Hawaii Holidays: Island Vibes Places to Visit

Hawaii is an exciting place to visit with many different attractions, whether you want to relax on beautiful beaches, explore tropical rainforests or take trips that delve into the history of the Hawaiian.

Islands, you can experience many memorable activities during the Hawaii holidays.

Hawaii is a top destination for family holidays, watersports and adventure holidays, as well as being the perfect location for a sun holiday, with beautiful white sand beaches to relax on and, of course, the famous Waikiki Beach.

Hawaii is one of the far-flung destinations people often describe as paradise due to the stunning beaches lined with palm trees and relaxing vibes.

Top destinations for Hawaii Holidays

Hawaii's spectacular scenery and natural wonders are big draws for many tourists, with places such as the Waimea Canyon waterfalls, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Halawa Valley all top destinations for day trips.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the great attractions of Hawaii, with two of the world's most active volcanoes being located here. As well as being able to get close to active volcanoes, the area is of great interest to travellers who enjoy learning about geography.

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Hawaii, and there are many fabulous restaurants and beach bars with live music along the stretch of the beach. Waikiki Beach is made up of several pristine beaches.

You can watch hula shows and experience the vibrant nightlife at this paradise surf beach.

Why go to Hawaii?

Hawaii is home to lush rainforests that travellers love to explore as part of their holiday, in-between visits to the beach.

For those interested in the history of Pearl Harbor, the Pearl Habour Aviation Museum is a trip that is not to be missed, and you can visit the lagoon harbour on the island of Oahu.

There is a total of 8 Hawaiian Islands, although two are forbidden to visitors. The other six are often visited together as part of an 'island-hopping' holiday.

The main Hawaii island is often given the name Big Island, given that it is bigger than the other smaller islands that comprise the Hawaiian Islands.

Hiking Trips in Hawaii

The Kalalau Trail is a hotspot for hikers who want to take in the breathtaking views along the eleven-mile trek, crossing five valleys.

For family holidays, many watersport activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and diving are available at many beach locations around the Hawaiian Islands if you want a more active holiday.

Flying to Hawaii: Kona International Airport

Hawaii's largest airport is Kona International Airport, where most package holiday companies will organise flights into the Big Island.

Once arriving at the airport, you can use many cars hire companies to get to your destination if you do not have a transfer arranged. There are age rules for car rentals in Hawaii, with most car hire companies requiring drivers to be 21 years old to hire a car.

What's the Best Time of Year to go to Hawaii?

The warmest weather in Hawaii is between March and October, but the high temperatures make it a good destination for holidays all year round.

Hotels in Hawaii

There are plenty of choices for types of hotels in Hawaii, from luxury hotels like the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel and Hilton Grand Hotel, or you can opt for beachfront condos or even camp.

If you want to be close to the busier bars and restaurants, then Kailua-Kona is probably the best holiday resort.

At Waikiki Beach, there are many high-rise hotels, and this part of the Big Island offers a lot of entertainment and designer fashion stores. Staying in Waikiki Beach will ensure you are just a short walk from the pristine beaches.

Luxury Hotels in Hawaii

Suppose you want somewhere quieter for your next holiday. In that case, Lanai is the most secluded Hawaiian island, and the Sheraton Kauai Hotel is another good option if you want to experience a luxury trip without being in the middle of the busy tourist areas. There is a large choice of Hawaiian hotels to suit all holiday budgets.

Holidays in Hawaii can be as busy and action-packed or as relaxed as you want. There are so many options to ensure that you have the perfect holiday.

Package Holidays in Hawaii

Many travel companies offer package holidays to Hawaii, so it is usually easier to book the holiday as a package than to book flights and hotels separately.

Passports and Visas for Hawaii Holidays

Before you book your trip to Hawaii, you should ensure that you have a valid passport that does not expire for at least six months after your Hawaii holiday.

As Hawaii is part of the USA, the travel authorisation requirements are the same for entering the other states of the USA. This means that you will require either a visa or an ESTA, depending on your citizenship and the type of stay you have in the USA.

Travellers from a country that is part of the visa waiver program can apply for an ESTA, as long as your travel to the USA is less than 90 days and you are visiting for tourism and not working or studying in Hawaii.

Visa Waiver Program

If you do not have citizenship in one of the VWP countries or will be in the US for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a tourist visa.

You can find out more information about applying for a tourist visa for the Hawaii holiday here. Be aware that you will need to apply for a visa well in advance, as you will need to attend an interview at the US embassy.

Applying for an ESTA

The application process for an ESTA is quick and straightforward. Using a short online form, you fill in your personal information, provide your passport details and answer some questions regarding medical conditions or criminal convictions.

You will then be required to pay a small application fee before submitting your online ESTA form, which will then be screened against security databases.

Recently the USA increased the price of ESTA by 50%. It's important to mention that you wouldn't need to reapply if you have approved ESTA before this change.

If no issues are flagged with the application, then the ESTA will be approved and automatically link electronically to your passport. It is recommended that you apply for your ESTA at the same time as booking your holiday in case of any issues with the website or application.

Suppose you plan future family holidays to Hawaii or elsewhere in the United States. In that case, you should check whether your ESTA is valid, as it will usually be valid for two years.

When you have a valid ESTA, you can use it for multiple holidays to the US until it expires.

Financial Protection

Due to the recent travel restrictions to places such as Hawaii and other holiday destinations, it is important to check that your holiday is ATOL protected and that your travel company issues you with an ATOL Certificate.

You should also check the latest FCDO advice before booking your beach holiday to Hawaii.