What Kind of Hawaii Vacation Are You Ready For? [Infographic]
Hawaii is one of the world's most diverse natural wonderlands. As a vacation destination, Hawaii is as brilliantly vibrant and varied as the state's culture and topography. From the wild and wondrous to the calm and serene – Hawaii is a destination with something for every type of traveler.
So, What Do You Love?
- Surfing – As the birthplace of big wave surfing, Hawaii is the ideal place to learn or watch. North coast beaches have the biggest and best waves. Beginners should visit May through September when waves are the calmest. Oahu's North Shore is most famous for surfing with 7 miles of beach and the legendary Banzai Pipeline – home to waves as high as 50 feet and worldwide competitions like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Catch most pro competitions from November through February.
- Volcanoes – See Hawaii's two active above-water volcanoes on the Big Island in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park through multiple safe viewing areas. Mauna Loa is quiet and hasn't erupted since 1984, but Kilauea has been erupting continuously since 1983. The National Park on Hawaii also offers unique hikes, tours of lava tubes, and a black sand beach.
- Hiking – Hike through paradise. Some of the most extreme and varied trails are on East Maui. Tour the area in a less strenuous way by taking Hawaii's most beautiful scenic drive: the Road to Hana.
- History – Central Oahu offers some of the richest cultural and historical sightseeing as it's home to the Dole Plantation, Hawaii Plantation Village and Five Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.
- Golf – Hawaii is a year-round golfer's paradise. Oahu has the most public courses but the Big Island boasts the most famous Hawaiian golf region – the "Golf Capital of Hawaii" – the Kohala Coast.
- Adventure – Helicopter tours offer beach, volcano, waterfall and lava sightseeing all throughout Hawaii. Want to get closer? Hawaii's ridged landscape makes it a perfect location for zip lines, which can reach 35 miles an hour, down mountainsides, through rainforests and over waterfall passes.
- Spas – Get refreshed and renewed on the islands with rejuvenation treatments found only in Hawaii. All of the islands offer spas with traditional services with an island twist and local ingredients, like ti leaf, poi and papaya.
- Hula and Luau – A lesson in hula completes your Hawaii vacation. The traditional dance tells the story of Hawaii culture, and it's easy to find a kumu hula (hula teacher) at a hula halau (hula school) or get free lessons at the Royal Hawaii Center on Oahu. Witness hula performance at luaus, resorts and festivals throughout Hawaii.