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It is, in a word, special. 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. The tour lasts two hours and is tailored for bikers of every athletic level. Magazines featured photos of fire eaters and beautiful hula dancers. On Maui, restaurants and bars must limit occupancy to no more than 50% of the maximum capacity, and tables have to maintain a six-foot distance both indoors and outdoors. Island of Hawaii - Indoor social gatherings of more than 25 . Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. With beautiful ocean views, the restaurant exuded a safe, comfortable atmosphere. Closer to the airport, and better for sightseeing the entire island are the Four Seasons Resort Maui, the newer Andaz at Wailea, and the Fairmont Kea Lani. Book a guide to drive you up, so you can learn about the dormant volcanic crater and its history. For example, the Bahamas requires all tourists over the age of two to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days. We say theres no universally bad time to visit either destination. When Hawaii reopened after seven months of lockdown and mandatory quarantining on October 15, I booked my flight to the Island of Hawaii (also known as the "the Big Island"), the . The Grand Wailea is huge, but it is a great family resort. Settle that difficult "which island to visit" question once and for all. At that moment, I knew I had arrived in paradise. The island is more rural and doesn't have resorts. After the sun sets, sail the warm waters with the lights of Honolulu as your backdrop. With some of the most diverse marine diversity on the planet, it is no wonder that people flock to the Maui Ocean Center for an up-close look at the species of the island chain. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. As if air travel with kids isnt stressful enough, throw a pandemic into the mix. King calls Oahu his least favorite simply because of the crowds, in pre-COVID times: Honolulus international airport has always welcomed many direct flights from mainland USA and Asia, and travelers tend to spend at least some time in Oahu. Related: Best way to fly with kids to Hawaii. We soon observed their mother nearby, keeping a watchful eye on her calves an only-in-Hawaii memory that will last a lifetime. Do your prep work. 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. A negative COVID-19 test result or a vaccination record document must be uploaded to the Safe Travel portal to obtain . Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Once you arrive, there is no reason to leave or go very far, other than to explore other parts of the island. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I've been living as a digital nomad for 8+ years. When COVID-19 struck the United States in late winter 2020 relaxing on a warm beach with a subtle island . This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). On the big day, we arrived at the Hawaiian Airlines interisland terminal around 7:30 a.m., 90minutes before our departure. 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. The Starbucks line at Honolulu International Airport. After months of being cooped-up in our Kaka'ako condos, my husband, our 3 . There are volcanoes there, too, as well as secluded beaches and historic old towns with an unmistakable European flair. A Bostonian could watch two additional full-length movies to kill the extra time it takes to get to Hawaii. We had a snack and used the restrooms in the terminal (they were clean!) And while I have always thought the outdoor tarmac arrival at Konas airport was hot, humidand loud, I have never appreciated the immediate dose of fresh air and sunshine more than this trip. To adhere to safety regulations, the passenger numbers were limited for safe social distancing, and all tables were spaced six feet apart. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. For anyone interested in American history, no trip to Hawaii would be complete without a stop at Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, says Crisman. Neibaur also loves to recommend the home rental options at the Four Seasons complex, especially for those seeking more privacy now. When will international travel return? Be sure to stop by hole number 17, a golfers favorite that is tucked into a natural amphitheater. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value. Its valid on all Alaska Airlines flights with no blackout dates. But, the real question is, should you go to the Caribbean or Hawaii? In the Caribbean, peak hurricane months are August to October. The memorial now stands as a historic attraction, welcoming millions of visitors a year. Consider the beachside Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, which was voted the best hotel on the island (and No. 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. The North Shores famous bike path will take you alongside some of the most picturesque beaches that Hawaii has to offer. Even though the state has put forth tough restrictions in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still open to tourism and there is much to see and do in the Hawaiian Islands. No trip to Maui is complete without a drive on the Road to Hana with more than 600 hairpin turns, says Diane Crisman of Valerie Wilson Travel. Check outthese tipson how to get your keiki to keep their masks on. This article was originally published on June 24, 2020. I enjoyed the friendly conversation I had with a local, who showed me how to stitch as she shared stories about Hawaiian culture and how tourism in Maui has shifted amid the pandemic. Since it was my first time on the island, I knew I wanted to try the local, fresh fish. The Spirit of Aloha and Polynesian influences remain strong and are a major reason why people continue to want to visit the Hawaiian Islands. And guess what? After a 25-minute drive, I arrived at the breathtaking Wailea Beach Resort. At the arrival desk, a receptionist asked to see my negative COVID-19 result, then handed me a lei that I put on myself for a contactless welcome. To ease my anxiety, I over prepared by washing our face masks, packing wipes and hand sanitizerand researching the new travel rules. When it comes to the feel of the islands and the distinct culture youll find on each, there are some significant differences that are perhaps more important than the geographical distances. The islands of Hawaii are a magical paradise, filled with natural wonders, pristine waters and rich culture. Related: Key things to know about Global Entry. As long as the virus is alive and well, staying at home is your safest option. The islands offer a variety of all-inclusive options; there arent any true all-inclusive properties in Hawaii. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. She contributes to publications including. before boarding to avoid removing our masks and moving around the airplane during the flight. (Just try booking a flight to say, Aruba, during spring break. The catamaran offered open-air seating, and I was required to answer health questions before boarding. