Hawaii Trip Advice

[CatDaddy]

Originally planned to join my son's Spanish Club on a trip to Equador. Travel advisory changed it to Dominican Republic. We rethought the trip and decided travelling with a bunch of people we don't care about, on their itinerary, wasn't what we wanted. So I bit the bullet and pulled what I paid (minus fees for withdrawing). Now we're seeking our own adventure and he wants to go to Hawaii. We have $5K in the bank for the trip and looking for advice on where and what you've all experienced that we should do. He's 18, open to adventure, and headed off to NDSU this fall.....

Appreciate any specifics on which island to make homebase, activities, do's or don'ts, etc. Travel agent or DIT bookings? We don't travel much as a family, this is a big trip. Thanks in advance!

 

[1lessdog]

We like Maui, lots of Snorkeling if your into it. Buy lots of bread to make bread balls and feed the fish. You will have 100 fish underneath you. They come from everywhere. They have nice public beaches.
You do have to go to Pearl Harbor. So much history and can spend a whole day there. You can take cheap flights from any of the islands.

 

[CatDaddy]

We like Maui, lots of Snorkeling if your into it. Buy lots of bread to make bread balls and feed the fish. You will have 100 fish underneath you. They come from everywhere. They have nice public beaches.
You do have to go to Pearl Harbor. So much history and can spend a whole day there. You can take cheap flights from any of the islands.

Thanks @1lessdog ! Am I crazy thinking we can do this on $5-6k for the two of us? 7-10 days?

Would you homebase on Maui vs. Oahu?

 

[1lessdog]

Maui has more to do, I think.

How much is airfare?

 

[CatDaddy]

Is DIY fishing or hunting a thing?

 

[CatDaddy]

Maui has more to do, I think.

How much is airfare?

I found $500 round trip per adult and hotels at $140/night that seemed legit. So $2400 for 10 days of hotel and airfare. Assume I want a car rental, some food at restaurants, some DIY in the hotel room kitchenette....

 

[CatDaddy]

Or am I over my head and should seek a travel advisor?

 

[1lessdog]

Flight to Pearl Harbor from Maui is about 300.00 each. Most motels have breakfast. And motel 1/2 mile off ocean is half price.

I could Snorkeling all day everyday.

 

[NDSportsman]

Lady and I are hoping to travel to Hawaii in the next couple of years so I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. We were thinking of a cruise around the islands but might just island hop instead. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[wslayer]

I second Maui. Snorkeling was great. We were going to do the Helicopter tour (think then it was $150/ea) but fog rolled in and they were grounded.

 

[Kurtr]

I have been there twice. Stayed a few nights in Honolulu and went to pearl harbor and that was amazing then we went to the big island for a week and it was laid back. We went for a day of deep sea fishing i didnt pay for it but i know it wasnt cheap. I did catch a spear fish we tagged and then it was caught off the coast of Australia a couple years later that was cool

The second time went to maui more commercial than the big island lots of stuff to do food was amazing pay to go to a luau that was a blast.

Nothing there is cheap the first time was a Christmas present from an old girl friends family so I didnt spend much.

The second time was my honeymoon and we spent plenty its why we go to mexico now vs Hawaii.

I think the next trip might be costa rica get a air b and b and do some fishing

 

[duckman1302]

Luau's are expensive but it is the one thing I recommend spending the money on. Definitely worth seeing at least once.

 

[Bfishn]

Oahu/Honolulu is the major metro area and may not be the HI experience you're thinking of. If you really want to see Pearl Harbor maybe just spend a couple days at the beginning or end of your trip there. Id plan to spend the main trip on Maui or Big Island. Maui has everything and is the most built up for tourists which is why its the most popular but also more spendy. Big Island is more chill and less expensive and may be a good spot for a father/son exploring trip on a budget, although I haven't been there.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Not too sure on your DIY hunting but I would for sure look into Axis deer hunt.

 

[Fester]

I say $10k for 3 people to Hawaii to be comfortable and not pinch pennies on the trip. So for two of you probably around $7k. That is all dependent on where you stay etc. Some people would stay in what i consider a dive hotel and think there is nothing wrong with the place. Its kimd of in the eye of the beholder. For me low end would be $10k for 3 so for two i would say min $7k.

 

[1lessdog]

I say $10k for 3 people to Hawaii to be comfortable and not pinch pennies on the trip. So for two of you probably around $7k. That is all dependent on where you stay etc. Some people would stay in what i consider a dive hotel and think there is nothing wrong with the place. Its kimd of in the eye of the beholder. For me low end would be $10k for 3 so for two i would say min $7k.

My Wife and I went to Ireland back in 2019 with Great Value Vacation. I paid 1200.00 each for Airfare, Motel and breakfast every morning and car rental and a few nice dinners. I was just looking at Italy 10 days for 1600.00 each.

 

[Allen]

Italy is a great experience! Go to Rome, from there you can daytrip down to see Pompeii, or take a train up to Pisa to see the tower. There is plenty of things to do in Rome for 5-6 days alone, so a few day trips are nice to squeeze in as well.

 

[deleted___account]

I haven't left town in about 10 years now other than to travel to the lake. I hate traveling.

 

[Kurtr]

I say $10k for 3 people to Hawaii to be comfortable and not pinch pennies on the trip. So for two of you probably around $7k. That is all dependent on where you stay etc. Some people would stay in what i consider a dive hotel and think there is nothing wrong with the place. Its kimd of in the eye of the beholder. For me low end would be $10k for 3 so for two i would say min $7k.

From my time there i would say you are spot on. If im going on vacation i want some where i like nice places and good food.

 

[shorthairsrus]

Are we talking italy or HI? We somehow did them both in 2024.

BIG ISLAND -- if you dont like crowds plus IMO the prices were no higher than Fargon.

Snorkeling yes --- secluded beaches yes, try surfing or boarding (I did not), the waves come in in december i was lucky to get both no waves and the latter part of our vacate the big waves came in. Swim with the wild dolphins yes but make sure you do it at the secluded beach (walk in mile beaches) as its illegal. Take your fins as they look closer than what they are.

Park your vehicle on the beach - yes, Beer food cheaper than overpriced fargo yes,

if you miss home you can drive up the pass between the canos -- cold temps snow while its still 85 on the beach.

When we went that damn cano was quiet - we left and it started to blow. It would of been cool to see it going off.

Maui - That is where the tourists go.

Take a good look in November December---- you can find a cheap ticket i guarantee it. 5k What the hell you gonna buy with all that change.