Highlights of Hawaii
From its modern capital Honolulu to burgeoning Maui and the neighbouring 'Big Island,' the Pacific Ocean state of Hawaii remains one of the world's most popular cruise destinations.
A few of the highlights of cruising Hawaii
- Tourism came early to Hawaii but the sun-soaked islands have retained their immense popularity on the cruise circuit. The island of Oahu is home to state capitol Honolulu, however many tourists head straight for the golden sands of nearby Waikiki. Learn to surf or simply relax on some of the world's most famous beaches, or indulge in some designer shopping on Kalakaua Avenue. History buffs are well catered for at Pearl Harbour, the site of the Japanese navy's devastating attack on US forces during World War II and now a designated National Historic Landmark.
- Hawaii's second largest island Maui is also one of its best known. The island's diverse geology makes it ideal for adventure activities, with snorkelling, hiking, canoeing and kayaking all popular activities. No trip to Maui would be complete without a trip to the beach, though be warned that conditions can be rough if you're thinking of surfing its well-renowned breaks. Maui is also famous for its 'luaus' – a traditional Hawaiian feast accompanied by Polynesian singing and dancing.
- The 'Big Island' of Hawaii may not be as popular as its smaller neighbours but there's still plenty to do on the country's largest island. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the world's largest volcano Mauna Loa. Just as fascinating is the continuously erupting Kilauea, from which you can see spectacular lava streams flowing straight into the ocean. Hiking is an equally popular pursuit on the island and there are numerous hiking trails catering for all experience levels.
Weather
Lying mostly within the tropics, the weather here year round is warm (mid 80s F/32°C) While generally it is not very wet the rainier period is from November to February.
Cruise Season
The locally based ships operate year round while cruises from the west coast tend to operate from September to April. These are often repositioning cruise pre and post the Alaska season.