2 months in Hawaii!
 

My husband and I will be traveling between the 4 major Hawaiian island for two months! I'm having a hard time deciding how much time to devote to each. We love food, hiking, mountain biking, snorkeling, SUP, surfing, relaxing, etc. we are leaving September 28th and returning November 25th. Right now my thoughts are two weeks on the Big Island, 9 days in Maui, 3 weeks in Kauai, and 2 weeks on Oahu. I would love suggestions of how long and which areas to stay on each. Thanks!

Personally I'd swap Oahu and Maui (2 weeks Maui, 9 days Oahu), otherwise it's close to exactly how I'd divide two months in Hawaii.

Each island has its own unique attractions and activities, e.g. the Big Island's active volcano etc, it's just a matter of prioritizing your interests in these attractions. The one suggestion I have is to steer clear of the Big Island until after the Ironman marathon (October 10th this year). The island is extremely crowded in the few weeks before the event, thousands of people fly in for it. But immediately after the marathon, when everybody leaves is one of the best times to go to island.

Also, with that much time you might want to explore a few lesser visited (and less developed) islands, like Molokai. Don't go to these quieter islands for the food or nightlife. :)

Another thought: you may want to begin with Kauai, or put it earlier in your itinerary. While there's always a chance of rain there - it's not called the Garden Isle for nothing - September and October are likely to be considerably drier than November, when the winter wet season kicks in. Sept/Oct will give you a better chance for sunny skies on the North Shore, Kauai's most scenic area (IMO).

I also agree that Maui should definitely have a full 2 weeks. 9 days in Oahu sounds about right to explore Honolulu/Waikiki, their North Shore, and some other areas of interest.

Have a wonderful time!

one thing i might consider leaving the last week open. that would allow you to stay where you are or return to location that you fell in love with. it would add on cost as you'd have to book last minute flights and hotels but, if budget is not an issue, i'd do that. agree that i'd want 12-14 days on maui and one week on oahu would be enough for me.

I agree with inspiredexplorer's suggestion about Kauai. I'd also make sure Oahu was toward the start of the trip. Much of it is crowded and overdeveloped and it would be a shame to come back from two months in Hawaii frazzled from traffic and tourist throngs.

I would start with Oahu and Maui (not because they are "crowded and overdeveloped") but they would be more on-the-go islands. With the longest time on Big Island since it's the largest. And ending with Kauai since it's more laid back.

That said, any of the islands you can find uber-touristic stuff or ofof-the-beaten path local stuff. Just depends how you travel.

For at least a couple of your longer stays, I'd definitely rent apartments/condos not only stay in hotels the entire time.

oh yeah.. and... ***LUCKY YOU***
:-)

I agree with starting with Kauai first possibly as mid October the waters on the beautiful North Shore start to transition from calm to rougher. That is the most beautiful part of the island, and of course it is not going to rain all day every day after mid October but your chances increase. You are so lucky!

Oahu frequently gets a bad rap here, but there are SO MANY things to do there; and if you find you don't like Waikiki, the rest of the island is typical paradise. It's my favorite.

What options do you have for your flights to and from Hawaii? Unless you are coming from the west coast of the mainland, I finde more good flight options in and out of HNL and OGG.

Factor in that September is Hawaii's hottest month -- and the general change in oceans, calmer north to calmer south. There's also Halloween and American Thanksgiving -- I think Ironman will be over. You know you will need to reserve flights, interisland flights, rental cars, and lodging.

I'd stay Oahu first -- if only because you won't want the bustle of Honolulu after relaxing on the other three. Stay Honolulu while you do historic and 'city' stuff. Try the north shore for more rurual -- don't leave this too late or you will be north during the annual World Surfing Championships (wind, rain, surfer crowds).

Kauai would be my #2 for the weather reasons.The north shore is the most gorgeous. This is also the smallest-feeling island, largely Poipu to Princeville for most tourists.

Big Island needs stays in two parts: Kohala Coast (NW) for largely vog-free and sunny beaches; Hilo/Volcano (SE) for the park and sights on the east side of the island. (This is the only island where we routinely rent a larger car -- longer distances at higher speeds.) Good idea to fly into one side and out of the opposite side.

You can 'gear up' again on Maui. Stay West Maui or South Maui plus some time in Hana.

Is this just 'for fun', or is there another purpose?

I'm on team swap the numbers on Oahu and Maui and stay in Hana for a few nights or more.

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions! They have been so helpful. This trip is just for fun, it's been a long dream of ours to explore Hawaii before we start a family. I have been to Oahu 4 times and got married there but have never been to the other islands.

Based on the suggestions we will stay 2 weeks in Maui instead of Oahu. We are on the West Coast so trying to figure out all direct flights is a challenge.

Our plan right now is to stay a week in Kona and a week in Hilo. Other than Oahu, do the other Islands need to be split up? Or can you stay in one area and drive to all the different sights?

I would stay in Kohala, not Kona, especially in September when it is so incredibly hot and voggy. What are your plans for Hilo? A week seems like a long time on the East side but maybe there is a specific reason to be there. Definitely stay a day or two in Volcano.

Remember, Ironman is October 10 so make sure your plans do NOT have you on the Big Island that week unless you really like crowds and traffic.

Have fun

Stay Kohala, not tacky Kona Town. You can easily tour the west side of the island from there. Hilo is less appealing than staying inside VNP. Maybe a little more time Kohala and less than a week Volcano?

DH and I have spent two to four weeks on all the major islands, although always in winter. Big Island needs more time because it IS so big. I'd give Maui more time and Kauai less than three weeks. Stay both South or West Maui and Hana.

What appeals to you so much about Kauai that you would give it three weeks? (It's beautiful. My uncle lived there for years. We've been there three times for 2-4 weeks. I just think there's more to see and do on the other three major islands.)

Maui has so many *easy-access* beaches with *good snorkeling*. Kauai has beautiful beaches, but poor sea life. Big Island has the best sea life, but few easy-access beaches. You can ferry from Maui to Lanai and Molokai. Big Island has the active volcano -- if it IS active during your stay -- but Maui has walk-in Haleakala. The Hana area of Maui and the Iao Valley are heavily tropical. Maui also has 'man made' stuff when you want it. There are choices for restaurants, hotels, spas, many condos -- more 'development', but many steps down from 'city' Honolulu.

<Or can you stay in one area and drive to all the different sights?>

I only know Maui (besides Oahu) but you can definitely just stay in one place there. I really like Lahaina a lot.

Yes, with the exception of Big Island, you can stay in one area and drive to other sites. You do have enough time to split a stay if you want, however if staying in condos you would have to pay a second deposit and cleaning fee, etc.

If you have a low tolerance for long driving distances, imo Maui is big enough to warrant two destinations. Like the other islands the eastern side (Hana etc) is much different than its west, if you're looking for more changes of scenery (which you might, given the length of your trip) that would be an easy way to do it.

> Oahu frequently gets a bad rap here, but there are SO MANY things to do there; and if you find you don't like Waikiki, the rest of the island is typical paradise. It's my favorite.

The urban sprawl extends way beyond Waikiki on Oahu. Most of Honolulu is a zoo. Even North Shore has become a tourist trap imo. But no argument about things to do there. Also for food and nightlife, nothing else in the state compares.