Introduction to the Spectacular Birding of Hawaii: Oahu Island and Big Island Birding
Trip Description
Most birders add over forty and often fifty plus bird species to their ABA list with this trip to two of the islands of Hawaii (Oahu and Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island). This trip was designed to be affordable to most ABA listers, and the tour maximizes your opportunity to get a good number of Hawaiian endemic bird species, many of the islands’ other specialty bird species, and a nice tally of the many spectacular introduced species as well.
We visit all of the key birding areas on the islands, including those requiring special licensing on both Oahu and the Big Island. In Oahu, we will be birding the rainforests of the Koolau Mountains, birding Oahu Island’s North Shore and more. We will then set off to the Big Island for birding the sub-alpine dry forests of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and more.
Our bird guide’s special licensing allows a visit to the highly restricted Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (Honeycreeper Heaven). In one day, you will likely see ten Hawaiian endemic bird species, including six species of honeycreepers, and much more.
We wrap up the trip with a pelagic birding cruise (or alternative visit to Volcano National Park) to add Hawaiian Petrel and Wedge-tailed Shearwater and more.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrivals into Honolulu and then Off to Waikiki
Day 2: Birding the Rainforests of the Koolau Mountains and Oahu Endemic Birding
Day 3: Oahu Island’s North Shore and More
Day 4: Big Island of Hawaii: Big Day of Birding: Sub-Alpine Dry Forest of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and More
Day 5: More Big Island Birding: Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Day 6: Pelagic Birding from the Big Island or Day of Rest or Volcano National Park
Day 7: Final Birding and Fly Out at Mid-Day or Consider an Extension to Volcano National Park
Detailed itinerary presented below.
More details about this trip:
Detailed Itinerary
Download our detailed itinerary for our Hawaii Birding tour, or read it below.