Reach out to the advisors mentioned in the story. Instead of zones, Hawaiian Airlines now boards passengers starting from the back of the plane. This all day tour starts with pickup from your hotel and takes you to Waikikis Diamond Head volcano for a birds-eye view of the islands majesty. Meanwhile, Turks and Caicos requires all visitors 16 and older to submit proof of full vaccination before arrival. You have to get further up the coast where the beaches are wider, and even there, the water can be fairly rough.. Josh Alexander, Protravel International: josh.alexander@protravelinc.com, Diane Crisman, Valerie Wilson Travel: dianec@vwti.com, Michael King, Largay Travel: michael@largaytravel.com, Debbie Misajon, The Coconut Traveler: debbie@thecoconutraveler.com, Ken Neibaur, TravelEdge: ken.neibaur@traveledge.com. Photo: by Laura Dornbush. At that moment, I knew I had arrived in paradise. If you are an early bird and a germaphobe (who isnt these days? Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, or humpback whales? Both will reopen October 15. airlines safety procedures said that middle seats were blocked off, 6 Hawaii-Inspired Childrens Books to Read With Your Keiki, Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: April 27May 3, 2023, Education Cheat Sheet: Handling Friend Drama at School, Education Cheat Sheet: How to Raise a Problem-Solver in Hawaii, Education Cheat Sheet: 9 Ways to Get Involved at Your New School. But things still arent equal. Settle that difficult "which island to visit" question once and for all. But there are also plenty of impressive hotels for those who prefer to maximize their resort time. You could use a Marriott up to 35,000-point certificate from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, for example, in both destinations. Related: When will international travel return? Travel along the Road to Hana to experience East Maui's scenic coastline, explore Haleakala - the world's largest dormant volcano - in the Upcountry and discover the former tribal battlegrounds. If everything is not in order, prepare for a 10-day quarantine or to be sent back on the next flight. Maui County. Stash some snacks. "It is stunning," wrote one reader. Heads up to all the stressed parents: Alcoholic beverages are temporarily unavailable for purchase on Hawaiian Airlines. This hike is great as part of a day trip to the monument. Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. If you truly want to discover the geology, history, wilderness, and other hidden wonders of the Garden Isle of Kaua, a helicopter tour may turn into the best adventure choice you can make when visiting Hawaii. I was relieved to see that the airport was not busy, which allowed us to check bags, proceed through thermal screening and complete the new travel form process at our own pace. Find comfortable masks. Take a trip back into time as you explore some of the most iconic sites from World War II, and explore Honolulus storied past on a guided tour. The park offers picnic facilities, restrooms and concession stands. Check outthese tipson how to get your keiki to keep their masks on. There are great fare sales to the Hawaiian Islands from the West Coast from a number of airlines, including a recent deal alert for round-trip flights to the islands for under $200. But for those wanting to be in the middle of the action, there is a high-rise Ritz-Carlton, the Kahala Hotel & Resort, the Halekulani, which is a favorite of mine, and the pink hotel, the Royal Hawaiian, which is front and center on the beach., For Oahu, we tend to send people to the Four Seasons [Oahu at Ko Olina], outside of Honolulu, says Neibaur. And guess what? No reservations are necessary. A note about safety: Petty crime can happen anywhere, so you should pack your street smarts wherever you go. If you're interested in whale watching, visiting Hawaii between the months of November and May is your best chance for catching a glimpse of the humpbacks. Even if you pass on Disneys Aulani, points-friendly resorts in Hawaii such as the Grand Hyatt Kauai offer kids clubs and have water slides, kid-focused activities and more than enough to do. Masks are still strongly recommended for people over age 65, those with compromised immune systems or who care for people at risk of severe illness, and those unvaccinated for COVID-19. The 243-room property has seven swimming pools, a full service spa, and a 1.8 million gallon swimmable aquarium with marine biologists at the ready to teach you about the 90 kinds of tropical fish that live in it. Its valid on all Alaska Airlines flights with no blackout dates. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the United States. Although we were given a hand wipe by a flight attendant as we boarded, it was tiny and flimsy. The Best Hawaiian Islands to Visit for Different Kinds of Travelers Will it be lava flows or luxury resorts? This new form is mandatory for all interisland travel as of June 16. The Four Seasons property will reopen December 1. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Those who traveled to the main islands of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island or Kauai returned home to regale their friends with tales of soaring cliffs, snorkeling adventures, whale watching, tropical flowers and volcanoes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); #mc_embed_signup{background:#000000; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:100%;} But that isnt as true on every island. It does share the beach with Disneys Aulani [opening November 1], which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the traveler. What if another passenger coughs on the plane? Suddenly, two curious whales breached the surface of the water, not 50 feet away. 7. From Houston, Honolulu is about eight hours away by air, while a flight to Jamaica lasts about half as long, assuming youre booking nonstop flights. Related: Review of cruising the Caribbean on the Disney Dream. When COVID-19 struck the United States in late winter 2020 relaxing on a warm beach with a subtle island . If youre lucky, you may even see a whale or dolphin dance by your boat. Her work has been featured in. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? Snorkeling on Molokini [an uninhabited island close to Maui] is also a highlight, she says. With beautiful ocean views, the restaurant exuded a safe, comfortable atmosphere. 