Oahu Vs Big Island: Which Hawaiian Island is Better?

Are you visiting Hawaii for the first time? and you’ve narrowed it down to Oahu or the Big Island. But still confused about whether to visit Oahu vs Big Island, then you are at the right place! One of the hardest parts about planning a trip to Hawaii is deciding which Hawaiian island is better to visit!

I loved visiting both the Big Island and Oahu during my trip to Hawaii, and I truly love them both! However, I know most people who travel to Hawaii don’t have time to visit both. So, I’m giving you a better idea of how the islands compare to each other to decide for yourself which one is better fir for your interests between Oahu Vs Big Island.

Honestly, I just loved beaches, landscapes, food, and activities on both the islands. I would love to GO BACK to see more and visit other islands of Hawaii.

But in this post, I’ll cover all your important questions like which island has the best beaches, the best nightlife, the best outdoor activities, and some practical information! With these answers, you’ll be able to decide which Hawaiian island is right for you.

OAHU Vs BIG ISLAND: Which Hawaiian Island to Choose?

While it is very unfair to compare any beautiful fairytale-like islands in a few paragraphs, this post is written to help you with trip planning. This post highlights some key differences between Hawaiian islands, but both islands are perfect for exploring and enjoying a cocktail after a day on the beach.

Having said that here are the main things to know about Oahu and the Big Island when choosing between visiting one of them.

OAHU OVERVIEW

Oahu, or O’ahu, is the most well-known island of Hawaii.

It’s nicknamed ‘The Gathering Place’ as it’s where the majority of the Hawaiian population live and is usually where you’ll transit through to fly to other Hawaiian islands.

Oahu is Home to the Capital of Hawaii(Honolulu), where you’ll find Hawaii’s most famous attractions: Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.

Even though Oahu seems touristy, busy, and commercialized, it has still so many beautiful places to unwind. From the city skylines of Honolulu to the surf-inspired shores of Haleiwa on the north shore, there is something for everyone on Oahu.

If you’re looking for a modern city break with beautiful beaches and adventure activities, Oahu is your island! Oahu is a perfect blend of traditional with commercial!

Good to know About Oahu

Most tourists prefer to stay in Waikiki Beach for its convenience, but Oahu has so much more to see. Its north shore and windward side are full of beautiful mountains and local beaches.

Oahu is much smaller as compared to the Big Island, you can drive around all of Oahu in a few hours. This makes it perfect to do day trips while on Oahu vs the Big Island. But still, I highly recommend renting a car to get around Oahu to maximize your time on the island!

Top Things to Do in Oahu

My favorite part about the Oahu is the wide variety of activities it has to offer. In Waikiki, you’ll find shopping, nightlife, beaches, sunsets, and surfing for beginners! While the windward coast offers beautiful sunrises, hikes, and the best beaches in Hawaii.

If you love adventures, you can opt for incredible hikes like Lanikai Pillboxes, Diamond Head, and Koko Crater. And don’t forget about visiting the historic Pearl Harbor or the real-life Jurassic Park! In fact, there are tons of free and cheap things to do in Oahu!

BIG ISLAND OVERVIEW

The Big Island, or The Island of Hawaii, is Hawaii’s youngest island but also the BIGGEST of all Hawaiian Islands. All of the other Hawaiian islands could fit INSIDE the Big Island!

Big Island is one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited! It is full of incredible and varying landscapes, and immense diversity on the Island! From the snowy peak of Mauna Kea to the breathtaking black, and green sand beaches along the coast!

Also, Big Island offers the most diverse weather and is home to Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, you can see the live eruptions from different viewpoints. The island is truly breathtakingly beautiful and distinct from all other Hawaiian islands!

This is YOUR ISLAND if you like volcanoes, beaches, outdoor adventures, and lots of nature! For this reason, I will choose the Big Island if I have to visit only one Hawaiian island! You can easily spend 5 days on the Big Island because it has more laid-back vibes than Oahu.

Good to know Before Visiting the Big Island

Most of the activities on the Big Island are spread across the island, and renting a car is essential if you want to get around. Try spending your time in at least two different locations: On the western coast (Kona or Kohala coast) and the east side (Hilo or Volcano Village). I highly recommend spending 5 days in the Big Island to enjoy what the island has to offer.

