Hawaii Multi-Island Explorer: Self-Launched Edition

Arrive at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and make your way to Waikiki. The TheBus Route 20 or 40 runs directly from the airport to Waikiki for around $3 USD — skip the expensive taxis. Check into your hostel or budget hotel, grab a plate lunch from a local spot, and stroll Waikiki Beach to get your bearings. Rest up for the days ahead.

🚌TheBus from HNL airport to Waikiki (~$3 USD / ~£2.50)

🛏Hostelling International Waikiki or similar budget hotel (~£55-80/night)

• →Arrive at HNL — take TheBus Route 20/40 to Waikiki (~$3 USD)
• →Check in and explore Waikiki Beach on foot
• →Grab a plate lunch at a local Hawaiian diner

Head to Kailua Beach on Oahu's windward coast — one of the most beautiful in Hawaii. Rent a kayak or book a guided kayak-and-snorkel tour independently via GetYourGuide or direct with a local operator like Kailua Beach Adventures. Paddle out to the Mokulua Islands sandbar, snorkel with sea turtles and tropical fish, then return at your own pace. Grab shrimp tacos from a local truck on the way back. In the evening, explore Waikiki's beachfront bars for a casual sunset drink.

🚌Local bus (TheBus Route 67) or shared Uber to Kailua (~£5-10 each way)

🛏Hostelling International Waikiki or similar budget hotel (~£55-80/night)

• →Self-booked kayak and snorkel tour at Kailua Beach via GetYourGuide (~£45-65)
• →Spot sea turtles, tropical fish, and starfish at the Mokulua Islands sandbar
• →Lunch at local shrimp or plate lunch food truck (~£10-15)
• →Evening stroll along Waikiki beachfront

A free day to explore Oahu on your own terms. Option A: Take TheBus to Haleiwa on the North Shore, grab acai bowls, browse surf shops, and eat from the legendary food trucks. Option B: Hike Diamond Head crater for panoramic views over Waikiki — tickets must be pre-booked online at dlnr.hawaii.gov (~$5 USD). In the evening, book an independent sunset cruise from Waikiki — many operators offer 90-minute cruises bookable directly for around £35-50.

🚌TheBus (all-day pass ~$7.50 USD / ~£6)

🛏Hostelling International Waikiki or similar budget hotel (~£55-80/night)

• →Optional: North Shore & Haleiwa town day trip via TheBus (~£5 transport)
• →Optional: Hike Diamond Head crater — pre-book online (~£4)
• →Optional: Surf lesson on Waikiki Beach (~£50-65 via GetYourGuide)
• →Self-booked Waikiki sunset cruise (~£35-50 via direct operator or Klook)

Book your own inter-island flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Kahului (OGG) with Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest — book early for the best fares, typically £50-90 each way. Pick up a rental car at Kahului Airport (recommended for Maui — roads are excellent and a car unlocks everything). Head to your accommodation near Kaanapali or Kihei on the west/south coast, check in, and spend the afternoon snorkelling or kayaking right from the beach. In the evening, check local listings for Luau shows — the Old Lahaina Luau or Feast at Mokapu can be booked directly online (~£90-110).

🚌Inter-island flight (~£60-90) + rental car (~£35-50/day)

🛏Maui Seaside Hotel or Kihei budget guesthouse (~£70-100/night)

• →Self-booked inter-island flight HNL to OGG (~£60-90, book early)
• →Pick up rental car at Kahului Airport (~£35-50/day via Costco Travel or direct)
• →Afternoon snorkelling or kayaking at Kaanapali or Kihei beach (free or ~£15 gear rental)
• →Optional: Self-booked Luau evening show (~£90-110 direct)

One of the world's most iconic scenic drives. Set off early in your rental car along the Hana Highway — 64 miles of jaw-dropping coastline, rainforest waterfalls, and black volcanic beaches. Stop at Twin Falls, the Garden of Eden Arboretum, Wailua Falls, Waianapanapa State Park (black sand beach — pre-booking required, ~$5 USD entry via gostateparks.hawaii.gov), and the town of Hana itself. Load up on fresh fruit, banana bread, and coconut candy from the roadside stands. A self-driven Road to Hana is just as magical as a guided one — and far cheaper.

