Which Hawaiian Island Is the Best To Visit?
When deciding which of the Hawaiian islands is the best to visit for your trip, there are a few things to consider. The Hawaiian islands differ slightly from each other in terms of landscape, culture, and activities, despite being one archipelago.
Maybe you’re looking for a laid-back, lush getaway (Kauai), or a romantic honeymoon retreat (Maui), or maybe you want the unique combination of tropical paradise and a big city (Oahu)?
There are eight “major islands” in Hawaii, but for this post, we’ll focus on the four largest and most-visited islands: Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the island of Hawaii.
While these four islands are the ones most people visit and live on, the four other “major islands” can be visited via boat excursions.
After dozens of trips to the Hawaiian islands, I’m breaking down each one to help you decide which of the Hawaiian islands is best for you!
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Kauai (The Garden Isle)
The lush, green island of Kauai is the oldest and northernmost Hawaiian island. Because of its age, erosion over time has created striking cliffs on the north shore of Kauai called the Napali Coast.
Kauai is known for its natural green beauty throughout the island, but particularly on the north shore. There’s a laid-back, genuine feel to Kauai that isn’t found as easily on the other islands.
Between the towering north shore cliffs, stunning south shore beaches, and the otherworldly landscape on the west side, Kauai has an incredible variety packed into a small island.
Reasons to Visit Kauai
Kauai’s abundance of untouched nature and natural beauty is what solidified it as my favorite island. It’s not as developed as some of the other islands, leaving tons of nature to explore.
The Napali Coast is a standout feature of the island, which makes for a beautiful backdrop while enjoying the north shore beaches. Speaking of beaches, Hawaii is full of them! Kauai has beautiful beaches all around the island, with mostly white sand beaches perfect for a day of relaxation.
In addition to the beaches, Kauai also has some of the best food I’ve had on any Hawaiian island. It offers a range of restaurants from budget to high-end dining, but my favorite food comes from the local food trucks and stands!
One of the things I love about Kauai is the variety in the different regions I mentioned earlier. Despite being a small island, each region has its own culture and landscape.
While the north shore has a more laid-back, almost hippie vibe, the south shore is where you will find most of the luxury resorts and sprawling beaches. The west side is almost completely undeveloped with a giant red dirt canyon, accurately dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii.”
There is a nice mix of scheduled/guided activities and things to do on your own in Kauai. If you want a more DIY vacation with fewer guided tours and more exploration on your own, Kauai is the perfect island for that!
Why Kauai Might Not Be Best For You
There may be fewer planned activities and excursions available in Kauai compared to some of the other islands. This is particularly true on the north shore, with the exception of helicopter tours over the Napali Coast.
Depending on when you visit and where you stay, you may experience rain every day of your trip. Kauai is one of the wettest places in the world, with the north shore during the winter months getting the most rainfall. Even if you visit in summer, pack a poncho and/or travel umbrella to be safe!
It can be difficult to get around Kauai, as there is only one main road that goes around the island. This road also doesn’t connect between the north shore and the west side, making it quite the drive to get between the two.
Things To Do in Kauai
Ha’ena State Park: Ensure you make reservations for the shuttle or parking far in advance for this state park on the north shore!
Limahuli Botanical Gardens: One of the best botanical gardens in the world, with native Hawaiian plants and views of the ocean.
Movie Locations Tour: Kauai has been the setting for many movies throughout the years, including my all-time favorite: Pirates of the Caribbean! Take a tour to explore all the movie locations with a knowledgeable guide.
Hanalei downtown & beaches: This cute, hippie area on the north shore is a cool area to walk around and explore or relax on the beaches.
Hanapepe: Small town on the south shore that was used as inspiration for Lilo & Stitch! You can book a food tour, which happens every Friday, to get a taste of the local cuisine in Hanapepe and enjoy a walking tour.
Helicopter tour: View the Napali Coast from above from a helicopter tour!
Where To Stay in Kauai
There are a few different regions to choose from when deciding where to stay in Kauai! The only region I do not recommend is the west side unless you’re only visiting to hike Waimea Canyon the whole trip.
Best Hotels in Kauai by Region
Best North Shore: 1 hotel Hanalei Bay (5-star resort)
Best East Side: Waipouli Beach Resort (4-star hotel)
Best South Shore: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa (5-star resort)
Best West Side: Waimea Plantation Cottages (3-star hotel)
Maui (The Valley Isle)
Maui is a beautiful island and a popular spot for couples and families. It’s also the island I’ve visited most out of all the Hawaiian islands! There is a nice familiarity with it for me now, as I’ve explored most of the island.
