Hawaii is one of those places we never seem to tire of. We’ve returned over the years for family vacations, snorkeling trips, island road trips and some very special moments in our own lives.
But planning Hawaii usually starts with one big question: Which island and what should we do once we get there?
That’s why we created our Hawaii travel guides for Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, along with some of our favorite places to stay and snorkel.
So rather than make you search for them, we’ve brought them together here.
Choose your island. Find your perfect guide. Start planning.
Short on Time?
- Planning Oahu: Start with our 3, 5 & 7-day itinerary.
- Planning Maui: Start with our 3, 5 & 7-day itinerary.
- Planning Kauai: Start with our complete Kauai vacation guide.
- Planning the Big Island: Start with our beaches, snorkeling and adventure guide.
- Coming for the ocean: Don’t miss our Oahu and Maui snorkeling guides.
- Need a hotel: Start with our Hawaii Where to Stay guide.
- Traveling as a family: Our Oahu resort guide is especially useful.
Table of Contents
OAHU
BEACHES • FOOD • ISLAND ENERGY
Oahu in 3, 5 or 7 Days
BEST FOR: First-time Oahu trips
Oahu gives you a little bit of everything – Waikiki, incredible food, beautiful beaches, snorkeling, history and plenty to explore beyond Honolulu.
We’ve put together 3, 5 and 7-day Hawaii travel guides for Oahu so you can choose the version that fits your trip without trying to squeeze everything into one vacation.
Purelifepodcast Tip: Rent a car for at least part of your stay. Some of our favorite Oahu days happen once you leave Waikiki behind.
Where to Stay on Oahu With a Family
BEST FOR: Families who want the right resort and location
Where you stay can completely change your Oahu vacation.
Waikiki puts restaurants and activity at your doorstep. Ko Olina gives you a much more resort-oriented escape. Other areas work better if beaches and exploring matter more than nightlife.
Our Oahu family resort guide breaks down the options.
Snorkeling Oahu
BEST FOR: Easy ocean days + family snorkeling
If snorkeling is part of your Hawaii plans, Oahu has plenty of options—from accessible beaches to organized excursions.
Our guide covers some of our favorite places to get into the water, particularly for families.
Purelifepodcast Tip: Don’t build your snorkeling plans entirely around a famous beach name. Conditions matter, and the best choice can change with the day.
Before You Book an Oahu Snorkeling Tour
BEST FOR: Choosing the right snorkeling excursion
Boat tour or beach? Morning or afternoon? What should you actually look for before booking?
If you’re considering an organized snorkeling experience, start here.
MAUI
SCENIC DRIVES • OCEAN DAYS • EASY LUXURY
Maui in 3, 5 or 7 Days
BEST FOR: Beaches + road trips + classic Hawaii scenery
Maui has always been one of our favorite Hawaiian islands—and it’s also where we were married.
Our Hawaii travel guides for Maui give you three ways to plan the island depending on how much time you have, combining beaches, scenic drives, great food and plenty of time near the ocean.
Snorkeling Maui
BEST FOR: Reefs + turtles + memorable ocean encounters
Some of our favorite Maui memories have happened underwater.
If snorkeling is high on your list, our Maui guide covers the reefs, turtle encounters and places we’d put on an ocean-focused itinerary.
KAUAI
WILD COASTLINES • NATURE • ADVENTURE
Planning Kauai
BEST FOR: Nature + dramatic scenery + road-trip days
Kauai feels different.
Greener. Quieter. Wilder.
It’s an island made for people who want to get in the car, follow the coastline, hike, find a beach and spend the day surrounded by some of Hawaii’s most extraordinary scenery. Our Hawaii travel guides for Kauai capture the all the sights and stays that give you the best opportunity to make the most of your time on the Garden Isle.
BIG ISLAND
VOLCANOES • SNORKELING • EPIC LANDSCAPES
Planning the Big Island
BEST FOR: Adventure + dramatically different landscapes
The Big Island lives up to its name.
Beaches, lava landscapes, snorkeling, hiking and long scenic drives make this one of Hawaii’s most varied islands and one where having a good plan really helps.
Our Hawaii travel guides for the Big Island are best the place to start.
STILL DECIDING WHERE TO STAY?
BEACHFRONT • FAMILY-FRIENDLY • ISLAND STYLE
Sometimes the island is only half the decision.
The other half is choosing the right part of it.
Our Hawaii hotel guide compares where to stay based on the kind of trip you’re actually planning from beach-focused vacations and family trips to quieter escapes.
Four Islands. Four Very Different Trips.
That’s what we love about Hawaii.
- Oahu gives you energy, food, beaches and variety.
- Maui balances beautiful resorts with road trips and unforgettable ocean days.
- Kauai pulls you outside.
- And the Big Island rewards travelers who want to explore.
You don’t have to experience all four at once. Choose the island that fits this trip.
And save the others for next time. We certainly have.
Four islands, nine guides and plenty of reasons to keep coming back. But before you go, here’s a first look at what we’ve been working on next.
COMING SOON FROM PURE LIFE PODCAST
THE REAL JAPAN COLLECTION: TOHOKU
Planning Japan next?
We’re getting ready to launch our first Real Japan Collection digital travel guide – a 12 day self-drive journey through Tohoku, northern Honshu.
Ryokan and onsen stays. Regional food. Scenic drives. Cultural experiences. And the practical details that bring the journey together.
12 DAYS • TOHOKU • RYOKAN • ONSEN • FOOD • SCENIC ROAD TRIP
Want to know when it launches?
Join the Pure Life Podcast email list and we’ll let you know when The Real Japan Collection: Tohoku is available.
Every Journey, Once in a Lifetime.
Some links on Pure Life Podcast are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend stays and experiences we genuinely believe are worth considering.