Day Trip to Kauai or Maui- which one?

[Wolfepack88]

Sold the timeshare we got smoked on before I knew about TUG and this is our last trip to Hawaii to use it (3BR Penthouse in HIlton Grand Islander). Anyhow the kids are 18 and 16 now and unlikely we get away as a family againf or quite some time as they do "their thing". Anyhow, if you could do a 1 day driving trip (no snorkeling or boat rides) around one of these two islands which one would you do? We hit the Big Island the last time and saw some cool things. We will go first flight over and last flight back.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

I'd recommend NOT taking a day trip. IMHO it isn't worth the hassle - - driving to airport, dropping off a car or parking it, flying, waiting in lines, picking up another car, driving like mad to see what you need/want to see, get some lunch, dropping off the rental car, waiting in lines, flying back, picking up original rental car, driving back to Grand Islander. I suspect that you eat up 4, 5, or 6 hours just getting there and back. To me, it just doesn't seem worth it and doesn't seem like fun.

Just my opinion...

Perhaps instead, consider just driving up to the North Shore of Oahu, or taking a sailing sunset cruise, etc.

 

[Henry M.]

Any chance you could jump to the other island at the end of your trip and stay there for a week?

Changing islands takes a lot of time. I don't know how well you know Oahu, but if it were me, I'd spend my time doing a deeper exploration of the island I was on instead of going to another island for a day. I'd go spend a week on Maui. A single day hardly does any of the islands any justice.

I am partial to Maui and like the volcano as well as Wailea, La Perouse Bay and the volcanic lava flows south of it. Haleakala National Park is a bit of a drive.

I like Kauai too and would probably go to Waimea Canyon and hike around that area.

 

[jacknsara]

Sold the timeshare we got smoked on before I knew about TUG and this is our last trip to Hawaii to use it (3BR Penthouse in HIlton Grand Islander). Anyhow the kids are 18 and 16 now and unlikely we get away as a family againf or quite some time as they do "their thing". Anyhow, if you could do a 1 day driving trip (no snorkeling or boat rides) around one of these two islands which one would you do? We hit the Big Island the last time and saw some cool things. We will go first flight over and last flight back.

Aloha,
I wouldn't do what you're proposing to do, but that is your choice.
If you want to fly, pick up a rental car, and drive much of the day, consider the drive to Hana on Maui.
The best time of day to set out for a drive to the Waimea canyon on Kauai is around sunrise. It is not unusual for the viewpoint at the top of the road to get socked in with clouds by mid to late morning.
Good luck & enjoy
Jack

 

[mjm1]

Sold the timeshare we got smoked on before I knew about TUG and this is our last trip to Hawaii to use it (3BR Penthouse in HIlton Grand Islander). Anyhow the kids are 18 and 16 now and unlikely we get away as a family againf or quite some time as they do "their thing". Anyhow, if you could do a 1 day driving trip (no snorkeling or boat rides) around one of these two islands which one would you do? We hit the Big Island the last time and saw some cool things. We will go first flight over and last flight back.

If I remember correctly you are going in December. If so, the days will be shorter, which makes it even harder enjoy a day trip to another island. As others have mentioned it may be a better experience if you explore Oahu a bit more.

If you’ve never been to Kailua beach or Lanikai beach on the windward side both of them are great and the drive over, either over the Pali (worth a stop on your way there or back) or around the east side along the coast are very nice. Even if you don’t go in the water the view is great. Perhaps continue on the coast toward Turtle Bay and have lunch at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (cash only). The Pipeline for surfers and potentially bigger waves is on the North Shore too.

If you do decide on flying to another island I would consider Kauai for Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.) But December isn't really a good time to go up there or Princeville.

 

[DaveNV]

If I remember correctly you are going in December.

If you do decide on flying to another island I would consider Kauai for Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.)

@mjm1 I'd expect Waimea Canyon will be socked in during December.

OP, for all the reasons mentioned above, I'd stay right there on Oahu. Drive around and see some things. Tantalus Drive, for example, has remarkable views over Honolulu and Diamond Head. The Pali Lookout, as mentioned above, provides incredible views of the windward side of Oahu. Kailua Beach, Lanikai, Waimanalo, Makapu'u Beach, and even down to Sandy Beach on the way to Hanauma Bay are all great stops. Going the other direction from the Pali, Kaneohe Bay to up past Chinaman's Hat offers some amazing coastline, great swimming, and easy fun. Swim a bit, have a progressive picnic, take the Jurassic Park tours at Kualoa Ranch. Stopping at the surf beaches on the way up to the North Shore can be a great time, especially in December, when the surf is higher, weather is rougher, it's windier, and often rainier. If the weather is dry, and swimming possible, jumping off the Rock in Waimea Bay is exhilarating. Your boys are certain to enjoy themselves. Putzing around Haleiwa Town is always fun, and there are some excellent shops, galleries, and restaurants there. Keep coming back around the center of the island, and make a stop at Dole Pineapple. Yes, it's a tourist trap, but who doesn't enjoy a fresh Dole Pineapple Whip?

There is so much to do on Oahu that many tourists never see. Go to the Bishop Museum, and learn about the amazing history of Hawaii, where the Island people came from, and how their society developed. See Iolani Palace, and learn how the Monarchy was stolen from the Hawaiian Royalty. Visit one of the incredible Botanical Gardens, and learn about the amazing plants that are found in the Islands.

