If you take your time , stop and look at different times of day and pretend you are in a church no one else has ever seen and just feel it, your will understand what Kauai is all about. Hope you enjoy it. Tough call!
Currently, we are Team Maui — but that could change in an instant. Stunning photos which made me decide that a visit to Kauai is in order. I have enjoyed many visits to Maui but never to Kauai. The hiking trails and the botanical gardens are a big draw for me. Pinned for later! Kaui for hiking and Maui for snorkelling! I definitely need more than just a couple of days for each!
I love Maui and visited Kauai briefly on an airplane tour, but I prefer a more relaxed island, and I would choose Kauai. I think that a good option would be to split your time between both.
Both seem like really good options. If I wanted to just chill out Kauai seems like a good spot to just unplug and disconnect from the world. Thanks for sharing. Weather is unpredictable like you said, we started hiking the trail on the Na Pali Coast in the sunshine, and ended up drenched with torrential rain within an hour, slipping and sliding in the mud.
It was a lot of fun though. Thanks for sharing facts about both islands, Maui is on our list to visit soon. Hi Anda, I am planning to go to Hawaii for the first time with my friend and we are undecided between Mauii or Kauai. We like ziplining, kayaking, ATV roadside riding, catamaran cruise, river paddling boating, etc; in brief we love outdoor activities.
I am asking which island between the 2 should we go as our departure is soon. Definitely Kauai! While Maui is equally beautiful, Kauai is the only island that has rivers. They offer wonderful horseback riding on private farms which have secret pools and hidden beaches. As for sailing, nothing can beat a sunset catamaran cruise around the Napili coast. But if you are an outdoor lover, go to Maui next.
Lots of great hiking trails on the Road to Hana and amazing beaches. Hi Anda. I can never resist a post about Hawaii as it is one of my most favourite places on the planet. I do love the natural beauty of Kauai and its amazing canyon. I adore the vibe on Maui and could definitely see myself living there.
Plus, I had one of the most incredible snorkelling adventures of my life in the Molokini Crater on Maui and will never forget it. I know what you are saying, Doreen. Between Kauai and Maui — if I was doing slow travel, then I might consider Kauai to chill out and spend time amidst nature and the rural area. However, if you are a party lover, Maui is a better choice for you. Kauai seems to go to sleep when the sun sets, so there is not much partying there. Yes, please! Have been to the Pacific before, and fell in love.
I have not been to Kauai yet but I should be there in September The hikes and trails sound like just what I need for a relaxing break from the world. They have some great hikes in Kauai, Rhonda. You should definitely try a couple of them if you go to Kauai. I also love that you can kayak on rivers in Kauai, unlike on the other islands.
I would love to combine the best of both. The peace, tranquility and laid back nature of Kauai with the fabulous snorkelling on Maui — now that would be perfect. They have excellent places for that, like the beaches on the northern part of the island.
Was so interesting to read — both are on my travel bucket list! And we had no time for both. However, the Maui sunsets and Lahaina vibes also look amazing…. We love to take turns and go to another one each year. Hawaii is civilized, cheaper and very safe. Kauai looks beautiful. I have only been to Hawaii twice Big Island and I think it would be hard to love another island as much as I love it.
But I do hope to get a chance to spend more time in Hawaii in the future and visit the other islands! I think you should wait until you see all of them before you decide which one you like the best. Of course, loving an island more than another depends a lot of the kind of activities you do. I like the Big Island too, but there are no navigable rivers on it and way less places to hike than in Kauai.
I was already convinced from the first picture, but scrolling through all the beautiful images made me want to go even more especially that photo with the seal — I just love seals. Miles of sugarcane fields. The unusual cliffs along the Na Pali coast. The rugged beauty of the Wailua River. Friendly towns like Hanapepe, Koloa, Waimea, Kapaa, and Hanalei Kid-friendly beaches with shallow, calm waters If Hawaii means more to you than beaches, the museums, historical landmarks, and natural sites of Kauai make it easy to experience the local way of life.
Maui Adventures and Activities Maui is ideal for experiencing the beauty of mother nature with an impressive list of adventures to explore: The Road to Hana. This mile drive to Hana is a fun-filled adventure with curves and 60 bridges. It offers some of the most stunning views of the island, with a number of quick hiking trails to enjoy along the way.
