Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours

Hawaii is known for its tropical climate, sunshine, and sand. People dream of visiting the golden beaches, but where do you start? It’s easy to get bogged down in all the options, especially when they are all so beautiful. Just make sure you apply reef safe sunscreen before you get in the ocean.

Best for sunbathing:

Kauna’oa, Big Island

One of the prettiest beaches in Hawaii – Laurance Rockefeller chose it for the now-iconic Mauna Kea, which brings hundreds of tourists in. The beach is calm and crystal clear. It has bright blue water, with gentle waves and the added entertainment of turtles. There are coral reefs on either side and you can even snorkel. Spend the day sunning yourself and walking along the golden sands. Just make sure you arrive early for the parking!

Makena Beach aka Big Beach, Maui

This is one of the longest and widest beaches in Hawaii and is a popular spot with everyone. Despite that, because of how expansive it is, the beach hardly feels crowded. Grab a towel and look out at the island Molokini. Not only is it stunningly beautiful – but it also has some incredibly popular food trucks that are open all day. If you hate tan lines, why not visit Little Beach, one of the most famous nude beaches next door?

Best for atmosphere:

Waikiki Beach, Oahu

This is Honolulu and perhaps Hawaii’s most popular beach. High-rise hotels, surfers and decadent shoppers all come together in a melting pot of activity. Whether you want to sunbathe or take part in some water sports – Waikiki has it all. Watch the sunset with a cocktail and let yourself enjoy the beauty of Hawaii.

Kaanapali Beach

This was named America’s Best Beach and is a popular location for tourists. It has now got a large selection of hotels and resorts the three miles of glorious sand and water. Not only is it a natural delight, but there is also Whaler Village – a high-end shopping center with shops, restaurants, a museum, and golf courses. Want to swim? Have a massage? Go zip-lining? The possibilities are as lush as the beach.

Best for sports:

North Shore, Oahu

The seven miles of beach is where some of Hawaii’s best surfing competitions are held. If you are a good surfer or have an appreciation of watching those who are, Waimea Bay is a great space to hang out. In the winter is has 30-foot waves, but in the summer you can swim and snorkel as much as you like.

Ho’okipa, Maui

This is where pretty much all professional windsurfing is done in Hawaii. There are competitions and you can see the pros for free, gliding effortlessly across the water. It is a great place for aspiring pros to see how the big boys perform. If you are a skilled surfer/sailor you are welcome to join, just be aware of how big the waves are and how strong the rip gets.

Honaunau Beach, The Big Island

If you want to go diving, then look no further than Honaunau beach by the famous City of Refuge national park. Volcanos have erupted into the ocean in streams of lava, which have hardened into smooth structures. They have now created a large reef that is populated with large amounts of wildlife. There are over 40% of Hawaii’s native fish, stunning bright coral, and even Hawaiian sea turtles.

Best for kids:

Kalapaki Beach, Kauai

This is a great beach for little ones because it is protected by a break wall from the open ocean. This means the water is calm and is a perfect place for relaxing. There are plenty of activities – volleyball, canoeing and surfboard rentals. It’s the perfect place to teach kids how to swim so why not take a walk along the sand and enjoy a shaved ice with your family. When you’re done soaking up the sunshine there are several seaside restaurants for lunch.

Poipu Beach, Kauai

This is the most popular beach on the South Shore and is made up of golden crescents. It is the perfect beach for those with children as there are lifeguards on duty every day. The way the beach is formed means there are wading pools and lots of kid-friendly activities like boogie-boarding. It provides the perfect place for the whole family to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Something new

Punalu’u Beach, Big Island

Have you seen it all when it comes to beaches? Sick of white sand and blue skies? How about black sand instead? Made out of basalt created when lava flows into the ocean. It explodes in the ocean and cools to form the iconic black shore. In case that wasn’t enticing enough – green turtles also enjoy the black beach and are often found there. So it’s two for the price of one.

Papakōlea Beach, Big Island

Black beach not cutting it? How about one of four green beaches in the world? Otherwise known as Papakōlea beach. The crystals are formed by the beach carving the cinder cone that is part of the Mauna Loa volcano. It contains green crystals which then mix in with lava and white shells creating a patchwork beach. It creates a quilt of sand that is stunning to look at.

Hawaii is the reason clichés exist – blue skies, white sand, turquoise water – it’s a paradise and a dream holiday destination visited by millions. The tropical climate and natural attractions are beyond enticing. So you’ve decided that you want to visit America’s 50th state, but it’s made up of 136 islands with 8 main ones. Picking the right island for you is imperative for enjoying the trip. To get the most out of your vacation, you will need to be well informed on all the islands and what they have to offer.

