Making the selection to trip in Hawaii is simple, however deciding which Hawaiian island is your best option for one-of-a-kind YOU is harder.
All of us have totally different desires of what the right getaway seems like. We additionally all have totally different budgets, pursuits, and wishes.
This information on selecting one of the best Hawaiian island in your first go to to the Rainbow State compares a very powerful components to contemplate akin to climate, seashores, common prices, issues to do, and extra.
We are going to start with the short reply for these simply skimming, then present detailed data on every island and issues to contemplate. On the finish, you can see extra helpful guides for planning your first go to.




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HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO HAWAII FROM START TO FINISH
🌴 Which is the Greatest Hawaiian Island for a First Go to?

Oahu is one of the best Hawaiian island for a primary go to for most individuals, adopted by Maui, then Massive Island, and at last, Kauai.
Oahu has one of the best seashores, lowest common trip price, most ocean-view lodging, nice climate, and is essentially the most well-developed island for the wants of vacationers.
Utilizing these identical metrics, Maui is the second-best Hawaiian island to go to, although it’s considerably costlier on common than each Oahu and Massive Island.
Kauai, conversely, is the worst alternative for a primary journey to Hawaii for most individuals. Whereas it’s largely thought of the prettiest island in Hawaii, it is also the rainiest and one of the costly whereas having the least infrastructure and help for tourism.
After all, this can be a very simplified reply to a extra difficult query. The “greatest” island is the one that you simply take pleasure in essentially the most, and that may solely be determined with expertise.
The rest of this information will present extra perception and clarify who tends to really feel most at residence on every island.
🥰 Our Favourite Hawaiian Island: A Private Be aware



They are saying every Hawaiian island has a novel religious vitality that’s felt instantly upon arrival by us all individually.
Whereas we’re not large believers in auras and crystals and vitality fields, we should admit every island did elicit a powerful emotive response the second we stepped off the planes, and that this sense was constant on every return go to to every island.
Taking sights and climate and something tangible away, the Massive Island has at all times been our favourite. There’s a sense of reduction, of weightlessness, the second we arrive at Kona airport.
Oahu was surprisingly our second-favorite island. Quite than reduction, we instantly felt energized and excited to discover. This was a shock as we sometimes favor the least-touristy locations, however Oahu is wonderful as a result of you could have the selection to be a part of the excitement or get far-off from it.
Kauai was visually gorgeous and we loved our time, however by no means actually felt welcome or relaxed regardless of nobody straight making us really feel another approach.
Maui has constantly introduced a degree of tension with no explainable cause, and is the island we acknowledge as being spectacular however are known as to the least.
🌺 Who Ought to Select Every Hawaiian Island: Overview

If you happen to simply need a fast visible, the graphic above breaks down which Hawaiian island is greatest for every kind of traveler.
Explanations and extra nuanced perception into what every island provides can be offered additional on this information.
☀️ Overview of Every Hawaiian Island




Uncover what makes every of the 4 main Hawaiian islands particular and who ought to take into account every island for his or her first go to on this part.
Be aware that there are literally 7 whole Hawaiian islands which might be inhabited. The three not featured are the sister islands of Lanai, Molokai, and Ni’ihau.
Staying on Ni’ihau is unattainable as it’s a personal island. Thus, it is called the “Forbidden Island.”
Lanai and Molokai are completely islands value visiting and probably staying an evening or two on one other go to to Hawaii. Nevertheless, they aren’t good choices for a primary go to or an prolonged vacation as they merely lack the companies and transport required for a calming trip.
Oahu

Oahu Overview
The Miami of Hawaii
Residence to Unimaginable white sand seashores with one of the best nightlife and the biggest metropolis in Hawaii. Oahu is generally about resorts and vacationer points of interest, drawing people who find themselves extra a couple of enjoyable, curated trip than exploration, although it additionally has area for the adventurous. It’s by far essentially the most visited island in Hawaii.
- Nickname: The Gathering Place
- The place to Keep: Waikiki or Honolulu
- Airports: Honolulu (HNL)
OAHU IS THE BEST HAWAIIAN ISLAND FOR…
Most first-time guests in search of that iconic tropical trip. It has one of the best of all worlds relating to resorts, climate, seashores, nature, and issues to do, whereas being the most affordable island to go to (on common).
Steered: PLANNING A TRIP TO OAHU: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Maui

Maui Overview
The Los Angeles of Hawaii
Residence to stunning seashores, Maui is crammed with luxurious vacationers, but in addition appeals to individuals who prefer to discover by automobile. The Valley Isle is a mixture of upscale trip, self-drive tourism, and chill-on-the-beach lovers. That is the second-most widespread island for vacationers.
- Nickname: The Valley Isle
- The place to Keep: Kihei or Wailea
- Airport: Kahului (OGG)
MAUI IS THE BEST HAWAIIAN ISLAND FOR…
Individuals who need a bit of little bit of all the pieces; some lavish, upscale choices, nature to discover however largely by automobile, well-known and secret seashores, and extra.
Steered: PLANNING A TRIP TO MAUI: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Massive Island

