Recently updated on August 13th, 2024 at 11:41 am
It’s easy to get caught up in stereotypical images of Hawaii, beautiful as they are, but there’s so much more to these rich islands once you scratch beneath the surface. With Trafalgar, you’ll unlock the real side of the islands of Hawaii on our incredible Hawaii guided tours as you dine with locals, see the country’s magnificent nature up close (but not too close), and learn about Hawaiian culture and traditions. You can marvel in the beauty of the islands of Hawaii, from Maui to Oahu, while knowing that your trip is helping support local communities and the environment. The real Hawaii is waiting – here’s a taste of all you can experience if you visit with Trafalgar.
Marvel at Manta Rays at Outrigger Kona Resort
Nature is a huge part of the islands of Hawaii, and there’s nothing like appreciating local fauna in their natural habitat. Hawaii offers one of the only places in the world where you can watch giant manta rays feeding and you can see this marvel on the Big Island. Perched above the lava cliffs of at Keauhou Bay and stretching across 22 acres of Kona coastline, you’ll find the Outrigger Kona Resort, and you can enjoy the magnificent manta ray spectacle directly from Pa’akai Point at the hotel. Manta rays (called ‘hāhālua’ in Hawaiian) can grow a wingspan of up to, and sometimes over, 20 feet (6.1 meters), and you can see them all year round in Hawaii.
Marvel at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
From lush landscapes to active volcanoes, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park gives you a chance to unlock the incredible geology of the islands of Hawaii. This UNESCO listed park and designated International Biosphere Reserve protects some of the most unique geological, biological and cherished cultural environments in the world, and encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. You can experience this wonder for yourself as you view the steam vents on a visit to the Kīlauea Visitor Center, where you can safely feel the heat from the volcano itself.
Learn About Hawaiian Manta Rays
Not only can you watch the majestic manta rays in Hawaii, but with Trafalgar you’ll meet a Local Specialist to discover the world of the giant manta rays (mobula alfredi) that come to the Kona shores at the Manta Ray Learning Center. With this expert, you’ll learn about the manta ray’s life cycle, the history of the rays in the area, and how the center supports educational programs and funding scientists for research with a mission to support mantas in their natural environment. The lights from the resort shine into the water, attracting plankton which in turn attracts manta rays to the water right off the hotel, so you can see these incredible creatures from the shore.
Visit Kona Salt Farm on a Be My Guest Experience
Over a delicious meal from a local food truck, you’ll learn about the importance of salt in Hawaiian culture during a visit to a deep ocean salt farm. So much more than just a seasoning, you can watch the salt production process and taste different salts to explore the varied flavor profiles, discovering how salt is produced from deep ocean water and how this differs from salt produced anywhere else in the world.
Dive Into Culture on Grove Farm
On a private guided tour, step back in time as you visit a beautifully preserved 100-acre homestead in the center of lush Lihue in Kauai. Take a look around the original plantation main house, owner’s cottage, guest cottage and old office, as well as other resident and plantation workers’ housing camp. The household, farm, gardens, banana patches and pastures are still active, and maintain the same practices that were established during that era.
Tour the Allerton and McBryde Botanical Garden
This guided tour of Allerton and McBryde Gardens allows you to step through the gates of this once-private estate and take in the cliff-top views of the protected bay below. As one of the world’s top botanical research organizations, you have the chance to see some incredibly rare natural beauty, with access to the conservation nursery and horticulture center for a special behind-the-scenes viewing. Check out the native Hawaiian ferns and plants, just a few of the 6,000+ rare and endangered species of plants collected throughout the Pacific Basin – and the world. You’ll also travel by vehicle deep into the upper Lawai Valley and McBryde Garden, discovering a secluded valley most visitors to Kauai don’t get to experience. As a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your visit contributes to the ongoing restoration mission and directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Watch Traditions Come to Life at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Hawaiian traditions come to life at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the island of Oahu, and on a Trafalgar tour you can witness it for yourself. Visit local villages and watch talented performers and artisans from six Pacific cultures share the arts of dancing with fire, making clothing from plants, and preserving history without a written language. Passed down from generations, you’ll remember this captivating experience of hospitality from the islands of Hawaii, including: “Hā: Breath of Life”, a symbolic story told through Polynesian dance, music, and blazing fireknives by a cast of over 100 young Polynesian performers.
Discover the real side of the islands of Hawaii with Trafalgar – explore our Hawaii tours here.