Hawaii: 8 of the best Hawaiian breaks

Hawaii may be the holiday destination of a lifetime for some, but it can be difficult to know where to start. Only six of the 132 islands that make up the archipelago are set up for tourism, but that still means plenty of choice for holidaymakers.

Oahu, Maui and Kauai are the main draws for visitors, home to the big resorts. On Oahu, the famous Waikiki beach and the punishing North Shore are a magnet for fearless surfers the world over.

Hawaii itself (known as the Big Island) is one of the world’s geographical oddities, home to a tropical rainforest, an active volcano, even snow-capped mountain peaks.

Chilled out Lanai and Molokai get the fewest visitors – those who go do so to enjoy the peace and solitude.

One thing is clear; Hawaii isn’t just about sunshine and surfing. Get beyond the 750 miles of coastline and you’ll find a wealth of product, from luxury spa hotels to golf courses. Here are a few of Travel Weekly’s favourites.

Where: Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Oahu. Why? Because on an island well served for stunning vistas and endless sandy beaches, you need somewhere with an edge over the competition. Oahu’s Kahala Mandarin Oriental is located on its own secluded bay, home to shoals of tropical fish and a pod of bottlenose dolphins. There’s an educational programme dedicated to the dolphins, plus a kids’ club, spa and fitness centre. An award-winning restaurant serves Japanese and Hawaiian cuisine. Sample product: ITC Classics offers seven nights’ room-only at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental from £1,312 per person, with British Airways flights and private transfers. For absolute luxury, (and top commission) upgrade your clients to a two-bedroom Governor’s Suite, from £9,225 per person, including flights and transfers.

Where: Lanai. Why? Because the pace of life on Oahu and Maui is increasingly frenetic, so for couples wanting to escape the crowds, Lanai is a luxurious bolthole. Bill Gates thought so – he got married here. And it’s fair to say he can afford to have gone anywhere. Sample product: North America Travel Service offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Lodge at Koele – an English-style country lodge – from £1,574 per person, including flights.

Where: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island. Why? Hawaii isn’t just about beaches. Golfers are actually quite spoilt for choice, with more than 80 courses to choose from in total, including several by top designers such as Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus was responsible for the 72-par course at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – one of the toughest on the island. This month the Big Island plays host to the Senior PGA Tour. Sample product: Elegant Resorts offers seven nights at the Four Seasons Resort with return BA flights and private transfers from £2,140 per person. Golf costs between £50-£100 per round at the local courses.

Where: Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa, Oahu. Why? Because the famous North Shore is no place for a beginner, or even an intermediate surfer – the waves here can be as big as houses. Better to learn in the relatively calm waters off Waikiki. The Hilton offers lessons in surfing and boogie boarding, or will rent out equipment to more experienced riders. Sample product: Thomas Cook Signature offers seven nights’ room-only and flights with American Airlines from £1,024 per adult.

Where: Kiteboarding School of Maui. Why? Because kitesurfing is the next big thing in the wave-riding world, so a few lessons will see you upright and pulling stunts before your mates. This new sport takes things a step further than regular surfing – riders’ feet are fixed to the board and they are towed along by a huge kite, so it’s possible to pick up great speed and literally jump from the wave. Sample product: American Dream launched its ‘Xdream’ brand this year, featuring Maui’s Kiteboarding School. Seven-night breaks, including bed and breakfast at the Maui Seaside Hotel and a five-day course of lessons, lead in at £1,299 per person.

Where: Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Oahu. Why? Because on the famous Waikiki Beach, the main strip of Oahu, there’s always something going on. The hotel is right on the beach, four miles from downtown Honolulu, so shopping and nightlife are within easy reach. Family suites are available and under 18s stay free in certain room types. Sample product: Thomas Cook Signature offers seven nights’ room-only and flights with American Airlines from £900 per adult and from £400 per child.

Where: California. Why? Because a stop on the US West Coast is a great way to break up an otherwise very long flight. Premier Holidays reported the majority of its Hawaii breaks are sold with a stopover in either Los Angeles or San Francisco, but Toronto, Seattle, Washington and Vancouver are also possibilities. Dedicated city breakers could make a stop on each leg – Los Angeles on the way out; San Francisco on the way back. Sample product: Premier offers three nights at the Buena Park in Los Angeles, followed by five nights at the Aston Waikiki on Oahu and three nights at the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco from £965, including all flights.

What: a five-island cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Why? Because an organised tour takes away all the stress of making your own arrangements. Norwegian Cruise Line has a couple of ships based here – Norwegian Wind, which makes three Hawaiian stops before sailing to Fanning Island (part of the Republic of Kiribati); and Pride of Aloha, the only ship to sail exclusively around Hawaii. Sample product: Cosmos Tourama has introduced a 14-night Hawaiian Islands Explorer cruise for next year, featuring three nights in Honolulu followed by an 11-night itinerary around Big Island, Maui, Kauai and onward to Fanning Island. Prices lead in at £1,519 per person.