Selecting the best Hawaiian Island
Oahu - The Gathering Place
Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and the famous beach known as Waikiki. These areas attract tourists by thousands daily. Oahu boasts a fantastic climate, inexpensive accommodations, a large variety of shopping options, and world renown beaches - it's fair to say the island entices visitors from around the world. Though this may be the one fault of the island, as many are discouraged by the large crowds of Oahu and thus dismiss the island, instead visiting one of the other, less visited, islands in the chain. But Oahu is much more than Honolulu or Waikiki - it may well be the most beautiful of all the major islands. You simply have to know where to go to experience the beauty that is Oahu.
The eastern coast of Oahu is hemmed in by a gorgeous mountain range and boasts three of the islands best beaches. Surprisingly, you'll find no major accommodations here, jut a few vacation homes along the quaint towns that dot the coast. The eastern region offers many visitors an escape from the busting Waikiki scene while still offering the proximity to the shopping and activities of the nearby city just a half hour drive away.
The famous north shore of Oahu is a surfers paradise, especially in the winter months when the surf is up. About an hours drive from Honolulu, this region has a surprisingly unpopulated feel to it. Many miles of beaches stretch along this portion of Oahu, making it a popular haven for those looking to relax in the sun.
The western, northwestern, and central regions are where most of the island's residents live. For the most part, there isn't much here for the typical island visitors - just a few scattered beaches.
Maui - The Valley Isle
Maui is the second most visited island with around 2.4 million visitors each year. Tourism greatly affects the nature of Maui and it boasts a very wide assortment of resorts, hotels, condos, and private rentals available across the island.
Often called, "The Playground of the Wealthy" Maui definitely caters to those looking for more expensive accommodations, but not the crowds of Oahu. But don't fret if top notch accommodations aren't in your plans - Maui caters to all types, including the budget conscious. The island has a reputation of being a playground for all tourists, not just the super rich.
The island of Maui features an abundance of beaches, especially along the west coast. Sun is abundant here too, as the volcanoes in the center of the island block the majority of precipitation from ever reaching the leeward side of the island. While portions of Maui's west coast often dry and barren, the eastern portions of the island are a lush and green paradise boasting waterfalls in numerous valleys. Many visitors enjoy the Hana Highway (aka The Road to Hana) as it winds its way along the cost to the sleepy town of Hana in the bay.
The center of the island is where Maui earns its nickname, "The Valley Isle." The isthmus stretching from Haleakala to the West Maui mountains is likely where you'll begin your journey, at the airport.
Hawaii - The Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is the third most popular choice amongst visitors, with over 1.6 million travelers annually. The vast majority of the Big Island's visitors stay in the Kailua-Kona area with its fantastic weather, abundant shopping, and vast array of dining options. It also sponsors a wide assortment of accommodations from high end resorts to condominiums. The ocean off the Kona coast is clear and great for both snorkeling and diving. To the north of Kona is the 'Gold Coast' of Kohala. While drier and more barren than Kona, the region offers amazing beaches, great weather conditions, and several luxury accommodations to choose from.
On the other side of the island you'll discover Hilo and the Puna region. These are good locations to stay if you're interested in exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This part of the island receives an abundance of rainfall that creates the verdant surroundings, lush and green. Accommodations are harder to find, but a few hotels, small Inn's and private rentals can be found, especially in the Volcano town area. The volcano area, which is located at a crisp 4,000ft above sea level, is dotted with a wide assortment of homes, bed and breakfasts and small cottages for renting. This area too serves as a great place to stay if you're mostly interested in exploring the HVNP.
And speaking of the park, most visitors would be wise to forget anything they've seen or heard about the volcano long before they visit the island. The erupting volcano photos, the videos, and all the hype about lava everywhere are just that... hype; at least at present. The media and the park create unrealistic expectations as they try to draw in the public. Most visitors will be surprised that Kilauea is nothing more than a smoking caldera with no visible lava. The only way to get up close and personal with the volcano is to take a helicopter tour that will take you over the current eruption location. Occasionally visitors may also be lucky enough to catch a surface pahoehoe lava flow near the end of the road; but all of these things can change in an instant. Most of the lava/magma is flowing underground to the ocean. Those who have an appreciation for geography or geology will love the park though. Despite Kilauea being the most active volcano on the planet, the volcanoes of Hawaii are nothing like their cousins on the west coast (Mt. St. Helens or Mt. Rainier). They are not explosive and pose little threat to visitors on the island; and lava flow move at a turtle like speed that you could out walk if necessary, no running required. To fully appreciate and explore the park you'll want to give yourself at least one full day, preferably two if possible. There are many great hikes within the park and several stops which offer informative displays about the history of the region. Also be wary of VOG (a volcanic smog) when visiting the park.
Kauai - The Garden Isle
Kauai is the third most visited island, at 1.3 million visitors annually. The island is easily identified by its amazing scenery and relaxed persona. The island, arguably we'll admit, also boasts more coastline filled with beaches than any other island in the chain. Kauai is full of sparsely visited and secluded beaches all around the island; you're sure to find one that's just right for you.
The north shore of Kauai features some dramatic and beautiful mountain scenery along with a variety of hidden beaches. The area also has an incredible selection of shopping and dining available for visitors. While the winter months will mean more rain for the northern part of the island, it's still one of the most popular places on the island. Hanalei Bay is a popular location for water activities and has perhaps what are the best beaches in all of Hawaii along her crescent shores.
Kauai's south shore is popular due to it's abundance of sunny weather, even during the wet winter months. Poipu and Lawai offer a wide array of accommodations, fine dining, and shopping. On the east coast (also known as the Coconut Coast) Kapaa offers a nice selection of affordable rentals and more shopping than most other areas. While Kauai has the small town feel to it, many larger store brands can still be found on the island - Costco, K-Mart, and Wal-mart all are present here.
