Hawaii

Where to Go

• Hawaiʻi Island (the Big Island): the Kona-Kohala coast of lava fields and sandy coves, with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the other side of the island.
• Maui: the sunny resort coast of Wailea in the south, Kapalua in the west, the summit of Haleakalā and the road to Hana.
• Lanai: a small island with one town, a protected bay and very little traffic.

What to Do

Snorkel or dive at night with manta rays off Kona, and see Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park by road or helicopter. On Maui, watch sunrise from Haleakalā, snorkel at Molokini and Honolua Bay, and drive the road to Hana. On Lanai, watch for spinner dolphins in Hulopoʻe Bay and take a jeep to the red rocks of Keahiakawelo. From December to April, humpback whales are easy to see from boats and from the shore.

Best Time to Go

Hawaii is good all year. December to April is whale season, and the leeward coasts where most resorts are stay mostly dry. Winter brings big surf to north-facing shores, so some beaches are unsafe for swimming then. Summer is warm and calm. Christmas, New Year, Presidents' Day week and spring break are the busiest and most expensive weeks.

Getting Around and How Long to Stay

There are direct flights from the West Coast to Kona and Kahului, and from much of the US via Honolulu. Short inter-island flights connect the islands, and Lanai is reached by a short flight from Honolulu or Maui. You will want a car on the Big Island and Maui. We suggest a week on one island, or ten days split between two.

Where to Stay

The Big Island: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a low-rise resort on the lava coast north of Kona, with a swimmable aquarium pool carved from lava.

Maui: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a full-service resort on Wailea Beach. Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui is a larger, more moderate option nearby. In West Maui, Montage Kapalua Bay has residence-style suites above a sheltered bay.

Lanai: Four Seasons Resort Lanai looks over Hulopoʻe Bay.

Pairing

Hawaii works well on its own, or as a stop on the way to or from Australia. Two islands, such as the Big Island and Maui or Maui and Lanai, give you contrast without too much time in transit.