Traveling to Hawaii – Deals & Guides

Hawaii is home to some of the most magical landscapes on earth, boasting ethereal waterfalls, mystical rainforests, shimmering sandy beaches, and intriguing history. The Aloha State expresses art, cultural traditions, music, and food in some of the most vibrant, creative ways imaginable.

If you’ve been planning a getaway to this tropical paradise, continue reading for a helpful Hawaii travel guide or get in touch with AAA to speak with a Hawaii travel specialist.

Traveling to Hawaii: 6 Things You Should Know

Here are six things that you should know before boarding your flight or cruise to Hawaii:

1. Hawaii is very expensive. Being a luxury travel destination comes with a corresponding price tag. While visiting during an off-season might result in a lower overall cost, vacationers to Hawaii must accept that any travel to the Aloha State is not going to be a budget travel experience.
2. Hawaii is an archipelago. While eight major islands are where most of the tourism is conducted, Hawaii has a total of 137 islands.
3. Heeding signage is necessary. Obeying ocean and hiking safety signage is extremely important, both for safety and for conservation.
4. Respect is paramount. Showing respect for the land, sacred sites, and the overall Hawaiian culture that surrounds you ensures that you are a good guest while visiting the Aloha State.
5. Hawaii is warm all year round. Hawaii is warm for the majority of the year (though during the winter months temperatures will occasionally dip into the 70s), so you don’t need to worry about packing winter attire, even if you’re visiting during the “colder” months.

Travel to Hawaii: Top Must-See Locations

Have you ever been vexed when having to choose whether you prefer mountains or beaches? In Hawaii, you’ll never be forced to choose between the two glorious landscapes. Instead, you’ll get your fill of volcanoes, beaches, rainforests, and more in the Aloha State.

Consult the following sections for some of the most scenic recommendations to be found in Hawaii. Please note that specific dates, amenities and itineraries are subject to change.

Top Maui Destinations

• Haleakala National Park
• Kaanapali Beach
• Makena Beach
• Nakalele Blowhole
• Maui Brewing Company
• Wailea Beach
• Kapalua Coastal Trail
• Haleakala Crater
• Maui Ocean Center
• Honolua Bay

Best Places to Visit in Oahu

• Hanauma Bay
• Pearl Harbor
• Byodo-In Temple
• Lanikai Beach

Top Kauai Sites

• Open Ceiling Cave
• Waimea Canyon State Park
• Kayaking on Wailua River
• Anini Beach Park
• Haena Beach Park

What to See on The Big Island

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Go snorkeling or scuba diving
• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
• Papakōlea Beach

How to Find Hawaii Travel Deals

Finding the best deal for travel packages to Hawaii can be quite the undertaking. With its stunning nature, relaxed culture, delicious cuisine, and abundance of activities, Hawaii is a destination that is constantly in demand.

If you’d like to find an immersive travel package that helps you maximize your experience in the Aloha State, AAA is proud to provide a host of Hawaii travel deals — including the following:

• Fall 2023 Princess Hawaii: Sailing conveniently from Seattle, this 16-day fall journey to Hawaii is an exceptional vacation treat
• Tropical Hawaii with Pleasant Holidays (multiple dates): Discover the beauty, culture and cuisine of the Hawaiian Islands. There are six major islands to visit in Hawaii: Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Island of Hawaii, Lanai and Molokai.
• The Best of Hawaii, Tauck 2023: Tauck’s classic four-island journey across Hawaii incorporates natural and historical sights, exclusive cultural experiences, and free days to pursue your own passions on Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui.

Besides these Hawaii travel deals, AAA offers a number of other Hawaii travel packages and cruises.

How to Pack for a Trip to Hawaii

Here are 12 must-have items for your vacation to Hawaii:.

1. Reef-safe sunscreen (remember that not all sunscreen is legal in Hawaii!).
2. A swimsuit (or two!) that makes you feel comfortable and cute.
3. Water socks or shoes to avoid painful cuts on your feet due to sharp rocks.
4. Hiking shoes or sandals (if you plan on doing any of Hawaii’s hikes).
5. Swimming goggles and snorkeling gear.
6. A swimsuit cover-up.
7. A waterproof day bag.
8. A beach blanket.
9. A large sun umbrella.
10. Aloe vera gel (in case of sunburn).
11. Dry shampoo (for days that you don’t feel like showering before hitting the sandy beach).
12. Lightweight raincoat and umbrella (although the designated rainy season in Hawaii is from March to November, you are still likely to experience a light shower or two).

When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaii?

Planning the perfect vacation to Hawaii is time-consuming and research-intensive.
Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of what visitors to Hawaii should expect at different times of the year in order to help you pinpoint the best time to book your trip.

January
You’ll experience daytime temperatures in the low 80s with evening temperatures hovering in the 60s. While warm, January tends to be a very wet month, so if you’re not keen on rainfall, you might do best to postpone your visit until a drier month.

February
With temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s during the day and the mid-60s in the evening, visitors to Hawaii during this month may find that they need a light sweater during their stay. As February is still during the rainy season in Hawaii, travelers should also pack a rain jacket and umbrella.

March
Due to spring break and Easter, March has the potential to be a very busy month in terms of tourism. If avoiding crowds is important to you, you may want to plan your Hawaiian vacation during another month.

April
In the event that Easter is in March, April makes for the perfect time of year to visit Hawaii. With the rainy season completed, kids still in school, and nice weather in abundance, Hawaii in April is a picture-perfect paradise.
Price comparison sites also indicate that flights to Hawaii during this month are lower than average in fare.

May
With temperatures gradually rising into the mid to high 80s, May is a glorious time to visit the Aloha State due to the better weather and greater accessibility. Despite the warming temperatures and gorgeous scenery to be soaked in during May, it is still one of Hawaii’s least busy months in terms of tourism.

June
June is the month where travelers can enjoy a reliable stream of sunshine nearly every day, with steady temperatures in the mid-80s. If you are okay with sharing your Hawaii experience with groups of summer tourists, June may be the best time to indulge in a relaxing vacation to Hawaii.

July
The Fourth of July in conjunction with summer vacation makes July in the top two busiest months for tourism in Hawaii. Visitors during the first week of July will likely notice increased prices for accommodations, dining out, and more.

August
Another of Hawaii’s busiest months, August boasts high temperatures, price points, and crowd levels. Though the waterfalls may be slightly less impressive during the summer months (due to the lack of rainfall), all of Hawaii’s magnificent natural sites are still impressive to behold.

September
On the verge of rainy season, a visit to Hawaii during September promises the warmest ocean temperatures, humid weather, and sparse crowds (with the exception of Labor Day).

October
With the warm ocean temperatures continuing, October boasts nearly perfect weather, a few rain showers here and there, and few tourists — making it one of the most peaceful months to visit Hawaii.

November
November holds the award for being one of (if not the) slowest month for tourism in Hawaii. Avoid going during the Thanksgiving rush and instead book your vacation earlier in November to take advantage of some of the cheapest prices that you’ll experience in Hawaii.

December
By far one of Hawaii’s rainiest months, December visitors to the Aloha State can expect nice weather, busy crowds (due to the many holidays), and warm ocean temperatures.