Kauai or Maui?

Vote and Discuss..

[MikeyC]

I was just on both islands back in late August/early September for my honeymoon. I strongly preferred Kauai. It's much less developed and much more green. If I wanted to go somewhere with beaches and t-shirt shops on every corner I don't have to go all the way to Maui. I can save a few bucks and just go to Cape Cod.

The best hotel in Kauai in my opinion is the Hyatt in Poipu. It's on the dry (as opposed to rainy) side of the island and there are TONS of great restaurants in Poipu. I highly suggest The Beach House for dinner one night if you need to bring your lady to a romantic spot. Make sure you make a reservation and ask for a seating during sunset (maybe 6 PM). It's a bit early for dinner on vacation to do that but you can't beat the view.

[Mr.Maduro]

I spent a week in both on my Honeymoon, I give a slight edge to Maui for the nightlife. I would take Kauai in the daytime, but definately Maui at night.

We went to Maui first to have a week of partying, then we went to Kauai to have a week of relaxing!

[Ashcan Bill]

Maui is nice with great beaches and shopping, but Kauai is more laid back and tropical. I'll always go with laid back and tropical.

Maui! Parents have been a few times and loved it.

Thanks for your replies I look forward to reading them as they come in.

I am not really looking for shopping or nightlife. I can't stand to just sit on the beach, so I like exploring and taking photo safaris.

So snorkling and exploring is more my speed.. I hear the Whale watching this time of year off Maui is cool.

We would be leaving in 3 or 4 weeks..

Thanks guys!

[Mr.Maduro]

Originally Posted by Andyman

Thanks for your replies I look forward to reading them as they come in.

I am not really looking for shopping or nightlife. I can't stand to just sit on the beach, so I like exploring and taking photo safaris.

So snorkling and exploring is more my speed.. I hear the Whale watching this time of year off Maui is cool.

We would be leaving in 3 or 4 weeks..

Thanks guys!

The whales were supposedly gone when I was in Maui mid-April. We were on a sunset cruise and got within 50 yards of a pod of about 5-7 of them. The high-light of my trip... I got some video clips on my point and shoot digital....it was just amazing!

[Fumes]

Kauai's North shore is nothing short of incredible. A couple years ago my wife and I spent two weeks snorkeling near Ha'ena (Tunnels and nearby beaches) and hiking the Kalalau trail. An experience of a lifetime. But it's very quiet -- no nightlife to speak of, but if you want to "get away from it all" this is the place.

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by Andyman

Thanks for your replies I look forward to reading them as they come in.

I am not really looking for shopping or nightlife. I can't stand to just sit on the beach, so I like exploring and taking photo safaris.

So snorkling and exploring is more my speed.. I hear the Whale watching this time of year off Maui is cool.

We would be leaving in 3 or 4 weeks..

Thanks guys!

If you enjoy exploring then I would definitely go to Kauai. There are tons of hiking trails, water falls, etc. The first time I went there I went on an ATV tour which was a blast and of course there is also horse back riding, snorkeling, scuba, etc. The only think I saw on Maui to explore was the local Wal-Mart and McDonalds.

To be honest, I was just extremely disappointed with Maui. To me it wasn't much different than going to the Carribean. Kauai is much more unique as a destination and more interesting in my opinion.

The Napali coast is one of the most magnificent places on earth!!! Kalalau valley is completely mind blowing and the nicest hike I've ever been on. Kauai everytime! My

[Jason]

Never been to Kauai Andy but Maui in Feb is very nice. I missed all the ripe mangos in Feb but you could go to to any beach around Lahaina, stick your head in the water and listen to the humpbacks talk!

Dunno how long the whales are mating but in Feb they gang up between Maui and Lanai, see em from a boat or swim and listen.

Plenty of hiking and stuff to do besides walmart?! The drive to Hana from Lahaina can be taken slow but Oheo gulch just past Hana takes some time to hike so head out early or take 2 days.

I'm sure both will not disappoint.

[Smokin Gator]

I clicked on the wrong one... I meant to choose Kauai!!! Anyway, to me it is what Hawaii should be... a tropical paradise. Not over developed like South Beach or something.

[md4958]

Never been to Kauai, but I think I would be bored. Visited Oahu, Maui and the Big Island on my honeymoon, and we are going back to Maui for our 5th anniversary this October. There is so much to do in Maui its ridiculous. We stayed at the Four Seasons Maui in Waimea, which I liked so much better than Kaanapali, which is where a lot of the touristy stuff is.

