Discover the Top Island for You to Visit in Hawai‘i

Quick overviews of Maui, Oʻahu, the Big Island, Kauaʻi, Lāna‘i and Molokaʻi

The beautiful and unique landscape of coastal Oahu, Hawaii

An aerial view of O‘ahu showcases the island’s unique landscape.

Art Wager/Getty images

Dana Rebmann,

AARP

Published March 30, 2022

/ Updated November 19, 2024

From stunning beaches and volcanoes to waterfalls and wildlife, each of Hawai‘i’s six major islands has its own beauty and charm. The spirit of Aloha attracts travelers of all ages, but especially those over 60. According to the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau, nearly 20 percent of visitors from the United States in 2023 were 60-plus.

There isn’t a bad time of year to visit Hawai‘i. In winter, shorts, T-shirts or Aloha shirts, and flip-flops are the norm, so pack your summer clothes. Avoiding holidays and school vacations will help keep costs down, but savvy planning goes a long way when sticking to a budget.

“Booking a package with hotel, flight and/or transfers can be an effective cost saving technique,” says Christina Turrini, leisure travel consultant and Hawai‘i and French Polynesia specialist. “Stay longer promotions are excellent for folks not tied to a traditional work schedule.”

While postcard-worthy beaches may be what initially draws sunshine seekers to “The Aloha State,” taking the time to understand its culture, and learn about Hawai‘i’s past and present, helps visitors become more respectful and responsible travelers.

“I challenge visitors to get to the heart and soul of a particular place,” says Naomi “Sissy” Lake-Farm, executive director of the Maui Historical Society. “Historical and cultural facts are what makes this place special and unique.”

Not sure what island to visit? Whether you land on Maui, Oʻahu, Kaua‘i, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, or Hawai‘i island, it’s tough to go wrong, but we’ve put together a guide to help you find the perfect island for your next vacation.

Maui: The best island for whale watching and a legendary drive

It’s been more than a year since wildfires devastated the historic Lahaina neighborhood, and Maui has felt the economic repercussions of the resulting drop in tourism. Maui is welcoming respectful visitors; tourism dollars can support local businesses and long-term recovery.

Top things to do on Maui

Snorkeling and whale watching. Teralani Sailing Adventures operates relaxing snorkeling cruises with barbecue lunches and an open bar, boarding at West Maui’s Kāʻanapali Beach. During winter months, when roughly 10,000 humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawai‘i, Teralani and numerous other providers run dedicated whale watching tours. The Ambassadors of the Environment educational program (developed by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau) at the Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua offers fun and informative snorkeling tours in Kapalua Bay. For a more adventurous day on the water, Redline Rafting Co. runs snorkeling tours to the islet of Molokini on small, fast Zodiac boats. Departing at 7 a.m. from Kihei in South Maui, the excursion includes the often-skipped backside of Molokini Crater. (On one early morning snorkeling adventure, I saw two Hawaiian monk seals, among the most endangered seal species in the world.)

Water pool on Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Visitors are encouraged to take guided tours as opposed to driving the Road to Hāna.

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Road to Hāna. Visitors are encouraged to book guided tours as opposed to driving the challenging Road to Hāna on their own. Reservations are required for out-of-state visitors to go to Waiʻānapana State Park and its stunning black sand beach.

Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate offers tours of its working cacao farm and its chocolate factory.

Maui Ku'ia Estate

Cacao farm or chocolate factory visit. Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate offers tours of its working cacao farm located on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and its factory in Lahaina. One hundred percent of the company’s net profits are donated to Maui charities and nonprofit community organizations.

Spa day. With a whopping 40 treatment rooms, the new Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, is inspired by Hawai‘i’s ancient stargazers (kilolani); phases of the Hawaiian moon calendar are integrated into treatments and programming.

Golfers’ paradise. Kāʻanapali Beach Resort is home to two golf courses, Royal Kā‘anapali Course and Kā‘anapali Kai Golf Course. Both feature ocean views.