Oahu

This is where the majority of Hawaii’s population lives. It has the capital city Honolulu, the bustling Waikiki and the best action with the added benefit of not having to take another flight when arriving internationally. You can treat yourself to high-end restaurants, boutique shopping, and beautiful bars. If you came to Hawaii intending to spend money, then these are the zones in which you will spend it. Treat yourself to your heart’s content.

However, if you want the hustle and bustle, but a more laid back side to visit is the North Shore – just around 30 minutes’ drive away from Honolulu, the beach towns give you a chance to relax and explore the nearby reserves. Why not try a film location tour while you’re there? Or even some water sports?

Old, young, luxury lifestyle or on a budget – Oahu has something for everyone.

Maui

Maui is the second-largest island, but with the biggest range of activities. It is the perfect middle between bustling Oahu and the quieter islands. It also boasts the Road to Hana drive – a 64.4-mile drive along cliffs and coastline that will make you change your outbound flight so you can experience it for longer. The outstanding beaches mean a sun, sea, and sand holiday is fully on the cards, but for the more adventurous there are volcanos to climb, snorkeling, surfing and a whole heap of activities to keep you busy for weeks.

It’s a great island for a group with different tastes as no one will be bored while visiting – it has something for everyone. If your trip has romantic intentions, Maui is the perfect place to find a love nest and you will find a wide range available to you.

Big Island

This one does what it says on the tin and makes the other islands look like a spec of golden Hawaiian sand. It is bigger than all the other islands put together! Like the oldest sibling, Big Island has taken it upon itself to do everything. Not content with the usual stunning scenery, it has added some game-changers such as one of four green sand beaches in the world (Papakolea), lava fields, volcanoes, and snow! Why not visit Kilauea which is still erupting and you can see lava tumbling into the water?

You can spend your time climbing waterfalls, exploring jungles or even relaxing on the beach, watching the Hawaiian turtles swim around. If you love the outside, you will love Big Island – there’s no doubt about it.

Kauai

This special island has been nicknamed ‘the Garden Isle’, but could have just as easily been named ‘the Adventure Isle’. Over half of the island isn’t accessible and the parts that are display everything green. There are hikes, trails, lookouts and the fantastic Waimea Canyon that will make you forget all about that other famous canyon. There is also a variety of animals that you can find at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge that will showcase the diversity of the island.

If you are a keen hiker, or just want to reconnect with nature – forget the car and try to reach the 80% of the island you can’t reach by vehicle. There are coastal, inland or canyon hikes that will refresh you with its green damp air. Ready for the adventure? Maybe pack a raincoat just in case.

Lanai

This little island is little known and little traveled. It used to be used by the Dole company as a beautiful pineapple farm, but those days are over now. Instead, the majority of the island is owned by a billionaire named Larry Ellison. It has two Four Seasons resorts that offer all the opulence you desire and there are galleries and boutiques to boot.

While this isn’t for everyone, if you are visiting Hawaii for a tranquil pampering – Lanai is the place to go.

Molokai

This is island life personified. There is no hustle, no bustle, and no traffic lights. If you are looking for introspection and privacy, then look no further. There is plenty to look at and hike to. Why not visit the Kalaupapa National Historical Park which is where Hawaiian natives with leprosy were sent to be isolated?

If you want busy, or even to entertain the kids then this may not be the place for you. If you want to soul search or turn off your phone completely, Molokai will complement that perfectly. Haven’t got time to stay there? There are helicopter rides that will showcase the beauty of the island and are much quicker than staying a few nights.

Lanai

This is another secluded paradise, with walking trails and stunning views of the Pacific Island. Think Four Seasons resort, golf, untouched bays and that sort of lifestyle. Luxurious and perhaps less commercial because of it.

You can get a ferry from Honolulu, which is cheap and will give you a chance to take in the beautiful scenery.

Ni’ihau and Kaho’olawe

These two get a mention, but they are off-limits to tourists. Ni’ihau is a native Hawaiian, US Navy and guests only deal with sacred Hawaiian culture. Fancy a trip to the ‘Forbidden Isle’? Good luck!

Kaho’olawe is uninhabited for spiritual reasons so no need for FOMO – no one is invited.

With so many options there is no reason not to visit Hawaii. Grab your friends, family or maybe just your hiking boots and let your Hawaiian adventure begin. Don’t forget to take some pictures to make the memories last longer!

Hawaiian islands are one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. But, if you do a little bit more research and chose to walk down the road just a little less traveled, then you will be able to find many hidden treasures without too much effort.

Since 1995, Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours has shown more than 500,000 guests the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Operating Hawaii tours and activities on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island, we have exactly what you are looking for. From an exploration of Pearl Harbor, a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, Maui’s Road to Hana, and the Big Island’s Mt. Kilauea, your sightseeing tour of Hawaii is one click away. Our goal is simple and is something we live by: give you the perfect visit to the islands, and provide top-rated Hawaii Tours to our valued guests. We hope to see you on tour soon!