Hawaii

[Juanbablo]

Has anyone been to Hawaii? Any recommendations of which island to visit and the best time of year to go?

I have travelled to the Hawaiian Islands from the UK. There is really no bad time of year to go there.

Most first time visitors go to Oahu which is where Waikiki Beach is located. Its the most built up island in the chain, its very much America by the Sea. The north shore of Oahu however is far less built up. Other islands like Kauai and Maui are also less developed and are lush and scenic. It depends what you want.

If you are flying from the UK use a British based carrier and overnight in either LA or San Francisco (you will need to do the same on the return leg). Onward flight time from these West Coast cities to the Islands is about 6 to 6.5 hours.

Interisland flights can be expensive as there is only one carrier who operates between the Islands (Hawaiian Airlines). HA do not accept UK customers details on their website but they have a UK agent who will place such bookings with Hawaiian.

Waikiki is Tenerife with warm water and american city problems. See it for the 'wow! I'm in Hawaii!', climb diamond head and go to pearl harbour. Then go somewhere else.

Big island is amazing.

I want somewhere beautiful and relaxing but also want to sight see and have an adventure. We have 3 children so it needs to be family friendly.

Waikiki is expensive & touristy. Kauai is beautiful

Maui is very family friendly and has wonderful side trips…volcanoes, road to Hana, Molokini crater snorkeling (even with kids as young as four), horse riding in the rain forests, waterfalls and hidden beaches to hike to… Tons of great hotel choice and lovely beaches in Kaanapali and Wailea. I'd skip Waikiki completely.

Maui haha

Agree with previous poster, Big Island is amazing and can offer everything you are looking for. Maybe consider the waikoloa area? Kauai more muted, haven't been to Maui or Oahu yet.

Btw, I booked my interisland flights with Hawaiian from the Uk, over the net. No problem with being resident in the UK or having a UK registered credit card.

Is big island Hawaii Island?

Hawaii is also called the Big Island.

If you are going from the UK it takes forever to get there! Far better to go to Costa Rica or Belize.