Is Hawaii on your bucket list but you’re just not sure where to start? Or are you wondering which of the Hawaiian islands is right for your perfect vacation?  You’re not alone!

Hawaii has always been a popular vacation destination but since Covid 19 and the stringent requirements to travel overseas more and more Americans are putting Hawaii at the top of their bucket list and visiting now.  Because if we’ve learned nothing else from Covid it’s that we may not be able to travel tomorrow, so we better do it today!

Our Hawaiian adventure begins on the beautiful Waikiki beach. However, Disney lovers should plan to arrive early and spend several days at Disney’s Aulani Resort to experience all that Disney has to offer on the island of Oahu!

Day One: Aloha Hawaii!  Arrive in beautiful Waikiki and take in the sights of Waikiki Beach to start your adventure. 

Day Two: On your first full day on the island you’ll want to visit Hanauma Bay and follow the scenic windward coast of Oahu to the North Shore of Sunset Beach.  This is where you’ll see the waves famous surfers go after and maybe even give surfing a go yourself. 

While on the North Shore climb aboard Atlantis XIV, the world’s largest hi-tech passenger submarine. Being in a submarine and descending to 100 feet underwater is an adventure in itself. You will also get to see real marine life up close. The Atlantis is an eye-opening experience where you’ll view sunken shipwrecks, airplanes, and other artificial reefs. If you haven’t been to the bottom of the ocean before, this is a “must-do!” 

Day Three: Explore Honolulu and enjoy laid-back Hawaiian living.  Relax on the beach or learn to surf.  This day is for complete rest and relaxation.

Day Four: Today you’ll visit Pearl Harbor National Monument, the USS Arizona Memorial as well as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.  Then you’ll visit Lola I Palace, the King Kamehameha I Statue, and the State Capitol building.  

Day Five – Depart Oahu for the big Big Island of Hawaii.  After a short flight, you’ll be whisked away in a private transfer to the lively seaside village of Kailua-Kona.  Here you’ll explore Kona’s famous coffee culture. Enjoy a visit to a coffee plantation and connect with locals, then check in to your oceanside resort.  For dinner enjoy sumptuous island flavors at Ray’s on the Bay against the enchanting backdrop of the Pacific at sunset.

Day Six – My personal favorite day of your Hawaiian vacation!  You’ll wake to the soothing sounds of the sea and spend the day exploring the Big Island as you see fit.  You can relax by the pool or go in search of Hawaii’s tastiest ‘Ono Grinds’.  

Personally, I would choose to see Hawaii by Helicopter!  If you have never flown on a helicopter, it’s a MUST do experience! Discover both the Big Island’s beauty and its volcanic fury from high above where you’ll tour the most geologically active environment on earth-the famous Kilauea volcano, which has been continuously erupting since 1983. 

View lava flows and black sand beaches. Experience all the awesome spectacle of Madame Pele’s lava and volcanic badlands, then explore the lush rainforests of the Hamakua Coast. The towering sea cliffs open into the dramatically deep and meandering valleys of the Kohala Mountains. Beautiful waterfalls cascade thousands of feet into the rainforest below and remnants of ancient Hawaiian settlements are still visible. This is the perfect finish to the ultimate Big Island adventure. This tour was voted #1 by The Travel Channel as the “World’s Best Helicopter Thrill.” You shouldn’t miss it!

Day Seven: Take an adventure to Punalu’u Beach Park famous for its black sand and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Then travel to visit UNESCO-listed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see the world’s largest volcano.  Then enjoy lunch at a historic plantation.  

After boarding a flight to Maui to spend the next three nights at a beachfront resort located at magnificent Kaanapali Beach.

Day Eight: Enjoy the island of Maui as you delve into the depths of an underwater wonderland at Maui Ocean Center, home to the world’s largest collection of live Pacific corals, Hawaiian green sea turtles, sharks, and thousands of tropical fish. 

Connect with the locals for a traditional lunch filled with local produce and hearty Polynesian hospitality.  

Then finish off the day with a sunset cruise off the coast of Maui to see breathtaking West Maui coastal views. Enjoy the thrill of sailing between the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and experience another incredible Maui sunset. Dinner and an open bar make for the perfect evening.

Day Nine: Today you’ll immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings of Maui’s tropical landscapes. 

Choose from several activities to complete your perfect Hawaiian vacation experience. 

• Set your alarm and prepare to make the 38-mile trip up to the summit of the dormant volcano known as Haleakala. The temperature stays around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but the sight of the sun rising from 10,000 ft above sea level will soon warm you up. 
• Or join a two-hour classic whale watch led by a team of Pacific Whale Foundation’s certified Marine Naturalists.  They’ll explain and interpret the social behavior of humpback whales. 

This evening, don your lei and sashay your way into a lively Hawaiian Luau and Farewell Dinner, featuring a traditional feast, captivating entertainment, and tropical cocktails.

Day Ten: Bid a fond a hui hou… until we meet again, Hawaii.  It’s been the perfect Hawaiian vacation!

After this Hawaiian vacation, you’ll have made memories to last a lifetime and already look forward to your next family vacation adventure!

Looking for more of our Inspiring Itieanry series?  We release a new one each month.

You can find January here – The Perfect London & Paris Vacation Itinerary for Families

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