Aloha (Hello). So you have a month holiday and you have decided to spend it in Hawaii – lucky you! Hawaii is one of my favourite places on the planet to visit and I have visited many times. I’m attracted to Hawaii for many reasons. I love its great weather, beautiful beaches with crystal clear water, breathtaking scenery, indigenous Hawaiian culture, an interesting history, magnificent sunsets over the ocean and fabulous food. In this post, I am going to list the best things to see and do during your visit to the Hawaiian Islands. Whether you are visiting Hawaii on a family trip, backpacking Hawaii or honeymooning in Hawaii, this itinerary has something for all. You will visit 6 Hawaiian Islands – Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. So let’s get into it, here’s my suggested 1 month Hawaiian island hopping itinerary.  

Of course, if you don’t have 1 month available to spend in Hawaii you can always reduce the time you spend on each island to a 3 week Hawaiian itinerary or a 2 week Hawaiian Island itinerary. If you only have one week in Hawaii, I would suggest you spend most of your time on Oahu, the main island and maybe include a day trip or two to the other islands.

Quick Hawaiian Facts

How to Get to Hawaii – As Hawaii is surrounded by ocean, the best way to get to Hawaii is to fly. To compare airfares and to get a airfare great deal check out Skyscanner.
Where to Stay – Hawaii has plenty of accommodation options available. From hostels to budget, mid-range and splurge hotels and resorts to apartments. Hawaii has it all. I have listed some accommodation further in the post for each island. In general, research properties on Booking.com.
How to Get Around – There are plenty of options to get around Hawaii. From walking to the Waikiki Trolley to renting a car to going on an organised day trip organised through GetYourGuide.
Do you need holiday insurance for Hawaii? – You bet. Take out Holiday Insurance as you just don’t know what could happen – Get a quote from World Nomads here.
Wear Reef Safe sunscreen!
How Many Hawaiian Islands 137, with 7 inhabited – we visit 6 on this 1 Month trip.
Useful words to know: Aloha – hello, Mahalo – thank you.

Where is Hawaii?

The Hawaiian Islands are found in the Pacific Ocean. They are an archipelago of around 137 islands but only 7 of the largest islands are inhabited. Hawaii is the 50th State of the United States of America and is the only state outside of mainland USA. The Hawaiian islands are home to some 1.5 million people with most of them living and working on the main island of Oahu.

When is the Best Time to Visit Hawaii?

The weather is pretty near perfect all year round in Hawaii so anytime is a good time to visit Hawaii. However, many consider the weather before arranging their visit.

Summer in Hawaii is the months of June, July and August. Weather is hot and fabulous during this time. It is also school holiday time so there are many visitors holidaying in the Hawaiian islands. This can make accommodation and transport costs more expensive and there will be plenty of people around wanting to discover Hawaii.

Fall in Hawaii is the months of September, October and November. Weather is pleasant in Hawaii during these months. And even though rain can happy any time, particularly on the windward (north-eastern) side of the islands, November is the beginning of the rainy season.

Winter in Hawaii is the months of December, January and February. These are the ‘off season’ months to visit Hawaii when there are less crowds, great deals on accommodation and the weather is nice.

Spring in Hawaii is the months of March, April, May. The rainy season is usually ending around March, with temperatures beginning to rise. This is a great time to visit Hawaii as the crowds haven’t arrived yet and there can be great deals on Hawaiian accommodation and other services. My family always visited in May, as this is when my dad had his holiday, and the weather was always sunny and warm. I also visited Hawaii solo in November one time and the weather was warm and sunny also. So I think any time is a good time to visit Hawaii.

How Much Money to Take on this 1 month Hawaiian Island Hopping holiday?

To work out how much it will cost to visit Hawaii for 30 days or so, I suggest you create a budget. As everyone comes to Hawaii for different reasons, like backpacking Hawaii, honeymooning in Hawaii or a Hawaiian family vacation, everyone has a different budget. List potential costs of your Hawaiian holiday out as follows:

Airfare or transport to Hawaii _____
Transport option from the airport to your Hawaiian accommodation _____
Transport cost to travel around Hawaii _____
Hawaiian accommodation 28 nights @ _____
Food _____ Is breakfast included in accommodation stay?
Extras _____ ie. entrance fees to museums and other sites
Travel Insurance ______.

TIP: Purchase as much as possible before you arrive then you don’t have to worry about taking extra money or worse, run out of money.

TIP 2: Read my post on How to Save Money for Your Travels to help you get to Hawaii faster.

