Compare Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps vs Southern Charm: Savannah, Hilton Head & Charleston by Great Value Vacations

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 Welcome to Savannah

Touch down in Savannah, pick up your rental car and head to your first hotel to check in and get settled. 

This afternoon, stroll along River Street to see the galleries, restaurants and pubs housed in old cotton warehouses.  Stick around after sunset to see the area come to life with street musicians.

Day 2 Savannah

Savannah's historic district is a collection of pretty town squares and preserved architecture; you might consider taking a history or ghost tour to acquaint yourself.  Later on, linger at landmarks such as Forsyth Park, where residents and visitors have gathered for generations around a spectacular fountain.  Heading toward the Savannah River, pause for a self-guided tour of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist; its towering twin steeples are a fixture on the Savannah skyline.  Continue to City Market's courtyards and squares with restaurants, shops and galleries.  Prefer to venture outside the city today?  Visit Tybee Island for a lighthouse tour, paddling excursion or charter cruise.

Day 3 Savannah - Hilton Head

Hop back in your rental car and make the short drive over to Hilton Head Island today.  Time for some laid back, coastal relaxation!  This barrier island offers a less crowded atmosphere, pristine beaches, top-rated golf courses and it's a nature lovers delight with a forest preserve and a national wildlife refuge.

Day 4 Hilton Head

Hilton Head is consistently named among the top golf destinations in the US, choose one for today and tee off to scenic ocean views.  With over 40 courses in the area (over 20 right on the island), you're sure to find one that suits you, and with the moderate climate you can play any time of year.

Not a golfer?  No problem!  Head to one of the island's 7 beaches for some fun in the sun.  Coligny Beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.  Rent a bicycle for a ride along the shore, or just relax with a refreshing cocktail.  It's your vacation - do what you want! 

Day 5 Hilton Head - Charleston

Leave the island life behind and head to Charleston today!  The ride is about 2 hours depending on traffic so you have plenty of flexibility for when to get on the road. 

Tonight, head to a rooftop bar in Charleston to enjoy the sunset and toast to your first night in this exciting city.

Day 6 Charleston

Charleston is rich with Civil War history and known for its signature antebellum mansions painted in a rainbow of colors and featuring elaborate ironwork. You might want to join a walking tour today for the best view of these homes, their gardens and the Battery, Charleston's historic waterfront promenade.

Tonight, perhaps you want to take an atmospheric carriage ride through the city or a beautiful sunset cruise.

Day 7 Charleston

Today, start at Market Hall and shop through City Market for souvenirs, including sweetgrass baskets, an essential tool on former rice plantations. City Market is a historic market complex that stretches four full city blocks of Charleston.

Tour a plantation at Middleton Place, featuring the 18th century House Museum and Stable yards.  History also comes alive at Fort Sumter National Monument, where the American Civil War began.  The site looks over Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island with wide beaches, locally owned restaurants and activities such as surfing and kayaking.

Day 8 Depart Charleston

Sadly it's time to say goodbye to your charming southern vacation.  Drop off the rental car and board your returning flight home.