Hawaii, United States

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

United StatesAmericas
Introduction
Hawaii is the only US state outside North America and the only one made entirely of islands — a chain of volcanic peaks rising from the middle of the Pacific, more than 2,000 miles from the mainland. Six islands welcome visitors, each with its own character: Oahu, the busy heart with Honolulu and Waikiki; Maui, the resort-and-road-trip favourite; Hawaii Island (the "Big Island"), where volcanoes are still building new land; Kauai, the lush and dramatic eldest; and the quieter Molokai and Lanai. For travellers the appeal is the rare combination of tropical beaches, genuinely wild volcanic landscapes, world-class snorkeling and surfing, and a living Native Hawaiian culture — all under the convenience of US infrastructure. The islands reward choosing one or two and going deep rather than hopping every few days.

Discover Hawaii

Oahu is the gateway and the most developed island, and it packs an enormous range into a short drive. Honolulu and Waikiki give the urban-beach experience — high-rise hotels behind a famous crescent of sand, with Diamond Head's crater rim a short, sweaty hike for the classic view. Pearl Harbor's USS Arizona Memorial is the islands' most moving historic site, reached by a free boat from the visitor centre (reserve timed tickets in advance). The windward and North Shore coasts are the other Oahu: the Nuuanu Pali lookout's wind-blasted cliffs, the snorkeling cove of Hanauma Bay, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and a North Shore that is a sleepy surf town in summer and the world capital of big-wave surfing each winter, when swells light up Pipeline, Sunset and Waimea Bay. Shrimp trucks at Kahuku and shave ice at Haleiwa are the road-trip rituals.

Travel Types

Beaches & Surf

Waikiki and resort coasts, the North Shore's winter big waves, and gentle summer swimming and snorkeling across every island.

Volcanoes & Hiking

Kilauea's living lava in Volcanoes National Park, sunrise on Haleakala, Diamond Head and the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.

Snorkeling & Marine Life

Sea turtles and reef fish at Hanauma Bay and Molokini, Kona's manta rays, and winter humpback whales off Maui.

Hawaiian Culture

The language, hula, lei and luau, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and historic sites from Pearl Harbor to Puuhonua o Honaunau.

Scenic Drives

The waterfall-lined Road to Hana on Maui and the lookouts of Waimea Canyon and Kokee on Kauai.

Frequently asked questions

For a first trip, Oahu offers the most range and the easiest logistics (Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore). Maui is the resort-plus-road-trip favourite for couples and families. Hawaii Island (the Big Island) is for volcanoes, stargazing and geology. Kauai is the lush, dramatic, slower-paced nature island. With a week, pick one or two and go deep rather than island-hopping every few days.

Hawaii is a year-round destination — trade winds keep temperatures mild. The drier, slightly busier months run roughly April to October. Winter (December to March) brings more rain on windward shores but also the giant North Shore surf and the humpback-whale season off Maui. Prices and crowds peak over the winter holidays and mid-summer.

Yes — there are no bridges or ferries between the main islands, so inter-island travel is by short flight (most hops are 20–50 minutes). Plan island-hopping around flights, and budget time for airport transfers; this is the main reason to limit how many islands you try to see in one trip.