Top Things to Do in the Big Island

In general, I recommend visiting the Big Island if you love the outdoors and want to experience all they have to offer! The Big Island is the only Hawaiian island where you can snorkel with manta rays, which should be on your bucket list! Other popular activities on the Big Island include exploring Volcanoes National Park, Sunset at Mauna Kea Summit, and visiting a Kona coffee farm!

Which Island to Choose: OAHU Vs Big Island

Now that you have a general understanding of both islands, let’s deep dive into the details of which island is best for different categories! These are my suggestions of what you should base your choice on for Oahu vs Big Island:

1. Beaches
2. Food, Drinks and Nightlife
3. Hiking
4. Volcanology
5. Snorkeling
6. Surfing
7. Adventures
8. Variety
9. Vibes
10. Weather
11. Couple Vs Family Travel
12. Best Resorts
13. Access & Convenience
14. Cost

Best Island For Beaches: Oahu

Hawaii is known for its white sandy beaches that are paradise for sunshine seekers. Although Both the islands have unique beaches, OAHU is the winner here. You’ll ask Why?

You can check out the famous Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, Hanauma Bay, North Shore, and Waimanalo Beach in Oahu. Oahu has so many beautiful, white-sand beaches to choose from. You can spend your days lounging in the sand and drinking Mai Tai all day across Oahu! And the best part is they are easily accessible! Read more about Oahu in this 5 day Oahu Itinerary.

While The Big Island does have some beautiful golden sandy beaches, they are mostly on the west coast of the island, in the Kona Side.

However, since the Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, most of the beaches are very volcanic, with jagged and rocky Shore! This means the Big Island has epic Black Sand Beaches and even Green Sand Beach, but not a lot of white sandy beaches(except Hapuna Beach)!

I loved visiting Punalu’u black sand beach with swaying palm trees and Makalawena Beach on Big Island.

So if you’re looking for that idyllic version of Hawaii, with white sandy beaches, OAHU is your best bet. But if you’re less into sunbathing and more into unique coastal views then try the the Big Island for a different perspective.

Best Island For Food, Drinks and Nightlife: Oahu

While both the islands have incredible food options, OAHU is the winner here. Oahu is very populated, with the capital Honolulu as the seat of food, drink, and nightlife in Hawaii, that no other island in the state can compare.

There are TONS of different restaurants and bars to choose from with world-class cuisines and drinks. There are also so many incredible beach bars, rooftop bars, live music bars, and exciting nightlife to choose from in Oahu.

Honolulu is the only place where restaurants and bars will even consider being open past midnight, with lots of late-night events and happenings taking place in the Waikiki area and even the North Shore area past 11 PM!

While the Big Island has some incredible restaurants and local places to eat, the options are very limited. Most of the actions on the Big Island happen on the Kona Side. Kona is your best bet for nighttime entertainment, although you won’t find as many options as you see in Oahu.

Also, outside of the Kona area, your food and drink options become sparse, unless you are in Hilo. If you’re looking for late-night food in Hilo, you’ll be fine but don’t expect much nightlife here.

Also, most places on the Big Island aren’t open past 10 PM, let alone midnight! The Big Island is more laid-back compared to the upbeat and energetic atmosphere of Oahu. 

So, that said visit Oahu to enjoy diverse food, live music, cocktails at nightclubs – and everything in between. On the other hand, the Big Island is better suited if you prefer a calm and quiet evening with a more laid-back atmosphere. So, now it’s clear Oahu Vs Big Island, which one is according to your vibe??

Best Island for Hiking: Oahu

Oahu offers so many amazing things to do during your Hawaii trip. If you are an adventure lover, there are so many different hikes in Oahu that offer spectacular views of the Coastline from above.

You can choose an easy family-friendly famous Diamond Head hike that offers beautiful views of Honolulu. And just 20 minutes away from Waikiki, you’ll find the epic Koko Crater hike, which is pretty challenging but offers stunning views.

