Hawaii Travelers Recommend

There's a certain romance to the Hawaiian Islands that can't be found anywhere else on the planet. It's a feeling that floats in the mists of a waterfall and bobs on each wave—it's especially clear as the last rays of sun submit to the sea each night. Given Hawaii's allure, it's little surprise the islands are a popular destination for honeymooners. Whether it's a relaxing time on Maui or a wild adventure in Honolulu, see below for experiences that will make your trip memorable. Fast-paced Oahu is where couples can let loose and party, but also join a hiking tour or even cage dive with sharks. Begin your trip with a lei greeting at the airport and end it with rings of fire at a luau before you head home. Travelers can also head to the Big Island to see hidden waterfalls and ancient craters on a helicopter tour, or go stargazing atop the sacred Mauna Kea summit.

For many visitors, Oahu is Hawaii. Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu – all those names we instantly associate with Hawaii are on Oahu. World War Two history is tangibly linked to Oahu and the events that took place at Pearl Harbor. Pay your respects to the crew who died aboard USS Arizona in December 1941 and step aboard USS Missouri to get an idea of shipboard life. Visit the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to see film footage from 1941, as well as moving artifacts recovered after the attack. The focus is on the aerial battlefield at the Pacific Aviation Museum, with its collection of rare vintage US and Japanese aircraft. Feeling inspired by watching wannabe Kelly Slaters tame Oahu’s monstrous waves? Then why not grab the chance to learn to surf in Oahu? You can have a one-on-one lesson with your instructor, or join a small group of four students. The best beaches to practice your surfing moves are Waikiki, North Shore spots like Puena Point and Cockroach Bay.

Start the day bright and early with a sunrise visit to the world's largest dormant volcano, Mt. Haleakala. Explore the lush tropical landscape of the eastern Hana coast, or focus on Haleakala National Park and the Iao Valley. For something different, take a trip into the past aboard the sugar-train Kahaina Kaanapali Railroad, or take an exhilarating helicopter flight over Haleakala or the neighboring island of Molokai. At sunset, treat yourself to a gloriously backlit dinner cruise or a traditional luau at a luxury resort - or why not do both with our dinner cruise and luau two-night combo! Maui has swimming, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and perfect-visibility snorkeling year-round. You can learn to surf like an expert, go snorkeling and turtle-spotting in Molokini Crater, or combine snorkeling and kayaking on Maui's West Shore. Take the wildest eco snorkel tour in Hawaii aboard a traditional outrigger canoe, or go whale-watching from Lahaina.