A few of the many things we did in Maui:
Drove up a volcano to watch the sunrise- magnificent
Drove the road to Hana- an adventure
Hiked to the most beautiful waterfall Ive ever seen
Snorkeled at the "fishbowl" a protected cove and it was like swimming in an aquarium
Hiked across lava fields
Relaxed at the beach
Shopped
Ate at some FANTASTIC restaurants.
and also some other "honeymoon" type activities!

I strongly suggest you pick up Maui Revealed www.wizardpub.com, or any of the "revealed" books... they are written by residents, so they give some great tips, secret spots and resturants... and they are usually spot on

Have fun

[md4958]

Originally Posted by md4958

Never been to Kauai, but I think I would be bored. Visited Oahu, Maui and the Big Island on my honeymoon, and we are going back to Maui for our 5th anniversary this October. There is so much to do in Maui its ridiculous. We stayed at the Four Seasons Maui in Wailea, which I liked so much better than Kaanapali, which is where a lot of the touristy stuff is.

A few of the many things we did in Maui:
Drove up a volcano to watch the sunrise- magnificent
Drove the road to Hana- an adventure
Hiked to the most beautiful waterfall Ive ever seen
Snorkeled at the "fishbowl" a protected cove and it was like swimming in an aquarium
Hiked across lava fields
Relaxed at the beach
Shopped
Ate at some FANTASTIC restaurants.
and also some other "honeymoon" type activities!

I strongly suggest you pick up Maui Revealed www.wizardpub.com, or any of the "revealed" books... they are written by residents, so they give some great tips, secret spots and resturants... and they are usually spot on

Have fun

oops, this should have been Wailea, sorry! Should have doublechecked my post.

Originally Posted by MikeyC

I was just on both islands back in late August/early September for my honeymoon. I strongly preferred Kauai. It's much less developed and much more green. If I wanted to go somewhere with beaches and t-shirt shops on every corner I don't have to go all the way to Maui. I can save a few bucks and just go to Cape Cod.

The best hotel in Kauai in my opinion is the Hyatt in Poipu. It's on the dry (as opposed to rainy) side of the island and there are TONS of great restaurants in Poipu. I highly suggest The Beach House for dinner one night if you need to bring your lady to a romantic spot. Make sure you make a reservation and ask for a seating during sunset (maybe 6 PM). It's a bit early for dinner on vacation to do that but you can't beat the view.

I agree with everything Mike's said here. And I'm actually surprised to see y'all fairly evenly split on the whole Maui / Kauai thing but I think it might be becuase more people have actually been to Maui than Kauai and I'm not exactly sure why.

We've been to both several times (and Oahu, the Big Island and Lanai) and my favorite Hawaiian island is Kauai hands-down as somebody said here. It's what you think of when you think of tropical paradise. Maui has a part that's tropical paradise (Hana) and I make mrsreindeer put up with the drive there every single time we visit. Most do not because it's such a long drive. And it ain't about the destination because there ain't nothin' in Hana except for a handful of places to stay. It's about the DRIVE and the scenery along the way. And most people avoid the drive and hate it. Again, I'm not sure why. It's beautiful and pretty much the only paradise-like part on the island (with the only runner-up being the way north past Kapalua, past that beach Kelly mentioned...which is an awesome beach and great snorkeling spot).

The Hyatt in Kauai is a great hotel but you definitely need to know it's in the more dry part of the island as Mike mentioned. It's beautiful and the Beach House is just down the road and not to be missed. It's nice being in Poipu because it's pretty much half-way between the lush north & Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaiii and not to be missed).

There is a hotel in the north that's quite fancy and nice (but also expensive) called the Princeville and if you want to be in the more tropical part of the island, this is the place to be, just south of beautiful Hanalei and those awesome beaches to the north, the last of which is where the road ends and that Napali coastline hike begins (we did about an hour of it and we almost lost mrsreindeer....no joke...just be careful where you step).

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

I spent a week in both on my Honeymoon, I give a slight edge to Maui for the nightlife. I would take Kauai in the daytime, but definately Maui at night.

We went to Maui first to have a week of partying, then we went to Kauai to have a week of relaxing!

Yeah, I'd agree there too...but if you're looking to party, Oahu is the way to go, I've heard.

Originally Posted by Ashcan Bill

Maui is nice with great beaches and shopping, but Kauai is more laid back and tropical. I'll always go with laid back and tropical.

