Posts Tagged ‘hawaii’

There couldn’t be a more relaxing vacation spot than Hawaii.  There are lots of activities on both the land and in the water.  The landscape provides the perfect backdrop for all sorts of outdoor activities.  There will be plenty of things for the kids to do, so bring them with you.

The whole family will love boogie boarding or body surfing on one of the great beaches in Hawaii, like world famous Waikiki Beach.  Waikiki even has a cheeseburger in paradise restaurant.  The kids will love it.  They can get any kind of toppings they want on these world famous burgers.  Don’t forget the Honolulu zoo.  It is a small city zoo, but it’s worth taking a tour.  The flamingo pond in the front is sure to please the kids and will offer a great photo taking opportunity.  The Waikiki Aquarium is another fun family stop.

It has a touch pond for the viewing pleasure of the kids and adults alike.  Lastly, the bishop museum is worth taking a tour.  They have demonstrations on the art of making lei’s as well as hula dancing performances.  Before leaving the island take the kids to visit the world famous beaches of the North Shore.  It’s worth the drive to see the very beaches where world class surfers congregate.

When visiting Maui a sure bet is the Maui Ocean Center, home to the largest tropical fish aquarium in the United States.  The dolphin statues out front make a great background for a souvenir photo.  Don’t forget to check out the whaling museum located in Lahaina.  If you are visiting during the winter months go ahead and take a whale watching tour from the Lahaina harbor.  It’s sure to please. The beaches at the resort are of Ka’anapali are fun for kids as well.  Most of these resorts have awesome pools for little swimmers.  Some even have water parks within the hotel themselves. Parents should take advantage of the kids programs at these resorts for some quiet time to themselves.

On the big island of Hawaii take a drive through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  You can see active volcanoes and possibly some lava flow from the comfort and safety of your own rental car.  Next take a ride over to Waimea and take the kids for a horseback ride through the valley.  You could do an all day excursion complete with lunch, or perhaps just pony rides for the little kids. Lastly you could go to North Kohala and try kayaking.  This is a great place for beginners.

The island of Molokai will offer some good old fashioned rest and relaxation in an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere.  You could rent mountain bikes and explore the island together.  Be careful, however, not to go too far off the trails, because it’s easy to get lost on the mostly undeveloped island.  On this island you should consider renting a house so the kids will have plenty of room to spread out.  Also there aren’t too many hotel options here on Molokai.

Are you in the process of planning a trip to Hawaii?  If you are, the beautiful beaches of Hawaii may have been the biggest draw for you.  Hawaii is known as having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!  While any Hawaiian beach would likely to do for you, you may want to take the time to do a little bit of research first.  This research can help you determine which of Hawaii’s beaches are the best and truly worth your time.

As nice as it is to hear that you should get a list of Hawaii’s best beaches, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so.  For starters, you may want to speak to those that you know.  Since Hawaii is a popular vacation destination, you may have a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor who has visited Hawaii before.  If so, on what island did they find the best beaches?  What beaches would they recommend?

Another option that you have involves speaking to a travel agent.  This is a good approach to take if you intend to make your travel arrangements through a local travel agent.  Travel agents are qualified to do research on popular vacation destinations, like Hawaii.  In fact, your travel agent may already have a list handy outlining a few of Hawaii’s best beaches.

As previously stated, you can speak to those that you know.  You can also speak with those who you don’t personally know.  You can do this with the internet.  There are a number of online communities and message boards that are devoted to traveling, as well as Hawaii in general.  You can find these online communities with a standard internet search.  If you don’t already see a discussion on the topic of Hawaii beaches, you can start your own topic or post seeking recommendations.

In keeping with using the internet to find information on Hawaii’s best beaches, you can perform a generalized standard internet search.  When doing so, use phrases like “best beaches in Hawaii,” or “top Hawaii beaches.”  There are a number of websites, including those with travel themes, that rate attractions around the world, including the beaches of Hawaii.

When doing your research, there are a number of important factors that you will want to take into consideration.  If you have already made your travel arrangements, one of those factors should be your destination.  Which Hawaiian Island are you visiting?  Maui, Oahu, Kauai, or Big Island?  If you are visiting Maui, you may want to instead focus your searches on the best Maui beaches.

As great as it is to learn which Hawaiian beaches are the best, it is also important to get specifics as well.  For example, are you interested in surfing?  Do you know what beaches in Hawaii are known for having the ultimate surfing conditions?  What about snorkeling?  Some Hawaii beaches are better for snorkeling or scuba diving than others are.

As for why you should take the time to find the best Hawaii beaches, doing so can help you get the most out of your next Hawaii vacation.  Why spend hours searching for the perfect beach when you can do the same research at home and in only a few minutes?  You are also less likely to be disappointed when you know what to expect

Are you in the process of planning a Big Island trip?  Hawaii’s Big Island is a popular vacation destination, partly due in fact to its size.  Why?  Because there is so much for you to do and see.

Once your Big Island travel arrangements are made, you may want to shift for your focus to what you can do and see.  Creating an itinerary for your trip has a number of benefits.  It is important to remember that Big Island is filled with so much for you to do and see; so much that you may not have enough time to do so.  Familiarizing yourself with popular Big Island attractions before your vacation can help you make sure that you visit the mostly highly rated and recommended sites, a few of which are outlined below.

1 – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must see for all Big Island tourists.  This National Park is situated on 377 square miles of a vast array of landscaping.  Whether you are interested in traveling by car, foot, or bike, there is a large part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that you can examine.

When traveling by car, you can visit the summit of the Kilauea volcano.  Chain of Craters Road is also a must visit in the park, as this is where lava once flowed over the road.  With so much to do and see in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including guided tours and themed wilderness tours, you may want to stay onsite.  What better way to end your day than camping?  Camping is free as long as you paid admittance into the park.

2 – Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley is also known as “The Valley of the Kings.”  This Big Island attraction is a must visit if the history and culture of Hawaii is of interest to you.  Here, you will be able to explore an area that was once populated with native Hawaiians.  There are unlimited hidden treasures in the area, including beautiful waterfalls, rivers, and tara fields.

To learn the history of the Waipio Valley, not just see it, a guided tour is recommended.  Guided tours of “The Valley of Kings,” are available by way of car, horseback, and foot.

3 – Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is often referred to as “A Garden in the Valley of the Ocean.”  Due to close proximately, a visit to the gardens is advised either before or after a visit to “The Valley of the Kings.”

Guided garden tours are available for multiple trails, including the Onomea Falls and Palm Jungle Trail.

4  – Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

If you are unable to visits the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park is a must visit for you.  Situated on 180 acres of land, this National Historic Park is considered sacred ground.  It was once refuge and home to those who broke the law.

When visit the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, you can see the black lava rock, a sacred temple, wooden statutes of Hawaiian gods, and so much more!  The area is filled with beautiful fish ponds; therefore, you can enjoy a fishing adventure in addition to hiking and examining the historical background of Hawaii’s Big Island.

In addition to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, and Waipio Valley, there are other popular and well-known attractions that you should place on your vacation itinerary.   Those visiting the North Side of Big Island will want to examine Parker Ranch.  Those visiting the South Side of the island should checkout the views at the Ka Lea South Point.

As you can see, there are a number of must visit attractions for your next Big Island vacation.  The above mentioned attractions are just a sample of what you will find on the island.  For that reason, you are encouraged to use the internet to your advantage or request free Big Island travel guides, which are relatively easy to find online.