But if you just want an answer that most people agree on, the best island in Hawaii for beginners would be Oahu. Hawaii is dotted with eight stunning islands, but only six are major tourist destinations. They are Hawaii (the Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai and Molokai. I generally recommend that beginners start with a trip to Oahu.
It's the most popular Hawaiian island, as well as the cheapest. In addition, there are plenty of attractions, activities, great food and shopping. That's why I think it's the best island to visit in Hawaii for the first time. For example, Oahu is home to a multitude of tourist attractions including luxury shopping, Waikiki Beach, Kualoa Ranch and more.
Kauai, on the other hand, is ideal for those who enjoy exploring the wild nature. The offer of accommodation on Oahu is wide and varied, and fits almost any price range. Some recommended hotels for the island include The Modern Honolulu, Halekulani and Kahala Resort. They could have been mistakes you made on your first trip to Hawaii.
The best island to visit in Hawaii for first-time visitors who want a high-end resort with amenities to match could be Maui or the Big Island. On the other hand, if your idea of a great visit to Hawaii is full of hiking through waterfalls, kayaking and volcanoes, you might really enjoy Kauai or the Big Island. If you're a sun-seeker and an absolute beach lover, then you're probably wondering which Hawaiian islands have the best beaches. If you decide to choose Kauai for your first trip to Hawaii, I recommend dividing your time between the north and south coasts of the island.
That said, my personal answer to the question of “What is the best island to visit in Hawaii for first-time visitors? it would be a tie between Oahu, The Big Island and Maui. The island of Oahu is a great option for first-time visitors to Hawaii, especially if you're traveling with your little ones. According to visitor statistics data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Maui is the second most visited island (after Oahu). Most believe that the best beaches in Hawaii are on Maui, and it is undoubtedly one of the most popular islands to travel to.
Each Hawaiian island has a landscape, culture, history and a variety of unique and individual attractions. For some, a trip to Hawaii is simply an item on the bucket list, a dream they think they will never come true, since they are very far from most countries and can be a little expensive to get there. Hawaii has a typical tropical climate, so you can expect mild temperatures and moderate humidity no matter what month you visit. If you're looking for more ideas on how to spend your time on the Big Island of Hawaii, check out the Big Island itinerary I prepared.
In addition, certain activities (such as climbing to the top of a volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) may lend themselves to specific types of warm clothing. We've plotted rainfall from each of the major tourist areas on each island in Hawaii, and on Maui, you get the least amount of rainfall.
