Big Island vs. Maui: Which One to Choose?
When planning a trip to Hawaii, the first decision is always “which island should I visit?”
There’s no easy way to say this, but there is no “best island.” Each Hawaiian island has its own unique personality and style. So how do you choose? The answer lies in your personal preferences and priorities for your dream vacation…
The Big Island is best for you if you love variety on your vacation– The Big Island is home to eight of the world’s thirteen climate zones and has an incredible array of things to see and do. From snow-capped mountains to black sand beaches, lava fields, to lush rainforests, you can find it all here.
Maui is best for you if you’re looking for a laid-back vibe – Maui is often called the “valley island,” and it definitely has a more relaxed feel than some of the other islands. If you’re looking to spend your days lounging on the best beaches, chasing waterfalls, sipping mai tais by the pool, and getting pampered at the spa, Maui is the place for you.
We’ve created a guide that will help you figure out which of these two islands best fits your needs! It covers everything from cost to activities and scenery so that you can make an informed decision about where to go for your vacation.
Let’s begin by giving a brief overview of each island…
Overview of the Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest in the State of Hawaii, and it’s about to get even bigger! It contains the world’s largest active volcano (Kilauea) and is home to hundreds of species of animals.
The Big Island is best known for its incredible diversity. From black sand beaches to a snow-capped mountain, you can experience everything the island has to offer.
The Big Island is also home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which includes two active volcanoes (Mauna Loa and Kilauea) and two massive craters.
It’s an island rich in culture and history, with a fascinating background of numerous cultures. While the Big Island may not have as much nightlife as some other islands, it does have its quirks and charms that will quickly make you fall in love.
Overview of Maui
Maui is the second-largest island in the State of Hawaii, and it’s incredibly popular! It’s a tropical island paradise, famous worldwide for its beaches, incredible resorts, luxury spas, delicious food, a vast selection of water sports, shopping, and activities.
If this is your first visit to Maui, you will find a fantastic place full of beauty and magic.
Maui has everything — from the stunning rainforest mountains in Haleakala National Park, to the amazing sunrises from the top of the Haleakala volcano, and the black sand beaches in Waianapanapa State Park.
See also: How to Plan a Fantastic Hawaii Babymoon
You’ll find that Maui is for lovers of excitement and adventure. With an excellent range of activities available, you can quickly fill your itinerary with snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, paddle boarding, sailing, and fishing.
What Makes the Big Island Stand Out?
The Big Island is home to Volcanoes National Park, as well as Mauna Kea — the world’s tallest mountain when measured from its base to summit.
If you’re a nature lover, the Big Island is an excellent choice for you. While not all parts of it are considered “unspoiled,” there’s still plenty of opportunities to get back in touch with Mother Nature.
What Makes Maui Stand Out?
Maui is home to Haleakala National Park, which contains the second tallest mountain in all of Hawaii (Mt. Haleakala) and one of the most incredible sunrises you’ll ever see.
Maui offers a wide variety of activities, from watching humpback whales to flying over the Valley Isle in a helicopter.
If you want to go whale watching, Maui is the best island in Hawaii to do so. Each winter (November through May), humpback whales travel all the way from Alaska down to Hawaii’s warm waters, where they mate and give birth. The peak time for whale watching is between December and April.
The Big Island vs. Maui: Price
Flights to Maui are generally cheaper than the Big Island due to there being more flight options available. This is because Maui is a more popular tourist destination compared to the Big Island.
In general, lodging, shopping, and dining on the Big Island will be less expensive than in Maui.
The Big Island vs. Maui: Volcanoes
The Big Island has two active volcanoes, while Maui has none.
As mentioned before in this post, The Big Island is home to the world’s largest active volcano, Kilauea Volcano, which has been frequently erupting since 1983.
While you can see lava flow on the Big Island, there’s no guarantee that it will be visible during your trip. If this is important to you, be sure to check for recent Kilauea activities before you book your tickets!
Maui doesn’t have any volcanoes, but if you visit Haleakala National Park you can see the world’s largest dormant volcano. It is over one million years old and two miles wide!
The Big Island vs. Maui: Weather
You’ll find that the weather on the Big Island is very comparable to that of other tropical regions. You can expect plenty of sunshine that is tempered by winds that come from the northeast.
You’ll find more rainfall on the island’s eastern side, as the rain clouds coming from the east tend to get stopped here by the mountains.
Maui enjoys year-round pleasant weather and mild temperatures. The average highs are in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit (27 Celsius), while the lows are between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
You will find more rainfall in Maui on the windward side (Haleakala). The high slopes of Haleakala are what causes this side of the island to receive more rain.
The Big Island vs. Maui: Nightlife, Dining and Shopping
There is not much nightlife on the Big Island or Maui, but there are plenty of restaurants and a few bars if you’re looking for social activity.
Maui features some bars located in Lahaina and Kaanapali.
Both the Big Island and Maui provide a range of dining options — from fresh seafood to farm-to-table cuisine.
The only difference is that the Big Island’s restaurants tend to be less flashy than those on Maui, but plenty of excellent fine dining options are still available.
You can find fresh fish and traditional Hawaiian food on the Big Island, as well as plenty of high-end dining options. Like Maui, there are excellent fine dining restaurants to choose from, ranging from formal to casual.
Maui has fantastic shopping opportunities, including Lahaina, Ka’anapali, and Kihei. This is the place to go if you want luxury brand clothing or accessories!
The Kukui Mall in Kahului, Maui also offers fantastic bargains — this mall includes many outlet stores where you can buy fantastic clothes and products at discounted prices.
The Big Island has decent shopping, but not as many luxury shops as what you’ll find on Maui.
The Big Island vs. Maui: Outdoor Activities
When it comes to outdoor activities, the Big Island wins, hands down. Part of this is because the Big Island is, well…bigger, and there is more of it to explore.
The Big Island has 8 of the world’s 13 climate zones, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Maui is certainly no slouch here either though, but if you’re looking for solitude and untouched nature, the Big Island will be your best choice.
Maui is great for outdoor-oriented visitors as well, but it doesn’t have the range of activities that the Big Island provides.
I will break down the popular outdoors activities in more detail below.
The Big Island vs. Maui: Waterfalls
The Big Island of Hawaii and Maui both have some of the best waterfalls to explore. Maui is home to the famous Waimoku Falls and Twin Falls, located along the road to Hana.
Waterfalls in Maui are definitely one of the best stops on the Road to Hana and a big reason why people take this journey.
The Big Island is also home to the iconic Akaka Falls, Kahuna Falls, Hi’ilawe Falls, and Rainbow Falls.
The main difference between these two islands is that Maui’s waterfalls are easily accessible, and most of them are located along the famous road to Hana. You can literally park your car, and within minutes you can view the waterfalls.
Some of them require a short hike, which is nothing compared to the efforts it takes to get to some of the waterfalls on the Big Island.
The Big Island has easily accessible waterfalls like Rainbow Falls, but most require a longer hike.
Be sure to check out the this article on the top 9 waterfalls to visit on the Big Island if you are interested in learning more.