And how will you take your money on your Hawaiian holiday? Take cash, credit and debit cards to give you the flexibility to pay for things.

Is One Month in Hawaii long enough?

Spending one month in Hawaii is long enough to visit the country. One month will allow you to visit all the best parts of Hawaii. The capital of Honolulu and allow island hopping. But the longer you have, the more you will be able to see and do in Hawaii.

Which is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit

On this one month Hawaiian Island itinerary we visit 6 of the islands. Each island is beautiful and unique and offers something different to discover. I don’t believe one island is better than the other – but after visiting the islands on this Hawaiian holiday itinerary, you may end up with a favourite island! This is why we island-hop on this 1 month Hawaiian itinerary – so you can experience as much of Hawaii as possible. And you can choose how you want to travel around the islands.

Hawaii 1 Month Vacation at a Glance

This 1 month Hawaiian island itinerary includes visits to 6 of the Hawaiian islands. I wouldn’t say it is action packed, but there is something to see and do every day. Plus, there is lots of relaxing by the pool or swimming, surfing or snorkelling in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This is a quick glance at how I suggest you spend your one month Hawaiian vacation.

Days
1 – 10 – Oahu (10 days)
11 – 14 – Kauai (4 days)
15 – 21 – Maui (7 days – includes 1 day trip to Lanai, and 1 day trip to Molokai).
22 – 26 – Hawaii (5 days)
27 – 28 – Oahu (1-3 days depending on when you depart).

Be Greeted with a Traditional Hawaiian lei

Many people opt to be greeted at a Hawaiian airport with a traditional Hawaiian lei. While this is special and exciting, they can be expensive. You can find fresh leis at a local grocer for around a 1/4 of the price. So before anyone puts a lei on you, check if it is free first!

How to Travel Between Hawaiian Islands

Is it easy to island hop in Hawaii? Yes, it’s easy and really quick but travelling between neighbouring Hawaiian Islands is limited to inter-island flights. There is one ferry service that sails between Maui and Lanai a few times per day. On this itinerary, due to the cost of the inter-island airfares I have included day visits to a couple of the islands. This will help keep costs of the holiday down by eliminating two flights and accommodation on two of the islands.

Interisland Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is a great option to help you island hop. Visit their website here to get interisland fares.
Mokulele Airlines operates many flights between 7 of the Hawaiian island cities. Visit their website here to get interisland fares.
Southwest Airlines also offer inter-island Hawaiian flights. Visit their website here to get interisland fares. 

What to Pack for your Hawaiian Holiday?

Clothes worn in Hawaii are very casual, mainly due to the hot and steamy weather. So shorts and t-shirts are fine to wear during the day. At night, it will depend on what you are doing and where you are going, but nice casual evening clothes are a good investment.

READ MORE: What to Pack for a Hawaiian Beach Holiday

1 Month Hawaiian Islands Itinerary

Days 1-10 – Oahu – Hawaii’s Main Island

Get to know Waikiki by taking a walk along the foreshore

If this is your first time to the Hawaiian Islands? Kick this 1 month Hawaiian Island hopping itinerary on the main island of Oahu. Here you will find Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii and the famous Waikiki Beach.

Where to Stay on Oahu

The best place to stay in Oahu is around Honolulu or Waikiki Beach. Accommodation in this are is very central, and it is easy to do day trips from here. They are also great places just to chill out and relax after a long day sightseeing or lazing on the beach. Book your accommodation on Oahu for 9 nights.

Hostel: The best places to stay in Hawaii on a budget are in a hostel. For a bed in a hostel room I can recommend the Polynesian Hostel Beach Club. A girlfriend and I stayed there for a few nights and it had everything we needed for our stay on Oahu. Get pricing and availability for the Polynesian Hostel Beach Club here.
Hotel: My family stayed in this hotel for most of our visits to Hawaii – the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. This hotel is a very family friendly Hawaiian hotel. Only a couple of blocks from the beach with great views, this is my favourite hotel in Waikiki to stay at. Get pricing and availability for the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort here.
Splurge Resort: Hawaii is one of the best places to splurge on accommodation, particularly if you are honeymooning in Hawaii. Top of the list is the pink Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach. Get pricing and availability for the Royal Hawaiin here. The other resort would be the Hilton Hawaiian which I have seen as the filming location of the TV show Hawaii Five 0 and the backdrop of other tv shows and movies. The Hilton Hawaiian is right on Waikiki Beach. Get pricing and availability for the Hilton Hawaiian here.

