Much of Moloka‘i is agricultural land, and a few local farms are open for tours. Given that this West Side beach is 2 miles long, every beachgoer is practically guaranteed to have a slice of sunny shoreline all to themselves. There are a couple of small local hotels, but beyond that, there aren’t many guided tours, souvenir stores or grand restaurants.

The islands are about 1,860 miles (3,000 km) from the nearest continent and are part of the Polynesia subregion of Oceania. The islands are exposed peaks of a great undersea mountain range known as the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain, formed by volcanic activity over the Hawaiian hotspot. It is currently the only island with active volcanic activity, with large areas covered by volcanic rock.

Hawaii Travel Guides

Except for Midway, which is an unincorporated unorganized territory of the United States, these islands and islets are administered as Hawaii—the 50th state of the United States. Since over half the island is of Native Hawaiian ancestry, it is steeped in Hawaiian culture. But you can still find diamonds in the rough in some of the luxurious resorts found on the island. Also known as the pineapple island, this island boasts that you won’t find a single traffic light – most of the island is unpaved.

Go chasing waterfalls

Best for volcanic activity and diverse natural landscapes You’ll find local food and sunny beaches throughout Hawai’i, so no worries there. Honestly, there’s no way to go wrong when visiting Hawai’i. It can be hard to choose which Hawaiian island is best for you, especially if you haven’t been to Hawai’i before.

Find Your Adventure

You’ll be able to narrow down the island (or islands) you want to visit in your upcoming trip to paradise! There are couple other islands that cannot be visited. We usually recommend travelers sticking to maybe one or two islands to maximize your vacation and see the most each island has to offer. Of all the islands, Maui fits this bill the best, so it is particularly alluring to couples on a honeymoon or a pre-baby or anniversary trip.

Is there a ferry between Hawaiian islands?

The Big Island is a diverse and unique environment – it is said you can travel through 10 of the world’s 14 different types of climate zones just on this island. A first step in planning is identifying which island(s) you would like to visit. There is limited transportation between the islands of Hawaiʻi. Our guide starts with an overview of the islands and want you can expect to find.

The cheapest months to visit Hawaii are February and March, during the low season when prices drop and tourists are fewer. You’ll need a direct invitation from the owners – Keith and Bruce Robinson – to visit, but if the opportunity arises, you should definitely take it! There are no hotels, no paved roads, and few cars on the island. It worked – this island has no electricity, running water, internet, or modern retail shops and restaurants. More than a hundred years ago, the island’s owners promised a Hawaiian king that they would protect and care for the island to keep the Hawaiian heritage from being spoiled by modern conveniences and tourism.

Learn Hawaiian history

For travelers seeking the most comprehensive insights. Learn more about visiting Hawaii by reading these guides next! Let’s recap and summarize what makes each island special before you head to plan out your itinerary. Access is limited, and visitors can only go by invitation, making it a secluded getaway. Niihau, also known as the «Forbidden Island,» is the least populated Hawaiian island, with fewer than 200 residents. Oahu is known for having the best beaches in Hawaii, with 227 miles of coastline for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.

Niihau, the “Forbidden Island,” is surrounded by myths, legends, and history that make it one of the most fascinating islands in the state of Hawaii. Lanai is the smallest inhabited Hawaiian island with only 30 miles of paved roads. There’s not a single traffic light on Molokai, so visitors say it feels a lot like stepping back in time with a tropical backdrop. It’s not a tourist-y island, though visitors and tourists are very welcome here. Spend a laid-back day at Poipu Beach Park, ride tubes through an old sugarcane plantation that winds through the mountains, and take in tasty local cuisine and treats during your visit.

It’s almost double the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined! Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island and a favorite destination for more adventurous visitors who want to experience the many sights and activities of Hawaii. Take a look at the map of Hawaiian islands and see a quick overview of each one below. If you’ve never been to Hawaii or haven’t yet ventured away from your favorite island, checking out a map of Hawaiian islands can help you expand your fucknutt horizons. We’ve got you covered with this quick overview of the 7 Hawaiian islands, including the 6 most popular islands for tourists and a map of each island!

Earthquakes

Pick a destination, and let our local experts customize every detail of your adventure. Dive into the most sought-after guides that have captured the hearts of travelers worldwide. From hikes to bike rides and surf breaks, discover the most epic adventures across the world to inspire your next trip. These guides provide in-depth insights for your trips, helping you explore destinations deeply for unforgettable experiences, whether popular or off the beaten path.

