With six major islands and so much to do, planning a trip to Hawaii can be difficult. Which island(s) should you choose, and how much time should you spend? Which island is best for your desired activities?
Ideally, everyone could visit every island, but we know that’s unrealistic. So, to help you decide, we’ve been breaking down the islands to see how they compare to each other, and to help you get a sense of which may be the best fit for you. In this edition, we break down Maui versus the Big Island.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
For more breakdowns you should have a look at our comparisons of Maui vs. Oʻahu, the Big Island vs. Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi vs Oʻahu.
The Big Island and Maui in a nutshell:
It’s not fair to try to sum up an island in a single article, but for the sake of trip planning, it’s important to know how the islands compare to each other – what they have in abundance, and what you may find lacking. This will help you map out your trip, choose the island that best fits your desires, and arrive with proper expectations.
Below, we give basic overviews of Maui and the Big Island, followed by a breakdown of how they stack up against one another.
The Big Island
It’s all about environmental diversity on the Big Island. From the snowy summit of Mauna Kea at more than 13,000 feet, to the breathtaking white, black, and green sand beaches along the coast. If you like volcanoes, outdoor adventures, open spaces, and an abundance of nature, the Big Island will treat you well if you’re willing to get out and explore.
Recommended minimum stay: 7 days
Good to know for the Big Island: Renting a car is essential to get around on the Big Island, as there are large distances to cover between points of interest. For example, it’s a 1.5-2 hour drive between its two main hubs, Kona on the west coast and Hilo/Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the east.
Don’t miss these 3 things: Experience nature up close and personal with the Manta Ray night swim/snorkel/dive; Explore volcanology at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Watch the sunset and stargaze on Mauna Kea.
Telescopes of the Mauna Kea summit on the Big Island.
Maui
Maui represents everything that people think of when they picture Hawaii: sprawling white-sand beaches, volcanoes, palm trees, and agriculture. Though it does receive a lot of visitors, Maui’s overall vibe stays calm and collected thanks to the fact that it lacks a big city. Instead, it offers guests a number of small beach towns to explore, each with its own personality. Its natural landscape features two large volcanoes, a whale watching and breeding ground, and remote areas like Hana.
Recommended minimum stay: 5 days
Good to know for Maui: One aspect of Maui that often goes overlooked is its “up-country” lifestyle; that is, the belt of small farms on the hillsides of Haleakala. The town of Kula, for example, is a collection of small farms (lavender, coffee, pineapple, protea), and offers a different perspective on life in Hawaii.
Maui Recovery
While Lahaina itself will remain fully closed to the public until further notice out of respect to the town’s residents, West Maui accommodations have reopened to visitors. As travelers return to Maui after the devastating August wildfires, they will help to sustain jobs, keep businesses open, and support the community.
For the latest Maui emergency management and recovery information, and how you can kōkua (help) the people of Maui, visit mauistrong.hawaii.gov.