Accommodations and dining on Maui

The major resort areas on Maui are Kāʻanapali Beach Resort Association in West Maui and Wailea Resort Association in South Maui.

Kāʻanapali Beach Resort is located just a few miles from Lahaina, but it was not damaged by the wildfire. Perhaps best known for its oceanfront aquatic playground with a half-dozen pools, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali recently completed a multi-year, $160 million renovation that includes a social center with arcade games, duckpin bowling, Topgolf Swing Suites, and more.

The Sandbar at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is an ideal location to watch the cliff dive ceremony at Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) at sunset while enjoying pupus (appetizers) and cocktails. Pu’u Keka’a is also popular with Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu).

Some Lahaina-based businesses have reopened; Māla Ocean Tavern was the first restaurant to open on Front Street after the fire. Star Noodle is another standout dining option that is once-again welcoming diners. (Much of Lahaina remains off-limits to visitors. Heed all signage.)

The Wailea Resort Association is a 25-mile drive from Lahaina. Along with a handful of beaches, hotel options range from luxury accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui to the less pricey AC Hotel by Marriott Maui Wailea and Residence Inn Maui Wailea.

The Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua offers fun and informative snorkeling tours in Kapalua Bay.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

Those seeking a less bustling experience might consider heading to Kapalua. The Ritz-Carlton Maui features rooms with hammocks and firepits. The property also hosts the annual Celebration of the Arts. A tradition for 30-plus years, the festival celebrates Hawaiian culture.

Oʻahu: The top island for big city living and Pearl Harbor

Oʻahu offers Hawai‘i’s take on big city living. Bustling Waikīkī is home to high-rise hotels, restaurants, shopping and one of the world’s most famous beaches. Day trips deliver entertaining doses of culture and history.

You need to reserve tickets at the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Reed Kaestner/Getty Images

Things to do on Oʻahu

Pearl Harbor. You’ll want to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial (reserve free tickets before you arrive). History buffs should consider spending time at other Pearl Harbor historical sites, including the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Polynesian Cultural Center. Weave a fish of coconut leaves, taste poi or take a canoe ride at this cultural theme park, which offers a luau and evening show with skilled fire knife dancers.

North Shore. After watching the surfers on the North Shore make the sport look easy, snorkel in the clear water of Shark’s Cove (don’t let the name scare you; sharks aren’t common here). When you’ve had enough of the beach, stop and smell the plumerias at Little Plumeria Farms. Tours (book online) are offered April through October. Green World Coffee Farm offers free year-round tours on a first-come, first-serve basis, and Mānoa Chocolate recently debuted farm tours of its Kamananui Cacao Orchards, in Waialua.

The Halekulani pool overlooks the beach and is a great place to watch the sunset

The Cattleya orchid mosaic at the bottom of the Halekulani pool features 1.2 million pieces of glass tile.

Images courtesy of Halekulani

Accommodations and dining on Oʻahu

A majority of Oʻahu’s hotels are in Waikīkī. The Halekulani hotel pool offers a one-of-a-kind view for days of leisure — the Cattleya orchid mosaic at the bottom of the pool features 1.2 million pieces of glass tile. Ernest Hemingway honeymooned at Halekulani in 1940; his favorite table, at the hotel’s House Without A Key restaurant, is known as Table 97 and available by advance reservation only.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī Beach boasts kitchenettes as well as dining options such as Sushi Sho.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach

All accommodations at Ka La‘i Waikīkī Beach and The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikīkī Beach boast kitchenettes or full kitchens. Both properties also offer rooms with primo views of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort fireworks show that takes place every Friday night.

Since 1952, Leonard’s Bakery has been churning out hot malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) and other sweets. Marugame Udon offers delicious noodles and tempura at reasonable prices. Lines are common; if you’d rather not wait, order at the take-out window and slurp at the beach.

