Research
Questions
Q: What islands to visit in 2 weeks?
A: Maui and Kauai
Q: What path of travel?
A: Toronto -> Maui -> Kauai -> Toronto
Toronto -> Maui ~$370
Maui -> Kauai ~$100
Kauai -> Toronto ~$430 (BP)
Toronto -> Kauai ~$400 (BP)
Kauai -> Maui ~$100
Maui -> Toronto ~$400
Toronto -> Maui -> Toronto ~$666 (BP)
Maui -> Kaui -> Maui ~$188
Must Do
Must Eat
Notes
Maui
- is half and half developed wise
- Maui is definitely the best all-rounder
- Maui is best for your first trip to Hawaii
- I’d recommend Kauai or Maui for a first-timer
- has a little bit of everything. It is what people dream of when they envision Hawaii
- You'll need a car though. I recommend staying either in Lahaina or Kihei
- You can drive the road to Hana with beaches and waterfalls along the way, go up Haleakala to watch sunrise and drive/bike down
Kauai
- least developed feel
- most undeveloped. Amazing hiking, scenery, and views
- Kauai was definitely our favorite due to being less developed
- Kaui hands down. Stunningly beautiful, slow, chill and the Nepali Coast is gorgeous
- Kauai has gorgeous jungle and some of the best beaches in Hawaii. It is a very small, very quiet island. If you are looking to just take it easy and do a couple of activities here and there Kauai may be perfect for you
- If you’re a small group of 2-3 I’d recommend booking w Mauna Loa since if you have 2 ppl you get the heli to yourselves and you won’t be grouped w strangers, + everyone gets a door seat, unlike some other tours
- Poipu is as much a resort town as Princeville is. With the north shore you have Hanalei, Ke'e Beach, Tunnels Beach, Haena Beach Park, the Kalalau Trail, Lumahai Beach, Queen's Bath (when it reopens), lots of food options. Poipu area is mainly shipwreck beach and Poipu Beach which are both really nice but I think more people would prefer Hanalei. The turtles at Poipu beach are really something though, there are usually many there.
- The proximity to Port Allen for cruises, Waimea and Kokee State Park, and Polihale Beach Park are definitely part of the benefit of staying closer to the south shore. They are all amazing.
Oahu
- more developed than the others
- Oahu being more touristy
Big Island
- probably a bad bet right now, because recent eruptions have closed off access to a lot of things.
- has some great hiking and snorkelling as well, but the beaches aren't as nice as in Maui imo. Last time we went you could hike to the flowing lava at sundown and it was incredible. Dangerous perhaps, but incredible. Food was just ok, the island on a whole is not as upscale as Maui, but also not as expensive.
- I didn't love the Big Island. The Volcanoes National Park in kinda cool, but overall I feel like there was not as much to do and see as in Maui and Kauai