Hawaiian Island Hopper | Maui to Honolulu

Days 1-4

Maui

Your first island will be Maui as there are good connecting flights from the UK to the island. Maui, the second largest island, is synonymous with whale-watching and pristine sand beaches, and not only white sand, but black and red too. Recovering from the disastrous fires of August 2023, you can still enjoy snorkelling, diving, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddle boarding from many of the island’s glorious beaches and you can be sure of a great welcome. The Hawaiian Islands are the principal winter breeding grounds for the North Pacific humpback whale population. Each winter and spring, approximately half of the North Pacific humpback whales, representing thousands of animals, visit the waters around the Hawaiian Islands, including sanctuary waters. Here they breed, give birth and nurse their young: Frontier can organise a whale-watching boat trip for you or a romantic sunset dinner sail.

While not essential, as we can organise transfers from the airport to your hotel, renting a car is a good option if you want to explore the island. If you would rather someone else did the driving there are organised excursions that you can join to Hana and Haleakala. The road across the island to Hana is a spectacular drive; you can swim at many secluded waterfalls along the way such as Twin Falls, bathe on a black-sand beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park and explore the ocean caves. Although a very early start, sunrise at the dormant Volcano Haleakala is a must-see experience as the sun rises through the clouds. The Haleakala State Park is home to over 1,000 different species of plant life. During the 38-mile ascent you will view the magnificent silver sword plant, found nowhere else on earth, and pass ancient sacred locations and breath taking views.

Maui, like all the islands, is proud of its culinary offerings. Expect to enjoy farm-to-table cuisine and fresh seafood being menu staples. Do not miss the chance to experience a luau, where you can taste native Hawaiian dishes, listen to local music and watch the famous hula dancers with a spectacular sunset as your backdrop.

4 nights Maui

Days 5-8

Maui to Hawaii

Take the short hop from Maui to the big Island of Hawaii where there are a host of activities to enjoy if you can tear yourselves away from the turquoise waters bounded by striking beaches. Go snorkelling with sea turtles, which are called “honu,” in Kailua-Kona’s shallow lagoons or head to Waimea, which is cowboy country, to trek over lush nature areas and ranches via horseback or ATV.

Hike through a forest in Waipi’o Valley to journey past black sand shores, waterfalls and mystical- looking craters with steaming vents. For more volcanic activity, explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Marvel at two active volcanoes here; one of them, Mauna Loa, is the biggest in the world. Drive over lava on Chain of Craters Road before visiting the park’s Jaggar Museum and Volcano Art Centre. To really get a “bird’s eye view”, we recommend taking a helicopter tour: expensive but so worth it. As in Maui, you can hire a car to explore the island on your own or we can organise tours to most of the highlights of the island.

4 nights Hawaii

Days 9-12

Hawaii to Kauai

Fly from Hawaii to Kauai for your penultimate island experience. The “Garden Island” was made popular in movies and as its moniker suggests is known for its lush landscape. Waimea Canyon (nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) boasts cascading waterfalls, lush valleys, and dramatic views. Hike through hidden rainforests or take a helicopter tour for an unforgettable perspective. Koke’e State Park offer hikes featuring Waipoo Falls and sweeping views of the Kalalau Valley. Walk through a rainforest, fish for trout or explore the natural history museum. Kayak through Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park for dramatic views of the “pali,” or cliffs or if you want to challenge yourself hike the 10.5- mile coastal Kalalau Trail, one of the world’s most scenic. If all of this just sounds too much, relax on Poipu Beach on the southern coast, a paradise for surfers, swimmers and snorkellers. If you wish, we can organise all kinds of excursions including an escorted scuba/snorkel tour, a movie tour visiting some of movie locations for films and TV including Jurassic Park, Elvis’ Blue Hawai’i and Descendants amongst others, a sunset/dinner cruise, a paddle Jungle stream on the Wailua River or a Luau. A luau is a traditional Hawaiian feast and celebration, usually accompanied by vibrant cultural performances. It’s a chance to experience the beauty of Hawaiian culture through food, music, dance, and stories and you really should attend at least one during your Hawaiian odyssey.

4 nights Kauai

Days 13-16

Kauai to Honolulu

A fifteen-minute flight takes you to Honolulu on Oahu, the most populous island in the archipelago. A transfer will take you to the vibrant resort of Waikiki Beach. A two-mile stretch of golden sand lined with excellent hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs. Stroll down Kalakaua Avenue, the bustling heart of Waikiki, for world-class shopping and art galleries. Away from the beach do visit Diamond Head for stunning views of Waikiki, Pearl Harbour and the Polynesian Cultural Centre. Don’t forget to look after yourself too: perhaps luxuriate in a spa using local ingredients and techniques.

4 nights Honolulu

Day 17

Honolulu

It is all over. We will organise a transfer to Honolulu Airport for your early flight back to the UK via one of the mainland US states. Please do ask us if you would like to break the journey anywhere. Possibilities include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and New York.