This article’s recommendations may include affiliate links.
We’ve mentioned it before and will say it again: if you’re visiting Hawaii and want to see more than one island, we definitely recommend planning a 10-day Hawaii itinerary, at the very least! Check out this detailed itinerary from a Hawaii local to get started planning.
If your vacation days are ready to go and you just need an epic itinerary for Hawaii laid out for you, you’ll be pleased to know this daily activity guide is local-approved and makes space to explore more than one island.
How to Spend 10 Days in Hawaii
(Daily Activity Itinerary for Kauai and Big Island)
One of the biggest mistakes tourists visiting Hawaii make is trying to visit too many islands in one trip—island hopping Hawaii requires planning and enough time.
For that reason, this 10-day Hawaii itinerary will help you explore the beautiful islands of Kauai and the Big Island. And while that is just two of the six islands open to visit in Hawaii, you will definitely have plenty to experience during the entirety of your island getaway.
- Day 1-5: Kauai (leave early on day 5)
- Day 5-10: Big Island
4-Day Kauai Itinerary
To kick off your Hawaii trip, we recommend you stay at least four full days in Kauai to enjoy all the outdoor activities this lush, green island has to offer. You’ll be flying into Lihue Airport (LIH) and there are plenty of nice places to stay in the area.
Where to stay in Kauai near the airport:
- The Kauai Inn $$
- Banyan Harbor Resort $$$
- Castle Kaha Lani Resort $$$
- Kauai Beach Resort and Spa $$$$
- Marriott Kauai Lagoons $$$$
Where to eat on Kauai:
Though Kauai is known for being the most green of all the Hawaiian islands (and having breathtaking outdoor activity options), there are also yummy food options there too! Check out this “Best of” guide from Hawaii Magazine for a list of Kauai’s best food and drink spots.
These are the 5 best farm-to-table restaurants on Kauai:
- Merriman’s Fish House
- Hukilau Lanai
- The Local Kauai
- Kauai ‘Ono
- Bar Acuda
Day 1 (Kauai): Explore Poipu
After making the long flight to Lihue Airport on Kauai, you’ll want to take it relatively easy on your first day on the islands. You can make the short, 20-minute drive into the lovely town of Poipu and explore all of its gems.
Suggested activities for One day in Kauai:
- Soak up the sun at Poipu Beach (Nukomoi Point is best for snorkeling)
- Visit Allerton Garden
- Walk the Mahaulepu Coastal Trail
- Wander around The Shops at Kukuiula
Day 2 (Kauai): Visit the Waimea Canyon + Kokee State Park
If there’s one thing you need to see on Kauai, it’s Waimea Canyon. It is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. While there, you can take in the views or go for a hike (try hiking to Waipo‘o Falls).
Your second stop of the day is the gorgeous Kokee State Park. This state park is home to stunning greenery-laden mountains, including Mount Waialeale and the tip of the Na Pali Coast.
Things to know before visiting Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park:
Entry to these attractions is $5 per person and parking fee per vehicle ($10) are required for non-residents visiting Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks
Last but not least, if you have time on your way back, I highly recommend making a stop in the tiny, yet charming town of Hanapepe. Did you know the movie “Lilo and Stitch” was inspired by this town?
Day 3 (Kauai): Head to the North Shore
Day 3 of this 10-day itinerary for Hawaii is all about the North Shore of Kauai. On the way there, you’ll be able to stop at a couple of Kauai’s most beautiful waterfalls, including Wailua Falls and Opaekaa Falls.
What to do in the North Shore of Kauai:
- swim through the underwater tunnels at Tunnels Beach (best snorkeling is in the center)
- explore the wet and dry caves
- say hello to the nene geese at the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge
- try taro donuts from Holey Grail Donuts
Day 4 (Kauai): Take a Boat Tour of the Na Pali Coast
There are three ways to see the famous Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park: hiking on foot, from the air, or by boat.
Before you leave the beautiful island of Kauai, I recommend spending your last day taking a Na Pali Coast boat tour to see both the stunning green mountain range and the friendly animals in the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean.
Tour companies with legal access to bring you to the Na Pali Coast:
For Na Pali Coast Motorized Inflatable Raft Tours (Nu’alolo Kai):
For Na Pali Coast Guided Kayak Tours (Miloli’i Beach): May – September
6-Day Big Island Itinerary
There is so much to do in Big Island, even six days may not feel enough—but you can definitely start to explore some of the best of this destination! Big Island is a great vacation spot for outdoor adventure, and a must-visit if you want unique experiences like visiting Volcanoes National Park.
