Short answer: There’s no wrong answer. Long answer: Each island has its own personality with distinct flavors of paradise. Choosing the island that is best suited to your goals will help ensure you have your dream visit to Hawaii. Start off by considering what you’d like to do on your trip—Are you going for a romantic honeymoon? Do you want an adventurous trip with lots of hiking and waterfalls? Do you want to relax at a luxurious resort on the beach? Or are you most interested in the volcanos? Keep reading to determine which Hawaiian Island is best for your visit!
Oahu – Best Urban Island with Great Hiking
Oahu is home to Hawaii’s capital Honolulu as well as Pearl Harbor and the famed Waikiki Beach. And as the most visited island, it’s no surprise Oahu is also the most developed. Honolulu is a city that rivals the likes of San Diego and Miami with great nightlife, fine dining, shopping, surfing and more. While the island has plenty of city vibes, it also has plenty of opportunity for adventure. Hike the famed Diamond Head or Makapu’u Lighthouse Trails; Go skydiving over the world’s premiere aerial views; Watch surfers catch massive waves on the North Shore; And even cage dive with the ocean’s powerful apex predators. Oahu is also home to the illegal Stairway to Heaven Hike. Instead of risking a hefty fine and taking the illegal route, opt for the alternate legal route via Moanalua Trail (9.3 miles roundtrip).
Known as the “Gathering Place”, Oahu houses roughly two-thirds of Hawaii’s entire population. For visitors, the overwhelming majority of lodging on Oahu is in Waikiki, a beachfront city that serves as Honolulu’s tourist hub. Here you’ll everything from budget hotels to luxury resorts, fine dining, upscale shopping centers, and high rises. Be warned, however, as the traffic here rivals that of LA and NYC. If you’re looking for a quieter place to stay, consider either the West Side’s Waianae region or the North Shore—especially in the summer when the ocean is much calmer. Both areas offer laidback vibes, great beaches, and vacation rentals for the whole family. Planning a trip to Oahu? Read the 15 Best Things to Do on Oahu.
Maui – Best All-Around Island and Best Honeymoon Island
With some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, towering waterfalls set in lush rainforests, a volcano you can hike into, and luxurious resorts, Maui is home to everything that Hawaii has to offer. Honeymooners and those looking for a romantic getaway can relax at the one-of-a-kind Hotel Wailea (click to read all about Hotel Wailea). Adventurers can tackle the infamous Road to Hana’s 64-mile drive with 620 hairpin turns, ascend Haleakalā Volcano, and hike through the jungle to the staggering Waimoku Falls. Beach-lovers can bask in the sun and turquoise water, explore the unforgettable black sand beach Honokalani, and snorkel coral reefs just offshore. Travelling in the winter months? Chances are good you’ll see one of the thousands of humpback whales that migrate to Maui’s warm and shallow waters. Children in tow? Consider a family-friendly oceanfront resort featuring endless activities for the kids and exceptional frozen drinks for you.
The primary destinations areas on the “Valley Isle” are the South and West regions. South Maui includes the towns of Kihei and Wailea. Kihei is more populated with a laid-back vibe while Wailea is home to many of the island’s top resorts and beaches. West Maui comprises Kaanapali and Lahaina. Kaanapali has a resort vibe. One can easily walk between the beautiful beaches, resorts, hotels, and condos. Not far away is Lahaina, Maui’s most popular town, brimming with restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Maui has a little bit of everything, making it a great island for first-time visitors. But it’s the fact it does everything so well that keeps people coming back for more. Interested in a trip to Maui? Read the Ultimate Maui Travel Guide.
Kauai – Best Adventure Island with Local Vibes
A quiet island with dramatic landscapes, iconic tropical beauty, local vibes, and some of Hawaii’s best hiking. With only a handful of luxury resorts, Kauai is the least touristy of the main Hawaiian Islands. And while the towns are small, the adventure is big. The North Shore’s Nāpali Coast, only accessible by foot, helicopter, or boat, features staggering emerald cliffs and untouched beaches. Hike the 22-mile Kalalau Trail through the park, take a helicopter tour, or appreciate its beauty from the ocean. Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The ten-mile long red-soil canyon is full of great hiking, canyon views and the 800-foot Waipoo waterfall. For more water-focused activities, snorkel the south shore, surf the pristine Hanalei Bay and take in the beauty of impressive waterfalls like Wailua Falls and Manawaiopuna, which you might recognize form Jurassic Park.
The “Garden Isle’s” South Shore town of Poipu is the most developed and known for its great snorkeling and sunny weather. Stay at the Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu or the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort. If you’re looking for an even quieter stay, the sleepy beach town of Hanalei on the North Shore is full of local charm. Stay tuned for the 2022 opening of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, formerly the Princeville Resort, which will be a fabulous romantic getaway. With more hiking and breathtaking views than you can tackle during a visit, Kauai is growing in popularity and it’s easy to see why.
Hawaii (Big Island) – Best Island for Volcanos & Unique Landscapes
Referred to as the Big Island to avoid confusion, Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and home to the only active volcano. If spewing red-hot lava is a must-see for you, then this is your island. In addition to flowing lava, the Big Island features an incredibly diverse landscape with everything from white, black, and green sand beaches to snow-capped mountains. Given the Big Island’s larger size, it’s very time-consuming to drive all over. Plan on spending your time in one area or splitting your visit between the west and east sides rather than exploring the entire island.
The majority of the island’s upscale resorts and sun-kissed are situated along the Kohala Coast on the west side of the island. For more affordable accommodation, stay in the centrally-located town of Kailua-Kona. The waters along the west coast are clear vibrant blues, warm, and make for great swimming and snorkeling. A Manta Ray night dive is a stunning and unforgettable experience. From Kailua-Kona you can easily access great beaches like Hāpuna Beach as well as the Pololū Valley Overlook (around the northern tip) with a black sand beach. Traverse the island to the East side and you’ll find Hilo, Hawaii’s largest town not on Oahu. Hilo serves as the gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The East side of the Big Island is considerably wetter than the West side with plenty of waterfalls and lush rainforest. The only thing Hilo is missing is great beaches. Planning a trip to Hawaii? Read the Ultimate Big Island Travel Guide.
Lanai & Molokai – Best Secluded Luxury and Off-the-Beaten-Path
Both Lanai and Molokai are less accessible than the other larger Hawaiian Islands. Plan on catching an inter-island flight or a boat (Maui to Lanai) to visit these islands. Their remoteness feeds into their charm and both Lanai and Molokai are very much off-the-beaten-path destinations. Lanai is a great option if you’re looking for serene luxury while Molokai offers a rural Hawaiian experience with incredible views.
Lanai is situated just west of Maui and is the smallest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Two Four Seasons properties make up the majority of the lodging options. Four Seasons Resort Lanai rests along Hulopoe Bay while Sensei Lanai, the second Four Seasons Resort, is an adults-only wellness enclave. Relax at the upscale resorts and enjoy the quiet beauty of Lanai during a visit here.
Molokai features some of the world’s tallest sea cliffs, a vivacious coral reef, unspoiled views, and a quite unusual history. Many know Molokai as home to Kaluapapa, a leper colony established in 1866. The rural Hawaiian Island does not have a major resort so plan on staying in a vacation rental or local bed and breakfast. Molokai’s main towns are Maunaloa to the West or the centrally located Kaunakakai. Immerse yourself in the rural Hawaiian culture on a visit the unique island.
