6 Best islands to visit in Hawaii for the first time [family and couples guide]

Hawaii, the tropical paradise of the United States, gets about 9 to 10 million visitors each year to its beautiful archipelago. The Hawaiian chain has 137 islands, islets, and shoals that stretch 1,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains that Hawaii is made up of eight main islands. However, only six of the eight main islands are open to tourists: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island (also known as the Big Island), Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai.

It’s interesting to know that Hawaii is one of the most diverse vacation spots in the world because each island has its own unique personality. Some islands have bustling beaches and world-class hotels, which can be crowded, while others feature volcanic landscapes and serene rainforests, creating an untouched island experience.

With all that, choosing the right Hawaiian island for your first visit can seem like a hard decision, but if you know about each island’s character, you can select the best destination.

About Hawaii

In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state in the U.S. and is still one of the most popular places to go on vacation. The Hawaii Tourism Authority reports say that the islands welcomed approximately 9.6 million visitors in 2023.

Every year, tourism generates billions of dollars for the economy. Because the state is so far away from the rest of the U.S. (about 2,400 miles), it has ecosystems that can't be found anywhere else on Earth.

The Hawaiian Islands formed from a volcanic hotspot. The Big Island is the youngest and most volcanically active island, while Kauai is one of the oldest main islands, estimated to be approximately 5 million years old.

The weather in Hawaii is always lovely, with average temperatures on the coast ranging from 78°F in the winter to 85°F in the summer.

The islands get different amounts of rain. For example, Kauai's Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest places on Earth, getting more than 400 inches of rain a year.

Some leeward areas, on the other hand, get less than 10 inches a year. Because of this variety in microclimates, visitors can see everything from tropical rainforests to deserts in just one day of exploring the island.

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Most Famous Hawaiian Islands

As we said earlier, six of Hawaii's eight main islands are open to tourists, and each one has its own unique experiences that appeal to different types of travelers. Kahoolawe is still empty, and Niihau is privately owned and not open to the public.

The other islands, on the other hand, offer a range of experiences, from city life to wilderness adventures.

For a quick overview, you can see the details in the following table:

What is the nicest island to go to in Hawaii?

When considering the best overall Hawaiian islands for visitors, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island always come out on top. These three offer the best all-around vacation experiences because they have beautiful scenery, cultural attractions, dining options, and accommodations that fit a range of budgets and interests.

Oahu: The Perfect Starting Point

Best For: All budgets, culture seekers, history buffs, nightlife lovers

Average Daily Budget: $150-$400+ per person

Home to Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, Oahu is a mix of city life and natural beauty. Visit Pearl Harbor in the morning, surf the waves on the North Shore in the afternoon, and have a nice dinner in the evening. The island is small enough (you can drive around it in four hours) and has public transportation, making it a budget-friendly destination.

Budget Breakdown:

• Budget ($150-$200/day): Hostels/budget hotels ($80-$120), food trucks ($10-$15/meal), free beaches and hikes, public bus ($7.50 all-day pass)
• Mid-Range ($200-$300/day): Mid-tier hotels ($150-$250), casual dining ($20-$40/meal), rental car ($50/day), snorkeling/cultural tours ($60-$120)
• Luxury ($400+/day): Beachfront resorts ($400-$800+), fine dining ($75-$150/meal), private tours, spa treatments

Unique Features: Only island with public transit, the most dining variety, the best nightlife, and cultural sites (Iolani Palace, Polynesian Cultural Center $70-$130)

You can search for the Best five-star Hotels in Honolulu in PlaninGo to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with no stress for finding the best accommodation.

Maui: The Romantic Escape

Best For: Couples, honeymooners, mid-to-luxury travelers, road trippers

Average Daily Budget: $250-$500+ per person

The perfect mix of beautiful nature and high-end resorts. The 64-mile Road to Hana features waterfalls and black-sand beaches. The 10,000-foot summit of Haleakala has a view of the sunrise above the clouds. Thousands of humpback whales come to Maui's waters in the winter.

Budget Breakdown:

• Budget ($200-$250/day): Condos in Kihei ($120-$180), grocery meals, free beaches, self-drive Road to Hana (gas only). However, Maui is a luxury island destination, and traveling on a budget in that way, in our mind, can be a little tricky.
• Mid-Range ($250-$400/day): Hotels ($200-$350), restaurants ($25-$50/meal), rental car required ($60-$80/day), Molokini snorkel cruise ($120-$180)
• Luxury ($500+/day): Wailea resorts ($500-$1,200+), chef restaurants ($100-$200/meal), helicopter tours ($300+), couples' spa ($400+)

Unique Features: Best whale watching (Dec-Apr), top-rated beaches, Upcountry farms and wineries, most romantic atmosphere

Big Island: The Adventure Playground

Best For: Nature enthusiasts, scientists, adventurers, spacious vacation seekers

Average Daily Budget: $180-$450+ per person

The Big Island is bigger than all the other islands put together, at 4,028 square miles. There are 14 climate zones on Earth, and this place has 10 of them. You can see Mauna Kea with snow on top, the active Kilauea volcano, rainforests, and the beaches of Kona all in one day.

