Maui or Kauai?

My husband and I (both 30) are planning a 5 night Hawaiian vacation in late March, but are having difficulty deciding between Maui and Kauai. I visited Maui about 15 years ago, and Oahu 10 years ago, but my husband has never been.

While we appreciate leisure, we are interested in a more active vacation, as my husband tends to get restless sitting around. Specifically, we would like to hike, snorkel, and kayak, which can obviously be done at both.

Lodging is not an issue as it seems comparable on both islands. We%26#39;ll probably want to eat a nice, reasonably priced dinner each night. Nightlife is not terribly important to us, and shopping is of interest, but low on the priority list. We%26#39;re coming from the Midwest U.S., and will be looking for warm, sunny weather after a dreary gray winter!

Between Maui or Kauai, which would YOU suggest and why? Seeing both is not an option due to time constraints. Thanks!

Maui or Kauai?

Flip a coin. That%26#39;s the best way to settle this dilemma!! Both are great and have what you are looking for. Hiking is better on Kauai. Snorkeling is better on Maui. You can kayak on both but I believe Kauai also offers river kayaking and Maui doesn%26#39;t have a river. Since you have been to Maui, I suggest going to Kauai. Your DH won%26#39;t know the difference!!

Maui or Kauai?

you will find PLENTY of hiking and snorkeling and kayaking on Kauai. You will probably find you will need to go back another time just to hit all the hikes/beaches that you won%26#39;t have time for this time.

We recently returned from Hawaii and visited both islands. My vote is for Maui. It may have something to do with the fact that it rained 16 inches in 32 hours while we were in Kauai. During the winter is the rainey season in Hawaii and you could experience rain at either island, but Kauai has more rainfall than Maui. Maui also seemed to have more to do. We drove the road to Hana and around the north shore of Maui. Both drives were spectacular! Snorkeling was great right off the beaches in Maui. We spent four nights in Maui and it wasn%26#39;t enough time for us to see all we wanted to see.

To me it sounds like Kauai would be the perfect fit for you - Maui is quite a bit more expensive than Kauai, both for dining and lodging. There are also rivers to kayak on Kauai - not on Maui. Both are great islands, but with only 5 nights, I would give gorgeous Kauai a try! :)

What a horrible dilema!!!!!!

You know Maui so maybe you feel more comfortable showing your husband around, but Kauai will offer you the great adventures it seems he will look for. Nightlife isn%26#39;t great on Kauai so not a problem there. Maui might give you more sunshine, but in March it is usually pretty nice on Kauai with an occasional shower. Poipu is the sunnier side of the island, but today for instance is a gorgeous day on the North Shore.

By choosing Kauai you will discover the island together.

The flip a coin idea has worked before. I am just happy you are coming to Hawaii and Maui or Kauai.. you will have a great time I am sure.

Yep - flip a coin. The Kauai Forum will tell you Kauai and the Maui Forum will tell you Maui.

I think you have more and better lodging options on Maui. We like the sunshine on Maui, the many options of things to do - better snorkeling! We like to whale-watch, catamaran rides. Shopping is certainly better on Maui, as is are the options for resataurants. I think that Maui takes better care of its infrastructure - roads and such.

So we prefer Maui, but had a great time on Kauai as well.

Think I would suggest Maui for first timer. It has Kaanapali with the high rise hotels and nice beaches. Kihei with a more low key beach town atmosphere also with nice beaches, and Hana on the wetside with fewer people. Then maybe you can pick which you like of Hawaii for the next trip.

I prefer Kauai and then BI, but i like the lower key stuff.

Our daughter and family headed for Kaanapali in June, and i can almost guarantee they will love it. They were on kauai with us 4 years ago and will join us there again this year. They loved that too but would guess kaanapali may score a bit higher. Then she likes las vegas