Why is the Big Island better than Maui?

Big Island offers the widest variety of experiences for authentic Hawaiian experiences. Maui is perfect for you if you're looking for an island with a more miniature landscape but plenty of outdoor activities.



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Maui's shores have some of the best beaches in the entire state, and the Big Island's young, rocky, volcanic shores offer very little in the way of soft white sand. If it's the beaches you crave, Maui is the clear choice. Paia Bay has a long white sand beach with an excellent near-shore surf break. Ken Tam, source.

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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!

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Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or Maui? These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. The average daily cost (per person) in Maui is $275, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $250.

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With 12 of the world's 14 climate zones, the Big Island of Hawaii has one of the most dynamic landscapes on the planet. Take a drive and in no time you'll go from palm-fringed beaches to New Zealand-style pastureland to rain forests dripping with dewy orchids.

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Enticing beaches, clear waters, lush rainforests, and arid landscapes — most islands have them all! But they also each have their own distinct personalities, which makes discovering them even more fun. Here, we say aloha to the Island of Hawaii, the youngest of all the islands, yet the largest (hence its nickname).

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It's the biggest! Its massive size lends itself to an incredible diversity of landscapes and climates, from lush jungles and cascading waterfalls to high mountains, white sandy beaches, and dramatic volcanic landscapes with lava flows for as far as the eye can see.

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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.

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There are many other factors that affect the cost of living in Hawaii. But these three issues — high taxes, excessive land-use and zoning regulations, and the federal Jones Act — are some of the most important in explaining why Hawaii's cost of living is so high.

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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.

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You can leave the less enthusiastic tourist crowds behind by descending to Kua Bay on the Big Island's west coast for a good swim. The beach here is made up of white sand. That's hard to find in Hawaii as the Big Island continues to grow. Most of the beaches are still made up of young volcanic rock.

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Oahu. Oahu, also known as “The Gathering Place,” is home to some of the most iconic beaches in Hawaii, including world-famous Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, and Sunset Beach. Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the world and is known for its stunning views of Diamond Head, a volcanic cone.

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Kauai is the winner It 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.

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It depends on what you want to do. On the BI, it is more about relaxing, seeing the volcano and visiting the resorts on the Kailua-Kona Side. Maui is generally more urbanized, but there are great beached at Kaanapali and the Haleakala, a dormant volcano. Tere are also whale watching in the winter.

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There are many reasons why Maui is the best Hawaiian island to visit, but one of the top reasons is its breathtaking beaches and tropical landscapes. You won't want to miss the world-famous Kaanapali Beach, where you can spend the day swimming in crystal clear waters or lounging on soft white sand.

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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.

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#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.

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Using data from The Hawaii Tourism Authority and Kayak.com, the cheapest island to visit is Oahu. Airfare, hotel, and rental car for two people for a week costs $2,625 on Oahu. The most expensive Hawaiian island to visit is Maui, where the same average costs for a week are $3,600. How did we get this number?

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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.

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One of the major factors contributing to the affordability of Ocean View, Hawaii is its limited infrastructure and services. This small community, located on the Big Island, has a population of around 4,000 people and is known for its rural and secluded nature.

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Maui, known also as “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest Hawaiian island. The island beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred ?Iao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales (during winter months), farm-to-table cuisine and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala.

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10 Ways to Save Money on Hawaii Big Island
  1. Kona Joe Coffee.
  2. Great Hawaiian Mac Nut Trail.
  3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
  4. Cruise the Kohala Coast.
  5. Spend time on Big Island's colored beaches.
  6. Explore forgotten sugarcane plantations of Ka'U.
  7. Go snorkeling at Honaunau Bay.
  8. Sample local flavors at Hilo Farmers Market.


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