We've ranked each island by giving it a score from 1 to 10 for every factor. That score then gets multiplied by 0,1,2 or 4 depending on how important it is to you. The scores are then added to give you a grand total.
Beaches
[Oahu:9 Maui:9 Kauai:10 Big Island:7]
It's very difficult to say which Hawaii island has the nicest selection of beaches. The Big Island has the fewest beaches, most located along the western coast. Despite also being smaller in size, the Big Island's beaches have a special allure because some feature white sand and clear waters as opposed to the golden brown and often cloudier water of the other islands. All islands have beaches that are secluded and free of crowds but Kauai's beaches have an edge in this category, and so we rate Kauai 1 point higher than Oahu and Maui. See our island beach guides and our guide to hawaii's best beaches for more information.
Scenery
[Oahu:8 Maui:9 Kauai:10 Big Island:7]
All the islands have spectacular scenery and lush tropical vegetation. The only question is, how long do you have to drive to be impressed? Kauai is known as the Garden Island for good reason and it doesn't take long to see why. Oahu offers amazing vistas for those who venture beyond Waikiki. If you're willing to take on Maui's twisting highways you'll discover scenes that will stay with you forever. And the unique contrasts of the Big Island - tropical forest and lava, dessert and jungle, waterfalls and ranch lands.
Hiking
[Oahu:8 Maui:7 Kauai:10 Big Island:9]
Hawaii has many exceptional hikes. It's a good idea to purchase a travel guide to discover all the trails, although on Kauai many hiking trails will present themselves without you doing any work.
Car Touring & Sightseeing
[Oahu:7 Maui:8 Kauai:8 Big Island:10]
Car touring is for people who enjoy lots of open highway and perhaps the company of a fine exotic car or motor bike to lead them to faraway lands. Although Maui has the amazing Hana highway, its roads sometimes suffer from congestion and the Hana highway is a difficult drive, particularly for those who suffer from car sickness. Kauai is slightly improved with some nice but short sections of open road. Oahu's highways include the incomparable H-3 highway. This 16 mile highway cuts through the Koolau mountains and offers incredible mountain and ocean vistas. But traffic congestion on Oahu can be a problem. The Big Island offers many hours of open highway driving through a myriad of landscapes.
Keep in mind there's a lot of sight seeing to do on each island. For this reason, renting a car is a must.
Snorkeling
[Oahu:6 Maui:8 Kauai:7 Big Island:10]
The Kona coast of the Big Island tends to have the clearest water and offers the best snorkeling in Hawaii. Maui and Kauai both have several prominent snorkeling locations, although Kauai's best snorkeling is more subject to ocean conditions. Oahu doesn't offer as much snorkeling but is home to Hanauma bay, Hawaii's most famous snorkeling beach.
Golfing
[Oahu:8 Maui:10 Kauai:10 Big Island:8]
Golf is a very popular tourist activity in Hawaii and there are many courses throughout the islands. It's hard to imagine that anyone would be unsatisfied with the selection on any island. Maui and Kauai have the most golf courses per sq ft and some spectacular ocean view courses.
Beginner Surfing
[Oahu:10 Maui:8 Kauai:10 Big Island:5]
Kauai and Oahu are the best bets for beginner surfers. Surfing lessons are offered throughout Kauai. On Oahu, Waikiki and the North Shore are popular locations for surf instruction.
Other Tourist Activities
[Oahu:10 Maui:8 Kauai:8 Big Island:8]
No island skimps on tourist activities, indeed there are many things to do in Hawaii – helicopter rides, boat tours, luau's and the like. But Oahu's infrastructure lends to some activities that are not found elsewhere – museums, a zoo, aquariums, a water park and Pearl Harbor. Kauai is famous for Napali coast boat trips during the summer. Maui has the best whale watching boat trips during the winter while the Big Island has the best fishing and of course Volcanoes National Park. But there are only a handful of activities that are unique to each island.
Weather
[Oahu:10 Maui:10 Kauai:7 Big Island:8]
See our Hawaii weather guide for more information. On average Oahu and Maui's micro climates are more tourist friendly than Kauai and the Big Island. Each island can claim to have a micro climate that is as good as any other. The difference being the amount of accommodations and beaches built around the area.
Nightlife
[Oahu:9 Maui:7 Kauai:4 Big Island:4]
The Big Island and Kauai have very little night life. Maui tries hard but also falls a little short. For these islands nightlife generally means restaurants with music, a luau or the odd bar. Only Waikiki can offer an exciting night on the town, although Lahaina does offer some interesting entertainment as well.
Shopping
[Oahu:9 Maui:7 Kauai:5 Big Island:4]
Souvenir shops, art galleries and small boutiques are plentiful on each island. Big shops like Costco and Wall Mart are also well represented. But Oahu is the only island that offers enough choices to satisfy someone who is concerned about shopping on vacation.
