A visit to Hawaii is not complete if you only go to one island. There’s lots to see and do around the islands. But one may find it difficult transporting between them. So here’s a few tips and information about island hopping in Hawaii.
Flights and Ferries
Some travelers come to Hawaii with plans to island hop by using cheap ferry services between the islands. Unfortunately, that’s no longer an option. In the past, Hawaii had a superferryh to transport passengers between Oahu and other top tourist islands. But it has since been taken out of service due to its impact on the environment.
The only ferry that is currently in operation is one that runs routes between Maui and Lanai. The ferry, called Expeditions, has very affordable rates and only takes about an hour between the two islands. However, there is no service to Oahu or Big Island.
The best way to visit other islands right now is by flying. It may not be as cheap as the ferries. But it’s currently the only way. Flying between the islands takes a bit more planning and making reservations ahead of time. And you’ll probably be spending an average of $150 roundtrip. Or you can book one-way’s if you’re planning to go on to other islands after your first one.
Following are a few airlines you can check for rates:
Hawaiian Airlines – probably the most popular as they also have international flights.
Mokulele Air – a smaller airline with smaller aircraft and only flies between the islands.
Makani Kai Air – an even smaller airline with limited flights to/from Oahu, Molokai, and Maui.
Southwest – a low-cost airline typically servicing mainland US but recently approved for service in Hawaii.
Top Islands to Visit
When visiting the Hawaiian islands you will learn that the state is composed of eight main islands. Six of these is accessible by tourists. And out of those six, the four islands worth island hopping to are Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai.
Oahu is where most people start out. The capital city of Honolulu is here as well as the popular tourist area known as Waikiki. There’s plenty of shopping, museums, hikes, beaches, luaus, night life, and so much more.
Maui is probably second on
Big Island is popular for volcano exploring on Hilo side. Or go to Kona if you want more beach time, snorkeling, and diving.
Kauai is the place to go to see more of the green landscapes and rainforests. You’ll find hidden waterfalls and miles of hiking trails here.
Image by: SF Gate – Chris McGinnis
