1. Kauai, 2. Maui, 3. Hawaii - The Big Island, 4. Lanai, 5. O‘ahu, 6. Niʻihau, 7. Kahoʻolawe, 8. Molokai. Hawaii has a variety of natural beauty, from cerulean oceans to green foliage to sandy beaches. Though it is tempting to assume that the six main Hawaiian Islands offer comparable experiences, they are more distinct than you might think. Toplist considered sights and reader input to pick the Best Hawaiian Islands to assist you decide which island is appropriate for your next visit. Vote for your favorite destination below to influence next year's list, and don't forget to keep an eye out for cruise offers.
Kauai
Kauai is a Hawaiian archipelago island in the Central Pacific. The tropical rainforest that covers much of its area has earned it the nickname “the Garden Isle.” The magnificent cliffs and pinnacles of its Na Pali Coast have served as the scene for numerous Hollywood films, while trekking sites include the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails that traverse the Sleeping Giant mountain crest. This destination can be considered as one of the Best Hawaiian Islands.
Kauai has mastered seduction with its brilliant sunsets, pristine beaches, and azure skies. However, the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain does not need to attract with over-the-top luxury or tourist traps; rather, it appeals to a no-muss, no-fuss type of traveler. Kauai is a Hawaiian archipelago island in the Central Pacific. The tropical rainforest that covers much of its area has earned it the nickname “the Garden Isle.” The magnificent cliffs and pinnacles of its Na Pali Coast have served as the scene for numerous Hollywood films, while trekking sites include the 10-mile-long Waimea Canyon and the Nounou Trails that traverse the Sleeping Giant mountain crest.
Kauai has mastered seduction with its brilliant sunsets, pristine beaches, and azure skies. However, the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain does not need to attract with over-the-top luxury or tourist traps; rather, it appeals to a no-muss, no-fuss type of traveler.
Location: Hawaii, the United States
Best time to visit: April and May
Price: $1,066 for one person per week
Ranking:
- #1 Best Romantic Getaways in the USA
- #1 Best Hawaiian Islands
- #2 Best Beaches in the U.S.
Rating: 4.8/5.0, 1,178 Google reviews
https://www.gohawaii.com/
https://sg.hotels.com/
Maui
Maui is a Hawaiian archipelago island in the Central Pacific. The expansive Haleakala National Park includes the island’s highest peak, volcanic Haleakala, as well as the springs and waterfalls of Ohe’o Gulch, which may be reached via the picturesque, meandering Hana Highway. The 30 miles of beaches on the island include golden-crescent Kapalua, which is protected from fierce currents by lava-rock promontories.
Maui is not as huge as the Big Island, nor is it as little as Lanai, nor is it as busy as Oahu or as peaceful as Kauai. Maui is ideal for many Hawaii travelers because it offers a taste of almost everything the Aloha State has to offer, from magnificent wildlife to intriguing history and culture. You can shimmy alongside professional hula dancers, golf along coastal fairways, sail down a zip line, snorkel alongside five distinct varieties of sea turtles, or simply relax on some of Hawaii’s most famous beaches while visiting here.
Maui, one of the archipelago’s most popular tourist destinations, is located between the Big Island and the considerably smaller Molokai. The island of Maui is divided into five separate regions: Many visitors stay near the shores of South or West Maui, where the sands of Kaanapali Beach and the music of the Old Lahaina Luau can be found. However, the rest of the island should not be overlooked. Explore East Maui’s picturesque coastline along the Road to Hana, the world’s largest dormant volcano Haleakala in the Upcountry, and the old tribal battlegrounds of Central Maui’s Iao Valley State Park. Reserve a spot on one of Maui’s premier helicopter tours to get a bird’s-eye perspective of everything.
Location: the United States
Best time to visit: April through May and September through November
Price: $1,541 for one person per week
- #1 Best Beaches in the U.S.
- #1 Best Places to Visit in November
- #2 Best Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii – The Big Island
The Big Island (formally known as Hawaii) is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago of the United States in the Central Pacific. Its varied landscape includes colored-sand beaches like Papakolea (green) and Punalu’u (black) as well as lush jungle. Volcanoes National Park contains two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Snorkeling is common at Hapuna Beach and Kahalu’u Beach Park in the west.
