Things to Do in Hawaii
Surfing & Sea Sports
Hawaii is the true home of surfing. Together with stand-up paddling and outrigger canoe paddling, it can be traced back to the early Polynesian days.
Duke Kahanamoku (1890 - 1968), an Olympic medal winner, movie star and ambassador of surfing, is considered the father of modern surfing. He lived in Waikiki but spent much of his time introducing surfing to the world by giving demonstrations across the globe.
Visitors can easily enrol for surf lessons on all of the islands. Most schools promise they will have you standing and riding a wave after just one lesson!
Irish surfers looking for some of the best surfing hot spots around the world need look no further than Hawaii. Oahu alone has almost 600 surfing sites, nearly twice as many as any of the other Hawaiian islands. If there is such a thing as a perfect wave, you will probably find it on Oahu's North Shore. The big winter waves of this surf magnet attract the best surfers in the world.
Stretching over 7 miles, the surf spots along this coast include the world famous Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Makaha. November - February are the best times to watch the pros go to work on the water. In certain spots the waves can swell up to thirty feet or more and can be dangerous for even experienced surfers so please heed warning signs. From May - September the waves subside creating the perfect spots for swimming.
Other water sports which can be enjoyed in Hawaii include bodysurfing, boogie boarding, windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving as well as snuba (a cross between the two). Aloha Holidays will be glad to point you in the direction of more information regarding your preferred sport.
Sailing, kayaking and outrigger canoe paddling are also readily available and worth a try. Sports anglers will love the deep sea fishing on offer too.
On the non-sporting list and definitely worth a mention are whale watching in Maui and night diving with Manta Rays in the waters around the Big Island.
Land Activities
Hiking is popular in Hawaii and trails for independent hikers are clearly marked. The local papers are a useful source of information about guided hikes with local clubs. As with all sports, take the time to find out about local conditions and facilities and always heed warning signs. Anyone hiking on Oahu should scrub their shoes and wash their socks and the legs of their trouser before hiking on other islands to avoid transfer of an insidious and invasive weed called Clidemia hirta.
Horseback riding, quad bikes and bicycle tours allow you to experience the islands from a different perspective. Many hotels and resorts offer tennis and jogging facilities to their clients and you are never far away from a top class golf course in Hawaii. There are over 80 to choose from, from ocean layouts lining the Pacific Ocean to rolling mountain courses that weave through the tropical rainforests.
Air activities on offer include helicopter and light aircraft tours.
You will find a great publication called "101 Things To Do in ..." available in the airport and hotels on each island. These list just about everything on offer and give contact details for all suppliers. Make sure to pick up a copy on arrival.
Don't forget to check your travel insurance before you depart and understand which activities are and are not covered by your policy. If necessary check with your broker before you travel.
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Hawaii Island Information
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