100% customisable travel idea
Aloha State Island-Hopping in Hawaii
United States - Hawaii - Oahu - Kauai - Big Island - Maui
100% customisable travel idea
United States - Hawaii - Oahu - Kauai - Big Island - Maui
100% customisable for you
Flight to Honolulu, on the island of O?ahu. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and stay for three nights in Waikiki. You will love this accommodation for its urban chic, a nod to the mid-century modern architectural style of the 1960s, which sets it apart from the standard Honolulu resorts. It features spacious, comfortable rooms, with a décor that takes its cues from surf culture. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and ideal location near the centre of Honolulu, not far from the beach. The restaurant serves delicious Hawaiian-Japanese fusion dishes. The pool and bar club are great places to chill.
O?ahu is the most vibrant island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Waikiki Beach will captivate you with its exuberant energy and its trendy bars, restaurants, fashion boutiques, and American-style skyscrapers. But you'll soon want to venture further afield to enjoy the rest of the island, which is less crowded.
In your itinerary - Diamond Head electric bike tour. The crater of this spectacular volcanic formation rises over Waikiki Beach. With electric bikes you can easily reach the summit (6 miles [11 km] by bike and 1 mile [1.6 km] on foot) and marvel at the panoramic views of Honolulu, the coast and the surrounding landscapes. The return journey takes you along Monsarrat Avenue, an opportunity to stop for lunch at one of its friendly, laid-back spots.
Not to be missed - Kailua and the east coast of O?ahu, driving along the southern coastline. Along the way, there is no shortage of beaches where you can stop. Sandy Beach Park is a large stretch of fine sand popular with surfers. Makapu?u Beach is in the small bay that you can see from the viewpoint of the same name. Kaiona Beach Park is home to a beautiful strip of sand bordered by calm waters. At Bellows Field Beach Park the turquoise blue of the sea is backed by pine trees. Then there's Lanikai Beach, named the most beautiful beach on O?ahu and finally Kailua Beach. This beach borders the seaside town of Kailua, which, with its palm trees, sand dunes and calm waters, is like picture postcard of Hawai‘i. Stroll through the streets of Downtown and maybe do a bit of shopping, then head to the market to sample the island's food, or duck into one of the friendly breweries in the centre.
Not to be missed - Culinary tour of Hale?iwa. On the North Shore, one hour from Honolulu, Hale?iwa grew up around the sugar cane plantations that flourished here in the early 20th century. A hundred years later, it is renowned as one of the world's surfing capitals, but for non surfers, Hale?iwa is more about its warm welcome and culinary delights! The town is full of food trucks selling food from all over the world.
Things to see and do - Hike the Koko Crater Trail, a path that leads to the top of Koko Head Crater (with a 885 feet [270 metre] climb). Your effort is rewarded with spectacular views over Hanauma Bay, which are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Stroll through Hale?iwa, the world's surfing capital. Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Attend a traditional show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Bask on more than 124 miles (200 km) of beaches, including Hanauma Bay, known as "the most beautiful beach in the world" and best visited at dawn to avoid the crowds.
Short flight to Lihue, on the island of Kaua?i (45 minutes). Pick up a new rental car and stay for three nights in Kapa?a, on the east coast, a great base for exploring the island. Your delightful beachfront accommodation is comfortable and modern. You will love the large outdoor infinity pool with ocean views, the hot tub and the wide selection of bars and restaurants.
Known as the "Garden Isle", Kaua?i is the island with the largest number of Native Hawaiians. It is also the most unspoilt island and a veritable paradise for hikers. You will never tire of exploring the island, especially around Waimea Canyon, the largest canyon in the Pacific, or along the wild Na Pali Coast, with its sea caves, waterfalls, white sand beaches and cliffs.
