Day trip to Hawaii

[mrp4352]

We are staying at Aulani for a week in February for our first Hawaiian visit. I've been intrigued reading about the tours to Hawaii to see the volcanoes and in doing the pricing, I think I can do it on my own for significantly less than the full tours. But, I'm having a hard time with taking the entire day to go. I keep going back and forth. Besides the time and money, are there other factors I should be considering?

 

[alohamom]

You can definitely do it for substantially less on your own, I subscribe to the Hawaiian Airlines newsletter and occasionally they will have off season seat sales so that might be something you will want to do to watch for your best prices. Otherwise, I think for me it would depend on how many days you have on Oahu because as spectacular as the volcano is, Oahu it a gorgeous island in its own right with so much to see and do. We have been countless times to all the islands and we still have not done it all. If you have 10 full days, one day gone would be really different than if you are going for 6 days with one day off to Big Island but I am sure you realize that. I honestly always feel like there is never enough time in Hawaii. One thing you might want to take into consideration is including some time in Hilo, even if it is just to eat. The town itself is historic and has an interesting vibe. You will need a car rental too. If you fly into Kona, it is about 2-3 hours and if you drive from Hilo is it about half an hour

 

[mrp4352]

Thanks - I only have 6 full days on Oahu, but (at least for now), this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It's hard to walk the line between seeing everything, but making sure it's not too much!

 

[ehrawn]

Thanks - I only have 6 full days on Oahu, but (at least for now), this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It's hard to walk the line between seeing everything, but making sure it's not too much!

If this is truly a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, you will hate yourself if you do not see the active flow at Kilauea. My general advice for folks in your situation is to prioritize time and money spent in this way:

1. Oahu, w/ the Valor in the Pacific National Monument as the priority.
2. The Big Island, w/ Volcanos NP as the priority.

Everything else is cool/fun, but not "essential."

 

[mrp4352]

Thanks! Once-in-a-lifetime is kind of funny. While at this time I don't believe I'll be back - past history shows otherwise (My first cruise to Alaska was once-in-a-lifetime, but yet I find myself in the middle of planning and paying for my third one.).

And yes - the Valor was already on my list!

 

[NancyDVC]

If you go to the Big Island I can recommend a small tour company MaryLou's Big Island Tours. We used them last week when we were on the Pride of America (NCL) both in Hilo and Kona. Great folks, small family company and very accommodating. They pick up at the airport, hotels, piers. Both Mary Lou and her husband Ken have taken the VNP tour guide training and annual refresher training to maintain their guide status. They are very, very knowledgeable.
They have a website.

 

[mrp4352]

Great! They're added to my research list! Thanks!

 

[happymommy]

The Big Island is just that: big. A one day tour will just scratch the surface.

When we lived on Oahu, we took a week (with my son who was 4 months old, but did great in the backpack for hiking) to visit, flying into Kona and home from Hilo. It was an amazing fun week!

With so much to see an do on Oahu, I'd likely either spend a few days on the Big Island or save it for a longer trip personally. I'm going next summer for a month at the Marriott Ko Olina, and after my son and husband join me and DD, she and I are going over to Hilo for just a couple days to hike the lava tubes and the crater rim. In her 9 trips, this is the first time we will feel like we have time to do this.

 

[cgattis]

If you go to the Big Island I can recommend a small tour company MaryLou's Big Island Tours. We used them last week when we were on the Pride of America (NCL) both in Hilo and Kona. Great folks, small family company and very accommodating. They pick up at the airport, hotels, piers. Both Mary Lou and her husband Ken have taken the VNP tour guide training and annual refresher training to maintain their guide status. They are very, very knowledgeable.
They have a website.

Can't wait to hear ALL about the POA and how you spent your days! I'm planning to do all my own "excursions" unless I hear something that convinces me otherwise. Hope you're having a great trip!!!

 

[NancyDVC]

Cgattis,
We had a ball on the POA! We took the NCL Lahaina on Your Own and Maui Plantation tours because the IAO Valley is closed due to extremely heavy rain a few weeks ago. The don't think it will be open again for about 5+ months! No we did not do the Road to Hana because it was too long a trip! Lots of companies do the Road to Hana. We chose Mary Lou's on the Big Island because of great reviews on cruisecritic.com. They were wonderful. Cruise Critic has message boards based on cruise line, ship and Ports of Call. Their Hawaii board under the ports of call has lots of locals answering questions too. We were less pleased with our guide on Kauai. I chose to use guides bcause of their knowledge. On both 'tours' through NCL the drivers were very knowledgeable and willing to share.
I will post a trip report soon.

 

[cgattis]

Cgattis,
We had a ball on the POA! We took the NCL Lahaina on Your Own and Maui Plantation tours because the IAO Valley is closed due to extremely heavy rain a few weeks ago. The don't think it will be open again for about 5+ months! No we did not do the Road to Hana because it was too long a trip! Lots of companies do the Road to Hana. We chose Mary Lou's on the Big Island because of great reviews on cruisecritic.com. They were wonderful. Cruise Critic has message boards based on cruise line, ship and Ports of Call. Their Hawaii board under the ports of call has lots of locals answering questions too. We were less pleased with our guide on Kauai. I chose to use guides bcause of their knowledge. On both 'tours' through NCL the drivers were very knowledgeable and willing to share.
I will post a trip report soon.

That's great to hear! Can't wait for your TR!!

 

[mrp4352]

Thanks again for all the help! I think I've decided to save the Big Island for when I have a few days to really do it justice!