The historic downtown area of Lahaina experienced a horrific fire in August 2023, which destroyed many homes, shops, and restaurants. Most of the fire-affected areas are not open to visitors, though a few restaurants and shops in Lahaina are open again.
While visiting Maui, it’s important to be respectful of the many people who are healing after losing their loved ones, homes, businesses, and more. Consider signing up for a day or two of volunteering to make a positive impact during your trip!
Reasons to Visit Maui
Maui has some of the most picturesque beaches (and sunsets!) in all of Hawaii. If you’re looking for a quintessential Hawaiian beach vacation, Maui is perfect for you.
There’s a nice balance between untouched nature and developed areas. You can spend the day hiking to gorgeous waterfalls and then go out to a fancy dinner. There are many local farmers markets, but also fully stocked grocery stores with everything you need.
Maui also has a great balance between affordable and luxury restaurants. From hole-in-the-wall taco places (Maui Tacos) to high-end fine-dining restaurants, you can find exactly what you’re looking for when picking a place to eat.
If you want to visit some of the smaller islands on day trips, Maui is a great base since it’s close to Molokai, Lanai, and Kaho’olawe, and offers incredible boat excursions. There is also a ferry from Maui to Lanai multiple times a day so you can explore the small island.
Maui is the ultimate honeymoon vacation destination. It has all the luxury and romance you could want for a honeymoon or anniversary trip. We eloped in Maui and it was the perfect place for it!
There is an abundance of luxury hotels and condos all around the island. For those seeking a bit of luxury, Maui’s got it. With so many places to choose from, it can be overwhelming, but you can’t go wrong with a hotel on the coast.
If you are a fellow national park lover (hi!), Maui has one of two national parks in Hawaii. Haleakala National Park is an active volcano at over 10,000ft elevation in Maui. Make sure to pack some cold weather clothes if you plan to visit — it can be 30ºF colder at the peak compared to the surrounding areas of Maui.
Why Maui Might Not Be Best For You
With all the great reasons to visit Maui, it’s no surprise that it has become one of the most popular Hawaiian islands next to Oahu. This means many crowds and tourists during summer, which is the high season.
Maui is also a popular destination for families. This means LOTS of kids at the hotels, in the pools, and at the beaches. If you’re hoping for a quiet, kid-free vacation, Maui may not be ideal.
The island is starting to suffer from over-tourism, which means services and resources can get tight and locals are negatively affected. It may not be the most ethical island to visit, especially after the Maui Fires in August 2023.
Unlike the lush and green island of Kauai, perfectly dubbed “the Garden Isle,” Maui is much drier and has large areas of dried grasses and plain dirt. It doesn’t have as much of that green natural beauty that can be found on some of the other islands.
Things To Do in Maui
Relax on the beaches: This is the best island for relaxing days and evenings on the beaches.
Road to Hana: One of the top attractions in Maui is to drive the road to Hana, making stops all along the way. This is a full-day activity, so plan accordingly! You can get a self-driving audio tour to guide you along the way.
Hike to waterfalls: There are a few different waterfalls in Maui, but my favorite is Twin Falls in Haiku. This is also a stop along the Road to Hana and is included in the audio tour!
Haleakala National Park: Drive up to the summit of Haleakala to visit this unique landscape of red dirt above the clouds. You can either go on your own or book a sunrise tour that takes you through the park with a guide and includes breakfast!
Walk the Kapalua Coastal Trail: This trail takes you along the coast on the north shore with breathtaking views of the ocean. The full trail is 1.76 miles long if you do the whole thing from one end to the other.
Boat excursion to Lanai: Take a boat to snorkel off the shore of Lanai and look for dolphins. It’s 2 hours each way, with food and drinks on board.
Boat trip to Molokini Crater or Coral Gardens: Take a catamaran to snorkel in the Molokini Crater or Coral Gardens. It’s about 45 minutes each way with food and drinks on board for purchase.
Where To Stay in Maui
The main areas of Maui are the west side (Kapalua, Ka’anapali, and Lahaina) and the south coast (Kihei and Wailea). Either area is a great option, but I prefer the west side!
Best Hotels by Town
Kapalua: The Ritz Carlton, Maui
Lahaina: Honua Kai Resort
Kihei: Sugar Beach Resort
Wailea: Grand Wailea Resort
Oahu (The Gathering Place)
Oahu is located between Kauai and Maui and is just slightly bigger than Kauai. Although it isn’t very large, Oahu is the most populated island of all the Hawaiian islands by total population and density!
This island has the most stark contrast—in my opinion—between its regions. They range from a big city with skyscrapers to the quieter, laid-back north shore. It’s definitely the most developed of all the islands.