Massive Island Overview
The Seattle of Hawaii
The Massive Island of Hawaii has a relaxed, gradual tempo with the friendliest folks in Hawaii and a whole lot of pure magnificence to discover, although extra effort is required right here than on different islands. It calls to those that worth area, seclusion, volcanic magnificence, and price range over quintessential, manufactured, and/or lavish experiences.
- Nickname: The Massive Island
- The place to Keep: Kona or Waikoloa
- Airport: Kona (KOA)
BIG ISLAND IS THE BEST HAWAIIAN ISLAND FOR…
Individuals who worth area, seclusion, and price range over manufactured and lavish experiences, and those that journey with a way of journey. It’s large and delightful, however nonetheless an especially wild island that actually continues to kind daily.
Steered: PLANNING A TRIP TO BIG ISLAND: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Kauai

Kauai Overview
The Denver of Hawaii
Kauai is residence to unimaginable upscale lodging and extra intimate holidays, however the island is most recognized for its unimaginable pure magnificence. Kauai calls to the hikers, journey seekers, and nature lovers who see Hawaii as a spot to be explored quite than as someplace to easily calm down.
- Nickname: The Backyard Isle
- The place to Keep: Poipu or Princeville
- Airport: Lihue (LIH)
KAUAI IS THE BEST HAWAIIAN ISLAND FOR…
Individuals who see Hawaii as a spot to be explored, not simply to calm down. It’s a couple of enjoyable mixture of journey, exercise, and rest.
Steered: PLANNING A TRIP TO KAUAI: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
🌊 Greatest Hawaiian Island FAQs
✈️ Which Hawaiian island is greatest for first time guests?

Oahu is one of the best island for first time guests to Hawaii, adopted by Maui, then Massive Island, and at last, Kauai.
Oahu has one of the best seashores, lowest common trip price, most ocean-side lodging, incredible climate, and is greatest developed for catering to the wants of vacationers of all of the Hawaiian islands.
👨👩👧👦 Which is one of the best Hawaiian island for households with youngsters?

Oahu is one of the best island for a Hawaiian trip with youngsters. It’s the island with essentially the most family-friendly resorts proper on the seashore so that you gained’t have to fret about automobile seats or lifeguards, and Waikiki Seaside is a peaceful, sheltered bay secure for even inexperienced swimmers.
Maui and Massive Island each have kid-friendly seashores and areas and make for effective choices, however are usually not as accommodating as Oahu.
Kauai is the worst alternative for households because of the excessive price and lack of facilities.
👩❤️👨 Which is one of the best Hawaiian island for honeymooners/{couples}?

Maui is taken into account your best option of Hawaiian islands for honeymoons. Oahu is crammed with households and is crowded, Massive Island is sparse and distant, and Kauai is perpetually raining.
Maui, in the meantime, has an infinite provide of pristine seashores and intimate resorts designed with {couples}’ holidays in thoughts.
🧐 READ MORE
BEST HONEYMOON HOTELS IN MAUI
🎆 Which is one of the best Hawaiian island for an important day?

The very best Hawaiian island for many particular events is Oahu because it’s the one one with a serious metropolis to rejoice in.
Nevertheless, in case your big day is a romantic one akin to a honeymoon, a quieter island may swimsuit you higher. Maui is the preferred alternative for honeymooners, weddings, and romantic getaways.
☀️ Which Hawaiian island has one of the best climate?

In case you are questioning which Hawaiian island could have one of the best likelihood for sunshine, simply keep away from Kauai. Oahu, Maui, and Massive Island all have comparable climate on the dry facet (aka leeward facet) of the islands.
Technically, Wailea on Maui will get the least rainfall, however it’s an insignificant distinction. Hilo on Massive Island is the wettest metropolis within the US, however that is additionally not an space most individuals would take into account vacationing.
🏖️ Which Hawaiian island has one of the best seashores?

Oahu has the greatest seashores in all of Hawaii. It’s the place you can see these postcard-worthy views with crystal clear water, comfortable white sand, and towering palm timber.
Of observe, Maui has the longest accessible shoreline making it simpler to seek out seclusion if desired, although the sand is much coarser right here than on Kauai or Oahu.
Massive Island is on the different finish of the spectrum. As the latest Hawaiian island, its seashores have the coarsest sand and are suffering from sharp lava rock.
🌴 Which is the prettiest Hawaiian island?

Kauai is broadly thought of essentially the most stunning Hawaiian island from a purely aesthetic perspective. The frequent rain it receives has created a lush, inexperienced jungle teeming with waterfalls and greenery within the coronary heart of paradise.
Kauai can be residence to some unimaginable pure marvels together with the Na Pali Cliffs, Waimea Canyon (aka The Grand Canyon of the Pacific), Queen’s Tub Shoreline, Wailua Falls, and a thriving rainforest.
🧭 Which Hawaiian Island is greatest for exploring?


