What is Island Hopping? - Hawaii Discount

✈️ How to Visit Multiple Hawaiian Islands

A very common question when visiting Hawaii is: how do you get to the other islands? Many visitors don’t realize just how far apart the islands are, and that travel between them is limited mainly to short flights. The only current exception is the passenger ferry that runs between Maui and Lanai. Years ago, there was also a ferry between Oahu and Maui, but concerns over the fragile marine ecosystem led to its shutdown. Even with limited options, island hopping is still a very popular and rewarding addition to any Hawaii vacation.

🚢 Island Hopping Basics

Inter-island travel in Hawaii is straightforward, but it does require a bit of planning. Knowing your options ahead of time will help you build a smooth, stress-free itinerary.

• Most island hops are done by air on short, frequent flights
• There is a passenger ferry between Maui and Lanai
• There are currently no regular ferries between the other main islands
• Island hopping can be a day trip or an overnight stay on another island

🛫 Flying Between Islands

Flights between the islands depart frequently and usually follow a predictable daily schedule. If you decide you simply must see another island, it’s often easy to book a flight and go. Of course, you’ll need to consider where you’ll stay, how you’ll get around, and what you want to do once you arrive—but, as with most things in Hawaii, these details are manageable with a bit of advance planning.

🌺 Inter-Island Day Tours

One of the easiest ways to island hop is by booking a guided inter-island day tour. These “vacation within a vacation” packages typically include round-trip flights, ground transportation, and a full-day itinerary on the neighbor island. You might spend the day visiting historic sites, exploring scenic lookouts, or enjoying famous attractions, then fly back to your original island that same evening—no extra hotel stay required.

• Early morning departure from your home island
• Guided touring and activities on the neighbor island
• Time to see top highlights without the stress of planning every detail
• Return flight back in the evening, so you sleep in the same hotel

🌴 Why Island Hopping Is Worth It

One of the most convenient aspects of a Hawaii vacation is how quick and easy it is to travel between islands. Flights are short, and each island has its own personality, scenery, and experiences. Visiting another island—even just for a day—lets you check off more iconic sights and gives you a broader sense of what makes Hawaii so special.

📞 Book Early

Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year-round, tours, inter-island day trips, and popular activities often sell out weeks or months in advance. To secure your preferred dates and itineraries, we recommend booking early. Call our office or reserve online to take advantage of our low-price guarantee.