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Want the best 7 day Hawaiian itinerary that includes Kauai, Maui, Hawai’i & Oahu?
Intrigued?
Me too! And I’ve done it!
Decisions, Decisions
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t dream of vacationing in Hawaii?) and you’re having trouble deciding which island to visit, I’m with you.
Deciding between the lush green island of Kauai (the Garden Isle), the world-famous beaches of Maui (the Valley Isle), and the spectacular volcanoes on the Island of Hawai’i (the Big Island) is not an easy task.
But who says you have to? Why not visit more than one island during your vacation? Mind-blowing idea, right?
One Island or Multiple Islands?
There are two ways to plan your visit to Hawaii: all your time on one island, or split your time between multiple islands.
If you choose one island to spend all your time, the benefit is that you really get to know the island and all it has to offer.
If you’re staying for a week, you can definitely experience a great deal in that amount of time.
And that makes for a great vacation.
The other way is to spend a day or two on multiple islands and while you experience a smaller amount of each island, the trade-off is the opportunity to explore more islands.
It’s purely personal preference here, but maybe you’re like me…I enjoy seeing a little bit of several areas then returning later to places I know I want to spend more time.
(That’s why I think cruise ships are so great but that’s a topic for another time.)
And, somehow I feel like I get my money’s worth by seeing and doing more – it makes for a very dynamic vacation.
And traveling between the islands is so incredibly easy that it seems a shame to travel all that way and not see as much as you can of the State of Hawaii. (It’s generally a 6-hour flight from L.A. to Kauai.)
A Fun-Filled, Action-Packed, Island-Hopping Itinerary
However, a note of caution: a multiple island vacation is not for the faint of heart.
I tend to hit the ground running on my trips and relax when I’m back home!
I’ve visited Hawaii both ways: island hopped (visiting Oahu, Hawaii, then Maui and Kauai).
On another visit, I stayed a week on Kauai and explored the entire island.
And I found I preferred the island hopping experience more.
With that in mind, here’s the best 7 day Hawaiian itinerary with Kauai, Maui, Hawai’i and Oahu…where you’re guaranteed to experience SOME of the best that Hawaii has to offer!
And for help in planning your trip, check out the interactive map below with all the locations mentioned in this post.
Day 1 – Fly into Lihue, Kauai
I suggest starting off on the furthest island of our itinerary and slowly making your way down the chain.
Depending on what time you arrive, head to the nearest beach and dig your toes in the sand!
Celebrate that you’ve arrived!
Kauai has several amazing beaches and you’ll be in time for your first sunset.
I recommend Shipwreck Beach, Poipu Beach Park, and Kiahuna Beach.
All are in the same area, near resorts, and very easy to get to.
While on Kauai, consider staying at the Sheraton Kauai Resort or the Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort.
For dinner, try the Rumfire at the Sheraton Kauai Resort.
The food and service are amazing and the sunset views overlooking the beach are to die for.
Day 2 – Kauai
Check out Waimea Canyon State Park
For your first day I recommend grabbing your daypack and a picnic lunch and head up to Waimea Canyon State Park.
The Sheraton Kauai Resort will fix box lunches for your day out -just inquire at the front desk.
Kauai has some of the best hiking trails in Hawaii. What better way to experience the real Kauai than by getting out and exploring?
According to Mark Twain, Waimea is the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and with good reason.
Waimea means “reddish water” -from the color of the eroding rocks.
The canyon is 10 miles long and over 3,000 feet deep in some places. It’s simply breathtaking.
From Poipu, it’s about an hour drive to the lookout.
When you get to the parking area there’s a $10 parking fee per vehicle & a $5 entrance fee per person so be sure to look for the pay stations in the parking lot.
Kauai has incredible hiking trails for all abilities
Depending on your hiking ability and desire, there are a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult in Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park area.
Take a look here using the AllTrails App – It’s my favorite hiking app and has tons of information!
They also have a desktop version you can view Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park trails here and here.
The AwaAwaPuhi Trail is one of our favorites.
It’s about a 4-5 hour hike roundtrip and while the views aren’t especially great for the majority of the hike, the view at the end is AMAZING and totally worth it!
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can drive to the Waimea Canyon overlook for some gorgeous pictures of Waimea Canyon (as long as the clouds aren’t hiding the views!)
Twice I’ve been denied views at this overlook but I’m determined to see it on my next visit!
Princeville, Kilauea Lighthouse, and Hanalei Bay
Another option for a day’s excursion is to take a drive up to Princeville on the northern part of the island.
On the way, be sure to stop at the Kilauea Lighthouse.
If you visit between November and March the lighthouse is the best place on Kauai to view the humpback whales with January and February being the two best months.
Just past Princeville is the town of Hanalei on Hanalei Bay.
