The Perfect Introduction To the Hawaiian Islands
When most people think of Hawaii, they think of that beautiful, faraway island that would be great to visit for their honeymoon or anniversary one day. It is definitely that and then some. The State of Hawaii is made up of an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean. Of these numerous islands and islets, there are six major islands that you can visit: Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the island of Hawaii, colloquially known as the Big Island.
The Hawaiian islands are the perfect destination for you if you love the outdoors or if you love being out on the water. Most of the islands have numerous hiking trails that vary in difficulty and payoff, thus serving hikers of all competencies, numerous beautiful beaches, including black, red, and green sand beaches, and several different ocean activities, like surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming with dolphins, swimming with sharks, sunset cruises, and much more. There’s an abundance of cultural sites to visit and a multitude of museums that offer you the opportunity to learn about native Hawaiian culture as well as, on a broader scale, Polynesian culture. Events like Luaus are a great way to soak in culture through song, dance, food, and, with some luaus, interactive activities. The islands offer everything and serve all sorts of visitors, from vacationing couples and friend groups celebrating a birthday to family vacationers, solo travelers, and folks looking for a three-six month stay in a new location.
What are some of the essentials for your trip to any of the Hawaiian islands? First, you MUST MUST MUST get a vehicle!! You cannot rely on Uber/Lyft out here and you need to have the freedom to move about because a lot of the interesting things will be scattered across the various islands. Expect to spend a decent amount of time on the road. Second, tours sell out really quickly so please make sure you plan well in advance and secure your spot. If you think you’re going to land and then get on a tour to swim with dolphins within 48 hours, you will be heartbroken. Third, respect the culture and the wildlife. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT disrespect the natives, and do not disrespect the wildlife. Finally, just like the tours, restaurants on the island get booked out really quickly. Approach these reservations like you do the tours — have them done in advance.
FYI: The islands are currently experiencing a surge in tourism and they are considering placing some restrictions to alleviate some of the pressure from the tourism surge. If you have some flexibility in your planning, I recommend planning your trip for later in the year or early next year. When you do, check out our other posts as we will have lots of useful info for you.
