- Pay your respects to American heroes on the Pearl Harbor Tour, including the USS Arizona Memorial
- Stroll the world-famous Waikiki Beach
- Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Walk the iconic Punaluu Black Sand Beach
- Included sightseeing tours on both islands
- Enjoy a cross island tour of the Big Island

Hawaiian Escape - A Week In Paradise
Highlights
Escape to paradise on this unforgettable week-long Hawaiian getaway, where golden beaches, lush landscapes, and island culture come together in perfect harmony. Begin your adventure on Oahu, exploring the world-famous Waikiki Beach, where sparkling waters invite you to relax or try your hand at surfing. Discover the island’s rich history at Pearl Harbor and the Iolani Palace, and soak up the vibrant spirit of Honolulu’s streets and local markets. From Oahu, venture to the enchanting Big Island, home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where smoldering craters and dramatic lava fields reveal the raw power of nature. Wander through tropical gardens, black sand beaches, and charming towns that capture the islands’ authentic Aloha spirit. Along the way, enjoy the guidance of a friendly local Tour Director who brings each destination to life, ensuring every moment—from the Big Island’s volcanic landscape to Oahu’s lively shores—is as refreshing as it is unforgettable.
What Guests are Saying
Mar 2025
Activity level
- Easy Going
- Moderate
- Active
- Very Active
Moderate
Tour Includes
Locations Visited
- Oahu
- Hawaii Island
- 1 Inter-Island Flight
- Includes one piece of checked baggage per person
Hotel Accommodations
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3 nights centrally-located and 3 nights beach front hotel
- Hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 1 breakfast
- 1 lunch
Service
- A professionally trained local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- Provided at the hotels, one piece of checked baggage per person. Porterage not available on inter island transfers.
If you booked your flight with YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Add-On: Pre tour night and the Grand Circle Island & Haleiwa tour in Oahu (Before Day 1 of the tour)
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach or similar
After meeting your fellow travelers and friendly tour guide on an informative welcome breakfast briefing, you’ll begin your Pearl Harbor Tour, including the USS Arizona Memorial. Learn about the events that brought the United States into WWII at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Continue to the National Cemetery of the Pacific, which is set in a dormant volcano known as Punchbowl Crater. Your day ends in Honolulu with a panoramic city tour including views of the State Capitol and Iolani Palace.
Meals: Breakfast
Note: USS Arizona Memorial boat shuttle is time and weather dependent. The US Navy may interrupt boat service to the memorial whenever deemed unsafe.
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach or similar
Add-On: Honolulu Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise, Oahu
Enjoy a leisure day in paradise from your centrally located Waikiki hotel. You can walk just a few blocks to Waikiki Beach, whose white sand and clear blue waters make it one of the world’s best beaches. Or join us for an optional excursion to Polynesian Cultural Center!
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach or similar
Add-On: Polynesian Cultural Center
Arrive in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii for a day of unique experiences. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Liliuokalani Gardens, a sprawling Japanese Garden that serves as a tribute to Hawaii’s first Japanese immigrants. Then discover Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Halemaumau Crater. The day continues at the iconic Punaluu Black Sand Beach, where Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, rest on the striking black sand. Our final stretch of the tour passes through small towns along the way to Kona. Kona is known for its coffee and its deep clear waters.
Meals: Lunch
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort or similar
Enjoy a day of leisure on the Big Island. Lounge on the beach or bask in the warm waters. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, you’re sure to enjoy visiting Kailua Town, or one of the island’s fruit orchards or coffee plantations. Or you could join us on some of our engaging optional tours such as our evening optional Luau.
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort or similar
Add-Ons: Hawaiian Luau in Kona/Snorkel Cruise Adventure/ Whale Watching Cruise
Today is all yours, and you can choose to relax or enjoy with a range of exciting activities. You could explore the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, lounge on the soft white sands of Hapuna Beach or see some of the region’s tumbling waterfalls. For a more immersive experience, you might want to join some of our optional tours today!
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort or similar
Add-On: Atlantis Submarine
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Most flights depart Hawaii from early afternoon through late evening; many do not arrive on the mainland until the next day. For those guests with flights booked through YMT, please do not book any activities on the last day of your tour before receiving your confirmed flight information with your final documents, approximately 30 days prior to departure.
Note: Ocean View rooms available for an additional fee; On select departures, you can opt for a pre-tour extension with Circle Island Tour, making the itinerary 8 days.
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
All tour prices include taxes and fees.
Ocean View Rooms
Upgrade your Hawaii experience and enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean!
An Ocean View room will ensure that you are able to see the Pacific from your balcony, although please note that this will not be a direct view, such as in an ocean-front room. Your view may be partially obscured by plants or trees, buildings, and other hotel infrastructure.
*Rooms are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. Standard single supplement applies. Our Guest Services team will be happy to provide more details.
