How to Choose the Best Hawaiian Island for You

All the Hawaiian Islands are amazing places to visit for a relaxing, enriching and rewarding vacation. There are eight islands commonly known as the State of Hawaii, and the capital of Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu. The other seven are Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe. When deciding how to choose the best Hawaiian island for you to visit, it’s important to know a little about each.

In actuality, the archipelago of Hawaii consists of 137 islands, islets, and atolls spread across 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean. Most of these are small outcroppings and uninhabitable, and all were formed as a result of volcanic activity. What we experience as islands are in reality the tops of an enormous undersea mountain range, plunging to depths of more than 20,000 feet below sea level.

When deciding on which Hawaiian Islands to visit, use our quick guide to help understand how the eight main islands differ in offerings, personalities, and even terrain.

How to Choose the Best Hawaiian Island for You

First-time visitors to Hawaii can be overwhelmed by the options presented by the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, those who have been fortunate to visit more than once have a hard time deciding as well. Each of the primary islands geared towards visitors offer many distinct reasons to visit. So how to choose the best Hawaiian Island for you to visit?

Here is a breakdown on a few attributes of the 8 primary Hawaiian Islands to help you choose.

Oahu – The Gathering Place (also referred to as the Main Island)

More than 70% of Hawaii’s state population lives on Oahu, and the state capital is located in here. Honolulu and world-famous Waikiki Beach make Oahu the initial stop for many first-time visitors to Hawaii. Honolulu is the  principal port, the major airport, the business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. O‘ahu is the military command center of the Pacific.

Oahu is often the first island newcomers visit in Hawaii, and there are many hotels stretching across the shores of Waikiki and across the island. Landmarks on Oahu in addition to Waikiki include Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. See here for more family-friendly Things to Do in Honolulu with Kids.

Maui – The Valley Isle

Named for the large central valley between its two major volcanoes, Maui is the second-most popular Hawaiian destination for visitors. Many people have second homes on Maui, and the island’s tradewinds and active lifestyle offer compelling options for travelers to engage.

The island is popular for whale watching, snorkeling and Haleakala National Park – the largest dormant volcano crater in the world. Lahaina was Hawaii’s royal capital before 1845, and is recovering from devastating fires to reclaim its history as an old whaling town. Nearby are the Kapalua, Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas and golf courses. Across the island, Hana and its famous winding jungle road draws many visitors to enjoy its charming local traditions.

Hawaii – The Big Island

More than two times larger than the other islands combined, The Big Island is the youngest in the chain at about 500,000 years old. It is home to two active volcanoes that are continuing to build the island through eruptions and lava flows. Hawaii is known for its rocky terrain, rich soil ideal for growing fruits and vegetables, and tremendous diversity of climate. Snow skiing is possible on its upper ranges. At the same time, it’s possible to swim with turtles in warm, tropical waters at many local beaches.

Hilo is a historic settlement with local charm, and Kona is known for its resorts, diving and ocean sports. Landmarks include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kealakekua Bay, Kailua-Kona, Pololū Valley, Hilo, Akaka Falls, and Hulihee Palace.

Kauai – The Garden Isle

Kauai is famous for its gorgeous jungle scenery, plunging cliffs, lush tropical foliage, flowering plants and bright green valleys. It is the wettest and densest island of the group, garnering an annual rainfall in its interior of more than 450 inches. This makes the Garden Isle’s Mount Waialeale officially the wettest spot on Earth. Kauai is ideal for hiking, boating, fishing, snorkeling and surfing, with many quiet inlets and unpopulated areas. Almost 90% of the island is designated as a natural preserve or for agriculture. The island’s total resident population is only about 73,000.

The Garden Isle has been a backdrop for many Hollywood productions. Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tropic Thunder, and scenes from the 1970s TV show Fantasy Island were filmed here.

Kauai is known for magnificent scenery and lush vegetation, and many beautiful waterfalls. It is home to Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific). Other notable attractions are the great “hidden” valley of Kalalau, Hanalei Bay, Na Pali Coast, and Poipu Beach.

For more about a visit to Kauai, see the Best Luaus in Kauai and Sailing with Kids in Kauai for suggestions and resources.

Molokai – The Friendly Isle

Molokai earns its name from its very small local community and few visitors. This makes the experience of meeting residents here even more meaningful. Friendly Island locals welcome outsiders with a slower-paced experience, warm smiles and gentle hearts. The island is known for agriculture, ranching, tourism, and the world’s highest sea cliffs along its northern coast. At one time long ago, the island was home to a remote leper colony (Hansen’s Disease – completely eradicated), now a National Historical Park.

Lanai – The Pineapple Isle

Once the location of the world’s largest pineapple plantation, Lanai is very, very quiet with just three resorts and no major towns or communities. This is true Hawaii as it might have been many moons ago. Visitors here are likely to enjoy complete solitude, quiet, and access to natural settings. Quiet beaches, calm inlets and a rugged interior characterize the terrain of this tiny island.

Niihau – The Forbidden Isle

Just off the western coast of Kauai sits the Island of Niihau, which is completely preserved to maintain the native Hawaiian culture. The second-smallest of the eight, the island is privately owned and off-limits to visitors. Only about 150 residents live here, working to preserve the native culture.

Kahoolawe – The Target Island

The Target Island earned that title when used as a military bombing site. The island is now going through ecological restoration, and no one is allowed ashore. The nearby waters are off-limits for diving within a 2-mile radius of Kahoolawe due to the Nature Preserve. However, the waters between Kahoolawe and Maui are known for excellent diving. Molokini Crater is a crescent-shaped volcanic crater located in this channel, where crystal-clear waters showcase more than 250 species of fish. There is also a dramatic undersea wall, or drop-off , for advanced divers here as well.