Oahu, Maui or Kauai? All three islands are gorgeous with their own particular charm. Years ago, I did such a great job raving about Kauai that a friend of mine decided to move there with her husband. They have since bought a piece of property, built a house and opened their own tour agency. Yes, I am jealous.
If you plan on visiting one of these islands, but are not sure which one, here is a little guide. With a population of close to one million, Oahu is the most populated island. It is known for housing the state capital, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach. For me, this island is wonderful for people who want a taste of the island life, but still crave the amenities of a big city.
The second most populated island is the big island of Hawaii. I have yet to visit this island. I hope to visit within the next year. According to one of my friends, the island is beautiful and rustic. She remarked at the number of farms on the island. From volcanos to deserts to snow clad peaks to waterfalls, you can travel through all, but four of the world’s different climate zones.
Many of my friends pick Maui as their favorite island. The island, like the other Hawaiian islands, is beautiful but can be quite windy. The highlight of our trip was a small tour we took on the road to Hana. I would definitely recommend taking a tour and not trying to drive yourself. The sights are gorgeous but driving is arduous. The road is only 52 miles from Kahului, however, the drive can take anywhere from 2-4 hours because of the numerous turns and one lane stretches. Several times, we marveled that the small bus was able to stay on the road, since part of the road had fallen into the ravine below.
Kauai is a lush tropical paradise and the place to go if you want to truly feel like you’re getting away from it all. If you crave access to big city life, this is not the island for you. My husband, who normally is ready to go home after 3 days, wanted to stay another week. We went kayaking and hiking in addition to numerous water sports. The Na Pali Coast has served as the backdrop for several hollywood movies, for instance: King Kong, Jurassic World and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. My daughter was ecstatic to swim in the water that Johnny Depp had been in.
So, which one is my favorite island? For me, it’s a toss up between Oahu and Kauai. I love the shopping and restaurants on Oahu, but I cherish the lush, quiet atmosphere of Kauai. What’s your favorite island?
The Brite Site of Life 