We’ll always remember our first time planning a visit to Hawaii. Staring at that cluster of all of the Hawaiian islands in the course of the Pacific, it’s simple to really feel a bit misplaced. Should you go to the one with the lively volcanoes, the one with the legendary surf breaks, or the one identified for its deep inexperienced valleys?
The reality is, every of Hawaii’s six fundamental islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai, presents a very completely different expertise. Picking the correct one is step one to planning a visit you’ll discuss for years.
After exploring the islands ourselves, we’ve discovered what makes every one particular. This information is designed to reduce by the fluff and reply the large query: “What is the best Hawaiian island to visit?”. We’re right here to provide you with an trustworthy breakdown to make it easier to select the right one in your type of journey.
Which Is The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii For You? A Quick Guide
Every island has its personal character. Before we dive deep, here’s a fast breakdown to level you in the correct course.
Oahu is for you if you’d like a mixture of metropolis life, world-famous seashores, and essential U.S. historical past. It’s house to Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor.
Maui is for you should you’re in search of upscale resorts, a legendary street journey on the Road to Hana, and a few of the finest whale watching on the planet.
Kauai is for you should you crave uncooked pure magnificence. Think dramatic cliffs, highly effective waterfalls, and a few of the most difficult and rewarding hikes within the state.
The Big Island (Hawaii) is for you should you’re looking for journey. It’s the one place to see lively volcanoes and presents an unbelievable range of landscapes, from black sand seashores to lush rainforests.
Lanai is for you if you’d like a quiet, luxurious escape. With simply a few high-end resorts, it’s the place to get away from all of it in fashion.
Molokai is for you if you’d like an genuine, off-the-grid expertise. It’s the least developed island and presents an actual glimpse into native Hawaiian life and tradition.
A Note on Responsible Travel in Hawaii
Before you pack your baggage, it’s essential to know that visiting Hawaii has modified a bit lately, and we predict it’s for the higher. There’s a giant give attention to regenerative tourism, which is all about giving again to the native communities and serving to to shield the unbelievable pure environments you’re coming to see.
For you, this simply means somewhat extra planning is required. Many of the most well-liked sights now require reservations to handle customer numbers. For instance, if you’d like to see the views from Diamond Head on Oahu or watch the dawn at Haleakala National Park on Maui, you will want to ebook your time slot upfront.
It’s a easy step that helps protect these lovely areas for future generations. We at all times suggest checking the official park or attraction web sites earlier than you go to see what’s required so that you don’t miss out.
Comparing the Main Hawaiian Islands
Now we’ll get into the small print of every of the Hawaiian Islands. We’ve damaged down what we like about every one, who we predict it’s for, and a few our favorite locations to keep.
Oahu: The Gathering Place
Who This Island Is For
Oahu is for you if you’d like a mixture of bustling metropolis vitality, well-known seashores, and simply accessible historic websites. It’s probably the most developed island and the hub of recent Hawaii. As the house of Honolulu, it additionally has the widest number of eating places and nightlife. While Hawaii may be an costly vacation spot, Oahu typically presents the broadest vary of lodging, together with extra budget-friendly choices in contrast to different islands.
Our Favourite Things to Do on Oahu
Beyond town, Oahu boasts an unbelievable variety of climbing trails for all ability ranges, from simple coastal walks to strenuous mountain ridges.
Pay Respects at Pearl Harbor: A go to to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a transferring and important expertise. It’s a strong reminder of a pivotal second in historical past, and we predict it’s probably the most essential websites to see in the whole state.
Hike Diamond Head: This is among the most iconic hikes in Hawaii for a purpose. The path takes you to the rim of a volcanic crater, delivering unbelievable panoramic views of Waikiki and the turquoise coast. Just keep in mind to ebook your spot upfront.
Explore the North Shore: Escape the vitality of Honolulu and drive up to the legendary North Shore. In the winter, you’ll be able to watch skilled surfers deal with a few of the largest waves on the planet. In the summer time, the water is calmer, and the vibe is pure, laid-back surf city.
