• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Love Big Island
Tours
Hawaiʻi Blog: Island Comparisons + Best-of Lists
Home » Blog

Hawaiʻi Blog: Island Comparisons + Best-of Lists

Start with the biggest decision: which island? The posts below compare the islands head to head and rank the beaches, snorkeling spots, and stargazing sites we keep going back to. We write from the islands themselves: Gerrit from his rainforest above next the the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Will from years living on Oʻahu and leading tours across the state. Pick a topic in the filter to narrow the list.

{content}


Rainbow Falls running brown and full after heavy rain

15 Rainy day activities for the Big Island (and 2 to skip)

Big Island Things to Do
Manta rays passing over divers sitting on the ocean floor during a night dive at Garden Eel Cove, Kona

Big Island for Beginners: Need-to-Know Tips for First-Time Visitors

Big Island Trip Planning
Lava from an ocean entry pouring into the sea at dusk on the Big Island

What is the best time to visit the Big Island?

Big Island Trip Planning
Fissure eruption fountaining along a line of vents at Kilauea, September 2023

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts for the third time this year

Big Island Volcanoes
rainbow falls going off big island

Big Island on a Budget (Cheap & Free Things to do on Hawaiʻi Island)

Big Island Things to Do
Waiʻānapanapa State Park on Maui

The 7 Best Black Sand Beaches in Hawaiʻi

Big Island Maui Things to Do
Hiker arriving at Waimano Falls on Oʻahu after a short hike

The 10 Best Hawaiʻi Waterfalls to Swim in (all islands)

Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do
Aerial photo of the ongoing Maunaloa eruption showing the a line of fissure vents erupting above 10,000 ft elevation on the Northeast Rift Zone

Mauna Loa's 2022 Eruption: What Happened and What It Means for Future Travel

Big Island Volcanoes
Sunrise from Pololu valley

13 Best Sunrise Spots in Hawaiʻi: Big Island, Oʻahu, Maui, and Kauaʻi

Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do
Kaumana caves

Hawaiʻi's Lava Tubes, Sea Caves, and Blowholes, Island by Island

Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do Volcanoes
Molokini and Kaho'olawe

A Beginner's Guide to Snorkeling in Hawaiʻi (+12 easy snorkeling spots)

Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do
sunrise from lanikax pillbox on oahu

The 16 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Hawaiʻi: Big Island, Maui, Oʻahu & Kauaʻi

Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do
Long exposure shot (notice the elongated star trails) of the Milky Way from a Kauaʻi beach.

Stargazing in Hawaiʻi: The Best Spots on Four Islands

Astronomy Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do
A Hawaiian green sea turtle (Honu) swimming off the coast.

The 9 Best Spots to Find Sea Turtles in Hawaiʻi (All Islands)

Big Island Kauaʻi Maui Oʻahu Things to Do
Sunrise from Pololu valley

16 (short) Things to Do for your Big Island Itinerary

Big Island Things to Do
taro fields in Hanalei, Kauai

Big Island or Kauaʻi: which island fits your trip?

Big Island Island Comparisons Kauaʻi Trip Planning
people hiking in Iao Valley

Big Island or Maui, which is better?

Big Island Island Comparisons Maui Trip Planning
kailua beach

Oʻahu or the Big Island: which is better?

Big Island Island Comparisons Oʻahu Trip Planning
Köppen climate zone map of the Big Island in 3D relief, with Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa capped in the grey of tundra climate

The 8 climate zones on the Big Island

Big Island Nature & History
Seismic map for Hawaii

Hawaii, the Earthquake State?

Big Island Nature & History Volcanoes
.

Primary Sidebar

Choose your topic

Footer

Love Maui

1: Maui Overview
2: Things to Do
3: Where to Stay
4: Popular Sights and Destinations
5: Road to Hana (Maui)
6: Maui Itinerary
7: Maui blog posts

The second-biggest island in the chain, much of Maui’s appeal comes from its natural landscape and biodiversity, including its two massive volcanoes, whale watching and marine ecosystems

Love Oʻahu

1: Oʻahu Overview
2: Things to Do
3: Where to Stay
4: Popular Sights and Destinations
5: Oʻahu Beaches
6: Oʻahu Itinerary
7: Oʻahu blog posts

Oʻahu is the busiest and most visited of the Hawaiian Islands, with the widest range of things to do: nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals.

