How To Island Hop In Hawaii
How to island hop in Hawaii
An archipelago made up of over 100 islands, atolls and small islets, the US state of Hawaii is the ultimate Pacific Ocean paradise. And while only six of Hawaii’s islands are open to overnight visitors, that still leaves a multitude of possibilities when planning your itinerary! Island hopping in Hawaii is a popular way to see as much as possible of this tropical holiday destination, but where do you start? Here we’ll share the lowdown on the best way to island hop in Hawaii.
All wrapped up: Hawaii island hopping packages
If you only have a limited amount of time to explore the islands of Hawaii, an island hopping package is a great option. It means you don’t have to think about transfers or timings: all of that is sorted out for you.
There are various island hopping packages available, with guided day trips taking in a ‘hop’ to just one of Hawaii’s main islands, and other more extensive excursions allowing you to explore multiple island destinations. There are even helicopter flights available for visits to the remoter, more far-flung isles.
Choose your own adventure: navigating Hawaii’s islands yourself
If you choose to go island hopping in Hawaii under your own steam, there are a few important things to consider.
● Transit time: think carefully about how much of your holiday you are prepared to spend travelling. While flight times between islands are typically around 30 minutes, realistically you’ll need to factor in a few hours per journey to include check in time, plus transit to and from the airport. The main message? The more destinations you visit, the less time there is to chill on the beach.
● Expense is another consideration. Island hopping in Hawaii is easy by plane, but every trip you take will eat into your budget.
● Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines and Southwest Airlines all offer regular flights between the islands. Check with each operator for information on prices and baggage fees.
● Looking for an alternative to island hopping by plane? Travel by ferry is possible between the islands of Maui and Lanai. Or you could consider a Hawaiian cruise for a more leisurely trip.
Top tips to get the best out of island hopping in Hawaii
You can already tick off two of the main requirements for your island hopping vacation: curiosity and a sense of adventure! But there’s more you’ll need to know to have the best time exploring these amazing islands.
● Understand what type of holiday you enjoy, and plan your itinerary accordingly. Love to stay on the move? Island hopping is ideal for you. Want a more relaxed pace? Consider visiting just two islands, so there’s still plenty of time to unwind.
● Tourist attractions, or off the beaten track? If you’re after some alone time in a beautiful island backdrop, Hawaii’s quieter islands, such as Lanai and Molokai, could be just what you’re looking for.
● Travel light, with just hand luggage if you can. This will save valuable time at the airport and free you up to enjoy the islands.
● Some people wonder which order is the best way to visit Hawaii’s islands. As flight times and prices are similar on all the islands, there isn’t a clear winner. But if, like most people, you are arriving in Hawaii at Honolulu Airport (on the island of Oahu), this will be your island hopping base.
A guide to Hawaii’s main islands
Although Hawaii is made up of many smaller atolls and islets, there are just eight major islands. Three of these - Maui, Big Island and Kauai - are the most visited and best set up for holidaymakers.
Maui
For your first stop, we highly recommend visiting the stunning island of Maui.
The clear blue waters and broad spectrum of exotic sealife makes it the ideal destination for a spot of snorkelling. Swimming alongside turtles and
experiencing the beauty of Maui’s coral reefs is certainly one way to make your island-hopping experience unforgettable.
If staying on land is more your forte, check out the famous Road to Hana. Visiting the most legendary areas of Maui with a knowledgeable guide is one of the best ways to experience the island. Learn about the rich history associated with each spot where the Gods made their mark, and historic battles were fought.
Big Island
From Maui to Big Island. After a couple of days experiencing Maui, we recommend taking a short flight to Big Island. Named Hawaii island but nicknamed for its relatively large size, Big Island is famous for its iconic black sand beaches and breathtaking volcanos. Being one of the only places where you can see an active volcano up close, we recommend viewing this impressive landmark on a boat - or by air via helicopter.
Another must-see attraction in Big Island is the seahorse farm. Where else would you be able to hold a seahorse in your hand?
The seahorse farm tour fee goes toward conservation and research for endangered sea life species.
Kauai
After experiencing the immense black sand beaches and active volcanoes of Big Island, we recommend travelling to Kauai.
Taking a sailing trip along the Napali coast is the perfect location for some whale spotting. Travelling this colourful, rugged coast by boat also gives you the chance to enjoy a snorkelling stop to spectate the beautiful sea life below.
Another Kauai hotspot is Wailua Falls. This spectacular waterfall is most recognisable for appearing in the opening credits of the long-running TV show “Fantasy island”.
What’s a Hawaiian holiday without rum? Try a variety of Koloa’s premium rum, ready-to-drink cocktails, jams, jellies and rum cakes at the Koloa Rum Company. Situated on the Kilohana Plantation, guests can enjoy award winning local rum - delicious!
Making the most of your USA holiday
If island hopping in Hawaii is all about seeing as much as you can, then why not go all out with a multi centre Hawaiian holiday? Experience the contrast between a beach break in Hawaii and a buzzing city destination such as LA or San Francisco. Visiting Hawaii as part of a multi-centre holiday means you can tick off bucket list destinations and make unforgettable memories all in one trip.
Los Angeles
To make the most out of your American holiday, we recommend first visiting Los Angeles - famous for its glitz and glamour.
Before enjoying the tranquillity of Hawaii, why not immerse yourself in the excitement of Universal Studios, the iconic Walk of Fame or the bustling LA Dodger Stadium?
LA is a prime location for both couples and families alike. Whether you’re looking to soak up the Californian sunshine, experience the original Disneyland parks or taste the faultless fine-dining, there’s a huge amount to see and do before setting off to island hop through Hawaii.
San Francisco
Before packing up and going home, San Francisco is a must-visit US destination.
Rich with historical landmarks and unique character, San Fran is home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge - built in 1937. This amazing US holiday destination is also home to Alcatraz Island, made famous by the prison that once housed the likes of Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. Tourists can now get a tour of this fascinating island accessible by ferry.
One of the best ways to navigate this hilly city is by cable car. This charming mode of transport, invented nearly 150 years ago, is now a National Historic Landmark (while also being a handy way to travel the city).
There are three cable car lines to choose from:
- Two start at Powell and Market and continue to the Fisherman's Wharf area
- One starts at California and Market and continues to Van Ness Avenue
LA, Hawaii and San Francisco Multi-Centre Holidays
Make the most out of your US vacation by visiting a range of bucket-list destinations.
Viva Holidays offers the ultimate US multi centre packages, where you can choose a variety of different locations for your trip.
Contact us
Can’t wait for your island hopping adventure in Hawaii? To get started planning your trip, just contact us at Viva Holidays. Call our holiday team on 0808 239 6046 or 0203 993 0036 to book your trip today.