Reasons to Visit Oahu
The most unique aspect of Oahu is that it has both a big city and the typical Hawaiian beach towns. This combination allows you to experience modern and traditional Hawaiian culture.
With a big city in Honolulu, there’s a full mall with tons of shops, including a Target. This is a convenience that not all islands have and is especially nice if you forget to pack something or run out of your reef-safe sunscreen.
Oahu not only has skyscrapers and shopping malls, but it also boasts beautiful beaches. It’s the best of both worlds! The beaches range from long stretches along the coast to smaller, more private beaches.
The north shore of Oahu has a laid-back island vibe that you picture when you think about Hawaii. It’s relaxing, quieter than the busy cities of Honolulu and Waikiki, and has a strong food truck culture and lovely beaches.
Oahu has robust bus routes for easy public transportation, particularly in Honolulu. While I always recommend renting a car when visiting any of the Hawaiian islands, you may not need to use it as much in Oahu.
There is no shortage of things to do in Oahu! From beach days to jungle hikes to Jurassic Park filming location tours, you have a wide range of activities to choose from.
Most people who visit Hawaii will likely land in Honolulu either via direct flight or after a stopover on the U.S. West Coast. This makes Oahu a good island to start and end your trip from, especially if you plan to island hop!
Oahu is one of the more affordable Hawaiian islands, with some affordable accommodation options in addition to the luxury resorts.
Why Oahu Might Not Be Best For You
Oahu doesn’t have as much natural beauty and typical Hawaiian culture as some of the other islands because of how developed it is. The north shore is one of the only areas to get that experience.
In addition to being the most densely populated island, with more than 80% of the Hawaiian population residing here, it is also—by far—the most-visited island in Hawaii. In 2023 alone, Oahu had 5.6 million visitors, compared to 2.4 million visitors in Maui the same year. Expect tons of crowds and proximity to other people while visiting Oahu, especially in summer.
The majority of accommodations are large resorts and towering hotels in built-up areas. It can be difficult to get away from the more touristy areas and most hotels will have families with kids since it’s a popular destination for families.
Things To Do in Oahu
Waikiki Beach: Experience the famous Waikiki Beach, with a backdrop of high-rise hotels and the bustling downtown.
Kualoa Ranch: Get transported to the land of dinosaurs with a tour of Kualoa Ranch. We had the best time during the open-air tour!
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden: Drive through the beautiful botanical gardens with staggering cliffs and gorgeous views.
Polynesian Cultural Center: Check out the events and food at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north shore.
Manoa Falls: Hike through the jungle to view waterfalls! Make sure you’re wearing good trail shoes, as this trail can get muddy. There is a highly-rated guided hike to Manoa Falls that includes hotel pickup and lunch.
Where To Stay in Oahu
With two distinct areas in Oahu, you have the choice between a big city (Honolulu/Waikiki) and a small town (north shore).
I highly recommend staying on the north shore, especially if you want to experience local Hawaiian culture, enjoy a quieter and more romantic getaway, or want to experience more nature and less-developed towns.
Best Hotels in Oahu by Region
Waikiki/Honolulu
North Shore
Hawaii (The Big Island)
The island of Hawaii, often referred to by its nickname, “The Big Island,” truly lives up to its name in both size and population.
It’s the largest and youngest of all the Hawaiian islands, and with four active volcanoes (five in total — one is extinct), the island continues to grow each year. The Big Island has the second largest population next to Oahu but has the second lowest population density due to its large size.
The Big Island is a whole other world compared to its fellow islands because of the volcanic activity! It has black and green sand beaches, lava flows creating a black lava surface, and a national park.
Reasons to Visit The Big Island
Volcano fans will be excited to hear that The Big Island is home to Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth! You can visit this volcano on a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — one of two national parks in Hawaii.
The landscapes on The Big Island are unlike any other Hawaiian islands, with black, green, and white sand beaches; active volcanoes; and lava flows that created the ground below your feet.
Hate crowds? They’re easy to escape on The Big Island! With such a low population density, there are more remote areas you can visit to escape the more populated towns.
Experience the rare phenomenon of visiting an island that is still actively growing, thanks to the active volcanoes oozing lava.
The Big Island is perfect if you want a more adventurous, outdoorsy trip with less of the typical relaxing Hawaiian vacation. Rent a soft-top Jeep and explore around the whole island on day trips for the quintessential Big Island vacation.
Being the largest island means it also has the most coastline of any Hawaiian island! There is plenty of coastline with tons of water sports and activities available to book.
The Big Island is also more affordable compared to Kauai and Maui, with many lower-cost options for hotels, condos, and even hostels!
