Places to Visit in Hawaii

Translating to “sheltered harbor” or “calm port”, Honolulu is the cosmopolitan capital city of Hawaii and is located in the southern part of Oahu. The city’s landscape is well-planned with urban buildings, commercial complexes, universities, financial institutions and the calm waters of the sea add an ethereal charm to the city.

The Bishop Museum here has a mind-blowing collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts. Other places of interest that are worth visiting are The Honolulu Zoo, Iolani Palace, Foster Botanical Gardens, Walker Estate, Pearl Harbor,  and Hawaii Theatre.

Adventure enthusiasts can hike to the Diamond Head, swim with the dolphins, snorkel at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and indulge in various water sports like parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet-skiing, surfing, and sailing at the famous Waikiki Beach.

Honolulu enjoys warm weather all through the year with temperatures ranging around 28 degrees Celsius on average. The dry season is from April to October and the wet season is from November to March. If you are planning a Honolulu trip, the best time is from December to August when the water activities are open and the climate is perfect.

Perched cozily overlooking the rumbling waters of the Hilo Bay at the foothills of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, Hilo is the largest city in Hawaii County. Being located at the base of an active volcano and a dormant volcano, Hilo faces lava flows now and then.

The flipside of Kohala Coast in Hilo is blessed abundantly by Mother Nature with scenic waterfalls, densely wooded rainforests, and lush gardens making it a perfect weekend getaway in Hawaii. The expansive Liliuokalani Gardens sprawls over 30 acres and has beautiful ponds, pagodas, and rock gardens within it.

The Wailuku River State Park which houses Rainbow Falls and Peepee Falls is a no-miss attraction. Visit Panaewa Rainforest Zoo to spot much exotic flora and fauna. To go on a cultural tour, visit the museums and galleries in Downtown Hilo. The annual Merrie Monarch Festival that happens every year after Easter is a week-long celebration that draws tourists and locals alike.

The climate in Hilo is tropical with temperatures ranging between 23 and 29 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Hilo has an extremely wet climate with rains on about 236 days a year.

This city on the west coast of Hawaii Island along the Kailua Bay and at the foothills of the active Hualalai volcano. The city is a bustling center for commerce and tourism-related activities. The city was once a fishing village with several fishponds.

Once used as a royal vacation home, Hulihee Palace in Kailua Kona is now converted into a historic home displaying an enviable collection of artifacts and is the topmost attraction here. Other places of interest in Kailua Kona are Kaloko-Honok?hau National Historical Park, Hual?lai, Alii Drive, Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark, and Mokuaikaua Church.

The Kona Manta Ray Night Dive is one of the most sought-after activities here and snorkeling in the clear waters of the Kealakekua Bay lets you marvel at the beautiful reef structures in the ocean bed. If you like to spend some time on farms, Kona has many coffees, vanilla, honey, and chocolate farms/producers that let visitors tour around. Embark on a helicopter tour over Volcano National Park for an outlandish experience.

Kailua-Kona has a temperate climate and the day temperature ranges between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius all through the year. Every month sees at least one spell of rain and the best time to visit is from November and March when the skies are usually clear.