The Best Hawaiian Island to Visit For Every Type Of Traveler [MAP included]

Can you guess what the best Hawaiian Island to visit is? It would be impossible, because there is actually no single best island in Hawaii that stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Hawaii is such a unique destination with enormous diversity in attractions, meaning every island has its own unique appeal. For many people a trip to this part of the world is a dream come true. I mean, who doesn’t want to visit Hawaii?!

After visiting the Hawaiian Islands myself, I can confidently say that not a single one of these islands disappointed me. Hawaii is truly a special place, and honestly, the island chain is far from just a nice beach getaway. There is something for every kind of traveler here.

But, with such a variety of attractions, how do you find the best Hawaiian island to visit?

Well, first take a look at our little infographic below comparing the four most popular Hawaiian islands for a brief overview:

Best Hawaiian Islands Map Infographic

What is the best island to visit in Hawaii? Use our helpful map to see the pros and cons of the 4 main islands.

With over 130 islands and 5 counties that make up the state of Hawaii, with the 8 largest being the most popular for a whole range of reasons, it can be tricky deciding where to go and why to go there.

Each island has its own experiences to offer, so having a list of pros and cons for each of the main islands can make things a lot easier and simpler to work out if you’re trying to figure out the best island to visit in Hawaii for you.

On the one hand, you don’t want to try and cram too much into one trip, but you also don’t want to feel like you’ve missed out on something after returning home.

In this post, I’ve decided to cover the 4 most popular and most visited islands:

• Oahu
• Island of Hawaii (Big Island)
• Kauai
• Maui

You’ll also find recommendations for the type of traveler best suited to each of the islands along with some of the best things to do on them. So if you're traveling as a couple or you want to know the best island to visit in Hawaii for the first time, you’ll find all that and more in this guide to the best Hawaiian Islands to visit.

So without further ado, let’s get into it!

The Best Islands to Visit in Hawaii

Oahu

Oahu is one of the best islands to visit in Hawaii for first time visitors

The iconic Waikiki Beach seen from above

Often referred to as “The Gathering Place”, Oahu is the heartbeat of Hawaii. Although it’s Hawaii’s third largest island, it’s home to the majority of the state’s population and the iconic state capital of Honolulu.

Flying into Oahu, it’s easy to see where it gets its name from, with the Honolulu highrises lining the iconic Waikiki Beach.

Oahu sometimes gets a bad rap for being too busy, touristy and commercialized. But, those tourists have very good reasons for visiting.

This is the cultural capital of the island chain. Honolulu is a wonderful mix of Eastern and Western cultures and traditions, with plenty of cultural attractions, excellent food options and nightlife you won’t find anywhere else in the state.

Oahu is home to some spectacular beaches

Not only that, but Oahu has its fair share of natural attractions most commonly associated with Hawaii. Excellent beaches for swimming, snorkeling and surfing can be found here. And you’ll be pleased to know that many secluded and quiet Oahu beaches can be found if you know where to look!

There are many family-friendly beaches in Oahu as well, with the Ko’Olina resort area perfect for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Waikiki but still want the conveniences and pampering of a resort.

The Disney Aulani Resort and the Wet n’ Wild Water Park are both located nearby, offering plenty of fun for families with kids.

There are hiking trails galore, a great choice of accommodation options, and lots of raw, natural beauty despite being the most populated island.

Take a look at our complete Oahu travel guide for more info.

Often referred to as “The Gathering Place”, Oahu is the heartbeat of Hawaii. Although it’s Hawaii’s third largest island, it’s home to the majority of the state’s population and the iconic state capital of Honolulu.

Flying into Oahu, it’s easy to see where it gets its name from, with the Honolulu highrises lining the iconic Waikiki Beach.

Oahu sometimes gets a bad rap for being too busy, touristy and commercialized. But, those tourists have very good reasons for visiting.

The iconic Waikiki Beach seen from above

This is the cultural capital of the island chain. Honolulu is a wonderful mix of Eastern and Western cultures and traditions, with plenty of cultural attractions, excellent food options and nightlife you won’t find anywhere else in the state.

