We’ll always remember our first time planning a visit to Hawaii. Gazing that cluster of all of the Hawaiian islands in the course of the Pacific, it’s straightforward to really feel a bit misplaced. Do you have to 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 predominant islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Large Island, Lanai, and Molokai, provides a totally completely different expertise. Selecting the correct one is step one to planning a visit you’ll speak about for years.
After exploring the islands ourselves, we’ve discovered what makes each particular. This information is designed to chop via the fluff and reply the large query: “What’s the finest Hawaiian island to go to?”. We’re right here to offer you an sincere breakdown that will help you select the proper one to your sort of journey.
Which Is The Finest Island To Go to In Hawaii For You? A Fast Information
Each island has its personal persona. Earlier than we dive deep, here’s a fast breakdown to level you in the precise path.
- Oahu is for you if you need a mixture of metropolis life, world-famous seashores, and vital U.S. historical past. It’s residence to Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor.
- Maui is for you if you’re on the lookout for upscale resorts, a legendary highway journey on the Highway to Hana, and among the finest whale watching on the planet.
- Kauai is for you if you crave uncooked pure magnificence. Suppose dramatic cliffs, highly effective waterfalls, and among the most difficult and rewarding hikes within the state.
- The Large Island (Hawaii) is for you if you’re looking for journey. It’s the one place to see lively volcanoes and provides an unbelievable variety of landscapes, from black sand seashores to lush rainforests.
- Lanai is for you if you need a quiet, luxurious escape. With simply a few high-end resorts, it’s the place to get away from all of it in model.
- Molokai is for you if you need an genuine, off-the-grid expertise. It’s the least developed island and provides an actual glimpse into native Hawaiian life and tradition.
A Word on Accountable Journey in Hawaii
Earlier than you pack your luggage, it’s vital to know that visiting Hawaii has modified a bit in recent times, and we predict it’s for the higher. There’s an enormous give attention to regenerative tourism, which is all about giving again to the native communities and serving to to guard the unbelievable pure environments you’re coming to see.
For you, this simply means a bit extra planning is required. Most of the hottest sights now require reservations to handle customer numbers. For instance, if you wish to see the views from Diamond Head on Oahu or watch the dawn at Haleakala Nationwide Park on Maui, you have to to e-book your time slot upfront.
It’s a easy step that helps protect these stunning areas for future generations. We at all times advocate checking the official park or attraction web sites earlier than you go to see what’s required so that you don’t miss out.
Evaluating the Major Hawaiian Islands
Now we’ll get into the main points of every of the Hawaiian Islands. We’ve damaged down what we like about each, who we predict it’s for, and a few our favorite locations to remain.
Oahu: The Gathering Place
Who This Island Is For
Oahu is for you in order for you a mixture of bustling metropolis power, well-known seashores, and simply accessible historic websites. It’s probably the most developed island and the hub of recent Hawaii. As the residence of Honolulu, it additionally has the widest number of eating places and nightlife. Whereas Hawaii may be an costly vacation spot, Oahu usually provides the broadest vary of lodging, together with extra budget-friendly choices in comparison with different islands.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on Oahu
Past the town, Oahu boasts an unbelievable variety of climbing trails for all ability ranges, from straightforward coastal walks to strenuous mountain ridges.
- Pay Respects at Pearl Harbor: A go to to the Pearl Harbor Nationwide Memorial is a transferring and important expertise. It’s a robust reminder of a pivotal second in historical past, and we predict it’s one of the crucial vital websites to see in the whole state.
- Hike Diamond Head: This is among the most iconic hikes in Hawaii for a motive. The path takes you to the rim of a volcanic crater, delivering unbelievable panoramic views of Waikiki and the turquoise coast. Simply keep in mind to e-book your spot upfront.
- Discover the North Shore: Escape the power of Honolulu and drive as much as the legendary North Shore. Within the winter, you may watch skilled surfers sort out among the greatest waves on this planet. In the summertime, the water is calmer, and the vibe is pure, laid-back surf city.
- Expertise Waikiki Seashore: Sure, it’s busy, however Waikiki is a spectacle it’s a must to see at the very least as soon as. It’s a fantastic place for a first-time surf lesson, to see the historic Duke Kahanamoku statue, and to simply soak within the scene.
The place We Advocate Staying
- For Luxurious: Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani This lodge appears like a peaceful oasis simply steps from the motion of Waikiki. We preferred the clear, trendy design and the infinity pool is a superb place to chill out. It’s a high-end alternative that delivers on service and elegance.
- For a Social Scene: Polynesian Hostel Seashore Membership If you’re on a price range or travelling solo, it is a stable alternative. It’s not fancy, however the location is improbable, only a few minutes’ stroll from the seashore. It’s a superb place to satisfy different travellers.
