Hawaii

Fiery sites abound on The Big Island

Set on the sloping hillside of the world’s most active volcano, this fantastic park (pxxx) dramatically reminds you that nature is very much alive and in perpetual motion. An incredible network of hiking trails encompasses lava flows and tubes, steam vents and wild beaches. Alternatively, take in many of the major sights by car in one long, winding downhill drive.

Rugged adventures on land and sea

The Na Pali Coast should top everyone’s to-do list. Make the oceanic journey by sailing a catamaran, or pit your paddle and kayak against the elements. For hikers, Keʻe Beach is the entry point for the rugged, 11-mile-long Kalalau Trail. Hawaii's most famous trek will transport you to a place like no other, where verdant cliffs soar above a sloping valley abundant with fruit trees, waterfalls and solace seekers.

Hold on tight for a dramatic drive

A roller coaster of a ride, the Hana Hwy in Maui twists down into jungly valleys and back up towering cliffs, curling around 600 twists and turns along the way. Fifty-four one-lane bridges cross nearly as many waterfalls ­– some eye-popping torrents, others soothing and gentle. But the ride’s only half the thrill. Get out and swim in a Zen-like pool, hike a ginger-scented trail and savor fresh guava and coconuts.

Waikiki is back, baby! Dig in.

Hawaii's most famous beach resort was a haven for tacky plastic lei, coconut-shell bikini tops and motorized, hip-shaking hula dolls. But real aloha and chic-modern style have returned. Beach boys and girls surf legendary waves by day, and after sunset tiki torches light up the sand. Every night hula dancers sway to ancient and modern rhythms – backed by slack key guitars and ukuleles – at oceanfront hotels, open-air bars and even shopping malls.

Otherworldly beauty from shore to summit

As you hike into the belly of Haleakalā , the first thing you notice is the crumbly, lunar-like landscape. Then you experience the eerie quiet – the only sound is the crunching of volcanic cinders beneath your feet. The path continues through an unearthly world, a tableau of stark lava, rainbow-colored cinder cones and ever-changing clouds. At the coast, waterfalls tumble into brilliant pools, flanked by trails, viewpoints and one amazing bamboo forest.

Hawaii's active US military bases attest to the islands' continued strategic importance in the Pacific. For the most dramatic reminder of the reasons why, tour Oʻahu's USS Arizona Memorial, commemorating the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and its tragic cost in human lives. Nearby, military history buffs can clamber around inside the USS Bowfin submarine, tour the aircraft hangars of the Pacific Aviation Museum and stand on the decks of the ʻMighty Mo' battleship, where Imperial Japan formally surrendered in 1945.

Beach life is the best life here

Voted one of the USA's best beaches many times over, this crescent-shaped bay delights lazy sunbathers and active beachgoers alike. Surfers can charge massive (and some beginner) waves while onlookers amble along the golden, sandy shore. Surf lessons go on near the pier, and most afternoons see locals and visitors alike firing up barbecue grills, cracking open cold brews and humbly watching the daylight fade.

Hawaiian legend says that Molokini was a beautiful woman turned to stone by a jealous Pele, goddess of fire and volcanoes. Today Molokini is the stuff of legends among scuba divers and snorkelers. The crescent-shaped rock, only a few miles off the South Maui coast, is the rim of an ancient volcanic crater that has eroded over eons and sunk back beneath the ocean's surface. The shallow waters cradled within are a more than hospitable spot for coral and a calling card for more than 250 species of tropical fish.

When giant rollers come crashing in, head to Oʻahu's North Shore for a glimpse of Hawaii's surfing rock stars (you can also spot them riding pro-worthy waves at Maui's Hoʻokipa Beach and Kauaʻi's own North Shore). No need to pull out a camera lens larger than a howitzer – you can practically look these surfers in the eye as they paddle into monster surf. Or experience the adrenaline rush for yourself by learning to ride da kine (the best kind of) waves. Hang loose, brah!

Lush, rugged and divine for exploring

Formed by millions of years of erosion and the collapse of the volcano that formed Kauaʻi, the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific' stretches 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3600ft deep. Reached via a serpentine scenic drive, roadside lookouts provide panoramic views of rugged cliffs, crested buttes and deep valley gorges. Steep hiking trails drop into the canyon floor to survey its interior. It's a bounty of amazing sites.

A stunning and mysterious tropical valley

A mysterious green bowl full of ghosts and legends. A sacred site. A retreat from the outside world. Waipiʻo's special distillation of all these makes it irresistible. Many choose to snap a photo from the panoramic overlook, one of the Big Island’s most iconic views. Others trek down to the valley floor to stroll a black sand beach and peer at distant waterfalls. Access is limited beyond that, which only enhances the mystery.

The alien wonders of the ocean become accessible to all on the Big Island. Take a night snorkeling or scuba diving trip near Kailua-Kona and come face to face, eye to eye and sometimes belly to belly with enormous Pacific manta rays. These graceful giants glide like dark angels beneath you, dancing a shadowy ballet that is heart-wrenchingly beautiful and utterly fascinating. Best of all, you don't need to be an expert in the water to enjoy this unforgettable adventure.

Gaze at a blanket of stars

Star light, star bright, the first star I see tonight…whoops, scratch that. Up here, the night skies are clearer than almost anywhere on Earth. Stars sear the night white, and choosing the first is near impossible. Not to worry: with free telescopes set up for visitors to browse the celestial glory, you don't have to choose just one. Get here by sunset for a heavenly double feature or show up during meteor showers for all-night star parties.

Shares an island-style mixed plate of experiences

In this boisterous Polynesian capital you'll eat your way through the pan-Asian alleys of Chinatown, gaze out to sea atop the landmark Aloha Tower, and explore Victorian-era brick buildings, including the USA’s only royal palace. Browse at the world's largest open-air shopping center at Ala Moana, then poke your nose into the city's impressive art museums.

History and views on the most Hawaiian island

More than 50% of Moloka‘i’s people have indigenous heritage. Locals favor preservation of land and culture over schemes promoting tourism. Yet there is aloha spirit everywhere and visitors find a genuine welcome. The island is also home to striking Kalaupapa Peninsula and the Halawa Valley, an end-of-the-road place with hundreds of sacred taro patches, ancient temples and waterfalls pounding into swimmable pools.

Golden-sand beaches and pristine resorts

Famed for phenomenal swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and sunny skies, the beaches are world class. Beyond the beaches with its tidy golf courses, protective privacy walls and discreet signage, Wailea looks like a members-only country club and is South Maui’s most elite haunt. Amenities shine. If you’re not staying here, say a loud mahalo (thank you) for Hawaii’s beach-access laws that allow you to visit these beautiful strands anyway, with dedicated public parking lots.