Compare Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps vs Private stay at Haena Beach House, Kauai by Audley Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,595 | $ 6,165 |
| Price Per Day | $ 656 | $ 771 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
From towering volcanoes to some of the world’s best beaches, Hawaii is defined by its stunning natural beauty. On these islands, everything is more extreme - the ocean is bluer, the rainforests are greener and the warmth of the locals is exemplified by the Aloha state of mind. But if you dig deeper below the surface, you’ll quickly see that the ancient Hawaiian people have left a legacy of indigenous wisdom and sustainability that can serve as a model for many of today’s pressing issues. From tackling climate change to protecting biodiversity, innovative practices are being pioneered on these remote Pacific Islands. |
Visit Pearl Harbor to learn the story of how the United States was drawn into the war before exploring downtown Honolulu. Explore some of Kauai's forests and mountains. |
Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group
Meals: Dinner
Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.
Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.
Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.
Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.
We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.
Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.
Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.
Day 1: Oahu
Accommodation: Turtle Bay Resort
On arrival in the Hawaiian islands meet your drivers who can help with luggage and show you to your private SUVs for the transfer to Turtle Bay Resort. The journey sees you leave the bustling Waikiki area and head into the lush countryside, weaving between spiny mountain ranges before meeting the Pacific on the North Shore. This surfing Mecca where giant rollers are framed by swaying palms is home for the next couple of days.
Day 2: Oahu
Accommodation: Turtle Bay Resort
Meet your private guide to discover Oahu. Using a spacious private vehicle visit Pearl Harbor to learn the story of how the United States was drawn into the war before exploring downtown Honolulu and learning about indigenous Hawaiian history, including about the royal family.
Day 3: Kauai
Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
Your private drivers will come and pick you up in plenty of time for the trip back to the airport to take a short flight from Oahu to Kauai. Here pick up two rental cars to fit everyone and the luggage in, and set off towards Haena Beach and your private beach house. The hour long journey follows the winding coast.
Day 4: Kauai
Accommodation options; Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
Lace up your walking boots and meet your local private guide to explore some of Kauai's forests and mountains. Your guide will be able to point out eucalypts and orchids and the crumpled mountain ranges that make up the island's interior. Cool off with a splash in a mountain stream.
Day 5: Kauai
Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
Haena Beach House is only a few minutes' drive from Hanalei, one of Kauai's best kept secrets, where there is a choice of good local restaurants and shops. It's worth heading into town for a stroll around and to grab some lunch.
Day 6: Kauai
Kauai
Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
Day 7: Kauai
Accommodation options: Haena Beach House, Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger & Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
Haena Beach House perches right on the edge of the Pacific so today take advantage of the house's various decks and sitting areas to relax and enjoy the sound of the waves.
Day 8: Return home
Leave yourself time to take a leisurely drive back to the airport before your flight.
