Are you planning a trip to the beautiful islands of Hawaii? We’ve created a guide to the perfect Hawaiian vacation to help you prepare for the trip of a lifetime! Here are some things you’ll want to know before you go on your first trip to Hawaii.

The first question many people ask is “Which island should I visit for the first time in Hawaii?” To best answer this question, let’s first get familiar with the layout of our favorite Pacific islands, which indeed are part of the United States—meaning no passport needed for US residents.

We’re listing the Hawaiian islands in order of tourism and annual visitors here:

• Oahu is called “The Gathering Place” and it does! It is the most populated and most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, with approximately 5 million visitors annually. Oahu is also home to the largest airport—Honolulu and nearby famous Waikiki Beach.
• Maui is known as “The Valley Isle” with about 3 million annual visitors. Maui tends to have higher priced hotel options but is a good mix between laid back island life and the bustle of tourist attractions.
• Next up is Hawaii “The Big Island” and it lives up to its name with easily over a million visitors each year. Its vast landscape offers active volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and even snow-capped mountains!
• Kauai is “The Garden Island” and is the farthest west island of the chain. Here you’ll find miles of coastline with relaxing beach vibes. Honeymooners love the seclusion and slow pace of the island.

After these main islands, guests can also visit Lanai and Molokai but these two islands are generally an add on or even a day trip for Hawaiian vacationers who have already experienced multiple islands. Their populations and tourism industries are minimal—if you want to visit either, it’s best to take a ferry or flight from the west side of Maui as a day trip.

For the sake of first time visitors to Hawaii, we’ll focus on the top 4 most popular islands to visit. And we’ll also tackle the questions of where to go, what to see, where to stay and more.

Hawaii has a huge array of resorts, hotels and rental condos to choose from on each island. In fact, there are so many options that it can be an overwhelming choice on where to stay.

When making your choice, consider your circumstances and these key questions. What is your budget? Are you an adventurer? Do you want a remote location or big city spot? Are you celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary and need something quiet and romantic? Are you planning for a luxury golf experience? Are you traveling with your children and need a bigger space with a full kitchen to prepare meals? Are your children Disney fans?

After you know your objectives and budget, it will be easier to choose the perfect location. You’ll want to make your reservations well ahead of time, and Get Away Today can help you with all the details and point you in the right direction. It is our specialty!

In fact, we’ve even come up with a quick short list for suggestions on resorts and hotels for those exact questions and answers.

Hawaii is a popular destination year-round due to its excellent weather and temperatures. And it doesn’t matter if you’re looking for big waves and surf competitions or serene bays for little swimmers. The coastal tides tend to switch in winter and summer months, so there’s a little bit of everything no matter when you go.

For fewer crowds, consider a visit in late winter (January to early March), late spring (late April to early June), and fall (September to mid-December). But trust us and go when is best for your family because we truly recommend Hawaii all year round.

When you get there, remember there are many options for getting around the island. Renting a car gives you the ultimate freedom for exploring. If you don’t want to hassle with renting a car and navigating yourself there are options such as guided tours, taxis and public transportation.

Most resorts offer an airport transfer service to help you get to and from the airport. We are also happy to help you arrange your ground transportation—and even island hopping or an inter-island cruise if that's something you’d like to add to your itinerary.

Most people travel to Hawaii to experience the breathtaking beaches. Water sports are hugely popular and any visitor can experience activities like snorkeling, surfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking and more.

Just remember to take the necessary precautions by always getting the proper training, using the proper equipment and heeding the weather warnings and cautions.

Protect your skin from the sun, and be sure to drink plenty of water every day. If you need a break from the sun and sand, there are many stunning hikes and adventures you can experience inland as well.

Make sure to include a festive luau in your plans to experience true Hawaiian culture. Ultimately there is so much to see and do, your days will fly by and you’ll be wishing for more time to experience everything Hawaii has to offer. If you are headed to Oahu, be sure to read more specifics in this article.

The key to packing for any trip is to pack lightly. When packing for a beach vacation it is easy to accomplish this because you’ll need less heavy clothing than other destinations. Consider packing all you’ll need in a carry-on suitcase and a backpack or shoulder bag.

Your shoulder bag can double as your beach bag during your trip. Bring along your beachwear, some casual outfits and one dressy option for a nice evening out. Take along a hoodie or light jacket for your evening strolls along the beach.

You’ll mostly wear your sandals, but you’ll want water shoes and athletic shoes for your hikes and swims in rainforest ponds and waterfalls. Pack small versions of your toiletries and medical supplies to save room and to comply with airline security policies.

Extra items that are essential include hats, sunglasses, beach towels (but most resorts have those available for you as well) and reef-safe sunscreen. If you have snorkel gear and have room to bring it, it will save you from having to rent when you get to the island, but know that it is very inexpensive to rent equipment once you arrive.

Remember your camera, batteries and memory cards. Having a waterproof case for your phone camera or a waterproof camera is a must for your amazing ocean experiences. A nice guide book to read before your trip and on the flight over is great for helping you plan your days and comes in handy once you are there trying to navigate the island.

Traveling to Hawaii is a dream vacation for many, and we are here to help you plan every detail. Planning with Get Away Today will help you fully enjoy the best of what Hawaii has to offer, and we’ll make sure you have the trip of a lifetime from beginning to end!

You can book your Hawaii vacation online, or call any of our vacation experts at 855-GET-AWAY. Either way, we'd love to help you plan your first escape to the Aloha State.