I’m fresh back from Kauai and I wanted to answer a question I get quite a bit, “Which Hawaiian Island is Better, Maui or Kauai?” Maui is an destination with wide appeal and easily accessible attractions. Maui is a cross between Oahu and Kauai. Kauai is rural, rugged, and less touristy. EXPAND DESCRIPTION FOR MORE.
Maui: Wide Appeal and Accessible. A cross between Oahu and Kauai. The quintessential “honey-mooners” Island. fancy restaurants, beachfront accommodations and lovely scenery.
Cons: too touristy, too traffic congested, but more flights because it is more touristy, which means they might be cheaper.
Kauai: Rural and Rugged. Lush, beautiful and fairly vacant. Nature is more exotic. Wander in to the jungle and find a place to swim. adventure and quiet. Local and Laid Back. Much of its treasures require an arduous hunt, hike, kayak, camp. Overall less touristy.
Cons: The beaches aren’t good for swimming, or are hard to get to. Nothing to do at night. Less direct flights.
But really you can’t go wrong with either Island.. It’s Hawaii after all!
I’ll be comparing in 10 different areas.
1 – Beaches:
Maui: The beaches in Wailea have been voted some of the best in the US. Sandy bottom, easy access, and great snorkeling (Black Rock on Kaanapali ) due to calmer water. Big Beach is beautiful. Beach in Kaanapali is rocky. Swimming overall better in Maui.
Kauai: Very few sandy beaches… long hikes to the really good ones. Choppy, rocky, windy, waves.
2- Food:
Maui: Better — more varied. Kihei and Lahaina. Mamas fish house is super cool. true corporate Americana like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co and Ruth’s Chris Prime Steakhouse just in case you get home sick
Kauai: Really local — and expensive. Lots of “take-out.” Great if you like to picnic. You better eat lunch by 2pm and dinner by 8pm though. Few options past 9pm. You really need to “plan” your meals cause there aren’t alot of options.
3- Nightlife:
Maui: Mostly in Lahaina, and at the resorts in Wailea and Kaanapali.
Kauai: None. Well — maybe the movie theater (4 screens) at Kukui Grove or the Luau at the Hyatt.
4- Hotels:
In Maui there are two main areas, Wailea, and Kaanapali. Kaanapali has big high-rise hotels. Wailea has more high end resorts. Andaz all the way!
In Kauai no building can be taller than a palm tree — best is the St. Regis and the Hyatt. Condos are popular options.
5- Driving:
Maui: Can drive around the whole island. Road to Hana is famous. Road hugs the coast. one of the most beautiful, scenic drives in the world with waterfalls and beaches at every hairpin turn. Get out and explore on the Road to Hana. Black, Red sand beaches. Maui is overall more accessible.
Kauai: Can’t drive around… road mostly inland
6- Shopping:
Maui: All big box stores (Target, Walmart, Costco, Whole Foods) by the airport. Outlet Mall in Lahaina, shopping street in Lahaina. High end shopping in Wailea and Kaanapali Beach.
Kauai: Big box stores also by the airport. Kukui Grove the only main shopping center.
7- Hiking:
If you like out doors stuff, then you’ll love Kauai.
Kauai: world-class trails with unreal views and rugged terrain. no handrails, no paved paths and few stairs. If you like breathtaking – and dangerous – hikes, go to Kauai.
8- Adventure:
Boat tours: More relaxing in Maui. More exciting in Kauai (bigger waves).
Helicopter tours: Kauai
Kayak: Kauai Rivers
Snorkeling: Maui
Whale Watching: Maui
9- Big Attractions Maui:
Haleakala Mountain Observatory and Crater — 10,000 feet – large dormant volcano taking up 40% of the island. You can drive, bike, or hike parts of the volcano, and it’s really popular for the sunrise though anytime is really cool.
Blowhole — big!
Lahaina – 150 year old Banyan tree
9B – Big Attractions Kauai:
Waimea Canyon – Grand Canyon of the Pacific
Napali Coast – the undeveloped coast — think Jurassic Park. boat, kayak, or hike.