Check out the pier that juts out into the bay. Sunset pictures here are beautiful and you may recognize this famous area from popular works of art.
Day 3 – Kauai
Check out the Na Pali Coastline
The only way to truly appreciate the beauty that is the Na Pali Coast is by sea.
Consider taking a boat tour and make a day of it.
I really like Holo Holo Charters. We took the 7 hour morning tour that also includes a stop off the coast of Ni’ihau, the Forbidden Isle, for snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
On the way out to the Na Pali coast, breakfast is provided and a delicious deli lunch is served on the return trip along with beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.
It just doesn’t get any better than that! The crew was fantastic and we really had a lot of fun!
For dinner, try Keoki’s Paradise restaurant in Poipu.
They have the best burgers and Hawaiian draft beer on the island. Definitely a family favorite!
Day 4 – Hawai’i, The Big Island
Fly to Hilo, Hawai’i & visit the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
I recommend taking the early morning flight (flights start operating at 06:40) to Hilo, located on the Big Island of Hawai’i, and renting a car.
You can drive through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and stop at your leisure at several points of interest.
Depending on your pace, allow 3-5 hours for the drive.
You’ll want to stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center (open 9am-5pm) for the latest park information then proceed to the Kilauea Overlook.
From there, take the Crater Rim Drive, followed by the Chain of Craters Road to the coast.
Chain of Craters Road is about twenty miles long and an incredibly scenic and beautiful drive!
Be sure to stop at the Thurston Lava Tube and see where lava once flowed through long tubes down to the sea.
For lunch, you could grab picnic supplies in Hilo before heading into the park.
Or, make a reservation for The Volcano House where you can dine on authentic Hawaiian fare overlooking the Kilauea Caldera. Once the sun goes down, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the lava glow!
Lunch is served from 11am-2pm. If you’d rather have dinner in the park, Volcano House serves dinner nightly from 5pm-8:30pm.
Consider staying at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel or the Grand Naniloa Hotel, both three-star hotels in Hilo.
Day 5 – Maui
Fly to Maui
I told you this 7 day Hawaiian itinerary wasn’t for the faint of heart!
Continuing along, take the early morning flight from the Big Island, over to Kahului on Maui. (Flights from Hilo to Kahului start operating st 06:20.)
Once on Maui, you have several options.
Experience the Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is an experience like no other.
It’s 52 mile long with 620 curves and 54 bridges (of which 46 are one lane.)
That’s TO Hana…and after you get there, you get to turn around and experience it all over again on the return trip.
If there’s any question of car sickness, I recommend you don’t make this drive, or stock up on non-drowsy Dramamine.
Now, there are several options here if experiencing the Road to Hana is on your bucket list.
Option 1: Book with a tour company and enjoy the views without the hassle or stress of driving.
I’ve never taken the tour but there’s tons of reviews that say this is the way to go if you have any doubt about making the drive on your own.
Option 2: Rent a car and experience the drive at your own speed and drive to Hana and back (roughly a 6 hour drive non-stop).
Option 3: Drive the entire loop via the Hana Highway and Piilani Highway.
Check out the map of Maui here.
This option take about 10 hours before any stops so this may be too long a day and not feasible for most.
However, you could stay overnight in Hana and continue the drive the next morning.
If this is your choice, I recommend staying at the Hana Maui Resort.
Must-See Stops Along the Hana and Piilani Highways
If the entire loop idea sounds appealing to you, consider driving the loop counterclockwise and head south to the Piilani Highway first.
This allows you to reach Haleakala National Park and explore ‘Ohe’o Gulch and hike the Pipiwai Trail before the area closes at 4:30pm.
Haleakala National Park
‘Ohe’o Gulch, or the Seven Sacred Pools of ‘Ohe’o, are cascading waterfalls with pools at the base where you can swim.
Swimming is intermittent though due to flash flooding, so check with National Park Service for updates.
You can take the Kuloa Trail (about 1/2 mile roundtrip) and see stunning views of the pools.
The area is only open from 09:00am to 4:30pm so be sure to keep your time frame in mind.
Just north of ‘Ohe’o Gulch, you’ll find Pipiwai Trail.
The Pipiwai is a 4-mile round-trip hike where you can experience the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, banyan trees and bamboo forests – also a must-see in the park.
Back on the main highway, you’ll come to Wailua Falls, just about 3 miles further north on the Hana Highway before the town of Hana.
Falling 80 feet, this waterfall is one of Maui’s most famous, and definitely one of the most photographed.
It’s easily accessible from the road and ample parking is available.
The town of Hana is Old Hawaii at its best and here you can stroll the town, grab a bite, or stay overnight and make an evening of it.
Wai’anapanapa State Park
Past the town of Hana, heading north, you’ll come to Wai’anapanapa State Park, with its black sand beach, sea cave, and sea arch.
