My husband and I are planning a trip to HI. Any suggestions as to which island would be best?

Question

We can go any time this year. We'd like to combine relaxation with a little scenic adventure. We don't want to be in a major tourist area but would still like to be able to get to restaurants, etc.
We would like to stay somewhere with a direct view of the beach.
We'd appreciate any advice.

Answer 1

We have been to 4 of the islands-by far we like Kauai-We have been many times It has spendid beaches(many of them empty) Good snorkleling, Great hiking(even short easy ones) and it truly feels like a tropical island-Waikiki, Maui, Big Island all have their pluses but they feel more like concrete jungles-Poipu on the south shore of Kauai is mostly sunny and has a large assortment of condo's and very nice hotels to choose-the north shore towards hanelei is really green and lush though a bit more wet. Plenty of good restaurants and some very good "local food" without the pricetag. Check out a book "the ultimate Kauai guide book" 5th edition and you will find all sorts of good info. We rent a condo in Kapaa which is centrally located between the north and south shore. The oceanfront condo is only 90$ a night We rent from a couple in Mill Valley Ca. Have a great trip!

Answer 2

The only one of the islands I've been to is Maui. I really enjoyed it but it IS one of the more touristy ones. My mother recently went to Kuaii(not sure how it's spelled), and she really enjoyed it. Said it was less crowded and commercial than the other major islands in the Hawiian chain. She took a scenic helicopter tour and loved it. All in all, a good mix of adventurous stuff and relaxing opportunities.

Answer 3

Molokai is less crowded that the others, and has a nice view.
Another less crowded one is Lanai.
Kauai is also less crowded, but it's not close to Maui and Hawaii proper.

The thing is, you will never get both "not so touristy" and "well located". The most well-located ones are the tourist centers.

I would suggest Molokai because while it is more secluded, it's right next to Maui and Hawaii proper in the island chain. So it's not that far.

Answer 4

go to Kauai, it's got more of an island vibe & also the most beautiful out of all islands. DO NOT go to O'ahu because it's just more of a "city" type of island with alot of stress, racism, high drug/crime rate & bad traffic, with Waikiki being the major tourist area. You won't find much of an adventure. In Kauai you will find more of what your looking for. Maui is also nice, more romantic & quiet.

Answer 5

I live on the Big Island and there are many places that would meet those requirements. Hilo has ocean-side hotels that are not at all touristy or expensive-- but it rains a lot! No particular dry season to count on either.
--White sandy beaches, blue sea on the Kona side--sunnier there, if you get too much rain in Hilo
--Cute little touristy shops at Kailua Kona (but not ridiculous like Waikiki)
--Beautiul waterfalls and scenic rides up Hamakua Coast (N Hilo)
--Black sand beaches and volcanically heated swimming areas south of Hilo
--Rustic "hippy" town of Pahoa, with great restaurants
--Wonderful farmer's markets, Hilo and Puna, for fresh produce and crafts
--Waipio Valley, with its gorgeous black sand beach
--The volcano--and the 'moonscape' lava fields

Big Island has the greatest variety of environments-- and 'the natives' are friendly! It is much more affordable here, too.

Answer 6

I just got back from a cruise that went to Oahu,Kauai,Big Island and Maui and I have also been to Maui and Oahu 2 other times. After seeing all the islands my favorite was Kona on the Big Island and Maui.
I would suggest Maui. It's not nearly as crowded as Oahu and there are lots of things to do and places to eat

Answer 7

my husband and i went to Kauai for our honeymoon and i would def recommend it! it is perfect and sounds like just what you are looking for. there's lots of outdoor activities to do..or you can just find a beach and relax. many times we were the only ones on the beach. we stayed at the Hyatt and everything was perfect.

the island is beautiful. there is some shopping and some nice restuarants..but it is def not a major tourist area.

hope that helps.

oh and if you go there.. be sure and get the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook....it helps alot

Answer 8

I consider the first answer, 24 hours in Paris isn't a lot. you'd be able to visit each and each of the ought to sees notwithstanding, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomph, Notre Dame, and the Lurve. you are able to conceal all that in a unmarried day, and nevertheless have time to devour at a restaraunt. also, good success searching a inn in Paris, so IDK the position you advise to sleep. you are able to always sleep on the airport, 'cuz you gained't locate a inn except you've a reservation, and they are fairly severe priced, so do not difficulty. Are you making plans to be sure some thing in Istanbul? 20-23 isn't gonna be sufficient for all those international locations, so that you are able to narrow it all the way down to the ought to sees. i advise beginning in Bulgaria, Sunny Coast: Burgas/Nessabar, and Balchik. Then head north into Romania, to Constanta, and the Danube Delta. the top to Bucharest and Dracula's fort in Brasov. Then go the border into Serbia. Serbia isn't that interesting so that you do not ought to spend a lot time there. only visit Novy unhappy and Belgrade, then head to Iron Canyon on the Romanian border. Then head back into Bulgaria and visit the Borov Rocks, then head to Sofia and Rila Monastery (this is a ought to SEE). Then head into Macedonia, Skopje, Veles, Stobi Ruins, and Lake Ohrid (it is likewise a ought to SEE, do not bypass over the monastery). And finaly the superb for very last, Greece. Greece is the most well known of those international locations, so that you would spend there the longest. Meteora is deffinately a ought to be sure. Then head to Delphi and Athens, i assume you;'re gonna be flying out of Istanbul, so head back north to Thessaloniki, and consider were given to be sure a minimum of one island, so bypass to Thassos, you are able to quit in Kavala to be sure the large acqueduct, and seize a ferry from there. Then go back to the mainland, and go the land border back to Turkey. that is truly a lot, so that you'll be able to play with the record to in tremendous condition your time table. the way you time table it, i do not care. As for lodges and hostels, i'd advise staying in small cities and villages, a lot less tourity parts, because those in the cities will be fairly severe priced and all booked up. i'd also advise tenting if achieveable. per chance hitch hike if achieveable. i fairly do not recognize what else to allow you to recognize, so some thing else is as a lot as you. Have a superb vacation! per chance placed up a number of it on Youtube and Flickr. :)

Answer 9

The big Island, definitely.
And buy one book which will be all you need: Hawaii: The big Island revealed. It is a real insiders' guide. The island is unbelievable in both its beauty and its starkness. You might get lucky and see hot lava flowing if you go to the VOlcano. It's spectacular.

Answer 10

http://alohacondos.com/beachvillas/index.html
I'm staying at these condos on the Big Island this summer. Condo is right across the street from a great snorkeling beach. Kailua-Kona town is right up the road with restaurants, etc.