Kauai or the Big Island

[mumom95]

Hi all, working on our Hawaii vacation for next summer (I'll probably end up with quite a few threads on this )

Family of 4, kids will be 10 and 11 at the time.

We are going to Oahu and Maui. Trying to decide if we want the third island to be Kauai or Hawaii (the Big Island). Kauai sounds beautiful, but we also would like to do Volcanoe National Park on the big island. Goinng to all 4 islands is an option too, I was just hoping to avoid the whole packing and flying every couple of days.

So if you've been, which island would you recommend?

 

[klfrech]

My vote is for the Big Island, especially if you like an active vacation. There is so much to see and the topography is beautiful. Kauai is beautiful also, but much less to do and very laid back.

Went to a spectular luau on the Big Island. Check out trip advisor for lots of information.

Have fun planning!

 

[Feralpeg]

I'd also vote for the big island. It is so different from the others. Since it is so much newer in a geological sense, you see things there you won't see on the other islands. I loved Kauai, but enjoyed the big island the most. Of course, my favorite will always be Maui. Molokai was beautiful, but boring.

 

[punkin]

How long is your vacation? We are going for two weeks (in two weeks) and decided to do Oahu and the Big Island.

 

[mumom95]

How long is your vacation? We are going for two weeks (in two weeks) and decided to do Oahu and the Big Island.

We are still trying to figure it all out, no less than 10 days, no more than 14.

 

[dezimber]

subbing...My uncle invited me to Hawaii next year but I have to come up with plane fare and food money. They're going to Kauai.

 

[trip]

We are still trying to figure it all out, no less than 10 days, no more than 14.

Stay as long as you can!

 

[mumom95]

Now we are starting to wonder if we should do the Pride of America cruise for 7 days to get to all the islands, and then add on 5 or 6 days at one place for relaxation.

Any advice?

 

[corgi_monster]

As someone born, raised, and still living in Hawaii (Oahu), I vote for the Big Island. Kauai's greats, but I've always felt it's a down-scale, less developed version of Maui. However, with the exception of the Princeville area, Kauai has a more local vibe than Maui.

The Big Island has a unique landscape, including the volcano (obviously), that you will not see on any of the other islands.

As for the cruise, I've been on it, and quite honestly, it SUCKS! As someone who has been to Maui, Kauai, and Kona over a half dozen times (each), even I didn't feel that the stops were long enough to see even a fraction of the sites.

 

[pooh98378]

I loved the Big Island... I actually liked it much better than Maui. We never got a chance to go to Kauai though.

At the Big Island, we stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village -- awesome hotel! They also have Dolphin Quest there if you are interested in that.

 

[Muffy]

We vacationed in Kauai and loved it! Don't forget to hike the Kalalau Trail, it's incredible!

 

[DawnCt1]

We are still trying to figure it all out, no less than 10 days, no more than 14.

Three islands in less than 2 weeks is tough. I wouldn't consider adding a forth, even for a day trip. I love both the BI and Kauai but if this is your first trip, definitely the Big Island. Kauai is beautiful with its rain forest, water falls, etc, but you will find very similar spots on the Hana Hwy on Maui. The Big Island has about 14 climate ranges with such diversity in nature, from rain forests to desert and everything in between, that its amazing. The Big Island is BIG so allow enough time to see and do what you want to do. I would definitely attempt to find lodging in Volcano National Park for at least one night. Fly into Hilo and fly out from Kona. Seeing the lava glow at night, a chance of a moon bow, taking the guided hikes around the park, the visitor's center, make it a destination in itself. Then spend your remaining Big Island nights on the Kohala Coast. You can drive through Hilo, visit the Pacific Tsunami Museum, up along the Hamakua coast and cut through Waimea (Kamuela) and down to the Kohala Coast. There are lots of wonderful hotels and you won't be far from Kailua Kona (30 minutes) for more exploring.

 

[abdmom]

For a 10-14 day trip, I'd do a maximum of 2 islands. There is plenty of things to do on each island to keep you occupied for 2 weeks.

 

[DawnCt1]

Now we are starting to wonder if we should do the Pride of America cruise for 7 days to get to all the islands, and then add on 5 or 6 days at one place for relaxation.

Any advice?

I would never consider a Hawaiian cruise. The best parts of any of the islands you would miss. I met one woman on a snorkeling trip who was from a cruise ship. She "hated Kauai" because "there was nothing to see or do". She saw the north shore from a tour bus that was too big to cross the bridges.

 

[wvjules]

I vote Big Island as well. Where else can you walk through a volcano bed, hike through lava tubes, see lava flow into the pacific ocean, go to the furthest south point in the US, etc. You can also do a night dive/snorkel with the Manta Rays. We stayed at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay. Awesome hotel!


Here is the Sheraton:

 

[wendy46001]

I would never consider a Hawaiian cruise. The best parts of any of the islands you would miss. I met one woman on a snorkeling trip who was from a cruise ship. She "hated Kauai" because "there was nothing to see or do". She saw the north shore from a tour bus that was too big to cross the bridges.

We did the cruise and it was great, but we also spend time on the islands before hand. A cruise is always what you make of it...some tours are good others leave a lot to be desired

For a family and lots to do i vote the big island
but Kauai is my favorite just to relax

 

[punkin]

Yes, for less than 2 weeks you do not want to do 3 islands. Besides the time wasted traveling, the cost of the inter island flights is pretty hefty.

 

[suzannen]

This may be a helpful site to you:
"Which Hawaiin Island Suits You Best?"
It's a scorecard where you put in your particular tastes, preferences (sit by beach, visit volcanoes, family friendly...) & your budget and at the end will recommend islands based on that.

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/hawaiivacationplanner/a/island_scores.htm

 

[mumom95]

Thanks everyone!!

It's so hard to decide.

For everyone that says just two islands, what if the only reason we are going to Oahu is to see Pearl Harbor. We were only thinking two nights there and the rest of the days between two other islands. It does seem though that we should plan on a full 14 days.

I just hate to go all the way there and not see as many of the islands as possible. My dh and I may get back to Hawaii someday, but probably not until the kids are grown and on their own. There are so many places we want to take them, that we aren't ones that tend to go back to the same place twice.

I do appreciate all the advice and help. Anything anyone wants to add or say is greatly appreciated

 

[jsmith]

Definately the Big Island-it is like my favorite place in the world-and ive been around a good bit. 2 days is not much for Oahu-depending on when you are there and how crowded it is you can spend a full day in the Pearl Harbor area and there are plenty of things to see and do on Oahu other than Pearl. Seeing 3 Islands in 14 days is pretty ambitious.