🚌Rental car (already included from Day 4)

🛏Maui Seaside Hotel or Kihei budget guesthouse (~£70-100/night)

• →Self-drive the Road to Hana in your rental car
• →Stop at Twin Falls, Garden of Eden Arboretum (~£3 entry), and Wailua Falls
• →Pre-book entry to Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach State Park (~£4) at gostateparks.hawaii.gov
• →Stock up on roadside fresh fruit, banana bread, and coconut candy (~£10-15)
• →Explore the town of Hana and Hana Bay

Rise before dawn for one of Maui's most unforgettable experiences — watching sunrise from the summit of Haleakala volcano at 10,023 ft. Entry must be pre-booked via recreation.gov ($1 reservation fee + $30 vehicle entry). Wrap up warm — it's cold at the top. Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring Paia town on the north shore, or heading to Ho'okipa Beach to watch world-class windsurfers. Optional: book a helicopter tour over Molokai or West Maui independently via Sunshine Helicopters or Blue Hawaiian (~£150-200).

🚌Rental car

🛏Maui Seaside Hotel or Kihei budget guesthouse (~£70-100/night)

• →Pre-dawn drive to Haleakala summit for sunrise — pre-book at recreation.gov (~£25 total entry)
• →Explore Haleakala National Park crater on foot
• →Afternoon in Paia town — browse boutiques and grab lunch at Flatbread Company (~£12-18)
• →Watch windsurfers at Ho'okipa Beach (free)
• →Optional: Self-booked helicopter tour over Molokai (~£150-200 via Sunshine Helicopters)

Book an Outrigger Canoe Surfing experience directly with a Maui-based operator — Hawaiian Paddle Sports and Maui Craft Brewing area both offer excellent independently bookable sessions (~£60-85). Learn about the deep cultural significance of wa'a (outrigger canoes) to native Hawaiian voyaging traditions, then paddle out with expert guides and surf the waves. In the evening, return your rental car and prepare for tomorrow's flight to Kauai.

🚌Rental car (return to airport this evening or tomorrow morning)

🛏Maui Seaside Hotel or Kihei budget guesthouse (~£70-100/night)

• →Self-booked Outrigger Canoe Surfing tour (~£60-85, book direct with Hawaiian Paddle Sports or similar)
• →Learn about the cultural history of Hawaiian outrigger canoe voyaging
• →Evening at leisure in Kahului — grab poke bowls for dinner (~£12-18)

Take your self-booked inter-island flight from Kahului (OGG) to Lihue (LIH) on Kauai — book with Hawaiian Airlines for ~£55-80. Pick up a rental car at Lihue Airport (essential on Kauai). Drive north to Kapa'a, your base on the east coast. Drop your bags, grab a smoothie from a local juice bar, and take a leisurely evening walk along the Kapa'a Coastal Path — a gorgeous flat path along the ocean that's free and perfect at sunset.

🚌Inter-island flight (~£55-80) + rental car (~£35-50/day)

🛏Kauai Sands Hotel or Rosewood Cottage budget guesthouse (~£65-95/night)

• →Self-booked inter-island flight OGG to LIH (~£55-80)
• →Rental car pickup at Lihue Airport (~£35-50/day)
• →Check in to Kapa'a accommodation
• →Evening walk along Kapa'a Coastal Path (free)
• →Dinner at Kapa'a local restaurants — try Pono Market for plate lunches (~£10-15)

Set off early for Waimea Canyon — often called the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific.' Drive your rental car up Kokee Road to the canyon lookout points (entry included in Hawaii state park pass, or ~$5 per car). Continue up to Kalalau Lookout for breathtaking views over the Na Pali Coast and the remote Kalalau Valley — one of the most stunning vistas in all of Hawaii. The whole day is self-driven, free to explore, and endlessly rewarding. Pack a picnic lunch from a Waimea deli. Finish the day with shave ice in Waimea town.

🚌Rental car

🛏Kauai Sands Hotel or Rosewood Cottage budget guesthouse (~£65-95/night)

• →Self-drive to Waimea Canyon State Park and multiple lookout points (free entry / ~£4 per car)
• →Hike the Canyon Trail or Iliau Nature Loop for canyon views
• →Drive up to Kalalau Lookout for Na Pali Coast panorama
• →Packed picnic lunch in the canyon (prepare from local deli ~£8-12)
• →Shave ice in Waimea town on the way back (~£4)

Return your rental car and fly from Lihue (LIH) to Hilo (ITO) on the Big Island — book with Hawaiian Airlines (~£60-90). Pick up another rental car in Hilo (essential on the Big Island). On the way to your accommodation, stop at 'Akaka Falls State Park — a short, gorgeous loop trail through bamboo forest leads to a 442-foot waterfall. Entry is ~$5 per person. Settle in to Hilo, Hawaii's most underrated town, and grab dinner from one of the excellent local Japanese restaurants.

