we are traveling to the Big island on 4/7 and will check out on the 12th to go to Maui for a week..Should we book the interisland flight before we get there , or will we get a better rate while we are in the islands? A travel agent from AAA said this might be the case???or do we stand a chance of not getting a flight on the day we need it? Which island between these two has the best snorkeling:,luah:catameran tour: and helicopter ride and views....Am I missing anything else really neat. Interested in nature,animals,birds,and awesome beauty,some moderate hiking...not interested in shopping or museums or nightlife

Book your inter-island flight ahead of time, the sooner the better as the HA flights go up not down the closer you get to departure.
They both have good snorkeling, have only taken a helicopter ride on Kauai.

Book your flight ahead of time. My husband and daughter did the helicopter over the volcano on the big island and loved it!
There are many nice hiking spots on the big island to see beautiful waterfalls. They are easy hikes.
Snorkeling was great on the big island we did a snorkel cruise, but you can also just swim with giant turtles right in kona at the public beach. The Hilton had turtles in their lagoon as well.

I haven't been to Maui in 22 years. I was pregnant when I was there so I wasn't as adventurous, lol. We were just on the big island last June and it was our second trip there. Really enjoyed it. It is an interesting looking island. Where are you staying on the big island? We were at the Hilton both times, first time the hotel, second time the timeshare condos area on the Kohala coast.

Hapuna beach is a great beach for boogie boarding and hanging out. It has some great waves and it is a public beach. It is located north of the Hilton area. Lava Lava beach club is a restaurant that is right on the water and it was a favorite place for a sunset dinner. That is also close to the Marriott and Hilton area of the Kohala coast.

I third the opinion for booking ahead. Prices for interisland flights usually don't vary much.

Snorkeling is decent at both Hapuna and Kauna'oa beaches, just north of Hapuna. Also Puako just south of there, water visibility usually isn't as good but it has a very nice selection of critters. There's also Kealakekua Bay, near Captain Cook, if you go early morning you may find yourself swimming with wild dolphins.

Of the few luaus we're been to, the Mauka Kea Hotel's was the least touristy and had the best food.

Luau! Forgot to answer that.We did a luau at the Marriott years ago and then just last May at the Hilton on the big island.
I remember the more recent one better. The show was cute. The food was decent. Nothing spectacular, but not bad at all. We enjoyed it. There was a good variety of food and it was buffet style.

I think you will have a more exciting time flying over the volcano on the Big Island vs. a helicopter on Maui. Disclaimer: I have done neither. I did take a helicopter ride in Kauai which was fabulous. At the time I researched helicopter in Maui vs. Kauai and decided Kauai would be better. Last year I was on the Big Island and planned to do a helicopter ride but the weather did not cooperate. In fact it was so cold and rainy I ended up at Macy's buying 2 sweaters. Luckily they were on sale because who wears wool in Hawaii?

In other weather weirdness - I just got back from Thailand where I had to buy a fleece jacket due to a cold ( very cold!) snap in Chiang Mai. Do you know how difficult it is to find fleece in Thailand?!

There are good snorkeling opportunities on both islands. In Maui there is a wonderful catamaran tour that includes snorkeling by an outfit called Trilogy. Not cheap but a high quality excursion.

We never ate at Lava Lava Beach Club, but we went twice for happy hour/sunset, and it was great. Both times we snagged seating on the beach, and both times the view was spectacular (and the drinks were good).

I think it's generally agreed that between the Big Island and Maui, Big Island has the best snorkeling, but if you're not staying somewhere along the south Kohala Coast, you'll have to drive a bit to find it.

Choose Maui for a luau - either Feast at Lele or Old Lahaina Luau - and the catamaran tour. We've enjoyed several with Trilogy, including one to Lanai.

Best helicopter tour is on Kauai, but between Big Island and Maui, I'd probably pick Big Island, just for the added interest of Volcanoes National Park.

Best inter-island flight between the two IMO is with Mokulele. No TSA hassle (so not necessary to show up 1.5+ hours before the flight), and a plane small enough that you almost feel as if on a tour rather than a point to point flight.

Thanks so much for all the help. I am going to book inter island flight tomorrow and will be sure and try the Mokulele. Thanks for ideas about lava lava beach club, sounds really neat...also I forgot to ask about driving the road to Hanna..was told there really isnt enough time in one day to enjoy all the sites?? what do you guys think...are there any places to spend the night along the way or at the turn around point, so you could really enjoy the serenity amd beauty?? or is it crowded with tourists beyound quiet and serene?

Some people like the drive to Pololu (on the North end of the Big Island), and even the drive along the Hamakua coast to Hilo, in lieu of the drive to Hana.

They are much shorter, but also very pretty and jungly. Just a thought. The drive to Hana stressed me out.