Five Things to Do in Hawaii

The Hawaiian islands are home to many golf courses that cater to beginning and advanced golfers alike. Golfers who want a challenge can play on the same courses that host professional golf tournaments, like the Plantation Golf Course at the Kapalua Resort in Maui, or the Waialae Country Club in Oahu. Some courses, like the Dunes at Maui Lani or the Cavendish Golf Course in Lanai, cater to folks who just want to play a relaxing round and not shell out big bucks to do it. Hawaii's golf courses are among the most scenic in the world and include courses like the Princeville Prince on Kauai.

Surfing is a time-honored tradition in Hawaii. Experienced surfers can find giant waves at places like the north shore of Oahu, while many of the public beaches afford opportunities for those less experienced to try their hand at surfing. Surfboards are available for rent throughout Hawaii, and some rental shops also offer lessons, which can pay off if you plan on surfing more than once. Some of the most popular beaches for surfing are Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Poipu Beach in Kauai, and Napili Bay in Maui.

Surfing can be good year-round, but the best surfing on the north sides of the islands is between November and March, while south-facing shores are best from June through October. Hawaii Surf Lessons 101 (www.hawaiisurflessons101.com) offers lessons on all of the islands.

While some of the Hawaiian islands offer freshwater fishing, it's the deep-sea fishing that most people talk about. Charter boats are available on most of the islands, and going out in one is a good way to shorten the learning curve and give yourself the best opportunity to catch a big fish. Some of the most widely targeted sport fish in Hawaii are marlin and tuna, though sailfish, wahoo and snappers can keep fishermen busy, too.

Oahu and Maui offer some of the best fishing of all the islands. Some of the charter boats on Maui are Hinatea, Start Me Up and Action, while Magic, Kono and Foxy Lady are some that serve Oahu. Charter boats on each of the islands can be found at www.sportfishhawaii.com.

From sea turtles to stunning underwater terrain to thousands of colorful fish, Hawaii is a snorkeling destination. The water is clear and snorkelers can see for hundreds of feet in any direction. While the shorelines and other near-shore areas given visitors the opportunity to snorkel on their own, many choose to take a guided snorkel trip. These trips will take them to some of the most scenic snorkeling areas in the world, and to places that most people otherwise would never seen. The Molokini Crater off the island of Maui is one of the most popular snorkel trips.

Humpback whales make their appearance in the warm Hawaiian waters every winter, swimming from cooler northern waters to reproduce. The sight of whales gently breaking the surface, or nearly launching themselves out of the water as they breach, is a common one. The whales often can be seen from shore, especially by visitors who pack along a set of binoculars. Some resorts also have spotting scopes at various areas along the shoreline. But people who want to close the gap between them and a whale can go out on one of the whale-watching cruises that set out from the islands every few hours during the peak whale season, which is December to March.