Hi Reader!

Have you been to Hawaii before?

One thing I didn't expect before visiting Hawaii was how different each island would feel.

People often talk about "going to Hawaii" as if it's a single destination, but after visiting Oahu, Big Island, and Maui, I can tell you they each have their own personality, landscapes, and attractions.

If you're trying to decide where to go, here's how I think about the three islands we've visited.

Oahu

➡️ Oahu Itinerary for 5 to 7 Days​

Oahu is the island I usually recommend to first time visitors, families with young kids, or groups of friends. It's more compact than Big Island or Maui, so you spend less time driving and more time exploring.

It has a little bit of everything: Waikiki, beautiful beaches, great hikes, cultural attractions, Pearl Harbor, and Kualoa Ranch, where we loved the tours. If you only have time for one Hawaiian island, Oahu is a great place to start.

Big Island

➡️ Our 7 Day Big Island Itinerary​

Big Island ended up being my favorite. It feels the most adventurous and the least developed. We hiked through lava landscapes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, explored black sand beaches, drove through lush rainforests, and visited the beautiful Waipio Valley.

The tradeoff is that Big Island is huge, so sightseeing involves quite a bit of driving. But for me, the variety of landscapes made it well worth it.

Maui

➡️ How We Spent 6 Amazing Days in Maui​

Maui feels more relaxed and resort oriented. We loved driving and staying overnight on the Road to Hana, walking through the bamboo forest, watching sunset from Haleakala, and taking a whale watching tour. It also has some of the most beautiful beaches we've seen anywhere.

If Hawaii is on your travel wish list, these itineraries include exactly how we planned our trips, what we did each day, and plenty of photos to help you decide which island might be the best fit.

PS: Have you been to Hawaii? If yes, which island is your favorite? Kauai is still on my bucket list, and if you've been I would love to hear what your favorite thing to do there was.

ICYMI from my last email:

➡️ Our amazing 9 Day Toronto to Quebec City Road Trip Itinerary​

Affiliate Disclosure: If you book through the links below, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, for which I am very grateful!

Are you planning a trip soon?

• Hotels - I recommend Expedia / Booking.com​
• Vacation Rentals - I recommend VRBO​
• Tours/Experiences - I recommend Viator​

Until next time,

Anu Agarwal (she/her)

Travel Blogger and a Nine-to-Fiver

​DestinationCheckoff.com, MyCaliforniaTravels.com​

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