Which Hawaiian Island is Right for You?

If you've never been to Hawaii before, you might be surprised to learn that booking a trip to Hawaii is a little more complicated than most people think. When most people think of Hawaii, they think of palm trees, hula dancers, and tropical drinks that come with little paper umbrellas. Well, Hawaii definitely has those things, but depending on which island you visit, you could be setting yourself up for a totally different vacation than you thought you were going to have. So, the key to booking the perfect Hawaiian vacation is getting to know the islands a little better ahead of time.

Here's an introduction to Hawaii's six islands and a peek at the paradise that awaits on each one:

(1) Kauai. Kauai is a great place for nature buffs who want to see sights that they can't get anywhere else, since the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast are breathtaking whether you're touring by foot, boat, or helicopter. This island is also home to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of Hawaii" and a beautiful, dense island forest along the north shore. There's not a lot of nightlife on this island, but the local charm and untouched beaches offer plenty of evening diversions.

(2) Oahu. Oahu is a major tourist favorite among the islands of Hawaii because it offers the classic attractions that many people are looking for. Waikiki Beach (made famous in the surfing movies of the sixties) is found on Oahu and offers tons of nightlife and upscale restaurants, so if you can swing the cash and want to see how the posh crowd does Hawaii, book a room at one of the fancy hotels and enjoy. History buffs will also be interested in visiting the Pearl Harbor memorial, located on Oahu, and die-hard sufers won't want to miss the huge swells on the north side of the island where the Vans Triple Crown surfing competition is held every year.

(3) Molokai. From the hustle and bustle of Oahu, you can jump one island over to Molokai, the most relaxing of all the Hawaiian islands. There's not a lot of tourist attractions on Molokai, since the island has no major resorts or famous destinations, so this is the place to be if you don't want to be where the people are. There's plenty of scuba diving and kayaking for nature lovers, so if you like to camp, hike, and get away from it all, you're probably going to be very interested in life on Molokai.

(4) Lanai. Lanai is a small island compared to the other five, but the hotels offered on Lanai are quite impressive, including two Four Seasons hotels. The island is great if you're looking for an exclusive experience without the crowds, since there simply can't be that many tourists on Lanai at one time. Recreational activities include diving and swimming with dolphins in Manele Bay.

(5) Maui. Maui is a famous Hawaiian destination thank to the wide variety of resorts and the diversity of recreational activities available, including whale watching and hiking in Haleakala National Park. A nice mix of busy tourist activity and classic Hawaiian beauty, Maui is a good choice if you're looking to tie the knot during your Hawaiian vacation, particularly if you want your wedding guests to have plenty to see and do, no matter what their interests. If you're really daring, be sure to take the twisting drive to Hana...it's a thrilling road trip you won't soon forget!

(6) Hawaii. Hawaii, the Big Island, remains the top tourist destination among the islands. With active volcanos, blank sand beaches, Kona coffee fields, and pineapple plantations, Hawaii offers quite a lot that you can't get anywhere else in America. So, if you're looking for a classic Hawaiian vacation with all the trimmings, you'll be just fine if you stick to the big island. Vacations to this island also tend to be a bit more budget-friendly, partially due to the fact that you don't have to take a second plane or boat to a different island after you arrive.

Reference: Jeanette Foster, Frommer's Hawaii 2011. Frommers, (2010) NY.