Where to stay in big island:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kailua-Kona $$
- Banyan Tree Sanctuary Guest House $$
- Kona Coast Resort $$$
- Four Seasons Resort Hualalai $$$$$
- Aston Kona By The Sea $$$$
Where to eat in Big Island:
Check out this “Best of” guide from Hawaii Magazine for a list of Big Island’s best food and drink spots.
These are the 5 best farm-to-table restaurants on the Big Island:
- Merriman’s Big Island
- Foster’s Kitchen
- Holuakoa Gardens Restaurant and Café
- Moon and Turtle
- Hilo Bay Café
Day 5 (Big Island): Soak Up the Sun in Kona
On day 5 of your 10-day itinerary for Hawaii, you’ll fly from Lihue, Kauai to Kona, Big Island. Once you land, you can head straight to the beach! A few of the best beaches in Kona include Kealakekua Bay, Hapuna Beach, and Kua Bay.
If you have a little bit of extra time, I recommend using it to see ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. Glimpses of this historic pictorial language can be found at Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve and Puako Petroglyph Park.
Day 6 (Big Island): Visit Kona Coffee Farms and Learn Hawaiian History
If there’s one thing that Kona is known for, it’s coffee. And you can get as much Kona coffee as you’d like at one of the many Kona coffee farms, including Mountain Thunder Coffee, Hula Daddy Coffee, and Kona Coffee Living History Farm.
After you’ve gotten your caffeine boost, you can then learn a little bit about Hawaiian history. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Puuhonua O Honaunau National Park are both great places to visit.
Day 7 (Big Island): Climb to the Top of Mauna Kea
From sea level to the peak, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world, so it’s definitely worth a visit during your time on the Big Island. It’s the perfect place to catch the sunrise or do a little stargazing. In the winter, there’s even snow on the peak, so you can test your snowboarding and skiing skills as well!
Day 8 (Big Island): Go to the Southernmost Tip of the U.S.
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to the southernmost tip of the United States, also known as Ka Lae. While this landmark is a great place to visit, it’s the many stops around it that make it more interesting.
You can hike to Papakolea Green Sand Beach, grab some guava bread from Punaluu Bake Shop, and find a hidden sandy shoreline.
Day 9 (Big Island): Head to Hilo
While this itinerary focuses on the Kona side of the Big Island, you won’t want to miss out on the east side of the island, also known as the Hilo side. Hilo is home to loads of stunning waterfalls and beautiful black sand beaches. You can spend your time visiting Akaka Falls, Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Pohoiki Black Sand Beach, and Rainbow Falls.
And if you’re looking for a place to grab a bite to eat, I highly recommend heading to Moon & Turtle for a meal or Two Ladies Kitchen for a sweet snack.
Day 10 (Big Island): Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hilo is also home to the exciting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. While there, there are loads of things for you to do.
You can hike the Kilauea Iki Trail, warm up by the steam vents, check out the ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, and walk through the Thurston Lava Tube. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of the lava flowing!
FAQs About Your Itinerary for Hawaii
When is the best time to visit Kauai and Big Island?
While Kauai and the Big Island are both beautiful throughout the year. I would recommend visiting in April or May, as these months have ideal weather and smaller crowds.
Is 10 days in Hawaii enough?
That depends on how many islands you want to visit! If you just want to visit one or two, 10 days will likely be enough. But if you want to visit three or more islands, you’ll need to extend your trip.
Which Hawaiian island is the best for first time visitors?
Out of the six islands open to the public, the best Hawaiian island depends on your interests: Oahu is the most easily accessible, Maui fits the “Hawaii is paradise” stereotype, Kauai is for hikers, and Big Island has the famous volcanoes. The smaller islands of Lanai and Molokai are perfect for going off the grid.
How many days in Hawaii is enough?
Again, that depends on how many islands you want to visit. I recommend alloting approximately 4-8 days per island.
What Are Your Favorite Stops on Your 10-day Hawaii Itinerary?
Since this 10-day Hawaii itinerary includes just two of the Hawaiian Islands, there is so much more that you can see.
You can watch professional surfers on the North Shore of Oahu, drive the winding road to Hana on Maui, and get off the grid on the little island of Lanai. But instead of stuffing all of that into one trip, save all of that for your next Hawaii getaway.
Enjoy!
* * *
Hey Pinterest Fam!
Share this guide to 10 Days in Hawaii by pinning the image below to your planning board.