Not only that, but Oahu has its fair share of natural attractions most commonly associated with Hawaii. Excellent beaches for swimming, snorkeling and surfing can be found here. And you’ll be pleased to know that many secluded and quiet Oahu beaches can be found if you know where to look!

There are many family-friendly beaches in Oahu as well, with the Ko’Olina resort area perfect for families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Waikiki but still want the conveniences and pampering of a resort.

The Disney Aulani Resort and the Wet n’ Wild Water Park are both located nearby, offering plenty of fun for families with kids.

Oahu is home to some spectacular beaches

There are hiking trails galore, a great choice of accommodation options, and lots of raw, natural beauty despite being the most populated island.

Take a look at our complete Oahu travel guide for more info.

Pros:

• Excellent range of cultural and historic attractions (Pearl Harbour, Dole Pineapple Plantation, famous film locations).
• Great mix of natural attractions, including hikes, snorkeling, beaches and more.
• Extensive range of restaurants and local food trucks.
• Easiest island to get around without a car.

Cons:

• The busiest and most populated Hawaiian island.
• In peak tourist season, popular areas can get crowded and are often pricey.

Island of Hawaii (The Big Island)

Hawaii's Big Island is a vast, lush nature lover's paradise

Oahu may have a good range of natural attractions, but the Island of Hawaii, known as The Big Island, takes this to another level entirely.

Making up a whopping 63% of the state’s area with only about 20% of Oahu’s population, The Big Island is vast, empty and a nature lover’s dream.

Here you can find beaches of various colors, see lava at the Volcanoes National Park, visit the highest mountain in the island chain, and still there’s far more to see.

Did I mention that Hawaii Island also has a desert? A desert in Hawaii?! Yep, the Ka'u Desert can be found on the slopes of Kilauea volcano and it’s the only desert in the archipelago.

If you’re an outdoorsy person, you’ll never run out of things to do here. If you want to visit coffee plantations, hike up a volcano or even see lava for the first time, you can do it all on The Big Island.

With that being said, there are far fewer cultural and urban adventures on offer when compared to Oahu and although Hawaii Island’s beaches are unique, there aren’t as many exceptional beaches compared to the other islands.

Also, don’t forget that it’s called The Big Island for a reason. It’s not as easy to get around and travel times will of course be longer.

The Big Island has an incredible range of diverse landscapes from tropical jungles to dry deserts

The Big Island has quite a few unqiuely beautiful beaches but soft sandy beaches are few and far between

Oahu may have a good range of natural attractions, but the Island of Hawaii, known as The Big Island, takes this to another level entirely.

Making up a whopping 63% of the state’s area with only about 20% of Oahu’s population, The Big Island is vast, empty and a nature lover’s dream.

Here you can find beaches of various colors, see lava at the Volcanoes National Park, visit the highest mountain in the island chain, and still there’s far more to see.

The Big Island has an incredible range of diverse landscapes from tropical jungles to dry deserts

Did I mention that Hawaii Island also has a desert? A desert in Hawaii?! Yep, the Ka'u Desert can be found on the slopes of Kilauea volcano and it’s the only desert in the archipelago.

If you’re an outdoorsy person, you’ll never run out of things to do here. If you want to visit coffee plantations, hike up a volcano or even see lava for the first time, you can do it all on The Big Island.

With that being said, there are far fewer cultural and urban adventures on offer when compared to Oahu and although Hawaii Island’s beaches are unique, there aren’t as many exceptional beaches compared to the other islands.

The Big Island has quite a few unqiuely beautiful beaches but soft sandy beaches are few and far between

Also, don’t forget that it’s called The Big Island for a reason. It’s not as easy to get around and travel times will of course be longer. You will definitely need a car here.

Pros:

• Huge diversity in natural attractions (volcanoes, jungles, desert, beaches, mountains, etc).
• Lots of hiking options.
• Wide variety of climate zones for different experiences (The Big Island has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones).
• Fewer crowds than the other main islands, especially Oahu.

