (northeastern) sides of the islands. Showers rarely last all day, so you can still surf, snorkel and explore between bursts of sunshine.

Events in Hawaii

Prince Lot Hula Festival (July): Honolulu celebrates the art of hula with two days of vibrant group performances, bringing a centuries-old tradition to life through movement, music and storytelling.

Aloha Festivals (September): This celebration of Hawaiian culture is the largest event in Hawaii, with each island hosting its own mix of block parties, parades and concerts.

Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (October to November): Oahu, Maui and the Big Island host three weeks of culinary events, from beach cookouts to demos by top chefs.

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (November to December): The biggest surfers in the world brave waves up to 15 metres tall off Oahu’s North Shore. Arrive early to watch from the sand.

Know before you go

Budget

Though the islands have their fair share of splurge-worthy experiences, cheap holidays to Hawaii are doable with some careful budgeting. When dining out, expect to pay around 20 US dollars ($) for a simple meal and $8 for a local beer. A short taxi ride will cost you around $13.

Health and safety

You’ll want to take the usual precautions at the beach. Check with lifeguards about water conditions, look for riptide warnings, and don’t turn your back on the waves. On land, stay on marked trails, and never venture to the edges of cliffs, which can crumble. On summer evenings when mosquitoes are out in full force, be sure to keep insect repellent on hand.

Free things to do

Most beaches in Hawaii are free — though some of the busiest ones charge non-residents a small fee. From November to March, whale watching from viewpoints like the Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site on Hawaii or Oahu’s Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse is a great free activity. Or see ancient petroglyphs among the lava fields of the free Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park on the Big Island.

Family friendly

You’ll find calm, family-friendly beaches all over Hawaii, especially on the islands’ southern and western sides. Maui’s Baby Beach is so waveless it feels like one giant kiddie pool. On land, the Bishop Museum in Honolulu offers kid-friendly ways to learn about Hawaiian life, including regular lava melt demos. Across all the islands, zip line tours are huge with families.

Getting around Hawaii

Hawaii
Brand USA

Public transport

Buses: Each island runs its own public bus network. Oahu’s system, TheBus, is the most extensive, while the Big Island’s Hele-On buses offer free rides.

Trains: Hawaii’s only trains are part of Oahu’s new elevated rail system, Skyline. Service is limited for now, but the line will eventually connect key parts of the island.

Boats: Distance and rough seas make most ferry travel between islands impractical. The state has just one regular passenger route — a little over an hour’s ride linking Maui and Lanai — offering travellers a scenic, sea-level view between the two islands.

Domestic flights

Multiple international and regional airports are spread across the Hawaiian islands. The largest hubs are on Oahu and the Big Island, where many visitors connect to reach other parts of the state.

Find domestic flights

Driving and car hire

Driving is a great way to experience all sides of Hawaii, from quiet beaches to transcendent views. The road to Hana on Maui, the Big Island’s Red Road and Diamond Head Road on Oahu are incredibly scenic. But be prepared to take it slowly. Most roads are only two lanes, and many are steep and curvy. Major highways are well maintained, but you may encounter potholes on side roads.

Check car hire

FAQs about Hawaii holidays

Looking for some city energy with your surf? Oahu delivers. Craving volcanoes and lava fields? The Big Island’s got you covered. Maui seduces with golden beaches and a honeymoon-ready vibe, while laid-back Kauai invites you to sway in a hammock, wrapped in lush tropical beauty.
You’ll want to spend at least a week to 10 days enjoying Hawaii’s culture, nature and activities. While you likely won’t be able to hit all the state’s main islands during one trip, this should give you enough time to visit two or three of them.
Although Hawaii is a year-round destination, the best time to visit is from May to October, when the state sees the least rainfall. In Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, the weather can vary dramatically depending on which side of the island you’re visiting. Be sure to check the forecast before heading out on excursions.
Hawaii is a safe travel destination with relatively low crime rates. Even so, petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur in big cities like Honolulu. Though rare, the islands have been known to experience wildfires, floods and volcanic eruptions, so stay tuned to news alerts for any predicted storms or disasters.
Hawaii is the only US state with two official languages — English and Hawaiian (known as ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi). If you’re keen to use some Hawaiian phrases beyond ‘aloha’ (hello and goodbye), try ‘mahalo’ (thank you) and ‘e kala mai’ (excuse me).
You’ll use US dollars ($) in Hawaii. ATMs are easy to find at the airport, and banks and shops are all around the island. While major businesses take credit cards, carry some cash for places like farmers markets and food trucks. Tips for service workers and 20% gratuities on meals are customary.
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