Plan Your Trip to Hawaii or Tahiti
By John Fischer, About.com Guide to Hawaii / South Pacific Travel
A one stop trip planner for your Hawaii or Tahiti vacation.
Choose Your Island(s)
The biggest decision you'll need to make when visiting Hawaii is to decide which island or islands you'll visit. Here are some resources which will help you make your decision.
I suggest you start with our feature Why Hawaii? and then Get to Know Each Island. Next use our interactive island calculator Which Hawaiian Island Suits You Best. Once your identify which island(s) is best for you, read our detailed profile for that island.
- Why Hawaii?
- Get to Know Each Island: Names, Nicknames and Geography
- Which Hawaiian Island Suits You Best?
- Profile of the Big Island of Hawaii
- Profile of Kauai
Money Saving Tips
Were you planning a trip to Hawaii this fall or winter, but put off when you found that airfare for two was up by as much as $1000? What can you do to make up that money with the rest of your trip expenses and still get to visit paradise? Here are some tips to help you save money for your Hawaii vacation
- Using Your Frequent-flier Miles for Travel to Hawaii
- Free Nights and More at Hawaii Hotels and Resorts
- Condo Hotels Offer Hawaii Visitors Affordable Alternatives
- Cheap Eats in Hawaii
- Saving Money on Liquor and Other Liquid Refreshments in Hawaii
- Renting a Car in Hawaii
- Saving Money on Activities in Hawaii
Before You Go
Before you even step off the plane, there are some things you need to do in planning your Hawaii vacation. I hope you find these tips useful.
- When to Visit Hawaii
- Before You Visit Oahu - A Guide to Help You Plan Your Oahu Vacation
- Before You Visit Maui - A Guide to Help You Plan Your Maui Vacation
- How's the Weather?
- How To Book Your Airfare to Hawaii
- Getting Around Hawaii
- Packing for a Trip to Hawaii
- Traveling With a Pet to Hawaii
Places to Stay
Deciding where to stay is a major decision. What type of accommodation is best for you and your family. Do you want to stay at a big resort, a smaller hotel, perhaps a condominium rental or even a bed a breakfast. What type of accommodation you choose will likely play a big role in your budget.
- How to Choose Your Accommodations
- Choosing Your Waikiki Hotel or Resort
- What's New With Oahu's Hotels and Resorts
- Top Operators of Resorts and Hotels in Hawaii
- Aston Hotels & Resorts
- Kaanapali Beach Resorts, Maui
- Outrigger Hotels and Resorts
- Starwood Hotels and Resorts of Hawaii
- Big Island Accommodations Guide
- Kauai Accommodations Guide
- Lanai Accommodations Guide
- Maui Accommodations Guide
- Molokai Accommodations Guide
Buying a Guidebook
While the Internet is a great information resource in planning your trip, there's still value in taking one or two guidebooks along when you travel. Even I take several with me when I visit the islands.
Clickable Maps
Check out our five clickable maps of the Hawaiian Islands and each of the four main islands. Just click on any text area and you'll be taken to an article or photo gallery about that place.
- Clickable Map of the Hawaiian Islands
- Clickable Map of the Big Island of Hawaii
- Clickable Map of Kauai
Travel Tips
In this section we offer some real quick tips to help you plan your trip or make it a bit easier to enjoy your vacation without some of the possible problems often encountered when traveling.
- Hawaii on a Budget
- Hawaii Beach Guide
- Hawaii for Kids and Teens
- Traveling with Children to Hawaii
- How to Avoid Jet Lag
- How to Avoid a Sunburn
- How to Avoid Shark Attacks
- How to Have Fun With the Family in Hawaii
- How to Spend Five Days on Oahu
- How to Spend Six Days on Maui
- Overview of the Hawaii Smoke-Free Law
- Top Activities and Attractions
Learn About Hawaiian Culture
Ever since I was About.com's Hawaiian Culture Guide, I've told readers and people I meet at travel shows that I really think that before you visit Hawaii, you take some time to learn about the people and culture of the islands.
Tahiti
Yes, we do cover more than Hawaii. We also cover all of the South Pacific. Tahiti and her Islands are a popular destination for North Americans. It's really not that much longer a flight than to Hawaii and you'll find a totally different Polynesian and French culture.
