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Maui vs. Big Island: Which Hawaiian Island Is Better?

Maui vs. the Big Island: Which island is better for a Hawaii vacation or honeymoon? Here’s the quick answer. Maui is better for beaches, resorts, and an easy, relaxing trip. The Big Island is better for adventure, volcanoes, and variety, and it’s usually a little easier on the budget.

Maui is the island my clients ask for most. But the Big Island is the right pick for a lot of people, and some of them don’t know it yet. This post will help you decide.

Before we get started, let me introduce myself. My name is Amy, and I’m a Hawaii Travel Agent. I’m one of Hawaii’s top travel agents, and creating fantastic custom trips in Hawaii is what I do every day. 

Contact me if you’d like help planning your Hawaii vacation or honeymoon.

Maui vs. Big Island: the quick answer

Choose Maui if you want:

• The best swimming and snorkeling beaches
• Lots of resort choices in both Wailea and Kaanapali
• Shorter drives between things
• The Road to Hana and Haleakala sunrise
• The best whale watching in winter
• A first trip to Hawaii or a classic honeymoon

Choose the Big Island if you want:

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Manta ray night snorkeling
• Black and green sand beaches
• Fewer crowds and more space
• More adventure and road trips

DO I NEED A RENTAL CAR on Maui or the Big Island?

YES! You definitely need a car on both islands. Public transportation is limited, and you’ll want to get out and explore. On the Big Island, a car isn’t optional at all. The island is huge, and the best sights are hours apart.

I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental. Read more here: Do you need a rental car in Hawaii?

How many Hawaii islands can you visit in one week?

If you only have one week in Hawaii, I would advise visiting only one island. While you certainly can visit more than one island in a week, I wouldn’t recommend it. If you have 10 days or more, Maui and the Big Island make a great pair.

Getting to Maui vs. the Big Island

Maui has one main airport, Kahului (OGG), and it’s about 30 to 45 minutes from the resorts in Wailea and Kaanapali.

The Big Island has two airports. Kona (KOA) is on the sunny west side near the resorts, and Hilo (ITO) is on the east side near the volcano. Most visitors fly into Kona.

I do not recommend splitting your stay between Hilo and Kona. There aren’t many nice places to stay in or around Hilo, and day trips are easy!

Both are long flights from the mainland. Here’s how to survive the flight to Hawaii.

Size of Maui vs. the Big Island

This is the biggest difference, and it changes how you plan the trip. The Big Island is bigger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined. Driving from the Kohala Coast resorts to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park takes about 2.5 hours each way.

Maui is much smaller. You can stay in one resort the whole week and reach almost everything as a day trip. Even the Road to Hana, which can take a while to drive due to how crazy it is, is an easy day trip from the South or West side. 

On the Big Island, I usually recommend staying in the Kona or Kohala area. Some choose to split their stays, but all the best resorts are on the Kona side. 

Weather on Maui vs. the Big Island

Both islands have a dry side and a wet side. On Maui, the resort areas of Wailea, Kihei, and Kaanapali are sunny most of the year, and the Hana side is rainy and green.

On the Big Island, the Kona and Kohala coasts are some of the sunniest, driest places in Hawaii. Hilo is one of the rainiest cities in the United States, which is why it has so many waterfalls.

Both islands also have very high mountains. Haleakala on Maui and Mauna Kea on the Big Island get cold, and Mauna Kea can get snow in winter. Bring a jacket if you plan to venture up Haleakala or Mauna Kea.

Scenery on Maui and the Big Island

Maui is the Hawaii you picture: golden beaches, green mountains, waterfalls on the Road to Hana, and the Haleakala crater.

The Big Island looks like nowhere else. You’ll drive through black lava fields, rainforest, ranch land, and desert on the same day. It’s the youngest island, and it’s still growing.

Beaches on Maui and the Big Island

Maui wins for beaches. There are long, sandy, swimmable beaches all along the south and west sides, like Wailea Beach, Kaanapali Beach, Kapalua Bay, and Makena.

The Big Island has fewer classic sandy beaches because the island is so young. But the ones it has are special. Hapuna Beach is one of the best white-sand beaches in Hawaii, Punaluu is a black-sand beach where sea turtles rest, and Papakolea is one of the only green-sand beaches in the world.

For snorkeling, both are excellent. See my 5 best snorkeling locations in Hawaii.

