Which island is best to visit first time in Hawaii?

Hawaii is a beautiful state with six main islands to explore. Each island has beautiful beaches and natural beauty, but if you're a first-time visitor, O?ahu is the best island to visit. The Hawaiian island that is home to the state capital (Honolulu) has something for everyone.



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Each Hawaiian island has a distinct character and different reasons to visit. For instance, Big Island is home to Volcanoes National Park, so if you want to hike an active volcano, choose this island. Others are better known for luxury beach resorts (Maui has particularly luxurious resorts).

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First Time to Hawaii Planning Timeline
  1. Decide when you'll go. ...
  2. Decide how long to go for. ...
  3. Choose your island(s) ...
  4. Book your flights. ...
  5. Pick a place to stay. ...
  6. Figure out whether you want to rent a car. ...
  7. Choose some of your can't-miss activities. ...
  8. Make some fun dinner reservations.


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But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.

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Stunning coastlines, towering mountains, and lush jungles abound on both islands. However, the main difference between the two islands comes down to the variety in the landscapes, which Maui wins by a narrow margin. Maui: All in all, the scenery on Maui is more accessible than what's found on Kauai.

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Kauai is also famous for its stunning natural attractions, from the majestic Waimea Canyon to the awe-inspiring Napali Coast. And let's not forget about the island's rich culture and history, delicious food, and the warm Aloha spirit of its people.

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With two days of travel, it is great to have 8 or more full days to explore the island you're staying on. If you are looking to hike, snorkel, or camp, we recommend taking even 14 days for your vacation.

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The best times to visit Maui are April through May and September through November. The spring and fall shoulder seasons provide the pleasant weather Hawaii vacationers seek without the high rates and heavy crowds that accompany the summer and winter.

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In general, we recommend shopping for domestic flights 21 days to about 4 months out from your travel dates. However, Hawaii's popularity in the summer months (despite being an evergreen destination) coupled with the projected popularity this year makes shopping a little early a pretty solid plan.

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The Kona side is the best area to stay on Big Island as it will have the driest, sunniest weather and by far the best beaches. In fact, nearly the entire eastern coastline has no sandy beaches at all! Rather than sand, you will find only an extended lava rock shelf that drops right into the ocean.

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If it's your first time in Hawaii, your ideal island will depend on your travel style and to-do list. For most travelers visiting Hawaii for the first time, the Big Island of Hawaii should be the winner because it offers the most diverse experiences.

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Due to the abundance of hotels, activities, tours, and attractions, Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. Between the competitive prices and myriad of things to do, those looking for a budget vacation to Hawaii will find that Oahu is exactly what they've been searching for.

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Big Island offers the widest variety of experiences for authentic Hawaiian experiences. Maui is perfect for you if you're looking for an island with a more miniature landscape but plenty of outdoor activities.

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Second only to the south shore, west Maui has many of the best beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and just about anything else you could want. And the crown jewel among them has to be the three-mile stretch of white shore and shimmering blue water at Ka'anapali Beach.

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Oahu is Hawaii's most popular island, famous for great hikes like Diamond Head and stunning white sands like Waikiki Beach. On the other hand, Kauai is Hawaii's most tropical island and is a paradise for those after rugged coastlines and vibrant rainforests.

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Restaurants, shops, beaches, activities and several major attractions (including the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and the U.S. Army Museum) are within walking distance of most hotels in Waikiki, so if you're not going anywhere else, you won't need a car.

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The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.

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Though I generally recommend that first-time visitors stick to one island, since there's more than enough to see and do, island hopping is not difficult to do. The flights -- yes, you'll be going by air to most of them -- are short, so you won't miss much of the day.

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Kauai is the winner It has a variety of views and terrain to see. Rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and mountains and valleys. There is so much to see and do.

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This tropical paradise is a dream come true for anyone who loves sun, sand, and endless fun. Kauai is the oldest and fourth largest of the main Hawaiian Islands, and it's brimming with natural beauty, from its lush rainforests and dramatic cliffs to its pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs.

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Yes, Kauai hardly has any violent crimes, but with any tourist destination, there are a lot of car and sometimes hotel break-ins.

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