Public Transportation
[Oahu:8 Maui:4 Kauai:4 Big Island:3]
Only Oahu has a transportation system that is sufficiently sophisticated to be of use to tourists. Getting a car rental in Hawaii is a must because of the amount of sightseeing that's possible. But if you're unable to drive it's easy to survive off local shops and restaurants no matter which island you're staying on.
Restaurants
[Oahu:9 Maui:10 Kauai:9 Big Island:8]
Hawaii has many world class chefs and restaurants with several hotels noted for their exceptional dining.
Historic Landmarks
[Oahu:10 Maui:7 Kauai:5 Big Island:8]
Two islands are most likely to satisfy tourists interested in history – Oahu and the Big Island. The Big Island has several interesting landmarks that relate to the History of the Hawaiian people including the remains of old temples. Oahu features both ancient and contemporary Hawaiian history and has many landmarks relating to WWII. Oahu is also home to the magnificent Bishop Museum, Hawaii's state museum of natural and cultural history. The 14 acre Museum campus is a must see for all Oahu visitors.
Romantic Atmosphere
[Oahu:7 Maui:10 Kauai:8 Big Island:8]
Our formula for romance includes lots of sunshine during the day, a pleasant dinner boat cruise, a brilliant sunset, and a walk on the beach after dinner. Maui takes the award for being the most romantic island.
Selection of Budget Vacation Homes
[Oahu:6 Maui:2 Kauai:9 Big Island:9]
With recent laws restricting vacation homes on Maui, that island suffers in this department. Oahu and Kauai are also facing new regulations but have more space designated for so called transient rentals.
Selection of Luxury Vacation Homes
[Oahu:9 Maui:5 Kauai:8 Big Island:8]
Of the small selection of vacation homes available on Maui, several are in the ultra luxury category. But for most tourists that's not enough to make up for the greater selection offered on the other islands.
Selection of Beachfront Vacation Homes
[Oahu:8 Maui:3 Kauai:6 Big Island:2]
One of the big draws for savvy Oahu tourists is the opportunity to rent a vacation home directly on the beach. It's an incomparable experience. Kauai also offers beachfront real estate. The Big Island has some nice oceanfront homes but not on the beach. Maui has a very small selection of beachfront homes.
Selection of Budget Condos
[Oahu:7 Maui:10 Kauai:9 Big Island:8]
All the islands offer plenty of condo choices, although there are fewer selections on Oahu than the other islands.
Selection of Luxury Condos
[Oahu:6 Maui:10 Kauai:8 Big Island:10]
Only Oahu suffers from a lack of luxury condos. The Big Island boasts many new developments.
Selection of Beachfront Condos
[Oahu:4 Maui:8 Kauai:5 Big Island:2]
Maui offers the best chance of finding a beachfront condo, although nearly all condos in Hawaii are nestled around the ocean and close to a beach.
Resorts
[Oahu:6 Maui:10 Kauai:7 Big Island:9]
Resorts are planned developments that include hotels, condos, golf courses, tennis courts and sometimes vacation homes. They occupy several hundred acres and are meticulously maintained. They're always green no matter how dry the surrounding area. Resorts in Hawaii include the Turtle Bay and Ko Olina resorts on Oahu; Kaanapali, Kapalua and Wailea resorts on Maui; Mauna Lani and Waikoloa Beach resorts on the Big Island; and the somewhat unusual Princeville and Poipu resorts on Kauai.
Accommodations are by no means limited to resorts, and competing accommodations in resorts don't share facilities (but they do share beach real estate). Resorts offer easy access to hotel restaurants and shops, golf and tennis, and an 'upscale' feel thanks to well cared for grounds.
Selection of Budget Hotels
[Oahu:10 Maui:7 Kauai:5 Big Island:6]
Waikiki has a large selection of cheap hotels making it the default choice for many first time visitors.
Selection of Luxury Hotels
[Oahu:6 Maui:10 Kauai:7 Big Island:9]
At least 4 of Hawaii's top 10 hotels are located on Maui. The remainder are arguably on the Big Island and Kauai (excluding Lanai). Oahu's luxury hotels fall a little short compared to the competition.
Suite 602, Santiago, Chile
Cross the legendary Drake Passage on the M/V Antarctic Dream to explore the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. The 83 meter vessel accommodates 80 passengers and has double cabins, all with exterior views. Expedition packages include an 11-day cruise out of Ushuaia, Argentina or an 8-day Fly & Sail package, which replaces one leg of the cruise with a flight between Antarctica and Punta Arenas, Chile. Limited camping and kayaking excursions are also available.
