Hawaii
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Hawaii gives you the essential Aloha State experience, combining the extraordinary volcanic landscapes of the Big Island with the magnificent Road to Hana on Maui and the finest snorkeling in the Hawaiian Islands. No other state on earth packs such extraordinary natural diversity into such a compact area. This route covers the heart of Hawaii. The extraordinary Kilauea volcano and black sand beaches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, the extraordinary Hana Highway through rainforest and sea cliffs on Maui with its twin falls and bamboo forests, and the extraordinary green sea turtle snorkeling of Molokini Crater.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November for fewer crowds
Getting There
Fly into Kona (KOA) or Hilo (ITO) on the Big Island
Getting Around
Rental car essential on both islands
Budget Per Day
Approx $160 to $260 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some rainforest hiking
DAY 1
BIG ISLAND
MORNING
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY VOLCANIC LANDSCAPE IN AMERICA
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape in America, its extraordinary Kilauea caldera one of the most active volcanoes on earth and the sacred home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire. The Crater Rim Drive past the Jaggar Museum overlook, the extraordinary Thurston Lava Tube and the Chain of Craters Road descending 3,700 feet to the ocean past hardened lava flows are all unmissable. The lava field hike to active flows at night is extraordinary. Entry $35. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
PUNALUU BLACK SAND BEACH AND THE GREEN SEA TURTLES
Punaluu Black Sand Beach is the most extraordinary beach on the Big Island, its extraordinary coal-black volcanic sand formed by lava flowing into the sea and shattering into sand crystals giving a beach unlike anything in the continental United States. Hawaiian green sea turtles, known as honu and sacred in Hawaiian culture, bask on the black sand daily in extraordinary numbers. The turtles are federally protected. Observe from 10 feet. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SOUTH POINT AND GREEN SAND BEACH, THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN AMERICA
South Point is the southernmost point in the United States, its extraordinary cliff above the crashing Pacific the most dramatic headland on the Big Island. The extraordinary Papakolea Green Sand Beach 2.5 miles along the coast is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, its extraordinary olivine crystal sand giving a sage-green color unlike any beach in America. The walk over the lava field is strenuous but extraordinary. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mauna Kea summit at 13,796 feet on the Big Island is the finest stargazing location on earth, its extraordinary Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet offering free public stargazing programs nightly with the world's largest optical telescopes on the summit above. Free. The most extraordinary dark sky experience in the United States.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe 100, Hilo The most legendary loco moco in Hawaii since 1946. Extraordinary rice, burger, egg and brown gravy. | Lunch: Punaluu Bake Shop, Naalehu The finest malasada bakery near South Point. Extraordinary Portuguese donuts and Hawaiian coffee. | Dinner: Merriman's, Waimea The finest farm-to-table restaurant on the Big Island. Extraordinary local beef, fish and Hawaiian produce.
DAY 2
MAUI ROAD TO HANA
MORNING
ROAD TO HANA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY COASTAL DRIVE IN HAWAII
The Hana Highway on Maui is the most extraordinary coastal drive in Hawaii, its extraordinary 64-mile route with 617 curves and 59 one-lane bridges through lush rainforest, past 50-plus waterfalls and along dramatic sea cliffs giving a journey that is as much an experience as a destination. Twin Falls at Mile 2 is the finest accessible waterfall on the route. The extraordinary Garden of Eden arboretum and Ke'anae Peninsula with its ancient taro fields are unmissable. Start before 7am. Drive: 30 min flight + drive
MIDDAY
WAI'ANAPANAPA BLACK SAND BEACH AND HAMOA BEACH
Wai'anapanapa State Park near Hana has the most extraordinary black sand beach on Maui, its extraordinary lava-formed beach with sea arches, blowhole and coastal trail past ancient Hawaiian heiau entirely different from the white sand resorts of West Maui. Hamoa Beach south of Hana, called by James Michener the most beautiful beach in the Pacific, gives the finest white sand and bodysurfing waves on the Road to Hana. Wai'anapanapa entry $5. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BAMBOO FOREST AND OHEO GULCH WATERFALLS
The bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park is the most extraordinary hike on Maui, its extraordinary half-mile tunnel through towering bamboo stalks creaking and clacking in the wind giving a completely other-worldly experience before emerging at the base of the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. The Oheo Gulch Seven Sacred Pools below give extraordinary freshwater swimming in pools linked by cascades. Entry $30 per vehicle.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hana Lava Tube, known as Kaeleku Caverns, is the finest hidden attraction on the Road to Hana, its extraordinary 1,000-year-old lava tube accessible with a flashlight and giving a completely different experience of the volcanic geology that created Maui. Entry approx $15. Almost entirely unknown to visitors on the Hana Highway.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aunty Sandy's, Keanae The finest banana bread in Hawaii. Extraordinary freshly baked loaves from a legendary roadside stand. | Lunch: Braddah Hutts, Hana The finest food truck near Hana. Extraordinary Hawaiian plate lunch, kalua pork and coconut pudding. | Dinner: Hana Ranch Restaurant Outstanding local beef and Hawaiian produce in the finest restaurant in Hana.
