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Discover the Top Island for You to Visit in Hawai‘i

Quick overviews of Maui, Oʻahu, the Big Island, Kauaʻi, Lāna‘i and Molokaʻi

spinner image The beautiful and unique landscape of coastal Oahu, Hawaii
An aerial view of O‘ahu showcases the island’s unique landscape.
Art Wager/Getty images

From stunning beaches and volcanoes to waterfalls and wildlife, each of Hawai‘i’s six major islands has its own beauty and charm. The spirit of Aloha attracts travelers of all ages, but especially those over 60. According to the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau, nearly 20 percent of visitors from the United States in 2023 were 60-plus.

There isn’t a bad time of year to visit Hawai‘i. In winter, shorts, T-shirts or Aloha shirts, and flip-flops are the norm, so pack your summer clothes. Avoiding holidays and school vacations will help keep costs down, but savvy planning goes a long way when sticking to a budget.

“Booking a package with hotel, flight and/or transfers can be an effective cost saving technique,” says Christina Turrini, leisure travel consultant and Hawai‘i and French Polynesia specialist. “Stay longer promotions are excellent for folks not tied to a traditional work schedule.”

While postcard-worthy beaches may be what initially draws sunshine seekers to “The Aloha State,” taking the time to understand its culture, and learn about Hawai‘i’s past and present, helps visitors become more respectful and responsible travelers.

“I challenge visitors to get to the heart and soul of a particular place,” says Naomi “Sissy” Lake-Farm, executive director of the Maui Historical Society. “Historical and cultural facts are what makes this place special and unique.”

Not sure what island to visit? Whether you land on Maui, Oʻahu, Kaua‘i, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, or Hawai‘i island, it’s tough to go wrong, but we’ve put together a guide to help you find the perfect island for your next vacation.

Maui: The best island for whale watching and a legendary drive

It’s been more than a year since wildfires devastated the historic Lahaina neighborhood, and Maui has felt the economic repercussions of the resulting drop in tourism. Maui is welcoming respectful visitors; tourism dollars can support local businesses and long-term recovery.

Top things to do on Maui

Snorkeling and whale watching. Teralani Sailing Adventures operates relaxing snorkeling cruises with barbecue lunches and an open bar, boarding at West Maui’s Kāʻanapali Beach. During winter months, when roughly 10,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawai‘i, Teralani and numerous other providers run dedicated whale watching tours. The Ambassadors of the Environment educational program (developed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau) at the Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua offers fun and informative snorkeling tours in Kapalua Bay. For a more adventurous day on the water, Redline Rafting Co. runs snorkeling tours to the islet of Molokini on small, fast Zodiac boats. Departing at 7 a.m. from Kihei in South Maui, the excursion includes the often-skipped backside of Molokini Crater. (On one early morning snorkeling adventure, I saw two Hawaiian monk seals, among the most endangered seal species in the world.)

spinner image Water pool on Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Visitors are encouraged to take guided tours as opposed to driving the Road to Hāna.
picturist/Getty Images

Road to Hāna. Visitors are encouraged to book guided tours as opposed to driving the challenging Road to Hāna on their own. Reservations are required for out-of-state visitors to go to Waiʻānapana State Park and its stunning black sand beach.

spinner image Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate
Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate offers tours of its working cacao farm and its chocolate factory.
Maui Ku'ia Estate

Cacao farm or chocolate factory visit. Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate offers tours of its working cacao farm located on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and its factory in Lahaina. One hundred percent of the company’s net profits are donated to Maui charities and nonprofit community organizations. 

Spa day. With a whopping 40 treatment rooms, the new Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, is inspired by Hawai‘i’s ancient stargazers (kilolani); phases of the Hawaiian moon calendar are integrated into treatments and programming. 

Golfers’ paradise. Kāʻanapali Beach Resort is home to two golf courses, Royal Kā‘anapali Course and Kā‘anapali Kai Golf Course. Both feature ocean views.

Accommodations and dining on Maui

The major resort areas on Maui are Kāʻanapali Beach Resort Association in West Maui and Wailea Resort Association in South Maui.

