There is no right answer because any answer is correct! If you have very specific interests there are reasons to visit one island over another. Hawaii has six main islands: Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Molokai and Lanai. Each is distinctly different and offers unique experiences.
If you’ve never been to Hawaii, or if you’re budget conscious, an
Oahu Hawaii vacation may fit your needs. Oahu is home to Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor,
Iolani Palace (the only Royal Palace on U.S. soil) and the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Honolulu International Airport is here and the island is the most developed, offering the most museums in the state, including the
Bishop Museum and
Honolulu Academy of the Arts. Flying to Oahu and staying here avoids the cost of inter-island airfare, and the necessity of having a car.
On the other extreme is
Molokai, the least visited and least developed of the major islands. There are few resorts here. Molokai is perhaps most famous for the leper colony founded by Father Damien, which can still be visited by donkey along a steep narrow trail.
In between Oahu and Molokai are three incredible islands: Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, each pretty much requiring a car rental. Plus there's the small island of Lanai.
Of these the most traveled to is
Maui, offering an incredible array of resorts of varying quality, great dining, shopping and a multitude of activity options, including Art Night on Friday nights in Lahaiana Town. A Maui vacation has it all, from great restaurants and resorts, to secluded beaches and beautiful natural escapes such as Iao Valley State Park, the Hana drive, the drive north of Kapalua, or upcountry to Haleakala.
Lanai is a small gem of an island readily accessible from Maui. The Four Seasons Lanai are the upscale resorts here. There's some fine snorkeling and great golfing. Here, too, are the ancient petroglyphs at Shipwreck Beach and the foothills of the Palawai caldera.
Kauai is known as “The Garden Isle,” and the favorite of those who most appreciate its lushness. A popular location to visit on Kauai vacations is Waimea Canyon, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and
Kokee State Park, as well as the famous Na Pali Coast. Much of the island is inaccessible, and a Kauai vacation is popular with hikers. The small
Kauai Museum features ancient Hawaiian artifacts.
Hawaii, known as “The Big Island” is the largest as well as the youngest, and one of the most fascinating islands from a geological point of view, featuring as it does
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the
Volcano Art Center. You can also view the ancient royal fish ponds and visit
Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. Many new resorts and condos have been developed, and Big Island vacations are popular with golfers and spa enthusiasts.
Because there is no right answer as to which islands to visit, you should, of course, visit them all! If you need help, contact one of our
Hawaii travel experts who can arrange Hawaii vacation packages that best meet your needs and interests.