Reservations are required to enter the park and sell out a week or two in advance.
Fee is $10 for parking and $5 per person to enter.
While the Road to Hana may not be the easiest to traverse and crowded more often than not, it is undeniably beautiful and worth experiencing if you have the time and desire.
Other Things To Do On Maui
If the Hana Highway doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there are tons of other things to do and see on Maui that make this Valley Isle an experience of a lifetime.
Maui has several beautiful beaches to explore.
Kapalua Bay Beach is great for paddle boarding, snorkeling, and swimming.
There’s also Ka’anapali Beach north of Lahaina, and Wailea Beach on the southwest part of the island –two of the most popular beaches.
I recommend staying at The Grand Wailea where they have weekly luaus and gorgeous views of Wailea Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
The Fairmont Kea Lani and the Paia Inn are also both great options.
Day 6 – Maui
Watch the Sunrise from Haleakala Summit
If you’re an early riser (or even if you’re not), seriously consider watching the sunrise from the Haleakala summit at Haleakala National Park.
It takes about two hours to reach the summit, but the view is well-worth the 3am wake up call!
You do need to make reservations ahead of time.
If sunsets are more your thing, the view is just as beautiful from the summit in the evening as well, and you don’t need reservations.
Regardless of the time of day though, Haleakala Crater is worth visiting during your stay on Maui and should be on your list of places to visit even if you decide against taking the Hana Highway.
Visit the former Hawaiian capital
If you’re ready for a slower-paced day, consider strolling down the streets of what was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Lahaina is well-known for its beaches, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
Day 7 – Oahu
Fly to Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor
Catch the morning flight from Maui to Oahu and consider renting a car or storing your luggage for a few hours at a secure luggage storage facility.
Flights between Maui and Oahu begin at 06:30 and the earlier you get to Honolulu, the more time you have to experience the fourth and final island of our itinerary.
Visit Pearl Harbor
You can choose to rent a car, Uber, or take tour bus from the airport to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
Pearl Harbor can easily been seen in a few short hours depending on the amount of time you spend at each site.
Entry to the Arizona Memorial is free but there is a fee to visit the USS Missouri, the USS Bowfin and the Aviation Museum. ($30, $15, and $25 per person respectively.)
I recommend making advanced reservations for the sites you want to visit. There are limited tickets available for each day and during season tickets run out. You can make your reservations online up to 60 days out.
I also recommend doing the audio tour. It’s an exceptionally well-narrated tour that gives you all the information you need to get the most out of your visit and brings the entire experience to life.
Explore Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, or Diamond Head
After visiting Pearl Harbor, consider exploring Waikiki and having lunch or an early dinner at one of the beach side restaurants before catching the late flight back to reality.
If Waikiki Beach is too crowded and touristy for you, consider visiting Na Mea Hawai’i and picking up some authentic, hand-made souvenirs to take home.
Or take a stroll along the less populated, but very beautiful nearby Ala Moana Beach.
You could grab a beer and relax at one of the many local breweries.
Visit the KCC Farmers’ Market – open Saturdays and Tuesdays.
If you’re up for one more hike, consider taking a taxi or Uber to Diamond Head Crater and hiking the Diamond Head Summit Trail.
It’s a mile and a half to the rim for amazing views of the Pacific, and the Oahu coastline.
Total time for the hike is about 2 hours and the view is breathtaking.
Make sure you make your airline reservations for the latest time possible out of Honolulu to give yourself the most time on Oahu that your schedule allows.
Typically, we try to fly out after 10pm which gives us over 12 hours to relax and explore the island before having to be at the airport for our flight.
This serves to make sure we are good and tired for the six hour flight back to the mainland.
Sleeping the majority of the flight always makes it go by faster for me.
Final Thoughts…
That’s it. That’s my 7 day Hawaiian itinerary for Kauai, Maui, Hawai’i and Oahu!
This itinerary might seem like a lot – and it is, but it does give you multiple days on three islands and the greater part of the last day on Oahu.
The beauty of an itinerary like this is that it opens your mind to the possibilities and lets you know it IS possible to see multiple islands and have a dynamic Hawaiian vacation without much effort.
You can pick and choose the island order, what to do on each island, and even adjust how much time spent on each.
The point is, you can tailor your vacation to how YOU want to enjoy it.
Ready to go? I sure am!
Comment below what you think of this itinerary or if you’ve tried something similar. I’d love to hear from you!
If you enjoy the National Parks, be sure to check out my posts on the Grand Teton National Park and Olympia National Park. And if you’re looking for more beach destinations, check out the 5 Hidden Gems in Florida -5 off the beaten path places you can relax and recharge!
Happy travels and embrace your inner dragonfly!