Each island in Hawaii has some unimaginable nature to discover, however Massive Island and Kauai are greatest for intrepid explorers. They provide extra jungle trekking and alternatives for deep exploration than the opposite islands.
If sightseeing is a precedence however climbing means (or need) is restricted, Maui is one of the best island to discover from the roadside. Most of its greatest pure locations might be reached by automobile with minimal strolling required.
📸 Which Hawaiian Island has one of the best issues to do?




Every Hawaiian island provides very various things to do from the subsequent.
- Oahu is greatest for tropical seashores, cultural reveals, and vacationer points of interest.
- Maui is greatest for snorkeling, secret seashores, and roadside points of interest.
- Kauai is greatest for its nature and pure points of interest.
- Massive Island is greatest for its volcanic exercise, coral gardens, and the manta ray evening swim.
🤿 Which is one of the best Hawaiian island for snorkeling?



Maui and Massive Island share the title of one of the best Hawaiian island for snorkeling. Each have a plethora of coral gardens with walk-in seashore entry and spectacular marine life sanctuaries.
Massive Island is the place you may snorkel with manta rays at evening, which is probably essentially the most wonderful factor to do in Hawaii. It is usually widespread to come across dolphins and turtles whereas snorkeling in lots of areas.
Maui doesn’t have the evening swim with manta rays, however it does supply excursions to the unimaginable underwater sanctuary at Molokini Crater. Like Massive Island, turtle encounters are nearly assured in some locations.
🧐 READ MORE:
BEST SNORKELING SPOTS ON BIG ISLAND
BEST SNORKELING SPOTS ON MAUI
🛫 Which Hawaiian Island has the most affordable flights?

Airfare to the Hawaiian islands tends to be the identical no matter which island you fly to. Your departure metropolis and journey dates are the components more than likely to affect ticket costs.
Oahu has essentially the most direct flights out there, adopted by Maui, then Massive Island. Kauai has the least direct flight choices.
🏨 Are you able to keep on Molokai? Lanai? Ni’ihau?



There are technically 7 inhabited Hawaiian islands. This consists of the 4 main islands (Oahu, Maui, Massive Island, & Kauai) and three sister islands (Molokai, Lanai, and Nii’hue).
- Ni’ihau is called “The Forbidden Island” and it isn’t doable to remain in a single day there.
- Lanai is a small island off the coast of Maui. There are beautiful accommodations to remain at and 1-2 evening visits are widespread, however it’s too distant and missing the infrastructure to be really helpful for first visits to Hawaii.
- Molokai is the biggest of the sister islands. It options fantastic folks and gorgeous landscapes however lacks the facilities required for many vacationers.
🛫 Visiting A number of Islands

There is no such thing as a cause you must select only one Hawaiian island to go to in your trip!
Island hopping is definitely extraordinarily reasonably priced in Hawaii and one of the simplest ways to expertise the distinctive character of every island.
Interisland flights with Hawaiian Airways begin as little as $40, hardly ever get greater than $200, and flight occasions are lower than an hour. There aren’t any ferries between the most important islands.
In case you have no less than 7 days in Hawaii and like an energetic trip to a calming one, take into account splitting your time between two islands.
You may be taught actually all the pieces you want to know in our Final Information to Hawaii Island Hopping.
📚 Extra Hawaii Journey Suggestions & Planning Guides




The 2 of us work very laborious to create these free journey guides that will help you plan your dream trip. If you happen to assume we’ve finished an excellent job and wish to say thanks, please take into account clicking the donate button beneath 🙂
In case you have learn this far, you could have hopefully been in a position to decide on which is one of the best Hawaiian island in your first go to to the Rainbow State.
Now it’s time to start planning in your journey!
Use the hyperlinks beneath to seek out journey ideas and widespread guides for every of the islands.
Narrowed it down however nonetheless undecided? Browse these comparability guides to get additional perception into your favourite islands:
Made up your thoughts? We even have guides to every of the most important Hawaiian islands:
💬 Ultimate Ideas on the Greatest Hawaiian Island

The 2 of us work very laborious to create these free journey guides that will help you plan your dream trip. If you happen to assume we’ve finished an excellent job and wish to say thanks, please take into account clicking the donate button beneath 🙂
We actually hope you could have discovered this information on selecting one of the best Hawaiian island in your first go to helpful in making your large resolution.
Now we’d love to listen to from YOU!
If there are any questions we’ve not answered, revisions we have to make, or different strategies for enchancment, please tell us within the feedback beneath.
Likewise, when you’ve got discovered it helpful and wish to go away some variety phrases, these are at all times appreciated.
Now seize some reef-safe sunscreen and go put together for the journey of a lifetime!
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