Hiking in The Haleakala Crater. The Sliding Sands Trail is best left to the more ambitious hikers. Kayak or Relax at Kaanapali Beach. The views of Molokai and Lanai from Kaanapali Beach are breathtaking. Stake your claim on the beach to take in the views and if you get bored of just sitting, rent a kayak. You can also stroll the paths along the shoreline and enjoy some shopping or a meal at one of the many shops or restaurants.
Walk the Paths at Iao Valley. The site of the 1,foot Iao Needle rock formation located at West Maui Mountain offers paths through the lush, green valley. The garden and river views are spectacular, and the path is marked with signposts commemorating King Kamehameha conquering the island of Maui. Whale Watching. From November to March you can watch the gathering of some 10, humpback whales on a boat ride to the Auau Channel.
You can also get a good view from Lahaina, Kihei, Kaanapali, and Wailea if you prefer to remain on the land.
There are tons of snorkeling tours in Maui and many include whale watching during the winter months. Boat Tours. West coast boat tours offer a view of the island from a different perspective. This park offers over 4, acres of forest, hiking trails , and vibrant wildflowers. It peaks at 3, to 4, feet above sea level depending on where you are.
Do some birdwatching, or take in stunning views of the Waimea Canyon. You also get an exceptional look at the valleys opening up to the North Shore. Waimea Canyon. I cannot emphasize how much it rains on the north shore of Kauai, especially during the winter months. On Another Note: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? And if you just want more details more!
Maui wins easily for the most diverse island. It has lush and tropical, curated resort areas, rainforests, valleys, rolling ranchland, and an arid volcano summit. While Kauai excels in the green, jagged peaks department, Maui has it all. Watching sunrise or sunset at the summit of Haleakala is a completely unique experience. And driving the road to Hana is one of the best adventure day trips in Hawaii. More than any other island, Maui has a large amount of beautiful, accessible beaches with nice amenities parking, showers, restrooms, etc.
For as many beautiful beaches as Kauai has, surprisingly few of them are safe for swimming. Beaches and sites in general are also not super well marked on Kauai as compared to Maui. This could be a pro or a con depending on your adventurous spirit and how you like to vacation. But generally speaking, Maui wins hands down in the beach department. Maui also has far better snorkeling.
But the question remains: Which island should I visit? It would be a good idea to bring a light jacket and breathable, waterproof raincoat or umbrella regardless of which island you choose to visit in December, just to be prepared for any weather while on vacation. Also, keep in mind that the holiday season is often when hotel prices spike and travel to the Hawaiian Islands becomes more expensive. By the time December 20th rolls around and through January 3rd, every island in Hawaii is destined to be packed to the brim with tourists.
Usually meaning good deals on lodging and airfare will be almost non-existent. However, if the hustle and bustle of the holiday season excites you and you enjoy being in the heart of a thriving city during one of the busiest seasons of the year, then Maui would probably suit your fancy. If whale watching is a huge priority, Maui is an excellent choice for winter wanderlust.
The downside is having to wade through crowds during one of the busiest seasons of the year, but the rewards are plentiful. Humpback whale season on Maui starts in December and continues through April, giving visitors ample opportunity to spot these majestic sea creatures during winter or spring breaks.
One of the best places to spot whales in Maui is Wailea Beach, located about forty-five minutes south of Kaanapali near Makena Beach. Approximately 10, whales frequent the beaches of Hawaiian islands each year, and Maui has an entire two-week festival dedicated to whale watching! If you manage to catch a glimpse of a monk seal, make sure you report your sighting to the NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help them keep track of this critically endangered species.
One last thing to keep in mind when deciding which island to visit over the holidays is the weather. December is the start of the rainy season in Hawaii, and both islands are affected by torrential downpours and gusty winds. Kauai tends to have more violent weather events than Maui, which is the more tame and accessible destination overall. Regardless, the south side of either island is your best bet for visiting in the winter, as the storms in the south are less intense than in the north.
This will allow for more pleasant adventures on both land and sea. There is always the possibility to visit both islands in one trip, thereby catching two fish on one line. When he wasn't working on helicopters he was playing baseball around the island, falling off his surfboard and getting speeding tickets on his motorcycle in Waikiki follow the rules of the road kids!
Older and just a little wiser, he prefers the slower pace and never ending beauty of Kauai! Great article.
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