7 in all of Hawaii) by T+L readers. Anini Vista Drive Estate feels like its own boutique hotel, with five bedrooms, a lush pool area with two waterfalls and a bridge, plus towering palm trees everywhere. In the Caribbean, peak hurricane months are August to October. 3. 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. Unfortunately, it was too close to take-off to do anything about it. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. "This is what you think of when you dream of Hawaii." Southwest and Alaska Airlines routes to Hawaii are a boon to West Coast travelers. Starbucks was the only food establishment open in the interisland terminal when we traveled. On Christmas, I treated myself to a two-hour sunset cruise out of Ka'anapali Beach. Instrumental in the battles of World War II and the site of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri was one of the few warships sent to Hawaii to defend the US territory (which later became a state). I was so proud of Duke for wearing his mask, not throwing a tantrum when I refused the complimentary POG juice, and for putting up with constant hand sanitizer (we call it slimeto make it fun). If youre staying in a house or villa, request that your provisions come from a local farmer or rancher, she said. On the island of Oahu, the Safe Access O'ahu program, which required proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter businesses such as restaurants, bars and gyms, ended March 5. The Mauna Kea, part of the Autograph Collection, has been a standard for Californians, and they have villas, as well.. Pure Kauai has been a high-end villa specialist on the island for almost 20 years. Papaklea Beach or Green sand beach, Big Island, Hawaii. Depending on what part of the U.S. you call home, it could be easier to get to either the Caribbean or Hawaii. This tour is an excellent activity for couples who are seeking a romantic experience to top off their Hawaiian vacation. Akaka Falls State Park is home to two gorgeous waterfalls and an abundance of lush tropical greenery that never fail to impress visitors. Getting on an airplane is now even more complicated with a new form, constantly changing policies and uncomfortable procedures, albeit necessary to keep our state healthy. Mine cost $125, and the closest facility was at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Here are some resources for using points and free-night certificates in both destinations: If you are considering traveling to the Caribbean or Hawaii with a family, you may have unique questions about the destinations and their level of kid-friendliness. Fuji, Japans most iconic volcano. If you like the idea of an all-inclusive resort where your accommodations, meals and beverages and entertainment are bundled into one price, look to the Caribbean. If youve got hotel points from the major players like Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and IHG, youll be able to spend them in either Hawaii or the Caribbean. What the Experts Think, Have a Trip to Paris Planned? The wildest of all the islands, Kauaiknown as the Garden Island has been the backdrop to myriad Hollywood movies and TV series, thanks to its white-sand beaches, rain forests, coastlines, waterfalls, rivers, and climate. Offer ends 5/3/23. Best Hawaiian Islands to Visit: World's Best 2021 Hawaiian islands are known for their beaches, hikes, and surfing, among other things. To simplify your Hawaii Covid Travels Between Islands, iVisa.com provides these three following options : Standard Processing; the slow, steady, cheaper option. For those in the middle and eastern parts of the U.S., the Caribbean is also much easier on kids when it comes to jet lag. You can see humpback whales from November through May, with the peak months from January through March. Follow The Points Guy on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to text message alerts from our deals feed, @tpg_alerts. There are a number of Caribbean islands that are on the U.S. Level 2 and 3 travel advisory lists. Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles. Do your prep work. At Wailea Beach Resort, I had the rewarding experience of creating Hawaiian quilts for elders in hospice care on the island. The islands offer a variety of all-inclusive options; there arent any true all-inclusive properties in Hawaii. Car break-ins are common in the Hawaiian Islands and some Caribbean islands have had problems with pushy vendors on public beaches. The nonstop flight time from San Francisco to Honolulu is just about five hours. If youre worried about crowds in either location, avoid peak dates when lots of families travel near holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. Military personnel stationed at Pearl Harbor wrote home about the islands secluded beaches, waterfalls, lava flows and tunnels and so much more. It was a surreal and unforgettable experience. Find the right card for you. Things to do on Molokai Book a guide to drive you up, so you can learn about the dormant volcanic crater and its history. She contributes to publications including. (Shutterstock via CNN) By Cnn Com Wire Service |. It also provides visitors with an in-depth look at the people who currently inhabit the islands and a glimpse into the other world of mystical creatures who watch over Hawaii. Lanai is great for a quiet trip or honeymoon because there isnt an urge to do a great deal., Statue of legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku on the beach in Waikiki, Oahu. If all you want to do is go have a family resort vacation (and theres nothing at all wrong with that), the Caribbean might have the edge as a family-friendly destination. If you are debating whether to travel this summer,this articleis insightful for parents on weighing the risks. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa; The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas; The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Ka'anapali; the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort; and the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort have all scored well with TPG contributors and readers. One could even snap a picture of the QR code on the TV to use as a remote control. You can spend an entire day here depending on your level of interest.