Hawaii is the worlds most isolated land mass. By that, I mean it is surrounded my more water and is further from a mainland continent of any grouping of islands on the planet. While it’s not difficult to reach, with ample airplane routes heading to these islands, prepare yourself for long journey unless you’re leaving from the US West Coast.
Besides being far away from any mainland continent, the Hawaiian archipelago which consists of 8 main islands, boasts some of the most fantastic and stunning natural beauty that the world has to offer. Hawaii is by far and away the most beautiful and unique place I’ve ever visited. Furthermore, each island is incredibly unique, showing off a completely different style of natural beauty than the other islands and featuring entirely unique things to do and see. If you are going to take the long flight out to the Hawaiian Islands, make sure you go to a couple different islands. You won’t regret it!
The best general advice I can give anyone going to Hawaii, do not go to just one island! Visit a couple. Pick at least 3 different islands. And, when you do pick your different islands, make sure to book your inter-island flights directly with Hawaiian Airlines. Airlines like Delta or American might have one or two flights per day from one island to another, but Hawaiian will have a flight every hour on the hour. They also are super cool with you just moving to another flight at a moments notice as long as there are open seats. This gives you infinitely more flexibility. I’ve overslept due to a hang over, called Hawaiian Airlines and they’ve moved me to a later flight that morning with no extra fees. Even if you’re not planning on being hung over, this is incredibly useful if the weather gets bad on one island. I’ve moved flights up or back on the day of the flight simply because it got rainy on the island I was on at the time, but was bright and sunny on the other island I was traveling to or vice versa.
Below you will find a quick blurb about each of the islands followed by photos of the main islands for which we have extensive recommendations. Please click on these individual photos to find out all there is to do and see on these wonderful islands. I used to live in Hawaii and have pretty detailed recommendations for all the islands I visited while living there.
Hawai’i (The Big Island) – The first island in the Hawaiian archipelago going East to West, “The Big Island” as the name suggests, is by far the biggest island in the chain. “The Big Island” has very little in the way of people, towns, infrastructure, etc as it is the only island in Hawaii that has an active volcano. The way the Hawaiian islands form is by sitting over the one and only hot spot (active volcano that bubbles up from the ocean floor under “The Big Island.” As the crust of the earth moves the islands that this active volcano builds out by lava formations move off the hotspot to the west and a new island begins to form. All other islands in the chain used to sit over the very hotspot that is currently growing “The Big Island” each and every day in present times.
If you want to see lava on your trip to Hawaii you’ll have to come to the Big Island. “The Big Island” is not the prettiest island, as it has vast areas of moonlike waste lands pocked with sulfur spewing craters in Volcano National Park, but it is by far the coolest. Between the active volcano, the active lava flows, the stunning barren, otherworldly topography of Volcano National Park, black and green sand beaches, humongous waterfalls and the Moana Kea Observatory which boasts the most incredible star gazing on earth there are more than enough reasons to visit this island during your trip.
Maui – The next island in Hawaiian chain needs no introduction. Maui is well known for its beautiful beaches, incredible snorkeling and scuba diving and surfing. It also features what most consider the most beautiful road in the world. “The Road to Hana” features 219 hairpin turns overlooking shear cliffs amidst crystal clear blue waters and white sand beaches on one side and stunning jungles and waterfalls on the other. Finally, Maui’s must see attraction is Mount Haleakala. This former volcano at the center of the island is the most mind blowing vantage point to watch a sunset or sunrise in the world. At just over 10,000 feet, you will watch the sun set from above the clouds. You’re not technically in heaven, but trust me when I say you can see it from here.
Molokai – Molokai is a small island off the coast of Maui. If you’re looking for secluded beaches, a lack of tourists and rustic natural beauty, then this one road tiny island is worth a stop on your trip to Hawaii.
Oahu – This is Hawaii’s main island, where most of its citizens reside. It’s densely populated, touristy and can often be crowded with tourists. It’s also fantastically beautiful and boasts more things to do and experience than all the islands put together. With famous beaches like Waikiki and Lanikai, the beach bums paradise of the North Shore, the world renowned surfing capital of the world in Pipeline Beach, the iconic Koaloa Ranch which provided filming locations for movies/TV Shows like Jurassic Park, Lost, King Kong and many others as well as places of significant American History like Pearl Harbor, don’t let the tourists scare you off, Oahu is a must visit.
Kauai – West of Oahu lies Hawaii’s most beautiful island. Kauai is from another planet when it comes to natural beauty. The Napali Coast is quite possibly the most beautiful spot in the world. There is ample hiking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating and other activities to do in Kauai. Waimea Canyon which Mark Twain named “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” is simply something one must see in person to fully believe/appreciate. Don’t go to Hawaii without seeing Kauai.
Lanai – Only Molokai sees fewer tourists than Lanai. An island that formerly was used almost exclusively as pineapple plantation for the company Dole boasts relaxed, secluded beaches and two Four Season Resorts and not much elsae. If you want to sit on the beach by yourself this is the spot for you.
