With tropical fish, dolphins and sea turtles, this part of the world is fantastic for snorkelling and wildlife spotting. The Molokini Crater sits off the south coast of Maui and offers visibility of up to 45 meters (150 feet), and allows you to see many species of endemic fish including parrotfish, triggerfish and raccoon butterflyfish – and even manta rays and whitetip reef sharks. For diving, the inner reef is fascinating; you can spot octopus, moray eels, sharks, and hundreds of exotic fish. Plus, every winter (between December and May), many species of whales including humpback, pygmy whales, melon-headed whales, false killer whales, and orcas travel to the shorelines of Hawaii for their annual migration – a great way to see them is on a whale-watching cruise.
Underneath one of the clearest parts of the sky stands Mauna Kea, a staggering dormant volcano reaching over 9,700 metres from the ocean floor to its summit. It is known as ‘Earth’s connecting point to the rest of the Universe’ and has the world’s largest astronomical observatory at its summit. On a guided tour, you will be taken to its peak as the sun sets where you’ll be able to look through some of the most advanced telescopes in modern technology. An astronomer will explain the intricacies of what you’re able to see both through the naked eye and through a telescope, in this elevated position it is possible to see Saturn’s rings.
Emerald streams ringed by white beaches and lush, green vegetation are just a sample of Maui’s natural beauty. It’s also a wonderful place to see Polynesian culture and a traditional way of life – and a great way to experience this is on a self-drive along the coastal road to Hana, one of the oldest settlements in Hawaii. You could easily do the drive in a couple of hours but with so much to see on route, we prefer to spend a day stopping along the various points of interest along the way. Highlights include the Ke’anae Arboretum which houses around 150 varieties of tropical plants and trees, and the many huts and shacks that line the roadside selling coconut juice, banana bread and other handmade refreshments.
The landscape of Hawaii is dramatic by its very nature, the islands themselves were formed from the lava of underwater volcanoes which continue to shape them today. Volcanoes National Park on Big Island is a fantastic way to learn more about the interesting geology – you can hike over lava fields and find rock carvings from indigenous Hawaiians. The gigantic moonscape is home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world – if you time your trip right, you’ll be able to see molten lava pouring into the ocean. During the day time the contrast of the barren black rocks against the bright blue sea is a unique sight. Although there are no walking paths directly to the volcanoes, you can view the eruptions from above on a helicopter ride or by visiting during the evening when the red-hot liquid is illuminated by darkness.
For those interested in American History (and even those who aren’t), Pearl Harbour is a significant and interesting place to visit. It’s the scene of the devastating attack by the Japanese in 1941 which led to America’s involvement in World War II. You can view the old naval base, visit the museum featuring uniforms, letters flags and guns and see the sunken battleship. The landmark is based on Oahu Island which is home to the capital Honolulu, it is very popular here but worth visiting for one night to see the historic harbour.
At Audley, our specialists travel regularly in search of unique, authentic and unforgettable experiences. The specialist who plans your trip will carefully tailor it to your specific interests, tastes and budget based on their first-hand experience.
