What is the Best Island to Visit in Hawaiʻi?
From travelers seeking thrilling adventures to those looking to relax and take it easy, I truly believe that each island in Hawaiʻi has something special to offer every type of person.
For this reason, answering this question entirely depends on what type of traveler you are, which is why this post is all about the best things to do on each of the main Hawaiian Islands, in order to answer the question: What is the best Hawaiian Island to visit?
Why Should You Trust to My Recommendations?
Hawaiʻi is my home!
Many articles that you will see when searching for Hawaiʻi topics are written by people that don’t and never have lived in the islands.
Be that as it may, I pride my Hawaiʻi articles to be the best non-touristy things to do on each Hawaiian Island, using only photos from my own personal experiences.
I never have and never will write my content with AI or stock photos, which is why I truly believe this is the best Hawaiʻi content that you will find!
What is the Best Island to Visit in Hawaiʻi?
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but, more importantly, I have personally been to 6 of the 6 main Hawaiian Islands many times to give you my best and honest recommendations about each island!
Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi is the best island in terms of scenic hiking trails, the best overnight backpacking trips, scenic drives, and the best açaí bowl that you will find across all the islands!
To add to this, I recommend planning your trip to Kauaʻi if you love to hike! I can honestly say that out of all the traveling I’ve done around the world, Kauaʻi trails stand alone in Hawaiʻi with some of the best hikes on the planet!
I recommend Kauaʻi for some of the best sunset hikes, a number of the best backpacking trips, and the best waterfall hike across all the islands!
That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that Kauaʻi is called the 'Garden Isle' for a good reason. It can rain a lot on Kauaʻi—especially during the wet winter season!
However, don’t let the rain discourage you from visiting, as Kauaʻi will rain all throughout the year, and it’s typical for showers to be quick, passing rain, instead of large weather systems.
In summary, there’s obviously so much more to Kauaʻi, including beautiful beaches and the stunning boat and helicopter tours along the iconic Nāpali Coast, but, if you haven’t been to Hawaiʻi before and you know you’re the outdoorsy type, I think the choice is obvious because Kauaʻi truly is a hiker’s paradise!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on Kauaʻi
Oʻahu
Oʻahu is the best island for learning how to surf, enjoying tourist attractions, such as Pearl Harbor, the largest variety of hiking trails, the largest variety of food from around the world, nightlife, and the best shark diving tours of any island in Hawaiʻi!
That being said, Oʻahu is where the people are, it’s where the jobs are, and it’s inevitably the island that attracts the most visitors.
This is not to say that you should avoid visiting Oʻahu because of this, as there is truly so much to see and do on account of Oʻahu having the most people.
Moreover, many visitors are interested in Oʻahu solely because Pearl Harbor is on their bucket list. However, apart from this one tour, there is so much more to see on all sides of the island!
When it comes to restaurants, Oʻahu has some of the best hole-in-the-wall food from around the world, which I talk about extensively in my separate post. In addition, while Kauaʻi may have some of the best hikes in the world, Oʻahu has many amazing ridge trails that shouldn’t be overlooked.
By this, I mean that one of my favorite things about Oʻahu trails is how accessible they are on all sides of the island, which is great because there’s truly not one best side of Oʻahu that I recommend booking your stay.
This is all to say, if you want the culture of the big city backed up against the mountains with some of the most beautiful ridge hikes in Hawaiʻi, then Oʻahu is the island for you!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on Oʻahu
My Print - Oʻahu
Maui
Maui is the best island in terms of unique beaches, which includes black and red sand, one-of-a-kind hiking trails in Haleakalā National Park, scenic drives (Hāna Hwy), the best resorts, the best whale tours in Hawaiʻi, and the only island where you can take a helicopter tour around the tallest sea cliffs in the world (Molokai)!
Yes, Molokai sea cliff tours leave out of Maui, not Molokai.
In my opinion, Maui is the best island for couples and families because there is really something for everyone, of all abilities.
What I mean is that many of the best things to see don’t require an extensive amount of hiking, making Maui a great choice to explore with kids!
However, don’t let that be the only thing that comes to mind, as Maui has some of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaiʻi, with tons of adventures along the scenic Road to Hāna and within the Haleakalā Crater.
That being said, in order to truly see it all and enjoy the best of what Maui has to offer, I highly recommend booking places to stay on all different sides of the island, as this is truly best way to break up a vacation on Maui. To learn more about why I say this, read the opening section of my separate article.
Overall, Maui is truly the island where you can have as relaxing or as adventurous of a vacation as you want, meaning that if you have a rental car and the desire to drive around the entire island, there’s truly no shortage of things to see and do!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on Maui
Island of Hawaiʻi (The Big Island)
The Island of Hawaiʻi is best known for being the only island where you can see lava (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park)! On top of this, there’s unique black and green sand beaches, wide-open scenic drives, the tallest point in Hawaiʻi (Mauna Kea), the stunning Kohala Mountains, and the renowned Kona Coast.
