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How to travel to Hawaii?
Hawaii is the fiftieth state of the United States. Its capital is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu. Most of the 137 volcanic islands that make up the Hawaii archipelago are small and uninhabited. Hawaii lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a seabed four thousand metres deep.
The Hawaiian Islands are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, which means you can only get there by plane. From Brussels, with one or two stopovers, it will take you between 20 hours and 30 hours. Do you have extra time? Pair a few days on the US mainland with your trip and easily fly to Hawaii from there. Usually you land at Honolulu International Airport (Oahu), the island's main airport. However, Hawaii is made up of quite a few smaller islands. Internal flights between those islands are regular. However, as the sea is rather rough around the islands, there are no regular boat connections. Only between the smaller Maui and Lanai is there a ferry.
Oahu is immediately the most popular of all the islands, also for your honeymoon in Hawaii. Take a shuttle from the airport to your hotel. It is best to order this shuttle online before your departure to be sure of availability or choose a rental car to explore, which you usually pick up at the airport. For beautiful wild orchids, fly to Maui, and for golden beaches to Kauai or Molokai.
Benefits of a honeymoon in Hawaii
Going on honeymoon to Hawaii often means opting for a few weeks of complete rest and relaxation.
Even those who want to travel and hop from island to island - and participate in many activities and sports - will find what they are looking for here.
Hawaii is a dream destination for those who want to enjoy romantic places in fascinating nature with their loved one.
For fans of water sports, Hawaii is a fantastic honeymoon destination. Surf the high waves, rent a jet ski or go parasailing as a couple.
If you are real film buffs, then visit some places in Hawaii where world-famous films have been shot, such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park and Jurassic World.
Take note!
Just so you know:
From Europe, travelling to Hawaii does take a long time. Also, the difference of 12 hours during summer time and 11 hours during winter time takes some getting used to.
Honolulu sometimes feels like a typical American city and is quite touristy.
The best travel time for your honeymoon in Hawaii
Hawaii's weather is almost constantly sunny with little temperature variation. Nevertheless, you can distinguish two seasons: summer runs from May to October, winter from November to April. In summer, temperatures rise to an average of 29 °C, in winter to 26 °C.
Hawaii has a very varied landscape with slight differences from island to island. Kauai receives the most rain; therefore, this is a particularly green island. Hawaii's tropical climate is very popular with tourists. The trade winds keep temperatures very pleasant all year round. It rarely gets hotter than 32 °C. In spring, the days are longer than in autumn, providing a little more peace and sunshine.
The best activities during your honeymoon in Hawaii
Papakolea Beach
Be sure to visit Papakolea Beach, also called ‘Green Sand Beach’, located at the southern tip of the island of Hawaii, in an ancient cone of the Mauna Loa volcano. Tiny green crystals here create a unique colour combination found in only four places in the world. An Insta-worthy beach!
Lanikai Beach
Also very special is Lanikai Beach, on the east coast of Oahu: powder-white sand and the setting of a super romantic film. Avoid the heat of the day and head towards this piece of paradise in the early hours. If you like a bit of action during your honeymoon in Hawaii, first climb the hill above the beach - the panorama is one to remember! All around you see turquoise water and tops of palm trees.
Poipu Beach
Poipu Beach is also highly recommended located right next to Poipu Beach Park on the sunniest side of the island of Kauai. This golden yellow beach is often voted the most beautiful sandy beach in all of America; a place where you don't want to forget your snorkel, surfboard and waterproof camera.
Sidenote: the above are already three pràchtly beaches.... However, Hawaii is made up of many more pearly white beaches.
Molokai
Do you really want to unwind? Then head to the small island of Molokai, where between two extinct volcanoes you can experience the authentic slow life of the inhabitants in all its peace and beauty. The fishing village of Kaunakaki there is the spot to discover beneficent nature. The island of Molokai, well known thanks to Father Damien, is also said to have no building taller than a coconut tree. Trek through the Halawa Valley along the river until you reach the waterfalls, an idyllic oasis in a magical landscape.
Pineapple Island: Lanai
If you love pineapples, then you will be over the moon on Lanai, also called The Pineapple Island. This is because here you will find the largest pineapple plantation in the world. Don't forget to sample the delicious ice cream and venture into the maze - one of the largest in the world.
Kauai
The archipelago's greenest island, Kauai is where hikers like to stay during their honeymoon in Hawaii. Head to the Na Pali Coast Wilderness Park where spectacular cliffs plunge perpendicularly into the sea. If you are solid hikers, then on Kauai add the Waimea Canyon, also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific: a 16 km trek through red rocks that go 900 metres deep.
Oahu
On Oahu, you will find several waterfalls near the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve that you can easily hike to. In Mānoa Valley, for instance, a hiking trail leads to a beautiful 45-metre-high waterfall through lush, tropical greenery.
Water sports
Fancy some water sports? Then embark on a snorkelling cruise and discover the underwater paradise full of colourful fish and corals. Through the boat's glass walls, follow turtles and pick out spots for snorkelling. Tip: book a trip during sunset and swim with giant mantas!
Pearl Harbor
Are you interested in history and culture? On Oahu, visit Pearl Harbor, the port where Japan invaded during World War II and where the famous Oscar-worthy film was made about afterwards.
Volcanoes
What you will immediately notice on Hawaii are the unlikely number of large volcanoes. On the island of Hawaii itself, you will trek through Volcanoes National Park where more than 30 million years of volcanic history await you.
Maui
On Maui - home to the largest dormant volcano, Haleakala - you will imagine yourself on another planet: a real lunar landscape where NASA tests its space vehicles, by the way. The island offers an absolutely original hiking and climbing tour, good for an unforgettable experience!
Surfing paradise
Hawaii is the surfing paradise of choice for beginners and professionals alike. The gigantic waves off Oahu are the absolute challenge for surfers from all over the world. Banzai Pipeline Beach is one of the beaches where you can see right through the metres-high waves, a surfing experience that only the best of the best venture into. If you want to learn to surf during your honeymoon in Hawaii, head to Waikiki or Kauai where surf schools offer surfing lessons for beginners all year round.
Wellness
Book a Lomi Lomi massage or a tropical Glow Massage for couples, meditate on the beach and enjoy the many wellness options the resorts in Hawaii offer.
The nicest hotels during your honeymoon to Hawaii
During your honeymoon in Hawaii, stay in the most beautiful and luxurious resorts or opt for a smaller boutique hotel. Each island has a range of beautiful hotels.
I'm going on my honeymoon to Hawaii and I'm taking....
A visa for Hawaii is mandatory. Complete in advance the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) form, an electronic registration for travellers required before boarding a plane or cruise ship bound for the US. You can apply for it at the official website or through a visa service. You will be registered after paying $21. Embassy of the United States in Brussels: 27 Regentlaan, 1000 Brussels, with phone number: (02)8114000 and website: www.usembassy.be.
Get travel insurance with your flight or check if your Visa or Mastercard is sufficient in case of repatriation, loss of luggage and accidents.
Vaccinations are not necessary to go on holiday to Hawaii. However, it is best to bring sunscreen and mosquito spray or ointment.
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