Hawaii is at the top of many people’s travel bucket lists; however, the sheer size of the island means that it can be tricky to narrow down your desired destinations. No vacation would be complete without a touch of sightseeing, especially in a location that’s so rich in culture and has such stunning scenery. Whether you want to experience a snorkeling adventure with manta rays, a diving excursion with sea turtles, a voyage through volcanic craters, or even a delicious luau feast. You can’t truly experience Hawaii for what it is without visiting the below locations, so read on to learn about the Hawaii hotspots!
Tour Pearl Harbor
It wouldn’t make any sense for a Hawaii bucket list to start anywhere but at Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. You should dedicate a few hours of your time to the exploration of this location, in order to truly experience the history, interactive exhibits, and documentary-style movies. It couldn’t be easier for tourists to pay Pearl Harbor a visit, with a regular bus service from downtown Honolulu, as well as the option of a day trip tour.
Visit Byodo-In Temple
In just a short half an hour drive from Honolulu, you’ll reach Kaneohe, which is the setting of a stunning Japanese Buddhist temple. It’s quite rare that first-time visitors will stumble across Byodo-In Temple on their travels; however, this doesn’t mean it should be disregarded. Visitors of the temple find themselves pleasantly surprised by a visit to the temple due to its immense beauty and peace. Additionally, visitors can spend their time wandering around the holy grounds and may even have the pleasure of encountering some koi fish and birds.
Relax on Waikiki Beach
It goes without saying that Hawaii is famous for its beaches; however, one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches is of Waikiki Beach. This beach can be found on the island of Oahu, but it’s worth noting that it doesn’t suit the tastes of everyone. Some individuals don’t appreciate the fact that this beach is surrounded by skyscrapers. Therefore, there’s a huge contrast between the bustling city and the calm seas.
Hike Diamond Head
Hawaii is also renowned for its hiking opportunities, with one of the most famous routes being the Diamond Head Trail. Diamond Head is situated around an hour from Waikiki beach, and you’ll have a one-to-two-hour hike to the summit that follows. This may seem intense, especially when considering the Hawaii heat, but the views are unmatched, so you can say with certainty that the effort is well worth it. From the cityscape to the seascape, you won’t experience scenery quite like it anywhere else in the world.
Discover Volcanoes National Park
There are many locations that are made from volcanic rock, but Hawaii is probably the best known for such. This is predominantly due to the Volcanoes National Park, which is a must-visit location on the island. From huge craters to bubbling lava, there are unique sightings that simply won’t be seen anywhere else across the globe.
Hike Through the Kilauea Iki Crater
Walking through a volcanic crater probably isn’t what you had in mind for your vacation, but when the opportunity presents itself, why not? You may not have even known that exploring a volcanic crater was possible, but it certainly is at the Kilauea Iki Crater. It’s absolutely huge and to venture through the entire thing, you’ll need to set aside a few hours. There are so many ways to explore it, from walking the perimeter to journeying straight through the middle.
How will you discover Hawaii?