The Big Island of Hawaii vs Kauai: What Island Should You Visit?
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to choosing a Hawaiian island contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Going on vacation to paradise and can’t decide between the Big Island of Hawaii vs Kauai? The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of 8 major volcanic islands and numerous smaller islets, which makes choosing seem like a daunting task.
If you’re reading this blog, however, chances are that you are at least considering going to either the Big Island or Kauai! While we loved our time on both islands, we understand that you sometimes have to decide between two fantastic options.
In this travel guide, we will weigh outdoor activities, beaches, cost, family-oriented activities, and overall ease of travel in the area. In the end, it’s up to you to decide your favorite!
The island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, is a great destination for lovers of nature, volcanoes, and exploring biodiversity. National park travelers will be thrilled to find the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park here. For ease of writing, we’ll be referring to the island of Hawaii as the Big Island in this article.
On the other hand, the island of Kauai is home to hiking, a wide range of snorkeling tours, and a luscious untouched interior, making it a beautiful yet rugged destination. It was also the island inspiration behind Lilo & Stitch, well-named the ‘Garden Isle’. Regardless of your final choice of Hawaii vs Kauai, you are in for a trip of a lifetime!
If you are on your way to the Big Island or Kauai, stop for a quick layover in Honolulu to explore the island of Oahu.
Happy Sampling!
Too Long, Didn’t Read – The Big Island of Hawaii vs Kauai
Why the Big Island of Hawaii is the Best
- More unique activities than Kauai – there are so many bucket list items on the Big Island that are found nowhere else in the entire world. Time to start exploring!
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – the Big Island is home to a national park with two active volcanoes and tons of hiking and sightseeing opportunities.
- Manta Ray Night Swim – get up close and personal with massive (yet harmless) manta rays. There aren’t very many places on the planet where you can do this.
- More sandy beaches than Kauai – sand lover? The Big Island of Hawaii has significantly less rocky beaches than Kauai. Pull out the towel and relax on white, black, and green sand beaches.
- Great for stargazing and summiting volcanoes – drive to the Visitor’s Center of Mauna Kea for one of the best sunset and stargazing experiences. Take a 4WD tour to the summit for an even more jaw-dropping time.
Why Kauai is the Best
- Smaller and more drivable – Kauai is much smaller in size than the Big Island. To put it in perspective, it takes 6 hours to drive all the way around the Big Island, while it only takes 2 hours to do so in Kauai!
- The Na Pali Coast – this coast deserves its own reason to visit Kauai. The Na Pali Coast is a breathtaking area along the west side of the island, complete with striking cliffs, red rocks, and a glistening blue sea. If you only take one helicopter ride in your life, let it be here.
- Budget-friendly – while both islands are well-priced, Kauai is a tad bit cheaper than the Big Island. With a wide array of budget accommodations and cheap activities (such as hiking), it is easy to have a fun time on a budget in Kauai.
- Family conscious – Kauai is the best island for families traveling with children. From safe towns to beach enclaves, the island caters to larger groups and smaller children.
- Perfect for hiking lovers – enjoy hiking? You need to head to Kauai. From flat and paved walks to rugged multi-day hikes, Kauai is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Hike your heart away on the island.
Table of Contents
Top Experiences on the Big Island of Hawaii
Top Experiences in Kauai
Best Accommodations on the Big Island of Hawaii vs Kauai
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Top Hotels on the Big Island of Hawaii |
Top Hotels in Kauai |
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Budget |
The Big Island Hostel |
Kauai Vacation Rental |
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Mid-Range |
Aston Kona by the Sea |
Club Wyndham Shearwater |
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Luxury |
Paradise Breeze Retreat |
Grand Hyatt Kauai |
Outdoor Adventure
Winner: Tie. Outdoor adventure is a hard one to contest as both islands are fantastic. However, when evaluating types of outdoor adventure, Kauai is a hiking haven and the Big Island is perfect for unique, once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Kauai – Top pick for hiking opportunities as nearly the entire island is covered with fantastic trails. From paved and flat areas perfect for biking (like the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail) to hiking of insane difficulty (Na Pali Coast), there is something for everybody who is interested in walking, hiking, and more.
Hawaii: There is no place like the Big Island of Hawaii to get some incredible experiences ticked off your bucket list. From taking a hike in Volcanoes National Park to the manta ray night swim, the Big Island has you covered with crazy experiences.
While the island of Hawaii may have fewer hiking trails, overall, it has more unique outdoor activities.
Beaches
Winner: The Big Island is a winner for resorts and white sandy beaches. That being said, overall, the Big Island doesn’t have as many white beaches as the fellow Hawaiian islands of Maui and Oahu. If relaxing on a sandy beach and doing nothing is your idea of a great vacation, head to Maui instead. The Big Island’s beaches are better for exploration.
Kauai: Kauai is well known for having very rocky beaches, and while the snorkeling opportunities are plentiful, they don’t occur in traditional white sandy beaches that a lot of people are looking for. For surf lovers, Hanalei Bay is your best option in Kauai.
Hawaii: While also not having white sandy beaches, the Big Island does have fantastic beaches with black and even green sand! Prepare to spend a lot of time hiking to reach the beaches of the Big Island as not many resorts and hotels have immediate access. Put your flip-flops in your bag and tie up the hiking boots first.
Drivability
Winner: Kauai wins in the drivability category given its size, although the Big Island is a close second. The only reason Kauai wins is because it is slightly smaller than the island of Hawaii.
