Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?

From stunning beaches and volcanoes to waterfalls and wildlife, each of Hawaii’s six major islands has its own beauty and charm. Here’s a brief rundown of what to do and where to eat and stay on each.

Road to Hana

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Maui

Perhaps best known for stunning beaches and the humpback whales that make its waters their winter home, Maui offers a plethora of fantastic ways to fill vacation days.

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Top Things to Do 

Snorkeling. Maui is a gorgeous spot for snorkelers. Teralani Sailing Adventures operates relaxing snorkeling cruises with barbecue lunches and an open bar, boarding at West Maui’s Kaanapali Beach. 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.) Hale Huaka'i at Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers outrigger canoe paddling experiences infused with Hawaiian traditions and history.

Road to Hana. For drivers considering braving the Road to Hana, with its legendary cascading waterfalls, reservations are now required to visit Waianapanapa State Park and its stunning black sand beach.

Cacao farm visit. Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate offers tasty tours of its working cacao farm located on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains. One hundred percent of the company’s net profits are donated to Maui charities and nonprofit community organizations. Front Street, in nearby Lahaina, is lined with more shopping opportunities, dozens of restaurants and the largest banyan tree in the United States.

Accommodations and dining

There are scads of hotels and rentals on Maui, with the major resort areas being the Kaanapali Beach Resort in West Maui and the Wailea Resort Association in South Maui. Just opened in late May, the AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea is the brand’s first location in Hawaii. Sleek, contemporary and infused with Hawaiian design, the newcomer isn’t oceanfront, though most of its accommodations boast ocean views.

Set steps off the beach the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali features 770 rooms spread across 12 acres with lush gardens, waterfalls, flamingos and six pools. The newly opened onsite restaurant, Waicoco, serves a seafood-focused dinner menu Wednesday through Sunday and breakfast daily.

The Sandbar at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is an ideal location to the watch the cliff-dive ceremony at Puu Kekaa (Black Rock) and the sunset while enjoying pupus (appetizers) and cocktails.

For dining, Star Noodle, the Mala Ocean Tavern and the Paia Fish Market are just a few of the standout dining options in Lahaina. The Paia Fish Market doesn’t take reservations, but it's worth a wait.

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Oahu

Oahu offers Hawaii’s take on big city living. Bustling Waikiki 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.

Things to do

Pearl Harbor. You’ll want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial (buy tickets before you arrive). History buffs should consider spending time at other Pearl Harbor historical sites, including the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, 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 also 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). Then head into charming Haleiwa, where you can shop, eat and cool off with shave ice from Matsumoto’s.

Dole Plantation. Explore the gardens, hop on the Pineapple Express Train Tour or get happily lost in the Pineapple Garden Maze. Good luck saying no to a cup or cone full of the world-famous Dole Whip pineapple soft serve.

Accommodations and dining

Hotels can be found throughout Oahu, but a majority are located in Waikiki. Located across the street from the famous Duke Kahanamoku statue, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa offers rooms with beach, mountain and city views.

The beachfront Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort recently reopened after renovating its guest rooms and is offering special rates during the construction of the lobby, cultural center and a new restaurant, Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. Turtle Bay Resort, on Oahu’s North Shore, recently reopened after a top-to-bottom redesign.

Since 1952, Leonard’s Bakery has been churning out hot malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) and other sweets. And the iconic Rainbow Drive-In serves filling plate lunches that come with scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and meat or fish. Along with the original in Kapahulu, there are four additional locations to choose from on the island. On the North Shore, locals and visitors alike line up long before opening hours for sautéed shrimp from Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck.

Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park

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The Island of Hawaii

Often referred to as the Big Island, the island of Hawaii 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

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located on the east side of the island, the park includes two of the world's most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea is no longer erupting, and no glow is visible at night, but things can change quickly, so check its website for updates. Not far from the Kilauea Visitor Center, save time to walk through the 500-year-old Nahuku, or Thurston Lava Tube. When driving the scenic Chain of Craters Road, stop to explore the Puuloa 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 Akaka 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.) Waianuenue 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 their 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.

Pu'uhonua 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.

Snorkel with manta rays. If you enjoying spending time in the water, swimming with mantas is not to be missed during a trip to the Big Island. 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, teeth or barbs. Manta Ray Advocates lead small snorkeling tours with a maximum of just six people; their tours enter the water from the beach instead of from a boat.

Accommodations and dining

Located 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 turtle on more than one occasion. About a dozen honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) call the property home. Pau Hana, the hotel’s new champagne pop-up bar, serves up Veuve Clicquot champagne cocktails along with ocean vistas on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 p.m. through sunset.

One of the Big Island’s first resorts, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was built by Laurance S. Rockefeller. (The Manta Moonlight Snorkel with Manta Ray Advocates departs from the beach activities kiosk at the Mauna Kea.) One hot bite and you’ll be hooked on the homemade Hawaiian malasadas from the nearby Manuela Malasada food truck on Puako Beach Drive in Waimea.

Volcano Village Lodge is located in a quiet residential neighborhood just a couple of miles from Hawaii 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 brunch, dinner and pupus (Hawaiian for appetizer or snack) Wednesday through Sunday. You can’t beat the pad thai or papaya salad at the Thai Thai Bistro & Bar.