A black sand beach in Hawaii.
There are six islands of Hawaii, and any time of the year is a good time to visit. The temperatures average between 75 and 85 degrees. Whale-watching season is from late December until early May, while the peak tourism months are January to April and the best surf waves are during November through February. Whether it is swimming with dolphins, walking on a black sand beach or taking a tour by helicopter, there is always something to do for visitors of all ages.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center located in Oahu has several children's hands-on activities including crafts, island games and an area to get washable tattoos. There is a Hawaiian Luau dinner and show each night that includes musicians and dancing. The culture center is a place to learn about the Hawaiian culture and the Polynesian heritage.
Waimea Canyon
The island of Kauai is known as the Garden Isle. Here you can go for a tour by helicopter over the Waimea Canyon, which is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. If you prefer to see the sights from the ground, the twisting roads leading into the canyon offer visitors a beautiful view of the landscaping. While in the Waimea Canyon, there are areas to picnic, hunt, hike and swim.
Mauna Kea Mountain
Measuring at 13,000 feet from the undersea base to the top, this is one of the tallest mountains in the world. When visiting during the winter, skiing is available on Mauna Kea. A guided tour is available year round that takes visitors to the top of the mountain, where there is an astronomy center. The tour is an all-day adventure that includes a ride in an all-terrain vehicle, a tour guide, dinner, and an opportunity to view the planets and stars through large telescopes in the observatory.
Guided Mule Tour
This all-day adventure begins in Molokai, where visitors meet at the stables to get acquainted with their mule. Following a briefing, you will begin the tour of going to the Kalaupapa Peninsula, by way of the Kalaupapa Trail. The trail descends approximately 3 miles. At the bottom of the trail, visitors will go on a ground tour before remounting the mule and going back up the trail.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park is located on the Big Island. The park is open 24 hours a day and every day of the year, with the exception of the visitor center and museum, which close at 5 p.m. As of December 2010, admission into the park is $10 for a seven-day permit, and the fee for pedestrians or bicyclist is $5. While visiting the Volcano's National Park, visitors can hike through a rain forest and into a dormant volcano, soak in a hot spring, picnic, take pictures of fire pits and view flowing lava.
Water Activities
Each island offers a variety of packages, such as snorkeling, para-sailing, diving, whale watching or swimming with dolphins. When snorkeling, there is rental equipment available on the islands. Whale watching and swimming with dolphins are guided tours that vary among the islands. Swimming in the blue waters of Hawaii is always a relaxing way to spend the day. At the City of Refuge on Panuluu, visitors can view a black sand beach and the Rainbow Falls.
Tags: black sand, black sand beach, sand beach, swimming with, swimming with dolphins, Waimea Canyon, with dolphins