Hawaii flights and travel guide

The Hawaiian Islands, a 2,500km-long archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, are every bit as beautiful as they appear on the silver screen. Millions of tourists takes cheap flights to Hawaii each year for the beaches, natural wonders and more activities than could possibly be packed into one trip.

There are six main islands within easy reach of Canadian airports: Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai. Perhaps the best island for a first-time visitor is Oahu. Honolulu is the state capital and Waikiki Beach is a must-sunbathe-on.

Hawaii (the Big Island) is diverse. Snowcapped mountains give way to sandy beaches and active volcanoes. It has 11 of the world's 13 climactic zones.

Maui is second-largest, home to what are considered to be the best beaches in the world, a favoured destination for whale watching. Kauai is the oldest and most northern island and, some would say, the most beautiful. From the Coconut Coast's golden sand beaches to the Waimea Canyon, considered the Pacific's Grand Canyon, it's a perfect destination for outdoor adventures, while Molokai and Lanai are true paradise islands, offering seclusion and a total getting-away-from-it-all vacation.

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When to fly to Hawaii

Peak Season:
High season is mid-December to mid-April. Summer, when schools are closed, is also very busy. The last week of April and first week of May are Golden Week in Japan and many Japanese travellers arrive on cheap flights to Hawaii, to Waikiki in particular. This is also the time for surfers to catch the best waves.

Off Season:
April, May, September and October are the months with the best weather. These are good times to search for discounted flights and hotel rooms, but avoid the Hilo area of the Big Island during the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival (takes place after Easter) and the Kona area during the Ironman Triathlon (October).

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Hawaii insider information

• The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival is held in the Kanakaole Stadium in Hilo, on the Big Island, each spring. It's a popular festival, so booking cheap flights to Hawaii and hotels in advance is advised. The proceeds from ticket sales are used to perpetuate, preserve and promote the art of hula. The ancient and revered dance is also performed at the Volcano Art Center and at the Kupuna Hula Festival. 
• Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park on Hawaii looks after the site where, up until the 1800s, Hawaiians who broke one of the ancient laws against the gods could flee. The park includes the pu’uhonua and some archeological sites including royal fishponds, sledding tracks, temple platforms and some coastal villages. 
• Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii is one of the few places in the world where you can visit an active volcano - it has been erupting continuously since 1983. 
• Pearl Harbor is on Oahu. Named for the pearl oysters once harvested there, it is the largest natural harbour in the island chain. Most famously perhaps it is the site of a devastating aerial attack in 1941, an attack which dragged the US into the Second World War. 
• The islands are heaven for divers. Best dive sites include Molokini, Black Rock and Five Caves off the west coast of Maui, Ni'ihau off the coast of Kauai and the south side of Molokai. It has the longest barrier reef in Hawaii. Some of the wondrous marine life divers will encounter include Pyrosome, Cusk eel larva, Blenny larva, Lobate comb jellyfish and Venus's Girdle.

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