Deciding which island is the best in Hawaii to visit is a little bit like choosing a favorite child. They are all incredible places with tons to see and do. So choosing between them might come down to little details or certain attractions specific to one island.
Many people picture a typical beach vacation when they think of Hawaii. But Hawaii is so much more than just beautiful beaches. Though if that’s the kind of Hawaii vacation you want, you can certainly find it here.
People come to Hawaii for hiking trails, beaches, volcanoes, surfing, snorkeling, golf courses, shopping, relaxation, culture, wildlife, and more. So deciding what is important to you can help you decide which Hawaiian island to visit.
In this post, I will help you choose the Hawaiian island that is best for you.
How Many Hawaiian Islands Are There?
While there are a total of eight major Hawaiian islands, four of them make up the majority of tourism; Big Island, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai.
- Maui – Best for families and wildlife viewing
- Oahu – Best for city lovers and surfers
- Kauai – Best for nature lovers, hiking, and lush mountains.
- Big Island – Slower pace, active volcanoes, and best for golf nuts
These four are the main Hawaiian islands that people visit, and a good place to start if you have never been to Hawaii.
The other major islands are not generally a good fit for tourists, or at least not for first-time visitors to Hawaii.
- Molokai – Highest population of native Hawaiians. The island residents are strongly resistant to mass tourism. There’s only a single hotel and some vacation rentals, and camping. You won’t receive special treatment if you come to Molokai.
- Lanai – Just a few luxury resorts on a mostly remote and rugged island.
- Kahoolawe – Small island off the coast of Maui, closed to tourists
- Niihau – Only inhabited by a few native Hawaiians, closed to tourists.
The Big Island (AKA Hawai’i)
Hawaii is the official name of the biggest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. But it’s commonly referred to as the Big Island (or Hawaii Island) to help avoid confusion. The Big Island makes up over 60% of all the land area of Hawaii. It’s is known for its slower pace, with large expanses of uninhabited land.
The island of Hawaii is so big that it distorts your perception. The massive volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea don’t even appear that large in person. Their immense size is disguised by the gradual climb from sea level to their summits at over 13,000-feet.
The Big Island has 4 out of the 5 major climate zones in the world. It’s really a remarkably diverse place. It’s the only Hawaiian island that you can ski or snowboard on (if the conditions are right).
Volcanoes Like Nowhere Else
While there is a touristy hub around the city of Kona, the most unique feature of the Big Island is its volcanoes. The Big Island is home to 5 different volcanoes, two of which are currently active; Kilauea and Mauna Loa (as of January 2023).
A visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provides something that can’t be matched by any other Hawaiian island. A night hike to see the lava and orange glowing sky is an other-worldly experience. Something my camera couldn’t quite do justice.
A Golfers Paradise
The Big Island is quite possibly the best Hawaiian island for golf. Here you can find the most golf courses (10) and they are all reasonably priced. And the Kona side is one of the driest/sunniest places in all of Hawaii. So for the weather and variety of affordable courses, the Big Island is the best.
However, if you want the golf courses with the prettiest views, it’s gotta be Oahu or Kauai.
Swimming With Manta Rays
Another unique experience that’s popular on the Big Island is seeing the manta rays. You can book tours to see and/or swim with the giant pods of manta rays.
Not As Much To See & Do As You Would Think
Despite its size, the island of Hawaii doesn’t have as many notable natural attractions as you would think (besides the volcanoes of course).
So much of the landscape is dominated by massive arid lava flows that stretch from sea to summit. And the lush mountains and valleys on the northwest coast are mostly closed or inaccessible to tourism.
So for outdoor adventures, we found it common to drive 45 minutes or more between stops. Some of the other natural highlights of Hawai’i (The Big Island) are Punulu Valley, Waipi’o Valley Lookout, Akaka Falls, and Punulu’u Black Sand Beach.
Ultimately, while impressive, these natural attractions are far and few between (at least compared to the other main islands). If you want to properly explore the Big Island, expect to drive at least 3-5 hours.
And the main highway is up-country, not along the coast like most of the other islands in Hawaii. So while you get good views while driving, there are really not that many places with ocean access.
Hilo: Clouds, Rain, and Old People
The east side of the Big Island is home to the city of Hilo. It’s like the polar opposite of dry, sunny Kona. Hilo is the rainiest city in Hawaii, and I’ve dubbed it the “Portland Oregon of Hawaii”. It’s a very cloudy city with a kind of gritty feel. And the ocean is murky, not like the clear blue water that you picture in Hawaii.
There are still quite a few great waterfalls around Hilo, and a good variety of shops and restaurants.