Where to Eat and Drink in Honolulu

There are many places to eat in Waikiki and Honolulu from fast food stores to fine restaurants. Some of my favourites are Duke’s in the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Hotel and the Lilhia Bakery located on the third level of the International Market Place. However, I am sure you will discover many places to your liking yourself. I also love the flavoured shaved ice on a hot day and you cannot come to Hawaii and not try a Mai Tai or Blue Hawaii at one of the bars.

How to Get Around Honolulu and Waikiki

The best way to get around Honolulu and Waikiki is to walk. Everything is relatively close. You can use the public bus system, known as ’TheBus’ and I found it very good. Services were frequent and it only cost a few dollars to travel. You can get to many tourist spots, like Pearl Harbour using the public bus system, however, it will take longer because of the stops and route the bus takes. Lastly, you can use the hop on, hop off Waikiki Trolley. A little more expensive than the public bus system however, it does come with narration so if it is your first time to Waikiki and Honolulu, you can learn a lot from the Waikiki Trolley. Don’t bother renting a car to get around as the Waikiki and Honolulu area are compact and a car is not necessary. Rent one if you want to go to places on the island.

What to See and Do on Oahu

I have listed lots of things to see and do on Oahu following. Some things take a few hours while others can take the whole day. I will let you choose where you want to spend your time during your 9 days on Oahu.

Get to know the beaches of Waikiki

Waikiki Beach is a two-mile long sandy expanse with nine separate beaches. Though you can go to any of the beaches, one of the easiest to access is Fort DeRussy Beach. It’s a great place, as are all the beaches to dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean. Visit the ‘Duke Kahanamoku’ statue on Kūhiō Beach. Duke was born in 1890 and grew up swimming and surfing in Waikiki. He won gold medals at the Olympics and is known as ‘the father of modern surfing’.

Duke’s Statue at Waikiki Beach

Perhaps rent a surf board, stand up paddle board or kayak and get out on the water or just soak up the sunshine at Waikiki. Keep on walking and you will end up at Honolulu Zoo and Kapi’olani Regional Park at the base of Diamond Head.

Walk Kalākaua Avenue

The main street in Waikiki is Kalākaua Avenue. It stretches from Ala Moana down to Kapiʻolani Regional Park. This is a thriving thoroughfare lined with palm trees and jam-packed with malls, restaurants and skyscraper hotels. It is abuzz day and night with people and a must visit on any trip to Honolulu. You may even be staying in one of the hotels along it! Pop into an ABC Store to stock up on things you might need while in Hawaii. They are small convenience stores scattered across Honolulu providing sunscreen, souvenirs and some grocery items. Also visit the International Market Place which is an open-air shopping centre at 2330 Kalākaua Avenue. There are around 100 shops, stalls and restaurants here.

Pearl Harbour National Memorial

Funnel of sunken USS Arizona

On a first-time visit to Hawaii, a must-visit is to the Pearl Harbour National Memorial. Located about a 25-minute drive from Waikiki, Pearl Harbour was scene of the horrific bombing in World War II by the Japanese. The site has three museums to visit but the most emotional part is catching a boat to the USS Arizona Memorial. This memorial lies on the water over the sunken USS Arizona with those who went down with the ship entombed inside. Budget to spend about half a day here. It is best to organise your visit in advance as tours are timed and have a limit to visitors.

Book Your Visit to Pearl Harbour National Memorial here >>>

Hike to the top of Diamond Head

Diamond Head, a volcanic cone, dominates Waikiki’s eastern landscape. As well as being a backdrop for over Waikiki, if you hike to the top of Diamond Head you will be treated with sweeping views of Honolulu and eastern Oahu. You can walk from Waikiki to the Diamond Head trailhead, but it may be worth getting a lift to the park entrance because even though the hike is short, it is steep and unshaded. As you can imagine, this is a popular thing to do when visiting Waikiki. In an effort to resolve trail overcrowding, you will need to make a timed reservation to access the trail.

Swim and Snorkel Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is about one hour north of Honolulu. Some people make a quick visit on their ‘around Oahu island tour’. But this place, a blown out flooded volcano head is full of crystal clear water, white sand and beautiful coloured fish and is a great place to swim and snorkel.

