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 simple to really feel a bit misplaced. Do you have to go to the one with the energetic 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 primary islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the Large Island, Lanai, and Molokai, affords a totally totally 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 greatest Hawaiian island to go to?”. We’re right here to present you an sincere breakdown that will help you select the right one in your type of journey.
Which Is The Greatest Island To Go to In Hawaii For You? A Fast Information
Each island has its personal character. Earlier than we dive deep, here’s a fast breakdown to level you in the fitting path.
Oahu is for you if you would like 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 when you’re searching for upscale resorts, a legendary highway journey on the Highway to Hana, and among the greatest whale watching on the planet.
Kauai is for you when 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 when you’re searching for journey. It’s the one place to see energetic volcanoes and affords an unbelievable variety of landscapes, from black sand seashores to lush rainforests.
Lanai is for you if you would like 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 would like an genuine, off-the-grid expertise. It’s the least developed island and affords an actual glimpse into native Hawaiian life and tradition.
A Be aware on Accountable Journey in Hawaii
Earlier than you pack your baggage, it’s vital to know that visiting Hawaii has modified a bit lately, and we predict it’s for the higher. There’s a giant deal with 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 little 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’ll need 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 Essential Hawaiian Islands
Now we’ll get into the small print 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 if you would like a mixture of bustling metropolis power, well-known seashores, and simply accessible historic websites. It’s essentially the most developed island and the hub of contemporary Hawaii. As the house of Honolulu, it additionally has the widest number of eating places and nightlife. Whereas Hawaii might be an costly vacation spot, Oahu usually affords the broadest vary of lodging, together with extra budget-friendly choices in comparison with different islands.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on Oahu
Past town, Oahu boasts an unbelievable variety of mountaineering 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 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 some of the vital websites to see in your complete 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 bear 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 possibly can watch skilled surfers deal with among the largest waves on the planet. In the summertime, the water is calmer, and the vibe is pure, laid-back surf city.
Expertise Waikiki Seaside: Sure, it’s busy, however Waikiki is a spectacle it’s important to see a minimum of as soon as. It’s an excellent 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 seems like a relaxed oasis simply steps from the motion of Waikiki. We preferred the clear, trendy design and the infinity pool is a good place to loosen up. It’s a high-end alternative that delivers on service and magnificence.
For a Social Scene: Polynesian Hostel Seaside Membership In case you are on a finances or travelling solo, this can be a stable alternative. It’s not fancy, however the location is improbable, just some minutes’ stroll from the seashore. It’s an excellent place to satisfy different travellers.
Maui: The Valley Isle
Who This Island Is For
Maui is for you when you’re searching for a mixture of luxurious, epic highway journeys, and unbelievable wildlife encounters. It has been voted the ‘greatest island’ by readers of Condé Nast Traveler for over 20 years, and it has a well-deserved status for world-class resorts and romantic getaways. Whereas it has a well-deserved status 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 greatest highway journeys on the 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 effectively upfront, however it’s completely definitely worth the early begin.
Go Whale Watching: From December to Could, 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 very 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.
The place We Advocate Staying
For Luxurious: 4 Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea In case you are seeking to splurge, this is among the greatest 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 a classy lodge proper within the coronary heart of this cool little surf city, making it an excellent base for exploring the Highway to Hana.
Now we have 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 tough hikes in the USA, 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 greatest we’ve ever seen.
Discover Waimea Canyon: Referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this large canyon is a spectacle of purple and inexperienced canyon partitions. You may drive as much as a number of lookouts for improbable views or, when you’re up for it, take one of many mountaineering 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 a giant splurge, however it’s the one strategy 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 possibly can’t see some other approach.
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 good upscale base. The swimming pools listed here 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 luxurious landscapes of the north, this resort affords 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 would like 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 needs to see nature at its most uncooked and highly effective. It’s twice the dimensions of all the opposite islands mixed, and you’ll find 10 of the world’s 14 local weather zones right here. If you would like a visit that’s much less about mendacity on a seashore and extra about mountaineering, 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 have got the possibility to see energetic, 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 in opposition to the darkish sky.
