Which Hawaiian Island is Best? (From a Frequent Visitor)

I’ve been privileged to visit O’ahu three times, Maui three times, Kaua’i twice, and the Big Island once, and I’m often asked: which Hawaiian island is best to visit on my first visit?? I absolutely love each island, so I have a lot of thoughts—but in this article I’m summarizing my honest opinions each island so you can easily choose which to visit! 🌺

O’ahu vs Kaua’i vs Maui vs Big Island

After visiting all the main Hawaiian islands, I’d go back to each and every island in a heartbeat, but I’d expect a very different vacation depending on which one I was on. Let’s dive into the details and compare each island! 🌊

Olomana First Peak, Waikiki surf boards, Mermaid Cave , and Lanikai Pillbox Hike on O’ahu

Oʻahu: Hiking, Beaches, Surf Culture & City

• 🌋 Volcanoes: None, they’re dormant!
• 👙 Sandy Beaches: Lots of beautiful sandy beaches on all sides of the island
• 🥾 Hiking: Great variety of ridge hikes (my favorite), waterfall hikes, and coastal paths
• 🐠 Snorkeling: Good snorkeling if you know the right spots, but some of the best snorkel spots are unsafe in wintertime
• 🌺 Local Culture & History: Prominent Hawaiian culture and surf culture, with several history museums and a strong Japanese influence
• ✨ Best For: Surfers and hikers, first time visitors wanting to stay in the city (Waikiki)

O’ahu is Hawaii’s most populated island, often the easiest to get to, and the most diverse in what it offers. You can get almost anywhere on the island in 30-45 minutes, from the beachside shops of Waikīkī to the world famous surf breaks of the North Shore.

My favorite part of O’ahu has to be the striking razor-like mountain ridges that you drive through (or better, hike along!) when crossing through the island. O’ahu also has plenty of beautiful beaches and waterfalls, good snorkeling, and tons of delicious food options—including a lot of Japanese goodies!

For me, the downside is that most hotels are concentrated in busy Waikīkī. While Honolulu is a lot more relaxed than mainland cities, I prefer to stay outside the city when I’m in Hawai’i. But I have a full guide on where to stay on Oahu’s North Shore if you too want to base yourself somewhere quieter!

👉🏼 Plan your trip: First Timers Guide to O’ahu, Hawaii

Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour, Waimea Canyon, Tunnels Beach, and Hanalei Valley from overlook in Princeville, Kauai

Kauaʻi: Awe-Inspiring Landscapes & Hiking

• 🌋 Volcanoes: None, they’re ancient and dormant!
• 👙 Sandy Beaches: Decent amount of options, but not always as accessible as Maui or O’ahu beaches.
• 🥾 Hiking: Exceptional trails and stunning landscapes, but often difficult hiking!
• 🐠 Snorkeling: Really good snorkeling, just not quite as good as Maui and Big Island.
• 🌺 Local Culture & History: The whole island has a ‘small town feel’ that’s quite charming. There’s the Kaua’i Museum if you want to learn about local history
• ✨ Best For: Anyone who loves nature, hiking, and getting off the beaten path

Kauaʻi is my favorite island, by far. The landscapes are rugged, raw, and sure to leave you in awe, truly. There’s the razor-like ridge-lines of the Nā Pali Coast, the red-dirt Waimea Canyon, and my favorite place on the island, lush Waimea Valley, which is lined with ancient taro fields beside the turquoise bay, and surrounded by towering mountains and waterfalls.

If you ask anyone whose been to all four islands, they’ll say Kaua’i is the most beautiful—yet it also feels like the least ‘discovered’ island… and the quiet, reverent atmosphere adds to the magic of vacationing here!

Kaua’i probably isn’t the right island for you, though, if you’re not interesting in hiking as you can’t really experience it fully without going on a few hikes. But if you’re a nature lover, you really can’t go wrong with this island!

👉🏼 Plan your trip: First Timers Guide to Kaua’i, Hawaii

Kihei Beach, Pīpīwai Trail on the Road to Hana, Haleakalā summit, and ʻĪao Valley on Maui

Maui: The Best Beach Destination, Plus Volcano!

• 🌋 Volcanoes: There’s a dormant volcano that you can drive up (see my Haleakalā itinerary!)
• 👙 Sandy Beaches: The best selection of soft sandy beaches in the state!
• 🥾 Hiking: Not as many hiking options as Kauaʻi or Oahu, but several excellent trails!
• 🐠 Snorkeling: Second best island for snorkeling after Big Island, including lots of sea turtles, especially in Kiehi
• 🌺 Local Culture & History: Feels more touristy than the other islands, but still possible to learn about Hawaiian culture
• ✨ Best For: Anyone looking for a relaxing beach vacation with hiking and snorkeling, plus the best whale watching in the state!

