In April this year I made my 8th visit to the Hawaiian Islands as it is the location for an annual family reunion holiday.
Over the years that I have been visiting Hawaii, I have had the opportunity to visit each island and explore them in depth. I highly recommend Hawaii as a destination for all travellers and always encourage people to look beyond Waikiki, because while it can be a fun holiday, Hawaii has so much more to offer.
This year we met once again on the Island of Maui at the beautiful Four Seasons Resort at Wailea. This resort consistently delivers and offers an idyllic location overlooking one of Maui’s best beaches. I am not one to lounge around the pool or beach too long and always want to get out and explore any destination I am in. Even after coming to Maui for so many years there is always somewhere new to explore or some old favourites that are always a joy to return to.
This year we took an early morning catamaran straight off the beach down the road from the resort and cruised out to the sunken crater called Molokini. Here we snorkelled inside the crater and sighted whales and dolphins from close range. We also visited Iao Valley, a very special place I have returned to several times now for its peaceful and very scenic environment highlighted by the majestic needle like formation in the mountain and the rushing waterfalls.
Other highlights for me on Maui are driving the Road to Hana with its twists and turns, swimming holes by the side of the road and its expansive views of the dramatic coastline. At the end of the road we hiked into the bamboo forest and cooled off in the rock pools. Another must do activity on Maui is to rise very early to drive to the top of Haleakala to watch the first rays of sun hit the island. If you’re feeling very active you can cycle back down the mountain or spend a day hiking in and out of the crater. I did the latter and while exhausting, it was an amazing experience. If all this sounds too strenuous, it is a highlight of the day to just sit on the beach at dusk watching the beautiful Maui sunsets.
This trip I also returned to the Island of Lanai for the third time as it offers a very unique and special experience, the opportunity to swim with spinner dolphins in the wild at a protected marine reserve. When they choose to come is unpredictable, but when they do, it is definitely worth the wait. The marine preserve is also one of my favourite beaches in Hawaii.
My all time favourite island is Kauai, a nature lover’s paradise. Kauai is probably a destination you have seen many times as it is often the location of choice for movie directors seeking an island paradise setting. I have been fortunate to explore Kauai from the land, sea and air and all offer breathtaking views of the island. Definite highlights include hiking the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon (nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), taking a boat trip along the Napali Coast and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters and taking a helicopter ride across the island and into Waialeale, one of the wettest places on earth.
Of course there is also the laid back approach to visiting Hawaii and it is always to nice to have the balance of spending a day lazing by the pool or the beach on island time. Oh and not to forget, the great shopping and delicious Hawaiian cuisine..
If you are considering a holiday to Hawaii, please contact me and we can begin planning your journey to paradise.