On the east side of the island, there’s the Lanikai Pillbox hike and the Ehukai Pillbox Trail in the north. The views from all the hikes are very breathtaking at sunrise or sunset.

At the same time, the Big Island also offers incredible hiking options in Volcanic National Park, and a few coastal hikes like Captain Cook, and the Onomea Bay Trail. But it isn’t comparable to Oahu for the best views!

In summary, the Big Island has a few awesome hikes, but Oahu wins this category! So clear winner here!

Best Island for Volcanology: Big Island

While Oahu is very beautiful and eroded with volcanic history, the Big Island has active volcanoes! So, if your goal is to see an active volcano, head to the Big Island!

The island of Oahu does not have any active volcanoes. The Big Island is made up of 5 different volcanoes: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Mauna Kea, and Kohala. The first 3 are still active, with Kilauea being the most active volcano on Earth! If you are lucky, you might even get to see eruptions while visiting the Big Island.

One of the most popular things to do on the Big Island is visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (the gateway to the surface of Kilauea), where you can walk through a lava tube, hike down into a volcanic crater, and see petroglyphs, and learn more about shield volcanoes and how they form islands..

Another incredible activity to do on the Big Island is to watch the sunset and stargaze from Mauna Kea! Mauna Kea is the highest mountain in the world standing at 14,000 feet above sea level! So, it’s an incredible place to experience the sunset.

If you are a Volcano lover and interested in geology, head to the Big Island.

Best Island for Snorkeling: Big Island

While both Oahu and the Big Island have beautiful underwater scenery, the Big Island is the winner here. First, the Big Island is much less populated and not as popular as Oahu, which means fewer crowds and better coral reefs.

In Oahu, you can opt for Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay. This nature preserve offers peaceful, calm waters for snorkeling for all ages. Shallow waters make it easy to explore the coral and sea life. But it requires advanced reservations and limits the amount of daily visitors! But it offers an incredible experience, being a protective natural preserve.

But there are many beautiful beaches for snorkeling on the Big Island, and no reservations or tours are required! Both sides of the Big Island, Kona and Hilo, offer incredible snorkeling. You can choose Captain Cook Monument or Hapuna Beach for the best experience.

In addition to daytime snorkeling, the Big Island is the only place you can snorkel (or dive) at night with rare and elusive manta rays. This is one of the best and most unique activities on the Big Island, and I highly recommend it.

Best Island for Surfing: Oahu

If you’re in Paradise, Surfing in Hawaii is a must-do, right? Or at least watch some surfing! If Surfing is your priority, the easy choice is Oahu vs the Big Island.

Oahu is home to the famous North Shore, where premier surfing competitions are held throughout the winter months! I highly recommend spending one day on the North Shore, eating at the famous Haleiwa Food Trucks, and watching the surfers at the Banzai Pipeline and Rocky Point.

If you are interested in taking a surfing lesson, Waikiki Beach on Oahu is the perfect place to do this. The waves on Waikiki Beach stay pretty small year-round, making it ideal for beginners!

There are very limited places for surfing on the Big Island, and not as easily accessible as on Oahu. If you want to surf or take surfing lessons on the Big Island, check out Kahalu’u Beach Park! This bay is a good place for beginners. If you want to watch surfing, head over to Banyans in Kona to see locals and experienced surfers.

Best Island For Adventure & Activities: Big Island

Hawaiian islands offer plenty of adventure activities. And while both Oahu and the Big Island offer exhilarating activities, the Big Island is the clear winner here. 

If you’re visiting Big Island, there are so many activities to choose from for you. You can hike an active volcano, snorkel with giant Manta rays, and even zipline through the lush green rainforest, Whale watching in Kona, hiking the waterfalls, and so on. The type of outdoor adventures you’ll find on the Big Island are unmatched by Oahu.

But the Big Island isn’t just for thrill seekers. There are plenty of easy outdoor activities to suit all travelers. For example, there are some great coffee farms that you can tour around Kona, or visit the Cacao Plantations and learn about Chocolate Making.

While Oahu is a bit more developed than the Big Island, that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in fun experiences. It’s also a good place to surf and hike, and there are plenty of beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. 