Kāʻanapali Beach Resort is located just a few miles from Lahaina, but it was not damaged by the wildfire. Perhaps best known for its oceanfront aquatic playground with a half-dozen pools, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali recently completed a multi-year, $160 million renovation that includes a social center with arcade games, duckpin bowling, Topgolf Swing Suites, and more.

The Sandbar at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is an ideal location to watch the cliff dive ceremony at Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) at sunset while enjoying pupus (appetizers) and cocktails. Pu’u Keka’a is also popular with Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu).

Some Lahaina-based businesses have reopened; Māla Ocean Tavern was the first restaurant to open on Front Street after the fire. Star Noodle is another standout dining option that is once-again welcoming diners. (Much of Lahaina remains off-limits to visitors. Heed all signage.)

The Wailea Resort Association is a 25-mile drive from Lahaina. Along with a handful of beaches, hotel options range from luxury accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui to the less pricey AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea and Residence Inn Maui Wailea. 

spinner image Ambassadors of the Environment program
The Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua offers fun and informative snorkeling tours in Kapalua Bay.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

Those seeking a less bustling experience might consider heading to Kapalua. The Ritz-Carlton Maui features rooms with hammocks and firepits. The property also hosts the annual Celebration of the Arts. A tradition for 30-plus years, the festival celebrates Hawaiian culture.

Oʻahu: The top island for big city living and Pearl Harbor

Oʻahu offers Hawai‘i’s take on big city living. Bustling Waikīkī is home to high-rise hotels, restaurants, shopping and one of the world’s most famous beaches. Day trips deliver entertaining doses of culture and history.

spinner image USS Arizona Memorial
You need to reserve tickets at the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Reed Kaestner/Getty Images

Things to do on Oʻahu

Pearl Harbor. You’ll want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial (reserve free tickets before you arrive). History buffs should consider spending time at other Pearl Harbor historical sites, including the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum,  the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum  and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Polynesian Cultural Center. Weave a fish of coconut leaves, taste poi or take a canoe ride at this cultural theme park, which offers a luau and evening show with skilled fire knife dancers.

North Shore. After watching the surfers on the North Shore make the sport look easy, snorkel in the clear water of Shark’s Cove (don’t let the name scare you; sharks aren’t common here). When you’ve had enough of the beach, stop and smell the plumerias at Little Plumeria Farms. Tours (book online) are offered April through October. Green World Coffee Farm offers free year-round tours on a first-come, first-serve basis, and Mānoa Chocolate recently debuted farm tours of its Kamananui Cacao Orchards, in Waialua.

spinner image The Halekulani pool overlooks the beach and is a great place to watch the sunset
The Cattleya orchid mosaic at the bottom of the Halekulani pool features 1.2 million pieces of glass tile.
Images courtesy of Halekulani

Accommodations and dining on Oʻahu

A majority of Oʻahu’s hotels are in Waikīkī. The Halekulani hotel pool offers a one-of-a-kind view for days of leisure — the Cattleya orchid mosaic at the bottom of the pool features 1.2 million pieces of glass tile. Ernest Hemingway honeymooned at Halekulani in 1940; his favorite table, at the hotel’s House Without A Key restaurant, is known as Table 97 and available by advance reservation only.

spinner image Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī Beach
The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī Beach boasts kitchenettes as well as dining options such as Sushi Sho.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach

All accommodations at Ka La‘i Waikīkī Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī Beach boast kitchenettes or full kitchens. Both properties also offer rooms with primo views of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort fireworks show that takes place every Friday night.

Since 1952, Leonard’s Bakery has been churning out hot malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) and other sweets. Marugame Udon offers delicious noodles and tempura at reasonable prices. Lines are common; if you’d rather not wait, order at the take-out window and slurp at the beach. 

Merriman’s Honolulu features a popular happy hour, (daily, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays) with fish tacos, a Kalua pig quesadilla, and Mai Tais topped with honey-lilikoi foam. Wine lovers should raise a glass from the restaurant’s boxed-wine program; by ditching glass bottles from select high-end wineries, Merriman’s Hawaii reduces its carbon footprint by more than 50 percent. 