Kauai: The island of Kauai is very small, measuring only 25 miles (40 km) long and 33 miles (53 km) wide. Therefore, driving around the island is an easy task, even for drivers who usually aren’t that comfortable behind the wheel. When driving in Kauai, the biggest thing to note is the windy roads and chickens running around the island. Always keep an eye out for wildlife, but other than pesky chickens, road conditions are good. One main road wraps around the island, so navigation is not a concern.
Hawaii: Even if it’s called the Big Island (compared to other Hawaiian islands), it is still relatively small in size, measuring 95 miles (152 km) long and 80 miles (129 km) wide. Two main highways (11 and 19) make one big loop around the island. The roads are well maintained and easy to travel, and since most roads only have two lanes, there can be traffic during rush hour. If you were to circle the entire island, it would take 6 hours!
Budget/Cost
Winner: Kauai has more free activities than the Big Island, although both are comparable in terms of accommodation and logistical costs.
Kauai: There are lots of low-cost things to do and free hiking trails. While you can certainly get crazy with your budget and add on boat and helicopter tours, price-conscious travelers will have no trouble keeping to their budget. Beaches, hiking, and visiting the natural wonders are free.
Hawaii: While similar to Kauai in terms of food and living costs, the Big Island ends up being more expensive thanks to the unique activities. There is an entrance fee for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as well as a charge for tours like the manta ray night swim.
However, there are still life-changing events that are free, such as stargazing in Mauna Kea’s Visitor’s Center and whale watching in the town of Kailua-Kona.
Family-Friendly Activities
Winner: Kauai is the best island for young kids and families.
Kauai: Especially along the Southern Shore, Kauai has fantastic towns and activities for children. Lydgate Beach is a family favorite for its playground and safety features. The enclave beach is perfect for small children, with many other families around. While not all hiking trails are appropriate for children, there is more variety, and you will always be able to find one that suits your needs. For example, while the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast gets incredibly dangerous around mile 7 (kilometer 11), kids will have no trouble doing a 1-mile total walk.
Hawaii: The Big Island is a great destination for outdoorsy kids who would be interested in hiking around Volcanoes National Park. The more famous hikes would have to be skipped for being difficult, but children could enjoy the Thurston Lava Tube and the overlooks along the crater rim of Kilauea.
Furthermore, some of the activities that make the Big Island a perfect destination are not for kids. For instance, the manta ray night swim requires travelers to wear a snorkel and hold onto a raft for over 2 hours in the dark.
Sample Itineraries
Still unsure of which island to choose? While we’d vote for both, check out our sample itineraries for 4 days on the Big Island and 4 days in Kauai. Click into the titles for the full articles on each destination.
4 Days on the Big Island, Hawaii
Day 1
- Hiking in Volcanoes National Park
- Relaxing on Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Day 2
- Exploring the town of Hilo
- Entering the darkness of Kaumana Caves State Park
- Wandering around ‘Akaka Falls State Park
Day 3
- Learning about Hawaiian culture in Pu’uhonua o Honaunau
- Seeing the lively town of Kailua-Kona
- Experiencing the manta ray night swim
Day 4
- Taking a Kona Coffee tour
- Walking the Pololū Valley Lookout & Trail
- Stargazing at the summit of Mauna Kea
4 Days in Kauai, Hawaii
Day 1
- Explore the North Shore and Princeville
- Surf or suntan at Hanalei Bay
Day 2
- Take a walk along Ke Ala Hele Makālae
- Drive through the Tree Tunnel
- Walk along the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
- Relax on Poipu Beach
Day 3
- Take a hike along the Kalalau Trail
- Take a snorkeling and boat tour of the Na Pali Coast
Day 4
- Helicopter tour of the entire island
- Go hiking in Koke’e State Park
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii vs Kauai
How is Kauai different from Hawaii?
Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii are two quintessential islands in the archipelago of Hawaii. While both are great to add to your bucket list, overall, they have drastically different vibes. The Big Island, apart from being larger than Kauai, is home to fantastic beaches, a national park, and once-in-a-lifetime attractions. If you love tours and unique attractions, this is your place to go.
On the other hand, Kauai is geared more towards hiking. With miles and miles of flat and difficult terrain, hiking lovers won’t get bored in Kauai. Explore the island by boat, land, and air. Overall, both islands are laid-back and truly a part of paradise. Hawaii vs Kauai has been a traveler’s debate for years, but you will be happy going to either.
Should I go to Honolulu or Kauai?
Honolulu is the right city for you if you (1) want a big city feel, (2) don’t want to travel too far, and (3) want white sandy beaches. Oahu (where Honolulu is located) is the most accessible Hawaiian island. All flights have a layover in Honolulu before departing to other islands.
Kauai is the island for you if you (1) want a rugged destination that is incredibly unique, (2) value hiking over relaxing on a beach, and (3) want the flexibility of being able to drive around and explore on your own. While you have to fly from Honolulu to the island of Kauai, the ‘Garden Isle’ is well worth a visit if you have the time.
Why is Kauai so special?
There is no other place on the planet where you’ll want to explore by helicopter ride, boat tour, and hiking trail. The most scenic part of Kauai is the Na Pali Coast! This beautiful coastline along the west side of the island is iconic, with a gorgeous mountain shoreline that spans 17 miles (27 km). Even seasoned travelers are sure to be surprised at this rugged and uncut natural beauty. The cliffs are red-green in color and plummet into some of the bluest water that you will ever see in your life.
We hope you enjoyed this travel guide on Hawaii vs Kauai, two drastically different but jaw-dropping Hawaiian islands. While we wish you could get to both islands, sometimes a choice is unfortunately necessary. Regardless of which Hawaiian island you end up choosing, you will not regret it!
Happy Sampling!