Hawaii - multi stop trip

[Spankmeonthebottomwithawomansweekly]

Any top tips for must do/must see for Hawaii? We are planning end of GCSE & A-Level trip and will never go back so want to do as much as possible. Any hidden gems? Things that were better than expected?

Thanks

We did the big island and loved it. Really enjoyed hiking through the volcano national park, sea kayaking to where Captain cook landed. We also did a diving boat trip and hired a soft top car which was very cool.

We did a Maui & Big Island trip. Highlights were obviously volcanoes ( helicopter trip, vast lava fields etc) and the lava tubes (early before the coaches arrived so you could experience their size rather than just see a mass of people) . We did a minibus trip which included some sights and the Road to Hana. An evening trip up Mauna Kea to see the Telescopes and amazing views and sunsets. In Maui we loved the cool vibe of Lahaina, but that’s all gone now 🥲 . Maybe try surf lessons or just chilling under the palm trees. Teens could enjoy cruising in a mustang convertible, but beware they are VERY popular !

My info is 20 years out of date, but I LOVED Big Island. Perfect place to go if you like it outdoorsy. Still remember going to Volcanoes National Park, going up Mauna Kea to the observatory. We also went to Maui, it was fine, but a lot more touristy. There were still some lovely things to see (if you get up early and swim in the sea you can see all kinds of wildlife) , but when we did the drive to see the waterfalls it was mad busy (Road to Hana?). The boat trips to see turtles are a bit meh, but we'd spent an afternoon on a locals beach on big island and there were turtles just hanging out. If you do a boat trip, remember to get some travel sickness pills into you first. Buy some cheapy reef shoes because the rocky bits on the beaches are proper stabby!

make sure you have ALL of your accommodation worked out in advance.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/german-tourists-deported-hawaii-cbp-b2736655.html

If you’re going to Oahu, definitely Pearl Harbour, and Waikiki beach. Also Hanauma Bay where you can feed the fish and look at the coral.

Do try and visit Kauai. Very different from the other islands and less developed . Much more green and lush

I think that's the island that has inspired me to go! I'm struggling with how many places I want to go, but this is all helping.

Thanks all

I would start with working out how long you will be going away for and consider whether you plan to fly all the way there or whether to do stop offs to breakup the flight. When I went I spent a few days in Vancouver then the flight to oahu was only 5hrs, then on the way home stopped in San Francisco (lots to see and do there such as Alcatraz prison but that must be pre booked as tickets sellout months in advance). Or LA is another option for a stop off as you have beaches or Disney or universal studios. Then work out how many days that gives you to discover Hawaii. Oahu is very touristy and like most US states in terms of food and shopping, but there is pearl harbour to visit, lots of beaches and museums etc.

Look at condos rather than hotels as it worked out much more economical for our honeymoon so we got to stay longer! There was a chain called Ashton who had them all over!!

We only did a day trip to the Big Island and wish in hindsight we’d planned for a longer visit!!

We probably had one night too many in Honolulu at 4 nights! We booked an organised tour for Pearl Harbour and we were the first ones in! Also booked the Feast at Lele which was awesome but I think it was caught up in the fires so not sure if it’s back operating!

Also if it’s still open the revolving restaurant on Waikiki was kitch but good fun and great food!!

And we stupidly decided to climb Koko head rather than diamond head crater as husband had seen it on Hawaii 50 have a google….. I honestly thought I’d die coming down so I wouldn’t suggest that 😂

Oh and I’d definitely go via San Fran if I ever went again as we didn’t really like LA!!

Oh man, I love the Hawaiian islands so much. We, too, did a trip which was supposed to be the only time. Huh. Loved it so much, we then saved up and went again 5 years later.

Agree with everything already said plus:

if you self drive, these guys provide awesome guided commentary (the road to Hana itinerary is linked below but there are others):

https://www.shakaguide.com/article/maui/shaka-guides-classic-road-to-hana-itinerary

On Big Island, please do not miss the diving/snorkelling with the mantas. It is EPIC

If in season, whale watching on Maui.

Eating/drinking can be very expensive, our local friends go to the happy hours instead and eat there which worked well for us. We also self catered a lot

I loved Kuaui, such a laid back, chilled out, stunning beautiful island. In Poipo, I got up to watch the sunrise and a seal came sliding out of the sea, dragged himself up the beach and went to sleep in the sand just a cars length away from me. Magical.

My least favourite island was Oahu. Didn’t love Waikiki but the north of the island was fab and, ofcourse, Pearl Harbour is a must do.

Thanks All, started the booking process and can't wait to get started!