That being said, the Big Island is truly a stand-alone topic in terms of how different it is from the islands talked about thus far.
By this, I mean that when you think of the Big Island, think youngest! The Big Island is the only island in Hawaiʻi that’s still actively forming. Therefore, it’s the island with the least amount of erosion.
Unlike Kauaʻi at the end of the island chain where erosion has formed these steep and dramatic ridges, the Big Island is by and large 'less dramatic.'
This also means that the Big Island has less beaches than the other islands. However, there are beaches, and the beaches on the Big Island are some of the most unique in the world, with Papakōlea Green Sands being my favorite.
Overall, if you decide to visit the Island of Hawaiʻi, know that spending time on any side of the island is always spectacular.
Whether you spend more time on the wetter Hilo side for the National Park or the famed Kona Coast for the Hawaiian coffee and beautiful sunsets on the beach, there’s really something to do for everyone, of all abilities, on the Big Island.
However, just like any island, it’s not fair to try and sum up everything to see and do in just a few sentences, but if you get out and explore, the adventures that span from the Kīlauea Volcano to the coast and up to near 14,000 ft. (4,267 m) are truly endless!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on Hawaiʻi Island
Molokai
Molokai is the best island in Hawaiʻi for a quiet vacation, meaning the fewest visitors of any island and an authentic small-town Hawaiʻi experience. That said, Molokai is all about making your own adventure. From the trails to the beaches, the restaurants, and more, you’re not going to see a lot of people on Molokai compared to the other islands, similar only to Lānaʻi.
For this reason, if you like a slow, do-it-yourself vacation, Molokai may be for you!
I believe that Molokai is the best island for splitting your time between Molokai and another island, like Oʻahu or Maui. I say this because you will easily be able to see and do many of the best things on the island in just a few days. So, if you want to make the most of your time, you may only want to spend two or three days on Molokai and then fly elsewhere.
That said, when I wrote about Molokai, I wrote about how I don’t believe the island is meant for everyone. I said this because Molokai really is that quiet!
Businesses close early, they may not be open on certain days of the week, there’s not a lot of people that visit or live there, and because of all this, there’s simply not a lot going on!
However, this is what gives Molokai its charm, and it’s also why Molokai is really about making your own adventure, finding secluded private beaches, and enjoying Hawaiʻi for how peaceful it can truly be.
Overall, I don’t continually stress how quiet Molokai is because I want to discourage anyone from visiting, as the island and its remote peaks and valleys are some of the most stunning across all the Hawaiian Islands. This is also without saying that in my opinion, Molokai has the single-most beautiful hike across all the islands: the Pēpēʻōpae Bog!
Now, if you don’t have the opportunity to hike the Pēpēʻōpae Bog and are also planning to visit Maui, I highly recommend booking a Molokai sea cliff helicopter tour, as flying along the tallest sea cliffs in the world is truly second to none!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on Molokai
Lānaʻi
Lānaʻi is Hawaiʻi’s hidden gem! By this, I mean that Lānaʻi is best known for its stunning trails, the best drive-up beach in all of Hawaiʻi, the best diving tours of any island, the otherworldly landscape that is Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods), and the best and most beautiful small town in all of Hawaiʻi—Lānaʻi City.
I may be biased, but the towering Cook Pine trees and the cool, wet Hawaiʻi mornings make Lānaʻi City the best of any small town in Hawaiʻi—not to mention, there’s is not a single traffic light!
Having said all that, one can’t talk about Lānaʻi without first discussing the cost to visit.
Yes, there is a sentiment that Lānaʻi is only for the rich and famous, and the prices for accommodations will certainly reflect that. However, don’t let that be your reason to skip Lānaʻi. There’s the option to split the cost with friends, take the first flight in, stay one night, and take the last flight out the next day—or even just visit for one day.
All I’m saying is: find a way to visit because Lānaʻi is incredible, and there’s so much to enjoy over a couple of days on the island—especially the beaches!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on Lānaʻi
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Native Plants in Hawaiʻi
I wanted to include this last section on this post because this is a subject that’s personal to me.
The native plant biodiversity in Hawaiʻi is insane! 90% of the native plants that you will see around the islands are found nowhere else on earth, and I say these things for two reasons.
The first is that I ask that you please do everything you possibly can to minimize your impact on our trails because so many of our native plants are at risk of extinction. The second is that if you have personal interest in the subject or may be curious about something that you found, I wrote a separate post entirely about native Hawaiian plants. I wrote it to help others around Hawaiʻi ID anything that you might be curious about.
For example, this tree in the photo below can only be found on the island of four of the six main Hawaiian Islands and nowhere else on earth.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
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