Maui to Honolulu: A Journey of Tropical, History and Adventure

Congratulations on choosing one of the best places to go for a tropical vacation, especially if you’re going for a winter escape! Hawaii is full of fascinating history and liberating adventure. If you’re going to Hawaii, and you’re trying to figure out where to go, you may want to consider a vacation that includes Maui and Honolulu, two places in the same state that couldn’t be more different.

One is a buzzing urban center while the other is full of wild landscapes, including lush rainforests and verdant countryside. If that sounds like something you might be interested in, keep reading to get some helpful tips on your journey from Maui to Honolulu.

Travel from Maui to Honolulu

You’ve basically got two options when it comes to travelling from Maui to Honolulu—by plane or cruise ship. If you go by plane, you’ll probably end up flying out of Kahului Airport on Maui, Maui’s largest airport, located on the islands north coast. You also have the option of Kapalua airport in the west and Hana Airport in the small town of Hana.

From Maui, you can either fly into the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, with all of the amenities, or Kahului Airport.

If you’re more into the cruise vibe, there are plenty of cruise lines such as Holland America and Norwegian that generally leave from North America and stop at Honolulu and Maui.

What to do in Maui

Unless you plan to stay on Maui for an extended amount of time, you’ll be hard-pressed to find time for all of the awesome things that there are to do. So check out this list of things that you absolutely can’t miss.

• Sea turtles: Head to the Molokini Crater (which in itself is a whole world to discover), and you can swim with endangered sea turtles. There are tons of tour options, including some that include sea kayaking!
• Scuba Diving: Maui has numerous options for scuba diving trips and is a great place for seasoned vets and beginners alike. We recommend checking out the Lanai Caverns for a dive you will never forget! Learn more about scuba diving including information for beginners.
• Road to Hana: The Road to Hana is a curving, winding, twisting route that takes you past breathtaking landscapes, opulent waterfalls, black sand beaches, and a plethora of great hiking spots.
• Luau: You’re in Hawaii, aren’t you? You can’t go to Hawaii and not attend a luau! At a luau, you’ll enjoy traditional music, dance and so much delicious food.
• Pearl Harbor: Did you know that you can island-hop for daytime excursions? If you want to spend most of your time in Maui, but you know you want to see Pearl Harbor, you can get to Pearl Harbor from Maui with one of the many island-hopping tours available.

What to do in Honolulu

After all of the fun you’ve had swimming with sea turtles and dancing at luaus in Maui, how can you possibly top it? Well, follow this list of things to do, and you certainly won’t be disappointed.

• Pearl harbor: If you didn’t island-hop to see Pearl Harbor when you were in Maui, then you’ve absolutely got to do it while you’re in Honolulu. You’ll visit the USS Arizona Memorial and become an expert on this important part of US and Japanese history. Just make sure you dress in respectful clothing and remember that this is a solemn place for many visitors.
• Surf’s up: Oahu is one of the best places in the world to surf. If you are looking to surf, make sure to head there in the winter, when conditions are at their peak.
• Beach: No trip to Honolulu is complete without a day spent relaxing and getting tan on the beach. Bring your favorite book and plenty of sunscreens, and get ready to let all of your stress fade away.
• Koko Crater Trail: A free activity that will help you burn off some of the calories from your luau! This hiking trail stretches over 2 miles of the crater and features over 1,000 steps that are made from old railroad ties. Make sure you’re up to the hike before you go, as there are some difficult parts.

If you’re planning a trip to Honolulu and Maui, you’ll have no shortage of awesome things to do. It’s a wonderful vacation to do solo or with your family, as there is truly an activity for every personality. You’ll go snorkeling with sea turtles, hike through lush rainforests, and learn about important history. And don’t forget to go to a luau!