O?ahu The “Heart of Hawai'i” is home to Honolulu and much more. Moloka?i The island of Moloka?i remains true to its island roots. Lana?i Luxury and rugged nature blend on this enticing island.
People Also Ask
But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.
Maui is located about 100 miles away from Honolulu. Traveling from Honolulu to other Hawaiian islands is easy and can be quite reasonable once you've arrived on the Hawaiian soil.
The ferry service between Honolulu and Maui is provided by a company called Expeditions. The ferry takes approximately 2.5 hours to get from one island to another and operates daily. A one-way ticket costs $39 for adults, $20 for children between the ages of 2-12, and kids under two can ride the ferry for free.
Oahu is the easiest island to get around. There are several car rental companies at the Honolulu Airport if you'd like to drive the island. If you're looking to save a few dollars on transportation, the Oahu bus system can get you within walking distance of almost anywhere on the island.
That said, Honolulu, on Oahu, is significantly cheaper than Maui. How significant? In December 2022, the average nightly rate for a hotel in Oahu was $202. In Maui, the average rate for a hotel was $410.
Take a flight from Honolulu to Maui for a one-day Maui excursion and explore the Road to Hana, one of the top things to do in Maui! Pass the old plantation town Paia to stop at waterfalls & a black sand beach along the 52-mile Hana Highway.
Kauai is the winnerIt has a variety of views and terrain to see. Rocky coastlines, beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and mountains and valleys. There is so much to see and do. Kauai tends to not be as popular as islands like Maui and Oahu so you can fully enjoy what the island offers.
Maui has some of the best beaches in Hawaii and is a whale-watching hotspot. Maui is the place to be if you are interested in whale-watching tours. The island's surrounding waters contain the world's densest humpback whale population. Each year sees over 10,000 whales migrate to the island's waters.
Both are lovely but it really depends on what you like to do on vacation. Many consider Maui to be the prettiest island. There is a world class golf course in Kapalua. Oahu is the most developed island - there is a downtown area along with history (visiting Pearl Harbor).
Depending on when you want to travel and how far in advance you book your tickets, travel between the Hawaiian islands can be very reasonable. Flights can be found as cheap as $39 each way on Hawaiian and Southwest Airlines. $39 is the best we've seen. Expect to pay between $50 to $100 for a one-way ticket.
While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.
Remember that you can see Maui in a day when you're on a tight schedule but still want to see as much as possible. There is plenty to see and do here on the island, and it doesn't matter if you're looking to relax, for adventure, or to experience the island's natural beauty.
It will absolutely make you want to go to Maui again. But it's also a LOT less pricey than a full week! Maui is a fairly expensive destination, and it may end up being more doable to spend a few 3-day weekends in Maui over the course of a few years rather than a full week.
April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.
Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $3,015. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in over $2,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $5,142.
Currently, there is no passenger-ferry service from Honolulu to Maui, or between any of the Hawaiian islands. All inter-island travel is either via air or private boat.
O'ahu (Population 876,156, Area 597 sq. miles) The most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. O'ahu is the military command center of the Pacific.
The best time to visit this Hawaiian island to avoid tourist crowds is April to June and September to November. Lanai and Molokai are the least visited islands and are the perfect rural getaways for introverts.