Activities on Maui and the Big Island

The best things to do on Maui:

• Drive the Road to Hana. Here’s my guide to the Road to Hana
• Watch the sunrise at Haleakala. Read my guide to Haleakala sunrise or book a Haleakala tour
• Snorkel Molokini Crater
• Go whale watching in winter
• Go to a luau – my favorite is the Feast at Mokapu.

More here: The 7 best things to do in Maui.

The best things to do on the Big Island:

• Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Snorkel with manta rays at night in Kona
• Stargaze on Mauna Kea
• Tour a Kona coffee farm
• See Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls near Hilo
• Visit Punaluu Black Sand Beach

More here: 7 best things to do on the Big Island, the best tours on the Big Island, and my 7-day Big Island itinerary.

You’ll need to book a few of these ahead. See the reservations you need to make before going to Hawaii.

Wildlife on Maui and the Big Island

Maui is the best island in Hawaii for whale watching. Humpback whales are there from about December through April, and you can often see them from the beach.

The Big Island is the place for manta rays. The night snorkel in Kona is one of the most memorable things you can do in Hawaii. You’ll also see sea turtles on both islands, and spinner dolphins off the Kona coast.

The cost of Maui vs. the Big Island

Maui is usually the more expensive island, especially for resorts in Wailea. The Big Island tends to offer more for your money at the same resort level, and it has fewer crowds. However, one of the best resorts in the world – Four Seasons Hualalai – is on the Big Island, and far from cheap!

If budget matters, the Big Island is often the better value, but not always. 

The best resort on Maui for honeymoons

For honeymoons, I love the Andaz Maui at Wailea (read my Andaz Maui review) and the adults-only Hotel Wailea. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is another favorite, and it works for both honeymoons and families.

The best resort on Maui for families

For families, look at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea and the Hyatt Regency Maui in Kaanapali (read my Hyatt Regency Maui review). The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is also one of my top picks for families.

The best resort on the Big Island for honeymoons

For honeymoons, my picks are the Four Seasons Hualalai for a splurge and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel for one of the best beaches on the island. The Fairmont Orchid works well for honeymoons too.

The best resort on the Big Island for families

For families, my go-to is The Westin Hapuna Beach, which sits right on Hapuna Beach. The Fairmont Orchid is another great choice.

On more of a mid-range budget, look at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa. It isn’t my first pick, but it’s right in Kona, where you snorkel with manta rays at night.

See all of my picks here: 7 of the best Big Island resorts.

Island hopping between Maui and the Big Island

Maui and the Big Island are neighbors, and the flight between them is short. If you have 10 to 14 days, do both. I’d start on the Big Island for the adventure and finish on Maui to relax.

Which is better, Maui or the Big Island?

Maui is better for:

• First trips to Hawaii
• Honeymoons
• Beach lovers
• Families with young kids
• Anyone who doesn’t want long drives

The Big Island is better for:

• Adventure and road trips
• Return visitors to Hawaii
• Families with older kids and teens
• Volcano and nature lovers
• Travelers watching their budget

Still not sure? See the best Hawaii island for honeymoons and the best Hawaii island for families. You can also compare Maui vs. Kauai and Maui vs. Oahu.

Frequently asked questions about Maui vs. the Big Island

Is Maui or the Big Island better for a first trip to Hawaii?

Maui. It’s easier to get around, and it has the beaches and resorts most first-time visitors are picturing.

Is the Big Island cheaper than Maui?

Usually, yes. Resorts on the Big Island tend to cost less than similar resorts on Maui.

Can you see lava on the Big Island?

Sometimes. Kilauea erupts on and off, so check with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before your trip. The park is worth visiting either way.

How many days do you need on the Big Island vs. Maui?

Plan at least 5 days on Maui and 6 to 7 on the Big Island, since it takes longer to get around.

Which island has better snorkeling, Maui or the Big Island?

Both are excellent. Maui has Molokini Crater and easy beach snorkeling. The Big Island has Kealakekua Bay and the manta ray night snorkel.

Is Maui or the Big Island better for families?

Maui is easier with young kids. The Big Island is great for older kids and teens who want adventure.

Big Island vs. Maui

I hope that this post helped you decide if you would rather visit Maui, the Big Island, or both!

I am a Hawaii Travel Agent, and that is what I do. While I specialize in honeymoons and romantic travel, I am available for any Hawaii trip. I often work with groups and families, and destination weddings too! Reach out as soon as possible for the best availability, as I only take on a select number of clients each month.

Contact me to start planning.

Want even more Hawaii travel tips?

• The best island to visit in Hawaii in December
• What to pack for Hawaii (Ultimate Hawaii packing list)
• 50 best gluten-free restaurants in Maui

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