• Tsunamis are most often caused by earthquakes somewhere in the Pacific.
• You can come for an ultimate long weekend, use Oʻahu as a jumping-off point to other islands or enjoy your whole vacation here.
• This mountain range’s deep, lush ridges and cascading waterfalls are only accessible on foot (via the 22-mile round-trip Kalalau Trail), by boat or by air.
• Before you head to a tropical Hawaiian paradise, you need to get familiar with a map of Hawaiian islands and all the tropical landmasses that make up this state.
• The eight major islands of Hawaii (Windward Islands) are listed above.

The little island of Moloka‘i offers an untouched taste of the islands. Oʻahu’s Waiahole Poi Factory and Helena’s Hawaiian Food serve some of the most authentic Hawai’ian food in the islands. You can come for an ultimate long weekend, use Oʻahu as a jumping-off point to other islands or enjoy your whole vacation here. As the most popular island in Hawai’i to visit, and the one with the most residents, Oʻahu gives big city vibes if you want them.

Thus, the southeast island is volcanically active, whereas the islands on the northwest end of the archipelago are older and typically smaller, due to longer exposure to erosion. This chain of islands, or archipelago, developed as the Pacific Plate slowly moved northwestward over a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle at a rate of approximately 32 miles (51 km) per million years. The Northwestern islands (sometimes called the Leeward Islands) and surrounding seas are protected as a national monument and World Heritage Site.

First-time visitors should follow experts’ guidance on safety and getting around the park. This guide can help you find which island is a little more right for your particular interests, pace of travel, budget and schedule. Each of the six major islands is a compelling destination, whether you’re looking for a retreat, hiking trails or nightlife. We’ve compiled the definitive list of the best places to visit – all year long – when the crowds dissipate and the local vibe comes to life. Pocket Guides are compact guides for short trips that offer the best local experiences. Epic Guides provide inspiration and first-person stories for a lifetime of unforgettable travel experiences.

The island is a beautiful place, with hidden beauties that can only be accessible by air or sea. This is a place aged by the passage of time, with dramatic valleys and lush rainforests. But you can also get a taste of island life in the boardwalk town of Kona the larger Hilo.

Before you head to a tropical Hawaiian paradise, you need to get familiar with a map of Hawaiian islands and all the tropical landmasses that make up this state. The islands receive most rainfall from the trade winds on their north and east flanks (the windward side) as a result of orographic precipitation. The U.S. Navy keeps the smallest of the eight main islands off-limits and it was only used for target practice until recently.

Andrew Helling is a licensed pilot, travel enthusiast, and the founder of Travellers Worldwide whose travel expertise has been quoted in countless publications across the web. Having written for respected publications like Forbes and HuffPost, she’s committed to bringing her passion for writing about travel to the masses… The Republic of Hawaii governed for a short time until Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898 as the Territory of Hawaii. It was relatively minor, but local officials ordered evacuations in preparation for a possible major event. It was relatively minor, but local emergency management officials utilized the latest technology and ordered evacuations in preparation for a possible major event.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory of the USGS documents recent volcanic activity and provides images and interpretations of the volcanism. The only active volcanism in the last 200 years has been on the southeastern island, Hawaiʻi, and on the submerged but growing volcano to the extreme southeast, Kamaʻehuakanaloa (formerly Loʻihi). The Hawaiian Islands have a total land area of 6,423.4 square miles (16,636.5 km2). Formerly called the Sandwich Islandsa by Europeans, the present name for the archipelago is derived from the name of its largest island, Hawaiʻi.

• Given that this West Side beach is 2 miles long, every beachgoer is practically guaranteed to have a slice of sunny shoreline all to themselves.
• There are couple other islands that cannot be visited.
• The Hawaiian Islands have a total land area of 6,423.4 square miles (16,636.5 km2).
• The little island of Moloka‘i offers an untouched taste of the islands.
• Many tour companies, including Four Winds and Maui Snorkeling, have incredible snorkeling tours to Molokini Crater, a thriving islet 2.5 miles off the Maui coast.

Hawaii accounted for 7.3% of the United States’ reported earthquakes with a magnitude 3.5 or greater from 1974 to 2003, with a total 1533 earthquakes. Today, earthquakes are monitored by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory run by the USGS. Between 1833 and 1896, approximately 4 or 5 earthquakes were reported per year. Earthquakes and landslides on the island chain have also been known to cause tsunamis. The combination of erosional forces, which cause slumping and landslides, with the pressure exerted by rising magma put a great amount of stress on the volcanic flanks.

Here are some of the most common questions visitors have about the Hawaiian islands – find answers to your questions here! This minimally-developed island is far less crowded than the most popular islands, making it feel like your own private island when you visit. For travelers who usually stray off the beaten path for adventure, Molokai is an ideal Hawaiian island to visit. Take a scenic drive down the Chain of Craters Road, snorkel with the friendly local manta rays, chase waterfalls on the east side of the island, visit a coffee farm, or tour a seahorse farm (yes, it’s a real thing).