Cons:

• Some of The Big Island’s highlights are weather dependent, such as seeing lava. It can also rain a lot here, especially in the area near Hilo.
• You’re going to need to hire a car here and driving times between attractions will be longer due to the island’s size.
• Besides a few spectacular beaches, most are quite rocky and not worth visiting.

Maui

Maui has a fantastic selection of powdery soft beaches and luxury resorts, making it the perfect island for couples and honeymooners

An old wooden bridge in the jungles of Maui

Maui is in many ways a fantastic blend featuring the best of both Oahu and Hawaii Island, except without a major city.

At 48 miles or 64 kilometers in length, Maui manages to squeeze in an abundance of world-class beaches. Similar to The Big Island, Maui has a variety of striking beaches and diverse landscapes, but is also home to plenty of scenic beaches with powdery soft sand.

Maui is also the second largest Hawaiian island, so there’s a good mix of things to see and do for many travelers. It is one of the more popular islands as well so don’t expect to be stranded in paradise without a soul in sight.

But with that popularity comes a great choice of luxury hotels and resorts, one of the reasons Maui is a top spot for honeymooners and couples.

Oh, and there are many good options when it comes to food. It’s certainly better than Hawaii Island and up there with Oahu in the dining department.

One of the unique black sand beaches found on Maui

Families also enjoy Maui’s variety of beautiful kid-friendly beaches and abundance of ocean-related activities and attractions.

Speaking of ocean-related activities, Maui offers up just about every water activity you can think of. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing and so much more can be enjoyed here.

Maui is also the best Hawaiian island for whale watching.

If you enjoy hiking, there are some great trails in the Haleakala National Park, including the spectacular Pipiwai Trail and a range of scenic waterfalls.

Maui is in many ways a fantastic blend featuring the best of both Oahu and Hawaii Island, except without a major city.

At 48 miles or 64 kilometers in length, Maui manages to squeeze in an abundance of world-class beaches. Similar to The Big Island, Maui has a variety of striking beaches and diverse landscapes, but is also home to plenty of scenic beaches with powdery soft sand.

Maui is also the second largest Hawaiian island, so there’s a good mix of things to see and do for many travelers. It is one of the more popular islands as well so don’t expect to be stranded in paradise without a soul in sight.

An old wooden bridge in the jungles of Maui

But with that popularity comes a great choice of luxury hotels and resorts, one of the reasons Maui is a top spot for honeymooners and couples.

Oh, and there are many good options when it comes to food. It’s certainly better than Hawaii Island and up there with Oahu in the dining department.

Families also enjoy Maui’s variety of beautiful kid-friendly beaches and abundance of ocean-related activities and attractions.

Speaking of ocean-related activities, Maui offers up just about every water activity you can think of. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing and so much more can be enjoyed here.

One of the unique black sand beaches found on Maui

Maui is also the best Hawaiian island for whale watching.

If you enjoy hiking, there are some great trails in the Haleakala National Park, including the spectacular Pipiwai Trail and a range of scenic waterfalls.

Pros:

• Good choice of things to see and do for all sorts of visitors. You can find the best of Hawaii on Maui.
• Excellent range of spectacular beaches.
• Many luxury hotels and resorts to choose from.
• Good snorkeling, scuba diving and other ocean-related activities available.

Cons:

• Culturally, Maui can’t offer what Oahu can. Due to the relatively small local indigenous population, and its popularity with visitors, tourists often outnumber residents.
• Although Maui has many areas of incredible natural beauty and is often described as a “paradise”, there aren’t many secluded areas where you can get away from the tourists.
• Maui can be pricey so if you’re traveling on a tight budget, Oahu may be a better option.

Kauai

The majestic Napali Coast offers jaw-dropping mountain views for 17 miles

A striking red flower on Kauai

Known as “The Garden Isle” due to its lush, less developed landscapes and abundance of rainfall, Kauai is the smallest and least-populated of the four biggest Hawaiian Islands.

Because of its smaller size and lower population, there aren’t quite as many things to do here and the accommodation options can be a bit sparse in the smaller towns when compared to the other three islands, but what it does have is excellent.

