This article about Hawaii island hopping is intended to give you an idea of what you could see and do if you visit the islands.
From Kauai, you may hop from island to island in Hawaii.
Have you ever fantasized of taking your family to Hawaii for a vacation? With crystal clear blue seas and spectacular sunsets over the ocean, your family is making memories together. It may seem impossible to top, yet Hawaii is a holiday paradise only limited by your imagination.
Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. As a result, the most deteriorated. Wind, rain, and waves have carved deep gorges and dramatic peaks throughout the island over the years. The Kalalau Trail, the most popular, requires reservations. Those who are fortunate enough to receive a permission can enjoy a meandering, narrow road that snakes past high cliffs before terminating at a private sandy beach.
The majority of island hopping in Hawaii is done from the air — what better way to get a bird’s eye perspective of your favorite holiday spot?
If you reside on Oahu, Honolulu airport is 35 minutes away from Lanai airport, which is only 3 miles from Lanai city. Flying from Oahu to the other main Hawaiian islands (Big Island, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, and Molokai) is perhaps the best option.
Other activities, such as kayaking the Wailua River, trekking Waimea Canyon, surfing Hanalei Bay, or paddle surfing the Hanalei River, provide an amazing outdoor experience in one of the most beautiful places on the earth when Kalalau is not on the schedule.
From Kona, Big Island, you may hop between islands in Hawaii.
The two primary airports on the Big Island are Kona and Hilo. From the west coast, direct flights are available. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is accessible by car (about 29 miles away). Visitors may get to the Hilton Waikoloa Village from Kona Airport (about 10 miles away).
Outdoor activities are popular on Kauai. World-class scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and trekking the active volcanoes of the Big Island are all available.
The Kona coast is famed for some of the greatest sport fishing in the state (everyone’s favorite is a 1,000-pound marlin), but it also provides divers the rare opportunity to dive with dozens of wild manta rays at night. The manta rays, which have a wingspan of up to 4 meters and gather around an underwater “cleaning station,” provide divers with one of the greatest aquatic experiences in the state.
The Big Island is the biggest of the Hawaiian Islands and has a diverse climate and topography, as you might expect. Exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visiting Heiau, witnessing waterfalls, and attending the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival are just a few of the top things to do on the Big Island. The majority of guests book their accommodations in Kona, which has a large number of resorts.
From Hilo, Big Island, you may hop between islands in Hawaii.
The majority of visitors arrive in Hilo via the windward (east) side of the island. The leeward (west) side of the island is often more inhabited and sunnier. If you want to view Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this is the place to go. There are two active volcanoes on this island. Kilauea erupted in 2018 and has now been declared lava-free. The public is now unable to enter Manua Kea.
Hawaiian Airlines was formerly the major airline for inter-island travel and continues to be a popular choice with many daily flights. Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, has established itself as a formidable rival in Hawaii, which is wonderful news for tourists seeking for the greatest offer on tickets to the Big Island, Maui, or Kauai. Southwest flies to Kauai (lih), Maui (Ogg), Hilo (ITO), and Kona (Kona) from HNL (koa). However, you must fly through Honolulu on these trips. So, if you’re traveling nonstop from Kona to Kauai, Hawaiian Airlines is definitely your best option.
As you travel throughout the Big Island of Hawaii, you’ll notice that the microclimates, as well as the ambience and communities, are continuously changing. Hilo will be more authentically Hawaiian than Kona, which I like. It’s also a lot greener and more jungle-like. There are a few snorkeling locations, such as Richardson Beach Park and Keaukaha Beach Park, however if you loved Two-Step and the dolphins, you might not be thrilled. The cuisine and restaurants, on the other hand, are excellent. For unique flavors, I recommend Vibe’s vegan food, Suisan Fish Market’s poke, and Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack.
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest and most experienced airline in Hawaii, with flights to all four main islands. With an average of more than 170 daily flights inside Hawaii, it is the principal supplier of transport between Honolulu and Lihue on Kauai, Kahului on Maui, and Kona and Hilo in Hawaii. Talk about island hopping in Hawaii! Flights to and from Lanai, Molokai, and West Maui Hawaiian Airlines’ turboprop business, ‘ohana by Hawaiian, operates flights between Honolulu and Molokai, Kapalua, and Lanai in collaboration with empire airlines.
From Lanai, you may hop from island to island in Hawaii.
There are two ferry routes in and around the Hawaiian Islands, which is fortunate. Both lines originate on the Hawaiian island of Maui. These low-cost ferries run between Maui and Molokai, as well as Maui and Lanai. If you and your family have reserved lodgings on Maui, Molokai and Lanai are two excellent island options. The cost of a roundtrip ferry from Maui to Lanai or Maui to Molokai is less than half of the cost of a flight from Honolulu or Maui to Lanai.