Oahu is also a wonderful place for history lovers. You can visit Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, and the Bishop Museum, all of which are just a short drive from Waikiki.

But as you can see there are just more options and unique activities on the Big Island than Oahu. This is why Big Island is the clear winner if you’re craving some adventure!

Best Island for Variety: Big Island

Oahu offers a wide variety of activities with Waikiki Beach on one side and North Shore on the other. There are tonnes of things to do in Oahu but almost all the places offer similar kinds of experiences!

Whereas, the Big Island is where you’ll find the largest variety of terrain, towns, and experiences.

From the beautiful white sandy beaches, lava fields of the Kona Coast, Kona coffee farms, big banyan trees of Hilo, the 14000-foot summit of Mauna Kea, the green and black sand beaches, dramatic Waipio Valley in the north, to towering waterfalls. The Big Island offers everything in one place! You can get what I Mean!

The Big Island contains almost all of the world’s ecosystems and offers a wide variety of things to explore which isn’t the case in Oahu! Big Island is the ultimate Hawaiian experience!

Best Island For Vibes and Culture: Big Island

One of the many reasons to visit Hawaii is to experience the local culture and just how much it differs from the mainland USA.

After all, it might be a US state but it’s still so in touch with its Polynesian roots. You will be surprised to know that the culture is very different and has nothing to do with America at all.

We all know how Honolulu is very commercialized and Oahu bit lacks authentic experiences. While some traditions remain, especially if you visit the Polynesian Culture Center or attend a Luau.

The Big Island on the other hand is so much different. Even in downtown Hilo and Kona, which is home to big hotels and restaurants, it just had such a different vibe. The people we met on The Big Island were so generous.

We stayed in Airbnb on the Big Island and also met our hosts. They were kind and let us pluck the fruits from their gardens! The Big Island truly feels like such a different island entirely.

If you’re after a more relaxed vibe then The Big Island is for you. However, if you like to be in the center of everything then Oahu would be best as it’s better for more touristy crowds.

Best Island For Overall Good Weather: Big Island

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, probably hoping for warm weather and lots of sunshine. And while the islands can be very hot and sunny, they can also surprise you with unexpected weather changes.

Oahu has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year, with temperatures hovering in the high 70s to mid-80s. The rainy season runs from November until March, other months it remains relatively dry and calm if you’re staying in Waikiki.

While the North Shore is more temperamental weather-wise. You can expect more rain during the winter on the East side of the island. 

However, the Big Island is one of the best Hawaiian islands if you’re seeking nice weather throughout the year. The entire leeward coast (Kailua-Kona and Kohala coast on the east side) is a great place to base yourself, as it sees warm temperatures and also lower chances of rainfall.

But the Hilo side gets lots of rain throughout the year. It is one of the rainiest cities in the entire country! Even if you’re not here during the wet season (November to March), rain is still common.

If you’re staying in Kona, you can plan a trip to Big Island any time of the year!

Best Island For Couples: Big Island

I think the Big Island is a more romantic destination than OAHU. It is more laid back and perfect for a romantic honeymoon. Kohala Coast and Kona have so many beautiful luxurious resorts on the Big Island, like the Mauna Lani Resort, Fairmont Orchid Waikoloa, Royal Kona Resort, and  Westin Hapuna Beach Resort.

All of these resorts are perfect for the picturesque luxury vibe honeymooners will be looking for: stunning pools, beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants, and fancy golf resorts!

Oahu also has many beautiful resorts outside the Waikiki Area. But those are not as many as Big Island has! You can check out the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina or Turtle Bay Resort in North Shore.

So while Oahu has some beautiful resorts that are great for couples, I still think the Big Island is better in this category!

Best Island For Families: Oahu

This is very clear from all the above topics, Oahu is a better option for travelers with children! There are tons of family-friendly activities to experience on Oahu, like watching the waves at North Shore, visiting the Pearl Harbor memorial, exploring Waikiki Beach, visiting Pineapple Plantation, or experiencing Kualoa Ranch (the real-life Jurassic Park). There are so many activities in OAHU that are perfect for families.

