Hawaii
Mar 7th, 2018, 01:58 PM
#21
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I agree with sticking to only 2 islands with what, 11 days. Not sure why you feel you need a travel agent to visit a US state, but hey it is your trip. I would stick to 2 smaller islands, Kauai and maybe Oahu.
Mar 8th, 2018, 07:25 AM
#22
For a lot of people, going to Hawaii is a one time trip. So, I can see the want to see three islands instead of just 2. If you don't mind spending a half day traveling each move, it can be done and you can get a taste of hawaii.
The one island I have never been to is Kauai and from what I hear, it is absolutely stunning in its' lush landscape. We were supposed to go there one year and it was flooded from storms so badly, we changed our trip to the Big Island.
So, here is my take on the islands that I have been to:
Oahu has a lot to offer. Honolulu is literally a city on the beach. We really enjoyed our last stay there because our kids were older and we did so many unique things. We ran an 8k sunrise race up Diamond head. We participated in the floating of the lanterns on Memorial day, very moving. Honolulu also has Pearl Harbor, Hanumana Bay to snorkel, lots of great restaurants etc..
The Big Island Hawaii was the most unique place I have ever seen. You get off the plane and you swear you have left the planet. It is all lava rocks. It has so many different landscapes that makes it a truly unique island. We stayed in the Waikoloa area which is usually the sunniest. But rent a car and go everywhere. We had a great time. Beaches are great, snorkeling was very good, a great laid back feel to the island. I liked it more than Maui.
Maui haven't been in a long time, but it is beautiful, but felt that the Big Island was more of something to see. If I were to choose three, I would drop Maui and go to Kauai, probably because I haven't been there yet, but more because it is the lushest island and also more unique.
You can't go wrong with any island you choose really!
The one island I have never been to is Kauai and from what I hear, it is absolutely stunning in its' lush landscape. We were supposed to go there one year and it was flooded from storms so badly, we changed our trip to the Big Island.
So, here is my take on the islands that I have been to:
Oahu has a lot to offer. Honolulu is literally a city on the beach. We really enjoyed our last stay there because our kids were older and we did so many unique things. We ran an 8k sunrise race up Diamond head. We participated in the floating of the lanterns on Memorial day, very moving. Honolulu also has Pearl Harbor, Hanumana Bay to snorkel, lots of great restaurants etc..
The Big Island Hawaii was the most unique place I have ever seen. You get off the plane and you swear you have left the planet. It is all lava rocks. It has so many different landscapes that makes it a truly unique island. We stayed in the Waikoloa area which is usually the sunniest. But rent a car and go everywhere. We had a great time. Beaches are great, snorkeling was very good, a great laid back feel to the island. I liked it more than Maui.
Maui haven't been in a long time, but it is beautiful, but felt that the Big Island was more of something to see. If I were to choose three, I would drop Maui and go to Kauai, probably because I haven't been there yet, but more because it is the lushest island and also more unique.
You can't go wrong with any island you choose really!
Mar 9th, 2018, 02:49 PM
#23
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I agree that Oahu is great for 3 nights. There is so much to do there! If you get a chance, rent a car and drive to the north shore, and if you can, eat lunch from a shrimp truck!
Four nights on Maui would be okay, but four nights on the Big Island is not enough, in my opinion. The island is very large (hence its name!), and you could easy spend 8 nights there. My husband and I spent 10 nights on the Big Island -- we stayed 3 nights in Kona (in a B&B overlooking the town and the ocean, and close to activities), 2 nights near Volcano National Park, and then relaxed for 5 nights in the Waikola area (at the Fairmont Orchid).
For this next trip in a couple of months (our 6th to the Hawaiian islands), we are returning to Kaua'i (for the 3rd time) and will spend 7 nights there. The posters above are correct in stating how extremely beautiful this island is. We prefer to stay on the South side; some people prefer to stay on the northern, more lush side of Kaua'i.
In my opinion, if you really want to see 3 different islands, Oahu/Maui.Kaua'i would be better than Oahu/Maui/Big Island. I don' think you could see enough of the Big Island in 4 days.
The guide books by Andrew Doughty (Kaua'i Revealed, Big Island Revealed, etc.) are my absolute favorite guide books, and I always get the latest edition every time we go to Hawaii.
Four nights on Maui would be okay, but four nights on the Big Island is not enough, in my opinion. The island is very large (hence its name!), and you could easy spend 8 nights there. My husband and I spent 10 nights on the Big Island -- we stayed 3 nights in Kona (in a B&B overlooking the town and the ocean, and close to activities), 2 nights near Volcano National Park, and then relaxed for 5 nights in the Waikola area (at the Fairmont Orchid).
For this next trip in a couple of months (our 6th to the Hawaiian islands), we are returning to Kaua'i (for the 3rd time) and will spend 7 nights there. The posters above are correct in stating how extremely beautiful this island is. We prefer to stay on the South side; some people prefer to stay on the northern, more lush side of Kaua'i.
In my opinion, if you really want to see 3 different islands, Oahu/Maui.Kaua'i would be better than Oahu/Maui/Big Island. I don' think you could see enough of the Big Island in 4 days.
The guide books by Andrew Doughty (Kaua'i Revealed, Big Island Revealed, etc.) are my absolute favorite guide books, and I always get the latest edition every time we go to Hawaii.
Mar 11th, 2018, 09:31 PM
#24
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Stick with two islands, as others have said. Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Big Island are all great. If you go to the Big Island, the two sides are very different. By Kona and Waikoloa, it’s very dry with palm trees and volacanic rocks. The beaches are great. The Hilo/Volcano side is very wet and lush. You could do a day trip to Volcano from Waikoloa. It’s a long day, but doable. Or, maybe do an overnight in Hilo or split your time.
Mar 22nd, 2018, 05:34 PM
#25
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Thanks very much to everyone for all your advice and suggestions - we've incorporated several into our plans (and extending our time to really enjoy). Have also ordered the guidebooks suggested. (We live in Boston so getting to Hawai'i is a long trip --so taking advantage of a wedding in Los Angeles to get there.)
Going in late April/early May. Will post experiences on tis forum --again, thanks for all your collective advice.
Going in late April/early May. Will post experiences on tis forum --again, thanks for all your collective advice.
