Kauai or the Big Island
 

My husband and I are planning a trip over our anniversary this May. We went to Oahu and Maui on our honeymoon and would love to go back to the islands. This time we can only go for one week and are looking to stay on just one island. We are leaning towards Kauai because it seems quieter, but would love advice on which island we should pick and where to stay. Our priorities are: great beach, snorkeling, safety, clean hotel and hopefully reasonably priced. Thanks in advance for any great advice!

With only one week, I'd suggest Kaua`i -- you can really see most of our island in a week.

One week on Hawai`i island will either have you stuck in your car, driving to try to see everything, or resigned to just one side of the island...and wondering what you're missing on the OTHER side! 8-)

May is some of the best weather here on Kaua`i -- winter surf has declined and rains are usually minimal, so you can stay north, south, west or east.

Kauai hands down! More specifically the north shore...

I've never been to the Big Island, but I can say that we love Kauai.

I'2,

Love Kauai? Don't you mean hate Kaua'i?Ahem...Aren't you forgetting something?

-Bill

bbq, auntiemaria started it! And, she even sent us all the bumper sticker!

We love all the islands, but I think for just one week, I would say Kauai. It's much smaller than the Big Island, and it definitely fits all your specifications.

I'm going to say it matters what you want to do. If you want to climb the mountain and see the stars like you can never see them elsewhere or go out to the lava at night to see it flowing red against the sky, then its the big island. That gets my vote. Of course, plus snorkeling.

Big Island fan here.

Well, if you want quiet, Kauai definitely has that!! Except for the damn roosters every morning.
;)

I'd recommend Kauai. Big Island is very big and you need to do a lot of driving to see things and get to great beaches; very quiet, beautiful, and relaxing though.

Maui mo bettah......I mean....Big Island mo bettah!!!

Howzit Kauai K9 ohana?!

Kauai dark, loud and quiet.....hhehehehe

pijeta,

If your number one priority is great beaches then the big island is not for you.

For better snorkeling,I would prefer the Big Island hands down, no contest.

For piece and quiet.......hahaha ask MelissaHI, it's Kauai although the Big Island is soooo big that you can definately find areas which only you and yours will be.

Safety, both are equal.

Personally, I would pick the Big Island. More to do and more to see there, IMHO!

Aloha!

peace + quiet = boredom = Kaua'i

Cock-a-doodle-do! ~:>

-Bill

A week will allow you to see Kauai. The Na Pali coast is beautiful! Everything on the island is so green and lush and the mountaineous terrain just sort of rolls. We have only stayed in the south end because of visiting in the winter, but in May you could stay on the north shore easily. I'm warning you ahead of time that you will fall in love!

I'm with the Kauai group. It's perfect for a week's stay. With the Big Island, we were in the car a lot, and I still didn't feel like I saw enough. I did enjoy the Kona/ south of Kona coast area.

We visited last June for 13 days. We spent 7 days on Kauai , which is very beautiful and 3days on the Big Island (2 at Waipio & 1 at Volcano ). To make a long story short.We are going back to The Big Island in May for 4 MONTHS and hopefully find a house to buy. Also look on Kauai, but very expensive there.
Which ever Island you pick...I'm sure you will have a Great time. Mahalo