Originally Posted by md4958

I strongly suggest you pick up Maui Revealed www.wizardpub.com, or any of the "revealed" books... they are written by residents, so they give some great tips, secret spots and resturants... and they are usually spot on

Moe is ABSOLUTELY right....I use these books as my bibles when visiting Hawaii. They put out a book for almost every island and they're written by locals (as Moe said) and are amazing. Heck, if you want, I can loan you my copies but they're a few years old.

Gosh, I want to go so bad... I don't think you'll regret choosing either island. There's certainly plenty to do on both. I don't think you'd get bored in Kauai....plenty of hiking, sightseeing, exploring to do. Just like in Maui. Maui, I think, is more like the Florida of the Hawaiian union. Beach resorts, lots of people, lots of shopping...certainly some good spots for sure (and it's mrsreindeer's favorite island) and excellent sight-seeing in its own right but Kauai is paradise, in my opinion. I hope they don't f' it up by building up and making it more commercial.

If you need any tips on either, I'd be happy to help. Friends of ours just went to Maui and I shot 'em a lengthy email with our favorite spots. I can forward it on to you if you like or I can shoot you one about Kauai.

Man, I'm just remembering a place in Waimea in Kauai called Shrimp Station; anyone ever been? That place is SICK! Like a dozen different preparations of shrimp...so freakin' good. I've even called them to ask if they'd ship and unfortunately they won't. I guess I have to go back.

[Footbag]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

Man, I'm just remembering a place in Waimea in Kauai called Shrimp Station; anyone ever been? That place is SICK! Like a dozen different preparations of shrimp...so freakin' good. I've even called them to ask if they'd ship and unfortunately they won't. I guess I have to go back.

I was there. Great shrimp, indeed! Second only to Giovanni's Shrimp Van on the north sore of Oahu!

Originally Posted by Footbag

I was there. Great shrimp, indeed! Second only to Giovanni's Shrimp Van on the north sore of Oahu!

MAN, so good, so good!! mrsreindeer had one plate (and she doesn't eat shrimp) and I ordered THREE....Thai, Cajun & I forget the 3rd...

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

I agree with everything Mike's said here. And I'm actually surprised to see y'all fairly evenly split on the whole Maui / Kauai thing but I think it might be becuase more people have actually been to Maui than Kauai and I'm not exactly sure why.

I'm guessing a lot of people who have only been to Maui are chiming in. If you've only ever been to Maui I guess it seems like a great place, but IMO and I'm guessing yours too Kauai blows it away.

Originally Posted by mrreindeer

The Hyatt in Kauai is a great hotel but you definitely need to know it's in the more dry part of the island as Mike mentioned. It's beautiful and the Beach House is just down the road and not to be missed. It's nice being in Poipu because it's pretty much half-way between the lush north & Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of Hawaiii and not to be missed).

There is a hotel in the north that's quite fancy and nice (but also expensive) called the Princeville and if you want to be in the more tropical part of the island, this is the place to be, just south of beautiful Hanalei and those awesome beaches to the north, the last of which is where the road ends and that Napali coastline hike begins (we did about an hour of it and we almost lost mrsreindeer....no joke...just be careful where you step).

The north side of Kauai is the rainy side of the island. So, if you stay there expect a brief rain shower almost daily. It's actually one of the rainiest places in the world. The south side of the island is picture perfect weather everyday.

Princeville is nice, but I understand they're closed for rennovations (at least the hotel is) for the next year so that they can increase their rating by 1 star to 5 stars. I HIGHLY recommend if you are a golfer though that you visit their golf course. It's beautiful and challenging. The starter told me to expect to lose one ball for every stroke of my handicap. I didn't quite lose that many but it was a tough track. Also, if you're into golf do the "Kauai Golf Challenge." You can sign up at the Marriot Kauai Lagoons, Poipu Bay, or Princeville golf courses. Basically you get to play all three courses for the price of two and you also get a pro-shop discount.

If you end up going to Kauai shoot me a PM. I've got TONS of amazing restaurants I can recommend. I also know a few good ones in Maui.

almost dead even vote

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by md4958

Never been to Kauai, but I think I would be bored.

How do you know if you've never been? Really the only thing Kauai lacks is the opportunity to go out clubbing/bar hopping. Personally, I would rather have a late dinner and then hang out by the beach with a drink and a cigar anyway.

I also stayed at the 4 Seasons in Maui. It was a beautiful hotel with a great beach. Also, the best breakfast buffet I've ever visited.