Compare Hawaii Holidays

What to do in Hawaii

Hawaii’s attractions are diverse: you can sink mai tais by Waikiki Beach, scale volcanoes at dramatic Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, spot humpback whales, and go snorkelling with turtles.

Waikiki Beach

By day, it’s a popular destination for sun worshippers and surfing lessons; after sunset, music floats on the air and Waikiki Beach gets into the party spirit. ‘Spouting water’ in Hawaiian, Waikiki is Oahu island’s most popular beach, with restaurants close to the sand and hotels and resorts that date back more than a century.

While it’s a must visit, there are beautiful beaches on all the islands: sunbathe on Kaanapali Beach or Makena Beach in Maui, or splash in the shallows of Poipu Beach on Kauai, or venture to remote north Lanai.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Steam huffs from Halemaumau Crater and surf smashes against still-smouldering lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Extending across 335,259 acres (523 sq mi), it's a tapestry of forests, deserts and craters blasted out by Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Hikers can choose from 241km (150 miles) of trails, and ranger-led tours from Kilauea Visitor Center reveal geological wonders. For an overview by car, the 18km (11 miles) Crater Rim Drive links lava tubes, sulphur banks and the Devastation Trail, less than an hour's walk through a martian landscape.

Luau

For many visitors, Hawaii instantly conjures the image of a traditional Polynesian feast where hula dancers sway to music, flowers tucked behind their ears. This is a luau, often beginning with guests being presented with a lei (flower garland) before music, entertainment, and almost certainly cocktails like the famous mai tai.

A coal-fired underground oven roasts pork and diners sit at communal tables to feast before a grand finale of dancing. Most hotels and resorts can help book a luau experience.

Road to Hana

Drive along Maui’s Hana Highway for a seaside road trip to remember. Bridges, sparkling waterfalls and serpentine roads lead between Maui’s north shore and Hana, winding past bright blue sea. Stop along the way to walk a nature trail, or nibble banana bread at a roadside stall.

For epic views along the Road to Hana, Ho’okipa Bluff is great for watching surfers, Hanawai Falls is picturesque, and the Garden of Eden offers a lush walk to a century-old mango tree.

Pearl Harbor

Synonymous with epic battles and WWII tragedy, don’t miss USS Arizona Memorial on Oahu, which remembers the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 by Japanese aircraft. The memorial is built over the partially sunken remains of the ship, which became the tomb of 900 personnel who couldn’t be recovered. Boats leave from Oahu’s Pearl Harbor Visitor Center year-round to take visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial.

Where to stay in Hawaii

For families

Maui is a crowd-pleaser for families. The island brims with kid-friendly attractions: there’s the Maui Ocean Center, eye-popping views at Haleakala Crater, humpback whales to spot, and surfing and horseback-riding lessons for all ages.

Maui has an excellent range of accommodation options, including self-catering apartments with sea views and top-end chain hotels in Wailea. There are numerous opportunities to experience Polynesian culture at a luau and book day trips. Most accommodation is along the north and west coasts, allowing easy access to beachside fun such as canoeing and snorkelling.

For travellers on a budget

Cheap holidays in Hawaii are easiest to find on the Big Island (aka the Island of Hawaii). There are charming wooden chalets, cosy self-catering apartments and well-priced beach resorts and hostels.

On the Big Island, you’ll find lower prices than Maui or Oahu, plus Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Waimea’s cattle country are within reach. While Oahu is a more expensive island, consider Waikiki Beach: there’s an enormous range of apartment rentals, midrange hotels and hostels so it’s possible to find a bargain.

For food and drink

Travellers to Hawaii will eat well across the islands. But base yourself in Honolulu, where accommodation choices range from mid-range hotels to luxurious beachfront resorts, and there’s a smorgasbord in easy reach. Slurp steaming a hot pot in Chinatown, feast on sumptuous Japanese food and mountains of flavoured shaved ice at nearby Waikiki Beach, sip Hawaiian coffee and nibble vegan brunches, and seek out traditional Hawaiian foods such as slow-cooked pork or grilled octopus.

Across the island of Oahu, you’ll find food trucks serving poke, upscale restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs, and mai tai cocktails galore.

For nightlife

Say aloha to Hawaii’s party island, Oahu. If your dream is to sip cocktails from a hollowed-out pineapple, this is the island for you. There’s also a buzzing variety of nightlife from jazz clubs and pub open-mic nights to traditional Hawaiian music and beachfront bars.

The capital, Honolulu, has the biggest spread of night clubs and bars anywhere in Hawaii, particularly in Chinatown and the downtown area. Waikiki Beach hums with life too, and it’s lined with beach-access resorts and hotels, along with great-value hostels with a party-hungry clientele.

For culture

With icons like Diamond Head, lively Waikiki Beach, and the sobering Pearl Harbor site, staying on Oahu is ideal for seeing Hawaii’s most famous attractions and learning about Polynesian culture. Oahu has accommodation for all tastes: boutique hostels, midrange beach resorts, apartments and five-star hotels.

Alternatively, base yourself in Molokai to experience Hawaiian culture away from the tourist trail. Less developed than Maui or Oahu, Molokai feels lost in time, though there are a few hotels and apartment rentals. If you like farmers markets and uncrowded beaches, Molokai is ideal.