Wailua River: There are not many river-based activities in Hawaii, so the chance to explore this pa

Why the Best of Hawaii Lies Beyond Oahu | BootsnAll Destinations Africa Asia Central America luxury rent a car Europe North America luxury rent a car Oceania South America RTW Travel Career luxury rent a car Breaks Gap Year Slow Travel Trip Planning Accommodation Budget Travel Bus Travel Flights Holidays Insurance Money Packing Safety Solo Travel Tours Train Travel Art Culture Architecture Art Festivals History Literature Music Food Drink Drink Food Lifestyle Family Travel Fitness Healthy Living Relationships Sex + Love Technology Travelers Yoga Learning Classes ESL Study Abroad Travel Blogging luxury rent a car Volunteering Work Abroad Outdoors luxury rent a car Beaches Camping Eco Travel Hiking Islands Mountains Travel luxury rent a car Gear Series How I Travel Indie Flight Hacking RTW Wednesday luxury rent a car Traveler Postcard Home Articles Why the Best of Hawaii Lies Beyond Oahu Why the Best of Hawaii Lies Beyond Oahu By Jo Fitzsimons | May 7th, 2013 | Comments (1) Do you Like BootsnAll? luxury rent a car Get daily travel inspiration Featured luxury rent a car Like this article? Please share!
luxury rent a car With an exotic luxury rent a car aloha spirit, a rich and fascinating native culture, and dramatic landscapes, the Pacific islands of Hawaii easily fit the definition of paradise, and for many people they fall into the travel category of a once in a lifetime destination.
Luckily, travelers exploring the globe on a round the world ticket often have the opportunity to add Hawaii to their itinerary for little or no extra cost, providing the chance to visit a part of the world that many people only ever dream of seeing. Hawaii for backpackers
The downside is that attached to the label of paradise often comes the obvious companions of honeymooners, glitzy resorts, and the necessity of a brimming luxury rent a car budget…or so it is assumed. The reality is that while Hawaii is likely to be one of the most expensive places you will visit on your round the world trip, there are decent hostels/camping, fair transport options, very reasonable inter-island flights, and plenty of activities beyond the beach-buffet-bed routine of a resort based break, so there is definitely a place in paradise for backpackers. Making the most of your time in Hawaii
"The best thing to do in Hawaii is leave Oahu because luxury rent a car all of the good stuff is elsewhere." It was advice I received from a friend who'd been to the islands on her round the world trip, and it turned out to be the best tip I received. BootsnAll is your source for the best indie travel tips and inspiration. Are you indie? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and you won't miss a thing! Follow luxury rent a car @BootsnAll
luxury rent a car While most travelers jump at the chance to add Hawaii to their RTW ticket, many will land in Honolulu (the main international airport on Oahu) and go no further than the 20-minute ride to Waikiki, where they will enjoy a 2-week beach break en route to somewhere else. It's a tempting proposition, and without really understanding luxury rent a car what the different Hawaiian Islands have on offer, the lure of Waikiki can easily see you leaving paradise with little more than a tan. And that is a shame as Hawaii has so much more to give.
With an incredibly diverse range of landscapes from alpine zones, arid desert, rainforests, volcanoes, canyons, beaches and rivers, Hawaii crams an impressively broad spectrum of the natural wonders luxury rent a car that many of us travel the world to see into a very small space. However, in order to explore Hawaii fully, it is necessary to take in the sights of the other islands. Before you leave Oahu
Iconic, internationally renowned and crammed to the water's edge, Waikiki tops most people's itineraries, and the sunsets alone draw crowds that feel compelled to clap as the sun dips over the horizon. luxury rent a car Equally, taking a surf lesson on Waikiki is a stand-out activity. However, with sun loungers packed in so expertly as to make some hostel dorms seem spacious, you're better waiting until Kauai (or any other patch of sand) for placid beach time.
The hike up to Diamond Head, the landmark that is ever visible from Waikiki, is a leisurely jaunt (no more than 2 hours) that will happily fill a morning, help burn off some loco moco (a local dish of rice, burger, gravy, and a fried eggs) and provides increasingly impressive views as you climb 175 steps to the top.
Visiting the site where the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack luxury rent a car on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor hardly rates among the light and breezy experiences in Hawaii, but the historical significance luxury rent a car of the event makes Pearl Harbor worth a visit. There are a number of paid entry sights, and a discount can be obtained if you visit all of them. Pearl Harbor can be reached by local bus from Waikiki.
