THE diverse landscapes and coastal areas of the Hawaiian islands offer many opportunities to pursue a range of sports and activities.
As yet, most operators do not feature these as pre-bookable arrangements, citing a comprehensive list of options available on arrival.
They claim these can often work out cheaper in the resort rather than booking them before departure.
But operators say that competitive package prices have helped to increase the younger market looking for activeholidays.
Golf and scuba diving are in greatest demand, followed by snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking.
Hiking along valley trails and the crater floors of volcanoes is another fast-growing option, together with helicopter trips, mountain biking, horse-riding and whale watching.
There are more than 70 golf courses to choose from. They range from the stunning Kapalua Golf Club on Maui and the 6,798-yard Robert Trent Jones complex at the Maui Prince Hotel, to the sloping fairways of the Big Island’s Mauna Kea course.
Hawaiian Travel Centre’s first dedicated brochure features 44 courses on six islands with individual inclusive packages from £990 at country clubs and beach resorts. Delta Vacations’ new Golf America tailor-made programme also offers facilities on four islands.
Diving enthusiasts also have plenty of options. These include Oahu’s protected Hanauma Bay, Turtle Canyon, the pinnacle dive at Oasis Reef off Kauai’s Na Pali Coast and Maui’s Molokini Crater.
Outrigger Resorts has teamed up with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors’ Travel Network to offer a series of two-day tank dives, with three nights’ accommodation, on four islands. Prices start from $300 in Hawaii.
Hawaii is also good for sport fishing along the Kona Coast. Many charters are available from the pier in Kailua.
Back on shore, some of the best hiking areas to explore include Oahu’s Manoa Cliffs, Molokai’s Kamakou Preserve and the multiple trails of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Or, try Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park where you can walk across the steaming crater floor. Taking a helicopter ride is a popular was to view the volcanoes. United Vacations offers prebookable options, including a 45min narrated flight over Maui for £84. The operator can also book a 38-mile itinerary by mountain bike on Maui. You are taken to the summit of Haleakala and then through some of the island’s most beautiful scenery to the seaside plantation town of Paia.
Hawaiian Dream also offers these, as well as snorkelling trips from £44 and Zodiac rafting from £50.