Of course, a cruise ship is an option if you want your island-hopping vacation in Hawaii to be spectacular. You’d imagine there are a lot of cruise ships that travel between the Hawaiian Islands, but there are a lot of rules that prevent them from doing so. Norwegian Cruise Line and Uncruise Adventures are two alternatives.
On the eastern side of the island, about 9 miles from Hilo, is a “must see” on your Hawaiian trip. The garden is located on the Hamakua coast, at the rear of the Onomea Valley, along a four-mile picturesque drive. This award-winning garden’s stunning entrance is immediately across the street from a lovely new visitor center with plenty of free parking, surrounded by thick rainforest. As you enter the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Gardens visitor center, you’ll notice the ohi’a beams supporting the lanai (porch) roof.
Hawaii provides a diversity unlike any other travel route, with 120 islands, award-winning beaches, magnificent landscapes, and one of the driest and wettest locations on earth (all on one island). From watching stunning (and equally scary) professional surfers ride 12-meter waves on the North Shore of Oahu to seeing Hawaii’s lone metropolis, Honolulu, with its dynamic nightlife, Hawaii has it all.
From Molokai, you may hop from island to island in Hawaii.
Your family may go to Lanai and Molokai for less money if you stay in Maui. It is by far the most affordable mode of transportation between these Hawaiian islands.
The island of Maui, voted one of the most beautiful islands on the planet by Conde Nast Traveler, is a lovely tourist destination with a diverse range of spectacular natural, cultural, and historical attractions. Maui, being a tropical paradise, has a very calm and easygoing atmosphere that is excellent for men and women on the hunt to gather away from the rush and bustle of city life. Maui is regarded for having some of the greatest and most luxury hotels and resorts in the world, in addition to its best tropical scenery and success in terms of attractions.
What’s the greatest method to get the most out of your holiday in paradise? by taking a Hawaii island hopping excursion! Make the most of your tour by visiting each island, which each has its own personality and distinctive attractions. Are Hawaiian volcanoes on your “bucket list”… Perhaps Pearl Harbor… or have you heard of Hana Road’s beauty? Because these spectacular vistas aren’t on the island itself, you’ll have to go exploring to see them.
From crowded Maui to Molokai, “the friendly island,” a pleasant 90-minute boat ride awaits you and your family. Molokai is the least developed of the Hawaiian Islands’ eight main islands, and it’s the ideal vacation spot for any family eager to discover unspoiled beaches and fascinating jungles. The boat leaves Lahaina, Maui every 7:15, 10:45, and 18:00, so you may easily spend a whole day on Molokai.
Hawaii island hopping guide 2022: How to get from one island to another in Hawaii
For the ultimate “island hopping” experience, book an all-inclusive Hawaii island hopping cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.
Is it time to start thinking about your trip to Hawaii? Our initial enthusiasm changed to dread when we learned how much homework we had ahead of us when we planned our first vacation to the Hawaiian Islands. How simple is it to travel between the Hawaiian Islands, and how far apart are they? What is the cheapest and fastest method to travel between the Hawaiian Islands? Can you travel between the Hawaiian islands by boat, and if so, do you need to book ahead of time? How long does it take to travel between the Hawaiian islands, and should you combine your trip to Oahu with a stay on Maui or a vacation on the big island of Kauai? Which islands in Hawaii are best for families, and where are the most spectacular hotels or dreamy Airbnb in Hawaii?
It might be stressful to plan your first island hopping trip in Hawaii. To avoid feeling as overwhelmed as we did, read this before booking your tickets and you’ll know just how to island-hop in Hawaii. This is the essential travel handbook we wish we had received before planning our trip. So, let’s get started and figure out the best route to get from one Hawaiian island to the next.
In Hawaii, island hopping is the greatest way to see it all, or almost all! On this island, nearly every plant zone on the planet is represented, resulting in a diversified environment. Hawaii is a group of dedicated Hawaii professionals that genuinely care about the island and will ensure that your Hawaii visit is unforgettable. Inter-island flights connect one Hawaiian island to the next. Between Maui, Oahu, Honolulu, Kauai, Hawaii, or the Big Island, planes and boats are available. The island of Hawaii, sometimes known as the Big Island, is the newest and largest of the Hawaiian islands. Hundreds of daily flights connect the six main islands.
The Napali Coast, which has some of Hawaii’s most gorgeous coastlines and is a must-see on Kauai, is only accessible by boat or helicopter tour. Hiking, seeing waterfalls, stunning gardens and beaches, and seeing dolphins are all available on Kauai (Na Pali Coast). Be prepared for quiet nights if you’re vacationing on Kauai. In addition, there are no large cities or tourist centers for shopping on Maui, such as Waikiki or Lahaina. All around the island, there are little areas of retail and eateries.
Three weeks is plenty of time to combine the large island with two smaller islands, which is exactly what we did. Alternatively, you may take it easy on the three tiny islands. Whatever choice you select, you’ll have visited some incredible sites after three weeks of island hopping in Hawaii.
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