If you prefer to linger on Oʻahu’s quieter, laid back North Shore, there are a plethora of food trucks worth a visit in Haleiwa Town including Wicked HI Pizza, Surf N Salsa  (The Tsunami Fries is plenty for two.), and Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. For dessert, cool off with shave ice from Matsumoto’s. Recently renovated and rebranded, The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, is the closest resort, about a 15-mile drive from Haleiwa.

Hawaiʻi: The top island to view volcanoes and waterfalls

Often referred to as the Big Island, Hawaiʻi is nearly twice as large as all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Among your many options for adventure are chasing waterfalls, seeing two of the most active volcanoes on the planet and swimming with manta rays.

Things to do on Hawaiʻi island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. On the east side of the island, the park includes two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Conditions change quickly, so check the website for updates. Save time to walk through the 500-year-old Nāhuku, or Thurston Lava Tube, not far from the Kīlauea Visitor Center. When driving the scenic Chain of Craters Road, stop to explore the Puʻuloa Petroglyphs.

Waterfall viewing. The east side of the island is also the wet side of the island, and lots of rain makes for stellar waterfall viewing. At ʻAkaka Falls State Park, you can glimpse two waterfalls during a spectacular hike that takes less than an hour. (The route is paved, but there are multiple steps.) Waiānuenue Falls, often called Rainbow Falls, is a five-minute drive from downtown Hilo in Wailuku River State Park.

Coffee farm visit. From the fields to your coffee cup. Greenwell Farms offers free guided tours daily that include samples of 100 percent Kona coffee. No reservations are necessary.

Seahorse farm tour. The only seahorse farm in the world, Ocean Rider breeds endangered seahorses for home aquariums to help prevent them from being taken from the wild. Naturalist-led tours end with the opportunity to submerge your hand in a tank and hold a seahorse. It’s nothing short of magical when they curl their tails around one of your fingers and hang out.

spinner image Totems at Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawai'i (The Big Island)
Statues stand watch at Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on Hawai‘i Island.
Dennis Frates/Alamy Stock Photo

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. A stunning seaside refuge for lawbreakers, defeated warriors and any person seeking sanctuary. Once within its boundaries, all were safe from harm. It’s a beautiful and easy walk around the sacred grounds.

Hawaii Island Humane Society. Check out an adoptable dog from the shelter and take it on a well-deserved island field trip. You’ll get a fun buddy to keep you company while you get your steps in and support the nonprofit’s efforts to help animals in need. It’s a win-win.

Snorkel with manta rays. Snorkel trips take place at night. Underwater lighting is used to attract the microscopic plankton that manta rays eat. Harmless to humans, manta rays don’t have stingers or barbs. Manta Ray Advocates lead small snorkeling tours with a maximum of six people; their tours enter the water from the beach instead of from a boat. Experiences are education-rich, designed to ensure the safety of both participants and the manta rays. I met two manta rays — Kamala and Vegemite — during my moonlight snorkel. I am a certified scuba diver, but snorkeling with Manta Ray Advocates was far more intimate and rewarding than other diving and snorkeling experiences I’ve had on Hawai‘i Island.

Accommodations and dining on Hawai‘i Island

On the Kohala Coast, about a half-hour drive from Kona International Airport, the Fairmont Orchid boasts a white sand beach and calm lagoon where I’ve met a Hawaiian green sea turtle (honu) on more than one occasion. You may also encounter honu along the beach at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. They are a federally protected species, so if you are lucky enough to see one, give it ample space; harassing or touching honu is against federal law.

In Kailua-Kona, Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is a go-to spot for poke made with fresh ahi.  With two taprooms, one in Kona and one in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island-based Ola Brew incorporates ingredients from local farmers in its brews to encourage growth in Hawaiʻi’s agricultural economy. 

On the eastern side of Hawai‘i Island, every stay at SCP (Soul Community Planet) Hilo hotel supports local beach cleanup efforts.