🚌Inter-island flight (~£60-90) + rental car (~£35-50/day)

🛏Hilo Hawaiian Hotel budget room or Arnott's Lodge (~£55-80/night)

• →Self-booked inter-island flight LIH to ITO (~£60-90)
• →Rental car pickup at Hilo Airport
• →Stop at 'Akaka Falls State Park — waterfall loop trail (~£4 entry)
• →Check in to Hilo accommodation
• →Dinner at local Japanese or Hawaiian restaurant in Hilo (~£12-18)

A free day to explore the Big Island. Option A: Drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (~45 min from Hilo) and walk through hardened lava fields, peer into Kilauea Caldera, and hike the Crater Rim Trail — entry is ~$35 per vehicle valid for 7 days, well worth it. Option B: Book a snorkel or dive trip in Kona waters independently via Nautilus Diving or Jack's Diving Locker (~£70-110 for a two-tank dive). Option C: Book a Big Island zipline experience via GetYourGuide or Umauma Falls Zipline (~£80-100). In the evening, explore downtown Hilo's farmers market or meet fellow travellers for group dinner.

🚌Rental car

🛏Hilo Hawaiian Hotel budget room or Arnott's Lodge (~£55-80/night)

• →Optional A: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park self-drive — Crater Rim Trail, lava fields, Kilauea Caldera (~£28 per vehicle, recreation.gov)
• →Optional B: Self-booked snorkel or two-tank dive trip (~£70-110 via Jack's Diving Locker)
• →Optional C: Umauma Falls Zipline (~£80-100 booked direct)
• →Evening at Hilo Farmers Market or group dinner in downtown Hilo

If you haven't yet visited, spend the morning at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — walk the Devastation Trail, the Thurston Lava Tube, and catch Kilauea views. Then begin your scenic drive south along the coast to Kailua-Kona (~2 hours via Highway 11 or the scenic Chain of Craters Road). Stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach to spot sea turtles basking in the sun (free). Arrive in Kona and check in — the town has a fantastic waterfront strip of restaurants, bars and shops. Grab fresh ahi poke and a local craft beer to celebrate your last full island.

🚌Rental car from Hilo to Kailua-Kona (~2 hours, Highway 11 or Chain of Craters Road)

🛏Kona Sugar Shack Hostel or Kailua-Kona budget hotel (~£55-85/night)

• →Morning at Hawaii Volcanoes NP — Thurston Lava Tube and Devastation Trail
• →Scenic drive south via Chain of Craters Road
• →Stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach to see basking sea turtles (free)
• →Arrive in Kailua-Kona and check in
• →Waterfront dinner in Kona — ahi poke and local craft beer (~£15-25)

Drive south from Kona to Honaunau Bay, home of 'Two-Step' — one of the Big Island's premier snorkel spots, completely free and accessible directly from the shoreline. Snorkel with spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and vivid reef fish. Nearby is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge) — a powerful cultural site, entry ~$20 per vehicle. In the afternoon, kayak to the Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay — book a self-guided kayak rental directly with Aloha Kayak (~£45-60 half day). Return to Kona for a final group dinner with any new friends you've made.

🚌Rental car (~35 min south of Kona)

🛏Kona Sugar Shack Hostel or Kailua-Kona budget hotel (~£55-85/night)

• →Snorkel at Two-Step (Honaunau Bay) — completely free, bring your own gear or rent locally (~£8)
• →Visit Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (~£16 per vehicle)
• →Self-rented kayak to Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay (~£45-60 via Aloha Kayak)
• →Farewell dinner at Kona waterfront (~£18-28)

Your final morning in Hawaii. Return your rental car to Kona International Airport (KOA) and depart on your onward flight. If you have time before your flight, take one last sunrise walk along Ali'i Drive waterfront, grab a Kona coffee from a local cafe (the Big Island is the only US state that commercially grows coffee — it's exceptional), and pick up some macadamia nut treats as souvenirs. Safe travels — mahalo for the adventure!

🚌Rental car return at KOA airport

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final sunrise walk along Ali'i Drive waterfront (free)
• →Kona coffee at a local cafe (~£4-6)
• →Pick up macadamia nuts or local souvenirs (~£10-20)
• →Return rental car and depart from Kona International Airport (KOA)