The grand tour · Oʻahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauaʻi

The four islands of Hawaii

A journey of a thousand faces: adventure, relaxation, culture and breathtaking scenery.

  • 20 days / 19 nights
  • 4 islands · Oʻahu · Big Island · Maui · Kauaʻi
  • from $5,970 per person

Free, no-obligation call

The four islands of Hawaii

Oʻahu for your first steps: Waikīkī, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and the North Shore. Then the Big Island, close to the fire, with Volcanoes National Park and its still-steaming lava flows.

Maui, our home island and probably the most complete in the archipelago: Haleakalā and beaches of white, red or black sand. Finally Kauaʻi, the oldest island: the Nā Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon and its waterfalls.

A rich itinerary, busy but balanced — and it often leaves you wanting to come back.

This itinerary is a starting point: we adapt it to your dates, wishes and budget.

At a glance

At a glance – Oʻahu · Big Island · Maui · Kauaʻi

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1
    Arrival in Honolulu

    Arrival in Honolulu

    Pick up your rental car and check in to your hotel in the heart of Waikīkī. Stroll through the shops and along Waikīkī Beach. Great atmosphere!

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Waikīkī
  2. Day2
    Diamond Head and the East Coast

    Diamond Head and the East Coast

    In the morning, hike Diamond Head crater. Then follow the scenic road east to Kailua for lunch, stopping at Makapuʻu lighthouse. Spend a lazy afternoon on Kailua or Lanikai Beach, and hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Diamond Head, Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach
  3. Day3
    Pearl Harbor

    Pearl Harbor

    Head out in the morning to the Pearl Harbor naval base. Guided visit with an audio guide: the USS Arizona, the USS Missouri, a submarine and several museums, including the aviation museum.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Pearl Harbor
  4. Day4
    The famous North Shore

    The famous North Shore

    Explore Oʻahu's north coast and its legendary surf beaches: Waimea, Pipeline, Sunset (the names of these giant waves). Lunch at a food truck for delicious fresh shrimp, then wander through the charming village of Haleʻiwa.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • North Shore, Haleʻiwa
  5. Day5
    Arrival on the Big Island

    Arrival on the Big Island

    Arrive in Kona in the morning and pick up your rental car. Discover the white sand beaches north of Kona, have lunch at Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa and spend the afternoon at “Beach 69”. In the evening, a walk and dinner in Kona village.

    • Night: B&B / private apartment
    • Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa Beach
  6. Day6
    Night swim with manta rays

    Night swim with manta rays

    In the morning, go and see the turtles at Kiholo Bay. At the end of the day, a night swim with manta rays.

    • Night: B&B / private apartment
    • Kailua-Kona, Kīholo Bay
  7. Day7
    Dolphin watching

    Dolphin watching

    In the morning, head to Kealakekua Bay, where Captain Cook was killed in 1779, a year after he first reached the Hawaiian Islands. Rent kayaks to watch dolphins and snorkel in the bay. In the afternoon, visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, then snorkel at Two Step.

    • Night: B&B / private apartment
    • Kealakekua Bay, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
  8. Day8
    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    In the morning, cross the island towards Hilo through stunning scenery. Just before Hilo, visit Akaka Falls, then take the lovely scenic drive past the botanical garden. In the afternoon, explore Volcanoes National Park.

    • Night: B&B / private apartment
    • Hilo, Akaka Falls, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
  9. Day9
    The green sand beach

    The green sand beach

    Drive south to the green sand beach: a local guide takes you there by 4×4 ($20 per person). Then drive on to Punaluʻu black sand beach.

    • Night: B&B / private apartment
    • Papakōlea (Green Sand Beach), Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
  10. Day10
    Arrival on Maui

    Arrival on Maui

    At Kahului airport, collect your bags and rental car, then set off to discover the beaches: Baldwin Beach, Hoʻokipa Beach Park. Turtles wait for you on the sand, and you'll watch some of the world's best surfers and windsurfers! Lunch in the village of Pāʻia.

    • Night: Studio / private apartment
    • Pāʻia, Hoʻokipa Beach Park, Baldwin Beach
  11. Day11
    Haleakalā volcano

    Haleakalā volcano

    Head up the world's largest dormant volcano, Haleakalā, at 3,055 metres (10,023 ft). Take a short walk into the crater on the Sliding Sands trail. Stay 20 minutes after sunset to admire the beautiful gradient of colours between the sky and the clouds.