The Big Island of Hawaii is like the awkward older sibling. Her qualities are frequently overlooked in favor of lovely small siblings and sisters. Maui is a destination for fun and family vacations. Surfers, partygoers, and outdoor adventurers flock to Oahu. Kauai is a romantic and luxurious destination. And the Big Island is simply… massive.
Majestic is a better word. The Big Island is geographically unusual, with everything from black sand beaches to snow-capped summits, hardened lava deserts to humid and lush jungles. And it’s still expanding. The active, fire-spitting Kilauea volcano, the Big Island’s trump card, has been increasing the island’s land mass since 1983. It’s true that if you came here expecting a classic Hawaiian vacation complete with luaus and a honeymoon-like ambience, you’d be disappointed. However, the hiking paths and state parks on this island offer views that no other Hawaiian island can match. And the beaches are painted in colors you’ve probably never seen before. If you just have a limited amount of time to visit the island, sign up for one of the top Hawaii tours to benefit from the knowledge of a native. The Big Island is probably one of the Best Hawaiian Islands.
Best time to visit: between September and November
Price: one week usually costs around $1,443 for one person
- #3 Best Places to Visit in December
- #3 Best Hawaiian Islands
- #8 Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.
Rating: 4.6/5.0, 1,638 Google reviews
https://mrhudsonexplores.com/
https://www.fodors.com/
Lanai
Lanai is an island in the Pacific Ocean that is part of the US state of Hawaii. Shipwreck Beach, on its northern side, is notable for its offshore wreck of a WWII tanker, as well as vistas of Molokai and Maui islands. Green turtles flock to long, remote Polihua Beach in the northwest. Humpback whales can be seen occasionally passing the shoreline. The Garden of the Gods, a lunar landscape of granite towers and boulders, lies inland.
When billionaires fight for something, you know it’s something unique. That is the situation with Lanai, Hawaii’s most exclusive island. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has been attempting to acquire some Lanai real estate for some time. In 2012, Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, acquired 97 percent of Lanai. But don’t let this clash of titans deter you from paying a visit.
Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show here, with secluded beaches, bizarre rock formations, and vibrant underwater reefs. To get there, you’ll probably need an off-road vehicle and a sense of adventure – top attractions like Shipwreck Beach and the Munro Trail are literally off the beaten (or paved) route. After exploring the terrain, relax at one of the area’s luxury hotels, where you can anticipate outstanding cuisine, first-class service, and upscale accommodations. If you’re looking for something more active, you can go deep sea fishing, horseback riding, lawn bowling, and other activities.
Best time to visit: between June and November
Price: $2,026 for a solo traveler, $3,639 for a couple, and $6,822 for a family of 4 for 7 days trip
- #2 Best Romantic Getaways in the USA
- #4 Best Places to Visit in July
- #4 Best Hawaiian Islands
https://matadornetwork.com/
O‘ahu
Oahu is a US island in the Central Pacific that is part of the Hawaiian island group and is home to Honolulu, the state capital. The city’s highlights include the ancient Chinatown and the Punchbowl, a crater-turned-cemetery. Waikiki is a well-known beach, dining, and nightlife district. The USS Arizona Memorial is located west of Honolulu, at the location of the 1941 bombing strike during WWII. This is one of the Best Hawaiian Islands.
Oahu, more than any other Hawaiian island, combines cosmopolitan elegance with magnificent scenery. Honolulu, the state capital, exemplifies the island’s metropolitan attraction. A variety of cultural and historic monuments are nearby, ranging from the opulent Iolani Palace to the austere USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. A skyline of high-rises and resorts contrasted with wide white sand beaches in the nearby Waikiki district. Visit the North Shore for a taste of rural Hawaii. The most vivid blue seas and meandering treks can be found here. But those three locations aren’t the only must-sees on Oahu. Its world-class restaurants, bustling cultural events, and crazy nightlife further highlight the island’s status as a “Gathering Place” for Hawaiian culture.
