Podcast: Which Island Do I Visit?
Hawaii Beach Guide: Which Island Do I Visit?
Hi everyone, this is Chris from Hawaii Beach Guide.
As you might know, Hawaii consists of various different islands but there are four main islands: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. One of the most frequent questions we get at Hawaii Beach Guide is “what is our favorite island?” or “what island should I visit?”. And honestly, our usual response is “all of them!”. Each of the islands is unique and special in their own way. And each represents a pretty different travel experience depending on the island you visit. That’s one of the reasons why so many people keep going back to visit – you can get a different vacation depending on the island!
For the first-time visitor, picking an island to explore might seem like a difficult task – will you pick the right one, will you have a great vacation, did you make a bad choice? And, no matter which island or islands you visit, there is no bad choice. They are all great and they offer varied areas and places on the island themselves. Some areas are built up and tourist destinations, others are more wild, rural, and quiet. And once you’ve started visiting Hawaii, you come back to a different island, or a different area on the island, and it can feel like a whole new adventure.
Of course, we all have our personal favorite places to visit but keep in mind that each island is incredible and no one is “better” than any of the others. It’s more about finding the place and destination that is the right fit and feel for you and what you want out of your Hawaiian trip.
Kauai is the oldest, most rugged, and certainly has incredible natural beauty. It is also arguably the most rural of all the islands, most of the towns themselves are fairly small and many of the shops and restaurants tend to close earlier than the other islands. But the rural aspect of Kauai makes it perfect for those who want a get-away-from-it-all type of vacation.
Oahu is the largest in terms of population of all the islands – in fact most people in Hawaii live on Oahu. Honolulu is the state capital and home to almost a million people. So, it definitely has a city atmosphere along with the hustle-and-bustle of a vibrant social scene – in addition to its gorgeous beaches. But there’s more to Oahu than just city, if you are able to travel outside a short distance, you’ll find yourself in more traditional beach areas. If you want a vacation along with the nightlife and shopping – Oahu is a great match.
Maui is a beautiful island – home to some more nightlife and restaurants than Kauai and the Big Island, but without the city life of Oahu. The beaches are easily accessible but there are still some remote areas of the island where you can get that get-away-from-it feeling and enjoy nature. Because of this mix, Maui has a little bit of everything most travelers want in a vacation destination.
Like Kauai, the Big Island has a more rural feel. But unlike Kauai (and the other islands), the Big Island is big. You can still get around fairly easily – but it takes a longer than the other islands. Visitors staying on one side of the island should plan for a day if they want to take in the sights on the other side. But unlike Kauai (the oldest), the Big island is new and has incredible variety in its landscapes and even its weather. The top of the volcanoes can have snow while people are surfing in the warm ocean just a few miles away. Green tropical rainforests are next to barren black lava fields. Sometimes a visit to the Big Island can coincide with an eruption of Kilauea that can be seen from Volcanoes National Park. Most recently, Kilauea erupted nearly continuously from 1983 through 2018. Since, then it has erupted off and on – the most recent eruption is still ongoing and started at the end of September of this year.
I know no matter which island you choose – your Hawaii trip will be incredible and something to remember, and I hope that your Hawaii Beach Guide experience helps make your trip even better.