dolciani

I'm working on a trip to Hawaii w/ the timetable above. I had originally left out the Big Island, but so many people have told me it's "the best"..."don't miss the live volcano". Am I stretching this trip to thin? The interisland air flights seem so short (30-45 min) that it doesn't seem that my days will be taking up too much airport time (right??). How about some advice from experienced island hoppers??

Doug

16 nites between 4 islands may be doable but just remember that you'll lose most of 3 days travelling between the islands.

My wife & I had 11 days to spend in February, did two islands (5 Maui/6 Kauai) and felt we could have spent a week more on each.

If I had 16 nites instead of 11, I probably would have done 3 islands and spent my other 5 nites on the Big Island.

Miranda

I think that's too many islands in that amount of time. I'd stick to two or maybe three at the most. You'll spend too much time in transit trying to cram in four.

By the way, to actually see the "live volcano" at the Big Island can be an enormous undertaking. We found that out the hard way! It's a long drive from the hotels on the Kona side of the island to the volcano park. There you can see lots of lava fields, a caldera, sulfurous steam, etc. but you WON'T see lava flowing right at the main part of the park unless you are unusually lucky. At our visit, it was ANOTHER TWO HOUR DRIVE EACH WAY to actually get to where the lava was flowing. That was out of the question for us. Therefore, we ended up not actually seeing the lava flow but just enjoying the other attractions of the volcano park because we simply didn't have enough time. I wish I'd understood this better ahead of time! One way around all this driving is to spend at least one night on the Hilo side of the island which is closer to the volcano, maybe at the Volcano House. This is the opposite side of the island from where most of the resorts are located. Of course, the exact location where the lava is flowing will change over time, so my information may be out of date by now. If it's important to you, it's worth researching the details ahead of time to prevent disappointment. Another solution would be to do a helicopter ride to see the lava. Expensive but might be worth it.

evelyntrav

We just completed a similar trip: 6 nights in Maui, 2 nights in Volcano, 6 nights in Kauai and 1 night in Oahu and were pleased with our plan. When we were on the Big Island two weeks ago, it was only a short walk to see live lava flowing. We spent 2 1/2 days at the park, walking alot and doing some hiking. It was terrific and one of the highlights of our trip. The other was the spectacular snorkeling. We did not go to the Kona side of Hawaii at all and since we spent a good deal of time at the beaches in Maui and Kauai we felt fine about it. We were very disappointed in Oahu, the traffic was horrible and the beaches were crowded. We drove around the island and much preferred the north side, however, the surf was rough and no one was swimming. We had planned to climb Diamond Head but after seeing from the air and having our other volcano experiences, decided not to go. We spent the rest of our stay in Pearl Harbor.

The planes all left on time, yet it did occupy 1/2 a day each time we "hopped."

dwarde

Sounds like the trip I amde a few years ago. Skip Oahu unless you want to do the big things--Battleship Arizona-the Punch Bowl -- Diamond Head etc. Put the extra time on the Big Island. When I go back it will be to Maui, Kaui, and the Big Island in that order. Rent a car and see the island. Take a trip on first day with guide to see most of the island and then decide what you want to spend the rest of your time doing. Oahu is the "New York City of the Pacific". If that is what you want then include it but then get a car for the balance of your stay. Rent your car with your travel agent and it will be ready for you at each airport. I made a trip with my wife, who has to use a wheelchair and we had a great time. Enjoy yourself.

Marilyn

Why, why, why do people go to one of the most relaxed places on the planet and then plan an itinerary that will keep them hopping every minute? If you really want to see everything and think you'll never be back to Hawaii, I guess it's (barely) understandable. But to me, Hawaii is a place to slow down and soak up the simple beauty of just being there.

Even with short flights, you still have to pack your stuff, check out of the hotel, get to the airport, be there an hour before the flight, get your luggage at the other end, get to your hotel, and check in. If you're renting a car, it's even more time on each end. There are often lines at the car rental counters -- these airports are very busy with tourists all year. Your hotel on Maui and the Big Island could easily be an hour drive from the airport. I think you'll find the days you travel inter-island to be mostly shot by the time you get door-to-door.

Also, what do you want to do on your trip? Do you want to snorkel, hike, surf, shop, relax on the beach, take scenic drives, eat in gourmet restaurants? Because the islands are each rather different in personality.

If you are still keen on your itinerary, I would suggest adding 1 day to the Big Island and dropping it from Oahu.

Maria

I agree with the posts that encourage you to eliminate one entire island from your itinerary. Even short flights between islands are enormously time consuming due to the need to arrive at least an hour and a half early for security and luggage checks etc. Plus all that packing up and loading the car.

We recently returned from 9 days on the Big Island and loved every minute of it. The Big Island is actually several geographic locations that are remarkably different and fabulously beautiful. The Volcano area deserves 2 days alone to see the caldera, visit the lava flows, hike the trails and then even travel along the Mauna Loa road up high.

