NationalGeographicTravellerAustraliaandNewZealandWinter2018

(Greg DeLong) #1
30 nAtiOnAL GeOGrAPHiC trAVeLLer

splash Happy

5


Leave the built-up areas of Oahu
far behind and head to Waianae
to meet the residents of the sea.
During the three-hour Best of the
West outing with Wild Side Specialty
Tours (sailhawaii.com), you’ll get
to encounter some of the ocean’s
most fascinating creatures. First,
you and a maximum of five other
guests will swim with wild dolphins
before climbing back on board to
spot whales. Then there’s time for a
guided snorkel tour with sea turtles
on a beautiful reef for a completely
unforgettable experience.

Rancho Relaxo

6


In the heart of Waikiki, you’ll
discover a pocket of retro cool.
A former 1960s motel has been
completely refurbished to create
The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
(surfjack.com). Sure, the rooms are
low-key gorgeous, with original
artworks and mid-century furniture,
but it’s the program of experiences
that makes Surfjack an even more
desirable place to stay. Learn how
to make a flower crown, take a surf
lesson, visit a local farm, do yoga in
the penthouse or chill out at one of
the regular live music sessions by
the pool or at Mahina & Suns, the
hotel bar.

scenery from the sky

7


About 80 per cent of Kauai is
inaccessible by land, so the
best way to get an eyeful of its
spectacular scenery is from up high.
Book the Ultimate Kauai Adventure
Tour with Sunshine Helicopters
(sunshinehelicopters.com) and you’ll
cruise above the landscapes loved
by Hollywood directors. See verdant
cliffs plunging into the sea on the Na
Pali coastline, the crested buttes and
deep gorges of Waimea Canyon, and
the magnificent Wailua Falls.

Food on the Go

8


Oahu’s North Shore is known
for its epic sunsets, some
of the world’s most famous surf
breaks and, even if you don’t have
a board, sensational beaches. While
you’re there, don’t forget to check
out the food trucks. You’ll find
everything from tacos to Thai food,
pizza to poke, but you won’t want
to miss Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
(giovannisshrimptruck.com). You’ll
find two – one at Haleiwa, the other at
Kahuka – where you should order the
shrimp scampi, a plate of big prawns
cooked in garlic and lemon butter.

take an Art Walk

9


On the southwest coast of
Kauai, you’ll find the charming
town of Hanapepe, where the
plantation-style buildings are home
to restaurants, art galleries and
boutiques. On Friday nights, the
town hosts Hanapepe Art Night
(hanapepe.org), where local artists
and artisans tout their wares at stalls
along the street and the stores and
galleries stay open for browsing.
There’s also live music, food trucks
and street food vendors to make the
night complete. It’s more like a block
party than a tourist attraction.

the Local spirit

10


Sugar cane has been grown
commercially on Kauai
for almost 200 years and, not
surprisingly, it’s believed local rum
production stretches back to about
then, too. Now, Koloa Rum Company
(koloarum.com) continues the legacy,
using vintage copper stills and
local produce. Head to its tasting
room on an historic plantation in
Lihue to sip on its range. On Maui,
take a tour of Haliimaile Distilling
Company (haliimailedistilling.com),
which makes Pau Maui Vodka using
pineapples. – Carrie Hutchinson

Clockwise from top right: dancing
at the Merrie Monarch Festival; surf
lessons at Waikiki with Surfjack;
checking out Kauai by helicopter;
an Oahu food truck. HAWAII

VISITORS

BUREAU

/LEHUA

WAIPA

AHNEE

(D

ANCER); COURTESY

SURFJACK

(S

URFINg); HAWAII

TOURISM

AUTHORITY

/T OR

JOHNSON

(HELICOPTER

AND

FOOD

TRUCK

)

10 ReAsOns tO visit


HAWAii

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