First-time visitors to Hawaii can be overwhelmed when planning their trips. After all, the state has six tourist islands—which is the right one to experience? It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking Waikiki Beach and Honolulu should be the first stops, especially because most of the direct flight options land on Oahu. Though Oahu has its draws, it really shouldn’t be the first stop for new visitors; Honolulu is a big city with lots of traffic and loads of tourists, and it doesn’t accurately reflect what other islands have to offer.
Maui has the perfect mixture of tourism and culture, and is just as popular as its sister island of Oahu and can be reached via direct flights from the mainland. What sets Maui apart is that although there are central tourist areas on the island, there’s a lot left to explore and discover beyond that. The island is large, and getting from one side to the other can be daunting, so planning your itinerary with specific locations in mind will help decrease time spent behind the wheel. Maui is for anyone looking for a trip off the beaten path. No trip to Maui would be complete without the experience of snorkeling Lanai. Lanai is Maui’s lesser known neighbor and offers some of the best snorkeling in the world.