Maui: The Valley Isle
Who This Island Is For
Maui is for you in case you’re on the lookout for a mixture of luxurious, epic highway journeys, and unbelievable wildlife encounters. It has been voted the ‘finest 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. Whereas 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 youngsters and adults entertained.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on Maui
- Drive the Highway to Hana: This is among the finest highway journeys on this planet, full cease. The freeway twists alongside the island’s north coast, taking you previous numerous waterfalls, via 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 Highway To Hana is right here to assist.
- Watch the Dawn at Haleakala: Driving to the summit of the dormant Haleakala volcano to observe the dawn from 10,023 toes is an unforgettable expertise. You’re actually above the clouds. Reservations are required nicely upfront, however it’s completely definitely worth the early begin.
- Go Whale Watching: From December to Might, greater than 10,000 humpback whales migrate to Maui’s heat waters. Taking a ship tour to see them is a should. We discovered the most effective 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.
The place We Advocate Staying
- For Luxurious: 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea If you’re trying to splurge, this is among the finest resorts on the island. Positioned 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-Again 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 lodge proper within the coronary heart of this cool little surf city, making it a fantastic base for exploring the Highway to Hana.
- We’ve a full lodging information for the island of Maui that will help you plan your journey.
Kauai: The Backyard 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. In case your thought of an ideal day includes a difficult hike, discovering a secluded seashore, or simply marvelling at unbelievable surroundings, Kauai is for you.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on Kauai
- Hike the Kalalau Path: This is among the most well-known and troublesome hikes in the US, tracing the cliffs of the legendary Na Pali Coast. You want a allow and loads of expertise, because the 11-mile path is demanding. However for individuals who are ready, the views are among the finest we’ve ever seen.
- Discover Waimea Canyon: Often known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this huge canyon is a spectacle of purple and inexperienced canyon partitions. You’ll be able to drive as much as a number of lookouts for improbable views or, in case you’re up for it, take one of many climbing trails down into the canyon itself.
- Take a Helicopter Tour: A lot of Kauai’s inside is inaccessible by highway or path. A helicopter tour is an enormous splurge, but it surely’s the one option 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 may’t see some other manner.
The place We Advocate Staying
- For Luxurious on the South Shore: Koloa Touchdown Resort at Po’ipu Positioned on the sunnier south facet of the island, this resort is a superb 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 wish to be nearer to the plush landscapes of the north, this resort provides unbelievable views of Hanalei Bay and the mountains. It feels a bit extra old-school Hawaii and is the proper start line for adventures alongside the Na Pali Coast.
- In order for you extra in-depth details about accommodations on Kauai, take a look at our lodging information for the island.
Large Island of Hawaii: The Journey Isle
Who This Island Is For
Of all of the islands, The Large Island is for the true adventurer who desires to see nature at its most uncooked and highly effective. It’s twice the scale of all the opposite islands mixed, and you’ll find 10 of the world’s 14 local weather zones right here. In order for you a visit that’s much less about mendacity on a seashore and extra about climbing, exploring, and being amazed, that is your island.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on the Large Island
- Discover Hawaii Volcanoes Nationwide Park: That is the primary motive to go to the Large Island. It’s the one Hawaiian island the place you might have the possibility to see lively, flowing lava, making it a very distinctive vacation spot. We’ll always remember standing on the Kilauea caldera at evening, watching the purple glow of the lava lake pulse towards the darkish sky.
- Snorkel with Manta Rays at Night time: This sounds a bit intimidating, however belief us, it’s one of the crucial magical wildlife encounters we’ve ever had. You maintain onto a lighted raft whereas these light giants, with wingspans as much as 15 toes, glide and somersault proper under you.
- Discover the Colored Sand Seashores: The Large Island is legendary for its distinctive seashores. The jet-black sand at Punalu’u, created by volcanic exercise, is unbelievable to see. It is usually residence to Papak?lea, one of many few uncommon inexperienced sand seashores on this planet. We liked seeing the large honu (Hawaiian Inexperienced Sea Turtles) that always relaxation on the nice and cozy black sand at Punalu’u.
The place We Advocate Staying
- For Volcano Entry (East Aspect): Volcano Inn To benefit from the nationwide park, we advocate staying close by for an evening or two. We liked the Volcano Inn; it’s a comfy spot tucked into the rainforest, simply minutes from the park entrance. This makes it tremendous straightforward to drive again to the caldera after darkish to see the lava glow.