In your itinerary - Na Pali Coast zodiac boat tour. The north coast of Kaua?i is lined with waterfalls, caves and steep cliffs shaped by the sea and wind. Accessible only by sea, this coastline has preserved its original beauty. On this zodiac boat tour you get up close to the coast to see the caves, dive under waterfalls, and swim in turquoise waters to observe the vibrant marine life. Depending on the season, you might spot dolphins, turtles and even whales!
For lunch, Hanapepe in the south of the island is a popular choice. This small town with its colourful houses has a few shops selling local arts and crafts and unpretentious family restaurants serving carefully prepared local dishes. On certain days, the town is livelier than usual. Market days are busy and open house events at galleries and artists' studios attract lots of people.
Not to be missed - Maha?ulepu Heritage Trail, a short path running along the southern side of Keoneloa Bay that leads to the beautiful Maha?ulepu Beach, near Kawailoa Bay. The trail winds through pine forests, steep cliffs, natural pools and wild coves, passing several viewpoints where it's not uncommon to spot seals napping, and sometimes even whales between December and March.
Already booked - Ha?ena State Park, for which you have a reserved entry slot. Set on the north shore of Kaua?i, this park has spectacular views of the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. It is where you'll find the start of the famous Kalalau Trail and the path leading to Hanakapi?ai Falls. The hike from Ha?ena to Hanakapi?ai Beach (about 2 hours and 30 minutes) is also very beautiful, perfect for admiring the mountainside vegetation while overlooking the sea.
The rest of the day will likely take you to Koke?e State Park, at the end of Route 550. Here you'll find one of the island's most impressive viewpoints with vast vistas over the Kalalau Valley and the Alakai Swamp. To get the perfect photo, weather permitting, venture further to the edge of the valley. The viewpoint here is also the starting point for the Pihea Trail, which winds for nearly 2.5 miles (4 km) in a loop around the valley.
Optional extra - Private surfing lesson.
Quick flight to Kona, on the Big Island (55 minutes). Pick up the new rental car and stay for two nights in a hotel overlooking Kona seafront and the beach. Tastefully revamped by a renowned international brand, the hotel is fresh and colourful. The rooms, with their décor that pays tribute to Hawaiian culture, are spacious and comfortable. To top it all off, the beach is sheltered with no big waves. Everything you need for that Hawai‘i beach vibe is within walking distance.
A small town on the west coast, Kailua Kona was once the capital for the Hawaiian kings and still preserves some royal residences. Its dreamlike beaches and quintessential seaside atmosphere are perfect for spending your days relaxing or doing lots of activities.
Things to do in and around Captain Cook - Visit a coffee plantation to learn about the different stages of producing this popular beverage; go to Pu?uhonua O Honaunau Historical Park, one of the archipelago's most sacred sites, set on a lava platform surrounded by sand and the Pacific ocean to admire the tikis (wooden idols) and the temple where the region's ancient chiefs found eternal rest; make a detour to Kealakekua for some unusual shopping in a boutique filled with shirts, vinyl records featuring local music, and quirky souvenirs; visit Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, a historic and sacred site criss-crossed by black rock trails leading to a dried-up lake, small natural pools, and Honokohau Beach, home to fascinating sea turtles easily spotted from the shore.
Optional extras - At the end of the day, climb to the summit of Mauna Kea and do some stargazing nearly 14,009 feet (4,270 metres) above sea level; go snorkelling in Kealakekua Bay.
Drive to Hawai‘i Volcano National Park (2 hours), in the southern part of the island. Along the way, be sure to stop at Akaka Falls State Park at the end of Route 220. This park is home to the famous Kahuna Falls and Akaka Falls, which you reach after a beautiful, but challenging walk through tropical vegetation.
Stay for two nights near Volcano Village, a small community perched at 3,280 feet (1,000 metres) above sea level on the slopes of Kilauea volcano, in the midst of a dense, humid tropical forest. Your accommodation is a charming wood and stone lodge built in 1941. The fireplace in the centre of the lounge and the rustic atmosphere make it feel a bit like lodges in European national parks, with the added touch of tropical magic.
