Hawaii holidays

Best hotels in Hawaii

Hawaii Holidays: The Ultimate Island Escape

Aloha! Dreaming of turquoise waters, palm-fringed beaches and volcanic landscapes? A Hawaii holiday is your ticket to paradise. Whether you're after adventure, relaxation or a slice of island culture, holidays to Hawaii deliver all the sunshine and spirit you could wish for. From the surf breaks of Waikiki to the lush rainforests of Kauai, every island has its own magic.

Hawaii holidays are more than just a beach break. Think epic volcano hikes, world-class snorkelling, and luaus under the stars. And with a range of Hawaii hotels - from luxury resorts to boutique hideaways - you'll find the perfect base for your island adventure.

5 Must-See Places in Hawaii

Waikiki Beach, Oahu: Iconic, lively and lined with swaying palms, Waikiki is the beating heart of Hawaii holidays. Take a surf lesson, sip a mai tai at sunset, or simply soak up the buzz on the golden sands.
Volcanoes National Park, Big Island: Feel the heat at one of the world's most active volcanoes. Hike through lunar landscapes, watch glowing lava flows (from a safe distance!) and marvel at the power of nature.
Road to Hana, Maui: Hire a convertible and wind your way along Maui's legendary coastal drive. Expect waterfalls, bamboo forests and dramatic sea cliffs around every bend.
Na Pali Coast, Kauai: This jaw-dropping stretch of coastline is Hawaii at its wildest. Hike the Kalalau Trail, take a helicopter tour, or sail beneath towering emerald cliffs.
Pearl Harbor, Oahu: Step into history at this moving memorial site. The USS Arizona and museum offer a powerful glimpse into Hawaii's past.

5 Hidden Gems of Hawaii

Lanai's Shipwreck Beach: Remote and rugged, this wild beach is littered with the eerie remains of a WWII shipwreck - perfect for adventurous souls.
Waimea Canyon, Kauai: Dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", this dramatic gorge is a riot of reds, greens and golds. Bring your camera!
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Big Island: Swap golden sands for striking black volcanic shores, where you might spot basking sea turtles.
Haleiwa Town, Oahu: Chill out in this laid-back North Shore surf town, famous for shrimp trucks, colourful street art and legendary waves.
Makena Cove, Maui: A secret slice of paradise - tiny, secluded and perfect for a romantic picnic or a quiet swim.

Hawaiian Cuisine

No Hawaii holiday is complete without a taste of the islands. Feast on poke bowls (fresh marinated fish), kalua pork, and sweet malasadas (doughnuts). Don't miss shave ice for a cooling treat, and try a traditional luau for hula, music and a true flavour of aloha.

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28-31 ℃

Hawaii enjoys a warm, tropical climate with year-round sunshine.

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18 hours

Flights from the UK are indirect, via an airport in mainland USA

Map of Hawaii

Hawaii is best for...

Couples: Enjoy idyllic honeymoon strolls or exchange vows on a beautiful sandy beach.

Sporty Types: Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing – get ready to dive headfirst into a thrilling world of watersports.

Adventurers: Take a drive on the world-famous Hana Highway for a road trip you’ll never forget.

Getting around Hawaii

By bus: Take bus tours, or travel like a local - $20 will get you an unlimited 3-day pass on Oahu's public transport, The Bus and Skyline. The ticket is loaded on a rechargeable card, which costs an additional $2.

By car: Arrange car hire before you go, or book a taxi. Like the mainland US, taxi fares are metered - and don't forget to tip the usual 15-20%.

By plane or boat: Hop between islands with the inter-island airlines, or take the ferry which leaves from Maui's Lahaina Harbour.

Fast facts for Hawaii

Language: The languages spoken in Hawaii are English and Hawaiian.

Currency: The currency used in Hawaii is the US Dollar ($).

Local time: Hawaii is usually 11 hours behind UK time. Although, note that the USA puts their clocks forward and back on different dates to the UK.

Fly to: Honolulu International Airport (also known as Daniel K. Inouye) for Oahu, Lihue Airport for Kauai, Kahului Airport and Kona International Airport for The Big Island. Transfers take up to 1 hour.

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Hawaii is over 18 hours: 11 hours to California, plus 5.5 hours connecting flight to Hawaii.

Tourist information: Further Hawaii tourist information can be found on the Go Hawaii website.

Visa and health: Before you travel visit the FCDO site for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday in the United States.

Events in Hawaii

Prince Kuhio Celebration: An official state holiday in Hawaii, the last 2 weeks in March are spent celebrating the birthday of this popular royal statesman. (kauai)

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Maui Style: Free outdoor concert in June at the Maui Arts / Cultural Center featuring ki-ho‘alu (slack key guitar) performers, along with local food and craft vendors. (Maui)

Hawai‘i Food / Wine Festival: During the first week of September, internationally-renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers gather to showcase wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, one-of-a-kind excursions, and exclusive dining opportunities with dishes highlighting Hawai‘i’s local produce, seafood, beef and poultry. (O‘ahu and Maui)

Hawai‘i International Film Festival: Held annually in October, HIFF presents an average of 150 features, documentaries and film shorts, including world premieres, North American premieres, U.S. premieres, experimental films, animation and digital works representing social and ethnic issues, and first features by new directors. The focus is on emerging films from Asia and the Pacific. (O‘ahu)

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival: Celebrate Kona’s cultural heritage and accomplishments of Kona coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans during this 10-day event in November. (Hawai‘i Island)

Hawaii weather

Hawaii treats its guests to a warm, tropical climate with year-round sunshine. Temperatures average at a balmy 28°C in the winter (December-March), climbing up to 31°C during the summer season (April-November).