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There are few places in the world that capture the pureness of nature's beauty like Hawaii does. With its combination of coastal drives, plummeting waterfalls, crystal clear beaches and national and state parks, a trip to the USA's 50th state is sure to fill you with awe.
Towering cliffs, clear turquoise waters, untouched jungle and mighty volcanoes are enough to make these eight islands a place that you'll want to explore all of, so we've rounded up the top places to visit in Hawaii for a truly extraordinary trip that won't fail to leave you blown away.
Acting as a gateway to the rest of the Hawaiian islands, Honolulu is the state's capital. It welcomes you with its famous crescent-shaped white sand beach, towering hotels, palm trees and popular neighbourhood Waikiki.
It's a city by the water where you get the best of both worlds: shopping and entertainment right alongside sunny and relaxing shores. The best nightlife in the state can be found here along with museums, a pulsing Chinatown, history and lots of nature to explore. Honolulu, though busy, never loses its island vibe.
Though Oahu is one of the most visited Hawaiian islands, you can still escape to its less touristy side, the North Shore. It's no secret that the beaches here boast winter waves that can reach up to 12 metres high.
Oahu's North Shore isn't just for surfers. The laid-back vibe has travellers flocking to get away from it all and explore the water and land. The year-round beaches are also great for low-key activities such as kayaking or paddle boarding.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the nation's most active shield volcano, Kilauea, and the world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa.
Park staff lead education programs and guided walks and explain the connection between the power of this park to the people of Hawaii Island (the Big Island). See volcanoes, lava pouring into the sea, deserts and rainforests all in one park.
At times, the park may be closed due to major volcanic activity. Information regarding the safety of the park and the island can be found on the Hawaii Tourism Authority website.
The dormant Haleakalā volcano is the true draw to this national park. You can hike to its top and gaze at the impressive crater views made from solid lava.
The park itself has two sections that look like they don't even belong together. One has a moonlike landscape with cone-shaped formations while the other is a coastal area with a bamboo forest, waterfalls and endangered Hawaiian geese.
This park stands in stark contrast to the others in Hawaii with jaw-dropping views of the land and sea. Picture towering sea cliffs, lush valleys filled with native plants and animals, dramatic drops, gushing waterfalls, white sand beaches and turquoise waters brushing up against the shore.
The Nā Pali coast is a hiker's dream come true and a sea lover's scenic playground. You can see this park by helicopter, boat or on foot.
Molokai is one of Hawaii's largest islands. While it's often skipped on visitors itineraries, it should not be ignored. It's often regarded as the most Hawaiian of all the Hawaiian islands. This is because more than half of its residents are of native descent.
Molokai differs from the rest of the state, running on Molokai time where locals are proud to be independent and do things at their own speed, relaxing and enjoying life. If tourist hot spots are what you're after, you won't find them here. Instead, visitors come here to experience true Hawaiian culture, get away from the developments and take in the out-of-this-world beautiful scenery.
Best for: Culture, nature, scenic sites.
The Road to Hana connects Paia to Hana, stretching 103km long and hugging Maui's northeastern shore. This drive could easily be categorised as one of the most scenic and spectacular in the world, but it isn't for the faint of heart.
The road is marked with 54 one-way bridges that take you across waterfalls that will dazzle and amaze, as well as tight hairpin turns that can make even the most confident drivers a little nervous. Cliffs rise beside you and valleys invite the jungle to grow. We won't blame you if you stop at one or two of the many inviting pools that are dotted along the way.
Waimea Canyon is another state park to add to your ever-growing list of other-worldly scenic parks in Hawaii. Proudly named the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon is 16km long, over 900 metres deep and striated with various colours of exposed rock.
A sunny day will impress you with its views, while rainy days encourage the waterfalls to gush. Take time to explore the area by foot and be sure to spend some time soaking up the remarkable views.
Hilo offers visitors a refreshing break from all of the activity and wow factors that are dotted around Hawaii.
This small city on Hawaii Island is a charming place full of beauty, but on a smaller scale. It is laden with gardens, farmers markets and is the ideal base for exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea, Puna and the Hamakua coast.
As America's rainiest town, it's also packed with waterfalls.
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