- For Seashores and Resorts (West Aspect): The Westin Hapuna Seashore Resort The sunny Kona-Kohala coast is the island’s resort hub. This lodge is located on Hapuna Seashore, which is among the most stunning white-sand seashores in all of Hawaii. It’s a fantastic place to chill out after just a few 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 sort of solely privately owned and has a quiet, unique really feel. In case your purpose 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 Favorite Issues to Do on Lanai
- Hire a 4×4 and Discover: This was our favorite factor to do on the island. As soon as you allow the manicured resorts, Lanai is rugged and wild. We rented a Jeep and spent a day driving the unpaved roads to locations like Keahiakawelo (Backyard of the Gods), a weird and delightful panorama of purple rock formations. It actually felt like an journey on one other planet.
- Calm down 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 a complete afternoon right here and had been handled to an enormous pod of spinner dolphins placing on a present simply offshore. It’s additionally a fantastic place to identify honu (turtles).
- Hike the Koloiki Ridge Path: For a fantastic view with no grueling climb, this path is a improbable alternative. It begins close to the 4 Seasons and leads you thru forests of ironwood and pine bushes, ending with a rewarding viewpoint over the neighbouring islands of Maui and Molokai.
The place We Advocate Staying
- For Final Luxurious: 4 Seasons Resort Lanai That 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 on the lookout for a real luxurious splurge, that is it.
- For Historic Allure: Lodge Lanai For a style of a unique Lanai, this charming and historic lodge within the coronary heart of Lanai Metropolis is your finest guess. It’s way more low-key and reasonably priced than the resort, providing a quiet, boutique expertise that feels linked to the island’s plantation historical past.
Molokai: The Pleasant Isle
Who This Island Is For
Molokai is for the traveller, not the vacationer. It’s best identified for its quiet, genuine trip expertise, receiving only a fraction of the guests that the opposite islands do. If you’re trying to disconnect and expertise a slower, extra intentional lifestyle away from any resort scene, that is your home. There are not any visitors lights right here, no big-name accommodations, and no crowds.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on Molokai
- Go to Kalaupapa Nationwide Historic Park: This is among the most transferring and profound locations in Hawaii. Positioned on a distant peninsula, this was as soon as a spot of pressured 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 stunning. It’s essential to e-book a tour with a licensed information to go to, which we extremely advocate.
- Stroll Papohaku Seashore: That is certainly one of Hawaii’s longest white-sand seashores, and you’ll seemingly 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 appears like your individual personal paradise. On a transparent day, you may see Oahu within the distance.
- Hike By 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 better appreciation for the island’s historical past and connection to the land.
The place We Advocate Staying
- The Major Choice: Lodge Molokai That is the island’s best-known place to remain. It’s not a luxurious resort, however a captivating, rustic lodge with Polynesian-style bungalows. It has an actual old-school Hawaii vibe and serves as a fantastic, comfy base for exploring.
- For Self-Catering: Fort Molokai Shores Since there are restricted eating choices on the island, having a kitchen generally is a big plus. These oceanfront condo-style residences are good for households or anybody who desires the flexibleness to cook dinner their very own meals.
- For our breakdown of the place we advocate staying, take a look at our lodging information.
Continuously Requested Questions on Visiting Hawaii
Whereas each island provides one thing particular, the “finest” one really is dependent upon your journey model. The aim of our information is that will help you match your private preferences—be it journey, rest, or metropolis life—with the island that delivers that have finest.
For many first-time guests, Oahu is a superb alternative. It’s straightforward to fly into and provides an enormous number of actions. In the event you’re extra of an adventurer, the Large Island is one other improbable choice because it provides you a style of every part: volcanoes, stunning seashores, and plush rainforests.
Begin by figuring out your prime precedence. Are you on the lookout for epic hikes (Kauai), nightlife and historical past (Oahu), luxurious resorts (Maui), or volcanic journey (Large Island)? Use our “Fast Information” on the prime of this text to match your journey model to an island’s persona.
Most individuals would give the title to Kauai. Its nickname is “the Backyard Isle” for a motive. The dramatic, green-velvet cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and the sheer scale of Waimea Canyon are really unforgettable.
Select Oahu in order for you extra motion, nightlife, restaurant decisions, and historic websites. Select Maui in case you’re on the lookout for a extra laid-back, upscale, and romantic vibe with world-class resorts and unbelievable nature experiences.
This alternative comes all the way down to nature versus metropolis. Select Kauai if you wish to be immersed in uncooked, pure landscapes and spend your days climbing and exploring. Select Oahu in order for you the facilities of a significant metropolis, well-known surf tradition, and a greater variety of eating and leisure.
So, Which Island Will You Select?
Selecting the best Hawaiian island is the primary and most vital step in planning your journey. There actually is not any single “finest” one, solely the island that’s finest for you. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the town buzz of Oahu, the romance of Maui, the uncooked great thing about Kauai, or the volcanic journey of the Large Island, Hawaii has an island that may really feel prefer it was made for you.
We hope this information has helped you discover your good match.
