I'm planning an 11 day trip for August and can book flights for Big Island or Maui. First trip to Hawaii! Family of four, kids 10 & 14. Like the outdoors, natural beauty; want a relaxing vacation. Which would you pick, Big Island or Maui? Would you add a second island, like Kuaui, or is that too much travel?

My pick would be Maui for a first time family trip to Hawaii.

I agree, Maui. Very relaxed, but a lot to do, and the beaches are much bigger, and better (IMO)for kids that age. (Save the active volcano for the next trip, see the dormant one first.)

BTW, there's more than enough to do to fill 11 days on Maui--maybe if you want to relax, you should get to know Maui, and then plan more islands for the next time.

I'd recommend the Big Island for your family. Personally, I was disappointed in Maui when we chose it for our first Hawaii visit. Too crowded, too geared toward the twenty-something set, especially honeymooners. We have taken our two kids to the Big Island about four times, and have had plenty to do there. It's more laid-back, more a feeling that people actually live there, more diverse in sites. It isn't hard to island hop, though it takes almost a full day out of your relaxing schedule.

Big Island vote here. 11 days is a lot of time and with the Big Island you could explore both the Kona and Hilo sides.

Thanks for your input - all helpful. I'm leaning towards Big Island (and perhaps Kauai as a second stop) - MaureenB's descrition was persuasive. Any suggestions on the right general location to situate ourselves (it's a BIG island)?

yomikek, On the Big Island you could split your stay. We were only there for 2 nights to do Volcano National Park but if I were to go again, I would want to spend time on the KOna coast as well.

We have not been to Maui but I think the Big Island is a great choice. We also visited Oahu and Kauai on our trip and loved those islands as well. Have fun!

I love all the islands, but #1 for me is Maui. It all depends on where you stay, though. I find the Lahaina and Kaanapali area much too crowded and young-tourist oriented. The beaches are great and atmosphere much more relaxed in Wailea or South Kihei. Another good choice is the Kahana and Napili area. Maui has far more swimmable and easily accesible beaches than Big Island. For my kids, the beach was always where they wanted to spend the most time. They also enjoyed day trips to Haleakala and Upcountry. Great scenery and some good hiking.
(That said, I am going to Big Island in a couple weeks!)

Funny how people see things differently... My Maui experience was a first time Hawaii trip for me, with my parents, for their 50th anniversary, and a small group of our family and friends (ages 40's to 70's). I didn't think it was overly crowded, touristy, or for 20-somethings, romantic, or honeymooney. We stayed in Lahaina and did a day trip to Haleakala, etc.

We've been to Maui, BI and Kauai. We like Maui for their beaches around Wailea and Ka'anapali coast. Lots of good calm area for snorkeling with kids. Easy access to the waters.

We didn't go to many beaches in BI, only the ones in front of our hotel in Mauna Kea (they say those were the best ones and there aren't that many white sand beaches around BI). But definitely go to BI for its Volcanoes Natl Park.

Kauai is the most laid back of all, we like it there too. Nice hiking trails, good reasonably priced food and very lush. Beware of the rain though.

I think you could do 2 islands for your 11 day trip, we did 3 in 12 days, that felt a little rushed.

If you choose the Big Island, there's a great little condo complex just below Kona, called Sea Village. The units are privately owned, and managed by various companies, even by owners. Do a Google on Sea Village and you'll find some, and photos. There are wonderful ocean views there, a nicely landscaped barbeque area, a pool, free tennis courts-- it's a nice low-keyed place. About eight buldings, three-stories each. Very well-kept and the best value we've found there. We have rented a third-floor unit from Donita's Vacations, about three different times. It's at a rocky area of the beach. There are good public beaches on the Big Island. If you go there, ask another question here for the names of beaches. (I can't remember them right now, but my husband knows them.)
Usually, we've spent two weeks on the Big Island-- one week at a full-on resort like the Mauna Lani or the Hilton Waikaloa (great for kids), and one week at Sea Village for a change of pace and perspective.
If you choose Maui, the Napili Point and Napili Shores condos are nice, too. They sit on a beach, and there's a small cove south of Napili Point (Hanakeana, I think) that's great snorkeling.
Whatever island you choose, Hawaii is amazing and you'll love it.

I vote for the Big Island. We are scheduled to take our second trip on June 12 to the big Island for a week then Oahu for a week. This is the same trip we did 3 years ago, but we are adding 4 more days and upgrading on the hotels, because we are celebrating our 25th. We have a daughter who will be finishing her first year in college and will bring along a college friend.
The reason I say the big island is because of the diversity of things to do there. Your kids ages 10 and 14 will always remember seeing an active volcano. I imagine the inactive volcano in Maui is gorgeous but where else can you have this opportunity in the states? As for the beaches, the little known ones on the Big Island are beyond description. One that I will again seek out is called "69" named after telephone pole 69! We were there on a gorgeous sunny day at around 11:00 and were the only ones there! We walked right from the beach into a virtual aquarium in front of us!! I can not tell you enough that there is just so much to do there! You have to think about going on the Fairwinds cruise to the Captain Cook Memorial. And the restaurants!!! And some nice luaus!! And nice condos to stay in which I prefer because of all the space.
Sorry I got so long winded but I am excited about my second trip. As far as adding a second island- we did that on our first trip also which was 10 days-with 3 days in Honolulu. I would love to go to Kuaui, even though it is our anniversary we are going back to Honolulu for the 2 19 year old girls. Good luck.

I agree that the Volcano Park would be unforgettable for your kids for a couple of days and then I'd take them to Maui (and/or Kauai) for the rest of the trip.

Maui is more developed and Kauai more rural. They are very different types of islands (as are all of the islands).

Eleven days on Big Island would be too much I think.

I don't think 11 days is too many for the Big Island. I spent 10 days on the Big Island & did not see or do everything I had planned. I also enjoyed Maui, but I preferred the Big Island. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll love either one.

You all are the greatest! I've firmed up my reservations for the Big Island. Now the question is: do I add Kuaui, or take it real leisurely, and just do the whole trip on Hawaii? Also, suggestions for places to stay for about $200 average per night? Happy new year to all.

I can help you stay even cheaper than 200$ a night. If you want more space than go for a condo. 3 years ago my husband, daughter aged 16 at the time, and I stayed in a condo for 459$ for the whole week. They provided clean towels every day. It was one bedroom with a partition that closed to create another sleeping area with a sleeper sofa. It was right across from the Royal Kona Resort. It is called the Kona Billfisher Condos. They book up very quickly. The place was really nice. I think they have 2 bedroom options also, but the same outfit handles other condo complexes if you need even bigger. The nice thing about condos besides space is free parking, kitchen facilities, and laundry. Here is a website-www.sunquest-hawaii.com. This might not be what you wanted, but it is pleasant, clean and the price is right, plus we had an ocean-front lanai. Good luck.