There are primarily six major islands to visit in Hawaii: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big island. You’ll find each island has its own distinct personality and offers its own adventures, activities, and sightseeing opportunities. We invite you to explore all of Hawaii to find the unique island experience for you.
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The oldest and northernmost island in the Island chain is graced with dramatic, natural beauty. Outdoor adventures and romantic escapades flourish on Kauai.
- Explore the golden sand beaches of the Coconut Coast.
- See the massive Waimea Canyon, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific."
- Take a boat ride to marvel at the towering cliffs of the Napali Coast.
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Home to the state capitol and the majority of Hawaii's population, Oahu is a vibrant mix of natural and cultural wonders with the modern arts, entertainment, and amenities of the 21st century.
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With almost half of its population being of native Hawaiian ancestry, Molokai is an island that has preserved its connection to the past and its love for the outdoors.
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Without a single traffic light, Lanai is a true island getaway for luxury, romance, and privacy away from crowds.
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The second largest island is home to what some believe are the best beaches in the world, as well as Humpback whales who migrate off Maui's shores every winter.
- Wake up early to catch the sunrise atop Haleakala Crater.
- Stroll through historic Lahaina, and learn about Maui's whaling past.
- Drive the long and winding road to Hana for spectacular scenery.
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Bigger than all of the other islands combined, the island of Hawaii, or Hawaii's Big Island, is vast enough to hold 11 of the world’s 13 climactic zones—from sandy beaches to snowcapped mountains.
Top 10 Hawaii Beaches
Located adjacent to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott (formerly Outrigger Waikoloa Beach) on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, The beach area features bBeautifully landscaped walking paths past ancient Hawaiian fishponds to a golden sand beach fringed by swaying palm trees.
This black sand beach is also a sanctuary for green sea turtles. You will often see them laying in the sand. The beach offers some of the only safe snorkeling and swimming on the south coast. Use caution, however, the waves here are unpredictable, and there often is a bad riptide.
This is the beach where much of the motion picture "South Pacific" was filmed. The path down to the beach is not easy to find and the walk down can be a bit slippery, but the views of the beach and waves crashing against the nearby rocks are exceptional.
This is a great beach for family gatherings with lots of pavilions for eating and plenty of flat space on the beach for games. The water is relatively calm and the sun bright and warm. During the summer months you can still see Hawaiians making salt in the only natural salt pond in Hawaii still used to make salt. Seawater is pumped into containers and allowed to evaporate in the sun.
While most would choose Hulopoe Bay as their pick for best beach on Lanai, Shipwreck Beach is far more interesting. Not a swimming beach, Shipwreck is made up of boulders, lava rock, washed-up timber and sand. Shipwreck offers spectacular views of nearby Molokai and Maui, the abandoned hull of a World War II Liberty Ship ship, green sea turtles and whales, and the nearby the Po`aiwa Petroglyphs.
Located in West Maui just north of Lahaina, Kaanapali is one of Hawaii's most famous and popular beaches. It is bordered by numerous elegant resort hotels. This lifeguard-protected beach is almost three miles long. Kaanapali is the beach for activities. You can snorkel in the crystal clear water, windsurf, jet-ski, parasail, or kayak. Don't leave valuables on the beach while you swim.
Chosen by Dr. Beach as America's best beach of 1999, Wailea is located in South Maui, at the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Resorts. Wailea offers good swimming, snorkeling in calm waters, and bodysurfing on a shore break that is not as punishing as Wailea’s other beaches. The sandy bottom remains shallow inshore, and drops off slowly to deeper water.
Located on the west coast of Molokai, Papohaku is one of the world's longest beaches. It is not unusual to be able to see no one on the beach for miles. If you want a private, secluded and beautiful beach, Papohaku is for you.
The seven beaches of Waikiki make up what may be the most famous stretch of sand in the world, With over 4 million visitors a year, it can be wall-to-wall bodies, but people-watching is half the fun. Waikiki is also the perfect place to learn to surf. There are also boogie boards, canoes, kayaks, snorkels and umbrellas for rent. Sans Souci Beach near Diamond Head offers great swimming.
Waimanalo is, in my opinion, the most beautiful beach on O'ahu. It is a major weekend gathering place for local families who hold picnics and barbecues in the shaded area near the beach. It is ideal for bodysurfing, boogie boarding and swimming. Waimanalo offers spectacular view of the coastal mountain ranges of Oahu and of Manana "Rabbit" Island.

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