Top 6 Hawaiian Islands to Visit for Amazing Vacations—Ranked!

It’s no secret that Hawaii is one of the most amazing vacation destinations on the planet.

We don’t need to tell you that sandy beaches, gorgeous weather, trees, and idyllic landscapes make these islands a must-see for travellers. What we can do, however, is tell you which are the best islands in Hawaii so that you can make the most of your visit.

When you’ve only got so much time to explore, you need to be able to prioritize, so today we’re going to rank the Hawaiian islands from #1 to #6. Of course, all of them are incredible, but some are more affordable, some are better for exploring, and some have better beaches. You’ll be spoiled for choice, so it really depends what you’re looking for.

1. Maui

Maui is the 2nd largest of the Hawaiian islands and the reason that we’ve placed it at #1 is because it has a little something for everyone. If you’re looking for great night life, Maui has it; if you want to lay on the beach, there’s no shortage of sandy spots to relax; if you’re looking to hike and bike through some incredible nature, you’re covered.

There are literally endless entertainment options, so no trip to Hawaii is complete without a few days in Maui.

2. Big Island

The big island is considerable in size when compared to the rest of the islands and it’s incredibly diverse in natural landscape and wildlife. There’s not as much going on in the way of nightlife as say, Maui or Oahu, but it’s a naturalist’s dream landscape.

You’ll see lush jungle valleys, waterfalls, more sandy beaches, and you can even take a trip to the unforgettable Volcanoes National Park. You’ve never really seen a sunset until you’ve caught it from the top of a Volcano.

3. Oahu

Hawaii has a little over a million residents and you’ll find most of them on the island of Oahu. The capital city, Honolulu, is home to lots of shopping, nightlife, and great restaurants that any seasoned traveler would love. There’s plenty of activities, as well, like hiking, deep sea fishing, and surfing all over the island.

If you want to go to Hawaii, but you’re on a strict budget, you’ll probably want to stick to Oahu. It’s got the most options for accommodations and you can save by avoiding inter-island travel.

4. Kauai

If you’re in Hawaii to spend time in the remote wilderness, then you should take a trip to Kauai. Just 20% of the island is accessible by road, but the views of wildlife, jungles, and mountains are (almost literally) out of this world.

There are a few great spas and resorts on the island, so you won’t have trouble spending an entire trip on Kauai.

5. Molokai

Molokai gets the fewest number of visitors, which is because it doesnt’ have any resorts or major hotels to speak of. That’s not to say that it’s not an incredible place to visit and if you’re more into laid back lounging and meditative hikes, then it’s probably the perfect place to go. It’s beautiful and quiet, and no one will ever bug you.

6. Lanai

Last on our list, but by no means a bad vacation spot, is Lanai. This island is almost completely owned by billionaire Larry Ellison and it was predominantly used for pineapple farming in the past.

There isn’t a ton to do compared to the other islands, but there are 2 hotels, a spa, a golf course, and plenty to look at on a hike or from a beach.

Visiting All of The Best Islands In Hawaii

If you’ve got the time, it’s worth visiting all of Hawaii’s amazing islands. The best islands in Hawaii give you lots of options, but when you’re looking for something a bit quieter, the lesser-known islands provide just what you need. Fitting them all in can be expensive, so you’ll just have to keep coming back.

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