So you’re thinking of crossing Hawaii off your travel bucket list but just figured out there are a bunch of islands that make up Hawaii and you are now totally confused on where to go. Not to mention, it’s far and the island names are confusing. Just know that you are not alone. With all of my travel savviness, I struggled with this one as well. Hawaii is a dream destination for many. With so many islands to choose from, planning your trip can feel overwhelming. After all, there are 137 islands that make up Hawaii. Not all of them are inhabited and it is unlikely that you would visit most of them. Let me demystify this vacation destination and hopefully make your quest to pick the best island in Hawaii for your trip a bit less stressful. If you are going to fly for a minimum of 6 hours you want to go to the right place.
The Most Popular (by tourist numbers)
While you might have been led to believe there are only 8 islands in Hawaii, that number is off by about 129. Even with this, most people can only name 4. In all fairness, the names are a bit confusing. Hawaii is one of the most diverse states by topography in the entire US. Let’s cover the ones that are on most travelers minds when they think of Hawaii.
Oahu
Oahu is probably the most popular of the islands. With large cities like Honolulu and Waikiki it tends to get a ton of attention. TV shows such as Hawaii Five 0, NCIS Hawaii and old standouts like Magnum PI were all filmed here.
Best if you want high energy
Because of its popularity, you’ll find a few lively towns and tons of nightlife. There is nonstop energy here and its the perfect place to visit if you love sipping cocktails and shopping in trendy stores. If you are into surfing, you’ll want to get over to the North Shore to catch some of the best waves around.
Getting There & Where to Stay
Oahu is home to Honolulu International Airport (HNL), the largest airport in Hawaii. This makes it the most accessible island with numerous direct flights from major cities across the globe. They also offer a wide range of hotels, from luxury resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina to budget-friendly boutique hotels. There is even a Disney Hotel (Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa) here if you are traveling with the little ones. It happens to be right next door to the Four Seasons so you’ll likely hear all of the Disney Fun from your luxury accommodations.
Maui – The Valley Isle
Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii. Celebrities like Oprah, Jeff Bezos and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson all have homes here. You can also find an astounding 30 miles of beach.
Best if you want luxury
This island has stunning beaches even a few world-famous ones like Kaanapali Beach. During the winter months you can witness the migrating humpback whales from the shoreline. If you are an active traveler, you’ll find incredible hiking trails some of which lead to beautiful waterfalls like the Waimoku Falls via Pipiwai Trail.
Getting There & Where to Stay
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the primary airport on Maui, with a number of direct flights from the U.S. mainland landing here. Maui makes it easy for you to live it up like a celebrity. Here you can find several luxurious resorts like the Four Seasons Resort, Fairmont, Ritz Carlton & Montage. Coupling luxury stays with a great culinary scene makes Maui a top choice.
Kauai: The Garden Isle
If you love an adventurous secluded stay, Kauai is the island for you. A tropical rainforest covers much of the surface of this island.
Best if you love the outdoors
Some like to think of this island as the “off the grid” option for a Hawaiian holiday. One day you are backwoods hiking through Waimea Canyon and the next day kayaking up the Wailua River. It’s a popular location for movies. Pirates of the Caribbean, The Descendants and even Tropic Thunder were all filmed here.
Getting There & Where to Stay
Lihue Airport (LIH) is the main airport, with direct flights from the West Coast. There is limited public transportation options on this island, so rent a car to navigate the breathtaking terrain. Here you’ll find a mix of luxurious resorts, like the Grand Hyatt in Poipu and eco-friendly lodges like Kukui’ula.
Big Island: The Island of Hawaii
This island is why everything is so confusing. This is officially the Island of Hawai’i. It is the largest and the youngest named island of Hawaii. In fact, it is nearly twice as big as all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. It’s also home to the active Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes with eruptions as recent as 2022.
Best if you like living on the edge
You can find all of the world’s different climate zones here from tropical to snow capped mountains. People are attracted to this island for the diversity of activities you will find. Interesting features like the black sand beaches of Punalu’u bring visitors looking to experience the unexpected. I like my vacations without the fear of erupting volcanos so have not visited this one.
Getting There & Where to Stay
The Big Island has two main airports: Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO), with direct flights from the mainland U.S. It probably has some of the most affordable hotels of all the main islands. You’ll find big chain hotels here like Hilton, Wyndham and Marriott making it easier to leverage points and status to enhance your experience.
My Perspective
Of course these aren’t the only places to visit of the 137 island but they are the most developed and likely the best islands to visit in Hawaii for the novel tourist. If you can’t settle on one island, perhaps do a bit of island hopping. There are multiple flights between the island and in some cases ferries. Unless you are on a cruise ship, try to find a place to settle so you can fully enjoy what the islands of Hawaii have to offer.
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