It offers up an intoxicating mix of scenic landscapes, beautiful beaches, hikes with truly incredible views and a laid-back vibe that’s not found on the other main islands, earning it a spot in the list of the best islands to visit in Hawaii.

Spectacular views at sunset on Kauai

Certainly, it’s more authentic than Maui, and free from the commercialization and urban development of both Maui and Oahu.

The Napali Coast, a 17 mile strip of jaw-dropping emerald cliffs is an absolute must-see. Besides Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, the Napali Coast is perhaps the most well-known and instantly recognizable Hawaiian attraction. It just screams “Hawaii”!

There are many good Napali Coast tours available, but there’s also the option of taking a helicopter ride which makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Also visit the Waimea Canyon, known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, for exquisite views and fascinating volcanic rock formations.

Just take note that Kauai can be quite rainy, particularly in winter. Thanks to all that rain though, Kauai is home to some of Hawaii’s most beautiful waterfall hikes.

Known as “The Garden Isle” due to its lush, less developed landscapes and abundance of rainfall, Kauai is the smallest and least-populated of the four biggest Hawaiian Islands.

Because of its smaller size and lower population, there aren’t quite as many things to do here and the accommodation options can be a bit sparse in the smaller towns when compared to the other three islands, but what it does have is excellent.

A striking red flower on Kauai

It offers up an intoxicating mix of scenic landscapes, beautiful beaches, hikes with truly incredible views and a laid-back vibe that’s not found on the other main islands, earning it a spot in the list of the best islands to visit in Hawaii.

Certainly, it’s more authentic than Maui, and free from the commercialization and urban development of both Maui and Oahu.

The Napali Coast, a 17 mile strip of jaw-dropping emerald cliffs is an absolute must-see. Besides Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, the Napali Coast is perhaps the most well-known and instantly recognizable Hawaiian attraction. It just screams “Hawaii”!

There are many good Napali Coast tours available, but there’s also the option of taking a helicopter ride which makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Spectacular views at sunset on Kauai

Also visit the Waimea Canyon, known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, for exquisite views and fascinating volcanic rock formations.

Just take note that Kauai can be quite rainy, particularly in winter. Thanks to all that rain though, Kauai is home to some of Hawaii’s most beautiful waterfall hikes.

Pros:

• Incredible natural beauty, particularly along the unique Napali Coast. You won’t find anything like this anywhere else in Hawaii.
• Excellent range of sunset and waterfall hikes.
• Quieter and far less developed than the other main island with an authentic, down-to-earth vibe.
• Waimea Canyon is a fascinating natural attraction.

Cons:

• Limited accommodation options.
• Not the best Hawaiian island to visit in terms of weather. Kauai gets more rain than the other three islands.
• Because of the island’s relative ruralness, you may find that options are few and far between when it comes to amenities like good restaurants and grocery stores.

Hawaii Safety When Hiking

The Hawaiian Islands offer some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world

I wanted to include this section as a lot of people end up visiting the islands and are totally unaware of the safety precautions and practices involved when it comes to staying safe on the hiking trails.

The weather in Hawaii can be unpredictable and when hiking in remote areas things can get dicey and dramatic rather quickly. For these reasons, I never visit the islands or travel anywhere for that matter without good travel insurance.

Good travel insurance is essential for protection against all sorts of problems including injury, illness, theft, and cancellations. It truly is better to be safe than sorry.

This interactive calculator will help you find the perfect policy for you:

And that brings this article to an end. The Hawaiian Islands have so much to offer, and to ensure you make the right decision on where to go, it helps to take some time to go over the pros and cons and attractions of the main islands. That was my aim with this post, so I hope you found it useful!

If you’re still unsure about the best Hawaiian island to visit for your trip, and you can’t quite decide where to go or you aren’t certain Hawaii is for you, just leave us a comment down below and I’ll get back to you.

About the Writer

Stephanie Amieva is a former travel professional specializing in the Hawaiian Islands, most notably Oahu.

After living and working in the industry for the better part of 13 years she met and married her husband Pedro and is now an active duty military spouse. 

Even though her mailing address varies her home at heart is still in Hawaii and she visits whenever she can. 

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