Baltrum

Which island of Hawaii should my husband and I visit?

We are planning a romantic getaway for end of July, and have no idea of how to narrow down the options. Basically, we'd like a beach that's not too busy, turquoise waters, good snorkeling, and resort-like accommodations. Just wondering if some islands are better for some than others...

Public Comments

1. Maui !! Most natural......less "touristy" (wish I was there !)
2. Maui is probably the all-around best for what it sounds like you want. If you want a more natural, less developed island, Kauai is a good choice.
3. You should check out these sites on different sides of Maui: East South West
4. maui honolulu is like a miami you could never tell the difference if you there its to croweded and crazy maui is cool
5. a Cruise around the islands so you can go see all the islands but if you only want one it would be Kauai because it is so beautiful! or Lani becasue there is a resort on the beach and the beach is not that busy
6. I love maui. The resorts are seculded, the beaches are beautiful and its romantic and relaxing! It gets you away from the big city like honolulu and waikiki beach. It you want romance and relaxations with beautiful resorts maui is the island. Stay at any of the hotels in Wailea. That is my favorite part of the island.( try the grand wailea if it isnt already book)
7. You can find beach+snorkel+resort on any island (except perhaps Molokai). SHORT VERSION: If money is no object, go to Lanai. Otherwise, I recommend Maui or Oahu. The Big Island would also work if you want to see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. LONGER VERSION: Now let me go through the pros/cons of each island for what you're seeking. LANAI: If money is no object, the Manale Bay Resort on Lanai is my top pick for a private resort beach. The beach and good snorkeling are just steps away from the resort, and it is very private. Lanai is a smaller, drier island than Maui, so you won't see waterfalls here. But the privacy and beauty of the beach is outstanding. Here's the Manale Bay Resort: http://www.fourseasons.com/manelebay/ You can see a lot of photos and information about Lanai here: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?AID=5 OAHU: Avoid Waikiki if you want "not too busy." However, Oahu might still be a good island to consider because it may end up being cheaper for you. If you've never been to Hawaii, Oahu is a great place to start. And although people complain about Waikiki, it is an interesting place...lots of shopping and great restaurants and night life. Anyway, you don't have to stay in Honolulu...Oahu has a lot of other things to see and miles of beaches away from Waikiki. Here is a great resort on the north shore of Oahu (far away from hectic Waikiki): http://www.turtlebayresort.com/ Here is a great page about Oahu: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?AID=3 MAUI: Maui is a beautiful romantic island, but it can sometimes feel humid in late July (not always, sometimes). This is the only place in Hawaii I have felt uncomfortably hot and humid. Still, along the coast this shouldn't be too much of an issue. Kaanapali Beach on the northwest side has some great resorts. Also, Kapalua is supposed to be nice. Both of these locations have excellent snorkeling nearby (in season). The advantage of Maui is that you can see Mount Haleakala and the Road to Hana. Haleakala is a stunning extinct volcano with an amazing national park, and the Road to Hana is famous for its waterfalls and scenery. Here is a great page about Maui: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?AID=6 Here is a page about Haleakala: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?AID=161 Here are photos and lots of descriptions of the Road to Hana: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?aid=162 BIG ISLAND: The Big Island is amazing, but if you just want to rest on the beach it may not be the best choice. There is a great beach and resort on the west side north of Kona, but the snorkeling isn't quite as good as that available from the beaches of Maui or Lanai. The main reason to go to the Big Island would be if you want to drive down and see the lava flowing in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here is the Hapuna Beach Prince Resort (one of the best beaches in Hawaii): http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/hapuna-beach-prince-hotel.php And here is a great overview of the Big Island: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?AID=7 ROMANTIC SUNSETS One more thing...since you're planning a romantic getaway, here is an article about some of the best places in the islands to watch a romantic sunset: http://www.DreamingHawaii.com/album.aspx?AID=12 Have a great trip!
8. I live in Oahu.. and I don't recommend it for tourists who look for the natural beauty of Hawai'i. Oahu caters to resorts and man made landscapes for the tourists. One of the hotel mottos that I stayed at was, "Perfecting Paradise". Oahu is not exactly genuine. But don't get me wrong this island is gorgeous. The mountains and just normal vegetation is so beautiful expectially in the Windward area, but there aren't many attractions out there but the beaches. If you want to visit Oahu, I recommend keeping to the North/Eastern area. Much of the landscape on the Westward side is dry compared to the rich, plush area of Kailua. Check out the vacation homes out in that area near the beaches. Nothing beats that =]. As far as the other island, I am not very familiar with them but I have heard Maui is very beautiful. No matter where you go just standing on Hawai'i's soil, breathing the air..... it's warm. You won't want to leave. I hope you enjoy yourselves!