All Destinations20.7984° N, 156.3319° W
Hawaii
United States·Volcanic peaks, black sand beaches, and aloha spirit
DURATION
7–14 days
BEST TIME
April – June, September – November
DIFFICULTY
Easy to Moderate
About Hawaii
Hawaii is unlike anywhere else on earth — a chain of volcanic islands rising from the Pacific where lush rainforests meet black lava fields, and world-class surf breaks roll in beside coral reefs teeming with sea turtles. Each island has its own personality: the Big Island's active volcanoes and stargazing at Mauna Kea, Maui's Road to Hana and Haleakalā sunrise, Kauai's dramatic Na Pali Coast, and Oahu's blend of city energy and legendary North Shore waves.
Top Highlights
- 1Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — active lava flows
- 2Maui's Road to Hana and black sand beaches
- 3Na Pali Coast sea cliffs, Kauai
- 4Haleakalā crater sunrise above the clouds
- 5Snorkeling with sea turtles at Maui's Turtle Town
- 6North Shore Oahu — Banzai Pipeline surf
Insider Tips
- →Island-hop — each island is distinct and worth its own time
- →Book Haleakalā sunrise permits weeks in advance; they sell out fast
- →Rent a car on every island — public transport is limited outside Oahu
- →Apply reef-safe sunscreen only — Hawaii law bans oxybenzone and octinoxate
- →Visit the Big Island for the most dramatic and uncrowded landscapes
- →Shoulder season (Apr–Jun, Sept–Nov) offers lower prices and smaller crowds
