This is a sponsored guest post.
Hawaii is a place of great natural beauty and one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. There is no guessing games as to why this is the case. It has stunning landscapes, beaches, volcanoes and great year round weather. It is the ideal place to enjoy Hawaii vacation condos and that beach holiday that you could only ever dream of or see on television. Hawaii is one of the best places to go and the following list is a little taste of what you are going to experience there. Read on to find out more about things to do in Oahu and on other Hawaiian islands, and most of all enjoy this magical place.
Head up to the clouds
Hawaii has some truly incredible landscapes that you can get up close and personal with by driving, swimming, biking, surfing or hiking, but there is perhaps no better way to see the strong volcanic landscapes of beaches, waterfalls, valleys, green rolling hills and deep blue waters than in the air. My absolute favourite way to see Hawaii is from a helicopter and it’s not hard to see why. Helicopter charters are great because you can get to places that you wouldn’t be able to get to otherwise. One very popular place to see from the comfort of a chopper is the Jurassic Park Falls, which were made famous by the movie’s opening scene. You can relive this, just as it was in the movie. The only difference is that the views are 100 times better in real life. Another place I would highly recommend seeing from a small plane or helicopter is Pearl Harbor, you won’t regret it!
See active volcanoes in action
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the best way to experience the might of two huge active volcanoes. Hawaii owes its entire landscape to the various volcanoes that have come and gone over the years, each adding a unique feature to the landscape of the islands. In the park you can see lava and magma spilling into the sea, stunning landscapes that have been carved out by the volcanoes and much more. The park has a number of hiking options and you can also camp here, and it is a great place to spend some time getting to know just how the landscapes were formed for yourself.
Truly relax
When most people think of relaxing they think of simply sitting on the beach or something like that. When you are in Hawaii, you absolutely need to relax and there really isn’t any better place to do it. My top tips for this are yoga, spas and wellness retreats and meditation. Imagine sitting on the beach with the green rolling hills and palm trees behind you whilst doing some yoga poses. Hawaii has a number of yoga retreats, but even better would be to find a secluded spot and do it alone or with some friends. The atmosphere and relaxing nature of the scenery is something that just cannot be replicated anywhere else on the planet.
Visit Iolani Palace
Honolulu is home to the only royal residence in the non-contiguous United States. Iolani Palace was once the home of the Hawaiian royal family. The palace was built in 1882 by King Kalakaua and was home to the monarchs of Hawaii until 1893, when the monarchy was overthrown. Today you can have a look inside and see how the rulers of Hawaii lived their lives, especially since the palace has been meticulously restored. Here you can find relics and artifacts from the past that have been found, restored or reproduced. The most interesting rooms are definitely the private suites of the King and Queen and the Imprisonment Room of Queen Liliuokalani. The palace grounds are also equally impressive and have their own significance as they are said to be an ancient place of worship.
Enjoy the local food
Hawaiian food starts with the produce and Hawaii truly has some of the best produce that I have ever had the pleasure of trying. The volcanic soil and great weather means that it is a fertile and ideal place to grow crops. Meat is also great because the animals have the opportunity to also eat the food that was grown in Hawaii. The second step of Hawaiian food is the amazing mixture of cultures and the tasty local cuisine that focuses on fresh ingredients. Dishes like Poke are becoming world renowned for their great taste. Mix that in with very fresh fish and you have a very tasty dish. You should also try slow cooked meat cooked in an Imu (underground oven), the meat is so juicy and literally falls apart. There is so much to try, but if you need a little starting list you should definitely go for shave ice, Manapua, Loco Moco, Saimin or the delicious Hawaiian Plate.
Get up close and personal with the wildlife
The clear blue waters of Hawaii are some of the best spots on the planet to see some unique wildlife, such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles, tropical fish and some stunning reefs. A great place to get a taste of the local wildlife is Molokini, which is located between Maui and Kahoʻolawe. The crescent-shaped island is the remains of a volcano caldera that is partially submerged under the sea. The island is home to a number of species of birds and the caldera itself has created an ideal environment for the local wildlife to flourish. A large reef has formed here and is the home to over 200 species of fish. This is a great place to snorkel or scuba dive, especially because the visibility in the water is excellent. This is one of the premier diving destinations in Hawaii.
If you do happen to do any tours where you do interact with wildlife, it’s a great idea to ensure that the tour operator operates eco-friendly tours. This ensures that the future generations can continue to enjoy the same things that you will see for many generations to come.