Why The Big Island Might Not Be Best For You
The Big Island requires quite a bit of driving to get around. The main town area (Kailua-Kona) where most people stay is about a two-hour drive to the national park, which is on the rainier side of the island.
You will not have the typical topical beaches that you expect to find in Hawaii. Because of the volcanic activity, you’ll find fewer beaches and even fewer white sand beaches.
The Big Island is best for adventurers who want to explore. This is not an ideal island for first-time visitors or those who want a relaxing, tropical beach getaway. It is not a relaxing, laid-back island like Kauai, Maui, and Oahu.
Things To Do in The Big Island
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Visit two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, at the national park. Prepare for altitude, as the peak reaches 13,680 feet! You can visit on your own or book a guided tour that starts in Hilo.
Swim with Manta Rays: Jump in the water to snorkel with manta rays, or take a nighttime tour and view them from the comfort of a boat.
Whole Island Tour: Take a guided day trip to explore the top sights and activities on the island, including volcanoes, a coffee farm, and waterfalls.
Explore the beaches: Check out the unique green sand beach, Papakōlea Beach, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach! You can also visit Hāpuna Beach, the largest white sand beach on the island.
Helicopter Tours: Get a bird’s eye view of the whole island from a helicopter. Choose from a variety of tours to experience the Big Island from a different perspective.
Where To Stay in The Big Island
The best area to stay on the island is Kailua-Kona, with plenty of hotels and condos to choose from. The island's west side is much drier than the east side and is closer to the beaches, activities, and other sights.
If you want to be close to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then you may want to consider staying in Hilo. This is on the east side of the island and is prone to more rain, but if proximity to the volcanoes is a priority, then Hilo may be best for you.
Best Hotels on the Big Island by Region
Kailua-Kona
Hilo
Other Major Islands
Ni’ihau: This is a small island off the coast of Kauai known as “the Forbidden Isle,” as outsiders are not allowed to visit it. This island has been privately owned by a family originally from New Zealand since 1864.
Molokai: Located north of Maui and south of Oahu, Molokai is one of few islands whose main economy is not tourism. You may be familiar with its unusual history of being a place where people with Leprosy were quarantined from 1866 to 1969.
Lanai: This island is off of Maui and the majority of it is owned by Larry Ellison, sadly. You can visit the island and even stay overnight at one of the hotels! There are nice beaches and a small town with restaurants and shops.
Kaho’olawe: This is the smallest island of the eight major Hawaiian islands and is also off the coast of Maui. It’s uninhabited and cannot be visited, except by Native Hawaiians for specific purposes.
How to Get to the Hawaiian Islands
If you’re coming from the United States, many airports in California and one in Seattle have multiple direct flights to a few of the islands each day.
A few major airports in other U.S. states, including Utah, Oregon, and Colorado, also offer some direct flights.
For most other cities in North America, you will most likely have a stopover in San Francisco, Seattle, or land directly in Honolulu (Oahu).
Coming from Europe, Middle East, or Africa? You will most likely have a stopover in San Francisco. If you have extra time and want to break up the trip, explore Northern California for a few days before continuing to the Hawaiian islands!
Those traveling from Asia and Oceania will fly east across the Pacific Ocean. Most flights fly straight to Honolulu and you can take inter-island flights from there to visit the other islands.
How to Island Hop in Hawaii
If choosing just one island is too difficult, you can always island hop and spend a few days on multiple islands!
I prefer to spend a full 7-10 days on one island at a time to see and do everything, but 3-5 days on each island should be enough to explore the main sights and activities. Just know there is so much to do on each island that it can’t all be done in just 3-5 days.
Commercial Flights
The best, fastest, and easiest way to island hop is through inter-island flights. Each of the four major islands has an airport, so it’s easy to get on a quick 30-minute to 1-hour flight and land right at your next destination.
The flights are relatively inexpensive as far as Hawaii prices go! Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines are the two major airlines for inter-island flights between the four major islands — I’ve taken both many times and love them both.
I recommend packing carry-on only for Hawaii, especially if you plan to island hop. It will save you time since you don’t have to wait in the humidity at baggage claim and eliminates the stress/risk of losing your bag.
Private Helicopter
If you want to splurge and avoid the public airports, there are private helicopter flights you can take between all four major islands, as well as Molokai and Lanai. Prices are not listed on their website — you will need to contact them to find out the prices.
Hawaiian Cruise
Although I am not a fan of cruises and have never been on one, I will admit that it is a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. It’s also the only way to see multiple Hawaiian islands in one trip without flying.
There are a few different cruise operators providing Hawaiian island itineraries, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.
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