Best places to visit in HAWAII
Are you planning a trip to Hawaii and wondering what are the best places to visit in Hawaii?
Located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is the only state outside North America. It is one of the most top-rated vacation destinations in the world. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of places to see and things to do in Hawaii. Towering sea cliffs, world-famous national parks, volcanoes, gorgeous beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and so much more. Sounds like a place you would want to visit?
But how to plan a trip to Hawaii?
To start off, check out this list of some of the best places to visit in Hawaii.
7 best places to visit in Hawaii
Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauai
Known for its towering sea cliffs with tall spires and sharp ridges, Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is one of the most spectacular destinations in the world one of the best places to visit in Hawaii.
Rising as much as 1200 m above the Pacific Ocean, the Nā Pali cliffs are one of Kauai’s most photographed places.
These majestic cliffs and steep valleys are not accessible by road. The best (and easiest) way to see the rugged cliffs is from a boat or helicopter.
If you love trekking, hike the Kalalau Trail — an 18 km trail from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Valley. The trail is considered one of the most beautiful, and dangerous hikes in the U.S.
The trail traverses five valleys and offers impressive views, for example, the Pacific Ocean, beaches, and valleys.
Any hiker proceeding past Hanakāpīʻai Valley (about 3 km in) must have a valid camping permit, even if they don’t plan to camp.
Kayaking tours in Nā Pali are available too, to give you a different view of the Nā Pali Coast.
The Waimea Canyon, Kauai
The Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a large canyon, approximately 16 km long and up to 900 m deep.
The canyon is known for its red and brown cliffs dotted with green foliage.
The highlights of the Waimea Canyon:
- Helicopter tour of the canyon, along with Nā Pali Coast;
- Waipoo Falls hike;
- Waimea Canyon Overlook with the magnificent canyon, gorge, and waterfall views;
- Waimea Canyon Drive — one of the best scenic drives in Hawaii.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii
Hawaii is known for its volcanoes. There are five active volcanoes in Hawaii, of which two (Kilauea and Mauna Loa) are located in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaii.
Kīlauea is the world’s most active volcano, and Mauna Loa is considered the largest active volcano in the world. Both of them have erupted recently — Maunaloa last erupted in 1984 and Kilauea last erupted in 2018. Impressive isn’t it?
Boasting more than 200 km of hiking trails through volcanic landscapes, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the best places to visit in Hawaii. And hiking to the lava (when it’s possible) in Halema’uma’u crater is one of the best things to do in Hawaii.
Mauna Kea, Island of Hawaii
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the Island of Hawaii.
With an elevation of 4207.3 m above sea level, Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii and the second-highest peak of an island on Earth.
Hiking Mount Kea is one of the best things to do in Hawaii.
There’s a 20 km long trail from the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy to the summit of Mauna Kea, and back. The trek takes the whole day (about 9 to 10 hours).
The trail features a lake and boasts out-of-this-world landscapes. You can enjoy views of Mauna Loa from the Mauna Kea trail.
Haleakalā National Park, Maui
Haleakalā National Park is a national park located in the southeastern part of Maui Island.
The national park is named after Haleakalā, a dormant volcano within its boundaries.
The main feature of the park is Haleakalā Crater. It is 11.25 km across, 3.2 km wide, and 790 m deep. It is possible to drive to the summit of Haleakala. A winding but well-maintained road leads up the mountain.
If you are visiting Haleakalā National Park, do not miss the Kipahulu area, the coastal section of Haleakalā National Park. There are natural pools and falls.
Combine a visit to the coastal Kipahulu area with a scenic drive to Hana, as it’s really close.
Road to Hana, Maui
The Hana Highway (also known as the Road to Hana) is a curvy, winding highway, and one of the most scenic drives in the United States.
Running along Maui’s northeast coast, this scenic highway passes steep cliffs, bridges, waterfalls and black, and red sand beaches.
It is 104 km long, and on average it can take around 2.5 to 4 hours to drive. But we strongly suggest you dedicate the whole day, so you can stop along the route and enjoy the scenery.
Honolulu/Waikiki Beach, Oahu
Honolulu is the capital and the gateway to the island state of Hawaii.
Honolulu is home to the famous Waikiki beach. It is a bustling crescent-shaped beach, filled with restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and hotels.
With a backdrop of Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach is one of the most beautiful places on Oahu.
If you are visiting Honolulu and Waikiki, definitely do not miss Diamond Head — a volcanic cone in Honolulu. The Diamond Head Summit Trail takes you to the extinct crater of the volcanic cone.
Hawaii travel tips
- Hawaii is a U.S. state. So the same visa rules apply as with the continental United States.
- Citizens of many European countries don’t need a visa to travel to the U.S. but are required to obtain an electronic authorization (ESTA).
- There is only one official ESTA website and that is https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The official fee is $14.00. All other sites offering this service are third-party, and they charge extra.
- Tipping is customary in Hawaii, just like in the rest of the United States. A tip of 20 percent on top of the bill is standard.
- The power plugs and sockets are of type A and B, but the standard voltage is 120 V. Buy a travel adapter and converter to safely use your electronics.
- Renting a car is the most efficient way to get around in Hawaii.
- The best months to visit Hawaii are April, May, September, and October.