The far Northern side of the Island is, again, 2 days of fabulous sightseeing including the coast North of hilo, the Waipio Valley, the Waimea area, Polulo Valley, and the Kohala beaches and sights. A day or night spent stargazing from Mauna kea would be worth it alone.

Then the Kona area and points south around the island to the Place of Refuge, Captain Cook area and South Point and the black sand beaches, do some snorkelling, etc that would be another 2 days!

I agree that eliminating Oahu and focussing 5 nights on 3 islands each would be much better and relaxing.

Good Luck!

Maria

dolciani

Thanks for all your replies!! My husband and I enjoy golf so we're leaning toward more time on the Big Island - I've reserved an ocean front at the Waikola Outrigger (we'd like to see the volcano in action, too but I don't want to switch hotels again). I feel as though we'll have time to relax at the beginning and end of our trip (5 days in Maui and 5 days in Kauai). I've read that everyone should at least visit Oahu (the War Memorial and Wakiki beach). So my question is: should I eliminate Oahu altogether, or spend at least 2 nights there?

evelyntrav

We spent one night in Oahu and it was just right. We arrived mid day and drove to the north shore. The next morning we went to Pearl Harbor and in the afternoon we went to the east shore. Our plane left at 10PM so we had plenty of time. Waikiki was a mob scene and we just drove by the area... we actually had enough "beach" by then. The only thing I would have liked to have done was snorkel in Hanauma Bay, but then again I never have my fill of snorkeling.

We did not mind the island hopping at all and packed in a way that made it easy. Oahu was our last stop so we just had a small case for this one night stay. As someone earlier said, it all depends on what you like to do. If big surf and museums are something that appeals to you, then Oahu might make sense.

Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park was awesome and needs two days if you want to see it all and hike the Kilauea Iki Trail. Did you think about flying to Kona, for 6 nights, then driving to Volcano and spending a night or two, and then fly to the next island from Hilo? A helicopter ride over the area is useless as far as I am concerned. It is walking over the lava boulders, hiking in the crater and seeing the flow in the evening which is the thrill.

carolyn

Don't skip Oahu. The reason Waikiki is so popular is that it is so gorgeous. There are lots of things to do on the island besides the touristy shopping. Since this is your first trip, try all four islands and then you will know where you would like to return and spend more time. The Big Island is my least favorite; it always boils down to personal preferance.

nicknik

Last year my wife and i did 3 islands, maui , kauai , and oahu. We loved oahu spent 3 nites, ( HEY we are tourists and most eveyone on this message board is to ). The only part we would change is more maui and less kauai. Just so much to do on maui. True 1/2 day to island hop is normal. But if your like me i dont go to hawaii often so pack it all in i say and next time mabey slow down some. Actually we did slow down some and did all the star gazing and beach lounging. So enjoy your self you got a good plan. nick

TraceyK

On my honeymoon last year we hit 3 Islands in 2 weeks. I don't think it was too much, but would have prefered more time on the BI. We started in Kauai for 3nts, than the BI for 3nts, and ended on Maui for 6nts. We left early on the last day and spent it on Oahu.
We stayed in Volcano park and didn't get to the other side of the Island. There was just so much to do on the Hilo side.
You need to also remember that not all flights are non-stop to the other Islands. If you want e-mail me and
I'll send you a copy of my trip report.
[email protected]

dolciani

I'm still leaning toward 2 nights in Oahu and 4 nights on the big Island w/ 5 nights (at the beginning and end) each in Maui and Kauai. I've researched the interisland plane fares and found that I can get direct flights for about $64 each if I plan the trip in this order: Maui - BI - Oahu - Kaui. I've already booked airfare (free w/ my miles-business class- from DC to Maui and back from Kaui to DC. I've got my hotels covered w/ the timetable allowing for golf and snorkeling on all islands but Oahu, still leaving leisure time (and volcano time). This is going to be the vacation where we "check out the sights" so we can know where to return in the future. Thanks to all who helped with their personal input!!

WendyKH

Interisland travel DOES NOT HAVE TO TAKE UP HALF A DAY!!!!

I hear this all the time and it baffles me! I have been to Hawaii many times, visited all the islands except Lanai, and never had an issue island-hopping.

If you want to island-hop and not waste time, all you have to do is the following:

1) Schedule an early flight between islands. If you have an 8, 9, or even 10 a.m. flight, you will reach your next destination before noon and have the whole day ahead of you. (You will have to get up early, true--but I always find I get up early in Hawaii anyway since the mainland is several hours ahead. And if it's only getting up early 3 days out of 16, that's not a big deal. You can sleep late the other days.)

2) Don't check luggage. Pack efficiently and take carry-ons.

That's ALL you have to do.

I don't think there's anything too hectic about your schedule at all.