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Mine cost $125, and the closest facility was at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Fly out first. Hawaiis remote location in the Pacific Ocean make it uniquely positioned to enjoy some of the most rare coral reefs, marine animals and flora in the world. Hawaii recently rolled out a new program called Malama Hawaii, a new initiative that "encourages visitors to leave Hawaii better than when they arrived." 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. During the same period, only six ships call on Hawaiian ports. Go Hawaii has up-to-date information on current travel requirements and restrictions. This was not what I had expected or prepared for! ), This Is One Of The Best U.S. States To Camp With The Most Hiking Trails In The Country, This Converted Boeing Private Jet Will Take You On A 21-Day Arctic Trip, ChatGPT Introduces AI-Powered Plugins For Expedia and Kayak, Making Travel Planning Effortless, This Hidden Island Is Becoming One Of The Trendiest Destinations In Asia In 2023, EU plans to welcome vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries by June, UK plans to reopen international travel under traffic light system by summer, Is The Bahamas Safe? On December 24, the Biden administration announced it would lift. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Rows one through ninewere completely full at 100% capacity. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Hawaii is home to 137 islands, eight of which are inhabited. One of our favorite luaus in Hawaii is the Smith Family Luau on Kauai, which has been a family-run business for decades. Hawaii still holds that mystique. Rush Processing; the relatively quicker and costlier option. If you turn inland to Mauka between mile markers 14 and 13 onto Honomu Road, youll be surprised to find an amazing collection of art galleries and gift stores as well as several cafes. Your email address will not be published. Molokai is most definitely a destination off the beaten path. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The Caribbean has kid-focused resorts such as the Nickelodeon Resort in Punta Cana and family-friendly, all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and beyond. Remember that the reasons people went to Honolulu are different now, with fairly severe restrictions. When I arrived at LAX, two people were in front of me, and after an uncomfortable nose swab, I was in and out in 10 minutes. From snorkeling to sunset cruises, history tours and coffee tastings, there is no shortage of things to do in Hawaii during COVID. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. CNN . The Bishop Museum is a favorite of both tourists and locals alike and features some of the best art and cultural artifacts from the past and present. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Ala Wai Canal, Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. After landing at Kahului Airport, I stepped off the plane into a different line where my personal QR code was checked to show proof of my negative COVID-19 test. It was a surreal and unforgettable experience. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. As travel guidelines, advisories and procedures are constantly evolving, stay up-to-date with information from the U.S.Centers for Disease Control, theState of Hawaiiand your airline before your trip. "It is stunning," wrote one reader. If you want to visit more than one island on your tropical vacation, its generally easier to do that in Hawaii. The next couple of weeks will be crucial to see how Hawaii emergesit would be best to have a standard entry policy for all islands, which is key for people to feel confident. You pay $99 for the fare (plus as little as $23 for the taxes and fees). The Four Seasons is evaluating its reopening date, with a decision coming soon.). In the days leading up to our flight, questions kept me awake at night: Will Duke keep his mask on? Flights from hubs such as the New York City area, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami and others are plentiful especially to major islands. Looking toward the back, I noticed travelers were more spread out, and that, indeed, the middle seats had been blocked off. If you're open to waking up at 3 a.m., the Haleakala National Park sunrise summit should not be missed. Thats not a bad problem to have, but its just the type of problem TPG likes to help you solve. Rebecca Ascher-Walsh is a New York City-based journalist and author who specializes in celebrity and lifestyle coverage. Of course, right now, coronavirus safety precautions have temporarily changed travel to Hawaii and the Caribbean. There are some nonstop flights, such as Hawaiian Airlines from Boston (BOS) and New York-JFK, and United from Newark (EWR) and Washington Dulles (DUL), but connecting on the West Coast or similar is pretty common. With a variety of fish dishes to choose from, I went with opah sauted in garlic butter and served over a mountain of fries. Offers may be subject to change without notice. According to The Inter-American Development Bank tourism accounts for 34-48% of GDP for the countries like the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica. Humble Market Kitchin is a chef Roy Yamaguchi restaurant. A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery. Get out and see the sites!" But there are also plenty of impressive hotels for those who prefer to maximize their resort time. But things still arent equal. I love writing and publishing content for digital nomads, remote workers, and passionate travelers like me. The nonstop flight time from San Francisco to Honolulu is just about five hours. Some businesses may still require or encourage the wearing of masks. From the fields to your coffee cup. The 5 Best Islands in Mexico and Central and South America, The 25 Best Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, The 5 Best Islands in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Military personnel stationed at Pearl Harbor wrote home about the islands secluded beaches, waterfalls, lava flows and tunnels and so much more. Set on a gorgeous backdrop of swaying palms and positioned on top of a lava bed, this golf course is ringed by the breathtaking Kiawe forests. Heres an in-depth look at the all-inclusive beach resorts you can book on points in the Caribbean. Hawaii has more than 750 miles of coastline and more beaches than you can count, and every one of them offers kayak rentals by the hour or day. So which island could outdo these beloved options? You'll find a variety of projects like tree planting, self-directed beach cleanups, ocean reef preservation, and more. What started as a family holiday reunion in Maui ended with a disappointing, but sensible, call: "Honey," my dad said. If you are concerned about the noise, dont be. The Best Hawaiian Islands to Visit for Different Kinds of Travelers Will it be lava flows or luxury resorts? For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.