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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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Köppen climate zone map of Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi, showing wet windward rainforest, dry leeward steppe at Kīhei and Lāhainā, and polar tundra atop Haleakalā.

Maui climate zones: all 7, and where to find each one

Maui Trip Planning
Waikiki Beach and the Diamond Head crater

Oʻahu for Beginners: Where to Stay and How Long to Go

Oʻahu Trip Planning
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
Line chart of the average number of visitors in Hawaiʻi per day by month, comparing 2024 and 2025, with the year's lows in September and October.

How to avoid the crowds in Hawaiʻi

Trip Planning
Two people taking surfing lessons at Waikiki

When Is the Best Time to Visit Oʻahu?

Oʻahu Trip Planning
Orange swimming-prohibited flag on the beach with people wading beyond it

How to Choose the Best Tour in Hawaiʻi: 7 Checks (and One Coin Flip)

Trip Planning
big wave breaking at Pipeline. Haleiwa, Oʻahu, Hawaii

11 Common Tourist Mistakes in Hawaiʻi (and How to Avoid Them)

Trip Planning
Humpback whale breaching off the west Maui coast. Photo by Steve Wrzeszczynski on Unsplash

What is the Best Time to Visit Kauaʻi?

Kauaʻi Trip Planning
Summer is the best season for snorkeling on Maui because the waters are calm and clear. Photo by Subtle Cinematics on Unsplash

When Should You Visit Maui?

Maui Trip Planning
hand trowing shaka signal against mountains in background

Ecotourism in Hawaiʻi

Trip Planning
red jeep parked along the puna coastline in Hawaiʻi

6 Ways to Save Money when Planning a Trip to Hawaiʻi

Trip Planning
Covers of recommended Hawaiʻi books arranged on a palm-print background

20 Great Books about Hawaiʻi to Read Before your Trip

Trip Planning
taro fields in Hanalei, Kauai

Big Island or Kauaʻi: which island fits your trip?

Big Island Island Comparisons Kauaʻi Trip Planning
The Nāpali coast cliffs as seen from a helicopter

Maui or Kauaʻi, which is better?

Island Comparisons Kauaʻi Maui Trip Planning
View of the Napali coast from the Kalalau trail

Oʻahu vs Kauaʻi: Which Island Should You Visit?

Island Comparisons Kauaʻi Oʻahu Trip Planning
people hiking in Iao Valley

Big Island or Maui, which is better?

Big Island Island Comparisons Maui Trip Planning
Caldera of the Haleakala volcano

Oʻahu or Maui, which is better?

Island Comparisons Maui Oʻahu Trip Planning
kailua beach

Oʻahu or the Big Island: which is better?

Big Island Island Comparisons Oʻahu Trip Planning
Hanauma Bay on Oahu

COVID-19 and your trip to Hawai‘i

Trip Planning
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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.

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