Best Island To Travel To In Hawaii 2026
A practical roundup review of the best options for best island to travel to in hawaii, with quick picks, comparison notes, mini reviews, buying advice, and FAQ.
Best Island To Travel To In Hawaii 2026
Roundup review
We compared all six main Hawaiian islands open to visitors, weighing practical factors like flight times from the UK, accommodation costs, weather consistency, crowd levels, and the range of experiences each island offers. Our research draws on official tourism data, recent visitor feedback patterns, and editorial analysis of what makes each island work for different types of travellers. For most first-time and returning British visitors, Maui remains the best island to travel to in Hawaii for its balance of scenery, infrastructure, and variety.
Quick Comparison
Maui
- Best balance of scenery and amenities
- Reliable weather across the island
- Strong choice for honeymooners and families
Oahu
- Easiest international access
- Mix of city and beach life
- Most dining and hotel options
Kauai
- Dramatic cliffs and lush valleys
- Quieter, slower pace
- Best hiking trails
Big Island
- Active volcanoes and lava fields
- Diverse climates in one trip
- Great for road trips
Lanai
- Secluded and upscale
- Two high-end resorts
- Uncrowded beaches
The Best best island to travel to in hawaii
- Maui - Best overall for most travellers
- Oahu - Best for first-timers and city lovers
- Kauai - Best for nature and hiking
- Big Island - Best for adventure and volcanoes
- Lanai - Best for luxury and seclusion
Maui
Maui is the most complete Hawaiian island package. It has the dramatic scenery of the Road to Hana, the volcanic summit of Haleakala, world-class beaches in Wailea and Kaanapali, and enough infrastructure to keep everything running smoothly. You get the natural highlights that people travel to Hawaii for, without the crowds of Oahu or the rough edges of the Big Island. It is the safest recommendation for first-timers and returning visitors alike.
Pros
- Consistent weather patterns across the island
- Excellent range of accommodation from budget to luxury
- Road to Hana and Haleakala are bucket-list worthy
Cons
- More expensive than Oahu for comparable hotels
- Can feel crowded in peak seasons around Lahaina
Oahu
Oahu is the easiest Hawaiian island to reach, with the most frequent direct flights from the UK and the widest choice of hotels, restaurants, and activities. Honolulu and Waikiki offer a genuine city break with a beach attached, while the North Shore delivers the surf culture that most people picture when they think of Hawaii. If your priority is convenience and you are happy to trade some natural solitude for urban energy, Oahu is the smart pick.
Pros
- Most flight options and shortest total travel time from the UK
- Best value for money on hotels and food
- Combines city attractions with beach time
Cons
- Waikiki can feel packed and touristy
- Less dramatic natural scenery than Maui or Kauai
Kauai
Kauai is the oldest and wildest of the main islands, with the Na Pali Coast cliffs, Waimea Canyon, and the lush greenery of the island's interior. There is no city to speak of, no nightlife to plan around, and no mega-resorts dominating the shoreline. What you get instead is the best hiking in Hawaii, quiet beaches, and a genuine sense of having left the modern world behind. If your idea of a holiday is long walks and dramatic viewpoints, this is your island.
Pros
- Most spectacular natural landscapes in Hawaii
- Quiet and uncrowded outside of a few hotspots
- Excellent hiking for all ability levels
Cons
- Limited dining and entertainment options
- Wetter weather, especially on the north shore
Big Island
The Big Island is Hawaii in its rawest form. It is home to active volcanoes, black sand beaches, snow-capped summits, and green rainforests, often all in a single day's drive. You come here for the geological drama of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the chance to see the island actively growing. It is less polished than Maui, with fewer luxury resorts, but the sense of discovery is unmatched.
Pros
- Only place to see active lava flows
- Incredible climate and landscape diversity
- Great for self-drive itineraries
Cons
- Island is large, so driving times are long
- Fewer high-end hotel options than Maui or Oahu
Lanai
Lanai is the quietest and most exclusive option, with just two luxury resorts and a fraction of the visitor numbers you find elsewhere. The island was once a pineapple plantation, and it now feels like a private retreat, with uncrowded beaches, a rugged interior, and an emphasis on slow, high-end experiences. If your budget allows and your priority is total relaxation away from crowds, Lanai delivers a level of seclusion the other islands cannot match.
