The best things to do during your holiday to Hawaii

Whether you’re travelling with your significant other or the whole family, or heading over on your own, these are some of the top experiences to have in the Aloha State.

With its spectacular beaches, easygoing attitude and welcoming locals, Hawaii has been a favourite holiday destination for decades.

And there’s something for everyone, from loved-up honeymooners to the whole extended family.

If you’re heading to the Aloha State, here are some of the top experiences you need to tick off your holiday to-do list.

Few things are more romantic than watching the sunrise on Mount Haleakala.

COUPLES

Whether it’s your honeymoon, your first trip away together, or a rare break without the kids, Hawaii is an ideal choice for couples — few places on earth are as quintessentially romantic as this.

Couples who want to spend some quality time away from the bustling hub of Oahu should escape to one of Hawaii’s more serene islands, Kauai — and one of the best ways to experience it is with a doors-off helicopter tour.

Kauai, which is known as the “Garden Island”, is awash with tropical rainforests and dramatic mountains, and those amazing views are best seen by air.

Adventurous couples who are willing to rise early will be rewarded with one of the most breathtaking sunrises in the world on Mount Haleakala in Maui.

There are a number of tours available that take tourists up the 3000m mountain before dawn.

If you can’t bring yourself to set that extra early alarm for sunrise, that’s OK — it’s also pretty spectacular up on Mount Haleakala at sunset, too.

What better place to learn to surf than Hawaii?

SOLO TRAVELLERS

If you’ve got some time up your sleeve, what better way to experience Hawaiian culture than by learning how to surf? It’s especially ideal for people holidaying on their own who can really focus on their own activities.

There are many beaches on the islands with mellower waves that are ideal for beginner surfers, such as Barbers Point and White Plains Beach in Oahu and The Cove in Maui.

Adventurous travellers can join a tour group and get up close and personal with a couple of Hawaii’s active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on the Big Island. Meet some other intrepid travellers as you literally watch lava flowing from the mighty volcanoes into the ocean.

Let the kids learn about Hawaii’s Polynesian culture.

THE FAMILY

For something you can’t get anywhere else, experience Polynesian culture, food and entertainment at a traditional luau. Chief’s Luau on Oahu, on the grounds of Wet N’ Wild, is where kids can take part in Hawaiian crafts, hula lessons watch exciting fire knife dancing before tucking into a traditional feast.

Another fun family activity for those staying on Maui is a day trip to the smaller island of Lanai, which is a short ferry ride from Maui.

A number of operators offer boat tours to Lanai, where some of the tourist drawcards include snorkelling with the local marine life and relaxing on the quieter beaches.

Keep a look out for the region’s famous spinner dolphins along the way.

Hawaii’s waterfalls are a bucket list item, like this one on the Na Pali Coast on Kauai. Picture: Getty

FRIENDS

If you’re looking for a daytime adventure with your mates, head out and explore some of Hawaii’s famous waterfalls – where you could be rewarded with a nice swim as well.

One of the best is Waimano Falls and Pools on the Manana Trail in Pacific Palisades, north of Waikiki on Oahu.

Here, you and your pals can enjoy a moderate 5km-round trip hike that will take them to the waterfall, plus two swimming pools.

While Hawaii may be known for its natural beauty, it’s also a place that’s serious about shopping — and there are a lot of bargains to be found.

Oahu in particular is a shopper’s dream with a variety of outlets from major chains to small boutiques. It’s also home to the state’s largest shopping centre, the open-air Ala Moana Center, which has more than 350 shops and more than 160 places to eat, within walking distance of the Waikiki’s hotels.

If you’re really serious about a bargain, round up the crew and take a shuttle bus to Waikele Premium Outlets, about 40 minutes outside Waikiki, where you’ll find factory outlets for brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Levi’s, Furla and Kate Spade.