Hawaii is made up of eight major islands and several smaller islets and atolls located in the Pacific Ocean. Average temperatures range from 78° to 85° year-round, which is one of the reasons Hawaii is a popular tourist destination. The state is home to five volcanoes, 50 state parks, and more than 100 beaches. Over 10 million tourists visit Hawaii each year.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway or want to experience the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, this state has something for everyone. Before you depart, there are some things you can do to ensure you’re ready to make the most out of your trip to Hawaii.
1. Pick an island.
Each Hawaiian island shares some common attributes, but they also have distinct differences. Oahu is the most populated Hawaiian island. It is also home to some of the state’s premier attractions, such as Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. The majority of Hawaii’s tourists spend their vacations on Oahu.
The Big Island is home to Hawaii Volcano National Park. This is where Hawaii’s only active volcano is located. Visitors can also enjoy Papakolea and Punalu’u beaches on the island’s southern coast.
Maui is popular for people interested in whale watching. There are also scenic drives and several beaches visitors can choose from.
Other Hawaiian islands include Lanai, Kauai, and Molokai. Molokai receives the lowest number of tourists. If you are interested in a quiet vacation, it may be an ideal location to consider.
2. Meet your tech needs.
You will want to preserve your vacation memories with photographs and videos. Purchase a high-quality smartphone with a good camera or invest in a digital camera with Wi-Fi capabilities before you leave so you’re familiar with your equipment and ready to start preserving memories the minute you arrive.
You can store your videos and photos on meetibi.com. Purchase a smart photo manager equipped to store all your visual images. You can connect your smartphone or digital camera to ibi wirelessly and program it to automatically upload new videos and images. Ibi boasts a Terabyte of storage space, which means it can store up to two million 500 kilobyte photos.
3. Acquire prior experience.
It’s possible to take scuba diving lessons in a pool or lake. Learn to scuba dive before you depart on your Hawaiian vacation to be equipped to take advantage of the premier scuba diving opportunities Hawaii offers. Hawaii is surrounded by reefs and clear waters that make it ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Scuba divers can see schools of fish, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, sharks, underwater lava formations and shipwrecks.
4. Plan for your budget.
Once you have determined which island you are going to stay on, you will be able to investigate options for travel, accommodations, and activities. It may cost you more money to travel to your final destination, so it is important to factor this cost into your overall budget.
Account for essentials, such as travel, accommodations, and food. Once you have determined how much money you have left you can choose recreational activities to fit your interests and budget. It’s also a good idea to research the cost of souvenirs you may be interested in purchasing so that you have a realistic idea of how much money you will need for your vacation.
5. Make bookings.
Sign up for surfing lessons for beginners so you can learn to master the waves like a pro. There are also lessons available for more experienced surfers. Equipment is included in the cost of your lessons so you don’t need to worry about providing your own board.
You may opt to take a break from the beaches and book a sunrise lava tour. This tour involves a guided hike to vantage points where you can see lava flows.
Other popular tour options include dolphin watching, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing. You can also take a break from the ocean and go tubing through tunnels. You may also enjoy a visit to a coffee plantation. You may also want to plan for a fine dining experience or attend a luau.