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Hawaiʻi Blog: Island Comparisons + Best-of Lists
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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.

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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
Picnic table at the Kipahulu campground above the shoreline

Secret Maui: 7 “Off the Beaten Path” Things that Locals Like To Do

Maui Things to Do
Waves washing onto the sand at Waimanalo Beach with the Koʻolau ridge behind

Secret Oʻahu: 7 "Off the beaten path" Things that locals like to Do

Oʻahu Things to Do
The Kuilau Ridge Trail on Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi on a Budget (Cheap & Free Things to do on Kauaʻi)

Kauaʻi Things to Do
rainbow falls going off big island

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

Big Island Things to Do
Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head crater

Cheap & Free Things to do on Oʻahu

Oʻahu Things to Do
Waiʻānapanapa State Park on Maui

The 7 Best Black Sand Beaches in Hawaiʻi

Big Island Maui Things to Do
The Nakalele Blowhole

Maui on a Budget: Free and Cheap Things to Do

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
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
Aerial view of Little Beach

14 Bite-Sized Things to Do on Maui

Maui Things to Do
A couple kayaking the Hanalei River

14 Bite-sized things to do for Kauai

Kauaʻi Things to Do
Sunset at Kaena point

14 Fun and Bite-Sized Things to Do on Oʻahu

Oʻahu Things to Do
Sunrise from Pololu valley

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

Big Island Things to Do
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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

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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
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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.

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