The 5 Best Islands in Hawaiʻi in 2025
The votes have been tallied, and the results are in! Here’s a ranked list of the best islands in Hawaiʻi, according to HAWAIʻI Magazine readers.
After much anticipation, HAWAIʻI Magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards is available and on newsstands! (Get your copy here.) From the best beaches and hiking trails to family-friendly resorts and lūʻau, this list represents the best of the best in Hawaiʻi.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll get a sneak peek of the winners, as we share some of the best of the best with you—including Best Island, one of the most exciting categories every year.
Recently, there’s been a shake up among the top islands. But this is what makes Hawaiʻi extraordinary: Every island in the archipelago is distinct. From emerald sea cliffs to volcanic topography and regional cuisine, each island is unique. As for which island is the best? It’s a fiercely debated subject among locals and visitors.
Every year, we ask our readers, and the results differ from year to year. Here is the list of the best Hawaiian Islands in 2025.
1. Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands—and one of the most beloved.
Photo: Getty Images/YinYang
Winning by a landslide, HAWAIʻI Magazine readers voted Kauaʻi as the best Hawaiian Island in 2025. Known as the Garden Isle, Kauaʻi is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands—and one of the most beloved. For years, it’s been a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. From tubing down an irrigation ditch to hiking the Kalalau Trail, adventure beckons on the Garden Isle. And in-between epic activities, there’s plenty of opportunities to rest and recharge amid the island’s verdant and lush scenery. Whether it’s lounging on the sunny shores of Poʻipū or exploring the state-of-the-art wellness offerings at the heavenly 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Kauaʻi provides a tranquil island getaway.
2. Oʻahu
Oʻahu is the most-visited island in Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/Maridav
This year’s runner-up is Oʻahu. Last year the island took gold, but it remains a favorite among our readers. Afterall, Oʻahu is the most-visited island in Hawaiʻi. Nicknamed the Gathering Place, you can wander through historic Chinatown, learn to surf in iconic Waikīkī, dine at award-winning restaurants and do so much more. But some of the best parts of Oʻahu are outside the visitor-hubs. On the island’s Windward Side, Kailua is home to some of the best beaches in Hawaiʻi as well as family-run restaurants and charming coffee shops. Of course, you can also venture to the famous North Shore. During the winter months, you can watch the best surfers in the world charge some of the most well-known breaks on the planet. In the summer—when the conditions are calmer and safer—you can snorkel at spots like Shark’s Cove or just relax on the gold-sand beaches.
3. Maui
On Maui, you can spend one day hiking the other-worldly terrain of Haleakalā and then the next lounging on Kāʻanapali Beach.
Photo: Getty Images/Bike_Maverick
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Maui. The Valley Isle is known for its world-class beaches, scenic road to Hāna and incredible farm-to-table restaurants. Whether you’re looking for an adventure, relaxing vacation or a mix of both, Maui is an idyllic destination for travelers. You can spend one day hiking the other-worldly terrain of Haleakalā and then the next lounging on Kāʻanapali Beach. But beyond its unique trails and beautiful beaches, the island is also home to delightful towns painted with colorful histories. You can wander the streets of the paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao or visit Pāʻia, the island’s trendy surf hub. And across the island, you can find beach-y boutiques, top-notch food trucks and old-school shops you don’t want to miss.
4. Hawaiʻi Island
Hawaiʻi Island is famous for Kīlauea’s epic eruption.
Photo: Getty Images/joebelanger
Nicknamed the Big Island, Hawaiʻi Island spans 4,028 square miles and comprises 63% of the archipelago’s combined land mass. And across this huge island, there are incredible natural wonders. You can witness the epic eruption at Kīlauea, ride horses in paniolo country, hike to a 420-foot waterfall, swim with manta rays or just lounge on the picturesque Hāpuna Beach. Travelers can also indulge in some of Hawaiʻi’s most popular dishes. Hawaiʻi Island happens to be the birthplace of a few iconic foods (like the loco moco) and boasts specialty ones (like the gravy burger) that you can’t find anywhere else. The island is also home to old-school establishments like Two Ladies Kitchen in Hilo, famous for its exquisite mochi, and Manago Hotel, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Hawaiʻi.
5. Molokaʻi
Molokaʻi lures travelers seeking solitude among Hawaiʻi’s rugged terrain.
Photo: PF Bentley
Life slows down on Molokaʻi. There isn’t even a stoplight here, but that’s the charm of it. Molokaʻi lures a specific type of traveler, one that’s probably looking to seek solitude among Hawaiʻi’s rugged terrain. And the residents on the island expect travelers to engage with the community in meaningful ways and respect the culture. If you’re fortunate enough to visit Molokaʻi, you’ll witness the close-knit community and the wild natural beauty of it. You can wander into Kaunakakai, the main town, to grab breakfast at Kanemitsu’s Bakery and then return in the evening hours for its famous hot bread. Or venture to Pāpōhaku Beach, one of Hawaiʻi’s longest beaches, stretching 3 miles.
See all of the winners of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards in our latest issue, which you can buy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