If your dream Hawaiʻi vacation is full of long, lazy beach days, golden sunsets, and exceptional snorkeling right from shore, Maui is hard to beat. It has the most accessible soft sand beaches (many with calm water year-round) in the state, plus plenty of fun things to do.

And when you’re ready to add some adventure into your trip you can drive the famous Road to Hana, stopping at waterfalls, black sand beaches, and bamboo groves along the way. Another day you can drive up to the black ashy summit of the Haleakalā volcano, and if you visit in the wintertime, go whale watching to see Maui’s 12,000+ migratory humpback whales.

So, what’s the catch? Well, it feels like Maui has it all, but I personally feel like the island lacks the unique local charm that you’ll find on Hawaii’s other islands. Everything feels built for tourists… some might disagree, but that’s my experience—if you’ve been to Maui, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments!

👉🏼 Plan your trip: The Perfect Maui Itinerary for First Timers

Manta Ray Snorkeling, ‘Akaka Falls, the Kīlauea Iki Crater Trail, and Waipi’o Valley on the Big Island

Big Island: Volcanoes, Snorkeling & Adventure

• 🌋 Volcanoes: Active volcanoes, and occasional lava flow!
• 👙 Sandy Beaches: Most shorelines are rocky, but there are a few sandy beaches!
• 🥾 Hiking: Not as many trails as the other islands, but a few great ones!
• 🐠 Snorkeling: Excellent snorkeling, the absolute best visibility and diversity of marine life! Plus, opportunity to night snorkel with manta rays (only possible on this island!)
• 🌺 Local Culture & History:  Has a country feel, and several archaeological sites celebrating Hawaiian history
• ✨ Best For: Adventure-seekers who love snorkeling, road tripping, and exploring

If hiking across volcanic landscapes (and maybe seeing active lava flow) is a top priority for you, head to Hawai’i Island (the Big Island). It’s also an excellent choice if you’re a big snorkeler because it has the most vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life I’ve seen in Hawai’i!

But the Big Island is also just so different from the rest of Hawai’i—it is the biggest island (so expect to spend more time driving), has a country feel (and Hawaiian cowboy culture!!), and to many’s surprise, very few sandy beaches!

A vacation here will feel more like an adventure-packed road trip full of snorkeling, volcano hikes, waterfalls, and quirky small towns, rather than a beach vacation. And if you’re into that kind of trip, you’ll absolutely love it! I thought I’d miss the beaches and ridged mountains of Hawaii’s other islands, but our trip here ended up being my favorite Hawaii vacation all time, becuase of all the memories we made!

👉🏼 Plan your trip: Big Island Travel Guide for First Timers

Molokaʻi & Lana’i

Molokaʻi and Lana’i are next on my list of Hawaiian islands to visit, especially Molokaʻi. But if you’re thinking of visiting either island, here’s what you should know:

Both islands have a much smaller population, and limited tourism infrastructure. You’ll have to layover on another island to fly to either.

• Molokaʻi: Beautiful, rugged landscapes with a small selection of local hotels. Keep in mind that snorkeling is not as accessible from the shore as it is on the four main islands. You’ll have to take a boat tour if you want to snorkel.
• Lana’i: 98% of this island is owned by Oracle founder, Larry Ellison. There are a few luxury resorts where you can stay, but they’re all quite pricey. Alternatively, take a day trip to Lana’i from Maui.

So… which Hawaiian island should I visit?

Here’s my final thoughts: O’ahu and Maui are the most accessible Hawaiian islands, especially if you want to avoid a layover and are more of a beginner traveler. They have the most swimmable sandy beaches, and plenty of worthwhile adventures you can add on.

But if you’re going to Hawai’i for once-in-a-lifetime adventures like hiking across a lava lake and snorkeling with manta rays, or hiking the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon, choose the Big Island or Kauai!

The bottom line is, I really do not think you can go wrong with any Hawaiian island! And I hope you’re able to make it to them all someday 💕

More Hawaii Travel Guides

• How to Visit Hawaii on a Budget (Without Missing Out!)
• The Perfect 5 Day Maui Itinerary: Jungle, Volcano & Beaches
• The Perfect 7 Day Big Island Itinerary: Volcano, Manta Rays, Coffee
• 4 Day Oahu Itinerary Full of Sunshine, Aloha, and Adventure
• 21 Kauai Hidden Gems for Exploring Off the Beaten Path
• 25 Oahu Hidden Gems for Exploring Off the Beaten Path

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