With a view to properly preparing your trip abroad, the choice of destination should not be made lightly. Most vacationers like to enjoy the sun to escape, tan, indulge in a seaside stay, and recharge with vitamin D. If you are looking for a place that is both paradisiacal and sunny, Hawaii has everything to please you.
Like Sainte-Marie in Madagascar, Mexico’s Holbox Island, or Indonesia’s Bali, it attracts the whole world thanks to its spectacular landscapes, its magnificent pristine sandy beaches, its lush vegetation, and its active volcanoes.
It is a small island state of the United States located off the coast of North America. Formerly nicknamed the Sandwich Islands, Hawaii consists of an archipelago of 137 islands. Located in Oceania, the archipelago is the most isolated on the planet. This is why it attracts tourists looking for an extraordinary destination. If you love the sun and nature, Hawaii will suit you perfectly.
What are the most beautiful beaches to discover in Hawaii?
Hawaii fascinates visitors not only because of its active volcanoes or cultural diversity. It also has the particularity of gathering the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The third island of the Hawaii archipelago, Oahu is full of countless legendary beaches. The Lanikai Beach is one of them. Called the Celestial Ocean in French, it is among the most favored seaside resorts by vacationers, thanks to its calm and warm waters as well as its fine sand.
The Waimea Bay is also among the magnificent beaches of Oahu. It especially pleases adrenaline junkies who face large waves up to 9 m high, particularly in winter. On the other hand, the sea seems so calm during summer. Vacationers can therefore swim safely. They also have the possibility to go snorkeling.
At a short distance from Waimea Bay is the Waimea Valley. It is a botanical garden in the heart of a beautiful picturesque valley to explore.
Located in the city of Lahaina, Kaanapali Beach is also one of the must-visit places once in Hawaii. With its almost white sand, it is bathed by crystal-clear blue water. This beach is lined with luxury restaurants, hotels, and shops. It is therefore easily accessible.
For those seeking a secluded place, Oneloa Beach is relatively the most peaceful site. Unlike other beaches, it is the least frequented by visitors. Thus, it is a true haven of tranquility. Besides that, you can stroll along Mauna Kea Beach on Big Island, Hookipa Beach, Poipu Beach, Napili Bay, and much more.
What are the most spectacular landscapes in Hawaii?
This island paradise will amaze you not only with its idyllic beaches but also with its breathtaking landscapes. These harmoniously combine wild forests, active volcanoes, green plains, majestic mountains, and dizzying waterfalls.
Nature-loving vacationers enjoy strolling in Waimea Canyon State Park or the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Located on the island of Kauai, it features a great variety of grandiose landscapes. Enjoy a beautiful walk to observe the steep peaks, canyons, and magnificent waterfalls. Climbing to the park’s lookout offers an excellent view of the entire island.
Hawaii also stands out for its volcanic footprint, offering landscapes of great beauty. It has two world-famous volcanoes called Kilauea and Mauna Loa. They are among the most active volcanoes worldwide. These wonders are located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Once there, don’t forget to visit it to explore the volcanic phenomena on Hawaiian soil.
That said, Hawaii is much more than just volcanoes. It offers countless hidden treasures that deserve to be discovered. The remote valleys of the islet of Kauai are part of them. This isolated gem offers you paradisiacal beaches, magnificent waterfalls, coastal villages, and winding rivers. Only accessible by water, it promises breathtaking views of the ocean as well as cliffs sculpted by nature.
What are the best hiking trails in Hawaii?
This charming island delights hiking enthusiasts. It offers them mountain landscapes separated from wild coasts and valleys sheltering a number of trails.
Big Island is among the most beloved circuits by hikers. It is the ideal place for those who want to try a challenging trail over lava fields or rocks. Many also favor it for a short hike exploring historical sites. For mountaineering enthusiasts, they love climbing Mauna Loa to see the imposing mountain of fire. Families, meanwhile, prefer to stroll in Akaka Falls State Park to walk through the tropical forest and get closer to the waterfalls.
Besides Big Island, Oahu offers multiple hiking trails. The Diamond Head trail is very popular. It makes you climb countless athletic steps. Even better, this circuit offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Waikiki Beach at the summit. For those who choose the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail, this trail lets them explore the Windward Coast. This area hosts sea giants like humpback whales every December to May.
More and more hikers are also discovering the treasures of Molokai Island. It offers many trails suitable for walkers of all levels. The Kalaupapa Trail, Halawa Valley, and Pepeopae Trail are among the must-do circuits on Molokai.
What are the most popular outdoor activities in Hawaii?
As we have just discussed in the paragraph above, hiking is among the most practiced outdoor sports by tourists in Hawaii. But this paradise island also offers some of the best spots for water activities.
Scuba diving attracts most vacationers. They can especially practice it at the Mala Pier. The place is perfect for observing sea turtles, whale sharks, colorful fish, and many other marine animals.
For those who love snorkeling, Hanauma Bay can make them happy. Thanks to its calm waters, the lagoon is suitable for beginners to learn this activity. They can admire the underwater life there. Since this bay is very protected, one can have fun and swim safely.
