Hawaii is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in the United States. It is a state endowed with lots of beautiful islands, many of which are home to some of the most beautiful cities in the country. Travelers considering visiting this state have made a great decision, as every moment spent here is memorable. For those visiting for the first time, there are some things to know before visiting and these include the dos and don’t and the important traditions of Hawai. With the state counting up to 137 islands, first-timers also need to know the best destinations to visit for the best experiences. The fact is, every destination in Hawaii is great for all travelers, including first-timers. It all depends on what one seeks to have on one’s first visit to the state of Hawaii. The islands on this list are basically the best in the state, but they offer different experiences, so first-timers can choose based on the island with the most appealing qualities.
8 Kaho’olawe
Kaho’olawe is one of the 8 main islands of Hawaii. This island used to be inhabited in the past by Polynesians who engaged in farming, fishing, and ranching there. Due to some reasons, those inhabitants vanished (they either died or left), and the island became a barren land that was eventually used as a training ground for the US military. Today it is deserted and close to the public, although one can still visit, albeit for research purposes only. Learn more about how to visit the island on the Kaho’olawe website.
Visiting Kaho’olawe is an opportunity to see some more Hawaiian landscapes, learn some interesting history, and also help in the ongoing restoration work on the island.
7 Ni'ihau
Also known as the forbidden island, Ni’ihau is one of Hawaii’s major islands. It is the westernmost uninhabited island in the state, and although it can be visited, it is extremely difficult to visit. Ni’iihau, unlike Kaho’olawe, is inhabited by native Hawaii residents. It is owned by the Robinson family and one can only visit when one is invited by this family or any of the other full-time residents.
Ni’ihau has successfully kept itself isolated from the rest of the world, and this has helped it retain its culture and originality. Native Hawaii is the primary language of the island, and the technology on the island is minimal. There is also no tourist infrastructure on the island which also makes visiting so inconvenient.
Niihau's owners offer helicopter and beach tours to visitors who wish to see the island. Visitors can also book a Nihau hunting safari to join in hunting wild boar and hybrid feral sheep, which have become particularly abundant on the island.
6 Lanai
Lanai is the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii. The island is tourist friendly and comfortable as it has restaurants, shops, and accommodations. This island is a great place to get a taste of what other larger islands in the state of Hawaii have to offer.
In Lanai, one will find beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and art galleries. The island is a great place for snorkeling as its waters are filled with sea turtles.
5 Molokai
Molokai is also a lesser-known island in Hawaii, but it is significantly more popular than Lanai. This island has beautiful beaches, long hiking trails, and other unique natural attractions Hawaii is known for. What even makes the island particularly appealing is that it is less crowded.
Visitors to Molokai will be able to hike in the lush Halawa Valley which is believed to be the first settlement in Hawaii. For those who love quiet white sand beaches, Molokai has plenty of those and some are great for surfing and snorkeling.
Molokai is also a great place to experience the native Hawaiian culture, as the island is mostly filled with naive Hawaiian people. The lifestyle here is rural, and there are only a few hotels and restaurants. This makes visiting the island only appealing to those who seek to experience authentic Hawaiian culture and enjoy nature without the crowds.
4 Island Of Hawai’i
With an area of 4,028 square miles, the island of Hawai'i is the largest in not just Hawaii but the entire country. For this reason, it is also called the Big Island. This island is a great place to witness some of the unique natural endowments that Hawaii is known for.
The Big Island is home to the world-famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - a large park that’s home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Naturally beautiful places like Hamakuiua and Hilo - the rainiest place in the world are located here. The island also has plenty of gorgeous white-sand and black-sand beaches and beautiful waterfalls. Mauna Kea, the tallest volcano in the world, is also on the Big Island.
These natural endowments of the island of Hawaii basically make it a great place to connect with nature and explore more of the landscape of Hawaii.
3 Oahu
Oahu is an exciting destination for all travelers, including first-timers. It is the third-largest island in the state of Hawaii and the most populated as well. About 70% of the state’s population lives in this city which is why it has been nicknamed - the Gathering Place.
Oahu is a mixture of urban and natural vibes. It is home to Honolulu - the capital city of Hawaii, and in this city are numerous skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and restaurants. Oahu is a place where one can spend one day exploring a bustling city and another in a laid-back surf town, surfing or hiking through a forest.
2 Maui
Maui is one of the top island destinations in Hawaii as it is endowed with so many appealing qualities. This island is the second largest and also one of the most visited islands in the state of Hawaii. It has beautiful beaches, beautiful forest areas, volcanoes, and historical and natural attractions.
What makes Maui stand out from other islands in Hawaii is the amazing opportunities for snorkeling and surfing it offers. Maui arguably has the best surfing and snorkeling in Hawaii. Its waters are rich with sea turtles and some other marine life that snorkelers will enjoy watching when in the water. The waves here are also consistent year-round and even become extremely massive during winter, thereby creating some of the best opportunities for big wave surfing.
Maui is home to the picturesque road to Hana, Haleakala Volcano - the largest dormant volcano in the world, and plenty of black and red sand beaches. It has plenty of luxury hotels, restaurants, shops, and all the infrastructure that makes a vacation memorable. The whale-watching experience in Maui is also the best in Hawaii.
1 Kauai
Kauai is the fourth-largest island in Hawaii and the second oldest in the state. It is one of the best destinations to visit for all kinds of travelers. Also known as the garden isle, this island is home to plenty of beautiful beaches, stunning mountain landscapes, and plenty of forest areas that are filled with gorgeous waterfalls and streams.
Kauai is one of the best places in the world to enjoy hiking, as it has some of the most popular trails in the world. Kalalau Trail - one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world, is located on this island. The stunning Napali Coast, Waimea Canyon, which is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Wailua River State Park, and Hanalei Bay are all located here.
Kauai is an amazing place for adventure lovers, but that’s not all. As the oldest island of the Hawaiian Islands, it is also rich in culture and history, and there are several museums and art galleries on the island to learn more about it.