Family Self-Drive in the Hawaiian Islands

Twelve nights across two Hawaiian islands and a finish in California, self-drive with the flights included, planned for a family.

The island of Hawai’i takes the first five nights, split between a resort on the Kohala coast and the lodge at the volcano. A family snorkelling trip goes through sea caves and lava tubes, a coffee plantation and a chocolate farm fill a morning, and a private guide takes the family round Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea has been erupting on and off for decades.

Maui follows for four nights by air, with the Iao Needle, a volcanic spire standing twelve hundred feet above the valley floor, and the Road to Hana, which has something over six hundred bends and fifty-odd bridges and takes most of a day. Sea turtles are regularly seen off Makena Bay, and the snorkelling at the Molokini crater, a sunken volcanic rim, turns up tropical fish and blacktip sharks. Santa Monica takes the last three nights on the way home.

Flights, a car suited to a family on each island, age-appropriate activities, family-friendly accommodation and round-the-clock support are included, and the price is quoted per person on the basis of two adults and two children. Thirteen days with five and four nights on the two islands means very little packing, which matters with children. Two separate hire cars are involved, since the vehicles do not travel between islands. No wildlife sighting can be promised, and the Haleakala sunrise drive, which is optional here, needs a permit booked in advance.