First time trip to Hawaii: We are honeymooning at the end of Sept. of this year, so want to get booked ASAP. We are able to go 14 days. We originally researched only Kauai, but now I am wondering if we're get bored. (Highly doubtful bored enough to be miserable though but is there any island that is a must see. Kauai looks so beautiful, that I cant imagine anything comparing to it. What would you do?

Thanks!

my first trip to Hawaii is planned for this May...

Like you said, you won't get bored...but if it were me I would do 2 islands. We were originally going to do Maui for 10 days. I didn't even give Kauai a thought...and then just before booking started thinking about and researching Kauai. Had I not done that I would have missed out on a lot! I would consider Maui...but would do it first. From what others have said on here and friends that have done both, definitely save Kauai for last.

Whatever you decide, it will still be paradise.

I have been to Hawaii three times, the last time was on my honeymoon for fourteen days. We did break up our trip in three islands, Oahu, Maui and Kauai. Personally, I think 14 days in Kauai may be too long. My husband has cousins that live in Kauai and they took us to different places all over the island and we were able to indulge a good part of the island in five days. Kauai is beautiful, I believe it is more pretty in terms of greenery and foliage compared to Oahu and Maui. However, this island has many residents and they look to their island as a home rather than a tourist spot. Maui is great in terms of activity, the road to Hana, biking down Mt. Haleakala, etc. and Oahu is also great b/c of Waikiki and being the most cosmopolitan city in all of the Hawaii islands. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

I think 14 days is way too long in Kauai. I've even heard quoted --- "Kauai is nice but what do you do after the third day?" That is too harsh, but I think a week in Kauai and a week on another island (maybe the Big Island which is very different) would be a better plan.

I believe you should minimally split the time between Maui and Kauai, and if possible spend a couple of days on the Big Island, mainly to visit the active Volcano. There are many activities on Maui, less people and activities on Kauai. Most flights connect through Oahu so I would not make visiting it a priority, if for example, you could visit it on your next anniversary!

Hey oceanlover,

I just returned from my own honeymoon in Feb. and my wife and I split our time 5 nights Maui followed by 6 nights Kauai. Now while I can say that we loved Kauai and enjoyed it more than Maui (not that we didn't like Maui mind you), I agree with the above posters who recommend you splitting your time between two islands, especially since it's your 1st time to Hawaii. The islands are very much different and both are worth experiencing.

But I also wouldn't do any more than 2 islands as you'll spend too much time packing, unpacking, waiting in airports, etc.

I would definately split my 14 day stay between Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. Five, five and the remaining days on the Big Island. The volcano is a MUST, and not just during the day but at night. The Hilo side is beautiful and well worth the time.

oh wow, I was afraid of that. I did so much research on Kauai, in the guidebooks it seems like so much to do in terms of hiking, scuba, snorkeling and beach time. Didnt even think of another island. So Maui sounds like number 2 after Kauai????

Thanks for all that responded so quickly!!

I'm sorry, but I disagree with the Maui portion. I'd just do Kauai and the Big Island and not throw extra travel days into the mix. I've spent lots of time on all the islands both for business and pleasure and to me Maui is great for the convention visitors and the Road to Hana. Period. Kauai is totally romantic, quiet and diverse, and I do recommend the Big Island for the Volcanos and beautiful crescent beaches. Enjoy.

Oceanlover,

There is everything you mentioned on Kauai and a lot more and you wouldn't get bored if you stayed there the full two weeks. I just think that, since you've never been, you'd be better served to split your time between a couple of islands (and yes, I personally recommend Maui) because while in many respects they are all similar, in so many others they are really very different. Spending a week's time on two islands would give you more than enough time to explore what each island has to offer.

As an aside, however, if you do decide to go only to Kauai, I'd recommend splitting your stay between the north and the south to minimize the drive time.

Yes, split your time, we spent a week in Kauai and enjoyed it immensely, but I think it was plenty for one trip. Another island would be a great change of pace.....

Just came back from first trip to Hawaii, visiting Maui and the Big Island. Maui was fabulous, but the Big Island was so incredibly unique and beautiful that it was our favorite. The volcano is fabulous, the varying terrains are wonderful, and the resorts are beautiful - highly recommended! Congratulations and have fun!

Stick with 2 islands, because each time you travel between them you consume a complete day, especially under current security measures.

I will in fact be on Kauai for 6 weeks starting in mid sept..my 9th trip. If you enjoy getting totaly relaxed, seeing the most incredible sights, meeting the best people and relaxing at the best beaches, Kauai is your place....If you want plastic, loud music, crowds and stress....go to Maui or Honolulu. If you want to get a change of scenery spend 1 week on the north shore and 1 on the south shore.....

I'd say definitely split your time between Kauai and either Maui or the Big Island, but as others said, only do two islands. All the pain-in-the-butt parts of packing, dropping off rental cars, checking into the airport, flying, getting new rental car, etc etc etc takes up valuable travelling time and is tiring. I'd say 5 days Kauai and more days on another island. Kauai is surely quieter and slower than the other islands, so depending on your temperment, it might be best to go there last. For me, I relax over the first few days and finally am ready to slow down after 5-6 days. I started with Kauai when I went last time, and was not relaxed enough to enjoy it fully (there's not as many activities).

We've had two one-week trips to Kauai and there's still plenty we've not seen/done let alone repeat activities ! Then again, 7 on Maui then 7 on Kauai would be great too.. decisions.. decisions

Some people enjoy just laying by the beach and doing nothing. Fourteen days in Kauai is fine if you are that type of a person.

Other people like to fill their vacation with things to do. I am that type of person. For me, zipping over to Kauai from Oahu on a long weekend is enough.

Since you are making the long trip to the islands why not work in a second island. Each has its own unique charm.

Oceanlover, think about the things that originally attracted you to Kaua'i. Will those things keep you interested for 14 days? Are you second-guessing your original plan because of others' opinions? Kaua'i is absolutely gorgeous, and has the most beaches per mile of coastline of any of the islands. If you enjoy natural beauty, you will not be bored. My last trip was 10 days and we spent 7 days based in Ha'ena on the north shore and 3 days based in Kalaheo in the south. We were never bored and wished we could have stayed longer.

In my mind the only reason to leave Kauai during your time frame would be to head over to the big Island to see the volcano at night. Sure there are great things to do on all the islands but there are great things to do in West Coast on the way over too, you have to pick what is important. I like outdoor activities on Kauai. I also like getting some bearings of where I am, two weeks lets you do that. Going back the next year does it even better!!!

Sure there are things to do on each island but the jump over to other islands takes time out of your day as does acclimating to your new surroundings. I went to Kauai this past summer for two weeks always having split my time in the past. Had the best trip keeping the island hoping down to zero. Explore the outdoors you will never get bored. Drive to and from scenic spots only and yes you will get bored. Hike, Kayak, Swim, Snorkle,sail, Hike on the North, West and South Shores and you won't!!!

oceanlover, where are you coming from? If you are coming from a laid-back city, then you can go straight to Kauai. If you come from a bustling metro area like New York or LA, I usually tell vacationers like you to come to Honolulu first to acclimate yourself to the slower pace, then go on to Kauai. Otherwise it may be like culture shock! I live in Honolulu and a weekend on Kauai is enough for me.....but if you like the outdoors and camping, and beaching, a week on Kauai is fine.