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Maui vs. Oahu

As a Hawaii Travel Agent, one of the most common questions I  answer is, “Which island in Hawaii is best?” Well, there isn’t really a “best island” in Hawaii. It’s more about which is best for you! Today, we will discuss Maui vs. Oahu. I’ve written a blog post about Maui vs. Kauai before, but I wanted to focus on the two most commonly visited islands—Oahu and Maui.

Before we get started, I’d love to help you if you’re still in the planning stages of your Hawaii vacation or honeymoon. Contact me today to learn more!

Do you need a car in Maui or Oahu?

You’ll definitely need a car in Maui. On Oahu, it’s optional, but I highly recommend it. Public transportation is excellent in Oahu, but you’ll want to venture beyond Waikiki and Honolulu, at least for part of the trip. You’ll find the best prices anywhere at Discount Hawaii Car Rental. 

Overview of Oahu vs. Maui

Oahu is the most populated island in Hawaii. It is the most popular island for international tourism. Honolulu is a city, and the famous Waikiki is part of that city. If you want nightlife, hundreds of food options, shopping, and generally city life, Oahu is the only island in Hawaii that offers all that and more. Oahu is also home to many historical sites and cultural activities.

While Oahu may be the most popular island for tourism in general, Maui is very popular among Americans. Maui is the perfect destination for a honeymoon or another romantic vacation, but it also offers so much for families or even multi-generational travel. Maui has the best snorkeling in Hawaii (in my opinion), some of the best beaches, and is more suited for a relaxed vacation than Oahu.

Now that you have an overview of Maui vs. Oahu let’s break it down even more.

Oahu, in more detail

Some people love Oahu, and some people hate it. I’ll try to remain neutral and not tell you which one I am. 🙂 I’ve had many clients visit Oahu and tell me they are thankful that I only recommended 2-3 days. This is enough time to see the most popular sites (think Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Waikiki Beach, etc.), but not too long. 

Now, by contrast, some people love Oahu! I’ve had clients who have stayed in Oahu for 10 days and didn’t want to leave. If you love the nightlife, city life, high-end shopping, and excellent public transportation, you’ll find it here. It’s also important to remember that Honolulu is a very populated city on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. So, you run into a lot of the problems you might expect.

Traffic can be horrendous on Oahu, especially during busy times of the day. Almost a million people live on Oahu, plus all the tourists, and it gets chaotic. While Hawaii is generally considered safe, there is more crime on Oahu than on the other islands simply due to there being more people. Crowds can be a significant issue, particularly during busier times.

One more upside: Oahu can be much less expensive than the other islands, particularly Maui. Since there are many hotels, they are often competitively priced. 

If you do venture to Oahu, please make sure to explore outside of Honolulu and Waikiki! The North Shore is beautiful and offers excellent hiking, waterfalls, and adventure activities. Ko’Olina has some incredible resorts (Four Seasons, Disney’s Aulani…) if you want a more private experience away from the Waikiki crowds. 

Maui, in more detail

If you dream of relaxing on the beach in Hawaii, Maui is probably very close to your vision. While Maui is considered a romantic destination (and my top recommendation for Hawaii honeymoons), it’s also a great island for families!

Maui has a slower pace than Oahu but still offers more resorts, restaurants, and activities options than Kauai or Big Island. The Road to Hana, an experience rather than a destination, is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. You must stop at Estrella’s Hana Maui and get a shave ice or smoothie!

Accommodations in Maui range from adults-only boutique hotels to massive resorts with everything you could ever need. Maui is the best place for whale watching in the winter, especially in West Maui, where you might spot whales off your lanai. 

The downside of Maui is that it can be expensive! Maui is, generally speaking, the most expensive island. 

Is it okay to visit Maui after the fires?

Now, let’s talk about Maui post-fires. Yes, Maui is wide open for visitors. The only area that was affected was Lahaina. At this point, most restaurants and businesses have re-opened or moved. The fire was devastating to so many residents, but it barely impacted tourism after the initial cleanup.

I have been to Maui several times post-fire, and each time, I’ve been thanked for visiting and for encouraging clients to return. The majority of people want respectful tourists to visit. The ones who don’t? Well, they never wanted tourism in the first place. 

At the Hyatt Regency Maui in December 2023.

Oahu vs. Maui: Beaches

While you may have heard that Maui has the best beaches, Oahu has some fantastic beaches too! The problem is that many of Oahu’s great beaches don’t have resorts on them. So, while Oahu has beautiful beaches, I’d say the beaches in Maui you can stay on are generally better. 

Oahu’s beaches also tend to be more crowded, so for me, Maui is the easy winner for the best beaches.

