Which Hawaiian Island Is Best For You?
I’ve just returned from an incredible trip to Hawaii and already I am deciding when I should go back. I’d love to tell you all about my trip, but I also want to help you plan the right trip for you.
If you’ve decided to go to Hawaii, or perhaps you are just considering it, let me tell you — you are already off to a great start. Hawaii is a fantastic destination for just about every type of traveler, and that includes YOU. The first decision you’ll have to make is which island to visit.
The good news? You can hardly make a bad decision.
The event better news? I’ve helped you out with a quick rundown of each island, and what type of traveler fits best there. Hawaii is a destination where you can have so many different type of experiences, and I love to play matchmaker and help people find their perfect one.
The Romance Traveler: Maui
It’s not surprising Maui has been voted "Best Island in the U.S." by Condé Nast Traveler readers for more than 20 years. The “Valley Isle” can be an island for any type of traveler, but there are many special experiences found here that can definitely up the romance factor of your experience.
The island provides one lasting memory after another — Drive up to Haleakala, Maui’s highest peak, to see the sun rise over the clouds. Drive the road to Hana and count the waterfalls together on this scenic journey. Dine on Maui’s sumptuous farm to table cuisine then stroll hand-in-hand on a moonlit night across one of Maui’s serene beaches.
A perfect combo? Add in a few nights on Lanai (only nine miles away) and decide which of the two Four Seasons resorts there should pamper you as you explore a place of beauty and history that will touch your soul.
The Nature Traveler: Kauai
Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauai is what Hawaiian dreams are made of. It’s an island green and flourishing with lush flora that runs from the mountains to the ocean. Kaua‘i offers more than 50 miles of white-sand beaches – more beach per mile than any other island in Hawai‘i.
Other natural wonders include countless waterfalls, the 3,567-foot deep Waimea Canyon, dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and the 3,000-foot towering mountain cliffs overlooking the Nāpali Coast along the northwest shoreline.
In my opinion, Kauai is the most gorgeous Hawaiian Island. More than just dramatic beauty, the island is home to a variety of outdoor activities, so that you are able to enjoy it’s beauty while staying active if you choose.
The Adventure Traveler: The Big Island
The Big Island is Hawaii’s Island of Adventure. It offers offers a variety of places to explore, including some of Hawaii’s most incredible natural wonders and historic sites. No other island gives you a place to swim with manta rays, horseback ride and whale watch, all on the same visit. No other island lets you see a fiery volcano, a 420-foot waterfall and a black-sand beach.
It is the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian chain, but it’s remarkable for more than just its size. This is the island for adventure of all kinds.
The City Life Traveler: Oahu
The island of Oahu is often referred to as “The Gathering Place.” It’s home to Hawaii's widest range of popular activities and famous sights. While the cosmopolitan areas of Honolulu and Waikiki are what most people think of when they consider Hawaii’s third largest island, Oahu also does have much more to offer.
There is an almost unlimited number of breathtakingly beautiful, totally unique, and easily accessible experiences that capture Hawaii’s authentic culture and spirit of aloha. Here you find a fusion of east and west cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people, and this it’s this fundamental contrast between the ancient and the modern that makes discovering Oahu so enjoyable.
The Off The Beaten Path Traveler: Molokai
For those of you looking to get off the beaten path, Molokai is happy to oblige. To step onto Molokai is to step back in time to a slower, simpler Hawaii. In fact, one of the top attractions here is the very absence of “attractions” in the commercial sense.
On the “Friendly Isle” you are treated to unspoiled, uncrowded wilderness. Molokai remains true to its island roots, and it’s a place where folks hold true to the traditions of their ancestors. Come with an open mind and be prepared to be enlightened.
The truth? It’s possible to have all of these experiences on each island. I can help you go off the beaten path on Oahu, find romance on The Big Island, or have the adventure of a lifetime on Maui.
Perhaps that’s why people return to Hawaii again and again — always able to create the right experience for that particular vacation.
I’d love to discuss what type of trip you would love to see come to life, and help make that happen for you.