Kona Coffee (Expensive For What It Is)
The island of Hawaii is famous for its own distinct variety of coffee known as Kona Coffee. The coffee is grown and roasted right on the Big Island. The unique climate created in the shadow of Mauna Loa Volcano creates a distinct coffee variety that is quite sought-after.
The coffee itself is respectable but honestly a little over-hyped. It will seem extremely overpriced to most people, even when purchased right at the source. The coffee growing area around Kona is small and the US labor costs make for very expensive coffee.
Not The Best For Beaches
And lastly, the Big Island is the weakest link when it comes to beaches. While it does have a few impressive ones, they are not your typical touristy beach lined with luxury hotels. Most are small protected coves that often require a drive or hike-to.
A really unique one is Papakolea Green Sand Beach, but it is not easy to get to, and over-edited pictures on the internet may be setting your expectations a little too high.
However, Punulu’u Black Sand is one of the most impressive black sand beaches in the whole state. It’s a great place to see sea turtles! And it’s relatively easy for tourists to visit if you don’t mind the drive.
Maui – “The Valley Isle”
Maui is a favorite of many Hawaii vacationers. It offers a good balance of everything people love about Hawaii. There’s plenty of accommodation built on sunny shores with calm water, making it perfect for families.
The Haleakala Volcano to the east and the West Maui Mountains to the west dominate Maui’s geography. Between them lies a giant valley connecting the two. On Maui, epic views are always abundant no matter where you are.
Haleakala National Park (Volcano)
Maui is home to Haleakala National Park and Haleakala Volcano on its eastern side. This dormant volcano makes a popular visit for life-changing sunrises, but only because you can drive all the way to the summit. So even the laziest of tourists can experience a sunrise from 10,000 feet above sea level.
But bring your warm clothes because it’s often below freezing at the summit. More active tourists might appreciate hiking around the caldera and feeling like you’re on another planet.
However, Maui is still second place to the active volcanoes on the Big Island (AKA Hawai’i).
The Road To Hana
One of the best things to do in Maui is the famous Road To Hana, a mountainous road on the northeast side that makes an incredibly scenic drive. The Road To Hana is an extremely curvy road with tons of waterfalls, hikes, botanical gardens, beaches, scenic views, and more. This popular day trip is not to be missed.
Best Island For Chasing Waterfalls
Maui is the best island for chasing waterfalls. Mostly because the Road To Hana passes an unbelievable number of gorgeous waterfalls. Many of which you can see right off the side of the road, and some others that make for fun hiking adventures.
Maui Is Uniquely Situated Amongst The Closest Grouping Of Islands
Maui sits amongst a tight grouping of other Hawaiian islands to the west (Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe). This tight cluster of islands creates conditions for several things unique to Maui.
Between the islands is a shallow shelf that is a breeding ground for humpback whales. For this reason, Maui is probably the best island for whale watching. A whale watching tour in the winter months is the best way to see them up close. But you can often even see them from shore!
And the somewhat protected “bay” between islands creates calmer water. This makes the west coast of Maui a great place for families. Your children can play in the ocean without worrying about big waves. There are also great coral reefs to see marine life.
And those other two islands close by make for incredible sunsets on the west coast, especially near the Lahaina area. The light has more things to interact with as the shadows grow long and the colors ignite. This close cluster of islands to the west is only found in Maui.
Surfing in Maui
But even Maui is home to its own famous surf break. The north coast near Paia has two popular spots for big-wave surfing; Ho’okipa Beach Park, and Pe’ahi (AKA Jaws).
Hiking In Maui
Maui also has some amazing hikes with waterfalls, lush forests, and more. Our favorite hikes are Waihee Ridge Trail and Pipiwai Trail.
Oahu – “the gathering place”
Oahu, known as the gathering place, is home to Hawaii’s capital city of Honolulu. No other city in Hawaii even comes close to the size of Honolulu. The city (and surrounding urban area) has a population of over one million people.
Honolulu offers visitors an endless variety of restaurants, shops, museums, nightlife, and more. So if it’s city life you crave, then Oahu is the place!
But with the big city comes more crowds. You can expect more traffic, longer lines for restaurants, etc. Expect to share beaches and trails with more people.
Most Accessible Island In Hawaii
O’ahu is the most accessible because it has the most direct flights from airports in the mainland United States. Many visitors are funneled through Oahu simply because of the availability of flights.
Oahu also has the largest number of accommodations, which often leads to more affordable hotels and resorts. There’s plenty of luxury resorts and hotels too if that’s in your budget. However, most of the accommodation is in or near the city, so look to the other islands if you want to stay in a more secluded setting.
