What is the difference between hawaii islands

The competitive prices offer up the ideal budget vacation between the abundance of hotels, activities, city life, and attractions. Airport: Daniel K. Also known as the Honolulu International airport.

Known for: Hawaii's fifth-largest island is only 38 miles long and 10 miles across its widest point, making it easily accessible by foot, bike, or car. The highest sea cliffs in the world populate the island and the longest continuous reef. The majority of Molokai's population preserves the island roots of rural lifestyles.

Things to do: The best thing to do in Molokai is to explore the deep jungles, cathedral valleys, beaches, and one of the most remote settlements in the world. The ancient Halawa Valley features one of Hawaii's most iconic landscapes.

Anglers and divers celebrate Molokai for its diverse underwater landscapes. Things to note: This island is considered the "getaway" for inter-island travelers, with some of the most deserted beaches among the Hawaiian islands. Mokulele Airlines services inter-island flights from Oahu or Maui. Known for: This is the smallest inhabited island open for travelers to Hawaii. Located only nine miles away from Maui, yet it feels like a whole other world.

Visitors can indulge at luxurious resorts or take a 4-wheel-drive to explore hidden treasures. Lanai is known for its serenity, adventure, and privacy. Things to do: There are miles of dirt roads, hiking trails, and 18 miles of secluded beaches. With that, the world is yours. You can hike, explore the parks and gardens, ride horses, go clay shooting or enjoy an archery adventure.

Get on the water at sunset for a romantic boat ride or go whale watching. Things to note: Some of the best whale watching can happen in the ocean channels between Lanai, Maui, and Molokai when humpback whales travel to Hawaii in winter and spring. There are only a few ways to get here, and it's from another island. Local flights services inter-island travelers from either Oahu or Maui. Known for: Maui is the second-largest island in Hawaii and is affectionately called "The Valley Isle.

Haleakala National Park encompasses the island's tallest peak, volcanic Haleakala. Things to do: Whether you choose the spa route or the adventure route, there is a lot to do. Choose from 14 courses several of which are ranked at or near the top of the "world's best" lists.

One local tourist spot is the Haleakala Ecotours, an authorized concessionaire for Haleakala National Park. The scenic Hana Highway can take you all along the island's 30 miles of beaches, including golden-crescent Kapalua, sheltered from strong currents by lava-rock promontories.

It's nearly twice the size of all the other islands combined with four different climate zones, including a polar tundra resulting from the shielding effects of its massive volcanoes. However you decide to experience the island, it is sure to leave you humbled! Things to do : Travelers can ride horses along waterfalls trails or explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National park, which offers plenty of hiking trails like the Nahuku Thurston Lava Tube or the Devastation Trail.

You can stargaze on the mountain tops, tour a coffee farm, or hang out on the beach. There's more beach here than any of the other islands. You can even go on a Manta Ray dive at night. Things to note : Make sure you read up on safe hiking practices on the island trails. Some can be pretty difficult or unsafe. Don't hike alone and tell someone where you are going. Don't drink any of the water on the trails or wade in with open cuts.

For more information, go here. On Maui, you'll find world-famous beaches featuring black, red and white sand , the road to Hana and adventures at Haleakala National Park. This lets the island's visitors mix up their day-to-day activities — boredom is not an option on Maui. You can spend one day sprawled on a beach resort in Lahaina, with nothing on the agenda but catching rays and perhaps a spa evening. The next day, on the other hand, might bring action and adventure: Catch an early-morning shuttle to the top of the dormant Haleakala volcano, where you can watch the sunrise before hopping on a mountain bike to enjoy several hours' worth of beautiful scenery on the road to the bottom.

Renting a car is a great way to explore Maui, making the road to Hana —a twisting, turning cliff-side drive, featuring unbeatable views and hiking spots along the way — a possibility. Flights to Maui from the mainland are the second-cheapest in Hawaii with the first being to Oahu. This island is an excellent choice for travelers looking to mix it up between adventure and relaxation.

On the Big Island, you'll find Hawaii's only active volcano, plus awesome beaches and a captivating history. Enjoy some of Hawaii's best snorkeling here, along with beautiful resorts, waterfalls and coastal scenery. Coffee fans can find their own personal heaven here, as well, as the Big Island is home to the United States' only home-grown coffee. The island features seven different coffee-growing regions, each boasting its own unique climate and industry.

The island lives up to its name, as it's the biggest of all the Hawaiian islands. On this one plot of land, visitors can travel through all but four of the world's existing climate zones, with everything from the tropics to the polar tundra.

These zones are possible due to the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, which provide elevation and shielding properties that contribute to the island's diverse climates. On the Big Island, you can witness everything from black sand beaches to flowing molten magma to snowy mountaintops.

Molokai offers the most remote feel you'll find in Hawaii, as it's the state's least populated island and the most lacking in modern amenities. It also boasts some of the region's highest sea cliffs and Hawaii's longest continuous fringe reef.

If you're a traveler who likes to divert from the beaten path and truly get off the grid while you're away, consider vacationing on Molokai. This one's a tiny island, and easily accessible by ferry from Maui, so you might be best off visiting here in addition to Maui or a couple of the other islands. On Lanai, you'll get to experience small island life firsthand, as most of its population descends from plantation workers.

There are two world-class resorts on Lanai, as well as a renowned golf scene. Brenna Swanston is a freelance writer, editor and journalist.