Me enjoying Hanauma Bay

Book Your Visit to Hanauma Bay here >>>

Views Over Oahu at Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

I would choose to visit Nu’uanu Pali Lookout as a stop while on an island tour. However, you can visit on its own as it is a five-mile drive northeast of Honolulu. You will drive along the Pali Highway through tall trees to arrive at the lookout. Pali is Hawaiian for cliff, and this is where you will be at the top of a cliff face. As well as providing fabulous views there is great historical significance to this site. This is the site of the Battle of Nuʻuanu, where in 1795 King Kamehameha I won the struggle that finally united Oʻahu under his rule. The battle was fierce and it is said, the strong winds that you will feel there were created by many soldiers falling and jumping off the cliff face as they lost their life or refused to follow Kamehameha. It is free to enter the lookout though there is a $7 parking fee.

Hold on to your ‘wigs’ at the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

Take a Day Tour Around the Island

Either rent a car or book a trip around the island of Oahu. This trip will show you some breathtaking coastal and mountain scenery. First stop the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout. As you near the bottom of the mountain turn right and follow the lush coastline of the North Shore – famed for its fabulous surf at beaches such as Sunset Beach. Stop to hike to the Waimea Falls at Waimea Bay. Call into the Polynesian Cultural Centre and discover about the indigenous Hawaiians and maybe stay for an evening luau here. Visit Halona Beach, famed for being the beach where the love scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, in the movie From Here to Eternity was filmed. Visit a pineapple farm and see the pineapples growing and being harvested.

Hike to Waimea Falls and see Halona Bay on a tour of the island

Book Your Tour Around Oahu here >>>

Polynesian Cultural Centre

Wander through 42 acres of tropical splendour and discover the culture from six different island nations – Fiji, Tonga, Aotearoa, Tahiti, Samoa and Hawaii. It is open from 12.30pm to 6pm however, you can book to dine at an authentic Polynesian luau that is topped off with a show of dancing from the islands.

Walk around Downtown Honolulu

Visit Iolani Palace, home of Hawaii’s last monarchs, the palace only dates back to 1882, which means it only served as a royal residence for nine years before the monarchy’s overthrow. Hawaii’s final monarch, Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned in one of the palace’s upstairs bedroom for eight months in 1895 after loyalists tried to restore her to the throne. Today this stunningly beautiful building is a lovely place to learn about Hawaiian history. You may also recognise it as the headquarters of the TV show, Hawaii Five-0. Also see the King Kamamaha Statue and the Hawaii State Capital Building. He was the King who united the islands.

Iolani Palace

Shop till you drop at Ala Moana Centre

The Ala Moana Centre is Honolulu’s shopping capital. It is an open-air center featuring some 355 stores. From all the major American stores plus loads of boutiques to discover. There are also plenty of eateries from fast quick service restaurants to sit down restaurants. The centre is open from 10am to 8pm daily. And if there around 5pm, there is a Hula Show everyday on the centre stage at this time. Ala Moana Centre can be reached from some Waikiki hotels by walking, by bus or the Waikiki Trolley.

Visit Kualoa Ranch

A visit to Kualoa Ranch will show you where movies such as Jurassic Park and Jurassic World were filmed. I’m sure you will recognise the scenery. You can visit this independently or on an island tour.

Go on a Luau

There are many places to experience a luau – a traditional Hawaiian party or feast. The food is cooked the traditional way – buried in hot coals in the ground plus lots of local fruits and salads. There will be traditional hula dancing and a good time had by all. Maybe try a Blue Hawaii or Mai Tai – two drinks you must try.

Book Your Luau Ticket for the Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Shower at the Aloha Tower here >>>

Visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in the Punchbowl

Punchbowl is another volcanic cone just north of downtown Honolulu. Here you will find more than 60,000 military members who have been laid to rest. After paying your respects, head to the south rim of Punchbowl for fabulous views over Honolulu.

Days 11-14 Kauai – The Garden Isle (4 nights)

Na Pali Coastline – best seen from the air or ocean

Leave Oahu for 5 days on the island of Kauai – Flight time: Honolulu, Oahu to Lihue, Kauai – 25 minutes

Kauai is known as the Garden Isle because most of it is covered by tropical rainforest. It is the northern-most island in the Hawaiian chain and the oldest. After arriving, check into your accommodation and take a wonder around your resort and venture out to see what is around. During the next few days you could do the following while visiting the island of Kauai.

Where to Stay on Kauai (book for 4 nights)

Budget-friendly Hotel: Kauai Beach Resort is a good option. Get rates and availability for the Kauai Beach Resort here.
Mid-range to splurge option: the Kauai Marriott Resort is a great option to base yourself while on Kauai. Get rates and availability for the Kauai Marriott Resort here.

