Hawaii is America’s 50th state and a go-to destination on anybody’s traveler’s list. This place is mythical among folks around the world for its beauty and vibes. The Hawaiian archipelago is situated in the North Pacific and has eight main islands- Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, Kauai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. However, out of these 8 islands, visitors are forbidden from visiting Niihau and Kahoolawe. Before traveling to Hawaii you might have a thousand curiosities in mind, like the distance between Hawaiian islands, whether is it easy to travel between Hawaiian islands, boat ride between Hawaiian islands, etc. If you want to know such things about Hawaii then read this article and become a pro in managing your upcoming trips.
1. What is Distance Between Hawaiian Islands?
Hawaii is the longest island chain in the world. The islands cover a distance of 1523 miles (2451 km). There are 6 main islands in Hawaii namely Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, and Kauai. The distance between Hawaiian islands is not much. Some islands here are extremely close like Lanai and Maui are just 8 miles apart. The biggest distance between islands here is 305 miles. This said distance is between Kauai and Hawaii (Big) Island. By air, it will only take you close to 55 minutes to reach Kauai’s LIH airport to the Big Island’s KOA airport. With this, you have understood the distance between Hawaiian islands. (See Is Hawaii in the Northern Hemisphere?)
2. Is it Easy to Travel Between Hawaii Islands?
After learning about the distance between Hawaiian islands, it’s time to know about the traveling situation in Hawaii. It may seem complicated initially but it can be really quick and easy to travel between Hawaii islands if you are strategic. The six main islands are connected by dozens of daily flights. To get around these islands, you can travel by ferry, fly by helicopter or hop on a boat. Just enquire beforehand what is the best way to travel to the island you are aiming to visit. (See How many Miles to Drive across the US?)
3. How Long is a Boat Ride Between Hawaiian Islands?
You now know that it is very easy to travel between Hawaii islands and a ferry/boat ride between Hawaiian islands is among the best ways of traveling here. All the islands here are separated by different distances, so the time you will require to travel from one island to another via a boat largely depends on the distance between the said islands.
Moreover, the ferries here only run between Maui and Lanai. These ferry trips are very affordable and cost almost half the price of flights. The journey between Maui and Lanai via ferry takes approximately 1 hour. On this journey, you can see breathtaking views of the islands Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe. (See Can a Motor Yacht Travel across the Atlantic?)
4. How Far apart are Oahu and the Big Island?
Now that you have learned about the boat ride between Hawaiian islands, let’s discuss the distance between Hawaiian islands. If you are planning to travel to Hawaii it’s important to know about the distance between Hawaiian islands like Oahu and Big Island. These islands are loved by visitors and the straight line distance between them is 3899 km and 183.56 m. In miles, this distance is 2442.8 miles.
But keep in mind that this distance can be different from the actual travel distance between Oahu and Big Islands. The actual travel distance may vary due to the curvature of the road. If we take this as the actual distance of 3899 km, then you can travel between Oahu and the Big Island in 77.98 hours, given your consistent speed is 50 km per hour. (See What is the Smallest Island in the World?)
5. How Far apart are the Big Island and Maui?
The straight line distance between Hawaiian islands Maui and the Big Island is 3810 km and 118.03 m. This distance in miles is 2367.5 miles. Though most of the time due to the curvature of the road the actual travel distance between Maui and the Big Island can vary or be higher. If you take 3810 km as the actual distance between them then it will take you about 76.2 hours to travel between them, given you have a consistent speed of 50 km/hr. (See How Long does it Take to Drive 1 Mile?)
6. How Far apart are Oahu and Maui?
If you go by straight line distance, Oahu and Maui are separated by 186 km and 548.43 m. This distance in miles is 115.9 miles. The actual travel distance between them though can vary or be higher because of the curvature of the road. If you take 186 km and 548.43 m as the actual distance and take a consistent speed of 50 km per hour, it will take you 3.73 hours to travel between Oahu and Maui. But keep in mind this is a demo situation and the traveling time can also vary because the vehicle you are traveling in can have speed variations. (See How many Islands in the Philippines are Known?)
7. Which is the Least Touristy Island in Hawaii?
The least touristy island in Hawaii is no doubt Lanai island. Sophisticated travelers love visiting this place due to the peace they feel there. This place has champion golf courses and exclusive luxury resorts. It is a small island running at a slow pace. You can reach Lanai on the ferry from Maui or by air. Its less crowded ambiance inspires you to relax and rest. (See How Far is Japan from Hawaii?)
8. Is the Big Island Cheaper Than Maui?
Now that you are aware of the least touristy island in Hawaii, it’s time to learn which island is cheaper between Maui and the Big Island. Maui is the second largest island in the world with an area of over 700 square miles. In the travel industry, it has also been voted the best island in the world. On the other hand, the Big Island, or the Island of Hawaii is spread across 93 miles. Tourism on this island is the backbone of Hawaii’s economy.
The average daily cost of the Big Island is $206 per person whereas the average daily cost per person for Maui is $220. This average cost involves food, transport, accommodation, and entertainment. The flight prices for both these islands change regularly depending on travel dates and demand. Between these islands, Maui somewhat appears more expensive in terms of travel costs. However, the differences between these islands are minimal and hence their prices are relatively comparable. It means with about the same amount of money you can enjoy the same type of facilities in both these places. (See What are the 7 Types of Transportation?)
9. Can You Drive from Honolulu to Maui?
Honolulu and Maui are both located on different islands and thus you can’t drive between these islands. You can however travel between Honolulu and Maui via ferries or airplanes. Unfortunately, on ferry rides also cars are not allowed. Using airplanes or ferries you can travel from Honolulu to Maui in about 45 minutes. One-way ferry fare in Hawaii is close to $39. The ferries are great alternatives for interisland flights and they also cost half the price of airplane tickets. Check out How Long does it Take to Drive around Hawaii?
10. How Far is Maui to Honolulu?
Maui and Honolulu are separated by approximately 100 miles. Honolulu is located in Oahu and thus is the main transfer hub before flying to the other islands. It is really reasonable and easy to travel from Honolulu to any other Hawaiian island like Maui. Flights and ferries are great traveling options between Maui and Honolulu. (See Should you go to North Carolina or South Carolina?)