There is a ton more to see and do on Oahu, but you only have one day. Or do you? You may want to extend your vacation, or make it even more adventurous that you're already planning.

Above all, have fun. Just because you sold your timeshare doesn't mean you won't be back.

Good luck, and Aloha!

Dave

 

[klpca]

It's not worth it, honestly. I had to do Kauai -> Oahu a few years ago for a funeral. It was a very long day. The shortest flight will be HNL-LIH. Getting a rental car will be time consuming no matter where you go. There are things fairly close to the Lihue airport, I suppose (Kapa'a and Wailua Falls) but I honestly wouldn't do it. It will give you and your kids something to look forward to on another trip in the future.

I would do a round the island (Oahu) driving trip to change up the scenery, or hike up Diamondhead, or hike out to Kaena Point via Haleiwa (a long hike if you go the whole way to the point, but you can turn around anywhere), or take the kids to see the winter waves on the North Shore. There are lots of non-Waikiki things to do that will make you feel like you went to another island.

 

[b2bailey]

Many years ago I planned a Oahu, Hawaii trip that was my husband's first visit.
It was a 4 day Memorial Weekend. (I was much younger then.)
After spending 3 nights near Waikiki Beach we spent one night at Turtle Bay after a scenic drive of North Shore.
I wanted him to see a part of Oahu that's totally different from Waikiki. I can't imagine going on a day trip to another island.

This was back in the days of amazing Priceline hotel deals. My husband chatted with Front desk guy,
mentioning this was his first visit. We were upgraded from standard hotel room to an Oceanfront Bungelow.
I see that it's now a Ritz Carlton.

 

[Shiba]

We did a tour with We Go! Island adventures and it was the highlight of our trip. Our kids still talk about it. Its starts at Kailua Beach (Oahu) and you paddle out in an outrigger canoe to the Mokolua island (the Mokes). You hike around the island to the back where you can do some cliff diving 20-30 foot jump. On the way back ride the waves back, but don’t forget to look down for Sea Turtles. Water shoes recommended. At the end the guide sends you a video of your excursion.

Don’t have an opinion about island hopping for the day.

 

[easyrider]

If you can actually make it on time considering flights and traffic then maybe head to Kauia and take a Napilli Coast and sea cave boat tour. It's definitely an unforgettable experience.

Bill

 

[Henry M.]

Don't the Napoli Coast boat tours close for the winter? The seas around there will be kind of rough by December.

 

[4TimeAway]

Turtle Bay is nice, sometimes there are whales breaching. Its bit spendy, but you can have a nice lunch or dinner at Roy's as part of the grand tour most people seem to be recommending.

Its interesting you sold, I've been thinking of buying at GI. Everyone is in a different phase of timesharing.

 

[FunnyFarm]

I would not recommend either place for a one day trip, it will be dark around 6 in the winter. All the time sucks others have mentioned

My sister really enjoyed a day trip to molokai for a day, renting a jeep and driving around.
That was launching from Maui however

The Napali cliffs tours don't close in the winter however on the day of takeoff they may say conditions are too bad and take you south instead of north.
That has been my experience launching from Ele'ele.
Launching from Northshore might be different, still very unlikely the sea caves will be safe anytime in the winter

 

[Wolfepack88]

If I remember correctly you are going in December. If so, the days will be shorter, which makes it even harder enjoy a day trip to another island. As others have mentioned it may be a better experience if you explore Oahu a bit more.

If you’ve never been to Kailua beach or Lanikai beach on the windward side both of them are great and the drive over, either over the Pali (worth a stop on your way there or back) or around the east side along the coast are very nice. Even if you don’t go in the water the view is great. Perhaps continue on the coast toward Turtle Bay and have lunch at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (cash only). The Pipeline for surfers and potentially bigger waves is on the North Shore too.

If you do decide on flying to another island I would consider Kauai for Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.) But December isn't really a good time to go up there or Princeville.

Nope we are week usually is week 25 but this year we are going on April 11th for 8 days (threw one extra day in via open season).

 

[ScoopKona]

Add me to team "it isn't worth it to take a day trip."

The only time I would recommend it is if someone said, "I'm on another island, Kilauea is fountaining like crazy, and it's my life's dream to see this." Then, by all means, fly to Hilo, rent a car and head to VNP.

Without a specific agenda, it's just a colossal waste of time -- TSA lines, car rental lines, going to Costco because tourists can't seem to live without Costco. The best part of the day is gone.

 

[alwysonvac]

We’ve done a day trip from Oahu.

We booked an early morning flight out of Honolulu so we could arrive before 8am and book one of the last flights back to Honolulu. We avoided the airport crowds and had at least 12 hours to enjoy the island.

For example

 

[LJT]

We were on Oahu for a week this year and didn’t see everything we wanted to see. We also flew to Molokai to spend 3 days. That might be an option for a day trip as the flights don’t go thru TSA and flights are more like flightseeing - you fly low and have wonderful views as you go. A highlight for the teens may be mailing a coconut home which we did- a fun and unique thing to do.

 

[easyrider]

Don't the Napoli Coast boat tours close for the winter? The seas around there will be kind of rough by December.

I think you might be right. They use rafts so they could go out on a decent day so I think these tours are year round depending on weather. We use to scuba off Kauai and only the area near Poipu was available in January with our tour operator because of swells elsewhere. It's hard to get the gear on in swells but heading to sea cave in a raft is doable, imo.

Bill