Travel Shop
Merch
Travel Tips
Photography
Points & Miles
Credit Cards
Dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway? I know I’d like to go back! The only real question is, which is the best island for you? So I created this guide to serve as a “which Island in Hawaii should I visit quiz.”
The Ultimate Hawaii Travel Guide
I wouldn’t say there is a “best” Hawaiian island because each has its own unique charm and personality. So planning your perfect Hawaii trip is all about finding the right island for your travel style.
Ready to find out with Hawaiian island you should visit? Here’s a complete rundown that’ll give you the lay of the (is)land.
Which island in Hawaii should I visit Quiz!
Oahu
Known For: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, being the cheapest Hawaiian Island, world-class surfing.
Come Here If You Want To: save some money, stay on the beaten path, surf, hike, geek out on history.
Top Activity Recommendations: hike the Diamond Head Summit Trail, tour the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, do at least two activities at Kualoa Ranch, go on a scenic drive along the North Shore.
Best Accommodations: ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, Moana Surfrider, Turtle Bay Resort.
Kauai
Known For: the Nā Pali Coast, being one of the wettest places on Earth, 80% of the island only being accessible by air and water, being the second most expensive Hawaiian island.
Come Here If You Want To: sail, dive or snorkel, do a helicopter ride, get off the beaten path, escape the crowds.
Top Activity Recommendations: hike a portion of the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, do the scenic drive through Waimea Canyon State Park, take a Zodiac or catamaran cruise along the Nā Pali Coast, do a helicopter ride (my favorite is a no-doors helicopter), visit Secret Falls.
Best Accommodation: Sheraton Kauai Resort, The Lodge at Kukui’ula, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
Maui
Known For: whale-watching, surfing, golf, The Road To Hāna, beaches, world-class resorts, being the most expensive Hawaiian island.
Come Here If You Want To: stay on the beaten path, go on a road trip, be a beach bum, splurge on a resort, swim, embrace the crowds, snorkel.
Top Activity Recommendations: go on a boat tour to snorkel at the Molokini Crater, see a luau, drive The Road To Hāna, visit Haleakalā National Park, do a helicopter tour (my favorite is a no-doors helicopter), go outrigger canoe surfing.
Best Accommodation: Andaz Maui At Wailea Resort, Hana-Maui Resort, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Ho’olei at Grand Wailea.
The Big Island of Hawai’i
Known For: volcanoes, diving, waterfalls, black sand beaches, being the second most budget-friendly Hawaiian Island, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Come Here If You Want To: see lava, go on a road trip, dive or snorkel, hike, escape the crowds, get off the beaten path.
Top Activity Recommendations: swim with manta rays, do a sunset and stargazing tour, hike to Akaka Falls, drive the Chain of Craters Road, hike through the Pu’u Loa petroglyph field, walk through the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube).
Best Accommodation: The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Other Islands
The other Hawaiian Islands you can visit are Molokai and Lanai. These islands are significantly less accessible and more expensive than the four main islands we’ve just run through. So I’d stick to Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island!
Which Island Is for You?
Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island each have unique qualities that make them an incredible destination for certain kinds of travelers. But you can’t go wrong with any of these islands!
So if you still can’t decide, consider island hopping. I had a fantastic time traveling between islands, and I would highly recommend it. So here’s how to plan a multi-island Hawaii trip!
If you’re celebrating in Hawaii, I’ve got the best honeymoon, birthday, mother-daughter, and bachelorette party activities to make your trip extra special.
Shop My Hawaii Essentials
Which island did you pick from this “Which Island in Hawaii Should I Visit Quiz?” Share with us in the comments!
Recommended Tours in Hawaii
For Planning The Rest Of Your Hawaii Trip
-
Which Island in Hawaii Should I Visit Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Which island should I visit first in Hawaii?
If you’re going to visit one Hawaiian island, I would recommend starting with Maui or Oahu. If you’re going to visit multiple Hawaiian islands, I’d compare flights to see what island order would be the cheapest.
What's better Maui or Kauai?
Maui and Kauai are both incredible destinations, and neither is “better” than the other.
Maui is more popular, expensive, and on the beaten path, but its resorts and scenic drives are second to none.
Kauai is less expensive and more off the beaten path, and you can’t beat its water activities and hiking.
I highly recommend visiting both of these islands!
What's better Maui or Oahu?
Maui and Oahu are both incredible destinations, and neither is “better” than the other.
Both islands are the most popular and on the beaten path Hawaiian islands.
Maui is more expensive and famous for its resorts, scenic drives, snorkeling, and beaches.
Oahu is less expensive and known for surfing, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor.
I highly recommend visiting both of these islands!
How far apart are Maui and Oahu?
Maui and Oahu are about 80 miles apart, meaning you can get from one to the other on a short flight.
Is it cheaper to fly to Maui or Honolulu?
It’s usually cheaper to fly to Maui than Oahu, but accommodation, food, and tours are usually more expensive on Maui than Oahu.
What is the cheapest island to visit in Hawaii?
Oahu is the cheapest island to visit in Hawaii, followed closely by the Big Island of Hawai’i.
What is the cheapest day of the week to fly to Hawaii?
On average, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly to Hawaii.
Which month is cheapest to fly to Hawaii?
Hawaii is made up of micro-climates, so the weather varies significantly from island to island and from one side of an island to the other. The year-round warm weather (rarely going below the mid-70s or above the mid-80s) means Hawaii is a great destination any time of the year. So Hawaii doesn’t have an off-season.
April – September is the most popular time to visit Hawaii because these are the warmest and driest months. The ocean is calmer, giving you access to more water activities with better sailing conditions. Be prepared to pay the highest prices during these months. The islands will also be crowded, so book accommodation, tours, and rental cars in advance.
The weather in Hawaii is marginally cooler from October – March, and these are the wettest months of the year. Pro Tip: the islands’ west coasts are significantly drier than their east coasts.
October – March is whale-watching season, and the crowds and prices will be lower (though not significantly). These months have some of the largest swells of the year, so surfers will swarm the beaches.
YOUR TRAVEL CHECKLIST
PIN THIS GUIDE!
This Which Island in Hawaii Should I Visit Quiz is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this Which Island in Hawaii Should I Visit Quiz are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this Which Island in Hawaii Should I Visit Quiz.