Snorkel with Manta Rays at Evening: This sounds a little bit intimidating, however belief us, it’s some of the 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. Additionally it is residence to Papak?lea, one of many few uncommon inexperienced sand seashores on the 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 Facet): 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 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 Seashores and Resorts (West Facet): The Westin Hapuna Seaside Resort The sunny Kona-Kohala coast is the island’s resort hub. This lodge is located on Hapuna Seaside, which is among the most stunning white-sand seashores in all of Hawaii. It’s an excellent place to loosen up after a number of days of volcanic journey.
Lanai: The Pineapple Isle
Who This Island Is For
Lanai is for the traveller who really needs to get away from all of it and doesn’t thoughts paying for the privilege. The island is nearly totally privately owned and has a quiet, unique really feel. In case your aim is to unplug at a five-star resort, play a world-class spherical of golf, and really feel like you have got a whole island to your self, Lanai is the spot.
Our Favorite Issues to Do on Lanai
Lease 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 exquisite panorama of purple rock formations. It actually felt like an journey on one other planet.
Loosen up at Hulopoe Bay: This protected marine reserve is the island’s greatest spot for swimming and snorkeling. The seashore is an ideal crescent of white sand. We spent a complete afternoon right here and have been handled to an enormous pod of spinner dolphins placing on a present simply offshore. It’s additionally an excellent place to identify honu (turtles).
Hike the Koloiki Ridge Path: For an excellent view with out a grueling climb, this path is a improbable alternative. It begins close to the 4 Seasons and leads you thru forests of ironwood and pine timber, 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. In case you are searching for a real luxurious splurge, that is it.
For Historic Attraction: Lodge Lanai For a style of a distinct Lanai, this charming and historic lodge within the coronary heart of Lanai Metropolis is your greatest 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. In case you are seeking to disconnect and expertise a slower, extra intentional lifestyle away from any resort scene, that is your house. There are not any site 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 compelled isolation for individuals affected by Hansen’s illness (leprosy). A go to here’s a highly effective historical past lesson, and the panorama is hauntingly stunning. You need to e book a tour with a licensed information to go to, which we extremely advocate.
Stroll Papohaku Seaside: That is one in all Hawaii’s longest white-sand seashores, and you’ll probably have all of it to your self. We walked for almost an hour and noticed solely a handful of different individuals. At three miles lengthy, it seems like your personal personal paradise. On a transparent day, you possibly can 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 gorgeous Mo’oula Falls. It was a deeply significant expertise that gave us a a lot larger appreciation for the island’s historical past and connection to the land.
The place We Advocate Staying
The Essential Possibility: Lodge Molokai That is the island’s best-known place to remain. It’s not a luxurious resort, however an enthralling, rustic lodge with Polynesian-style bungalows. It has an actual old-school Hawaii vibe and serves as an excellent, comfy base for exploring.
For Self-Catering: Fortress Molokai Shores Since there are restricted eating choices on the island, having a kitchen generally is a large plus. These oceanfront condo-style residences are good for households or anybody who needs the pliability to cook dinner their very own meals.
For our breakdown of the place we advocate staying, take a look at our lodging information.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions on Visiting Hawaii
Whereas each island affords one thing particular, the “greatest” one really is determined by 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 greatest.
For many first-time guests, Oahu is a good alternative. It’s simple to fly into and affords an enormous number of actions. When you’re extra of an adventurer, the Large Island is one other improbable possibility because it offers you a style of all the pieces: volcanoes, stunning seashores, and luxurious rainforests.
Begin by figuring out your high precedence. Are you searching for epic hikes (Kauai), nightlife and historical past (Oahu), luxurious resorts (Maui), or volcanic journey (Large Island)? Use our “Fast Information” on the high of this text to match your journey model to an island’s character.
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 if you would like extra motion, nightlife, restaurant selections, and historic websites. Select Maui when you’re searching 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 mountaineering and exploring. Select Oahu if you would like the facilities of a serious metropolis, well-known surf tradition, and a greater variety of eating and leisure.
So, Which Island Will You Select?
Choosing the proper Hawaiian island is the primary and most vital step in planning your journey. There actually isn’t any single “greatest” one, solely the island that’s greatest for you. Whether or not you’re searching for 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 can really feel prefer it was made for you.
We hope this information has helped you discover your good match.
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