If you have older children who enjoy hiking and snorkeling, the Big Island is still a great choice! Oahu, however, options are limited other than it.

Best Island for All Inclusive Resorts: Oahu

Both Oahu and Big Island offer a wide range of accommodation options from sprawling all-inclusive resorts to beautiful vacation rentals. However, there are some big differences to keep in mind when choosing where you want to stay.

Oahu has some great resorts, especially in Waikiki. And while these places have stunning locations and outstanding customer service, they’re located in one of the most crowded and touristy areas of Hawaii. Not only is beach space more limited, but it also has a strong city-like atmosphere, and doesn’t offer much peace on your vacation!

There are other resorts outside of Waikiki near Ko Olina or the North Shore, but you can expect to pay a hefty price to stay here.

but if you’re looking for a more traditional resort vacation, then the Big Island is the better option. The Kohala Coast is a luxury resort area with pristine beaches, volcanic landscapes, and some of the best golf courses in the state. You’ll get what you pay here! So, the Big Island is the best choice if you’re looking for an all-inclusive Hawaii vacation.

Best Island For Access & Convenience: Oahu

While all the above topics were about how to spend your time on the Big Island and Oahu, this section is about the practical side of getting to the islands. This is very important as many people don’t have many vacation days or may have a smaller budget to travel.

If you’re traveling to Hawaii through the mainland USA, you’ll mostly get cheap flights to Honolulu in Oahu(the capital of Hawaii). You’ll mostly fly from Los Angeles or San Francisco as flights from these cities are frequent and offered by multiple airlines.

Once you’re on Oahu, you can also choose from several daily domestic flights to other islands like Maui, Kaui, or the Big Island.

If you’re flying directly to the Big Island, direct flights to Kona exist for major West Coast USA cities, but flying to Hilo would involve a quick layover in Oahu and it might be expensive!

Because of the larger choice of flights and more direct flight options, Oahu is the easiest to get to than Big Island. However, travel to The Big Island from Oahu is easier.

Best Island for Overall Cheap Travel: Oahu

I will say, overall all the Hawaiian Islands are expensive to travel and not your typical budget or backpacking destination! Even though you get good deals, when you add flights, hotels, and rental cars, your costs will go up quickly!

But Oahu is a bit cheaper than other islands! On average six nights in Oahu can cost you $3000 for two people, considering you’re flying from LAX or SF. Your major expenses will be for hotels and Car rentals. But if you opt for a vacation rental instead of resorts and use Public buses on Oahu, this cost can be much less!

A trip to the Big Island is only slightly more expensive than Oahu. I found car rentals and accommodations most expensive on the Big Island! This is why we chose to stay in a nice Airbnb in Waikoloa Village. Also, you simply can’t avoid Car rental on the Big Island looking at how big it is and the car is needed for any sightseeing activity!

These are just overall my observations but it will also depend on when you’re traveling! Summer and holidays are the most expensive times to visit Hawaii! If you want to save some $$, avoid this time. On top of that, you’ll also need to budget for tours, excursions, and food, as these will impact the cost of your Hawaii Vacation.

Final Thoughts on Oahu Vs Big Island

Both islands are unique and offer different activities, food, and resorts to check out. One island can be a dream destination for some people and less desirable for others!

When comparing the Oahu vs Big Island, neither comes out on top because it depends on what type of vacation you are looking for and how long!

If you only have a few days, I recommend spending them on Oahu. Since Oahu is much smaller than the Big Island, you can do a ton of different activities in a very short time frame even without renting a car!

For those who are looking for a long vacation with more diverse activities, the Big Island is your best choice! With its multitude of climate zones and landscapes, you can find a little bit of everything on the Big Island from white sandy beaches, black sand beaches, volcanoes, coffee farms, waterfalls, and more!

Most people plan their Hawaiian vacation for one to two weeks, and visit one or more Hawaiian islands in one trip, which makes total sense! I highly recommend this ! You can easily divide your time between Oahu or Big Island!

No matter which island you choose, you really can’t go wrong with a trip to Hawaii!

I hope this blog post has helped you to make your mind up about whether you should visit Oahu Vs Big Island.