Here are some of the best beaches on either island:

Best beaches in Oahu

• Lanikai Beach
• Sunset Beach Park
• Laniakea Beach 
• Waimanalo Beach
• Turtle Bay Beach (Turtle Bay Resort is here) 

Best beaches in Maui

• Big Beach (Makena State Park)
• Ka’anapali Beach (you can stay on this beach!)
• Napili Beach
• Wailea Beach (you can stay on this beach too)
• Waianapanapa State Park (black sand)

Did I mention Maui sunsets?

Maui vs. Oahu: Resorts

There are two main resort areas in Oahu: Waikiki and Ko’Olina. Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore will also get an honorable mention. It’s one of the best resorts in Hawaii, but it’s the only resort in the area. However, due to its remote location, Turtle Bay is not for everyone! 

The vast majority of the resorts on Oahu are in Waikiki. Since Waikiki has been around the longest, some resorts are very dated and need renovations and repairs. Please do your research or work with a Hawaii Travel Agent to ensure you don’t end up in one of these! 

While some beautiful resorts exist in Waikiki, they generally have a smaller footprint simply because they are in a city. 

Maui has resorts on the west and south sides. I will also give an honorable mention to one of my favorite resorts in Hawaii: Hana-Maui Resort. Like Turtle Bay, Hana-Maui is not for everyone. Check out my full Hana-Maui Review to learn more. Unlike Oahu, many of the resorts in Maui are set on several acres and offer lots of on-site activities.

So, which island has the best resorts? I must give it to Maui since some of my favorite resorts are here. I recommend the Andaz for honeymoons, Hyatt Regency Maui for families, and Four Seasons Maui for either one if you want the best of the best! Their club level is AMAZING; I have a video on that coming soon. 

Oahu vs Maui: Activities

The activities on Oahu and Maui are very different! When it comes to cultural or historical activities and museums, Oahu is the easy winner. There are plenty of things to do in Maui, but they tend to be more laid-back and outdoor-based. 

Both islands have great luaus, sail and snorkeling tours, kayaking, hikes, and places to see waterfalls. However, when it comes to a variety of activities, Oahu is the winner. Oahu has nightlife, which no other island has, and some unique options, like swimming with sharks. 

Although you need to venture outside of Waikiki for things like snorkeling and hiking, Oahu still has great hikes like Diamond Head or pillbox hikes. 

Ehukai Pillbox hike on Oahu.

Here are some of my favorite activities on both islands:

Oahu: Cageless shark dives, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Kulaloa Ranch, Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove Luau.

Maui: Feast at Mokapu Luau, Molokini Crater snorkel, The Road to Hana, Ziplines, Sunset sails. 

Maui vs. Oahu: Cost

One area where Oahu is the clear winner is cost! Thanks to having so many options, prices are often competitive. If you look at similar resorts on Maui vs. Oahu, Oahu is typically less expensive. As mentioned before, Oahu does not have the beautiful sprawling resorts that Maui does, at least not in Waikiki!

When you travel outside of Waikiki, your hotel costs go up quite a bit because most of the resorts outside of Oahu are very upscale (Turtle Bay, Aulani, Four Seasons, etc.). 

Pricing for activities is about the same, and pricing for flights can be the same for the most part. Accommodations are The primary way you’ll save money when considering Maui vs. Oahu. 

Oahu vs. Maui: Weather

Fortunately, bad weather isn’t much of an issue anywhere in Hawaii. Yes, it can rain, but both Maui and Oahu tend to be dryer than say, Kauai. While you may see some rain, it will likely only be certain parts of the island and likely won’t last.

I’m often asked as a Hawaii Travel Agent if Hawaii has hurricanes, and the answer is usually no. It’s possible, but the island’s isolated location and weather patterns make hurricanes rare. So, you don’t need to avoid certain times like you might in the Caribbean. 

Oahu vs. Maui

So, who wins? Oahu or Maui? It’s up to you to decide! Oahu is the perfect destination for some, and Maui is the perfect destination for others. Many of my clients do trips splitting between two islands (I recommend a minimum of 8-10 days for this!) and that can be a great option too. Contact me to see which island(s) might be best for you. 

More things to do on Oahu

• What is the best luau in Oahu in 2024?
• The 21 best beaches in Oahu
• 30 free things to do in Oahu
• 10 best things to do in Waikiki
• The best shave ice in Oahu
• 15 Historical sites on Oahu
• 5 reasons you might need a Hawaii Travel Agent

More things to do in Maui

• 27 Things to Do on Maui in July
• 15 easy hikes in Maui
• 10 best Molokini Crater Snorkeling Tours
• The 25 best restaurants in Wailea
• 50 things to do in Maui
• Is it okay to visit Maui now?
• The Ultimate Guide to the Hana Lava Tube in Maui

Book your Maui or Oahu vacation with a Hawaii travel agent

If you’re still unsure whether Maui or Oahu would be right for you, reach out! I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. I am selective about how many clients I work with, so reach out as soon as possible for the best availability. You can contact me to learn more.

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