Oahu vs. Big Island
 

Hello Travellers.
Need some advice. I am planning a trip to Hawaii and don't know which island to go. I have been to Maui already and while I would gladly go back there I rather visit new places... So I am deciding between Oahu or the Big Island. I am travelling with my wife and daughter (7) so looking for activities that we could do as a family. My wife has a fascination to see the Kilauea. Are there tours that go there? Is it worth it?
Anyway, tips and recommendations are welcome.

Thanks!

Forgot to mention, the idea is to go there in December (I know it is late, it will be difficult to find flights and lodging but it is the only time that I have available)

Generally speaking for a short trip I'd pick Oahu (one week or less). BI is big and you'll spend a lot of time driving around it to get to the various "attractions".

I would suggest the Big Island, it is so beautiful. And the VNP is amazing. I would spend some time on the Kona side and some time on Hilo side. That way you aren't drive quite as much.

I have a trip report to post soon of my recent trip. Look for it.

Whatever you do...decide fast and book...it's late!

Hope this helps...
Debi

I have been to both and with kids. Both are unique to what they offer and what you want out of a vacation. Honolulu is a city on a beach. I thought that was pretty cool. The hotel we stayed at was the Hilton Hawaiian Village. They had everything!
There are many things to see and do on Oahu such as Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanuamana Bay, etc...
Now, the Big Island... We loved it and found it very strange looking. As we drove from the airport to the hotel, we drove about 30 minutes and it is all black rocks everywhere! The mountains are in the background and the ocean too. We had the best snorkeling on the Big Island. Turtles are everywhere and swim right past you. (By the way, they are giant turtles):)
We stayed at the Hilton here also. It is a giant resort. We loved it! It is a busy place with lots of restaurants and pools and grounds,etc.. You have to like the business. I would be happy spending two weeks sitting right there at the Hilton.
Anyway, Big Island has lots to offer too: great snorkeling, volcano, etc..
Big Island looks nothing like Maui. I found it very unique. We would definitely go back.

Sorry, I meant busy-ness not business

We've been to the islands a number of times and prefer the Big Island to all. There is an amazing array of outdoor activities. We like kayaking, a trip to Kiluea, a stargazing trip to Mauna Loa etc.

Having said that, there are plenty of things to see on Oahu, including Pearl Harbor, the shopping, diamond head etc.

In the past we have scheduled our trips to allow a couple of days at the end of a trip to see Honolulu, which gives you plenty of time to see some of the major attractions.

The BI and Oahu are at the opposite end of the Hawaii continium and the experience at each would be substantially different.

Don't know where you live but check out the Aloha Airlines winter specials.

Thanks for the replies!
I am flying from FL so I would have to fly to California and then on to Hawaii.

I have about two weeks worth of vacation to enjoy. Liked the idea of at least spending a couple of days in Honolulu.

Any attractions that you feel like tourist traps?

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

www.bigisland.org free brochure

Unless you take a helicopter tour, you probably won't see live lava. Even at night, if you hike, you will only get to about 1/2 mile from the lava & see a glow.

Two weeks...then definitely spend 2 or 3 days on Oahu and fly onto Big Island. Big Island is my favorite but it does take time to get around. Stay in 2 locations... maybe 8 nights in Kohala or Kona and 3 nights near the volcano or in Hilo to cut down on the driving.
Book soon!

Two weeks? I'd do 4 days on Oahu, and 10 on the Big Island. We were on the BI for a week, and it wasn't enough.

Just avoid using the new airlines go. They may be cheap but we had a horrible experience using this airline and we are locals.

I may be prejudice but we live in Kona and even with the recent earthquake life is good here and lots of things to do.

At the Kona Airport there is a space museum, hands on stuff for your daughter to get involved in. You know that the astronaut E. Onizuka is from the area and the center is named for him.

Unless things have changed a lot since I was on the BI last, most of the time you can walk as close to a lava flow as your tolerance to heat will allos. We have pictures of our kids roasting marshmallows over a creeping lava tongue. (The activity director told us to take the marshmallows). Sometimes its a few hundred yards from the road, at other times its a longer hike, but as a general rule it is seeable.

Take a look at Dolphin Bay Hotel website in Hilo.

John Alexander's hobby is the volcano!.

John call explain all the ways to see the volcano, and sites to see around the Big Island.

Dolphin Bay is a fun place to stay...check it out.