Kauai's west coast is more barren and dry than the rest of the island, and accommodations are fewer and far between here. However one of the main attractions on the island is present here, the Waimea Canyon. Mark Twain dubbed it, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." At ten miles long, it's an amazing sight to be seen on an island the size of Kauai. The true splendor of the region, and the neighboring Kokee State Park, can only truly be appreciated by taking one of the many trails that crisscross the parks.
The famous north shore of Oahu is a surfers paradise, especially in the winter months when the surf is up. About an hours drive from Honolulu, this region has a surprisingly unpopulated feel to it. Many miles of beaches stretch along this portion of Oahu, making it a popular haven for those looking to relax in the sun.
The western, northwestern, and central regions are where most of the island's residents live. For the most part, there isn't much here for the typical island visitors - just a few scattered beaches.
Maui - The Valley Isle
Maui is the second most visited island with around 2.4 million visitors each year. Tourism greatly affects the nature of Maui and it boasts a very wide assortment of resorts, hotels, condos, and private rentals available across the island.
Often called, "The Playground of the Wealthy" Maui definitely caters to those looking for more expensive accommodations, but not the crowds of Oahu. But don't fret if top notch accommodations aren't in your plans - Maui caters to all types, including the budget conscious. The island has a reputation of being a playground for all tourists, not just the super rich.
The island of Maui features an abundance of beaches, especially along the west coast. Sun is abundant here too, as the volcanoes in the center of the island block the majority of precipitation from ever reaching the leeward side of the island. While portions of Maui's west coast often dry and barren, the eastern portions of the island are a lush and green paradise boasting waterfalls in numerous valleys. Many visitors enjoy the Hana Highway (aka The Road to Hana) as it winds its way along the cost to the sleepy town of Hana in the bay.
The center of the island is where Maui earns its nickname, "The Valley Isle." The isthmus stretching from Haleakala to the West Maui mountains is likely where you'll begin your journey, at the airport.
Hawaii - The Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is the third most popular choice amongst visitors, with over 1.6 million travelers annually. The vast majority of the Big Island's visitors stay in the Kailua-Kona area with its fantastic weather, abundant shopping, and vast array of dining options. It also sponsors a wide assortment of accommodations from high end resorts to condominiums. The ocean off the Kona coast is clear and great for both snorkeling and diving. To the north of Kona is the 'Gold Coast' of Kohala. While drier and more barren than Kona, the region offers amazing beaches, great weather conditions, and several luxury accommodations to choose from.
On the other side of the island you'll discover Hilo and the Puna region. These are good locations to stay if you're interested in exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This part of the island receives an abundance of rainfall that creates the verdant surroundings, lush and green. Accommodations are harder to find, but a few hotels, small Inn's and private rentals can be found, especially in the Volcano town area. The volcano area, which is located at a crisp 4,000ft above sea level, is dotted with a wide assortment of homes, bed and breakfasts and small cottages for renting. This area too serves as a great place to stay if you're mostly interested in exploring the HVNP.
And speaking of the park, most visitors would be wise to forget anything they've seen or heard about the volcano long before they visit the island. The erupting volcano photos, the videos, and all the hype about lava everywhere are just that... hype; at least at present. The media and the park create unrealistic expectations as they try to draw in the public. Most visitors will be surprised that Kilauea is nothing more than a smoking caldera with no visible lava. The only way to get up close and personal with the volcano is to take a helicopter tour that will take you over the current eruption location. Occasionally visitors may also be lucky enough to catch a surface pahoehoe lava flow near the end of the road; but all of these things can change in an instant. Most of the lava/magma is flowing underground to the ocean. Those who have an appreciation for geography or geology will love the park though. Despite Kilauea being the most active volcano on the planet, the volcanoes of Hawaii are nothing like their cousins on the west coast (Mt. St. Helens or Mt. Rainier). They are not explosive and pose little threat to visitors on the island; and lava flow move at a turtle like speed that you could out walk if necessary, no running required. To fully appreciate and explore the park you'll want to give yourself at least one full day, preferably two if possible. There are many great hikes within the park and several stops which offer informative displays about the history of the region. Also be wary of VOG (a volcanic smog) when visiting the park.
Kauai - The Garden Isle
Kauai is the third most visited island, at 1.3 million visitors annually. The island is easily identified by its amazing scenery and relaxed persona. The island, arguably we'll admit, also boasts more coastline filled with beaches than any other island in the chain. Kauai is full of sparsely visited and secluded beaches all around the island; you're sure to find one that's just right for you.
The north shore of Kauai features some dramatic and beautiful mountain scenery along with a variety of hidden beaches. The area also has an incredible selection of shopping and dining available for visitors. While the winter months will mean more rain for the northern part of the island, it's still one of the most popular places on the island. Hanalei Bay is a popular location for water activities and has perhaps what are the best beaches in all of Hawaii along her crescent shores.
Kauai's south shore is popular due to it's abundance of sunny weather, even during the wet winter months. Poipu and Lawai offer a wide array of accommodations, fine dining, and shopping. On the east coast (also known as the Coconut Coast) Kapaa offers a nice selection of affordable rentals and more shopping than most other areas. While Kauai has the small town feel to it, many larger store brands can still be found on the island - Costco, K-Mart, and Wal-mart all are present here.
Kauai's west coast is more barren and dry than the rest of the island, and accommodations are fewer and far between here. However one of the main attractions on the island is present here, the Waimea Canyon. Mark Twain dubbed it, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." At ten miles long, it's an amazing sight to be seen on an island the size of Kauai. The true splendor of the region, and the neighboring Kokee State Park, can only truly be appreciated by taking one of the many trails that crisscross the parks.
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