NationalGeographicTravellerAustraliaandNewZealandWinter2018

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