Hawaii – A Water Sports Paradise

Ah, Hawaii the perfect vacation spot for a magical getaway in a tropical paradise. There are few vacation destinations that offer as many attractions as Hawaii. The island of Oahu boasts huge cities with lots of shopping as well some cultural activities nestled amongst the North Shore surfing villages. The island is also home to the memorial at Pearl Harbor, which is on the top of the list of must sees in Oahu.

There are ample opportunities for playing golf as well. All of the islands have golf courses. They range from world championship golf courses to quiet laid back courses that have little or no greens fees.

But Hawaii is really all about the water sports. The state is a group of islands surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and is home to some of the world’s best and largest waves. In fact surfing was invented here in the islands. Oahu and Maui are most well known for surfing, particularly on the North Shore of both islands. You can expect to see some pretty great waves just about anywhere in Hawaii. If you are a beginner, you should stick to the beginner friendly waves found at Waikiki Beach on Oahu and Lahaina in Maui. The big waves on the North Shore of the islands should be left to the experts.

Diving and snorkeling are another popular pastime for vacationers in Hawaii. There are some world famous dive spots like the Molokini crater located off the coast of Maui. You can expect to see a wide variety of sea creatures here, such as, sharks, sea turtles, rays, and lots of different tropical fish. This is a great spot for snorkeling, as well as scuba diving. If you are anxious to try scuba, but don’t think that you are quite ready; you could try a combination of the two called snuba. This is similar to scuba in that you have an air supply; however, it’s attached to the boat and it floats above you. With scuba, however, you have to carry your air supply with you in a tank on your back. This is a good compromise if you want to get a feel for breathing underwater, but are not quite ready to make the scuba commitment.

Maui in particular is great for windsurfing and kite boarding. Kite boarding is similar to windsurfing or wake boarding, but throw in the fact that you need to be able to fly a kite, and the sport suddenly becomes difficult to master.

Hawaiians have been kayaking since ancient times. If kayaking is your thing, Hawaii is the place to be. All of the islands have something different to offer. On Oahu, Kailua Bay is a popular kayaking spot, where you can paddle over to an uninhabited island for some respite from the very busy Waikiki Beach. On Maui Kealakekua Bay is another great place for Kayaking. These waters are responsible for the downfall of Captain Cook. Molokai offers some great kayaking for the more experienced paddlers. Whatever you water sport pleasure, Hawaii is sure to please.