Budget Breakdown:

• Budget ($180-$220/day): Budget hotels/vacation rentals ($100-$150), local restaurants ($15-$25/meal), free volcano viewing, beach snorkeling
• Mid-Range ($250-$350/day): Mid-range resorts ($180-$300), casual dining ($30-$50/meal), rental car essential ($60-$80/day), manta ray snorkel ($150), coffee tours ($30-$50)
• Luxury ($450+/day): Kohala Coast resorts ($450-$1,000+), fine dining ($80-$150/meal), private volcano tours ($300+), Mauna Kea stargazing ($250+)

Unique Features: Active volcanoes (Volcanoes National Park, $30), manta ray night dives, Kona coffee farms, world-class stargazing, and the most diverse geography. Note: Extensive driving required (2-3 hours between coasts)

For those who love nature, we offer tips for booking eco-friendly hotels to respect the beauty that belongs to every generation.

Best Islands for First-Time Visitors

People who are going to Hawaii for the first time often feel overwhelmed by all the options. Still, it's easier to choose when you focus on islands with good tourism infrastructure, a wide range of activities, and classic Hawaiian experiences. Oahu and Maui are consistently the best places for first-timers to visit, as they offer the best of Hawaii with enough variety to please everyone.

As we discussed Oahu and Maui in the previous section, we will focus on Kauai and then compare these three islands in a single table for those who are visiting them for the first time.

Kauai: Nature's Masterpiece for the Adventurous

Best For: Nature lovers, hikers, photographers, couples seeking tranquility

Average Daily Budget: $200-$400+ per person

Kauai places more value on natural beauty than nightlife so you can expect dramatic landscapes, fewer dining options, and higher activity costs. The Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon are great places to take pictures, and the island's slow pace (no buildings taller than palm trees) helps people relax.

Budget Breakdown:

Budget ($180-$220/day): Limited options—vacation rentals or budget hotels in Kapaa ($100-$150), grocery store meals, free beaches and hiking, self-drive tours

Mid-Range ($250-$350/day): Hotels in Poipu or Princeville ($180-$300), casual dining ($25-$45/meal), rental car essential ($60-$80/day), boat tours ($150-$180)

Luxury ($450+/day): High-end resorts in Princeville ($450-$900+), fine dining limited ($80-$150/meal), helicopter tours ($300-$400), premium excursions

Helicopter tours ($300–$400) take you to waterfalls that you can't get to any other way, and Na Pali Coast boat tours ($150–$180) show you sea caves. There are free natural activities at Poipu Beach and Hanalei Bay. Kauai requires more planning because restaurants are only in certain towns, but it's worth it because there are fewer people and more real experiences.

Best Islands for Families

When planning family vacations in Hawaii, you need to be careful about which island you choose so that everyone can do something fun, swim safely, and find affordable places to stay. Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island all offer great activities for families to enjoy, but each has its own unique strengths.

So we compare their features in the following table:

Best Islands for Couples

For a romantic Hawaiian getaway, you need the right mix of beautiful scenery, private dining, a high level of privacy, high-end lodging, and activities that will make you remember the trip for a long time. Maui is the couple's favorite island, but Kauai and certain resorts on the Big Island are also great romantic options for different types of couples.

Below, we talked about their difference and highlighted features:

Ultimately, if you bundle your flight and accommodation, you can save significantly on your budget and plan your island trip with a clear mind. Book your flight and hotel with a simple search and a few clicks on PlaninGo to have a stress-free travel experience.

Conclusion

The best Hawaiian island to visit first depends on what you want to do, how you like to travel, and who you're going with. Oahu is the best place to start for people who want to see all of Hawaii's famous beaches, historical sites, and activities, as well as its best infrastructure.

It's great for families and first-timers who want to keep things simple and have a lot of options. Maui is the best place for couples and travelers who wish to both adventure and romance because it has both natural beauty and luxury amenities.

People who are interested in geological wonders and don't mind driving long distances between attractions will enjoy the Big Island. Its stunning scenery and scientific attractions make for one-of-a-kind experiences that can't be found anywhere else.

Kauai has the most beautiful natural scenery for people who want to spend time outside and have privacy instead of going out at night and shopping. For most first-time visitors, starting with Oahu or Maui gives them the best Hawaiian experience. These islands are comfortable and familiar enough to make them feel confident, and they can always go to other islands later.

A lot of people love Hawaii so much that they go back over and over again until they have seen all the islands and found their favorite. Hawaii is so beautiful because it has so many different islands. No one island is perfect for everyone; it all depends on what you want from your vacation.