Which island is better to visit in Hawaii?

If it's your first trip to Hawaii Chances are, the Big Island of Hawaii has everything you're looking for. But depending on what you want to do, one of the other islands accessible from the mainland — Maui, Oahu or Kauai — could be a better fit.



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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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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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Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.

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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 25 Most Beautiful Places in Hawaii to Visit
  • Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
  • Waimea Canyon State Park (Kauai)
  • Haleakala National Park (Maui)
  • Road to Hana (Maui)
  • Hanauma Bay (Oahu)
  • Lanikai Beach (Oahu)
  • Mauna Kea (Big Island)
  • Hanalei Bay (Kauai)


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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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Oahu: 4-6 Days. Mau'i: 5-7 Days. Kauai: 4-6 Days. Hawaii (Big Island): At least 5-7 Days, 7-10 is preferable.

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If you stay on one island your whole time, the different Hawaiian Islands are no different, even though there are six main islands in the chain. If you land on one island and stay there for 10 days, you will start to feel at home. There is no way you can get bored, as there is SO much to do.

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Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $3,015. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in over $2,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $5,142. The Grand Wailea in Maui, a luxury resort.

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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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There's a reason many repeat visitors to Hawaii joyfully say, Maui no ka oi - which translates to Maui is the best. Maui offers a little bit of everything in Hawaii, providing the best mix of nature and developed areas (towns), good snorkeling, great hiking trails, a volcano you can hike into, and so much more.

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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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If you want to go to Hawaii …
It can be very expensive. Hidden costs like resort fees and exorbitant parking prices can easily break the budget. But there are ways to save on the cost of a vacation to Hawaii. Traveling before or after the peak summer season can save considerably.

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That said, Honolulu, on Oahu, is significantly cheaper than Maui. How significant? In December 2022, the average nightly rate for a hotel in Oahu was $202. In Maui, the average rate for a hotel was $410.

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Interestingly, prices for flights to the two airports are relatively similar, with Maui being slightly more expensive; expect to pay from around $250 to $500 for a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles in economy class — though it can get pricier during high season.

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One of the main reasons to fall in love with Maui is undoubtedly its gorgeous beaches. Volumes have been written about Maui beaches and their diversity. From white to black and red sand, from snorkeling to windsurfing and swimming, Maui has over 30 miles of unbelievably beautiful beaches.

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