Price: $550 USD per person based on double occupancy
Here are some examples of the types of views you’ll encounter with the upgrade to Ocean View rooms.
Oahu
While staying in Honolulu, peek-a-boo ocean views are more common. Here you’ll be able to see glimpses of the Pacific Ocean between buildings.
Click to enlarge +
Hawaii Island (Big Island)
Your oceanfront hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii will be directly on the beach. An ocean view room here will provide views of the water, partially obscured by the hotel grounds.
Click to enlarge +
Reviews
YMT never disappoints. And their arrangements to Hawaii islands was absolutely amazing.
FAQs
Unfortunately, additional nights are not available from YMT Vacations for this tour. Your YMT Sales Consultant will confirm the specific hotel related to your departure date, and you can then contact the hotel directly to arrange an extended stay.
Yes, triples are permitted (depending on availability).
No, none are required.
Temperatures in Hawaii range between lower 80’s in the fall/winter months and higher 80’s in the summer months (May-Sep). Hawaii has a tropical climate, but the temperature can vary depending on altitude and the surroundings. The islands receive most of its rainfall from the trade winds on the north and east sides of each island. The coastal areas tend to be drier, especially the south and west sides. The rainy season tends to be during the winter months of October to April. The overnight temperature rarely drops below 65 degrees at the lower elevations. On this tour, you may experience lower temperatures at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (in the 60s during the daytime).
You can find more on the weather in Hawaii here.
We recommend bringing a light jacket or sweater for the buses or flights. As well, please consider the range of temperature and climates you may encounter in Hawaii and pack clothing you can be comfortable in for each of them. Wearing layers allows you to be comfortable on the bus and while sightseeing.
For more information, check out our What To Pack For Your Hawaiian Vacation article.
Anything you want! There are so many things to do on Oahu, but we do recommend going to the famous Waikiki Beach, shopping on Kalakaua Avenue, or to the Hawaii Army Museum. You may also want to join us on one of our most popular optional tours – Polynesian Cultural Center.
Yes we do! Check out our 14 Words You Should Know Before Visiting Hawaii article and our article on Unique Aspects of Hawaiian Culture. Also check out our blog for more information on Hawaii.
The YMT luggage allowance is one suitcase and one small bag per person, in addition to a small handbag or personal item. Due to capacity limits on vehicles, the standard maximum weight per suitcase is 50 pounds. The maximum size for a suitcase is 62 linear inches (sum of length, width, and depth). For example, suitcase cannot be larger than 30 inches by 20 inches by 12 inches. Luggage that is larger or heavier may attract extra fees, might not fit on the motor coach and may need to be shipped home.
The small bag cannot be larger than 12 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches and must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. To comply with safety regulations for motor coaches, mid-size buses, and vans, wheeled carry-on bags are not accepted as your small bag. View our helpful packing guide here!
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Experience the ocean floor without even getting your hair wet! The Atlantis Submarine dives to depths of 100 feet where you’ll see a beautiful 25-acre coral reef, local tropical fish, and even a ship wreck! This 48-passenger submarine will take you to places you never thought you would see and show you just how beautiful the ocean can really be.
Inclusions
- Explore a 25-acre natural coral reef and its marine inhabitants
- View coral formations and tropical fish
- Discover a sunken ship wreck 100 feet under the sea
- A shuttle boat will take you to the submarine. The submarine portion will be 45-50 minutes long.
Note: Each guest is required to independently navigate a nearly vertical 12-step ladder into and out of the submarine.
Duration: Approx. 2 hours (morning)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $161 USD
Experience the Aloha spirit at one of Big Island’s most famous luaus, which is located adjacent to the Ahu’ena Heiau, a land traditionally known as Kamakahonu (eye of the turtle). Kamakahonu has been called one of the most historical sites in all of Hawaii. This oceanfront luau starts with a traditional imu ceremony with the sunset as your backdrop. After a hearty luau feast, sit back and enjoy the enchanting show.
Inclusions
- Buffet dinner including all the favorite luau dishes – Kalua Pork, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Hawaiian Style Ahi Poke, Poi, and Haupia
- Standard open bar including Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiis
Duration: Approx. 2.5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $179 USD for adults, and $109 USD for children aged 4–12
Board the Star of Honolulu, Hawaii’s largest dinner cruise vessel, for a night of tropical fun, island flavors, and breathtaking views. This two-hour sunset cruise offers the perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment as you glide along the stunning Waikiki coastline.
Start your evening with a warm pier-side welcome featuring traditional hula dancing. Sip a refreshing Mai Tai as you take in panoramic vistas from the 60-foot-high observation deck. Enjoy a delicious island-style buffet dinner, and be captivated by live Hawaiian music and an exciting Polynesian show.
With room for up to 1,500 guests, the Star of Honolulu promises a night you’ll never forget beneath the glowing Hawaiian sunset.
