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You don’t have to fly to Mexico or the Caribbean to explore some of the world’s best beaches.
You can find them here in the US
Hawaii has currently been named the most popular destination in the US by Alaska Airlines.
According to the airline, they have seen strong bookings for the islands year-on-year.
In addition, Alaska offers 66 daily flights from the continental US to Hawaii, thanks to its combined network with Hawaiian Airlines.
So why is Hawaii trending right now? Here’s what you need to know:
Which Hawaiian Island to Visit
Hawaii refers not only to the Big Island (officially known as Hawaii), but also to the name given to the entire collection of 137 islands. But I will only focus on the 8 main islands here.
These are Hawai’i, Maui, Kaho’olawe, Lāna’i, Moloka’i, O’ahu, Kaua’i and Ni’ihau.
It doesn’t matter which island you choose. Hawaii is a nature lover’s paradise, with lush rainforests, volcanoes and incredible beaches.
The Big Island has a wide variety of beaches, including white sand beaches, black sand beaches and even green sand beaches.
But some of the most famous beaches are on the island of Maui. Honolua Bay’s snorkeling and surfing attracts travelers from all over the world.
If you are interested in volcanoes, visit the Big Island, which not only has the most volcanoes, but also the most volcanic activity. In fact, Kīlauea and Maunaloa are the two most active volcanoes in the world.
To visit Volcanoes National Park you will need an entry pass, that costs $15 per person or $30 per private vehicle if driving.
This is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to visit and be truly amazed at what nature can do.
Finally, if you’re looking for an authentic Hawaiian experience, Kauai and Lanai are considered undeveloped from a tourist perspective, yet they still offer paradise scenery and incredible hiking trails.
Traveling to Hawaii
Hawaii is a wonderfully accessible destination for American travelers. This is great news because the more airlines fly to a destination, the cheaper the flights tend to be, pushed by competition.
How much can you expect to spend on your flights to Hawaii?
I looked at flights to Honolulu because it is the state capital and the largest Hawaiian city.
To fly from Los Angeles, depart from November 2 and return on November 7 would only cost $175. This is with Alaska Airlines or for $228 you can fly with Hawaiian Airlines.
The flight time is 5 hours and 50 minutes there and 5 hours and 10 minutes return.
To fly from Seattle, with a flight on November 13th and a return on November 19th would cost $299. This cheapest option is also with Alaska Airlines, but for $425 you can fly with Delta if that is your airline of choice.
The flight time on this route is 6 hours and 15 minutes there and 5 hours and 48 minutes return.
You can fly nonstop to Hawaii from 27 cities in the continental US. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines all offer nonstop flights.
So while I’ve included a few examples, it’s impossible to share all the options and prices here. You are truly spoiled for choice!
When should you visit Hawaii?
Although Hawaii is a year-round destination, especially for American travelers, there’s a reason why Alaska Airlines has announced that Hawaii is currently the most popular destination.
And that’s because fall and winter are the best times of year to visit.
The period from December to March is considered the busiest and many American travelers choose to explore Hawaii during the holiday season.
What’s the insider’s tip for the best time to visit? Right now!
October has great warm weather combined with low visitor numbers. You’ll also find that prices are lowest in October and November, making it a great choice if you want to save a few dollars and don’t mind the occasional rain shower during your trip.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.