Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better for You?

[Destinations]( [Collections]( [Hotels]( [Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better for You?]( [Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better for You?]( Whether you’re after adventure, nightlife, beautiful beaches, scenic views, or cultural highlights, booking a vacation to Hawaii is an easy decision. The hard part? Deciding where to go. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of popular Oahu, you should consider Maui or Kauai. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of what sets these two dream vacation spots apart to help you make your decision. [Oyster Bullet] Getting There and Around Maui: Flying: There are more nonstops from the continental U.S. to Maui than to Kauai. Getting around: Once you land, Maui is generally easier to get around than Kauai. Kauai: Flying: There are considerably [fewer nonstop flights to Kauai]( all from the West Coast. Getting around: Only 20 percent of the island is accessible by car, and most of the coastline can’t be seen from any road. [Oyster Bullet] Weather on Kauai and Maui Maui: Average high temperatures at sea level are a few degrees warmer on Maui than on Kauai, which is 225 miles to the northwest. Kauai: Kauai does get more rainfall than Maui, but it never lasts long when it does come. [Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better for You?]( [Oyster Bullet] The Scenery on Kauai and Maui Maui: All in all, the scenery on Maui is more accessible than what’s found on Kauai. Features include [Haleakalā]( a dormant volcano taking up about 40 percent of the island, and The Road to Hana - a narrow, twisting highway that is often lauded as one of the most captivating drives in the world. Kauai: With plains and jagged mountain peaks cloaked in thick, emerald vegetation, it’s no wonder why [“Jurassic Park”]( was filmed on Kauai. The island has a far more rural vibe than Maui (keep an eye out for the wild chickens), and lacks some of the more touristy trappings found there. [Oyster Bullet] Beaches on Kauai and Maui Maui: The waters are less rough around Maui than they are around Kauai, especially in the winter. Maui has a bounty of spectacular– albeit sometimes narrow — golden beaches, plus black and red sand options. Kauai: Here, you’ll find more wide, soft, white-sand beaches, due to the fact that Kauai is geologically older than Maui. Some of the most beautiful and uncrowded beaches are hard to reach. [Oyster Bullet] Activities on Kauai and Maui Maui: [Po’olenalena Beach]( in the southern part of Maui, arguably offers the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii. To the west, Kahekili Beach and Kapalua Beach are nearly as rewarding in terms of the variety and abundance of undersea life you can see. Catamaran cruises at sunset are also exceptionally popular while you’re here as well. Kauai: While Maui has the edge in snorkeling, Kauai — also known as the Garden Isle — is a hiker’s haven. Kauai also has something Maui doesn’t: navigable rivers. That allows for river kayaking, with popular picks being the [Kalalau Trail]( and the Hule‘ia River, which takes you through the surrounding National Wildlife Refuge. [Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better for You?]( [Oyster Bullet] Wildlife on Kauai and Maui Maui: Humpback whales, migrating down from Alaska, put on quite a show-off of Maui’s coast during the winter months. In some places, you can see them breaching without leaving your hotel room. It’s easy to book a boat or even kayak [tour]( to get up close and personal with these beloved marine mammals. While it’s possible to see humpbacks in the waters off Kauai, Maui is largely considered to be the better vantage point. Kauai: What you might see in Kauai, however, is a monk seal. These blubbering beauties are commonly spotted basking on [Poipu Beach]( including at the [Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Autograph Collection](. (You’ll need to keep a safe distance, for your sake and theirs.) The odds of seeing one in Maui, several hundred miles away from the seals’ principal feeding grounds, is slim at best. [Oyster Bullet] Overall Vibe on Kauai and Maui Maui: If you are traveling with your family or another group with a range of ages and interests, Maui can be the clear choice due to the variety of entertainment and activity options it offers. If you’re honeymooning, you’ll have plenty of company, for better or worse, as Maui is newlywed central. For first-time visitors to Hawaii, Maui will likely offer more of what you’re expecting. In short, Maui is more touristy, but that’s not a bad thing for some people. Kauai: Kauai is your pick if the great outdoors and a lack of major development are your ideas of paradise. You’ll find a real sense of solitude here. Come to Kauai if you’re looking to really unplug and don’t need a hopping bar scene or days spent shopping. For active, outdoorsy travelers seeking a true escape, Kauai is likely to be heaven on earth. [Read More]( Looking for a place to stay? Here are our picks. [Maui]( [Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea]( [Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea]( [Book Now]( [Maui]( [Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort]( [Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort]( [Book Now]( [Maui]( [Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort]( [Grand Wailea Maui]( [Book Now]( [Kauai]( [Marriott's Kauai Lagoons]( [Marriott's Kauai Lagoons]( [Book Now]( [Kauai]( [Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa]( [Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa]( [Book Now]( [Kauai]( [Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipu Beach]( [Ko'a Kea Resort on Po'ipu Beach]( [Book Now]( [Facebook]( [Pinterest]( [Instagram]( [Flipboard]( [Oyster]( [My Preferences]( [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( [Contact Us]( © 2023 Oyster 1 Washington Mall #1150, Boston, MA 02108 855.946.2532 This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you indicated that you wish to receive emails from [Oyster.com]( . If you wish to update what you receive, please visit the preference page. 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