Going in Nov. I've stayed on Maui before, and just loved it. I was wondering if Kauai's beaches and snorkeling are just as nice?
Thanks,
Mike

November is the rainy season for Kauai's North Shore why not explore big island. If you have under a week I would head back to Maui.

You'll love Kauai - much less crowded an greener. The snorkeling is a little better in Kauai especially on the less crowded north shore. Novemeber is right before big wave season so the north shore should still be OK. Stay on the south shore though because there is less rain. Kauai has only one really long beach like Kaanapali and it is not developed. It's on the western shore and you have to be well prepared to spend the day there.

According to guide books some of the best snorkeling on all islands is on a the big island. Ultimate Guide to Kauai compares Kauai against it. Think Maui use to be great for snorkeling but tourist numbers are damaging these areas. Kealakakua Bay in particular seems to be the big spot on Big Island.

Kaanapali is on Maui

What a choice! I've been to both--Maui in November and Kauai in the spring. I would say Kauai is more mellow, both are so beautiful. If I had this choice, I'd go to Kauai, so I could experience another island. I'd choose these 2 over all the islands.

If you choose Kaui better bring your raingear. We were there this Mar./Apr. and it poured rain there for 3/4 of the vacation. We stayed in the north, the south, and then the east and it rained everywhere. Also, a 17 yr. old lost his foot to a shark at Brenneke's beach. I know now why this island isn't as built up as the other two: THE WEATHER!

This winter was abnormally wet and windy, especially March. Even the dry areas of Oahu had flooding. I flew to Oregon for spring break, and found more sun there! The south side of all islands are drier in november. The waves start to pick up on the north shores in the fall, so you'll get smoother diving on the south. I mush prefer kauai to Maui, mainly because it is more compact and more relaxed.

My overwhelming favorite is Maui. Kaui is beautiful but so is Maui. After Kauai's beaty it falls far short of Maui. There's so much more to see and do on Maui than on Kauai.

splain linda. I feel that the landscape is only comparable to the N.S of Kauai at the end of the road to Hana. I like Maui for whale season. For the most part it has always seemed to me that you have considerable driving to the natural beauty of Maui where you can wake up in it in Kauai on the North Shore. Kauai has the Canyon which in my mind is far more spectacular than Haleakula. Can't breathe on top of Haleakela have to enjoy and leave quickly so this may have me biased.

On Kauai, there is also Alakai Swamp, Kokee national park, Kalalau trail for hiking(or Napali Coast sail), Kilauea light house and bird sanctuary, Fern Grotto, All North Shore beaches most spectacular for me is Kokee and Tunnels/Haena beach. By things to do are you meaning commercial activities. I was thinking there are more outdoor activties , snorkeling, swimming and the like in a more geographically diverse landscape for such a small space of land.

BUT I AM SURE I Don't know enough about Maui so let er rip Linda.

PSS Mike November I would go to Maui because of the rainy season in November but Linda I still want to hear a counter if you have it in you.

We will be going to both islands, Please give me a good condo choice for Maui and a Hotel or condo for Kauai, Thanks, Betty
plan to go the end of Sept-oct.

Betty, You can email me, I have places on both islands that would suit your needs.

By the way, I am a travel agent, and don't charge a fee, be happy to help.

I do have a toll free number, of which I would be happy to provide you.

Nancy

P.S. Kauai is very quiet, I do have 1 hotel there, which is resonable that I think you will love.

Depends on what you want. If you pnly want to beach it Kauai is far superior.
Maui has a more active nightlife & more people.
kauai is much more tropical & lush

Beaches on Kauai are far superior to Maui's beaches???

I must have missed some beaches on Kauai? Where are the superior beaches on Kauai?

All the ones between Ke'e and Polihale.
Where are the ones on Maui that aren't jammed with people?

There is not a beach on either Maui or Kauai that is "jammed with people".

Please make it easy on us. What Kauai beaches did you see and what was wrong with them?

I'm not sure what beaches are being referred to above, but we found so many spectacular beaches on Kauai. Of course, weather dictates which side is best on any given day, but we found the north side beaches amazing. Anahola and Hanalei to mention a few. Hanalei Bay (remember Puff the Magic Dragon) is a large stretch of sandy beach for swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, sunning. I think the north is calmer in the summer if I remember correctly. Just get a guide book and work your way up the coast. Ke'e and Tunnels were breathtaking. Mountains on one side, sandy beach, snorkling, brave surfers...ah, paradise.

We are also trying to decide between maui and kauai. Is there a significant weather discrepancy between the two islands torwards the end of may? We'd prefer to avoid rain. Also, could anyone suggest a nice, reasonably priced lodging in either island? Thanks