Hawaii: Kauai & Maui Islands Adventure (Self-Launched)

Land at Lihue Airport (LIH) and take the Kauai Bus (route 100, $2 flat fare, exact change) or a shared shuttle into Lihue or Kapaa — about 20–30 minutes. Kauai hostels are concentrated around Kapaa and Kekaha; book a dorm bed or budget private room in advance as inventory is small. Spend the afternoon on Kalapaki Beach or Lydgate Beach Park (calm, reef-protected swimming), pick up groceries at Foodland or Costco for breakfasts, and watch sunset from Kealia Beach. Rent a car only if you plan several days of self-driving — parking and hire add up fast, so a mix of bus and one or two tour pickups is cheaper for a solo traveller.

🚌Kauai Bus route 100 from LIH ($2); shared shuttle $20–30

🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Kapaa/Lihue area (£45–65)

• →Kalapaki Beach
• →Lydgate Beach Park
• →Sunset at Kealia Beach
• →Grocery stock-up at Foodland

Book a Na Pali Coast snorkel sail directly with a local operator (Blue Dolphin Charters, Captain Andy's, Holo Holo or Na Pali Experience) rather than through an aggregator — Deluxe snorkel sails from Port Allen run roughly $180–230 and include lunch and snorkel gear. Boats leave early from Port Allen or Hanalei; check whether hotel pickup is offered (many do for a small fee) or take the Kauai Bus to Eleele/Port Allen and walk or taxi the last stretch. Expect dramatic sea cliffs, spinner dolphins and snorkelling at spots like Nu'alolo Kai. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light layer for the wind. If you get seasick, choose a morning departure and take medication beforehand.

🚌Operator shuttle/taxi to Port Allen ($10–25); or Kauai Bus

🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Kapaa/Lihue area (£45–65)

• →Na Pali Coast snorkel catamaran (direct booking, ~$180–230)
• →Snorkelling at Nu'alolo Kai
• →Dolphin spotting

Hire a car for the day (roughly $70–90 including fuel and insurance for a compact) or join a small-group Waimea Canyon day tour ($120–150 with hotel pickup). Self-drive gives the best value: head west to Waimea Canyon Drive for the classic lookout stops (Pu'u Hinahina, Waimea Canyon Overlook), optionally continue to the Kalalau Lookout at Kokee. On the way back, stop at Spouting Horn blowhole near Poipu and then the Wailua River — either join the Smith's Fern Grotto river cruise (~$30–40) or rent a kayak and paddle upriver yourself (~$45). Fill up with a plate lunch at a Waimea food truck. Return the car in the evening.

🚌Rental car for the day ($70–90) or small-group tour with pickup

🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Kapaa/Lihue area (£45–65)

• →Waimea Canyon lookouts
• →Kalalau Lookout (Kokee State Park)
• →Spouting Horn blowhole
• →Wailua River cruise or kayak to Fern Grotto

Fly Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest from Lihue to Kahului (OGG) — book 6–10 weeks ahead for fares around $60–110 one-way; Southwest often includes a free checked bag. From Kahului Airport take the Maui Bus (routes 40/20, $2 per ride, exact change) or a shared shuttle ($20–30) to Kihei, where budget condos, guesthouses and the island's only hostel-style options cluster. Settle in, then walk to Kamaole Beach Park I–III for a swim and sunset. Grab dinner from a food truck or the Azeka Market and plan the next days' tour pickups.

🚌Inter-island flight LIH–OGG (~$60–110); Maui Bus $2 or shuttle $20–30

🛏Budget guesthouse/condo or hostel, Kihei (£55–75)

• →Kamaole Beach Park sunset
• →Kihei food trucks
• →Plan Road to Hana and Molokini pickups

Two options: join a small-group Road to Hana tour (roughly $140–180, hotel pickup, lunch included on many) which is the cheaper and less stressful route for a solo traveller; or rent a car (~$60–80) and drive it yourself, buying the Shaka Guide app tour (~$20) for navigation and stops. Highlights in order: Ho'okipa Lookout, Twin Falls, Waikoloa/Ke'anae Peninsula, Wailua Valley lookout, Hanawi Falls, and Hana town with Hana Bay and Koki Beach. If self-driving, turn back by mid-afternoon to avoid driving the winding road in the dark, and skip the 'Ohe'o Gulch pools if rain closures apply. The full loop past Haleakala's south side is long — most budget travellers do an out-and-back.

🚌Small-group tour with pickup ($140–180) or rental car (~$60–80) + fuel

🛏Budget guesthouse/condo or hostel, Kihei (£55–75)

• →Ho'okipa Lookout
• →Twin Falls
• →Ke'anae Peninsula
• →Hanawi Falls
• →Hana Bay

Book a Molokini & Turtle Town snorkel trip directly with a Ma'alaea-based operator (Pacific Whale Foundation, Trilogy, Four Winds) — morning departures around $130–170 include gear, breakfast and often lunch. Molokini's crater and the 'Turtle Town' stretch off Makena are the standout snorkel sites. Transport to Ma'alaea Harbor is your responsibility: Maui Bus route 20 or a rideshare ($25–40 from Kihei). In the evening, attend a luau — the Old Lahaina Luau, Feast at Mokapu or Drums of the Pacific at Kaanapali with buffet and Polynesian dance show ($130–180), or a cheaper community hula show for a lighter budget. Book luaus weeks ahead; they sell out.

🚌Maui Bus/rideshare to Ma'alaea ($10–25 each way)

🛏Budget guesthouse/condo or hostel, Kihei (£55–75)

• →Molokini Crater snorkel cruise (direct, ~$130–170)
• →Turtle Town / Coral Gardens snorkelling
• →Hawaiian luau and Polynesian dance show ($130–180)

Final morning: a last swim at Kamaole or a cheap breakfast at a Kihei cafe, then take the Maui Bus (route 40/20, $2) or a shared shuttle ($20–30) to Kahului Airport for your onward flight. If your flight is later, drop into the Maui Swap Meet or Paia town for last-minute shopping. Note: US ESTA (roughly $21 / £17) is required for UK passport holders and is not included in the below figures.

🚌Maui Bus $2 or shuttle $20–30 to OGG

🛏None (departure day)

• →Kamaole Beach morning swim
• →Paia town or Maui Swap Meet