    • Night: Studio / private apartment
    • Haleakalā National Park
  12. Day12
    The Road to Hāna

    The Road to Hāna

    Discover Maui's east coast on a winding road lined with waterfalls. Stop at the Keʻanae peninsula, then Waiʻānapanapa State Park and its famous black sand beach. In Hāna, don't miss the stunning red sand beach! In the afternoon, continue to the Seven Sacred Pools and walk through the bamboo forest of the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls.

    • Night: Studio / private apartment
    • Keʻanae, Waiʻānapanapa, Hāna, Kīpahulu
  13. Day13
    Maui's West Coast

    Maui's West Coast

    Loop around the west side of the island. Stop at the best banana bread stand, Julia's Banana Bread, swim in the Olivine Pools natural pools, then see the Nakalele Blowhole. Lazy afternoon on the beach. Optional: Polynesian dinner show.

    • Night: Studio / private apartment
    • Kahakuloa, Nakalele Blowhole, Nāpili Bay
  14. Day14
    La Pérouse Bay and Makena Beach

    La Pérouse Bay and Makena Beach

    Optional: catamaran trip to Molokini. Head to La Pérouse Bay for a walk across Haleakalā's most recent lava flow, among old flows and white coral along the shore. Lazy afternoon on the vast white sand of Makena Beach.

    • Night: Studio / private apartment
    • La Pérouse Bay, Mākena Beach
  15. Day15
    Arrival on Kauaʻi

    Arrival on Kauaʻi

    On arrival in Līhuʻe, collect your bags and rental car, then head off to see Wailua Falls.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Kapaʻa, Wailua Falls
  16. Day16
    Waimea Canyon

    Waimea Canyon

    A day's drive to explore Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Waimea Canyon
  17. Day17
    The Nā Pali cliffs

    The Nā Pali cliffs

    In the morning, hike the first part of the Nā Pali Coast trail to see its cliffs. Swim at Kēʻē Beach on the way back, then visit the Hawaiian village of Hanalei.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Hāʻena State Park, Kēʻē Beach, Hānalei
  18. Day18
    The South Shore: Poʻipū

    The South Shore: Poʻipū

    A day in the south of the island on beautiful white sand Poʻipū Beach, to relax and snorkel. Option to hike along the cliffs on the Heritage Trail and discover a natural limestone cave.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Poʻipū Beach, Māhaʻulepu Heritage Trail
  19. Day19
    Kauaʻi's North Shore

    Kauaʻi's North Shore

    Discover the natural pools of Queen's Bath. Lunch in the Hawaiian village of Hanalei, then end the day at Anini Beach, a white sand beach with a lagoon.

    • Night: 3-star hotel
    • Hānalei, Anini Beach, Queen’s Bath
  20. Day20
    Departure day

    Departure day

    Free day. Return your car at the airport and fly home. Aloha, and see you soon!

    Included

    • Accommodation for 19 nights: 3-star hotels and private studios/apartments
    • Pearl Harbor admission
    • Night snorkel with manta rays
    • Double kayak rental to watch dolphins and snorkel in Kealakekua Bay
    • Inter-island flights (Oʻahu › Big Island › Maui › Kauaʻi)
    • Compact or mid-size SUV rental with full insurance
    • A detailed day-by-day plan

    Not included

    • International flights
    • Meals and drinks
    • Hotel parking and resort fees
    • Checked bags on inter-island flights ($25/bag)
    • National park entrance fees

    Your international flights

    International flights are not included. We can send you a quote through our partner OptionWay for competitive fares.

    Questions about this trip

    Can I change this itinerary?

    Yes — this package is a starting point. Islands, stops, stays and activities: we adjust it together during our call.

    What does the price include?

    Accommodation, inter-island flights, a fully insured rental car, the listed activities and a day-by-day plan. International flights, meals and national park fees are not included.

    How do I book?

    Start your trip online or book a 20-minute call with Clémentine. Once the plan is approved, you pay through a secure link.

    Dreaming of this trip?

    Let’s talk it through on a free, no-obligation 20-minute call, or drop us an email: we’ll tailor “The four islands of Hawaii” to your dates, wishes and budget.