Things to See and Do on the Island of Kauai

Unfortunately you cannot do a circle island tour of Kauai as the roads don’t connect, but this gives you the perfect opportunity to visit the main areas. The weather of the day can determine where you will go. If it’s raining on the North Shore, start with the West/South Shore as it is usually sunny there. Keep this in mind when working out the best things to see and do on the island of Kauai.

NaPali Coast

The North Shore of Kauai is famous for its coastline. Visit the dramatic cliffs and pinnacles of its NaPali Coast – this is what brings many people to visit Kauai. You may have seen NaPali as a backdrop in many Hollywood films (South Pacific, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic World) and TV shows (Gilligan’s Island, Fantasy Island, Magnum PI) made in Hawaii. The best way to see this part of Kauai is to take a helicopter ride or a boat trip as from the air or from the sea you get the best angles to see this magnificent area.

Book your flight over the NaPali Coast here >>>>

Waimea Canyon

See the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon on the South Shore of Kauai. It is nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ and is well worth the windy road to get to the viewing platform. If the day is foggy, don’t bother driving to Waimea Canyon as you won’t be able to see much, if anything at all. One of the best ways to see the canyon is from the air.

Book your flight over Waimea Canyon here >>>

Other things to see and do on the island of Kauai include

• Hike the Nounou Trails traversing the Sleeping Giant mountain ridge.

• See the more than 100 years old Kilauea Lighthouse.

• Swim, snorkel, kayak or stand up paddle board at the beaches or relax by a pool. Maybe have a surfing lesson.

• Enjoy the food.

• Shop till you drop at the boutiques at Kukui’ula.

Days 15 – 21 – Maui – The Valley Isle (7 days)

An alternative to 7 days in Maui. Fly to Molokai for a few days, then to Lanai for a few days. From Lanai you can catch the ferry to Maui – the only ferry service between the islands. On this itinerary I have chosen not to stay on the islands of Molokai and Lanai, thus reducing the cost of the trip by eliminating a couple of airfares and accommodation – but to do day trips to them from Maui. But if you would prefer to stay on the islands I suggest flying from Kauai to Molokai then Lanai then catch the ferry (taking about 3 hours) to Maui.

Maui’s famous Black Sand Beach

Leave Kauai for a week on Maui. Flight time: Lihue, Kauai to Kahului, Maui – 49 minutes

Maui is known as ‘The Valley Isle’, and is the second largest Hawaiian island. It is know for the sacred lao Valley and world famous beaches. It’s capital city is Wailuku.

Where to Stay on Maui

Book for 7 nights. The most popular areas for accommodations are Kaanapali and Lahaina on the southwest side and Kihei in central/south. The sunniest and driest side of the island is Kaanapali.

Hostel: Tiki Beach Hostel at the Beach in Lahaina is a popular hostel. Get pricing and availability for a stay at the Tiki Beach Hostel here.
Mid-Range Hotel: The Kaanapoli Ocean Inn is a good mid-range choice. Get pricing and availability for the Kaanapoli Ocean Inn here.
Splurge Hotel: The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas are a good option for splurge accommodation on Maui. Get pricing and availability for a stay at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas here.

What to See and Do on Maui

Visit the Maui Ocean Center

At the Maui Ocean Center you can step over the largest living tropical reef aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. How cool! Experience exhibits and have personal encounters with marine life.

Book Your Day Entrance Ticket to the Maui Ocean Center here >>>

Drive the Scenic Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is one of the top attractions to do on the island of Maui. It is a 64-mile stretch of road that connects Kahului to Hana and is rated one of Hawaii’s best scenic drives. The Hana Highway takes you through tropical rainforests where you will see cascading waterfalls and along the coast taking in gorgeous coastal vistas.

Join a full-day tour of ‘The Road to Hana’ here >>>

Hike to See The Haleakala Crater

The Haleakala Crater, in the Haleakala National Park rises some 10,023 feet above the Pacific Ocean and attracts some 1.5 million visitors. Many climb to the summit to witness spectacular sunrises. It was termed ‘the sublimest spectacle’ by writer, Mark Twain.

Book Your Hike to the Summit of Haleakala Crater here >>>

Visit the Sacred Iao Valley State Park

The Sacred Iao Valley State Park in Maui is home to the famous Iao Needle, a natural rock formation. It holds historical importance as it was used to observe enemy movement in past battles when the islands had their own kings, and before King Kamehameha I united the islands. The 1,200 foot Iao Needle stands proudly in the Iao Valley State Park and is well worth a visit while on the island of Maui.

