My husband and I are planning a September vacation to Hawaii. We have just started our research for the trip. Any suggestions on the best island to visit for an approx. 10 day trip? We are not interested in the nightlife or club scene. Would mainly like to see best beaches and attractions. Will have an infant with us, but we are both very active. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

I am biased but I would say go to Kauai-or the big island. Kauai is very beautiful and quiet, not much night life there! Lot's of places to hike and outdoorsy things to do. never been to the Big Island but it is supposed to be great too. Many people would say Maui, but we found Maui too busy for our liking.

My first choice would be Maui followed by The Big Island second. There's lots to see on Maui while The Big Island is less congested but also has far less to do.

I disagree that the Big Island has less to do than Maui. I think it has way more!
I think that all of the islands have their individual charm, but I too give the nod to the Big Island and Kauai. Of course with an infant, you'll be a little more limited, so if it was me, I'd go to the most convenient location.

Hi Jen,
Sounds like a great trip! Heres some info for you since I'm from there. If you like the outdoors a lot, and dont mind a lack of city and nightlife, then Kauai, the Big Island and Molokai are great. Kauai has beautiful scenery, lush tropical growth, really nice beaches and everywhere is pretty accessible. Its still pretty much a laid-back restful island that still retains a lot of its plantation past. There is development, resorts, shopping areas, but nowhere near Oahu.
The Big Island (Hawaii) has a lot to offer for outdoors too, lush, beautiful scenery, but fewer white sand beaches than say Oahu or Kauai. The unique thing about it though, I feel, is the diversity of environs to see. You can go from black volcanic rock beaches to lush forests to the cold towering (sometimes snow covered) extinct volcanoes to active red-hot volcanoes. Its quite amazing. Nightlife there is also on the slow side, and there are again the resort areas and some shopping malls.
Molokai is the least developed of the three, with great scenery (tallest sea cliffs in the world), and lush growth. The feel of the area is very relaxing, it just seems to move at a different pace than everywhere else. It is the smallest of the three.
Maui may also be a consideration, since it offers a nice compormise between development/nature.
If both of you love nature and are comfortable with a lack of "city" (wont get bored) then I think the Big Island would be nice, after all where else in the US will you get to see an active volcano? If there is a chance you may get a little bored with 10 days, I would suggest two islands, probably a combination of one of the three above with either Maui or Oahu. And travelling with your child at any of these places will be no problem at all.
My descriptions of the islands probably arent as apt as they should be, but hopefully others here can add more info. Hawaii is a great place, the people are its greatest asset and I'm sure you'll find that the Aloha spirit is a reality and not just a saying. By the way, be sure to rent a car with air conditioning since September tends to be pretty hot and humid at times.
Sorry for the length, hope this helps!

My vote goes with Kauii. It feels like the Hawaii of your imagination. The air is filled with the scent of flowers, the roads are lazy and uncrowded and the beaches are divine. With that much time I would probably combine it with the Big Island for contrast of geology and activities. On Kauii, we stayed at Poipu Beach which was very nice in the Poipu Shores Condos. We could walk out our door and see sea turtles swimming. Also could walk down to a sandy beach. Maui also has beautiful beaches and the Haleakala mountain is cool but there has been much poorly planned development along the shore. Chris

Both islands are great! I have gone back several times to both but find myself parking myself on the North Shore of Kauai these past three years. I don’t do that because it is the best spot more that I am not interested in exploring new areas in my brief vacation. I find new hiking trails on Kauai but the island is smaller and you get a sense of the island sooner.

Think fewer people attempt big island because it is so darn big. Volcano at night is spectacular if it is flowing in a way to afford a view. Waipio Valley has wild horses apart from mountains against the ocean.

Best way I find to decide is to buy both Andrew Dougherty books on Kauai and big Islands. Sit down 1-2 evenings with them and see which island calls you for vacation time. This works for me.

PS as for flowere BI is the known as the orchid isle and you see these in the wild in the hilo area. Certainly a sight that will get me to return.