Inclusions
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Included: One Signature Mai Tai Drink
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Buffet Dinner
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Transportation from hotel to pier and back
Note: Dress casual for the evening. Short pants are not recommended. On cooler nights, a light jacket is recommended.
Duration: Approx. 3 hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $165 USD
Founded in 1962, the Polynesian Cultural Center has been a place of preservation for Polynesia cultures. This living museum is the #1 paid attraction in Hawaii and brings to life the Islands of the Pacific including Samoa, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and of course Hawaii and the Huki Canoe Parade! You’ll experience all of this with your very own YMT Tour Director as he guides you through the villages telling stories of his native homeland. After dinner, head into the Pacific Theater and enjoy seats for the evening show, ‘Ha: Breath of Life,’ a story of passion and love through dance, song and fire.
Inclusions
- Island inspired buffet dinner including an extensive salad bar with local fruits and vegetables, kalua pork, crispy shrimp with sweet chili garlic aioli, adobo fried chicken wings, a poke bar, and so much more
- Largest Polynesian show in the world with over 100 cast members
- Visit different Polynesian island villages
- YMT exclusive expert guided tour led by your tour director
- Take a canoe ride down the river that runs through the 42-acre park
- Inclusive of transportation
Note: Includes round trip transportation from Honolulu to the North Shore (approx 1.5 hours each way). There will be free time at the Polynesian Cultural Center for you to enjoy lunch on your own. You’ll depart the hotel at approximately 10:00 AM and return around 10:30 PM.
Duration: Approx. 12 Hours (Full Day)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $215 USD for adults, and $185 USD for children aged 4–11
This full day guided tour covers all the beautiful scenic spots in Oahu. You’ll enjoy views of Diamond Head, Kahala Gold Coast and the marine sanctuary of Hanauma Bay as you drive through. Spend some time at Halona Blow Hole, the lush rainforest of Nuuanu Pali, Byodo-In Temple, the farm outlet of Tropical Farms, and Dole Plantation. Keep your camera handy as you drive past the world-famous North Shore surfing beaches. Plus, you’ll have enough time (lunch on your own) to explore Haleiwa town. You will be dropped back at your hotel in Waikiki in the evening.
Inclusions:
- Pre night at hotel
- Breakfast
- Oahu Circle Island tour
Note: This add-on is only available on select departures
Duration: Full day
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $379 USD per person for double occupancy in standard room. Single Supplement applies.
This is your chance to see Hawaii’s marine life up close and personal. This 4.5-hour cruise gives you about two hours of time in the water at the gorgeous Red Hill snorkeling reef gardens. In addition to colorful tropical fish, our guests typically encounter Hawaiian green sea turtles and Hawaiian spinner dolphins on this amazing snorkeling adventure. A ‘ride along’ option is available and is perfect for non-snorkelers who would like to enjoy the ocean from the deck.
Inclusions
- Continental breakfast and barbecue burger lunch
- Excellent chance of dolphin and other marine mammal sightings while cruising on the catamaran
- Feel free to soak up the sun on the deck
- All equipment is provided including snorkel gear, flotation devices, and reef-safe sunscreen
Note: The entire crew is lifeguard certified and will assist guests in and out of the water if needed. Not recommended to participate in both snorkel and whale watch on same day.
Duration: Approx. 5 Hours (Morning/Afternoon)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $179 USD & $115 USD for ride along
Every winter, more than 8000 humpback whales journey to the warm waters of Hawaii where they breed, calve and nurse their young. This Whale Watching Cruise off the Big Island of Hawaii’s Kona Coast offers a rare opportunity to view and experience these whales.
Inclusions
- A chance to see humpback whales off the coast of Kona. You may also be lucky enough to see spinner dolphins, pilot and sperm whales, and manta rays.
- Complimentary sodas, juices, tea and coffee.
Note: This optional activity is seasonal and offered only January through March. We recommend choosing either the snorkeling activity or the whale watching cruise. It’s best not to choose both on the same day.
Duration: Approx. 2.5 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $135 USD
Upgrade your Hawaii experience and enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean!
An ocean view room will ensure that you are able to see the Pacific from your hotel room balcony, although please note that this will not be a direct view, such as an oceanfront room. Your view may be partially obscured by plants or trees, buildings, and other hotel infrastructure.
Inclusions
- Oahu Hotel – Peek-a-boo ocean views are more common. Here you’ll be able to see glimpses of the Pacific Ocean between and over buildings.
- Hawaii Island – Your oceanfront hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii will be directly on the beach. An ocean view room here will provide a view of the water, partially obscured by the hotel grounds.
Note: Ocean view rooms are subject to availability and must be booked at least 60 days in advance. Standard single supplement applies. This is not a true optional tour. The room should be re-booked under the Ocean View category. Please take a look at Room Types for more information.
Price: Starts at $300 USD per person based on double occupancy