DAY 3
MAUI SNORKELING
MORNING
MOLOKINI CRATER SNORKELING, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SNORKEL SITE IN HAWAII
Molokini Crater is the most extraordinary snorkel site in Hawaii, its extraordinary crescent-shaped volcanic caldera 3 miles off the Maui coast creating a protected marine sanctuary of extraordinary visibility up to 150 feet in water filled with over 250 species of tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles, reef sharks and rays. The inner crater wall drops 300 feet to the ocean floor. Morning tours have the clearest water. Tours from Maalaea Harbor approx $90. Drive: 30 min boat
MIDDAY
TURTLE TOWN SNORKELING AND MAUI SEA TURTLES
Turtle Town off Maluaka Beach in South Maui is the most extraordinary sea turtle snorkel location on Maui, its extraordinary rocky reef sheltering the largest concentration of resting Hawaiian green sea turtles accessible by snorkelers anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands. The turtles feed on reef algae at remarkable close range in extraordinary clarity. Tours include Molokini as a second stop. Maluaka Beach itself is free to snorkel independently. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
HISTORIC LAHAINA AND THE BANYAN TREE
Historic Lahaina was the most extraordinary historic town in Hawaii before the devastating 2023 wildfire. The reconstruction of Lahaina honors the memory of this extraordinary former royal capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The extraordinary 1873 Banyan Tree in Courthouse Square, the largest banyan tree in America covering nearly an acre, survived the fire. The Lahaina waterfront's whaling history and the extraordinary Pacific Whale Foundation tours are unmissable.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Little Beach at Makena is the finest hidden beach on Maui, its extraordinary crescent of golden sand tucked behind Big Beach and accessible only by a short rocky climb giving the finest swimming and bodyboarding on the island far from the resort crowds. Free. The most extraordinary hidden beach on Maui.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe O'Lei, Kihei The finest breakfast in South Maui. Extraordinary eggs benedict with local Maui produce and strong Kona coffee. | Lunch: Tin Roof, Kahului The finest Hawaiian plate lunch on Maui. Extraordinary mochiko chicken, garlic noodles and local fish. | Dinner: Mama's Fish House, Paia The most extraordinary restaurant in Hawaii. Local fish caught that day. Book months ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Big Island, Night 1 Four Seasons Hualalai or Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Approx $200 to $600 per night. Maui Wailea or Kaanapali, Nights 2 to 3 Grand Wailea or Hyatt Regency Maui. Approx $200 to $450 per night. Budget option Maui Hostel or vacation rental in Kihei. From $80 per night. Rental car essential.
Top Tips
1. Book Molokini Crater snorkel tours at least a week ahead. Morning departures have the clearest water. Extraordinary.
2. Road to Hana: start before 7am to experience the waterfalls and pools without crowds. Pack a picnic lunch.
3. Punaluu Black Sand Beach on the Big Island: green sea turtles bask on the beach daily. Do not touch them.
4. Mauna Kea summit on the Big Island for stargazing is the most extraordinary observatory experience in the world.
5. Hawaiian plate lunches from roadside trucks are the finest value food in Hawaii. Kalua pork and poi extraordinary.
6. Haleakala sunrise on Maui at 10,023 feet requires a $1 reservation at recreation.gov. The most extraordinary sunrise.
Total Budget
$160 to $260/day