Should I spend more time in Big Island or Oahu?

Although we would say to spend longer on The Big Island if you can as there is quite a lot more to see there. You'll want to spend a few days on each island at least, which will give you a flavour for what they're all about, but will probably make you dream of Hawaii years later and want to return… just like us!



People Also Ask

To discover Big Island as a whole, we recommend staying ideally 8 to 10 days so that you have time to explore it at your own pace, as the island is quite large.

MORE DETAILS

While you can get a taste of the Big Island in 3 days, spending at least 5-7 days, and ideally more, exploring its diverse attractions is recommended. This allows time for visiting popular sites like Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea Summit, and the beautiful beaches.

MORE DETAILS

If you're wondering whether 7 days is too long to stay in Oahu, I can say from first hand experience that it's not- in my opinion, it's actually the perfect amount of time to see some of the best highlights the island has to offer.

MORE DETAILS

Four or five days in Oahu is even better if you want to hike, visit some cultural sights, go kayaking, or just slow down a bit. With seven days in Oahu, you should have enough time to discover your own favorite beach and get a little sampling of everything, from museums and historic sites to gardens and waterfalls.

MORE DETAILS

The island of Hawaii is big—giving it its nickname: The Big Island! While you may think of tropical beaches and palm trees when you think about a trip to Hawaii, the Big Island offers so much more. If you are pressed for time, 3 days on the Big Island may be all you have. But don't stress about it.

MORE DETAILS

From the snowy peak of Mauna Kea to the breathtaking white, black, and green sand beaches along the coast. This is your island if you like volcanoes, outdoor adventures, open spaces, and LOTS of nature. In summary: the Big Island is perfect if you want an adventurous vacation and you're willing to get out and explore.

MORE DETAILS

But, that said, some months are still better when considering things like weather and your budget. The best times to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, taking into consideration the weather, how crowded, or not, the island is, and demand for accommodations are the month(s) of April, May, August, September, and October.

MORE DETAILS

While the answer depends on your preferences and travel style, we recommend spending at least five to seven days on the island to experience its diverse attractions and activities fully. Ideally, as we noted above, you'd devote a week to 10 days to exploring the island.

MORE DETAILS

Whatever you reason, lots of travelers choose to spend just 5 days on the Big Island of Hawaii. Even though it's a much larger area (with slower driving) than you might expect, you'll cover a lot of ground with this Big Island itinerary for 5 days.

MORE DETAILS

#1: A Cheaper Cost of Living However, if you choose the Big Island, you'll find that life is a little less expensive than on Oahu, Maui, or Kauai. Data from Sperling's Best Places puts the overall cost of living index for the Big Island at 131.9. That's still more than 30% higher than the U.S. average, set at 100.

MORE DETAILS

The Big Island is the largest and most volcanically active of all Hawaiian islands. It is know for its beautiful nature and many cool activities and it is almost impossible to fit everything in your vacation – even if you stay more than a month!

MORE DETAILS

10 essential experiences on Hawai'i's Big Island
  • Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. ...
  • Mauna Kea star party. ...
  • Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. ...
  • Waipi'o Valley. ...
  • Pu?uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. ...
  • Kona (& Ka'u) coffee farms. ...
  • Hapuna Beach. ...
  • Merrie Monarch Festival.


MORE DETAILS

It takes a day or two at least to get used to that! I think your trip is too short and best be done when you have a few more days (based on jet lag alone!). On the other hand, 4 days is enough time to get a taste of the island. You can rent a car and drive around Oahu in one day.

MORE DETAILS

No, 10 days in not too long. There is so much to do. We have probably been to Oahu 20 times and have not run out of things to do. ( We enjoy the other islands also) 2 weeks has been our shortest stay.

MORE DETAILS

You should plan to spend around $333 per day on your vacation in Oahu, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $52 on meals for one day and $21 on local transportation.

MORE DETAILS