Experience Waikiki Beach: Yes, it’s busy, however Waikiki is a spectacle you might have to see at the very least as soon as. It’s an amazing place for a first-time surf lesson, to see the historic Duke Kahanamoku statue, and to simply soak within the scene.
Where We Recommend Staying
For Luxury: Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani This resort looks like a relaxed oasis simply steps from the motion of Waikiki. We favored the clear, fashionable design and the infinity pool is a good place to calm down. It’s a high-end alternative that delivers on service and magnificence.
For a Social Scene: Polynesian Hostel Beach Club If you’re on a price range or travelling solo, it is a strong alternative. It’s not fancy, however the location is improbable, just some minutes’ stroll from the seashore. It’s a very good place to meet different travellers.
Maui: The Valley Isle
Who This Island Is For
Maui is for you should you’re in search of a mixture of luxurious, epic street journeys, and unbelievable wildlife encounters. It has been voted the ‘best island’ by readers of Condé Nast Traveler for over 20 years, and it has a well-deserved fame for world-class resorts and romantic getaways. While it has a well-deserved fame for love and world-class resorts, Maui can also be improbable for households, with loads of actions to maintain each children and adults entertained.
Our Favourite Things to Do on Maui
Drive the Road to Hana: This is among the finest street journeys on the planet, full cease. The freeway twists alongside the island’s north coast, taking you previous numerous waterfalls, by dense bamboo forests, and round hairpin turns with breathtaking ocean views. Plan for a full day and change drivers usually. Our full information to The Road To Hana is right here to assist.
Watch the Sunrise at Haleakala: Driving to the summit of the dormant Haleakala volcano to watch the dawn from 10,023 toes is an unforgettable expertise. You are actually above the clouds. Reservations are required effectively upfront, however it’s completely definitely worth the early begin.
Go Whale Watching: From December to May, greater than 10,000 humpback whales migrate to Maui’s heat waters. Taking a ship tour to see them is a should. We discovered one of the best time to go is between January and March when sightings are virtually assured. Seeing a large humpback breach the water is one thing you’ll always remember.
Where We Recommend Staying
For Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea If you’re looking to splurge, this is among the finest resorts on the island. Located within the upscale Wailea space, the service is top-notch, and the beachfront location with its three swimming swimming pools is difficult to beat.
For a Laid-Back Vibe: Paia Inn For one thing extra boutique and fewer of a mega-resort, we loved the city of Paia on the north shore. Paia Inn is an elegant resort proper within the coronary heart of this cool little surf city, making it an amazing base for exploring the Road to Hana.
We have a full lodging information for the island of Maui to make it easier to plan your journey.
Kauai: The Garden Isle
Who This Island Is For
Kauai is for the adventurers and nature lovers. This island is all about uncooked, dramatic magnificence, and it’s noticeably much less developed than Oahu or Maui. If your concept of an ideal day entails a difficult hike, discovering a secluded seashore, or simply marvelling at unbelievable surroundings, Kauai is for you.
Our Favourite Things to Do on Kauai
Hike the Kalalau Trail: This is among the most well-known and tough hikes within the United States, tracing the cliffs of the legendary Na Pali Coast. You want a allow and loads of expertise, because the 11-mile path is demanding. But for individuals who are ready, the views are a few of the finest we’ve ever seen.
Explore Waimea Canyon: Known because the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this large canyon is a spectacle of purple and inexperienced canyon partitions. You can drive up to a number of lookouts for improbable views or, should you’re up for it, take one of many climbing trails down into the canyon itself.
Take a Helicopter Tour: So a lot of Kauai’s inside is inaccessible by street or path. A helicopter tour is a giant splurge, however it’s the one manner to really recognize the size of the island. You’ll fly over the Na Pali Coast, deep into the crater of Mount Waialeale, and previous numerous waterfalls you’ll be able to’t see some other manner.
Where We Recommend Staying
For Luxury on the South Shore: Koloa Landing Resort at Po’ipu Located on the sunnier south facet of the island, this resort is a good upscale base. The swimming pools listed below are improbable, and it’s well-positioned for exploring Waimea Canyon and the seashores of Po’ipu.