Pros
- Extremely quiet and exclusive
- Two world-class luxury resorts
- Short ferry ride from Maui for day trips
Cons
- Very expensive compared to all other islands
- Limited dining choices and activities outside the resorts
Buying Guide: How to Choose best island to travel to in hawaii
Choosing the right Hawaiian island comes down to four main factors: your travel style, your budget, how long you have, and what you want from the trip. Here is a practical breakdown of what to consider before you book.
Flight time and getting there
From the UK, all Hawaiian islands require a long-haul flight to Honolulu (Oahu) or Kahului (Maui). Oahu has the best flight connections, with direct options from London and more frequent onward connections from the US mainland. If you are flying to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island, you will usually connect through Honolulu or another US hub. Factor in an extra few hours of travel time and a domestic flight or ferry transfer when choosing islands beyond Oahu.
Weather and when to go
Hawaii has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, but each island has its own microclimates. The windward (northeast) sides are wetter and greener, while the leeward (southwest) sides are drier and sunnier. Maui and the Big Island have the most consistent weather across their coasts. Kauai is the wettest island, especially on the north shore. If you want dependable sunshine, choose an island and location with a dry side, and avoid the winter months from November to March when rain is more frequent across the state.
Budget considerations
Oahu and the Big Island generally offer the best value for accommodation and food. Maui sits in the middle, with a wide range of options but higher prices for comparable quality. Kauai has fewer budget choices, and Lanai is the most expensive by a significant margin. Remember that inter-island flights are an extra cost, typically between £80 and £150 each way, so island-hopping adds to your total spend.
Length of stay
For a first visit, a week to ten days is the right amount of time if you are staying on a single island. Two weeks allows for two islands without feeling rushed. Trying to see three or more islands in a single trip often leads to too much time in airports and transfers. If you have limited time, stick to Maui or Oahu. If you have a month, you can comfortably visit three islands with a relaxed pace.
What you want from your holiday
Match the island to your interests. Maui is the all-rounder, with beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, and good restaurants. Oahu is best for first-timers and anyone who wants city energy alongside the beach. Kauai is for hikers and nature lovers who want quiet. The Big Island is for adventure travellers who want volcanic landscapes and road trips. Lanai is for honeymooners and anyone seeking total seclusion and luxury.
Crowd levels and timing
Whenever you visit, popular spots will have some crowds. Waikiki on Oahu is the busiest area in Hawaii, while the Road to Hana on Maui and the Na Pali Coast on Kauai require advance planning and an early start. If you want to avoid peak crowds, travel in the shoulder months of April to June or September to mid-December. These periods offer better availability and lower prices than the summer and Christmas holidays.
Final Verdict: Best best island to travel to in hawaii
Maui is the best island to travel to in Hawaii for most people. It offers the most complete package: spectacular scenery, dependable weather, a wide range of accommodation, and enough dining and activities to keep every traveller engaged. If you are a first-timer who values convenience and value, Oahu is the smarter choice. If you are a nature lover who wants quiet, Kauai is your match. For adventure and volcanic drama, the Big Island stands alone. And if money is no object and seclusion is everything, Lanai is the answer.
Best Island To Travel To In Hawaii 2026 FAQ
Which Hawaiian island is best for first-time visitors?
Oahu is the best island for first-time visitors because it has the easiest flight connections, the widest selection of hotels and restaurants, and a balance of city life and beach time. Maui is the best alternative if you prefer a more laid-back, scenic experience and are willing to manage a slightly longer transfer.
Which Hawaiian island has the best weather?
Maui and the Big Island have the most consistent weather across their coastlines. Both have dry, sunny leeward sides that receive far less rain than the windward parts of Kauai or the north shore of Oahu. For year-round predictable sunshine, focus your stay on the southwest-facing coastlines of Maui or the Big Island.
What is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit?
Oahu is generally the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit when you factor in flights, hotels, and food. The Big Island also offers good value, especially for longer stays. Maui and Kauai are more expensive, and Lanai is the most expensive option by a wide margin.
Can I visit multiple Hawaiian islands in one trip?
Yes, but we recommend limiting yourself to two islands for a standard two-week trip. Inter-island flights take about 30 to 50 minutes and cost between £80 and £150 each way. Adding a third island means spending valuable time in airports and dealing with packing and unpacking more often.
Which Hawaiian island is best for families with children?
Maui is the best island for families because it offers calm, swimmable beaches in Kihei and Wailea, kid-friendly activities like the Maui Ocean Center and the Road to Hana stops, and a safe, laid-back atmosphere. Oahu is a strong second choice, particularly if you want to combine the beach with attractions like Pearl Harbor and the Honolulu Zoo.
