shellyrogersrennYay for you! You are planning a trip to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. You envision yourself sipping Mai Tai’s or eating tropical fruit while watching the sun melt into deep blue-green waters; the skies putting on a light show of cotton candy pink, violet, tangerine and butterscotch. A trip of a lifetime!
Did you know that the archipelago, or chain of islands, is made up of 137 islands and islets? There are eight major islands. Of these, Kahoʻolawe, an unpopulated Island Reserve and Ni’ihau, a private owned island with a population of around 200 are currently forbidden to travelers. This leaves six to choose from: The Big Island of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai. Each island offers a diverse and unique set of experiences. Unless you are extremely fortunate, you probably can’t see them all during one visit.
All the islands offer warm weather, beautiful beaches, and scenic landscapes. But you also want a quieter, calmer time away. And so now you, have narrowed the choice down to two of the remaining six.
Maui or Kauai.
And now, comes the big decision.
Will it be the Valley Isle of Maui or the Garden Isle of Kauai?
Which Island to choose and why?
Choosing between either of these tropical paradises can be a very difficult. And if this is your first trip to America’s 50th state you will be happy to know that there really isn’t a bad choice. Each island has its own “flavor”, it’s own ambiance. Both islands are lush offering its own charm, excitement, and relaxation. Here recently, both islands are available for direct flights from the mainland of the United States. I have to admit that I love each one for different reasons.
Maui and Kauai are very similar in many ways, which is partly why it’s so hard to decide between them. The main differences stem from activities offered and accessibility.
And so, as everyone’s idea of paradise differs…what it comes down to is you. What are you looking to find in your travels? What are your interests?
To follow are some things to consider that may help you decide.
Visiting the Valley Isle of Maui
Maui, known as the “honeymooner’s paradise“, has luxurious resorts with beachfront views, numerous restaurants and an upbeat vibe. One thing I truly love about Hawaii’s second largest island is how accessible it is. As you drive along the outskirts of the island you get one beautiful beach scene after another with plenty of stopping points on the way.
- Weather
Throughout the year you can expect warm temperatures in this tropical paradise. Lows during the winter months are usually in the low to mid 60s °F (16-18 °C) with highs in the low to mid 80s °F (28-30°C). And during the summer expect lows in the low 70s °F (21-23°C) and highs in the mid to high 80s °F (29-31°C). You can expect more rainfall during the winter months, but with all the micro-climates you usually are in and out of the rain in a matter of moments. On our most recent trip to Maui (September 2019) we maybe got 3 minutes of rain over the 6 days we were there and that was sporadic hit and miss.
- Accessibility
With direct flights available from about 18 different locations including Anchorage, Chicago and Calgary as well as multiple west coast cities and many more locations to come, Maui is closer than you think. Sure, it’s a long flight, but well worth the effort. With 728 square miles, Maui is the second largest Hawaiian Island.
Although some public transportation is available (buses, shuttle, taxi, tour-bus, etc.) to get the most of your experience on Maui, you really should reserve a car. Keep in mind that due to the recent pandemic, rental cars are in short supply. If you want one, it is best to reserve a car in advance otherwise you may find yourself without a mode of transportation.
You can, most fortunately, reach most of the the out-going activities and sights by car.
You’ll find most of the resorts and hotels are found on the West and South shores. Driving to your hotel, you can’t help but be taken by the absolute beauty of this tropical paradise. Please drive with courtesy. The local custom “aloha” is to drive slowly to take in the scenery. Keep in mind that the journey is part of the experience. As I like to think, no need to rush since everywhere you are, you ARE in Hawaii.
- Activities
Ask anyone who has ever been to Maui and they will tell you that this Valley Isle offers everything that you can imagine when visiting Hawaii. It is the perfect mix of luxury (fine resorts, culinary experiences, night life, etc.) with breathtaking outdoor experiences (pristine beaches, stunning landscapes, biodiversity and marine life, etc.) to create a one of a kind location.
Maui offers over 30 miles of alluring beaches to choose from, many of which are visible from the main road. Of these, choose between powdery white, red or black volcanic sands next to cobalt blue and emerald green waters and soak up the vitamin-“sea”. The generally calm waters are perfect for snorkeling or scuba-diving (look into Molokini) and provide a smooth sail for sunset dinner cruises and whale watching excursions. In addition there’s surfing, SUP (stand-up paddle boarding), canoes, kayak, sail or in some places even jet-ski.
