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White sandy beaches, an almost perfect climate and incredible green landscapes. Exotic yet comfortable, Hawaii has long been considered the perfect island paradise by American travelers.
Travelers from America have long been Hawaii’s largest source market, and for years it was one of the most visited states in the US. But in recent years, visitor numbers to Hawaii have steadily declined.
Now all that seems to be changing.
The number of American travelers visiting the state of Hawaii increased 5.4% year over year. Additionally, October saw the second-highest number of visitors ever in the state.
This means Hawaii is officially making a comeback! So where are they going?
According to a report from Beat of Hawaiithese are the three beautiful islands that attract the largest number of travelers.
Maui
The tragedy of the Maui fires is still fresh in many people’s minds, but from a tourism perspective the island has recovered beyond expectations.
The number of visitors to the island has increased by 34% year-on-year compared to October last year.
Maui is a beautiful and resilient island that has a lot to offer travelers.
Maui boasts 48 miles of coastline with incredible beaches. Some of the island’s best beaches include Olowalu and Hamoa Beach, which are known for their scenic vistas.
If you want to swim, try Kapalua Bay, known for its calm waters.
Only strong swimmers can scale the rugged and steep rocks of Ho’okipa Beach Park, but this is a popular spot for surfers and also a great place for wildlife spotting. Turtles often swim and nest here.
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, make time for a hike to the volcano in Haleakalā National Park.
This stark landscape is particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset, and it’s easy to see why.
If you want to visit the park, you must book in advanceand admission options begin at $15.
Oahu
Oahu is the 3rd Hawaii’s largest island and known for its exceptional natural beauty and epic foodie scene.
If you’re looking for a vacation where you can relax on white-sand beaches, eat delicious food, and embrace Hawaiian culture, Oahu is a great choice.
The first thing you notice about Oahu is how green it is. Steep green mountains cover the islands all the way to the coastline. It looks like something out of a fairy tale!
Of course, you don’t come to Hawaii without spending some time on the beach and the island’s most famous beach is Waikiki Beach, which is popular with surfers, swimmers and other water sports enthusiasts.
But Oahu offers many more things to see and do.
History buffs will find the Pearl Harbor National Memorial fascinating.
There are five unique memorials here, as well as a visitor center that serves as a museum and shares the stories of those who died in the attack. Admission to the center and the monument is free.
And if you want to learn more about island life, the Polynesian Cultural Center is rated the number one attraction in Oahu.
You can spend a whole day here watching the shows and participating in the interactive activities. Recognition starts from $119 per person depending on the package you choose.
Lanai
Lanai may be a small island, but it’s big in terms of beaches! In fact, you’ll find some of Hawaii’s best beaches here.
Your first stop should be Hulopoe Beach, regularly listed as one of America’s best beaches.
This is an incredible expanse of white sand and beautiful tide pools to explore.
It’s also considered the best spot for swimming and snorkeling on the island, so if you want to get in the water, this is the place to be.
One of the most interesting beaches in Lanai is Shipwreck Beach, an eight-mile stretch of sand.
What makes it really interesting is the WWII tanker and other smaller shipwrecks just off the coastline.
While this is a beautiful beach to explore, it’s worth knowing that swimming here is not recommended.
But the water is an incredible electric blue color that has to be seen to be believed.
If you’re interested in outdoor activities, why not hike the Munro Trail?
This trail is just over 12 miles long and offers incredibly scenic views as it takes you to the top of Mount Lanaihale.
On a clear day you can even see Oahu! Be warned: this is a challenging trail and not for the faint-hearted.
For an adrenaline-packed but ultimately more sedentary experience, experience the trail on a UTV with Hawaii Activity. This explores the path and the wider island and costs $276 per person.
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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.