Love Kauaʻi

1: Kauaʻi Overview
2: Things to Do
3: Where to Stay
4: Popular Sights and Destinations
5: The Nāpali Coast
6: Kauaʻi Itinerary
7: Kauaʻi blog posts

With a population of less than 75,000, Kauaʻi is truly a small-town island, littered with open space, protected preserves, and old plantation history.

Let’s connect

Facebook
Pinterest
X
Instagram
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Made with by Love Big Island


© 2011–2026 lovebigisland.com | About Us | Contact | Sitemap (xml)/(html) | Privacy Policy

  • Book Tours
  • Planning a trip? Start here!
    • 1: Calculate your trip costs
    • 2: When should you go?
    • 3: Flying to Hawaii
      • 3a: Interisland Flights
    • 4: Get a Rental Car
    • 5: Find Accommodations
  • Regions
    • Kailua-Kona
      • Accommodations
      • 5 Highlights
      • Things to Do
      • Kona Beaches
    • Hilo
      • Accommodations
      • Highlights
      • Things to Do
    • Volcano Village
      • Accommodations
      • Highlights
      • Things to Do
    • Waimea
      • Accommodations
      • Highlights
      • Things to Do
    • Puna
    • Kaʻu
    • Kohala
  • Things to Do / Activities
    • ATV
    • Beaches
      • ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach
      • Carlsmith beach park
      • Hapuna beach
      • Kaimu beach
      • Kahaluʻu Beach Park
      • Kamakahonu (King Kam) Beach
      • Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
      • Maniniʻowali beach (Kua Bay)
      • Papakolea (Green sand beach)
      • Pohoiki Beach
      • Punaluʻu
      • Richardsons’ (Hilo)
      • Waialea Beach (Beach 69)
    • Biking / Cycling
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Camping
    • Chocolate and Cacao Farm Tours
    • Dolphins!
    • Farm Tours (BIG list)
    • Farmers Markets
    • Golfing
    • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
    • Helicopter Tours
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hot ponds
    • Kona Coffee Tours
    • Lava Viewing Guide 🌋
    • Lava Tubes
    • Luau and Hula
    • Manta Ray night dive / snorkel
    • MaunaKea Summit + Stargazing
    • Road Trips!
    • Scuba Diving
    • Snorkeling
    • Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP)
    • Surfing
    • Be a Volunteer
    • Waterfalls
    • Waterfall Rappelling
    • Whale Watching
    • Ziplining
  • Six full Itineraries
    • One Day (day trips)
    • Two Days
    • Three Days
    • Five Days
    • Seven Days
    • For Cruise Ship Visitors (shore excursions)
  • Highlights
    • Annual Events
    • Museums
    • History and Culture
    • 4 National + 14 State Parks
      • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
      • Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Park
    • Local food & produce
      • Macadamia Nuts
      • Kona Coffee
      • Chocolate
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Hawaii Trivia: 40+ fun facts
      • Pineapple History, Facts and Trivia 🍍🍍🍍
      • The opposite of Hawaii
      • The longest Hawaiian name
      • Hāpuʻu: the Hawaiian tree fern
      • Endemic and Native Species
      • Kahili Ginger
      • Pāhoehoe and ʻAʻā Lava
      • Lake Waiau on MaunaKea
      • Pele’s Hair (volcanic glass)
      • Green Sand Beach Trivia
    • What is Big Island weather like?
  • Favorite Sights and Destinations
    • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
    • MaunaKea
    • Pololū Valley
    • Waipiʻo Valley
  • Oʻahu
  • Kauaʻi
    • Sights and Destinations
      • The Nāpali Coast
      • Waimea Canyon
    • Trip Planning Resources
      • 7 day itinerary
      • Getting Around
      • Where to Stay
    • Things to Do
      • Air Tours
      • Beaches
      • Culinary Tours and Activities
      • History and Cultural Activities
      • Land Activities
      • Water Activities
  • Maui
    • Things to Do
      • Air Tours
      • Beaches
      • Culinary Tours and Activities
      • History and Culture
      • Nature and Wildlife
      • Land Activities
      • Water Activities
    • Sights and Destinations
      • Haleakalā National Park
      • Road to Hana
    • Trip Planning Resources
      • 8 day Itinerary
      • Getting Around
      • Where to Stay
  • Free Newsletter