Planning a vacation to Hawaii comes with a lot of excitement and a lot of logistical things to work out. One of the biggest things you have to decide is which island you’ll visit. While island-hopping is a popular activity, it’s not always feasible, and sometimes you just want to unload and stay put. To help you make the best decision for your upcoming trip, we’re comparing Hawaii Big Island vs Maui so you can determine which one is right for you. From the top activities on each to the best places to stay, we cover it all.
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Before we can talk about which Hawaiian island is right for you, we need to understand a bit about each of our options. There will certainly be some universal similarities between Maui and the Big Island, like sandy beaches, mountains, remote areas, brilliant blue water, and chances to relax in a picture-perfect paradise. However, there are also key differences that will undoubtedly play a role in helping you make this important decision, such as the abundance of recreational options, the ease of island navigation, and the proximity to conveniences.
The Big Island
As its name suggests, Hawaii is the largest of the six islands. It’s also the newest in terms of geological birth. With varying landscapes and terranes, you can encounter nearly every climate type on Earth all in one spot. Active volcanoes and sweeping mountain ranges create stunning views, and the largely undeveloped land lets you experience a vacation that focuses on the island’s natural beauty.
Maui
While not quite as large as the Big Island, Maui is the second largest in the chain. Highly developed, tourism plays a key role in the island’s economy, and as such, you’ll find more businesses, bars and restaurants, adventure companies, and excursion guides here. You’ll also find no shortage of vacation rentals available that cater to all budgets and family needs. While still not as crowded as places like Oahu, Maui offers beautiful beaches, whale watching during the winter months, rustic road trips, and incredible culture.
What Kind of Vacation Do You Want?
Outdoor Adventure
If you’re looking for a vacation full of outdoor exploration, the Big Island will provide the best opportunities. While Maui still offers tons to do, like watching the sunrise at Haleakala or driving the Road to Hana, the Big Island simply can’t be beaten.
Home to Volcanoes National Park, where two of the world’s most active volcanoes reside, as well as more than 300+ miles of hiking trails, black sand beaches, and oceanic wonders, you’ll fill your days with unbeatable experiences.
Beach Relaxation
As a tropical chain of islands, Hawaii is synonymous with gorgeous beaches. If spending time by the water is important to you on your vacation, Maui is, hands down, the place to go. While the Big Island certainly has beaches, a lot of its shores are made up of sharp lava rocks, pieces of coral, and coarse sand, which make it difficult or impossible to run, play, lounge, or swim with ease.
In Maui, you can still find unique black sand beaches, but you’ll also have gorgeous golden-sandy shores all over the island. Because of the easily accessible, soft beaches in Maui, things like surfing, swimming, and snorkeling are all popular pastimes. You’ll find many companies near the beaches offering equipment rentals and lessons, too! Plus, if you’re staying in South Maui, our Bello Realty Inc. vacation rentals put you near the area’s most popular beaches. Whether you’re working on your tan or splashing in the waves, Maui is a beach lover’s paradise.
Unique Experiences
The islands interestingly tie for unique experiences. On the Big Island, you can enjoy festivals like the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which pays tribute to the farming and cultivation culture that’s been present for over 200 years. You can also learn all about the distinctive styles that permeate native artwork at places like the Isaacs Art Center and the Volcano Art Center. And for a real treat, the Big Island is one of the best places to try night swimming with Manta Rays - a truly unforgettable treat.
In Maui, unique experiences are around every corner. This, again, is where being a more populated island tips the scale in its favor. You can zipline over rainforest canopies, ride ATVs through rugged mountain terrains, visit awe-inspiring natural wonders in the Iao Valley, take helicopter rides over Hana, and so much more.
Nightlife and Dining
For folks who really want to dig into the food and nightlife scene during their vacation, Maui comes out ahead in this category, too. With renowned restaurants, locally owned hot spots, excellent breweries and distilleries, and fun bars, you can try something new every day of your stay.
Popular spots include Mama’s Fish House, where the waitlist can be months-long, Havens, and Threes Bar and Grill. While many popular spots in West Maui were affected by the Lahaina wildfires, the island continues to rebuild and recover, and a tremendous effort has been made to support Maui business owners. So, when you visit, be sure to check out local resources and ways to make sure your tourist dollars go back into the community. You can find tons of Maui-owned businesses to support in our Things to Do section on our site.
Book Your Hawaiian Getaway Today
Regardless of which island you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time. While the Big Island is great for those who want a quieter trip filled with hiking and natural wonders, Maui offers a variety of activities, making it the best choice for folks who want to experience a little bit of everything.
When it comes to booking your stay, finding a vacation rental and booking directly with the property manager saves you time and money, often letting you avoid third-party fees, and opening you up to homes that may not be available anywhere else.
At Bello Realty, Inc., we have a variety of properties to suit everyone’s needs. Choose from:
- Maui private homes
- Maui oceanfront rentals
- Maui vacation rentals with a private pool
- Condo rentals in Maui
You can reserve your stay right on our website, or contact us at (808) 879 -3402. Our team of on-island experts is available to assist you with everything from booking to check-out. We hope to see you soon!