The Hawaiian archipelago is a family of eight islands in the Pacific Ocean, each born from volcanic activity and often recognised as paradise on earth.
Each island has its own unique flavour and personality, which appeal to different types of travellers and holidaymakers.
So to help you make the best decision on where to spend your time in the archipelago, here’s a quick look on what each of the main islands have to offer.
Make sure you read right until the end, where you’ll find out how you can explore this slice of paradise in the Pacific Ocean just by making a booking with Excite Holidays.
The Island of Hawaii – AKA The Big Island
The largest of the archipelago, the appropriately named Big Island has everything Hawaii is famous for, including active volcanoes, lush jungles, gorgeous black sand beaches, and breathtaking waterfalls. It even has snow-capped mountains – we’re not joking when we say Hawaii has EVERYTHING!
Oh, and it even has 13 climate zones, which are reflected in its dazzling biodiversity. In other words, this is an island where raw nature reigns supreme, and is ideally suited to the outdoorsy and adventurous types.
In other words, this is an island where raw nature reigns supreme, and is ideally suited to the outdoorsy and adventurous types.
What to do: Soar higher than an eagle in a helicopter tour of the island; reach hair-raising speeds zooming along on a zipline; or visit Hell – sorry, we mean an active volcano – on a lava tour.
Maui – aka The Valley Isle
Even if you’ve never actually set foot in the Hawaiian islands, chances are you’ve heard the name Maui pop up in conversation or in film or on TV – often accompanied with a broad smile and a sparkle in the eye.
Such is the island’s allure. Here, luxury resorts, snazzy boutique shopping and five-star dining options are complimented with breathtaking natural landscapes, including world-famous beaches and the Haleakala National Park.
What to do: Hire a car and drive the road to Hana, passing the kind of scenery you’d normally see in glossy travel magazines, such as Paia Town, Twin Falls and Waianapanapa State Park. Although the drive is only 82 kilometres from Kahului to Hana, you’re going to be stopping to take photos many, many times along the way, so give yourself heaps of time.
Molokai – aka The Friendly Isle
Time slows down to a more relaxed pace on Molokai, and preference is given to relaxation over work. But don’t relax too much, because this is an island about as genuinely Hawaiian (over 50 percent of the inhabitants are native Hawaiians) as it gets and demands exploration.
What to do: Visit ancient Hawaiian sites in the island’s tropical east; hike to Moaʻula and Hipuapua Falls; or go for a relaxing swim at Papohaku Beach.
Oahu – aka The Gathering Place
Home of the state capital Honolulu and its international airport, you’re going to spend at least a couple of hours on Hawaii’s most famous island. But stay longer, and what you’ll find is an island teeming with enough beauty and things to do that you may end up spending all your time here after all…
What to do: Learn how to surf at Waikiki beach, the birthplace of surfing; go snorkelling in Hanauma Bay; or visit Pearl Harbour.
Kauai – aka The Garden Isle
Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, is the A-list star of the Hawaiian island chain and its terrain is the stuff of movies – literally. Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and Castaway were all filmed here, and thankfully the island remains as it has been for millions of years.
What to do: Explore Waimea Canyon and the NaPali Coast, and you’ll get to see paradise firsthand. Be entertained through singing and dancing whilst attending a Luau Kalamaku at a tropical plantation; hike to Opaekaa Falls; or cruise along the NaPali Coast all whilst seeing the incredible backdrops for the famous Hollywood movies.
WIN A HOLIDAY TO THE USA
If reading about these incredible Hawaiian islands has excited your bones, then hold onto your seat, because just by securing a booking with Excite Holidays to Nevada, West Hollywood, the Southern States or Hawaii between 9 January and 5 March 2017, you will go into the draw to win a money-can’t-buy trip to one of these stateside destinations.
That’s four separate holidays for four lucky agents!
Agents can also earn 500 bonus rewards points for each night booked and paid for in the featured destinations.
Find out more about how you can win here.
Which Hawaiian island are you itching to explore this year?
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