Waikiki Beach
The most touristy beach in all of Hawaii is Waikiki Beach, just southeast of Honolulu. This hot spot is the place where city life meets beach life. You can go from relaxing on the beach to bustling city streets just steps away.
But Waikiki beach, despite the crowds is very beautiful. The water is typically calm, making it good for families or surf lessons.
Oahu’s Geography Is Diverse And Unique
The geography of Oahu is beautiful in its own right. It has large dormant volcanic craters on the southeast side; such a Diamond Head and Koko Crater. These craters have some of the most popular hiking trails near Waikiki Beach.
And Oahu’s north side also has jagged green mountains and valleys like Kauai. It’s definitely a close second in terms of scenery like that.
A popular place to admire this scenery is the lush and well-maintained Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. Actually so much so that they had to implement rules banning all photography from their roadways!
Hiking in Oahu
And Oahu is also a good island for hiking. It has some of the most beautiful hikes in all of Hawaii. I would love to call Oahu the best island for hiking trails, but sadly a lot of the best ones are temporarily or permanently closed.
Trails like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Crouching Lion” are no longer open. And trails that you can’t actually hike, don’t do you much good.
But some of the best hikes in Oahu that are still open are Lanikai Pillboxes, Olomana Trail, Hanauma Bay Ridge Trail, and Kuliouou Ridge Trail.
History, Culture, Art, Entertainment
Oahu is also the best Hawaiian island for historical, cultural, and entertainment tours. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a one-of-a-kind experience to see and observe the deep history surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor.
And the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu’s north coast is the best place to learn about Hawaiian culture.
And the Kualoa Ranch is a popular Hollywood film location, most notably, Jurassic Park, LOST, King Kong, 50 First Dates, and many more. They have a variety of tours, from movie sites, to ATV tours, to ocean trips.
Best Big Wave Surfing In Hawaii
The most famous place in all of Hawaii for big-wave surfing is found on the north shore of Oahu. This area is home to the “pipeline” a world-famous surf break. But if you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, you honestly can find plenty of suitable surf breaks on all four major Hawaiian Islands.
Asian Culture and Cuisine
Oahu has the largest Asian population in all of Hawaii. So here you can find plenty of amazing poke, sushi, and sashimi to try.
Shark Cage Diving In Oahu
Oahu has an especially large number of companies offering cage diving with sharks!
Kauai – “The Garden Isle”
Kauai is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands. But it’s also typically the most expensive to visit. It’s known as the “Garden Isle” because of its lush green mountains and valleys.
Kauai and Maui are in a kind of competition with each other, mostly because they don’t have a big city like Oahu, or the sheer size and geography of the Big Island.
Kauai doesn’t have any massive volcanoes like Maui and the Big Island. The highest point in Kauai is actually only 5,148 feet, about half as tall as the volcanoes on Maui and The Big Island. But to make up for it, Kauai has more stunning green mountain ranges than all the other islands.
The Wettest Island In Hawaii
Some people like to obsess over the fact that Kauai gets the most rain of all Hawaii’s islands. But as with all islands in Hawaii, the rainfall is very localized. That is, most of the precipitation happens inland in the mountains. Most touristy areas are built along the coast and receive much less rain than the interior.
But if you are worried about rain or clouds, I would stay on the south or west coast and avoid the north or east coast of Kauai. (This is true for pretty much every island in Hawaii.)
Best For Nature Lovers
Kauai is the best island for outdoor adventure and incredible scenic beauty. As an avid hiker, I find that Kauai has the most rewarding hikes without quite the same crowds as Oahu.
From the legendary but challenging Kalalau Trail and Awa’awapuhi Trail, to easier ones like Sleeping Giant and Mahu’ulepu Heritage Trail.
There’s also no shortage of amazing waterfalls in Kauai, like Hanakapi’ai Falls, Wailua Falls, Waipo’o Falls, and more.
The Incredible Na Pali Coast And Waimea Canyon
The NaPali Coast and Waimea Canyon are two exceptionally scenic places in Kauai.
The NaPali Coast is often regarded as the single most stunning place in all of Hawaii. There really isn’t anything quite like it anywhere else in Hawaii. The jagged green mountain peaks dropping thousands of feet to the ocean below is such a sight to see.
The most popular ways to see the Na Pali Coast are by helicopter tour, boat tour, viewpoints in Kokee State Park, or backpacking the Kalalau Trail.
And Waimea Canyon, also known as the “Grand Canyon Of The Pacific” is another jaw-dropping natural wonder. It’s surprising to find this massive dry red canyon right in the middle of the otherwise wet and green “garden island”.
