House of travel Hawaii Brochure 2017 | Page 7

Discover the best beaches Snorkelling and diving Eat local You’d be hard pushed to find a bad patch of sand in Hawai‘i. Many of the beaches are ranked in ‘Top Beaches’ categories, including the famous ‘Dr Beach’ list which named O‘ahu’s Haunama Bay as the best beach for 2016. Also on O‘ahu, is the platinum white Makapu’u Beach. Nestled in a cove-like bay and defined by its cascading drifts of sand. It’s an easy day jaunt from Waikiki, with a lighthouse to explore and convenient restroom facilities beside the beach. Kauna‘oa Bay on Hawai‘i Island boasts bluer-than-blue waters and is also known as Mauna Kea Beach for its nearby hotel of the same name. This spot is ideal for snorkellers, sunbathers and sandcastle makers alike. One of our favourite Hawaiian beaches resides on Maui. Offering a whopping five kilometres of white sand, Ka‘anapali Beach provides bountiful snorkelling opportunities, plentiful resorts and nearby golf courses. Take yourself to Hawai‘i Island for a manta ray dive. The mantas frequent the Kona Coast, notably the bay fronting Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa, and come nightfall boat tours, certified divers and snorkellers are all permitted to venture amongst them. Hawai‘i’s snorkelling is awesome and is always best in the morning, before the trade winds pick up. Maui’s a great place to take the plunge because it’s replete with bright coral, tropical fish and if you venture to Turtle Town, multiple sea turtles. Some of the top spots are the northern section of Ka‘anapali Beach near Black Rock, or the small island of Molokini, which is just southwest of Maui. Join a Molokini Snorkel Cruise for a fuss- free guide through coral and marine life. From November - April, you might also get to see whales. Discover authentic Hawaiian flavours loved by the residents. O‘ahu’s famed North Shore food trucks are always swarmed by locals and that’s because they’ve been a Hawaiian institution for decades. Look for Giovanni’s, one of the original (and best) food trucks in Hawai‘i. If you like raw fish, you’ll love Poké. Relatively similar to ceviche, it’s thick cubes of raw tuna marinated with soy and sesame… Ask for added avocado to make it extra delicious. When staying in Waikiki, The Shore Bird Restaurant allows guests to cook their own dinner at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, while Leonard’s Bakery has been selling malasada since 1952. A malasada is a hole-less donut stuffed with custard (or chocolate) and dusted in sugar and cinnamon. It’s a crime to leave Hawai‘i without trying one. 3