Merriman’s Honolulu features a popular happy hour, (daily, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays) with fish tacos, a Kalua pig quesadilla, and Mai Tais topped with honey-lilikoi foam. Wine lovers should raise a glass from the restaurant’s boxed-wine program; by ditching glass bottles from select high-end wineries, Merriman’s Hawaii reduces its carbon footprint by more than 50 percent.

If you prefer to linger on Oʻahu’s quieter, laid back North Shore, there are a plethora of food trucks worth a visit in Haleiwa Town including Wicked HI Pizza, Surf N Salsa (The Tsunami Fries is plenty for two.), and Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck. For dessert, cool off with shave ice from Matsumoto’s. Recently renovated and rebranded, The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay, is the closest resort, about a 15-mile drive from Haleiwa.

Hawaiʻi: The top island to view volcanoes and waterfalls

Often referred to as the Big Island, Hawaiʻi is nearly twice as large as all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Among your many options for adventure are chasing waterfalls, seeing two of the most active volcanoes on the planet and swimming with manta rays.

Things to do on Hawaiʻi island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. On the east side of the island, the park includes two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Conditions change quickly, so check the website for updates. Save time to walk through the 500-year-old Nāhuku, or Thurston Lava Tube, not far from the Kīlauea Visitor Center. When driving the scenic Chain of Craters Road, stop to explore the Puʻuloa Petroglyphs.

Waterfall viewing. The east side of the island is also the wet side of the island, and lots of rain makes for stellar waterfall viewing. At ʻAkaka Falls State Park, you can glimpse two waterfalls during a spectacular hike that takes less than an hour. (The route is paved, but there are multiple steps.) Waiānuenue Falls, often called Rainbow Falls, is a five-minute drive from downtown Hilo in Wailuku River State Park.

Coffee farm visit. From the fields to your coffee cup. Greenwell Farms offers free guided tours daily that include samples of 100 percent Kona coffee. No reservations are necessary.

Seahorse farm tour. The only seahorse farm in the world, Ocean Rider breeds endangered seahorses for home aquariums to help prevent them from being taken from the wild. Naturalist-led tours end with the opportunity to submerge your hand in a tank and hold a seahorse. It’s nothing short of magical when they curl their tails around one of your fingers and hang out.

Totems at Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawai'i (The Big Island)

Statues stand watch at Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on Hawai‘i Island.

Dennis Frates/Alamy Stock Photo

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. A stunning seaside refuge for lawbreakers, defeated warriors and any person seeking sanctuary. Once within its boundaries, all were safe from harm. It’s a beautiful and easy walk around the sacred grounds.

Hawaii Island Humane Society. Check out an adoptable dog from the shelter and take it on a well-deserved island field trip. You’ll get a fun buddy to keep you company while you get your steps in and support the nonprofit’s efforts to help animals in need. It’s a win-win.

Snorkel with manta rays. Snorkel trips take place at night. Underwater lighting is used to attract the microscopic plankton that manta rays eat. Harmless to humans, manta rays don’t have stingers or barbs. Manta Ray Advocates lead small snorkeling tours with a maximum of six people; their tours enter the water from the beach instead of from a boat. Experiences are education-rich, designed to ensure the safety of both participants and the manta rays. I met two manta rays — Kamala and Vegemite — during my moonlight snorkel. I am a certified scuba diver, but snorkeling with Manta Ray Advocates was far more intimate and rewarding than other diving and snorkeling experiences I’ve had on Hawai‘i Island.

Accommodations and dining on Hawai‘i Island

On the Kohala Coast, about a half-hour drive from Kona International Airport, the Fairmont Orchid boasts a white sand beach and calm lagoon where I’ve met a Hawaiian green sea turtle (honu) on more than one occasion. You may also encounter honu along the beach at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. They are a federally protected species, so if you are lucky enough to see one, give it ample space; harassing or touching honu is against federal law.

In Kailua-Kona, Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is a go-to spot for poke made with fresh ahi. With two taprooms, one in Kona and one in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island-based Ola Brew incorporates ingredients from local farmers in its brews to encourage growth in Hawaiʻi’s agricultural economy.