Most people look at Hawaii on their potential vacation list and only see the beaches and tourist traps, but Hawaii offers so much more. In fact, the most famous natural wonders in the world can be found in one form or another on Hawaii.
For the repressed adventurer, there are day or even weeklong hikes that can be planned through the rain forest, steam vents, and lava tubes that make up Kilauea Volcano and the surrounding park. This volcano has been slowly erupting for the last 20 years so the park rangers know enough about the volcano to safely guide you through one of your only chances to see an active eruption first hand.
Maui’s Molokini naval reserve offers picture perfect diving and snorkeling opportunities. On some days you see fish swimming as far as 200 feet below the surface. If you prefer to stay dry you could even charter a glass bottom boat for a cruise through Molokini. This lets the whole family enjoy the view instead of just the good swimmers.
Hawaii also boasts the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” or Waimea Canyon. The canyon runs over ten miles long and a mile wide which creates a breathtaking scene for anyone lucky enough to see it for themselves. Kauai offers the same beautiful beaches as the Big Island, but the natural beauty of the Waimea can’t be experienced anywhere outside of the real Grand Canyon.
For the extreme sportsman, there is no sport like the classic pastime of riding the waves of Kauai. Surfing, the sport of royalty, ways banned for hundreds of years so that only kings and queens could enjoy the waves. Now, you can be the King of the waves for a day demonstrating your skills on a board while the family splashes away in the kiddy pool or beach side waves.
If you are more of the hands off type, you can opt out of the hikes, swims, and long drives and instead see them all from the luxury of a helicopter or chartered cruise. Whichever mode of travel you choose, you can view all of Hawaii on your time table with one of these high speed options. You may not get close enough to feel the heat of the volcano, but you will clearly experience its awe and beauty.
The islands greatest treasures are its people. These can be experienced by all in the unique nightlife of Hawaii, but you have to know where to look. Each island has its own hot spots and local dives. Maui for instance features the Hard Rock, Hula Grills, and Duke’s in Waikiki. However, Honolulu can boast the best nightlife on the islands. Sin, the Shack, W Hotel, Mai Tai Bar, Pearl, and Lulus all let tourists blend in to an inviting local crowd that will welcome you with love that Hawaii is best known for.
As you can see, Hawaii is much more than just an island. The beaches are beautiful, but that is literally just the beginning of these perfect sea-side playgrounds. Go beyond the tourist traps and enjoy a piece of the islands that few mainlanders could even dream of seeing.
Hawaii can be a lot of fun for for the whole family, But for us at VisitBigIsland.com, we love the Big Island of Hawaii very much, so be sure to visit our website for more information on the island, everything from Helicopter Rides on the Big Island or for any other tour available on the island..