A little more
Hawaii.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Hawaii: what to know before you go

Hawaii is a US state made up of volcanic islands in the middle of the Pacific, with beaches, active volcanoes, rainforest valleys and a living Native Hawaiian culture. Each main island has its own character, from busy Oʻahu to the lava fields of the Island of Hawaiʻi, and it suits beach holidays, road trips, hiking and surfing alike.

Where to go

• Waikīkī and Diamond Head. Honolulu's famous beach district on Oʻahu, with gentle surf for learning, and the volcanic crater of Diamond Head behind it.
• Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial tells the story of the attack of 7 December 1941, which brought the United States into the Second World War.
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. On the Island of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island), the park includes Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, with crater-rim trails, lava tubes and steaming vents.
• Haleakalā. A dormant volcano on Maui whose summit rises above 3,000 metres.

Best time to visit

Hawaii is warm all year. The drier summer months, roughly April to October, have calmer seas on north-facing coasts and more sunshine, while winter, from about November to March, brings more rain and big surf on north shores.

Staying online in Hawaii

Coverage is good in Honolulu, the main towns and resort areas, with 5G in the cities. Signal is patchy or absent along parts of the Road to Hāna, on the Nā Pali Coast, in Waimea Canyon, at Haleakalā summit and across remote parts of the Island of Hawaiʻi, including some areas of the national park. Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés. Download offline maps and audio tours before driving. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.