Top 5 Hawaii Travel Guides (Ranked By Local Travel Planners!)

Hawaii Travel Guides
Hawaii Aloha Travel > Blog > Top 5 Hawaii Travel Guides (Ranked By Local Travel Planners!)

Sure, lots of great travel information is available online (just like on our blog!). Plus, you’re working with a great Hawaii travel planner who provides custom advice and bookings for you. Still, there’s nothing like holding a hard copy of a Hawaii travel guide in your hands. 

Something about flipping through an old-fashioned book makes your upcoming trip seem all the more real. But which travel book is best for a Hawaii vacation? 

Before you zip up that suitcase and head to Hawaii, make sure you leave enough room for a guidebook (or two). Or, better yet, take it with you to read on the plane. You won’t regret taking the time to “read up” on Hawaii!

Hawaii Travel Guides: Our Top Recommendations

Hiking in Oahu Hawaii

1. Hawaii Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook Bundle by Andrew Doughty

Author Andrew Doughty has written an entire series on Hawaii, and he devotes an entire book to each island (except Lanai and Molokai). Each of his books received either four-and-a-half or five stars on Amazon, and they are the website’s best-selling Hawaii guide books.

His Hawaii travel guides offer a candid, humorous guide to everything there is to see and do on the islands. It’s nice because the individual books give a lot of time and attention to each island. Or, you can splurge on the full bundle and read about every island. 

Explore with Andrew Doughty as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to eat, colorful craters, hidden waterfalls and so much more. Every restaurant, activity provider, business, and resort is reviewed personally and anonymously.

Support local booksellers by buying Hawaii Revealed online here. The full collection is also available on Amazon. 

2. Fodor’s Essential Hawaii

Fodor’s is the ultimate name in travel guides, and their Hawaii books are great. They most recently updated their guide in 2022, so it’s nice getting Post-Covid expertise as they share the best of Hawaii. Read all about Honolulu’s urban vibe, Maui’s Road to Hana, Kauai’s beaches, and the Big Island’s volcanoes. Local experts vet every recommendation to ensure you make the most of your time, whether it’s your first trip or your fifth. 

Buy the most up-to-date Fodors Essential Hawaii travel guide at Barnes & Noble here

3. Lonely Planet Hawaii

This is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Learn to surf or lie in the sun on a sugary tropical beach, hike across ancient lava flows and up craggy peaks, or curve down Maui’s lushest coast on the Road to Hana, all with your trusted travel companion.

Lonely Planet offers an all-in-one Hawaii guide, or separate guides that go into detail for each island (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island). They were updated in 2022 with new updates coming in summer 2024. 

Shop online at Barnes & Noble for the up-to-date Lonely Planet Hawaii travel guides. 

4. Frommer’s Hawaii by Jeanne Cooper & Natalie Schack 

Frommer’s has updated its Hawaii travel guide for 2024! This great book shows travelers how to plan and execute the adventure of a lifetime in these legendary islands. This classic Frommer’s series includes:

  • Exact prices
  • Reviews of the best beaches
  • Restaurant
  • Attractions
  • Outfitters and hotels in every price range (from hostels to glamorous resorts)
  • Dozens of detailed maps

Make sure you’re buying the 2024 (or later!) version of Frommer’s Hawaii when you buy it online

5. DK Eyewitness Travel Guide

DK Eyewitness Hawaii Travel Guide is packed with culture and activities. It was updated in 2022 and has lots of great tips that you’ll love reading about. Discover the best attractions and unforgettable sites including beautiful beaches and volcanoes. Plus, access insider tips for everywhere from Honolulu to Waikiki. 

The book includes a guide to great restaurants and cafes featuring island cuisine, or check out the best restaurants, clubs, and bars. It features the best hotels for every budget, plus fun activities for solitary travel or for families and children to make the very best of any visit to Hawaii.

Buy DK Eyewitness Hawaii Travel Guide online here.

Are Hawaii Travel Guides Worth It?

It’s worth the effort to educate yourself with Hawaii travel guides before heading to the islands, especially if your trip is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. With these trusted guidebooks in tow, you can skip what you want, hit the sites you want, and make the most of your trip!

And of course, be sure to reach out to Hawaii Aloha Travel to get the most customized and up-to-date advice from local advisors who live right here on the islands.

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