A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Oahu for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Resorts

Should you visit Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Oahu can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a beautiful, resort-filled, and family-friendly coastal town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and food.

Oahu

Oahu is a historic, energetic, and vibrant island. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Hilton Head Island and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oahu. Although Hilton Head Island and Oahu are both popular with visitors, Oahu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oahu is more touristy than Hilton Head Island and is known for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). It is also home to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Hilton Head Island is popular for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Hilton Head Island different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oahu and Hilton Head Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Oahu is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Oahu specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hilton Head Island and Oahu.

Hilton Head Island is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Oahu offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

Oahu is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Oahu has a large number of nightlife venues. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is a decent place to visit for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

While it's not known for it's music scene, Oahu has some options for casual listeners. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Hilton Head Island and Oahu.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Hilton Head Island. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Oahu is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Oahu is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Hilton Head Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Oahu. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Hilton Head Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Beaches?

Oahu is terrific for the beach. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Oahu is a very popular vacation destination. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Hilton Head Island. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Oahu specifically for its hiking. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Oahu is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Oahu. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Families?

You'll find terrific kid-friendly activities in either Hilton Head Island or Oahu.

Hilton Head Island is one of the most popular family destinations. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Oahu is an amazing family-friendly coastal town to visit. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Couples?

Oahu is terrific for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Oahu has plenty to offer. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oahu is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Hilton Head Island is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Oahu is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Hilton Head Island is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oahu is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Oahu a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and Oahu are decent when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

Oahu is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Oahu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Both Hilton Head Island and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Oahu has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Oahu than Hilton Head Island. In general, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 3-7 days is enough time in Oahu.

Families should spend more time in Oahu than Hilton Head Island. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oahu, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oahu than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oahu that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oahu than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oahu.

One day in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the destination of Hilton Head Island. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the scenic destination of Oahu. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Hilton Head Island is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Oahu is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic island of Oahu. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the relaxing destination of Hilton Head Island. This coastal town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Oahu. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oahu has to offer.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful coastal town of Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Oahu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It offers something for everyone. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilton Head Island and Oahu, we can see that Oahu is more expensive. And not only is Hilton Head Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilton Head Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilton Head Island and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu than you might in Hilton Head Island.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Oahu Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Hilton Head Island or Oahu?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Oahu in the Summer?

Both Oahu and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hilton Head Island is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 82°F (28°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during summer. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Hilton Head Island. In July, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Oahu. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Oahu in the Autumn?

Both Oahu and Hilton Head Island during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Oahu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hilton Head Island is cooler than Oahu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hilton Head Island. In the autumn, Hilton Head Island often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Hilton Head Island gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in October than Oahu. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Oahu in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Oahu. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Oahu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Hilton Head Island is much colder than Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hilton Head Island in January average around 48°F (9°C), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during winter. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Oahu. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Oahu in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Oahu. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Oahu because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Hilton Head Island is generally cooler than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 67°F (19°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In the spring, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Oahu. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.

Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in April than Oahu. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Hilton Head Island