Other Things to See and Do on Maui

• Tour the Maui Historical Society
• Enjoy the water sports of Lahaina Harbour
• Hike to the Seven Sacred Pools
• Enjoy a Maui Luau
• Laze on the black sand beach, Honokalani
• Snorkel the stunning waters of Honolua Bay Marine Reserve
• Go on a whale watch tour

Day trip to Molokai

Molokai is known as The Friendly Isle. Molokai is the fifth largest island in the Hawaiian island archaepalego. It is also quite tiny being 38 miles long and 10 miles wide at its widest point. A large proportion of the population are of Native Hawaiian ancestry who have preserved their Native culture and way of living. So visiting Molokai can be like stepping back in time. As this island is one of the least developed with only a handful of souvenir shops and tour operators you will be kick back and relax on this island and enjoy the magnificent sea cliff faces with beautiful beaches below and sweeping Pacific Ocean vistas. Molokai is home to Hawaii’s longest continuous fringing reef, so don’t forget that snorkel gear and your reef-safe sunscreen.

Book Your Tour to Molokai here >>>

Day trip to Lanai

Lanai is the smallest inhabited island of Hawaii, but there is still plenty to see and do. There are a number of breathtaking hikes to do or perhaps you prefer to spend your time on one of the secluded Hawaiian beaches.

Book Your Tour of Lanai here >>>

Days 24-28 – Hawaii, The Big Island

The black volcanic rock in the Volcano National Park, Hawaii

Leaving the island of Maui, fly into either Kona or Hilo for 5 days on The Big Island. There are 2 airports on the island of Hawaii, one at Kona and the other Hilo so you can choose which you prefer to arrive at. I think the Kona side (west side is better) – but I’ll leave that up to you to decide.

Flight time, Kahului, Maui to Kona – 35 minutes and Kahului, Maui to Hilo – 40 minutes.

Here you will find some of Hawaii’s best beaches and the Volcano National Park. Hawaii is also known as the ‘golfing capital of Hawaii’. After arriving, head to your accommodation, unpack then get out and about.

Where to Stay on Hawaii (book for 5 nights)

A good area to stay on Hawaii is Kailua-Kona.

For a Budget to Mid-Range Hotel: Kona Seaside Hostel
Splurge Hotel: Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

What to See and Do on Hawaii

The best way to see the big island is to hire a car for a Big Island road trip around the island, or you can take a tour.

Book your Hawaiian island tour here >>>

Visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

A visit to the island of Hawaii should include a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park is home to two active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Check the park’s website first for current conditions and status of the trails as some or all can be closed due to volcanic activity. Some highlights in the park to visit if open – Kilauea Visitor Center, Chain of Craters, Crater Rim & Keanakāko’i Crater, Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) and Halema’uma’u Trail.

Plenty of Snorkelling

There are many places on the big island to snorkel. Some of the best snorkelling is at Honaunau Bay in the National Historic Park. Many like to snorkel, particularly at night with the Manta Rays in Keauhou Bay.

Book Your Night Snorkel with the Manta Rays here >>>

Play a Round of Golf or Two

Hawaii is known as the ‘golf capital’ of the Hawaiian islands with a number of world-class golf resorts. It doesn’t have the most courses, the most are found on Ohau, however, play a round or two at the Kohala Coast resorts of Waikola, Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea – all world-class resorts.

• Discover the Kanaka Maoli culture when you visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (The City Of Refuge).
• Enjoy the black sands of Punaluʻu Beach where you may spot a few turtles.
• Enjoy a beer tasting at the Kona Brewery.
• Visit Ka Lae, the southernmost tip of both the island and the entire United States.
• Spend a day wondering around the main city on Hawaii, Hilo – shopping and sightseeing.

Days 27 or 28 – Oahu

With a couple of days left you could extend your time in Hawaii, or on any other island before heading back to Oahu for a 1, 2 or more days before leaving Hawaii to head home.

Flight time from Hawaii to Oahu – Hilo, Hawaii to Honolulu, Oahu – 55 minutes and Kona, Hawaii to Honolulu, Oahu – 47 minutes.

Are You Ready to Island Hop the Hawaiian Islands on this 1 month Hawaiian Island Itinerary?

If you have island hopped around Hawaii I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments following. Or if you planning your trip to Hawaii, fire away with the questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. 

Thanks for reading. Mahalo!