Beaches In Kauai
Kauai can also be a great destination for purely a beach vacation. The south shore in Poipu is the most touristy place in Kauai with sunshine, calm waters, and hotels on the beach.
But unless you plan on visiting some of Kauai’s unique attractions, you could probably save money by visiting a different island. If you are the kind of person who rarely leaves your resort, then Maui or Oahu is probably a better fit for you.
Kauai’s east coast is the most populated with towns like Lihue and Kapaa. But the wind and surf make this side of the island less suitable for hanging on the beach. However, it’s still popular for surfers.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Hawaii?
Hawaii is actually a great travel destination year-round. It has a very stable climate that is hot enough for beaching and outdoor activities without being too hot.
The weather in Hawaii is pretty much entirely shaped by the trade winds. For most of the year, they blow from the northeast. This means that you can expect each island to be wetter, windier, and cloudier on the north and east shores. And the sunshine and beach weather is typically found on the south and west shores.
The trade winds always ensure that there is a breeze to keep you cool. Though at times it can be a little too windy for certain activities, especially on the windward side of the islands.
Rainy Season
There is technically a rainy season in the winter months from November to March. But rainfall in Hawaii is hyper-localized, meaning that the majority of rain falls on the interior, away from the touristy areas on the coast.
The best time to visit Hawaii is April/May and September/October. The weather is ideal and you save money on rates by avoiding peak tourism times.
December and June/July are the most expensive times to visit Hawaii.
Surfing
You really can surf in Hawaii year-round. But the best time to visit for big-wave surfing in Hawaii is during the winter on the north shores. Though unless you are a pro-surfer, you will probably find the waves to be plenty big on the south shores.
Whale-Watching
Whale-watching season in Hawaii is from November to March. But the peak times for sightings is usually January and February.
Hiking In Hawaii
The best time for hiking in Hawaii is spring and fall when the weather is drier, but without the extra heat of summer.
Conclusion | What Is The Best Island In Hawaii To Visit?
If you are booking a trip to Hawaii, it can seem a little overwhelming to choose one. Luckily, you really can find a little bit of everything on each of the four major Hawaiian Islands.
But for those who want it simplified, here’s my attempt to rank them for each category.
- Beaches – Oahu, Maui, Kauai
- Surfing – Oahu, Maui, Kauai
- Hiking – Kauai, Oahu, Maui
- Volcanoes – Big Island, Maui
- City Lovers – Oahu
- Shopping – Oahu, Maui, Kauai
- Restaurants – Oahu, Maui, Kauai
- Wildlife Viewing – Maui, Oahu
- Camping – Kauai, Oahu, Big Island, Maui
- Golfing – Big Island, Oahu, Kauai, Maui
- History/Culture/Art – Oahu, Big Island
- Family Vacations – Maui, Oahu, Kauai
- “Island Time” (slower pace) – Molokai, Lanai, Big Island
The good news is that each of the four major Hawaiian islands all have amazing variety. And just because one might be better than another for a certain activity, you can find a little bit of everything on each island.
And you don’t necessarily need to choose just one. There are cheap flights between islands, especially on Southwest Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines.
Emily and I have such a hard time choosing which Hawaiian island is our favorite. Maui and Kauai are definitely our top two. But keep in mind that our opinion is greatly shaped by our love of adventure and natural beauty.
For a beach vacation, we would choose Maui, but for an outdoor adventure trip, we would choose Kauai. But that’s not to say that you can’t have a great beach vacation on Kauai, or that Maui doesn’t have its own incredible hikes and scenic views.
If you are a city lover, then Oahu might end up being your favorite.
If you’re really interested in seeing active volcanoes or swimming with manta rays, then it’s gotta be the Big Island.
I hope this post helps you choose which island in Hawaii is the best to visit for you!
Help Share “What Is The Best Island In Hawaii To Visit” On Pinterest!
How To Get Around Oahu | Car, Bus, Trolley, Bike, Scooter, and More - tworoamingsouls
Sunday 9th of April 2023
[…] is by far the most populous of the Hawaiian Islands. The majority of Hawaii’s residents live in or around the capital city of Honolulu. […]
Camping On The Big Island Of Hawaii (Guide For All The Best Places To Camp) - tworoamingsouls
Friday 10th of February 2023
[…] you are still deciding which island in Hawaii to visit, the Big Island offers a different vibe than the other major islands. Here, you can find a slower […]
Hawaii Island Hopping (How To Travel Between Islands) - tworoamingsouls
Friday 27th of January 2023
[…] out our full guide for What is the Best Island in Hawaii To Visit for an in-depth guide to each […]