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Hawaii Activities Guide
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South Pacific Activities
our rankings - select destination for more info
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Hawaii offers excellent opportunities for all sorts of activities, both on the land and in the water. Hawaii is the most isolated group of islands in the world, over 2000 miles to its nearest landmass. It's isolation within the worlds greatest ocean mean two things - lots of unique marine life (about 2000 different species, 30% of which are endemic to Hawaii) and BIG surfing waves. Add to that the states advanced tourist infrastructure and the keen independent game fishing, sailing and scuba diving charter companies and Hawaii becomes one of the best places in the world to enjoy water sports.
Scuba diving attractions evolve mainly around its rich and unique marine life. An Open Water certification course typically coast US$500 whilst a simple one-tank reef dive will cost US$60. Lanai, off Maui, is rated the best scuba diving destination by the experts with Maui and its small offshore islet of Molokini (best snorkelling destination) coming a close second. The Big Island is also considered an exceptional scuba diving destination and has excellent snorkelling around the South Kona Coast. Snorkelling around Oahu is generally good with several outstanding Marine Reserves including Hanauma Bay near Waikiki.
Hawaii is the worlds greatest surfing destination with the monster waves of Oahu's north shore and the surfing schools of bustling Waikiki Beach leading the way. The Big Island, Maui and Kauai also have some exceptional surfing breaks, notably in the winter months from October to March
The Big Island is renowned for its world-class game-fishing off the warm west Kona Coast waters. Seven-hundred-pound blue marlins are common year-round with catches of a thousand-pound not unusual.
The islands, being one of the most isolated places on earth in the heart of the north Pacific, are the ideal sailing stopover for yachts crossing the Pacific and are a popular winter base for yachties from West Coast America.
With a highly developed commercial infrastructure and finance provided through the National Parks system, Hawaii activities can be found in every shape and form and in every corner of the islands. With outstanding natural beauty and a rugged and wild coastlines adventure travel is one of Hawaii's greatest assets. There are several absolutely outstanding hiking trails, notably the Napali Coast and Kokee State Park on Kauai and Volcano and Mauna Kea Forest Reserve on the Big Island. Kauai is renowned for its excellent kayaking, both sea kayaking along the rugged Na Pali coastline and river kayaking into the otherwise impenetrable rainforest. There are also excellent river kayaking opportunities on Oahu and the Big Island. The public has access rights to much of the state-owned land as well as all rights to the coastline making exploring easy.
A note of caution for sightseers:
Hawaii, being a part of the USA, has an excellent National and State Park system and many of the spectacular sites around the islands have being designated as such with paved pathways, railings, rest rooms and picnic shelters. Unfortunately you can drive right up to most of these spectacular sights which appeals to the five-minute stop coach tours and can create crowds. As half the glory of sightseeing is in the exploring, Hawaii's hugely impressive sights can, after a day of driving from vantage point to vantage point, leave you feeling unfulfilled. Take time to get out and explore some of the lesser attractions and wherever possible, take a trail into the countryside to appreciate the surroundings.
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