Waterfalls
Blowhole — Lizard sound!
10 Conclusion:
Broad appeal and accessibility: Maui
Adventure and alone time: Kauai
NEXT LIVE STREAM: Monday February 12, 2018 @ 8pm LA time! Topic: Travel pet peeves! Follow me on Facebook for more updates!
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Which island do you like best? Kauai or Maui? Let me know!
Great video, very informative. Been to Oahu twice but now inspired to check out Maui. Thanks.
Great blogs about Hawaii!! I have watched almost every Hawaiian vlog you have out. We are going soon, and you have helped greatly finding places to go. Thank you!!
Did you see any places to camp in Kauai.
Hi Chris did been to malibu California ?
Maui hands down. The only negative to that is getting to and from West Maui as it can take seemly forever. Typically, I like to rent a condo at Honua Kai. A Time's supermarket within a very short walk or drive for your grocery needs. Cooking at home is not only cheaper and healthier than eating out three times a day. Who wants to get up and get dressed just to have breakfast? I don't! For families, a condo will always be cheaper than hotels. Do remember, that the majority of food in Hawaii has to be shipped over from the mainland and is priced accordingly. Further south, there is a Safeway in Lahaina. Those with medical conditions that "may" require a trip to the hospital, be forewarned that emergency medical care is a long time away. I've seen people helicoptered. For me these days, Ka'anapali, is best since it is close to the airport and much closer if you want to take the drive to Hana for which I strongly recommend. As are most places in Hawaii, choose your condos carefully as most everything is pretty old and dates.
How do you get to stay at the Andez hotel for only $4-500 per night? We looked on line and now they say $8-900 per night? It i February 2018.
Are there any good golf courses in Kauai?
what the hell is the 'ontog' hotel????????
Really informative video – thanks! I've been to Hawaii dozens of times because my relatives live there. I'm amazed at how much insight you have about the attractions, eateries, shopping, etc.!
IMO the best cheap fine dining to eat in Maui??.. look no further.. STAR NOODLE!!!
Great channel keep up
I want to ask , which Hawaiian island is beat in terms of great cold waether little bit windy , green y and locally .
And by the way am from kuwait "always hot oven like waether "
Short answer….both islands are great. I've been to Maui 25-30 times and Kauai maybe 5 times. So, you get the picture. Kauai has those dang roosters to wake you up. I'll take West Maui. It rains more but you simply jump into the pool or ocean for 5 minutes.
Oh wow I’m so glad I came across this video, we’ve never been to Hawaii before and were wondering between this two islands. Great video 😊
You can camp at Salt Pond..
Wait, where's the vid for Big Island?
Great idea to compare the two islands! Wish the host would have stayed on topic instead of answering unrelated questions. The perils of a live presentation I guess!
Hey, small youtuber here! When I was in Hawaii recently and made a travel video too! It would be awesome if you could check it out! Thank you, I love your channel!
going back for 3rd time,,,, twice in August… this time Nov 24 for a week… Whale migration time?
Maui hands down.
bump
If you want to island hop you can do a cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a 7 day where you can see 4 of the islands. We did it and loved it.
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Like your videos but please learn how to pronounce Kaanapali.
Aloha. I live in Lihue on kauai. So I like Kauai
Hawaii sucks for tourists
Really liked Maui. Rented a car and did as much as possible. Went on roads not recommended and so glad we did. Spent a few days at the Ritz and a friends house. Maui also had a Target😄.
Really appreciate these videos Chris! You definetly help me to decide the best places to travel and the best bang for my buck! Keep up the great videos!
Thank you…
I really appreciate your help .. Now I know how to pack and what to expect!!
Love all your videos, is helping a lot
Good info but you need to drink less soy my dude
Super helpful! Thanks so much!
Thanks for your review. Some people actually enjoy hiking and walking, so finding a beach wouldn’t be a problem. I’m planning my first trip to Kauai later this year.
Thanks so much Chris!! Half way through your stream and this is so helpful because I've never been to the islands and need to know the goods for our upcoming wedding and travel plans.
Maui is our favorite. We prefer the small beach town feel of Kihei.