Volcano Village Lodge is in a quiet residential neighborhood a couple of miles from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Rooms feature small refrigerators, microwaves and toaster ovens; included gourmet breakfasts are placed in the room’s refrigerator so guests can enjoy them on their own schedule. Nearby Kilauea Lodge Restaurant serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. You can’t beat the pad thai or papaya salad at the Thai Thai Bistro & Bar.

spinner image Scenic views of Kauai from above
Kaua‘i as seen from above.
Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images

Kauaʻi: The top island for nature lovers

Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauaʻi boasts a dreamy landscape including sun-kissed beaches and towering serrated-edged mountains that reach for the sky, then plunge into the blue Pacific Ocean. It has all the makings for a romantic getaway or a vacation soaked in natural beauty.

Things to do on Kauaʻi

Nāpali Coast. Set on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, the 17-mile stretch of magnificent coastline is accessible only by boat, air or difficult hike. Capt. Andy’s offers tours that allow time for snorkeling and sailing (be on the lookout for turtles). Island Helicopters provides a bird’s-eye view of the isolated Nāpali Coast along with 400-foot-high Manawaiopuna Falls (featured in the movie Jurassic Park) and Olokele Canyon, the gateway to Waimea Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Poʻipū Beach Park. This inviting stretch of sand is frequented by visitors, locals and the occasional endangered Hawaiian monk seal. If you see a monk seal, enjoy it from a distance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends at least 50 feet; 150 feet if there is a mother with a pup.

Kauaʻi Backcountry Adventures. Don a headlamp, grab a tube and gently float your way through a former sugarcane plantation. The mountain tubing adventure winds through channels, flumes and tunnels hand-dug circa 1870 to irrigate the Lihue Plantation sugarcane fields.

Tasting Kauaʻi. Food tours run seven days a week, with each day focusing on a different, delicious region of the island.

Kauai safaris. Sip Hawaiian rum and craft cocktails in between tours of exotic fruit orchards (think lychee, longan and mango) and visits with farm animals.

Accommodations and dining on Kauaʻi

There’s a range of accommodations to choose from when staying on Kauaʻi. Many visitors opt for the south side, near Poʻipū. Stretching 20 acres along Kauaʻi’s Poʻipū Beach, the Sheraton Kauai Resort is an easy walk to shopping and dining, including Uncle’s Shave Ice and Tea.

spinner image The beautiful gardens at Kauai' 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
The gardens at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay help the resort blend into its surroundings.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

On a secluded bluff overlooking the North Shore, condominium accommodations at The Cliffs at Princeville are spacious, with well-equipped kitchens and private balconies. Native greenery and rooftop gardens help beachfront 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay blend into its striking cliffside location.

In addition to oozing old-school Hawaiian charm, Hanalei is loaded with delicious dining locales. The Hanalei Dolphin specializes in fresh seafood. Parked at the Hanalei Pier, by Black Pot Beach, Pat’s Taqueria white taco truck serves burritos and tacos with rice and beans, carne asada, kalua pork and fish. Wishing Well Shave Ice whips up smoothies, acai bowls and, you guessed it, shave ice, out of an old bus at the entrance to Hanalei town.

spinner image The Hawaiian island of Lanai at sunset
Lāna‘i is home to rugged scenery and nearly 3,400 residents.
M Swiet Productions/Getty Images

Lāna‘i: The top island for secluded natural beauty

A former pineapple plantation that once produced up to 75 percent of the world’s pineapples, Lāna‘i is home to rugged scenery and nearly 3,400 residents. The island has just three hotels, two of which are Four Seasons resorts. Larry Ellison, billionaire cofounder of software giant Oracle, owns 98 percent of Lāna‘i.

Things to do on Lāna‘i

Keahiakawelo. A windswept rock garden with striking red and orange hues, Keahiakawelo is what I imagine Mars looks like. Sometimes referred to as the Garden of the Gods, it’s about a 45-minute drive from Lāna‘i City and is accessible only in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A rental car is a must to truly explore Lāna‘i, and four-wheel-drive is recommended, since only 30 miles of the island’s roads are paved. There are no traffic lights.

