Best 2 Weeks Itinerary for Hawaii

Mike Blumer

08/14/2021

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From the cascading waterfalls to the rainforest valleys to the deserted beaches, Hawaii is the dream island adventure.

For a two-week itinerary, your best bet is to visit these four islands: Oahu, Maui, The Big Island, and Kauai.

Hawaii is known as the “Paradise of the Pacific.” This is because it offers the perfect vacation experience. It is made up of over 100 islands, but only seven are inhabited.

If you want to plan a fantastic two-week Hawaii itinerary, grab a pen and notebook, and let’s plan together!

Before we take a deep dive, here is what our itinerary would look like:

Day 1 - 4: Oahu

Day 5 - 8: Maui

Day 9 -11: The Big Island

Day 12 - 14: Kauai

1. Oahu

Also known as “The Gathering Place,” it is a famous island among tourists. Spend four days in Oahu exploring Waikiki, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbour, and the Windward Coast.

Places to visit in Oahu

Waikiki

Famous for its beaches, Waikiki is located on the south shore of Honolulu. It is Oahu’s hub of hotels and resorts. It has world-class restaurants, shopping malls, and entertainment.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head was initially known as Le’ahi by Hawaiians. It is an iconic 760-foot tuff crater, a famous landmark on the island.

It was named Diamond Crater by British sailors who thought they had found diamonds on the crater’s slopes.

Pearl Harbor

The Hawaiian name is Pu’uola which means long hill. It is a lagoon harbor about 10 miles west of Honolulu.

In 1941, there was an unprecedented air assault on the site by Japanese forces, which left many people dead. Thus, the Island is an integral part of US World War history.

Windward Coast

It comprises coastal neighborhoods surrounded by stunning 3000ft mountain ranges and sea.

What to do and tips for Oahu

Surfing

At Waikiki, go surfing on the beach and do some stand-up paddle boarding.

Take a helicopter tour

Fly over Diamond Head to have a view of Oahu’s most cherished areas, such as forest landscapes and the coast.

Board the USS Bowfin submarine

Pearl Harbor is a must-visit when you’re in Oahu. You get to tour the USS Arizona Memorial; board the USS Bowfin submarine and USS Missouri.

While there, you can visit Chinatown to look at the shops, markets, and museums.

Explore the beach

Hang out on the beach of the South Windward Coast in Kailua.

Turtle Watching

In the North Shore & North Windward Coast, visit the Laniakea Beach and watch the turtles come onto the shore.

Why you can't miss Oahu in Hawaii

2. Maui

Places to visit in Maui

Haleakala National Park

The park is renowned for its dormant Haleakala Volcano and endangered Hawaiian geese.

It is about 30 183 acres with 24,719 acres of its designated wilderness.

Lao Valley

Lao Valley is home to the lao Needle, a landmark taller than the Eiffel Tower.

Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972, it is one of Hawaii’s most popular tourist sites.

Ka’anapali and Lahaina

Lahaina is a historic whaling village that was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the early nineteenth century.

Ka’anapali has a population of 1,250 and is located in the Old Hawaii Ahupua’a of Hanaka’oo.

Hana Road

Officially named Hana Highway, it is a 64.4-mile-long road. The road is narrow and passes over 59 bridges. An uninterrupted car trip will take about 2.5 hours.

What to do and tips for Maui

Visit the Haleakala National Park

The Haleakala National Park is a 10,023-foot dormant volcano, a worthwhile natural attraction you must tour.

It tops the list of many travelers.

Check out the iconic lao Needle

Admire the lao Needle, a pointed lump of basalt 2,215 feet above sea level, sitting in the middle of the lao Valley.

There is a tale about the origin of the needle among the locals; you should go there and listen to them say it.

Watch the cliff-diving ceremony

Maui’s finest beach is Kaanapali Beach. One of the things you must do there is to watch the daily cliff-diving ceremony from Black Rock.

Also, get a sense of the Hawaiian culture by seeing the traditional Hawaiian entertainment and the whaling museum.