Best time to visit: early April, May, September, and early October
Price: around $1,864 for one person per week
- #3 Best Places to Visit in September
- #4 Best Family Winter Vacations
- #5 Best Hawaiian Islands
Rating: 4.7/5.0, 1,869 Google reviews
https://www.aarp.org/
Niʻihau
Niihau is Hawaii’s westernmost main island and the seventh biggest inhabited island. It covers an area of 69.5 square miles (180 km2). Wetland habitats for the Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian stilt, and Hawaiian duck are provided by several intermittent playa lakes. Brighamia insignis, an endemic and endangered Hawaiian lobelioid, has been listed as essential habitat on the island.
Except for the Robinson family and their relatives, US Navy troops, government officials, and invited guests, the island is known as “the Forbidden Isle.” Tourists have had access to a restricted number of supervised activity trips and hunting safaris since 1987. Bruce and Keith Robinson, brothers, currently operate the island. The Niihau people are known for their gemlike lei pp (shell lei) artistry. Hawaiian is their primary language.
Since 1987, Niihau’s owners have offered half-day helicopter and beach excursions of the island, while contact with inhabitants is avoided and no accommodation is available. Tourists who pay to visit the island to hunt eland, aoudad, and oryx, as well as wild sheep and boars, have provided money since 1992. Any meat left over by the hunters is donated to the village.
Best time to visit: August, September, and then July
Price: $1,919 for one person per week
Ranking: #6 Best Hawaiian Island
Website: https://niihauheritage.org/
https://www.hawaii-aloha.com/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/
Kahoʻolawe
Kahoolawe is the smallest of the Hawaiian Islands’ eight major volcanic islands. Kahoolawe is around seven miles (11 km) southwest of Maui and also southeast of Lanai, and it is 11 mi (18 km) long by 6.0 mi (9.7 km) wide, with a total land area of 44.97 sq mi (116.47 km2). The highest point of Kahoolawe is the crater of Lua Makika at the peak of Puu Moaulanui, which is approximately 1,477 feet (450 m) above sea level. Kahoolawe is relatively dry since the island’s low height does not create much orographic precipitation from the northeastern trade winds, and the island is positioned in the rain shadow of eastern Maui’s 10,023-foot (3,055-meter) volcano, Haleakal.
Kahoolawe was a spot where skilled navigators were taught to play the most essential role in early Pacific migrations, and it has become a cornerstone place for Hawaiian culture restoration. The Kahoolawe Island Reserve was established by the Hawaii State Legislature to restore and manage the island and its surrounding seas. Kahoolawe is now only used for native Hawaiian cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes.
Location: the United States
Best time to visit: October, June, and then April
Price: $3,021 per person
Ranking: #7 Best Hawaiian Island
Rating: 4.4/5.0, 36 Google reviews
Website: https://kahoolawe.hawaii.gov/
https://www.amazon.com/
Molokai
Molokai is the fifth most populous of the eight major Hawaiian Islands archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is 38 miles long and 10 miles wide at its widest point, with a useable land area of 260 square miles, making it the fifth-biggest of the main Hawaiian Islands and the 27th largest island in the United States. It can be seen as one of the best Hawaiian islands.
Cattle ranching, pineapple cultivation, sugarcane production, and small-scale farming have been the primary drivers of the island’s agrarian economy. Tourism accounts for a minor portion of the island’s economy, and much of the tourism infrastructure was shuttered and blocked in the early 2000s. The Kalaupapa National Historical Park now protects the entire county and surrounding territory. Several additional islands may be seen from Molokai’s shoreline, including Oahu from the west, Lanai from the south, and Maui from the south and east.
In comparison to the other Hawaiian islands, the tourism business on Molokai is minor. Molokai is regarded as the birthplace of the hula. This island hosts the yearly Molokai Ka Hula Piko event. Molokai is accessible by plane. Mokulele Airlines, Paragon Air, and Hawaiian Airlines fly into Molokai on a daily basis from other Hawaiian islands such as Oahu (Honolulu and Kalaeloa), Maui (Kahului), and Hawaii (Kona).
Best time to visit: year-round
Price: $1,877 for a solo traveler, $3,371 for a couple, and $6,320 for a family of 4 for 7 days trip
Ranking: #8 Best Hawaiian Island
Rating: 4.6/5.0, 179 Google reviews
Website: https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/molokai
https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/
