22 days in Hawaii Itinerary

Created using Inspirock Hawaii travel planner
Make it your trip
Fly
1
Kihei
— 4 nights
Fly
2
Hilo
— 2 nights
Drive
3
Kailua-Kona
— 4 nights
Fly
4
Honolulu
— 6 nights
Fly
5
Koloa, Kauai
— 4 nights
Fly

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Kihei — 4 nights

Stretching over 9.7 km (6 mi) of pristine south Maui coastline, Kihei is the island's driest and sunniest region, making it a perfect location for water activities and beach leisure.
Visit Wailea Beach and Ho'okipa Beach Park for some beach relaxation. Step off the beaten path and head to Zipline and Honolua Bay. Get out of town with these interesting Kihei side-trips: Kapalua Beach (in Kapalua) and Napili Beach (in Lahaina). And it doesn't end there: identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, enjoy the sand and surf at Makena Beach, and stroll through Kamaole Beach Park II.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Kihei travel itinerary planner.

Zurich, Switzerland to Kihei is an approximately 21-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time (CET) to Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) is minus 11 hours. Expect much warmer temperatures when traveling from Zurich in September; daily highs in Kihei reach 38°C and lows reach 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Hilo.
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Outdoors · Parks · Beaches · Tours
Side Trips

Hilo — 2 nights

America's Wettest City

One of the island of Hawaii's major towns, Hilo contains a mix of Asian and Polynesian cultures and is known for its proximity to a national park encompassing two active volcanoes.
Kick off your visit on the 11th (Mon): identify plant and animal life at Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, then enjoy the sand and surf at Richardson Beach Park, then take in nature's colorful creations at Liliuokalani Gardens, and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Rainbow Falls. On the 12th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: cruise along Devastation Trail, trek along Kilauea Iki Trailhead, and then take in the dramatic natural features at Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku).

To see where to stay, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Hilo trip planner.

You can fly from Kihei to Hilo in 2.5 hours. September in Hilo sees daily highs of 35°C and lows of 25°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can drive to Kailua-Kona.
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Parks · Outdoors · Nature · Wildlife
Side Trips

Kailua-Kona — 4 nights

Heart of the Kona Coast

Thanks to its favorable location near a mountain range blocking the northeasterly trade winds, Kailua-Kona gets little rainfall, allowing adventure seekers and nature lovers a chance to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year.
Explore hidden gems such as Fishing Charters & Tours and Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. Visiting Punalu‘U Beach and Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary will get you outdoors. Go for a jaunt from Kailua-Kona to Puako to see Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area about 48 minutes away. There's still lots to do: tour the pleasant surroundings at Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay), stop by Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, enjoy the sand and surf at Magic Sands, and take some stellar pictures from Pololu Valley Lookout.

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Kailua-Kona road trip tool.

Traveling by car from Hilo to Kailua-Kona takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) early enough to fly to Honolulu.
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Outdoors · Parks · Beaches · Nature
Side Trips

Honolulu — 6 nights

Big Pineapple

In many ways much more Asian than American, Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city and its center of government, transportation, commerce, and tourism.
Take a break from the city and head to Diamond Head State Monument and Waikiki Beach. Visit Lanikai Beach and Sunset Beach Park for some beach relaxation. Venture out of the city with trips to Pupukea (Shark's Cove & Pu’u O Mahuka Heiau State Monument) and Haleiwa (Haleiwa Beach Park War Memorial, Waimea Valley, &more). There's still lots to do: capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, identify plant and animal life at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, appreciate the history behind Makua and Kila statue, and enjoy the sand and surf at Ala Moana Beach Park.

To see maps, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Honolulu trip builder.

Traveling by flight from Kailua-Kona to Honolulu takes 2.5 hours. In September, daytime highs in Honolulu are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Fri) so you can fly to Koloa.
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Outdoors · Parks · Beaches · Wildlife
Side Trips

Koloa, Kauai — 4 nights

Kōloa is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Na Pali Coast State Park and Hanalei Beach. Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Shipwreck Beach and Poipu Beach Park. Get out of town with these interesting Koloa side-trips: Hanalei Valley Lookout (in Princeville) and Scuba & Snorkeling (in Kekaha). There's lots more to do: trek along Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail, take in the dramatic scenery at Wailua Falls, and get a dose of the wild on Kauai Safaris.

To see maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Koloa online route planner.

Getting from Honolulu to Koloa by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in September, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Tue) to allow time for the flight back home.
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Outdoors · Parks · Wildlife · Beaches
Side Trips

Hawaii travel guide

4.4
Scuba & Snorkeling · Beaches · Zipline
The Aloha State
An archipelago of hundreds of volcanic islands located in a geological hot spot in the middle of Pacific, Hawaii offers diverse natural scenery and a warm tropical climate. The six major islands open to tourism draw visitors with their sun-drenched public beaches and craggy natural trails. Thanks to their mid-Pacific location, the islands boast a vibrant native culture influenced by both North America and Asia. You can spend your vacation basking in the modern comforts of the big hotels, but to experience the true spirit of these islands, remember that real Hawaiians live outdoors. Encounter nature by surfing, swimming, fishing, and picnicking, or join a guided tour across the ancient lava flows to the top of Hawaii's rugged volcanic peaks.
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Island of Hawaii travel guide

4.5
Scuba & Snorkeling · Swim with Dolphins · Beaches
The Big Island
Aptly nicknamed the "Big Island," the Island of Hawaii features sunny, black-sand beaches on the western side by Kona and a tropical rain forest on the eastern by Hilo. In between, the massive mountain Maunaloa covers half the island, and Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupts continuously. Twice as large as all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, this big chunk of land in the Pacific manages to retain a laid-back atmosphere despite its immense popularity with tourists. Instead of spending your entire vacation at one of the island's luxurious tourist resorts, go on tours of this Pacific haven's coffee and macadamia nut plantations and working ranches, or explore its nature reserves and rugged trails.
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Oahu travel guide

4.3
Beaches · Scuba & Snorkeling · Cemeteries
The Gathering Place
A top cultural and vacation destination within the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu is home to over 85 percent of the state's population. Aptly nicknamed the "Gathering Place," the island is truly at the heart of Hawaii, featuring the busy city of Honolulu and its surrounding districts. Visitors to Oahu can enjoy all the modern conveniences of a large city, while remaining within walking distance of secluded beaches, picturesque parks, high mountain peaks, and quaint little towns. To experience the laid-back side of Hawaii, take a trip away from the tourist hotspot of Waikiki, the island's most crowded neighborhood.
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