Destination overview

Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii are the major islands that make up this fantastic destination. Ever popular with travellers from all over the world, Hawaii is like no other place on earth.

Hawaii is home to one of the world's most active volcanoes and the world's tallest sea mountain, as well as being the birthplace of modern surfing and the hula. It is also the former seat of a royal kingdom and home to the only royal palace on United States soil. And, it’s the youngest state of the union. But perhaps Hawaii's most unique feature is its aloha spirit - the warmth of Hawaii's people that wonderfully complement the Islands' perfect temperatures.

You will find that each island has its own distinct personality and offers its own adventures, activities and sights. Mark Twain called Hawaii, "that peaceful land, that beautiful land... the climate, one long delicious summer day, and the good that die experience no change, for they but fall asleep in one Heaven and wake up in another."

The Big Island, Hawaii, houses Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park near Punaluu. Take a walk through the 400-foot Thurston lava tube, over scalded deserts and the trails along Kilauea Caldera. When the lava hits the ocean, its steam can obscure the sun, and at night it glows eerily. The surrounding beaches are soft and black and there’s a green beach at the lush southern-most tip, Kau, along with white sandy beaches at Hapuna Beach State Park.

In winter, there’s also white snow capping one of the world’s tallest mountains, Mauna Kea. If you don’t ski, stargaze from its 14,000 feet. Hamaukua Coast is a must-do drive through fertile valleys and jungle-clad mountains, past spectacular seascapes, rushing streams and cascading waterfalls. Stop to hike between the soaring cliffs of the Waipo Valley and view exotic plants at the botanic gardens and gaze in awe at the 442- foot Akaka Falls.

Near sunny Kailua you can fish for giant marlin, snorkel in lovely Kealakekua Bay, swim with manta rays and enjoy fresh Kona coffee at a Hualalai Volcano plantation. Play the Kohala coast golf courses, shop and dine at Alii Drive and see ancient royal Hawaiian culture at Puuhonua O Honaunau. Kids will love the petroglyphs on the rocky Kohala coast, and a visit to the Japanese bridges in Liluokalani Gardens is a must. You can also build sandcastles at Spencer Beach Park and learn about Hawaiian cowboys near Waikoloa.

Maui’s mix of sophistication and idyllic natural surroundings is popular with both people and humpback whales and thousands crowd its waters each winter to experience some whale watching. Its beaches are constantly voted as favourites, as are its championship golf courses. The Ocean Center, with the mammoth tropical reef aquarium, has been voted Hawaii’s top family attraction. The twisting, scenery-drenched road to Hana is a must-do. Rainforest-clad mountains, one-lane bridges and hairpin curves, waterfalls beside your window and black-sand beaches and dramatic coastline will simply astound you.

Waianapanapa State Park is great for snorkelling, the red sand at isolated Kaihalulu Beach is an eye-opener and the Seven Sacred Pools of Oheo Gulch are cool and tranquil. You’ll find beautiful white swathes of sand at nearby Wailea, as well as world-class golf courses and sophisticated shopping. Big Beach is the place to go for sunsets, Kihei to eat and party and you may see dolphins while snorkelling at Ahihi-Kinau Reserve. Watch the sun rise from the dormant volcano at Haleakala National Park and windsurf Hookipa.

Follow the Historic Trail through Lahaina take a rest in the shade of an enormous banyan tree, watch for humpbacks from a waterfront restaurant or shop along Front Street. Dine on Kalua Pig, Haupia and Poi before watching a traditional Luau, sip pineapple wine at Tedeschi Winery, meditate at Lahaina Jodo Mission’s Buddhist temple or take a ride on the 1890 Kaanapali Railroad.

You’ll find Pearl Harbor, Ala Moana Center, one of the largest open-air shopping centres in the world, and truly memorable nightlife around Honolulu on Oahu. Learn to surf at Waikiki or Kuhio Beach, explore the Florentine-style royal palace, Iolani, traipse through verdant rainforest at Waimea Valley or up to the Makapuu Lighthouse. You can snorkel Hanauma Bay, see some fabulous state fish at the Waikiki Aquarium, and navigate stairs, tunnels and military bunkers to the panorama of Diamond Head.

Go shopping on Kalakaua Avenue, explore the warren of eclectic shops in Chinatown and people-watch in one of its bars or restaurants. The Shinto Izumo Taishakyo Mission Shrine was built without a single nail, and a must to visit, while the Valley of the Temples, at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains is a peaceful mix of Buddhist and Catholic religions. The North Shore’s seven miles of beautiful beaches are perfect for surfing. Waimea Bay, Banzai Pipeline on Ehukai Beach and Sunset Beach are where the pros go in winter and families enjoy summer fun in the sun. Charming boutiques and good restaurants fill the historic plantation-era buildings in laid-back Haleiwa, while Kahuku’s roadside shrimp trucks dish-up delicious garlic shrimp scampi.

Beautiful little Kauai seems to have been purpose-designed for romance and eco-adventure. There aren’t many roads here and some of the most dramatically unique spots require hiking, helicopters or boats. But the effort or expense will pale into insignificance once you’re there. At the end of a challenging 11mile trail you’ll find secluded Lakalau Beach, the 3,000-foot Napali cliffs which offer sweeping views of the clear ocean and cascading waterfalls that plummet into narrow valleys. Hike it, use a kayak or zodiac, or take a helicopter. Just make sure you get there.

The rivers in Kauai are navigable, so canoeing along the tranquil Wailua River is popular. Pass two major waterfalls and you’ll find Fern Grotto, a natural lava rock cave. Drive into the incredible Waimea Canyon and stop to gaze at the stunning panorama of sheer drops, crested buttes and splashes of verdant green against ochre rock. The taro fields surrounding Princeville and Kapaa are particularly picturesque, especially from the Hanalei Lookout. The shops stock stylish fashion, ukeleles and native carvings and you’ll hear Hawaiian hymns at the Waioli Huiia Church on a Sunday.

Koloa and Lihué are close to many crescent beaches ideal for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. Lovely Poipu, with its big green sea turtles and monk seals, is the most popular, while Kalapaki is another favourite.  Nukomoi Point is a great place to visit to see its colourful fish. Watch the Spouting Horn surge in front of the sunset’s glow, have a double scoop of Kauai Pie ice-cream at Lappert’s or shop for souvenirs in the old-fashioned stores. The largest reef is within wading distance off Tunnel Beach, and the Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses are spectacular and challenging. And, you haven’t seen it all until you’ve flown up the Wall of Tears.

Ultimately, you’ll be hard pressed to choose just one Hawaiian island adventure. So, go on and choose them all, and explore to your heart’s content.