For a North Shore Base: Hanalei Bay Resort If you need to be nearer to the luxurious landscapes of the north, this resort presents unbelievable views of Hanalei Bay and the mountains. It feels a bit extra old-school Hawaii and is the right place to begin for adventures alongside the Na Pali Coast.
If you need extra in-depth details about accommodations on Kauai, try our lodging information for the island.
Big Island of Hawaii: The Adventure Isle
Who This Island Is For
Of all of the islands, The Big Island is for the true adventurer who desires to see nature at its most uncooked and highly effective. It’s twice the dimensions of all the opposite islands mixed, and you will discover 10 of the world’s 14 local weather zones right here. If you need a journey that’s much less about mendacity on a seashore and extra about climbing, exploring, and being amazed, that is your island.
Our Favourite Things to Do on the Big Island
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: This is the primary purpose to go to the Big Island. It’s the one Hawaiian island the place you might have the prospect to see lively, flowing lava, making it a very distinctive vacation spot. We’ll always remember standing on the Kilauea caldera at night time, watching the purple glow of the lava lake pulse towards the darkish sky.
Snorkel with Manta Rays at Night: This sounds somewhat intimidating, however belief us, it’s probably the most magical wildlife encounters we’ve ever had. You maintain onto a lighted raft whereas these light giants, with wingspans up to 15 toes, glide and somersault proper under you.
Explore the Coloured Sand Beaches: The Big Island is legendary for its distinctive seashores. The jet-black sand at Punalu’u, created by volcanic exercise, is unbelievable to see. It can also be house to Papak?lea, one of many few uncommon inexperienced sand seashores on the planet. We cherished seeing the huge honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) that always relaxation on the nice and cozy black sand at Punalu’u.
Where We Recommend Staying
For Volcano Access (East Side): Volcano Inn To benefit from the nationwide park, we suggest staying close by for an evening or two. We cherished the Volcano Inn; it’s a comfortable spot tucked into the rainforest, simply minutes from the park entrance. This makes it tremendous simple to drive again to the caldera after darkish to see the lava glow.
For Beaches and Resorts (West Side): The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort The sunny Kona-Kohala coast is the island’s resort hub. This resort is located on Hapuna Beach, which is among the most lovely white-sand seashores in all of Hawaii. It’s an amazing place to calm down after a number of days of volcanic journey.
Lanai: The Pineapple Isle
Who This Island Is For
Lanai is for the traveller who really desires to get away from all of it and doesn’t thoughts paying for the privilege. The island is nearly solely privately owned and has a quiet, unique really feel. If your objective is to unplug at a five-star resort, play a world-class spherical of golf, and really feel like you might have a complete island to your self, Lanai is the spot.
Our Favourite Things to Do on Lanai
Rent a 4×4 and Explore: This was our favorite factor to do on the island. Once you permit the manicured resorts, Lanai is rugged and wild. We rented a Jeep and spent a day driving the unpaved roads to locations like Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), a weird and exquisite panorama of purple rock formations. It actually felt like an journey on one other planet.
Relax at Hulopoe Bay: This protected marine reserve is the island’s finest spot for swimming and snorkeling. The seashore is an ideal crescent of white sand. We spent an entire afternoon right here and have been handled to an enormous pod of spinner dolphins placing on a present simply offshore. It’s additionally an amazing place to spot honu (turtles).
Hike the Koloiki Ridge Trail: For an amazing view with no grueling climb, this path is a improbable alternative. It begins close to the Four Seasons and leads you thru forests of ironwood and pine timber, ending with a rewarding viewpoint over the neighbouring islands of Maui and Molokai.
Where We Recommend Staying
For Ultimate Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Lanai This is the rationale most individuals come to Lanai. Perched on a cliff above Hulopoe Bay, it’s the definition of a five-star escape. The service, the swimming pools, and the views are all flawless. If you’re in search of a real luxurious splurge, that is it.
