What to do in Polynesia

It may sound like a cliché, but Waikiki really does epitomise the picture-postcard perfection of Hawaiian beach life. Palm-fringed sands, crystal-clear waters and endless azure skies provide the backdrop for the beautiful people to show off their toned bodies and sporting skills, or just lie back and soak up the sun.

With its shimmering waters and clean white sand, it’s little wonder that Kaanapali Beach is considered one of the best shorelines in all of America. Found on the west coast of the island, it is the ideal destination for a relaxing day at the beach – just pack a towel and head over to lounge under the palm trees and splash about in the warm shallows.Ancient Hawaiian Monarchs used to visit Kaanapali Beach to swim, canoe and feast for weeks at a time. These days, it is a luxury holiday resort for tourists from around the world with deluxe condos and 5* hotels looking out over the Pacific from the length of the seafront. Water sports are still popular here, with kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling all available. Thrill seekers should book in for an adrenaline-spiking session of parasailing. A more relaxing afternoon is offered by the two local golf courses, with smooth greens and a spectacular outlook.Kaanapali Parkway offers upmarket boutiques and restaurants serving traditional American fare as well as local sweets and the freshest fish imaginable. Nature lovers will enjoy poking around the museum dedicated to the humpback whales which pass through these waters on their annual migration route. During the winter months, you can follow this up with a boat trip from the beach to watch the whales as they head through.If you’re interested in the area’s history, pick up a leaflet and take yourself round the Kaanapali Historical Trail & History and Legends Tour. Entirely self-guided, this trail will lead you to some of the area’s most fascinating historical hotspots. For a more in-depth taste of the local culture, the local Kaanapali Beach hotel offers further courses in everything from basket weaving to playing the ukulele as well as Hawaiian language lessons and traditional music and story recitals.As the sun begins to set, head to the sacred Puu Kekaa – or Black Rock – to watch the cliff-diving ceremony. Individuals dive off the rock into the sea in memory of the Hawaiian monarch King Kahekili, whose jumps inspired respect and devotion from his subjects. Watching this evening torch-lit ritual is the perfect way to round off a day at the beach.

One of the most infamous dates in American history is the December 7, 1941. At 7.55 a.m. Japanese aircraft made a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet that led directly to America’s entry into World War II. Visit the memorials and museums of the naval base and see where the war with Japan started and ended.

Occupying a huge area of 1,335 square kilometres across Hawaii’s Big Island, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to not one but two volcanoes, including Kīlauea, the most active anywhere in the world. Visitors flock to this spot to enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as the chance to learn about the area’s natural history.

On southeast Rarotonga, find some of the island’s best snorkeling at the idyllic Muri Beach. Lounge on powdery sand, explore exquisite marine life, discover Polynesian culture and heritage and see the sights of Rarotonga Island.

The Mauna Kea resort beach is considered to be one of Hawaii’s best beaches and is particularly popular with swimmers and anyone with an interest in life beneath the waves. It’s also the location for the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which was built in the 60s and was the most expensive hotel ever built at the time. Decades on, none of the resort’s popularity has waned!

Wailea Resort is named after the ancient Hawaiian goddess Lea who watched over canoe builders on the islands. She was believed to transform into a bird and fly over this area, so the beaches and surrounding countryside are known as the waters of Lea – or Wailea. Whilst now a luxury resort, the area is still popular for kayaking and other water-based activities.Wailea is an expansive stretch of 607 hectares, comprising a dense carpet of tropical plants inland and five beaches dotting the shoreline. There are three world-class golf courses, an impressive tennis club with floodlit courts and exclusive spas offering a full range of relaxing and revitalising treatments.Most people head straight for the biggest of the beaches – a wide expanse of soft white-gold sand. Wailea Beach is the perfect place to lie back with a good book or hide behind a pair of sunglasses and watch the world go by. The paved boardwalk is lined with up market boutiques offering designer beachwear and upmarket dining. The sea is warm and inviting, perfect for a cooling dip or an exploration of the teeming world of fish and other sea creatures on the ocean floor.Snorkelling is incredibly popular and scuba diving classes will bring you face to face with indigenous Hawaiian green turtles. Eco kayaking tours provide a nod to the area’s canoeing heritage, taking you on a three-hour exploration of the coastline, which takes in a deserted tropical beach and a chance to see more of the local sea life.Just a short walk away, the smaller Ulua Beach is a great place to escape the crowds. Clean and unspoilt, it’s home to a colony of Manta Rays – grab your snorkelling gear and dive in to get a great close-up view!Wailea Beach is one of those few places in the world that really lives up to the hype, so set aside a couple of hours to visit this glorious resort on the southwest coast.