How to Go Hawaiian Island Hopping (and See More of Hawaii!)

Are you looking for Hawaiian island hopping tips?

This guide from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know! Hawaii is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. After all, with its golden sand, blue waters, swaying palm trees, and fabulous food, who wouldn’t want to visit?

Since there are several islands in Hawaii, many visitors choose to do a little island hopping during their trips. But planning a Hawaii trip itinerary that includes stops on multiple islands can be a little daunting. Lucky for you, this Hawaii island hopping guide has everything you need to know!

How Many Islands Are There in Hawaii?

There are a total of eight Hawaiian Islands, and you can visit all of them except for the two smallest ones: Niihau and Kahoolawe. The six remaining islands include Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai.

Can you drive between islands in Hawaii?

Unlike many people believe, you cannot drive between Hawaiian Islands. The ocean between the islands is too deep to build any bridges. Instead, you’ll either need to take a plane or a ferry, depending on which island you’re traveling to.

Air and boat travel are the only ways to island hop in Hawaii. Planes and ferries being the most common means of transport for travel between islands, here are the ways you can go island hopping in Hawaii:

How To Travel Between Hawaiian Islands By Plane

The best and most popular way to go Hawaii island hopping is by plane. Flights between Hawaiian islands include Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele, Southwest, and Princeville.

There are dozens of interisland flights every single day. Plus, these island-hopping flights are very fast. Even the longest flight from Kauai to the Big Island is under an hour. 

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines has the most Hawaii island hopping flights in comparison to any other airline. This airline is also the longest-running airline that offers interisland flights.

Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland flights run from the major airports on each island. These include:

• Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu
• Hilo (ITO) on the Big Island
• Kona (KOA) on the Big Island
• Kahului (OGG) on Maui
• Kapalua (JHM) on Maui
• Lihue (LIH) on Kauai
• Hoolehua (MKK) on Molokai
• Lanai City (LNY) on Lanai

Mokulele Airlines

Although Hawaiian Airlines has more interisland flights, Mokulele Airlines is a close competitor. While Mokulele Airlines also goes to each of the major airports on all of the islands, it stands out from the other airlines on this list by going to the smaller airports on the islands as well.

For example, rather than flying into Kahului Airport on Maui and driving the nearly two-hour drive to Hana, you can simply take a flight on Mokulele Airlines to Hana Airport. The same concept applies to the Big Island and Molokai.

Southwest Airlines

The most recent addition to the Hawaiian island-hopping airlines is Southwest Airlines. This is by far the cheapest option on this list, as Southwest regularly offers one-way interisland flights for $39. Sometimes they even have special deals that only cost $25!

Southwest Airlines only has flights between the major airports on the four major Hawaiian Islands. These include:

• Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu
• Hilo (ITO) on the Big Island
• Kona (KOA) on the Big Island
• Kahului (OGG) on Maui
• Lihue (LIH) on Kauai

Princeville Air

Princeville Air is a tiny airline that only has flights from Oahu to Kauai. Rather than landing at Kauai’s popular Lihue Airport, you’ll land at the small Princeville airport on Kauai’s North Shore. This means that, while you’re in the air, you’ll get to see breathtaking views of Kauai’s North and East Shores, which you can usually only see on a private helicopter tour.

How To Travel Between Hawaiian Islands By Ferry

The ferry system in Hawaii is quite limited. While once upon a time there was an interisland ferry between the main islands, it was shut down due to the concerns about pollution and marine life.

Today, the only ferries in Hawaii run from Maui to the other two islands in Maui County: Lanai and Molokai. And these short boat rides aren’t just a convenient form of transportation. You can also catch stunning views of the islands, the Pacific Ocean, and even a few dolphins or humpback whales!

It is important to note that these ferries are for people, not cars, so you will need to find a new mode of transportation on each island.

Ferry Between Maui and Lanai

The ferry ride on Expeditions between Maui and Lanai is about 45 minutes long. It runs between Manele, Lanai and Lahaina, Maui.

• When the ferry leaves from Maui, it departs at 6:45 am, 9:15 am, 12:45 pm, 3:15 pm, and 5:45 pm. 
• When the ferry leaves from Lanai, it departs at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:45 pm.

Ferry Between Maui and Molokai

(***update 2021: this ferry is now discontinued)

Rather than a short 45-minute ride, the ferry journey between Lahaina, Maui and Kaunakakai, Molokai takes 90 minutes.

• When the ferry leaves from Maui, it departs at 7:15 am, 10:45 am, and 6:00 pm. 
• When the ferry leaves from Molokai, it departs at 5:30 am, 9:00 am, and 4:00 pm.

The cost of Hawaiian island hopping by plane varies greatly. The flight fares change based on the airline, the time of day, the time of year, and the demand. 

But as mentioned above, if price is your concern and you want to fly between major airports, keep an eye on Southwest Airlines’ flights because they are often the cheapest flight option. Alternatively, Hawaii’s ferry prices are more budget-friendly (and predictable).

Hawaii ferry prices: 

• For the ferry between Maui and Lanai, it is $30 each way for adults and $20 each way for children. This ferry has a discount for Hawaii locals with proof of a valid Hawaii ID. 
• (Now discontinued as of 2021) For the ferry between Maui and Molokai, it is $40 each way for adults and $20 each way for children.

Don’t Try to Visit Too Many Islands in Hawaii

The biggest mistake that visitors make when Hawaiian island hopping is trying to see too many islands. There’s just so much to see on each island! Use this general guideline when planning:

• If you’re in Hawaii for five days or less, stick to one island. 
• If you’re visiting for a week, you could squeeze in two islands, but I’d still recommend sticking with one. 
• If you’re planning to stay in Hawaii for ten days or more, you can start island hopping in Hawaii.

Don’t Only Visit the Popular Hawaii Islands

When Hawaii island hopping, many visitors decide to just hop to the main islands. As a matter of fact, Oahu and Maui are by far the two most visited islands! But the other islands are worth a visit too. 

• If you love hiking, you should consider a visit to Kauai. Then, there’s the Big Island, which has everything from active volcanoes to green sand beaches to snow-capped mountain tops. 
• If you’re looking for much smaller, quieter islands, Lanai or Molokai could be exactly what you need.

As you see, depending on your interests, the other islands may actually be a better fit for you. Check out this Hawaii travel guide by a local to see the interesting breakdown by island.

Enjoy Your Hawaii Island Hopping Adventure!

There are so many lovely Hawaiian islands to choose from when planning your Hawaiian island-hopping vacation. But regardless of which islands you choose, you’re sure to have an amazing trip.

How much does it cost to island hop in Hawaii?

Island hopping can get expensive if you don’t plan ahead. Pricing varies for flights but ferries cost $30-40 each way for adults.

Is island hopping allowed in Hawaii?

Island hopping is allowed in Hawaii (with the exception of Niihau and Kahoolawe, which you cannot visit). There are no bridges connecting the islands though, so you have to reserve flights or ferries to get to your destination.

Are there ferries between islands in Hawaii?

Yes, there is a passenger ferry with Expeditions between Maui and Lanai. The ferry between Lanai and Molokai is discontinued as of 2021.

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