A great way to appreciate the hidden beauty of the Islands is exploring its many hiking trails. Haleakala National Park on Maui, for example, is a mix of valleys, rain forests, gulches and the largest dormant volcano on earth. Its lush areas in the higher elevations are home to one-third of Hawaii’s endangered birds, and its desolate crater served as a lunar training ground for the first U.S. astronauts.

One of nature’s most compelling sites is the humpback whale breaching from the ocean, viewable from virtually every coast in the Islands. Hawaii’s official state mammal, the humpback, arrives in December from Alaska to find mates and calve. Whale-watching excursions are available until April, when these fantastic creatures head north once again.

Snorkelers and divers can explore calm reefs and come face-to-face with angelfish, parrotfish and manta rays. Favorite locations are Oahu’s protected Hanauma Bay, or more secluded spots like Maui’s Molokini Crater, and sheltered ocean caves along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Kayaking is another choice for experiecing the Islands’ lava-lined coasts at sea level.

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