Maui vs. Kauai Vacation Spot?

Question

I am planning a 2.5 week honeymoon to Hawaii in late December / early January. We already know we are spending at least 4-5 days each in the Big Island and Oahu. We want to also see either Maui or Kauai or both. We are not sure if it will be too tight to see both, and if we only see one, we do not know which one is the "must-see." Any recommendations on if we should see both or one over the other? Happy to hear reasons as well - I'm sure it's very much based on the type of trip different people like.

robert2020 · Answer

Maui is  full of young surfers.. this is the island for young people.Kauai is the garden island

? · Answer

Been to all those Islands. Kauai and Maui are both a must see. With 4.5 days on each don't forget to slow down and enjoy the Islands, Maybe even make the trip 3.5 weeks or 4! A splendid time is guaranteed for all! The south side of Kauai is very dry unless a storm is moving through! Don't forget a sunrise at the top of Haleakala along with a with a couple hours for sight seeing. Must see? Kauai! Maui is great too.

Diane A · Answer

They are very different. You should go on line and look up what is offered.  Kauai is very wet and beautiful but not a huge amount to do.  Maui has quite a variable number of things to do. Since the big island doesn’t have much to do, Maui may be more appropriate to mix it up.

A Hunch · Answer

To avoid the Hawaii 14 day quarantine , you are required to get a negative test result from a Hawaii approved provide within 72 hours of landing in Hawaii.
- Are you able to get this?
Hawaii is very strict about this.  It's not a suggestion; it's a criminal charge if you do not do this.  If you attempt to bypass the quarantine without a negative test, you will not be the first person criminally convicted.
- However individual islands are trying to opt out of the mainland testing and requiring all travelers to quarantine for 14 days.

There are only 3 types of travelers to Hawaii:
- People who go and want to spend their day at the beach
- People who go and want to sight see at outdoorsy places (including the beach/ocean).
- People who don't understand that Hawaii is super sleepy and outside of a couple of places in Waikiki and on Maui there is no nightlife, thus do not like their vacations to Hawaii.

Captain Cook Bay and Volcano's National Park are very near the top of the list of most beautiful places in the USA. Tunnels, Fern Grotto, and Na Pali Coast (boat tours, I've never hiked it) are at the top too.  Po'ipu is not super pretty but I still love that I got to see a momma and baby monk seal sun-bathing.

Maui vs. Kauai Vacation Spot?

4 Answers