Or perhaps you want to take a leisurely drive on the road to Hana, or see the peak of Haleakalā (House of the Sun), the East Maui Volcano, from helicopter. In addition, there’s atv rentals, zipline, guided tours, and other excursions, plus biking, hiking and of course shopping and fantastic luaus. With so much to see and do, you’ll never want to leave.
Click this here to find out more about Maui.
Visiting the Garden Isle of Kauai
Kauai is a great place to relax and rewind. This enchanting paradise is as close as you can get to nature anywhere in the U.S. Although it is the oldest island, it is by far the least developed. Kauai is home to a tropical rainforest and there are outdoor activities around every turn. You won’t find any tall buildings in this Garden of Eden. There is a local law that prohibits any building height beyond that of a palm tree. The vibe here is more laid-back, more nurturing. Much of the island is inaccessible by car.
- Weather
Much of Kauai is covered by a tropical rainforest. It therefore naturally gets more rain than the other islands. But generally the showers are brief, and on our latest trip to Hawaii’s wettest island (in September this year), we maybe got a full ten minutes of rain over 6 days. It came on quickly then dissipated within minutes. It is true that Kauai is home to the second, and possibly THE, wettest spot on earth…Waialeale, but for the most part, the weather is quite stable. Temperatures range from the lows in the mid 50s °F (12-13°C) and highs in the low to mid 70s °F (23-24°C) during the winter months and during the summer months lows in the low to mid 60s °F (16-18 °C) with highs in the mid 80s °F (28-30°C).
- Accessibility
There are currently about nine places in the continental U.S. from which you can fly direct to Kauai. There are, of course, many other flights available with a small lay-over. With 562.3 square miles, Kauai is the fourth largest Hawaiian Island. As previously stated, Kauai is the oldest and least developed. Once you arrive at the airport, limited public transportation is available, but I highly advise you to reserve a car in advance. Kauai is quite rural and there are many areas and activities you will have trouble accessing without your own transportation.
As with Maui, the “aloha” custom is to drive slow. You may find that the average speed limit is 35-50mph. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. Please note that when coming to a one lane bridge, another local “aloha” custom is to allow between 5-7 cars to pass before you go. Another thing to note is that although the island is almost circular, driving “around” Kauai, does not mean you can actually drive “around” the entire Island. The stunning, rough-edged cliff-lined shores of the Na Pali coast are inaccessible by car. But don’t dismay, there are other ways to see them as well.
- Activities
Much like Maui, there are many wonderful activities on the Island of Kauai for you to enjoy. If your idea of a paradise vacation is to lay on the beach soaking up the glorious sunshine or to swim in the crystal blue waters, you won’t be disappointed. Kauai offers 63 miles of accessible shoreline with beautiful (and often secluded) beaches. Here you can swim, snorkel, surf, SUP, and enjoy many boating excursions. The waters do tend to be rougher than on Maui, so please take this into consideration before hopping on an extended water tour or swimming too far out.
If you are the outdoorsy type, Kauai is your kind of place. Hike through the rainforest on one of the many trails to the Na Pali Coast, and you can explore the eclectic and serene terrain from the ground. Or, if you prefer, view the coast, rainforest and volcano by helicopter. For certain, the view is something you don’t want to miss. In addition, there’s ziplines, atv’s, a river float adventure, and even horseback riding to be enjoyed.
Kauai also offers great dining, fabulous luaus, quaint towns and shopping. So many things to see in do, as with Maui, you won’t want to leave.
Click here to find out more about Kauai.
To Sum It Up
Both Maui and Kauai are excellent choices for your dream vacation. It’s up to you. There’s so many things that are available on both islands. Key differences to note are:
Maui’s waters are calmer, making it easier to snorkel as well as take a dinner cruise. There’s more family friendly activities to be found. And, it is one of the most sought after destinations for honeymooners. In addition, if your idea of a tropical paradise involves being entertained and nightlife past 9 or 10pm, Maui is probably for you.
Kauai has fabulous hiking, a rainforest and navigable rivers. The outdoor activities are hard to beat. It’s definitely a place to lay back and unwind…it has a relaxed, natural feel to it. But, it also is a place for adventure and getting close to nature. In addition, if your idea of a tropical paradise involves serene nights in a rustic, non-touristy setting, Kauai is probably for you.
Either way, you won’t be disappointed. If you can, split your vacation between the two. I love them both for what they offer.
What are your thoughts on these two magnificent islands? Which is your favorite? Why? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