To watch the pro-surfers perfect their game, head to Oahu's north shore (the island bus will take you there if you don't have a car, but start early as it's a long route, taking over 2 hours each way). Once you're green with envy at the locals' surf skills, head to one of the shrimp shacks for a taste of paradise. If you're looking for a once in a lifetime adrenaline kick, North Shore is a good place to skydive. Most companies include a pick up from your Waikiki hostel. Leaving Oahu: Seeing the other islands
Hawaii comprises a number of islands with Oahu, Hawaii Island (known as Big Island), Maui, and Kauai being the main four to visit. With a couple of days spent acclimatizing to the pace of paradise and seeing the sights of Oahu, a short flight will take you to the other islands, where your discovery of Hawaii can really start. Big Island
Volcanoes National Park: If you only have time for one activity on Big Island, then it surely has to be a visit to the Volcanoes National Park. Walk through giant lava tubes, hike into a volcano crater, take a path past steam vents, and depending on the lava flow, get to watch the eerie glow from within the crater of one of the most active volcanoes in the world (Kileau). Note : if the volcano is particularly active, you can watch lava spewing from the coast into the sea as new land is born.
Green sand beach:  I never tire of seeing gleaming white sand beaches, but they barely luxury rent a car compare with the rarity of the olive-toned green sand beach on Big Island. One of only two in the world (the other is in the Galapagos Islands), the green sand is colored by a local mineral, luxury rent a car olivine.  The miniscule luxury rent a car beach requires an adventurous spirit to get to, including a coastal luxury rent a car hike and bit of rock climbing, but its uniqueness makes it worthwhile. Taking sand off the beach is prohibited, and even if the potential fine doesn't deter you, hopefully your conscience will.
Star-gaze up Mauna Kea:  The peak of Mauna Kea is so perfectly positioned for star gazing that N.A.S.A. houses telescopes there. Every night a team of experts gather to provide free star-gazing luxury rent a car sessions, which are fascinating even if you can't tell Orion's Belt from the Milky Way. Wrap up warm – the altitude provides freezing conditions.
Kona coffee plantations and the Kona brewery:  Not every day on Big Island needs to revolve around activities and natural wonders. Hawaii produces impressive coffee, and the town of Kona, on Big Island's west coast, is the source. There are many plantations to choose from, but the tour at the Hula Daddy plantation is both inviting, informative, and best of all, free (many plantations charge). If coffee isn't your thing, the Kona Brewery, which produces popular brands Longboard, Pipeline Porter, and Five Rock Pale Ale, is a nice way to top off a day. Don't fancy the tour but just want to taste? The small bar/restaurant luxury rent a car offers a tasting menu where you can sample a selection of the breweries products.
Tip: Hilo or Kona? One dilemma for indie travelers luxury rent a car visiting Big Island luxury rent a car is whether to stay on the east (Hilo) or west (Kona) coast. Hilo is known for its rain and Kona its beaches, so it may seem no contest, but after staying in both I'd recommend Hilo for its better integration with local Hawaiian life. Kauai
Kauai looks like an emerald green blanket luxury rent a car has been draped over the shoulders of a giant hulk of rock that has pushed its way out of the water. The interior is no less dramatic, and the fringing luxury rent a car beaches frame the beauty perfectly. If you're after nature, Kauai will probably have what you're looking for.
Waimea Canyon:  Commonly luxury rent a car dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon luxury rent a car may be smaller than its Arizona comparator, but the swatch of rust and contrasting vivid green make it no less impressive. The gorge stretches 14-miles long, and the canyon hits 3,600 feet deep. Make sure your camera is charged because you will be clicking one shot after another.
Napli Coast:  Whether you approach by foot, sea, or air, the dramatic scenery of the Napali luxury rent a car Coast continues to drags visitors to the west side of Maui year after year. Stare in awe at impossibly thin valleys, emerald green cliff peaks that tower out of the sea, and panoramas that stretch across the Pacific. Due to its largely inaccessible nature, this part of the island remains fairly untouched, making its sights even more spectacular. It is possible to hike part of the Napali Coast, but it is not for the novice and requires camping equipment. Otherwise a boat tour will take you parallel to the staggering luxury rent a car facia, or budget blowing helicopters will fly you overhead.
Wailua River:  There are not many river-based luxury rent a car activities in Hawaii, so the chance to explore this part of Kauai by kayak is one of island's main attractions. Take a kayak for half a day and work your way past rock formations, waterfalls, and thick jungle on the river banks before jumping into the swimming areas for a refreshing dip.
Poipu Beach Park:  Once named America's Best Beach, Poipu is a more than another paradisiacal stretch of gleaming golden sands. Sure, lying back and taking in rays is a popular option here, but the main attraction lies beneath the surface of the water where you have the chance to spot green sea turtles and rare Hawaiian Monk Seals as well as a wealth of brightly colored fish. Snorkelling equipment is cheap and easy to hire on the island. Maui
Regularly touted as Hawaii's best island, Ma