Which is the Best Hawaiian Island for a Seven-day beach Vacation?

When are you going? What is your budget?

You can find a quiet beach with sun, palms and the sun on any of the islands....

We were thinking March of 2012 with a buget of under $7,000 with airfare.

Since you are on a Fodors site, I suggest you at least consult the Fodors online guide for Hawaii and then come back to these boards with specific questions. It would also be desirable if you generated a profile. Sometimes that helps a responder to make more appropriate recommendations. For the online guide, see:

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/hawaii/

I like The Big Island- Mauna Kea or Hapuna Prince have terrific beaches.

I like Makena Resort on Maui.

You can get an idea of the beaches on www.hawaiigaga.com
It's actually a condo/home booking site, but the photos of the beaches are lovely and fun to look at. I have no affiliation with any of the places mentioned above.

My parents visit Hawaii twice a year they like to relax on the beaches for vacation. They alternate between Oahu and Maui. On Oahu they stay at Marriot on Ko Olina resort (you'll need a car to stay here). They like KoOlina because its quiet and it has several little bays you can swim in so my mom feels safer here. In Maui they stay on Kaanapali beach which they say is the best beach in Maui- they like the Westin but regular rates are pretty expensive, you might want to check incase they are having a sale. My parents are going there again for 2 weeks in January. They've been to Mexico numerous times but prefer Hawaii for swimming.

I wouldn't recommend Ka'anapali on Maui for OP if they aren't interested in crowds and touristy stuff. That almost defines Ka'anapali. It's a big beach, but not the best, in my opinion.

If you want to blow your budget and live it up in 1 week on an island with few resorts, go to Lanai
http://www.fourseasons.com/manelebay/

If you want to have more realistic Hawaiian adventure and have a whole island basically to yourselves, go to Molokai

http://www.castleresorts.com/Home/accommodations/kaluakoi-villas

The best Island if you want activities like whale watching (Maui)


Best Fishing (Big Island)

Even though Maui is my favorite island - I would suggest Kauai. Stay at the Hanalei Bay Resolt on the north part of the island - overlooks Bali Hai. It's quiet, serene, gorgeous and a beautiful beach. The resort (condo) even has a golf cart to take you to and from the beach if you don't want to walk the slight hill through the property. If you go make sure you take a zodiac raft to the Na Pali Coast. It is to die for. Have a wonderful time. No matter where you stay you will fall in love with the islands. The whales should still be frolicking in the water so be sure to take some whalewatching tours. Aloha!

Maui, Kaanapali Beach

I spent a great week on Kaanapali Beach this past summer . I loved it but I am not sure if it would necessarily be what the OP is looking for. It is a stretch of hotels and condos that one could consider "crowded" if you are looking for something secluded. And I don't think it's the best beach in Maui, particularly towards the Marriott and Hyatt. The beach gets better as you move towards the Sheraton. That being said, I thought it was great and would stay there again but I don't have a particular need for seclusion and I liked the convenience of the area.

Big Beach on Maui is also very lovely. It's huge but even if crowded it's still not crowded because of it's size.

You can find what you describe on any of the islands. Each has their pluses and minuses.
Oahu is usually the easiest for finding flights (and if you stay outside Waikiki/Honolulu is not particularly touristy or crowded).
Maui is beautiful, again just don't stay in the tourist resorts.
Kauai sounds the most like what you are seeking.
Big Island has the most diversity plus the live volcano.

But you can't stay on Big Beach, and it has a dangerous break so you must be careful swimming and bodysurfing there.

quite, not touristy, beach, sun - then choose either Lanai, Big Island or Kauai. Lanai may be too expensive. $7,000 budget - where are you coming from as a good portion might be taken up in airfare. After visiting most of the islands,We concentrate on Kauai as it is pretty low key. We prefer condo's because of the room it offers - not just a bed, ability to eat in for some of our meals and not having to fight over a pool with lots of people that the resorts might have. Check out VRBO for condo's (Luxury Poipu is a great condo as is Poipu Shores) but Hanalei Bay Resort certainly is a good choice. Hanalei is a sleepy little town with just enough to make it funky and interesting, nice beaches. Poipu Beach has grown considerable but still is calmer than other areas on Maui and Oahu (Waikiki area). However, North side of Oahu is quieter as are the beaches there. Aloha - hope you find something you like. It is our favorite place to relax.

If you want a relaxing week I would suggest Kauai.

It is truly beautiful and very tropical, (it's called the garden island), so IMHO it is the lushest of all the islands (with the exception of maybe Oahu). You can relax on beautiful quiet beaches, go hiking, there is a mini grand canyon to explore, the island is very small if you want to go from one end to the other (they are quite different - the south is drier while the north is wetter and greener). It doesn't have a commercial feel at all.

Shar,
Good prices can be found for the 4S's on Lanai. Example 4S Manele Bay for March on Travelocity is $345/nt. If one really looks, there are some sub 3 numbers out there

*I didnt mention Kauai as the nicer N Shore might be wet in March

For relaxation, solitude, empty beaches and small towns I'd rent a beach house on the north shore of Kauai through VRBO.com. Waking up every morning and having coffee on your own piece of the beach is something I still dream about. My husband and I had a couples massage right on the beach at the Hanalei Day Spa in the Hanalei Colony Resort in Haena. Absolute heaven on earth.

I also love the Big Island for it's dramatic scenery; volcanoes, green sand beaches, black sand beaches, volcanic-heated swimming holes fed by the ocean. At Punalu’u Beach Park we actually swam with giant sea turtles right off the black sand beach.

Have fun planning!

Kauai or Maui would meet your criteria.

I would definitely have to say Kauai. Yes, I am a bit biased living here. But I have lived on the other islands, and there really is no place like Kauai. The Waimea Canyon and Polihale Beach are otherworldly. If any of my friends come I always recommend a few tours. Napali.com is Captain Andy's site, and they have been doing tours on the Na Pali forever and give killer tours. www.safarihelicopters.com is also a must do. I just know them, but I think any helicopter tour would be unforgettable. Also, for great places to stay, I thinke www.hawaiianbeachrentals.com has the biggest selection, and you can find stuff all over the island. For food, I would definitely hit up Sushi Bushido in Kapaa. A lot of people go to Kintaros, but I actually think Bushido is much better and better atmosphere. And spend a few days playing at Hanalei Bay. Sunsets there are not to be missed.

You can find peace and solitude on the beach at any of the six main Hawaiian Islands. From up on the North Shore on Oahu - private places at Waimea (aee VRBO) or at Turtle Bay - or over at Lanakai by Kailua, to any number of places on Big Island - to such places as Kapalua/Napili on Maui - or our favorite - up at Hanalei/Princeville on Kauai - or down at sunny Poipu.

Hawaii is your oyster - so just google and google and find what fits your parameters.

BTW - the garden isle of Kauai - does get some rain on the North Shore - 4 sure - that's why it's so lush - but unless is's a huge winter storm - it passes through and then you are rewarded with sunshine and fresh waterfalls streaming down the hills of Bali Hai.