Day trip from Aluani to another island

[yitbos96bb]

Given some of low cost fares for inter-island travel, we were considering a day trip to another island during our visit.

Looking at:

Maui
kauai
lanai
molikai
hilo
kona

Looking for recommendations from people on what destination may be the best. We aren't as much lay on the beach people... instead we like to explore the town, go checkout history, ruins, etc. Love the roadside attraction elements in many states, and just enjoy the fun to do on the island.

Anyone have any suggestions or experiences?

 

[boscoj]

Both Kona and Hilo on the Big Island have a lot of ancient Hawaiian history plus u can check out the active volcano. Maui has gorgeous beaches. Kauai tends to have the most "laid back" feel and u can see Waimea Canyon. All of the neighbor islands have beautiful scenic views!

 

[Anal Annie]

"Day trips" used to be a lot cheaper and easier before 9/11. Getting through Security wastes a lot of time now and prices this year are up on the inter-island flights so they're not as reasonable to do. I would always recommend visiting at least 1 other island when going to Hawaii because it's so far away and costs so much to even GET there but I would MOVE islands for a few nights, not day trip. We did day trips a couple of times back in the 90's when you could go round trip for $90 or $95 and you could basically just show up at at the airport and hop on the next flight. Now the flights cost that much one-way and you have to spend a couple of hours ahead of time getting to the airport and getting through Security.

Each island has its own personality - Maui is our fav. and the Big Island comes in 2nd behind that. Kauai is also very beautiful. Lanai is beautiful but there's not so much to see & do there (it really can be a day trip from Maui - you can go on a catamaran or something). You really can't go wrong with any of the islands but I would stick to one of the larger ones. If you DO plan a day trip rather than switching islands be sure to go EARLY because then you will also have to spend some time renting a car etc. You don't want to get there mid-morning and find that you are really only left with a few hours to explore before you have to head back to the airport to go through Security again etc...

 

[yitbos96bb]

Fair tips... thanks!

I'm guessing if we do it, it will be either the big island or maui. Guess we shall see as time goes on and we get closer to the trip.

"Day trips" used to be a lot cheaper and easier before 9/11. Getting through Security wastes a lot of time now and prices this year are up on the inter-island flights so they're not as reasonable to do. I would always recommend visiting at least 1 other island when going to Hawaii because it's so far away and costs so much to even GET there but I would MOVE islands for a few nights, not day trip. We did day trips a couple of times back in the 90's when you could go round trip for $90 or $95 and you could basically just show up at at the airport and hop on the next flight. Now the flights cost that much one-way and you have to spend a couple of hours ahead of time getting to the airport and getting through Security.

Each island has its own personality - Maui is our fav. and the Big Island comes in 2nd behind that. Kauai is also very beautiful. Lanai is beautiful but there's not so much to see & do there (it really can be a day trip from Maui - you can go on a catamaran or something). You really can't go wrong with any of the islands but I would stick to one of the larger ones. If you DO plan a day trip rather than switching islands be sure to go EARLY because then you will also have to spend some time renting a car etc. You don't want to get there mid-morning and find that you are really only left with a few hours to explore before you have to head back to the airport to go through Security again etc...