Sliding sports are also popular in Hawaii. Due to its trade winds and especially its constant winds, this island is considered the best place in the world for this activity. Apart from surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, kitesurfing as well as windsurfing attract many people. There are also many courses for beginners. They take place directly in South Maui, West Maui, on the Ka’anapali or Kihei beach.
Besides water sports, other interesting activities can be done in Hawaii. To get your adrenaline pumping, cliff diving is an excellent idea. Since the beaches are bordered by cliffs, it is enjoyable to leap and dive directly into the sea water.
For those seeking more thrills, they also have the option to do a zipline excursion. The North coast of Oahu is a very popular spot for this extreme sport. Otherwise, they can choose paragliding and skydiving. It should be noted that these sports are high risk. They are intended only for experts.
What are the best national parks in Hawaii?
Of course, this island state is very well known for its idyllic landscapes as well as its beautiful beaches. But that’s not all, it preserves several of the most remarkable natural sites in the world.
The Volcanoes National Park is among the most famous natural areas. Located in the south of Big Island, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1980s. This park is home to two active volcanoes, including Mauna Loa and the famous Kilauea. Thanks to its wonders, it receives up to 1,300,000 tourists each year. During the visit, not only do you discover the active volcanoes, but you can also explore volcanic tunnels and lava fields which are certainly cooled.
Also don’t forget to make a stop at the Grand Canyon of the Pacific or Waimea Canyon State Park. This legendary canyon is 900 meters deep and covers an area of 16 kilometers. With its variety of green and red colors, this site is very pleasant to see. It offers you incredible landscapes, waterfalls, and impressive viewpoints. Avoid parting with your camera to immortalize your travel memories.
You can also find several state parks in Hawaii. They not only serve to preserve nature, but they also aim to protect culture. On Molokai, the Palaau State Park allows, for example, to trace the history of all the islands composing the state of Hawaii.
Similarly, Big Island has many state parks with black sand beaches and magnificent landscapes. For Akaka Falls State Park, this park functions to preserve the highest waterfall in the Hawaiian archipelago.
How to participate in a boat cruise in Hawaii?
The major advantage of choosing Hawaii as a vacation destination is the wide variety of activities and leisure options. Besides hiking, horseback riding, park walks, and visiting historical sites, going on a cruise attracts more and more travelers. To carry it out, you just have to go to agencies or specialized websites that handle all the organization. Since there are many offers, it is important to make the right choice.
Take advantage of the stopovers to discover beautiful waterfalls, tropical forests, active volcanoes, quiet beaches, and lush landscapes. The cruise to Hawaii is very entertaining, promising a unique and enriching experience. On board the ship, the sea voyage gives you the opportunity to visit several paradisiacal islands. It helps you reduce your stress and recharge your vitamin D.
There are many cruise terminals, namely in Kahului, Aloha, Nawiliwili, Lahaina, or Kona. It is advisable to go on a cruise in the months of April, June, September, and November. If you want to see humpback whales, plan your trip from December to March. These animals migrate to the warm sea waters of the Hawaiian Islands to give birth to their offspring. So look no further, Hawaii is among the best must-see cruise destinations in 2024.
How to get to Hawaii from France?
Although you are eager to escape to this paradisiacal archipelago, take the time to learn about the available means of transportation. For now, there are no direct flights connecting Europe to Hawaii. So if you are from France and plan to go to this island, you must plan for one or two stopovers, depending on the airline.
From France, flights generally have a maximum of two stopovers via Canada or the United States. Most international airlines choose to land in Honolulu, on the island of Oʻahu.
On average, the price of a flight from Paris to Honolulu is around 1,000 euros. This can vary depending on the travel period and especially the airline. Among the best airlines for the route from the fashion capital to Hawaii are Corsair, Air Caraïbes, KM Malta Airlines, French Bee, and of course Air France.
It is advisable to book plane tickets several months in advance. This helps you find the best rates. To go to Hawaii, you should plan for about 17 hours of flight time, not including stopover time. Once you arrive at Honolulu International Airport, take the time to rest. In fact, there are several restaurants, shops, and cafes that can help you relax.
What is the best season to go to Hawaii?
Due to its position in the far south of the Tropic of Cancer, Hawaii enjoys a tropical climate. This is characterized by very refreshing trade winds as well as mild temperatures. However, this depends on the wind direction, relief, and altitude.
To fully enjoy your stay in Hawaii, it is highly recommended to plan your departure during the dry season. Between April and October, the period is bright and very warm. This climate is ideal for countless outdoor activities. And even if you plan to snorkel or scuba dive, this paradisiacal island has several spots offering you warm ocean waters.
So don’t forget to pack comfortable clothes suitable for the climate in your suitcase. For example, bring shorts, sundresses, light t-shirts, and of course swimsuits. Slip your sunglasses, sun hat, flip-flops or sandals into your belongings. In case it rains, always bring a waterproof jacket.
Finally, please plan your trip considering the local festivals. Many celebrations take place in Hawaii throughout the year. They add interest and unique charm to your sunny vacation in this American island paradise.
