Attractions Nearby Hawaii (The Big Island) and Island Hopping

(The Big Island, Hawaii - HI, USA)

Linked to its neighboring Hawaiian islands by its airports (Pacific Wings) and harbors, the Big Island is a good location if you are looking to explore attractions further afield. Maui lies directly to the north of Hawaii Big Island and its port town of Lahaina is very central to island life and buzzes with a mixture of commerce, history, attractions and restaurants, whilst also offering an excellent nightlife scene.

Also relatively close to the north short and suitable for those wishing to indulge in the very tempting pastime of island hopping around Hawaii, both Laina and Molokai are brimming with secluded beaches and places of extreme natural beauty. Further north of the Big Island is Oahu, where Hawaii's premier city of Honolulu resides. To make the most of your excursion, do try to stay for a minimum of two or three nights.

Kauai

Situated to the far north-west and close to Niihau, the island of Kauai is known for being undeveloped and is a good place to experience the 'real' Hawaii. Much of Kauai is dominated by its breathtaking central volcano, Mount Waialeale, which is surrounding by dramatic waterfalls and expansive rain forests. The attractions of Kauai are centred within its capital of Lihue, and also close to the main beach resorts around the Na Pali coast and the most southerly Poipu. Especially noteworthy are both the Kokee State Park and the Waimea Canyon.

Lanai

Lania is located to the north-west of the Big Island, and to the west of Maui. A very peaceful and tranquil location, Lania was once used for little more than pineapple farming, although in recent years has been touched by the tourism industry, catering to the luxury market. Accommodation on Lanai can therefore be quite expensive, although its ancient attractions and archaeological sites are worthy of some time, as is the scenery of the Kanepuu Preserve.

Maui

The famous Hawaiian island of Maui is close by and is home to some truly world-class beaches, swimming and snorkelling. One of the most visited of the islands of Hawaii, Maui contains all of the necessary ingredients for the perfect tropical holiday. Close to Lahaina, the high-rise resort of Kaanapali boasts no less than 5 km / 3 miles of sandy beachfront, including the stunning Black Rock (Puu Kekaa) landmark, which is where past Hawaiians once believed that spirits left this world. Other significant communities on Maui include Kihei, Makena and Wailea.

Molokai

Molokai is relatively easy to reach, being located to the north-west, and north of both Maui and Lanai. This island is where holiday makers come to relax and take life at a slower pace. Molokai tends to be relatively sparsely populated and contains only a small number of resorts, with deserted beaches, scenic hiking trails and towering sea cliffs being amongst the leading attractions. Kaunakakai is the largest town of Molokai and remains quite untouched by the tourism industry, with both the Halawa Valley and the Kamakou Preserve being other places of interest.

Oahu

Those with time to visit Oahu will not be disappointed and will find this extremely popular Hawaiian island to the north-west. Oahu is an extremely developed island and contains some of Hawaii's brashest attractions, which don't come much bigger than Honolulu, the epitome of modern Hawaii. Close to Honolulu, the Waikiki beach resort is another spot and known the world over for its gorgeous white sand and great surfing. However, the beaches of Kahaloa and Ulukou also more than deserve a mention, as does the Aloha Tower Marketplace, Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl Crater and the Punchbowl Crater volcano, which provides a magnificent island backdrop.