For Historic Charm: Hotel Lanai For a style of a special Lanai, this charming and historic resort within the coronary heart of Lanai City is your finest guess. It’s rather more low-key and inexpensive than the resort, providing a quiet, boutique expertise that feels linked to the island’s plantation historical past.
Molokai: The Friendly Isle
Who This Island Is For
Molokai is for the traveller, not the vacationer. It is finest identified for its quiet, genuine trip expertise, receiving only a fraction of the guests that the opposite islands do. If you’re looking to disconnect and expertise a slower, extra intentional lifestyle away from any resort scene, that is your home. There are not any site visitors lights right here, no big-name accommodations, and no crowds.
Our Favourite Things to Do on Molokai
Visit Kalaupapa National Historical Park: This is among the most transferring and profound locations in Hawaii. Located on a distant peninsula, this was as soon as a spot of compelled isolation for folks affected by Hansen’s illness (leprosy). A go to here’s a highly effective historical past lesson, and the panorama is hauntingly lovely. You should ebook a tour with a licensed information to go to, which we extremely suggest.
Walk Papohaku Beach: This is one in every of Hawaii’s longest white-sand seashores, and you’ll doubtless have all of it to your self. We walked for practically an hour and noticed solely a handful of different folks. At three miles lengthy, it looks like your individual non-public paradise. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to see Oahu within the distance.
Hike Through Halawa Valley: We took a guided hike into this lush, sacred valley, which is among the earliest identified settlements in Hawaii. Our native information shared tales of his ancestors as we walked to the beautiful Mo’oula Falls. It was a deeply significant expertise that gave us a a lot higher appreciation for the island’s historical past and connection to the land.
Where We Recommend Staying
The Main Option: Hotel Molokai This is the island’s best-known place to keep. It’s not a luxurious resort, however a captivating, rustic resort with Polynesian-style bungalows. It has an actual old-school Hawaii vibe and serves as an amazing, snug base for exploring.
For Self-Catering: Castle Molokai Shores Since there are restricted eating choices on the island, having a kitchen generally is a large plus. These oceanfront condo-style flats are good for households or anybody who desires the pliability to cook dinner their very own meals.
For our breakdown of the place we suggest staying, try our lodging information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Hawaii
While each island presents one thing particular, the “best” one really will depend on your journey fashion. The function of our information is to make it easier to match your private preferences—be it journey, rest, or metropolis life—with the island that delivers that have finest.
For most first-time guests, Oahu is a good alternative. It’s simple to fly into and presents an enormous number of actions. If you’re extra of an adventurer, the Big Island is one other improbable choice because it offers you a style of every little thing: volcanoes, lovely seashores, and plush rainforests.
Start by figuring out your high precedence. Are you in search of epic hikes (Kauai), nightlife and historical past (Oahu), luxurious resorts (Maui), or volcanic journey (Big Island)? Use our “Quick Guide” on the high of this text to match your journey fashion to an island’s character.
Most folks would give the title to Kauai. Its nickname is “the Garden Isle” for a purpose. The dramatic, green-velvet cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and the sheer scale of Waimea Canyon are really unforgettable.
Choose Oahu if you’d like extra motion, nightlife, restaurant selections, and historic websites. Choose Maui should you’re in search of a extra laid-back, upscale, and romantic vibe with world-class resorts and unbelievable nature experiences.
This alternative comes down to nature versus metropolis. Choose Kauai if you’d like to be immersed in uncooked, pure landscapes and spend your days climbing and exploring. Choose Oahu if you’d like the facilities of a significant metropolis, well-known surf tradition, and a greater diversity of eating and leisure.
So, Which Island Will You Choose?
Choosing the correct Hawaiian island is the primary and most essential step in planning your journey. There actually isn’t any single “best” one, solely the island that’s finest for you. Whether you’re in search of town buzz of Oahu, the romance of Maui, the uncooked fantastic thing about Kauai, or the volcanic journey of the Big Island, Hawaii has an island that can really feel prefer it was made for you.
We hope this information has helped you discover your good match.