Choosing which Hawaiian Island to visit on your vacation can be one of the hardest parts of planning a trip to Hawaii. However, you really can’t go wrong choosing any of the six Hawaiian Islands. No matter which of islands you choose, you’re still going to be in paradise as each island is beautiful and majestic in its unique way.
Every of Hawaii’s six major islands has its unique adventures, activities, and sights, offering tourists choice of gorgeous, exotic dreamlands to choose. But depending on the kind of person you are, you can always have an ideal Hawaiian Island that would fit your personality better.
Oahu
Popularly called “The Gathering Place,” Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands. So if you want to spend your vacation here, you better like being around other people!
With a fantastic climate, historic sites, world-renowned beaches, museums, bustling food and nightlife scenes, Oahu certainly has a bit of everything, packed in its 597 square miles landmark.
From bustling city life to laidback surf towns you’ll find plenty of different options for exploring Oahu’s different regions. From hiking into lush rainforests, surfing world-class breaks, relaxing on powdery white sand beaches and affordable luxury resorts, indeed the island deserves its nickname of the Gathering Place.
Maui
Maui is known as the Valley Isle, because of the valley between its two volcanoes. The island has a reputation for being a playground of the wealthy and an excellent Island for honeymooners. It is the second most visited island, and it flaunts an extensive assortment of resorts, hotels, condos, and private rentals available across the island.
The Valley Isle has top-notch resorts and golf courses, adjacent to some of the state’s best beaches. More so, Maui is also the best island for whale viewing from October to February, with the best viewing in December and January when the whales make the shores of Maui their playground.
This real tropical playground highlights an abundance of beaches and thriving places like the Kaanapali Beach and Makena Beach Park. The massive dormant volcano in east Maui at sunrise or sunset is a serene experience, as well as driving the Road to Hana, famed for its unfettered views and thundering waterfalls.
Kauai
Ah, Kauai! Also known as the Garden Isle, you’ll come across flowers and plants you’ve never seen before. Kauai is the fourth most-visited Island in Hawaii. The Island’s laid-back atmosphere and rich culture found in its small towns that make it truly a place to de-stress.
Kauai’s features some dramatic and beautiful mountain scenery, coastline filled with beaches than any other island in Hawaii. The Island is full of sparsely-visited hidden beaches; you’ll surely find one that’s just right for you. Hanalei Bay is a sought-after location for water activities and boasts some of the best beaches in all of Kauai along her crescent shores.
More than just exciting beauty, the Island is home to a variety of outdoor adventures. Visitors can kayak the Wailua River, snorkel on Poipu Beach, hike the trails of Kokee State Park, or go ziplining above Kauai’s lush valleys.
Big Island
The Island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest Island in the Hawaiian chain of Islands. Nearly twice as big as all the other Hawaiian Islands merged hence, its nickname “Big Island.”
The Island of Hawaii is a unique expression of the power of nature. It’s one of the few spots in the world where you can see the lava flow. While the fantastic beaches, great weather conditions, ocean, are clear and great for both snorkeling and diving.
You can travel through all but four of the world’s different climate zones here In the Big Island, from the snow-covered mountain of Mauna Kea, emerald green forests of Waipio Valley to stretches of barren desert.
The vast majority of the Big Island’s visitors stay in the Kailua-Kona area with abundant shopping and the vast array of dining options. It also hosts a wide assortment of accommodations, from high-end resorts to condominiums.
Lanai
Lanai is an oasis of calm and the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii. It receives only a tiny fraction of the tourists that visit Hawaii, and that’s part of its appeal. Lanai is just nine miles from Maui yet a world away.
Though Lanai is Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island; the little sanctuary goes far beyond just serving as a place for relaxation. Lanai offers big enticements to tourists. The tropical surroundings are the ideal place for snorkeling and scuba diving, swimming in Hulopoe Bay (a marine preserve), whale watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, jeep excursions. It’s also an excellent place for golfers.
Lanai is synonymous to an alloy of romance and luxury in one vacation package. You can stay at one of the top hotels in the country and be endlessly pampered. You’re sure to find tranquility, adventure, and privacy on any of the three regions of Lanai.
Molokai
If you are planning on getting away from it all, and then a visit to Molokai is the answer. Hawaii’s fifth-largest island, with zero traffic lights. If beaches are more your calling, there are secluded beaches and valleys to explore.
Only 38 miles long and 10 miles across at its widest point, the island itself is great for hikers. The Halawa Valley, located on Molokai’s east side, will drop jaws with its ruggedly beautiful views and Papohaku Beach one of Hawaii’s most extensive white-sand beaches, measuring 3 miles long and 100 yards wide.
As home to the highest sea cliffs in the world and the longest continuous fringing reef, indeed, Molokai is truly an island of outdoor adventure where Hawaii’s past comes alive!
Most people will choose to explore each Island and might get hooked on the beauty and friendliness of Hawaii and make many repeat visits until they have spent time on each of them.
However, we recommend visiting at least two islands so you can get the feel of Hawaii.
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