Lanai Cat Sanctuary. Home to more than 800 rescue cats, this nonprofit invites travelers to spend vacation days playing with its residents. No reservations are needed; the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but tax-deductible donations are welcome.

Hulopoʻe Bay. On Lānaʻi’s southern coast (next to the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Lanai), Hulopo‘e Bay is the most talked-about spot on the island for snorkeling and swimming. Summer conditions are best; surf and currents can intensify in the winter months.

Pu‘upehe. Less than a mile walk from Hulopo‘e Beach, Pu‘upehe is one of Lānaʻi’s most recognizable natural landmarks. The rocky islet, reaching 80 feet into the sky, and the neighboring cliffs offer a beautiful contrast to the vibrant blue surf.

Visitors can download the free Lānaʻi Guide app. Produced by the Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center, it offers a wealth of information about the island, its culture and history.

spinner image A Four Seasons Resort focuses on wellness
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort focuses on wellness.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

Accommodations and dining on Lāna‘i

The Four Seasons Lanai overlooks beautiful Hulopo‘e Bay, and it would be easy to spend your entire vacation on the grounds, but with rooms starting at $1,450 a night, it’s a splurge. Along with renowned Japanese restaurant Nobu Lanai, onsite dining options include poolside Malibu Farm. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort focuses on wellness and is open to guests 16 and older.

Hotel Lanai, which has just 11 accommodations, is the island’s most budget-friendly hotel and home to the Lānaʻi City Bar & Grill. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, the menu features invasive axis deer alongside fish caught by Hawaiian boats. Nearby Dole Park is bordered by a handful of shops and restaurants, including the Blue Ginger Café, Ganotisi’s Pacific Rim Cuisine and Pele’s Other Garden deli and bistro.

Getting here

There are no direct flights to Lānaʻi from the continental United States; the small Lanai Airport is served by interisland planes. Expeditions passenger ferry offers daily service from Maui’s Mā’alaea Harbor to Lāna’i’s Mānele Harbor. The scenic trip across the Auʻau Channel takes a bit more than an hour,  and during winter months, often includes humpback whale sightings.

spinner image Molokai
A visit to Moloka‘i is like stepping back in time.
Florian Krauss/Getty Images

Molokaʻi: The top island to get off the beaten path

Another Hawaiian island without a traffic light, Molokaʻi is significantly less developed than the other five inhabited islands, making a visit a bit like stepping back in time.

Things to Do on Molokaʻi

Pāpōhaku Beach Park. On the island’s west shore, Pāpōhaku Beach Park is one of the largest white sand beaches in all of Hawai‘i, making it perfect for strolling. Swimming is recommended only when the surf is calm and flat. Conditions can be hazardous in fall and winter.

spinner image Hālawa Valley
The only way to explore the Hālawa Valley is on a guided hiking tour.
Courtesy Leanne Pletcher

Hālawa Valley. With lush, stunning vistas and thundering waterfalls, this is a must-do for hiking enthusiasts. On Molokaʻi’s East End, the only way to explore the Hālawa Valley is on a guided hiking tour, so be sure to plan ahead.

Kalaupapa Lookout at the Pālāʻau State Park. The overlook boasts striking views of Molokaʻi’s north coast and Kalaupapa National Historical Park, where people with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) were forced into isolation from 1866 to 1969.

Accommodations and dining on Molokaʻi

There are some home and condo rental accommodations and a couple of bed-and-breakfast options, but there’s only one hotel — Hotel Moloka‘i. The hotel restaurant, Hiro’s Ohana Grill, serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. 

Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi’s main town, is home to a handful of eateries, including the Kanemitsu Bakery, Molokai Burger and Molokaʻi Pizza Café.

Getting here

There’s no ferry service to Moloka‘i, but there are interisland flights from Maui and Oʻahu. Public transportation isn’t available, so plan on renting a car from Alamo,  or Molokai Car Rental. 

   

   

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