Hawaii in September

Hi there.. My husband and I want to come to Hawaii for a 10 days for our wedding anniversary. We don%26#39;t know much about all the islands and were considering a cruise starting Honolulu - Hilo - Maui- Kona- Nawiliwili- Honolulu

Its going to cost us about 7,102.06 CDN including a stopover at Vancouver (We are from Toronto)

I think its too expensive and thought I%26#39;d plan the whole thing myself.

Since we don%26#39;t have too much time, should we just focus on one of the islands and do all we can?

We don%26#39;t really care about the nightlife but want to see volcanos, waterfalls, go snorkelling and scubadiving. We are in our mid 20%26#39;s and are quite active. We really want to see as much as we can and also have time to relax.

Any suggestions? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Hawaii in September

Because you want to see volcanos I%26#39;d stay 5 days on the Big Island and 5 days on either Maui or Kauai. Septmeber is great for visiting HI. Crowds are really low but the weather is fantastic. I would never suggest a HI cruise for active 20 somethings. My inlaws in their 70s went and they said it was full of old people.

Hawaii in September

Thanks suzie for the cruise tip.

I didn%26#39;t anyother way for to see as much we could in the time that we add and the budget.. but 8k is too out of our budget anyways..

I%26#39;m sorry for being ignorant but is Hilo %26amp; Kona where the big island is? Is Honolulu not the best place to go?

What is there to see exactly at the Bigisland and is there somewhere I do all the searches and book activities?

Hilo and Kona are on the Big Island of Hawaii. You can go to that forum here and look for HawaiiDan. He can give you the scoop on TBI (The Big Island). Honolulu and Waikiki are on the island of Oahu. This is where you will find the most tourist action, traffic, shopping and night life.

All of the islands have something different to offer. Maui has a variety of beaches, canyons and nightlife. Kauai is more low-key and has lots of beaches, the Na Pali coastline, Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), but not much night life. Molokai and Lanai are smaller and more remote with fewer visitors.

Skip the cruise! :) You%26#39;re young, active and you probably wouldn%26#39;t spend that much money by getting a rental car and exploring one or two of the islands yourself. Hawaii to me is not for cruises like Mexico or the Caribbean, but for driving around and exploring. Especially based on your described interests.

Big Island for seeing the Volcanos Park (for hiking) and maybe lava and two of the BEST! snorkel spots in all of the State -- Captain Cook%26#39;s monument (either kayak there or take a tour boat) and Place of Refuge. BEAUTIFUL coral and lots of fish.

I remember there also being a night dive with manta rays off Kohala Coast...maybe Hawaii Dan can tell you about that one. I%26#39;ve been too chicken to scuba, but i%26#39;ve heard from others BI has lots of offshore options for nice underwater topography.

Maui is smaller and can be driven around easily and has insane numbers of easy access beaches and lots of good snorkeling, as well as hiking up in Haleakala National Park. There is good hiking along the drive to and then past Hana. And too many waterfalls to count. There is a wonderful hike starting at the Visitor鈥檚 Center at Kipahulu through a bamboo forest to Waimoku falls following the Pipiwai trail.

I love all the islands, but since you like to hike, snorkel, see waterfalls, and scuba, you%26#39;re dreaming about the Big Island and Maui IMHO...

Make sure you get the ';Revealed books'; -- one for all the islands. Also, I found the ';Snorkel Big Island'; ';Snorkel Maui'; books good, too for driving around and finding the better snorkel spots.