Plan Your Trip to Hawaii or Tahiti

By John Fischer, About.com Guides to Hawaii / South Pacific Travel

A one stop trip planner for your Hawaii or Tahiti vacation.

1. Choose Your Island(s)
2. Before You Go
3. Places to Stay
4. Buying a Guidebook

5. Clickable Maps
6. Travel Tips
7. Learn About Hawaiian Culture
8. Tahiti

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.

• Why Hawaii?
• Which Hawaiian Island Suits Your Best?
• Profile of the Big Island of Hawaii
• Profile of Kauai

• Profile of Lanai
• Profile of Maui
• Profile of Molokai
• Profile of Oahu

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
• How's the Weather?
• How To Book Your Airfare to Hawaii
• Getting Around Hawaii
• Packing for a Trip 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
• 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.

• Top Guidebooks Covering All Hawaiian Islands
• Top Big Island Guidebooks
• Top Kauai Guidebooks

• Top Maui/Molokai/Lanai Guidebooks
• Top Oahu Guidebooks
• Free Hawaii Visitor Publications

Clickable Maps

Check out our first two clickable maps. Just click on any text area and you'll be taken to an article or photo gallery about that place.

• Clickable Map of Hawaii
• Clickable Map of Maui

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.

• The People of Hawaii
• The Chinese in Hawaii
• The Hawaiian Language
• How to Understand Some Basic Hawaiian

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.

• Tahiti and Her Islands at a Glance
• Finding Tahiti’s Hidden Paradise Islands
• History and Culture of French Polynesia
• 21 Interesting Facts About Tahiti and Her Islands
• Quick Facts about Tahiti and Islands Beyond The Ordinary