With turquoise shallows, glorious sunshine, vivid green landscapes that erupt from volcanic soils and air sweet with the scent of hibiscus, Oahu offers a seductive introduction to the Hawaiian archipelago. On the island’s North Shore, where surfers from around the globe come to ride the perfectly formed waves, learn the basics of hanging 10 with a surfing lesson or opt for a stand-up paddleboard session — and don’t forget your waterproof SPF 40. It’s family-worthy fun in the sun and surf.

Honolulu is the capital of the Aloha State, where glamorous hotels jostle with palm trees for the best spot on Waikiki Beach. Tour this welcoming city in style before joining your private driver-guide at the moving Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, commemorating that fateful day in 1941. The rest of the day is tailored to your interests: feel the rolling surf on your toes at Sunset Beach, perhaps, or marvel at the Byodo-in-Temple on the island’s east coast.

Hawaii’s Big Island is the anchor of the archipelago, a lush landscape that offers the very best of these islands. Volcanoes dominate, with life flourishing in their craggy, green foothills. Set off for an unforgettable, after-dark adventure off the shores of Kona. Sail into the spectacular Pacific sunset on a private catamaran, before taking the plunge on a night snorkeling adventure, spotting manta rays as they glide through the torch-lit water.

Taking in the grandeur of the Big Island’s rainforests and waterfalls is even more spectacular when you view them en route to Kilauea Volcano on a doors-off helicopter flight. Continuously erupting for over thirty years, you can even feel Kilauea’s heat from your helicopter. Afterward, a volcanologist guide (a professor at University of Hawaii) leads you on an exciting journey through the rugged landscape of Ka?u. Also visit Jaggar Museum, Nahuku and Halema‘uma‘u Crater, to get acquainted with local legends.

Begin your evening with a picnic-style dinner before attempting the summit for a sensational sunset. Later, hear about the wonders of the Hawaiian night skies during a stargazing experience atop Mount Mauna Kea – one of the only places in the world where you can drive from sea level to 14,000 feet in just two hours.

Highlighted by eerie, mist-veiled peaks and chilled-out sands littered with fallen coconuts, Maui is a byword for Hawaiian bliss. The tiny island offers enough for a lifetime; as if designed to showcase the best of it all, the Hana Highway twists along the island’s coast, passing traditional villages, cascades hidden in palm groves, and rustling eucalyptus groves for the ultimate road trip.

Your four-day visit to Maui continues with amazing island customs like the Old Lahaina Luau — a traditional party usually accompanied by live entertainment and the best Hawaiian feast in the state. Tuck into roasted kalua pig and bread slathered with guava butter before donning a lei and dancing the night away, finishing with a cocktail or two on the beach.

Experience Maui from the water as you embark on a kayaking adventure, perfect for a shared family adventure. Pick the right season (November to May) and you could get up close and personal with migrating humpback whales. You also have the chance to snorkel with sea turtles. A sunset dinner cruise beneath a blanket of stars lays the day to rest in style.

As your exploration of Hawaii draws to a close, choose your favorite activities and don’t miss out on a final luau with traditional Hawaiian music and the captivating hula.