Explore the scenic Road to Hana

You can get a tour guide who narrates the beautiful tales behind the road to Hana while you enjoy its scenic views and sites.

A visit to Maui is incomplete without the famous drive on the Road to Hana.

Why you can't miss Maui in Hawaii

3. The Big Island

Places to visit in the Big Island

These are destinations you can’t afford to miss. However, this is not an exhaustive list.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you get the best view of the active Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.

Located at the heart of the active volcanoes, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most popular attractions on the Big Island.

Rainbow Falls

The Rainbow Falls is the highest single-drop waterfall in the smokies. This wide waterfall in the Wailuku river located within Hilo town is a must-visit, especially early in the day.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

It has one of nature’s stunning scenes. Unlike other beaches, Punalu’u is made of basalt that has washed up from beneath the waves.

It is home to a handful of unique species of endangered wildlife, such as the Hawksbill turtle and the Hawaiian monk seal.

Mauna Loa Volcano

Mauna is home to the island’s oldest volcano, Kohala, which is now extinct. It last erupted about 4,000 years ago, and it’s the tallest mountain on earth at 9,966 meters.

What to do and tips for the Big Island

Visit the Jaggar Museum

Have you seen active lava flows? The Hawaii Volcano National Park is the hotbed of lava flows. Visit the Jaggar Museum to see how the scientists study the volcano.

View the Rainbow Falls

Enjoy the soul-relieving view of the Rainbow Falls. It’s an exquisite waterfall that runs over a cliff and crashes down a large crater.

Hawaiian green sea turtles in the Punalu’u beach

Punalu’u Beach is home to endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles that enjoy sunbathing on the warm black sand.

It’s a fascinating sight, but you can’t get too close.

Visit Mauna Kea Volcano

Watch the sunset on the Mauna Kea Volcano. The Mauna Kea Volcano is the tallest mountain in Hawaii. It stands at 4205 meters.

While most of the volcano is underwater, it is about 10,204 meters. That’s taller than Mount Everest. It’s a sight to behold.

Why you can't miss the Big Island in Hawaii

4. Kauai

Places to visit in Kauai

Waimea Canyon

Known as the largest canyon in the Pacific, the Waimea Canyon is a magnificent sight to behold. It is a large canyon located on the western side of Kauai; it is 10 miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep.

Kokee State Park

Covered in forest and wildflowers, the park spreads over 4,345 acres on a plateau that is 3,200 to 4,200 above sea level.

Spouting Horn Park

This is one of Kauai’s natural wonders; it is a blowhole near Poipu Beach. It is famous for its crashing waves but also dangerous.

Napali Coast

It is a sacred place 17 miles long and one of the most beautiful coastlines globally. It lies in the North West of Kauai Island, and it’s known for its towering sea cliffs and its overflowing waterfalls.

What to do and tips for Kauai

A helicopter tour

The first thing you do is take a helicopter tour over Kauai and enjoy the magnificent view of the island as you fly over. You get to have a birds-eye view of the red and green canyons, waterfalls, and beaches.

Drive through The Waimea Canyon

Fourteen miles long, 1 mile wide, and 3600 feet deep, The Waimea Canyon is a must-do. Spend 4 hours driving up the canyon and stopping at various viewpoints.

Before you go, check the weather. Mornings are a good time because they are usually clearer.

Beyond the Waimea Canyon is the Koke’e State Park. Head there for hiking, and make sure you get there early before it gets crowded.

Visit the Spouting Horn Park

Sounding like a furious Hawaiian god, the Spouting Horn Park is where you see water spouting out from rocks in the ocean.

Explore the breathtaking Napali Coast

You can explore the high cliffs, sea caves, and cascading waterfalls on foot or helicopter tour. But the best way to view the Napali Coast is through a boat tour.

You can also view the Napali Coast from Kokee State Park.

Why you can't miss Kauai in Hawaii

What should be your budget for 2 weeks in Hawaii?

Conclusion