White sand beaches, a near-perfect climate, and incredible verdant landscapes. Exotic, yet comfortable, Hawaii has long been considered the perfect island paradise by American travelers.
Travelers from America have long been Hawaii’s biggest source market, and for many years, it was one of the most visited states in the U.S. But in recent years, visitor numbers to Hawaii have steadily declined.
Now that all looks set to change.
The number of American travelers visiting the state of Hawaii has increased by 5.4% year-on-year. What’s more, October saw the second-highest number of visitors ever recorded in the state.
This means that Hawaii is officially making a comeback! So where are they going?
According to a report by Beat of Hawaii, these are the three beautiful islands attracting the highest number of travelers.
Maui
The tragedy of the Maui fires is still fresh in the minds of many people, but from a tourism perspective, the island has recovered beyond expectations.
Visitors to the island have increased by 34% year-on-year when compared to October of last year.
Maui is a beautiful and resilient island with plenty to offer travelers.
Maui boasts a 48-mile stretch of coastline with incredible beaches. Some of the best beaches on the island include Olowalu and Hamoa Beach, which are known for their pretty vistas.
If you want to swim, then try Kapalua Bay, which is known for its calm waters.
Only strong swimmers should tackle the rugged and craggy rocks of Ho’okipa Beach Park, but this is a popular spot for surfers and a great place for wildlife watching too. Turtles often swim and nest here.
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, then make time to hike the volcano in Haleakalā National Park.
This stark landscape is particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset, and it’s easy to see why.
You’ll need to make a reservation to visit the park in advance, and admission options start at $15.
Oahu
Oahu is the 3rd largest island in Hawaii and is known for its outstanding natural beautiful as well as its epic foodie scene.
If you’re looking for a vacation where you can relax on white sand beaches, eat incredible food, and embrace Hawaiian culture then Oahu is a great pick.
The first thing you’ll notice about Oahu is just how green it is. Craggy green mountains cover the islands right up to its shoreline. It looks like something out of a fairytale!
Of course you don’t come to Hawaii without spending some time on the beach and the most well known beach on the island is Waikiki Beach which is popular with surfers, swimmers, and other water sports enthusiasts.
But Oahu offers plenty of other things to see and do too.
History buffs will find the Pearl Harbor National Memorial fascinating.
There are five unique memorials here as well as a visitor center that serves as a museum, sharing the stories of those who lost their lives in the attack. Entry to the center and to the memorial is free.
And if you want to learn more about life on the island then the Polynesian Cultural Center has been rated the number one attraction in Oahu.
You can spend a whole day here watching the shows and engaging in the interactive activities. Admission starts from $119 per person depending on the package you choose.
Lanai
Lanai may be a small island, but it’s big on beaches! In fact, you’ll find some of Hawaii’s best beaches here.
Your first stop should be Hulopoe beach, which is regularly listed as one of the best beaches in America.
This is an incredible expanse of white sand and beautiful tide pools for exploring.
It’s also considered the best spot for swimming and snorkeling on the island so if you want to get in the water then this is the place to be.
One of the most interesting beaches in Lanai is Shipwreck Beach, an 8-mile stretch of sand.
What makes it really interesting is the WWII-era tanker and other smaller shipwrecks just off the shoreline.
Although this is a beautiful beach to explore, it’s worth noting that swimming isn’t advised here.
But the water does have an incredible electric blue color that has to be seen to be believed.
If you’re interested in outdoor pursuits then why not hike the Munro Trail?
This trail is just over 12 miles long and offers incredibly scenic views as it takes you to the summit of Mount Lanaihale.
You can even see across to Oahu on a clear day! Be warned: this is a challenging trail and not for the fainthearted.
For an adrenaline-rich but ultimately more sedentary experience, you can experience the trail on a UTV with Hawaii Activities. This explores the trail and the wider island and costs $276 per person.
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