Hawaii travel tips

We know you want your trip to be perfect and memorable. Make the most of your time and money by following our list of travel tips.

Find the best season for your reason

Winter (December through March) -- Do you like big surf? Does the thought of whale watching float your boat? Do you like a little cooler temperatures? If so, book your vacation for winter. Typically, during this time, the surf is up on the north shores, whale season is at its peak, and the daytime temperature is averaging at a comfortable 75°F (24°C). The downside of winter travel is that tourist season is also at its peak. This means that booking things, such as hotels, cars and activities may be more of a challenge. Not to worry though, the solution is to simply book these necessities well in advance. If you do find yourself short on time, you can always try to find last minute hotel deals at DHR and still save money.

Spring (March through June) -- This is a popular time for college kids to come to enjoy a holiday on Hawaii. It is also a good time to catch a break on airfare. Spring in Hawaii is the only season when the gorgeous purple Jacaranda trees bloom. Not to mention the Merrie Monarch Festival, an annual, week-long hula competition, which takes place during this time. Spring in Hawaii can tend to be a little rainy – but it's mostly just passing showers. Overall it tends to remain in the balmy lower eighties (around 27°C).

Summer (June through September) -- Summer is hot and sunny. Temperatures often rise up into the high eighties (around 30°C). The surf is up on the south shores and the beaches are packed. Summer also means ripe mangos in the Islands. You'll find these yummy tropical fruits at every fruit stand – perfect for eating at the beach or blending into an icy afternoon cocktail. During the summer everything seems busier. Many local kids are out of school on break. This means crowded beaches, shops and restaurants. But then again, it may be a good thing to be surrounded by so many locals. There is no better way to learn about the culture of Hawaii than from those who live it.

Fall (September through December) -- This time of year can be muggy in Hawaii, especiall in September and October. In terms of the weather, it is one of the more unpleasant times to travel to the Islands. However, what this time lacks in the “pleasant climate” department, it makes up with great annual events, such as the Maui Writer's Conference, the Honolulu Marathon, the Aloha Festivals, and the Parker Ranch Round-Up Club Rodeo.

Protect yourself from the sun

Many vacations are completely ruined by red and blistered sunburned skin. Don't let it happen to you.

Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher.

Try to limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear a hat that shades your face.

Make sure you are wearing good sunglasses with a UV filter.

Wear a lip balm with a SPF of 15 or higher.

Keep babies under the age of 6 months out of the sun (a baby tent may be a good thing to bring).

Protect yourself from insects

This is especially important if you are planning a lot of outdoor activities. Some areas of Hawaii tend to have a lot of mosquitoes. While these annoying little insects won't bother you too much in the towns and on the beaches, you will for sure notice them in the rainforests, especially on humid days. If you get bit, don't rub your skin because this might cause bleeding.

In the past, there have been outbreaks of the dengue virus in the Islands, so you really want to take this seriously. Mosquitoes seem to be more active in the early morning and late evening hours, so plan any outdoor activities during the day.

Take care of your valuables

While crime is generally low in Hawaii, it does happen. The most common crime that visitors experience in the Islands is theft and especially rental car break-ins. Never leave valuables in your parked car (not even in the trunk). Also don't bring valuables to the beach. It is best to leave them in your hotel room, preferably in a room safe if there is one. If you have a valuable camera, for example, and you bring it to the beach and would like to go for a swim, have your travel buddy or partner watch your valuables while you take turns. In the event of an emergency, you can dial 911 from any pay phone without depositing any money.

Additionally, you can contact the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH), which was created to help Hawaii visitors who are affected by crime, medical emergencies, accidents and other advertities. After filing a police report, VASH services are provided on Oahu: 926-8274, Kauai: 482-0111, Maui: 244-3530, and the Big Island, Hilo: 756-1472 and Kona: 756-0785.

Tipping in Hawaii

If you're an international traveler, you may not know that in the USA, leaving a tip (gratuity) in restaurants, hotels and for taxi services is the norm. Most of the time the gratuity is not included in the bill, so you will have to do some math and include the tip yourself. As a general rule of thumb, most people give between 12-18% gratuity for restaurant servers and the hotel room service and about 15-20% for taxi drivers. The maids who clean your hotel room should be paid about $1.50-$5 per day (depending on how luxurious your hotel is).

Plan your budget on reality

The reality is that just about everything is going to cost a little extra than what you're probably used to. Many visitors find that food costs (whether it's at the grocery store or restaurant) are more expensive than what they are used to at home.

Consider alternative accommodations

If you're looking to save money, consider booking your accommodations with a bed & breakfast or vacation rental. Staying at one of these “alternative accommodations” can actually help to make your vacation more memorable.

Hosts are generally very knowledgeable about the Islands and will often recommend sights and activities that aren't listed on a “tourist” map. The only real downside to these types of accommodations is that they will certainly lack the grandiose amenities that the resorts can provide. Besides vacation rentals, there are also quite a few affordable Hawaii hotels in the Islands.

Timeshares offer another great way to save money and enjoy luxury accommodations at the same time. You can rent Hawaii timeshares at very reasonable rates, and there are a wide array of resorts to choose from that offer everything from studio units to one, two and three bedroom suites along with many on-site amenities.

Stay safe in Hawaii's ocean

Know your limits when it comes to activities in the ocean. Swimming in the open ocean is much different than swimming in a pool. Hawaii's beaches may look inviting, but there are dangers that can't be easily spotted from land, such as strong rip currents and sudden large waves. Visitors frequently get hurt while enjoying Hawaii's ocean. It is therefore best to swim at lifeguarded beaches only and to heed all warning signs. Also, know your limits when it comes to trying new watersports, such as surfing, bodyboarding and diving.

Get familiar with the Hawaiian airports

There are airports on all main Hawaiian islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai and Lanai). Inter-island travel is only possible by plane. Ferry services only exist from Maui-Lanai and Maui-Molokai. IslandAir.com is one of the airlines that provides inter-island flights in Hawaii.

The main airport codes in Hawaii are as follows:

HNL- Honolulu, Oahu

ITO- Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii

KOA- Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii

LIH- Lihue, Kauai

OGG- Kahului, Maui

MKK- Hoolehua, Molokai

LNY- Lanai City, Lanai

All major Hawaiian airports have visitor booths that are run by the Visitor Information Program (VIP). Definitely plan to stop by a booth when you arrive for valuable informational brochures which include money-saving coupons for many island tours, activities and stores. You can also call ahead with any questions that you may have before you arrive.

Here are the contact numbers:

• Honolulu International Airport (808) 836-6413
• Kahului International Airport (808) 872-3893
• Kona International Airport at Keahole (808) 329-3423
• Hilo International Airport (808) 934-5838
• Lihue Airport (808) 246-1448
• Molokai Airport (808) 567-6361