Take Your Pick
Which Hawaiian Island is right for your visit?
Oahu has Pearl Harbor. The Big Island has Kilauea. Maui has the Road to Hana. And Kauai has the Napali Coast. How do you choose? A lot of people tell first-timers to Hawaii they don’t have to. Just “island hop,” they say. Don’t believe it.
Yes, interisland flights are short. But what’s not short is packing up, checking out of your hotel, driving to the airport, returning the rental car, checking bags, security, boarding, baggage claim and then doing it all again. Every half-day you spend schlepping between islands is a half-day you could have spent enjoying the island you’re on. When it comes to Hawaii travel, FOMO, or fear of missing out, can create actual missing out. You’ll squeeze in more Hawaii with a single island visit. Here’s how to choose the perfect one for you.
KAUAI: “Take my breath away”
Which island’s the most beautiful? You’ll find gorgeous anywhere you go in Hawaii. But if it’s your dream to be struck speechless by Mother Nature’s most impressive assets, you’re a Kauai person. The Napali Coast is the stuff dreams are made of, with turquoise waves crashing against lush technicolor mountains. You can see it by boat, helicopter or even kayak (if you’ve got the triceps for it). Waimea Canyon State Park, “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” offers stunning hikes from easy to advanced. Beautiful beaches circle the island, though in the winter north shore beaches are too treacherous for swimming.
Tip: Keep an eye out for spinner dolphins along the Napali Coast, which put on unscheduled shows leaping and spinning in the air.
HAWAII ISLAND: “I like it (molten) hot”
All the Hawaiian Islands are volcanic, but only Kilauea on the Big Island spews lava. Getting to the hot stuff takes some effort. Helicopter tours, boat tours and long hikes from Volcanoes National Park are your options. Be warned: Pele, the volcano goddess, answers to no one. Lava can start or stop flowing at any time, so check the park’s website for the latest. Geology aside, this island offers a stunning array of experiences: green and black sand beaches, waterfalls, horseback riding, manta ray night dives and the best snorkeling in Hawaii. The west side tends to be sunny and dry, with spectacular beaches like Hapuna. The east side, around Hilo, is famously rainy but more convenient to Kilauea.
Tip: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a thrill for all travelers. Even the less adventurous can marvel at steam spewing from the moonlike landscape along Chain of Craters Road.
MAUI: “I’m serious about family time”
Maui has two of Hawaii’s best beach resort areas, Kaanapali and Wailea, and an abundance of natural wonders along the scenic Road to Hana and at Haleakala Crater. So for many families, the quintessential Maui experience goes something like this: Days spent on a golden sand beach. Sunset barbecues around the pool at the condo. Then, a longbut-worth-it road trip. About 90 minutes from the resort areas, Haleakala Crater offers hiking, biking and legendary sunrises. The Road to Hana is a tour of tropical wonders, with stops at sacred pools and waterfalls.
Tip: In 1898, Thomas Edison tested the brand new technology known as motion pictures on Maui, documenting Chinese sugarcane plantation workers. These fascinating historic films play on a continuous loop at the Wo Hing Society Hall in Old Lahaina.
OAHU: “I want it all”
People visiting Oahu are often pleasantly surprised by the island’s diverse offerings. Yes, Honolulu and its tourist district, Waikiki, are dense and developed, but many travelers fall in love with Waikiki’s magical energy. And when you’re ready for some unspoiled Hawaii, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Lanikai and Waimanalo, are a short drive away. There’s great snorkeling in the summer at Three Tables and Shark’s Cove and year-round at breathtaking Hanauma Bay. In the winter, Oahu’s North Shore hosts the most impressive surfing displays on earth. You can hike to waterfalls at Waimea Valley or Manoa Falls or enjoy kayaking, standup paddleboarding or surf lessons right off the beach at Waikiki. The nightlife here is unparalleled in the islands and, of course, Pearl Harbor is here. So if the USS Arizona Memorial is on your must-see list, you’ll find everything you desire on Oahu.
Tip: Sunset cocktails at House Without a Key at the Halekulani and Beach Bar at the Moana Surfrider are served with free live Hawaiian music and hula. Unforgettable!