Exploring Hawaii: Inter-Island Travel Options And Recommendations

Hawaii is an archipelago of islands in the Pacific Ocean, with just eight miles separating some of the closest major islands, such as Lanai and Maui. This makes Hawaii a tempting destination for island hopping.

To get around the islands of Hawaii, you can fly by helicopter, travel by ferry or hop on a boat. However, in most cases, you will need to board a flight. The closest major island to Hawaii is Oahu, which is also the hub of Hawaii and its inter-island travel. This is where international flights into Hawaii will likely land, as well as where the majority of US mainland flights operate.

From Oahu, it should only take around 30 to 45 minutes of flight time to get to the other major Hawaiian islands on a non-stop flight.

Inter-island travel is mostly by air

Inter-island travel in Hawaii is mostly by air. In fact, in many cases, flying is the only option for inter-island travel. The only other possibility is taking a ferry, and that choice is available only from Maui to Lanai, or from Maui to Molokai.

Most inter-island flights go through Honolulu Airport. For example, if you are flying from Kauai to the Big Island, you will almost certainly make a quick stop in Honolulu along the way.

The predominant method of inter-island travel is by flying. Many people assume there’s a network of ferries to transport you from island to island. That’s not the case in Hawaii. Ferry service is only available between the islands of Maui and Lanai. To travel between all the other Hawaiian islands, you must fly.

• Hawaiian Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Mokulele Airlines
• Makani Kai Air
• Lanai Air

There are some ferry services

In the past, there was a ferry service between Maui and Molokai, but that service was discontinued in 2016.

There have been other ferry services in Hawaii in the past, but they have ceased operations. One of the most notable was the Hawaii Superferry, which began running an interisland ferry service on December 13, 2007, and shut down all operations on March 19, 2009. The Hawaii Superferry had planned on running routes between Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai. However, due to legal issues over environmental impact statements and protests from residents, the service was ultimately discontinued.

So, while there are some ferry services in Hawaii, they are quite limited compared to the many options for interisland flights.

You can fly by helicopter

If you want to travel between the Hawaiian islands and are looking for a quick, convenient, and comfortable way to do so, you may want to consider travelling by helicopter.

Helicopter Companies

Several helicopter companies offer inter-island travel in Hawaii, including Paradise Helicopters, Inter-Island Helicopters, and Blue Hawaiian.

Aircraft

Paradise Helicopters, for example, offers twin-engine helicopters with heightened safety, a spacious cabin with luxurious leather seats, and increased cargo capacity. Their helicopters can seat up to seven passengers and provide one of the smoothest rides in Hawaii.

Safety

Helicopter companies such as Paradise Helicopters prioritise safety and smoothness during the flight. They also offer ground transportation services for a seamless door-to-door experience.

Flexibility

Helicopter travel provides flexibility in terms of timing to accommodate business meetings, day trips, or connecting flights. You can also add sightseeing to your flight path to optimise the aerial views.

Accessibility

Helicopters can access remote areas that may not be easily reachable by other modes of transportation. For example, Blue Hawaiian offers charter services to less-touristy areas and far-flung trailheads.

Seating

When booking your helicopter tour, consider the seating arrangement to ensure the best viewing experience. Inter-Island Helicopters, for instance, offers Robinson Helicopters with guaranteed window seating and no middle back seats, maximising the viewing experience for all passengers.

Doors-Off Option

Some helicopter companies provide a "doors-off" option, allowing for unobstructed views and exceptional photo opportunities without any glare. This option may be available for an additional fee and is worth considering if you want to capture the beauty of the islands from a unique perspective.

Duration

The duration of helicopter tours can vary, typically ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the tour package and the islands being visited.

Cost

The cost of helicopter tours can vary depending on the company, duration of the tour, and the specific itinerary. Prices for tours can range from $305 to $4400, with some tours offering private charter options for a more exclusive experience.

Convenience

Helicopter travel can save you time compared to other modes of inter-island transportation, such as ferries or boats, which may have limited departure times and longer travel durations.

Luggage

When travelling by helicopter, it's important to consider the luggage restrictions, as helicopters typically have limited cargo capacity. If you plan to bring suitcases or large items, you may need to inquire about the cargo capacity and any weight restrictions.

In conclusion, travelling by helicopter is a convenient, flexible, and time-saving option for inter-island travel in Hawaii. It offers comfort, safety, and the opportunity to optimise your itinerary with seamless connections and breathtaking aerial views.

You can take a cruise

If you want to get the most out of your Hawaiian vacation and have the time and budget to do so, consider taking a cruise. Cruise lines such as Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line offer a variety of itineraries that take you to the four major islands – some even include overnight stays. You'll see Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island without worrying about how to get around other than getting on and off the ship.

With Norwegian, you can also combine a cruise around Hawaii with a trip to French Polynesia, which sounds most excellent to us. In the case of Disney, the cruises around Hawaii are actually 10-night cruises that start or end in Vancouver with stops on multiple Hawaiian Islands.

If you want to experience the ultimate in luxury, you can book a penthouse with a large balcony on the Pride of America. With room for up to six guests, these modern Penthouses are the perfect way to cruise in style. Most include a separate bedroom with a king-size bed, additional bedding for up to four more, plus a luxury bath, walk-in closet and living and dining room. All with the indulgence of butler and concierge service.

You can also opt for a more affordable inside stateroom, which still has room for up to four guests and includes two lower beds that convert into a queen-size bed.

If you really want to push the boat out (pun intended), you could book a Deluxe Penthouse with a Large Balcony. Enjoy the magnificent views from the large balcony of these amazing Penthouses that sleep up to six guests and include a bedroom with a king-size bed, plus a double sofabed and double murphy bed. Along with a luxury bath with bathtub and a living and dining area. They also can connect to an Owner's Suite with Large Balcony so you can spread out in ultimate luxury. Plus, you'll have the services of a butler and concierge.

You can use airline miles for intra-Hawaii travel

Yes, you can use airline miles for intra-Hawaii travel. However, most of the options will bring you right back to the same Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights.

• American miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,500 miles
• Delta miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,500 miles
• Hawaiian Airlines: 7,500 miles
• JetBlue points to fly Hawaiian: 6,000 miles
• United miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,000 miles
• Virgin Atlantic miles to fly Hawaiian: 7,500 miles

Note that the number of miles needed may vary depending on the airline and class of service.

In addition to using airline miles, you can also use points from certain credit cards for intra-Hawaii travel. For example, with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, you can earn points that can be redeemed for inter-island flights on Southwest Airlines.

When planning your intra-Hawaii travel, be sure to compare the number of miles or points needed across different airlines and reward programs to get the best value for your rewards.

Frequently asked questions