Hawai‘i Volcano National Park encompasses two of the world's most impressive volcanoes. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet and Mauna Loa is the highest at 13,680 feet (4,170 metres). The spectacular natural landscapes and geological activity make this region truly fascinating and remind you of the immense power of nature. The frequent rain on the island does nothing to disrupt wildlife watching or the sight of the magnificent lava flows, some of which, still glowing red, plunge into the ocean.
In your itinerary - Private tour of Hawai‘i Volcano National Park, with a local, an expat artist who has lived on Big Island for many years. They will be your guide as you discover Hawaiian culture and explore the national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape, shaped by volcanic eruptions and lava flows, is full of striking geological formations. The park is also home to rare birds and endemic species, along with forests of giant ferns.
Flight to Kahului, on the island of Maui (40 minutes). Pick up your rental car and drive to Hana, on the east of the island, set alone at the end of a vast tropical forest. To get there, take the stunning Hana Highway, with no fewer than 620 curves and 59 bridges. Stay for one night in a little corner of paradise that perfectly reflects the town's tranquillity and beauty. You will love strolling along the small adjoining beach at sunrise.
In your itinerary - Wai?anapanapa State Park, for which you have a reserved entry slot. Start your tour of the park at the famous black sand beach, which you can admire from a viewpoint or take a pleasant walk along the shore, where you can also see a lava tunnel. Hike the Pi‘ilani Trail, a rugged coastal path shaped by lava, to enjoy spectacular views of the coastline and the slopes of Haleakala.
Drive to Ka‘anapali Beach on the southern route, which has plenty of exceptional places to stop on the way. A few suggestions are Koki Beach, Wailua Falls, photogenic Pipiwai Trail and its bamboo forest and the Alelele Falls viewpoint.
Stay for two nights on Napili Bay, right on one of Maui's most beautiful beaches. Your hotel features mainly studios and a few rooms set in a U-shape around the pool and garden. Your accommodation is well equipped with a kitchen and a terrace. There is no television and no phone, as the focus here is on switching off. Barbecues are available for guests around the small outdoor swimming pool. And just a few steps away is the beach.
In your itinerary - Outrigger canoe tour. Glide along the beautiful south coast of Maui in a traditional Hawaiian canoe. Your paddling will take you to a site that is perfect for snorkelling and much loved by turtles, which you can observe up close.
Not to be missed - La Perouse Bay and Makena State Park. You have to cross a large lava field to reach La Perouse Bay, named after the first European to set foot on Maui in the 18th century. The bay's dramatic landscape was formed by Haleakala's last eruption. The black lava and white coral create a stark contrast against the green backdrop. Makena State Park is also well worth a stop, if only to enjoy Big Beach, a tempting spot for swimming (with lifeguards), surfing, and many other water activities.
Things to do and experience - Hike the trails of the West Maui Forest Reserve on the slopes of Pu?u Kukui; walk through Iao Valley beneath vegetation-covered lava spires; explore Haleakala National Park and its massive volcano; marvel at the feats of surfers who come to ride some of the world's wildest waves; drive along the coast to discover small fishing harbours and sugarcane fields.
Optional extra - Molokini zodiac boat and snorkelling tour.
Your flight is scheduled for late in the evening, so you have one last day to explore, which you can spend in the Upcountry, Maui's highlands and home to the paniolos. These Hawaiian cowboys have lived here since the 19th century, following a lifestyle worthy of the best Westerns, with their boots in their stirrups and Stetsons firmly on their heads. It's a unique culture that you would not expect to find on a Pacific island. Makawao, the capital of this tropical Wild West, is also home to a vibrant community of artists. Painters, glassblowers and wood sculptors all display their creations in various galleries. And there's another growing group. Yogis stroll through the streets, with yoga mats under their arms and carrying freshly pressed juices. The Upcountry is nothing if not surprising.
At the end of the day, drive to Kahului airport, return the car, and take your international flight home. Arrival two days later.
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