My family and I will be traveling to Hawaii this December. It is my first trip to Hawaii. I am leaning toward Kauai over Maui. We will be there for 7 nights. We like to snorkel, bike ride, hike a bit, and eat at good restaurants. 4 adults and one 10 year old. Every one in our group but me has been to Kauai! So Kauai or Maui?

Hi
I have been to maui about 8 times and kauai only once last dec.I think there are more things to do in maui,while kauai is more laid back.I couldn't even find a starbucks there.I really like them both.maybe more hiking in Kuaui but also more rain.we stayed on the south side at the k. plantation between the sherton and maroit.sorry can't spell.just walked to the beach.snorkled. you can also surf there. Lot of chickens on kuaui also. you can't go wrong either way.

Reply to climber45
~o)http://www.starbuckseverywhere.net/Kauai.htm

JohnnieBoy, Are you EVER going to finish your Kaua'i trip report? icee doesn't like to be kept waiting, you know.

Maui mo' bettah. Snorkel the beaches in Wailea and Makena.

Aloha Bill, mahalo for the reminder, yes...should definitely finish the T.R. before we end up revisiting the beautiful Big Isle in March.

BTW, for the sake of kgw, you might also consider visiting the Big Island, where you might have a chance to see an active volcano in addition to the activities listed, Kilauea was making news earlier this week.

I would choose Maui.

Lots of websites good for all islands. Just ignore the Oahu info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

I agree with the Maui choice, especially since the others have been to Kauai. The 10 year old will enjoy Maui also (lots of water activities). My son was there at 10 and 12 yrs. old. He liked Maui best, over Oahu and the Big Island (he hasn't been to Kauai). I'm not saying to pick Maui based on the 10 year old, just bringing up my son's preference as information.

I'd vote for Maui over Kauai for a first-time visit. More good restaurants, more variety in the scenery. Really great beaches. Especially if 4 of the 5 have been to Kauai.

The beaches in Maui are hands down better and the snorkeling is great. Kauai often has dangerous rip tides (I almost drowned at Poi Pou), and in Kapaa - the beaches have a lot of coral which is not good. The rain forest is beautiful, but I like Maui much more for all it has to offer.

I think Maui has everything you are looking for and better restaurants.

I am so partial to Kauai that we bought a timeshare there. I like Kauai for what it has to offer.....not commercial at all! There are some great places to snorkel. The Kipu Ranch ATV tour is great fun. The beach at the Marriott is a great place to snorkel all year long because it is in a protected cove. There are many other things to do on the island also. There are also some awesome restaurants there (Gaylord's, Duke's, Brennecke's, Bali Hai and Naupaka's to name a few). Also for good burgers, you have to go to Bubba's.

I vote Maui for a 1st trip.

Aloha,

I'd definitely take Maui as a first timers trip to Hawaii. Kauai is way more low key and has an adventurer/nature bent to it (which we adore since we're outdoorsy).

Why Maui? Maui has it all and is extremely family friendy. You will have a plethora of options to choose from. You can hike and bike ride down Haleakala Crater. Take the ZipLine adventure. Snorkel trip to Molikini crater, Whale watch tours, etc.

Lahaina is an old plantation town which is (low key) touristy, but has excellent dining options.

My fave area to stay in is Kaanapali resort area which has a long coastal walkway between resorts and beach. We stayed at the Marriott there and loved it. Another popular resort is the Westin with their mega-resort pools. If you decide on a condo, I've stayed at and love the reasonable Kaanapali Villas at the end of the walkway.

Aloha!

I also vote Maui. We went to both Maui and Kauai 2 yrs ago and there is def more to do on Maui. Since it sounds like your family enjoys being active, Maui gets my vote. And just yesterday my hubby and I just booked a second trip to Maui...going in March! Also, if you click on my name, I did a trip report on both islands a few years ago that may be helpful. My hubby and I are extremely active (we can't just sit on a beach), and did a lot of activities our last trip. Good luck planning!

Well you know what they say--"If you love Kauai tell your friends to go to Maui."

We love Kauai, for the hiking, snorkeling, and a bunch of other reasons. It is true that it is more low key and less developed, which is why we love it.

But it is not like you can make a bad decision either. Good luck!

If you need to have it presented to you (very tourist oriented)-- go to Maui.

If you like to find it youself (lot's of good research sites) -- go to Kauai. Also many wonderful trails in Kokee State Park (Waimea Canyon) westside of island.

For an overview and links check http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/

I think Maui has more things to do. When my husband and I were younger we prefered Maui. Now we prefer the laid back feeling of Kauai. Just sitting on the beach and watching the waves roll in.

I think a lot of people favor whichever island they went to first. There's just something about that initial first breath of island air and first experience that makes a special, lasting impression on you. If you haven't been to either island I'd make the others make the choice. You win either way and you won't risk having them say "We should have gone to Kauai"

My first trip was Maui, and I enjoyed it because it was my first trip. But, NOW I'd say the Big Island.

All in all, we love getting away from the midwest winter for a break! The next time we go to Kauai (I do hope there will be a next time!)we may go to Maui first. But Kauai would always be my first choice as it is so stunning!

john thanks for the starbuck inf.