With square miles and around 70, inhabitants, Kauai, aka the Garden Isle, is a smaller and much less densely populated island than Maui. Kauai is more rural, lush and secluded, a perfect destination for nature and hiking lovers. Even though Maui enjoys tropical temperatures the whole year, it has a rainy season that goes from November to March.
Most visitors arrive between June and August, and December and March, when flights and accommodation are more expensive. So, considering weather, cost and crowds, the best months to visit Maui are April, May, September, and early October. Like Maui, Kauai, enjoys warm temperatures all year round but receives more rain and is home to Waialeale Mount which is said to be one of the wettest places on Earth.
Most of the rain in Kauai falls from late November to March, when many tourists arrive escaping from the winter. With black sand beaches -especially on the west side-, calm waters, beachfront hotels and famous sunsets, Maui is a very popular option for many and receives nearly 2. Kauai is incredibly green with rich flora and fauna, a dream destination for outdoor lovers.
It offers the whole package: stunning landscapes, world-class hiking trails, secluded beaches and even rivers that you can kayak. However, there are some amazing natural sites such as the Waimea Canyon -aka Grand Canyon of the Pacific- that can be easily seen by car or on a hike.
Even though both islands have a good selection of hotels and restaurants, Maui is more developed for tourists than Kauai and offers more options in terms of accommodation. First, download these free Hawaiian island cheat sheets.
Second, watch our video to help you decide what Hawaiian island to visit. We talk you through the highlights of each place, so you can make the best decision for you.
We live on Maui with our toddler Henry and our sweet but quirky dog Hattie. I am a planner! I love to plan island-hopping adventures, days out on Maui, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time on our SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!
With sparkling waters, stunning sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, and more, Hawaii is an amazing vacation destination. After living here for over four years and visiting dozens of times before Maui is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing snorkeling. From farm-fresh produce to gourmet farm-to-table meals, enjoy local produce and try something Maui's Best Whale Watching Tour in our humble opinion Whale watching is best done on a power raft as they can get to the whales and experience a close encounter.
Summary: Whale encounters guaranteed! We have done all types of whale watching - Kayaking, big Hawaiian Island Cheat Sheets. Where to Stay Guides. Hello, we are Erica and Jordan. Maui is where we call home but we love all the Hawaiian Islands. With our toddler Henry and our quirky dog Hattie we explore the islands and share our favorite experiences.
A vacation to Hawaii is a trip of a lifetime. Natural features including Waimea Canyon, the Coconut Coast, and your pick of gorgeous waterfalls. 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. Maui also has far better snorkeling. Kauai is much more limited. While there are some amazing hikes on Maui, there are undoubtedly more on Kauai and everything is just a little more lush. For me, the north shore is hands down the best place to be.
However, as I said earlier, it rains. A lot. So, many people gravitate to the sunny south shore around Poipu. The two major tourist hubs on Maui south side and west side are relatively sunny year round although Hawaii as a whole experiences more rain in the winter months. Click here to check rates for your trip. The next major category to compare the two islands on is their levels of development.
It has its share of development too. The main differentiator is that Maui just has more, and honestly what it has is a little…nicer…than its counterpart on Kauai. But while I really love going to Kauai and will continue to go back , Maui is my personal favorite. If I had to best sum up my overall two cents of these two island, it would be that Kauai does lush, dramatic, green landscapes better than anywhere else in the world, but I find it to rank at the bottom of my list in most other categories.
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