You want to visit Hawaii, but you don't want to deplete your kid's education money. Want to visit the islands but are unsure about the best time to do so? Here are some tips for avoiding expensive and time-consuming errors while visiting Hawaii.

Avoid visiting Hawaii during school holidays

In the summer and the winter, tourists swarm Hawaii's breathtaking beaches. Flight and hotel costs skyrocket during school breaks; between Christmas and New Year's, condos and vacation rentals can cost up to three times as much as they would in early December.

Visit in the off-season

Hawaii vacations in May and October are by far the most affordable. Use the benefits of off-season travel to fly to the islands while the costs are still reasonable and the weather is at its best - not too hot, not too rainy. The price of current spring and autumn flights from the West Coast is half that of July. In addition, hotels and condos frequently reduce their rates during the off-season, rewarding guests with oceanfront accommodations that frequently sell out during the high season.

Don't spend all of your money on a fancy hotel

It's great to stay in a posh Hawaiian resort where birds flit through the open-air lobby and fresh papaya is served at the swim-up bar, but in high season, rates are probably between $400 and $600 per night. Instead, spend the money on a lomilomi massage, a fine seafood meal, and a rental property where you can prepare your own Mai Tais by the pool.

Do think about booking a condo

Returning guests are aware to book a condo. Travellers can enjoy a more genuine (and frequently less expensive) holiday thanks to amenities like kitchens, lots of space, washing machines, and solitude. Multiple firms frequently oversee individual apartments within the same complex, so one home may be furnished by a world-traveling interior decorator while another may be covered in wicker. Make sure to look at pictures of the specific unit you're interested in and ask for details about the number and arrangement of beds.

Don't attempt to take it all in

Although each island has a distinctive personality, it is too expensive (and time-consuming) to go throughout the entire archipelago in a single trip. If you wish to go from Kauai to the Big Island, you may have to stop in Honolulu and pay the price of two inter-island flights each way, which typically costs between $70-$140 each trip. The majority of inter-island flights go to Oahu.

Limit yourself to one or two islands

Every area on every island has its own distinct flavour. While the south and west of the islands offer sunnier skies and a more dry landscape, the north and east of the islands are more tropical. Instead of island hopping, split up your trip by booking two separate stays: one in a luxurious hotel close to a beach on the sunny south shore and the other in a cosy rental home close to the more tropical (read: rainy) north shore. Ferry service to Lanai and Molokai is available from Maui if you wish to hop islands on a budget.

Don’t fall for the luau

Most luaus (often family celebrations on a beach for a first birthday) are costly and not at all authentic. Even if they appear like an authentic experience, you can put the highlights of a luau together yourself. Pick up some poke, lomi lomi, fresh pineapple, and poi for a picnic at a nearby market. You may catch free hula performances by some of Hawaii's top dancers at most malls in the evenings on Kauai and Maui, as well as during the setting sun at Waikiki Beach.

Do splurge on an adventure

Treat yourself to at least one adventure, whether it's a deep-sea dive, a helicopter tour above waterfalls, or a kayak excursion along the Na Pali Coast. In case of inclement weather, make sure to book early for your trip.

Last but not least, remember to unwind on the beach

There's no need to spend the entire time on a boat, horse, helicopter or zip line. Make time to take advantage of Hawaii's top-notch beaches. You can practically get free snorkelling time with monk seals, angelfish, and sea turtles right off the shoreline. Relax under a coconut palm and watch the sky explode with colour as surfers ride the final sunny waves onto the white sand as the sun sets over the Pacific.

Places To Visit In Hawaii

Lahaina

Lahaina, the former Hawaiian capital, was the center of the global whaling trade, and its Historic District is a National Historic Landmark. Traditional Hawaiian luaus, surf lessons and tours on horseback are fun, but let’s be realistic – you wouldn’t be in Hawaii if you didn’t want to go to the beach. Try Ka’anapali Beach, one of Maui’s best.

Wailea

If shopping, playing golf and tennis, and being pampered are the most strenuous activities on your itinerary, Wailea is your destination. There’s every opportunity to relax, as this area on Maui’s south coast has some of the island's best beaches, including Keawakapu Beach, championship golf courses and tennis courts with ocean views, and several luxurious spas. For those seeking a little adventure, there are whale-watching cruises, helicopter tours over Haleakala National Park, and tons of water-sport day trips. In the evening, don’t miss out on attending a luau; book in advance for either The Feast at Mokapu at Andaz Maui or the Te Au Moana Luau.

Poipu

auai’s South Shore is home to some of the country’s best beaches – for swimming, diving and all sorts of water sports. If sunbathing on a gorgeous beach isn’t relaxing enough, try a spa (where many treatments incorporate local ingredients). And if you’re in Poipu for a romantic escape, splurge on an oceanview room—the sunsets are spectacular.

Lihue

Lihue, Kauai's capital city, is also served by the island's only airport, making it the most popular port of entry to Kauai and a hub of industry on this small island. However, Lihue retains its island charm and emerald beauty despite its urbanization. Spend the day sunbathing and dipping into the temperate waters at Kalapaki Beach before enjoying a luau at Kilohana Plantation. Step out of town to witness breathtaking Wailua Falls cascading over tiered stone to a drop of 80 feet.

Kihei

Situated on Maui's western shore, Kihei has grown exponentially over the years and now offers an impressive selection of hotels and restaurants, catering to visitors who flock to dive, swim and sun themselves on Maui's fine white sand beaches. Home to the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Kihei is an excellent place to spot the vast mammals. Head out on a boat charter, eco-tour, rafting trip or fairway, or rent a car and drive the coastline or to volcanoes Haleakala and Puu Kukui.