Kauai or Maui?

[Ashcan Bill]

Maui is nice with great beaches and shopping, but Kauai is more laid back and tropical. I'll always go with laid back and tropical.

Maui! Parents have been a few times and loved it.

Thanks for your replies I look forward to reading them as they come in.

I am not really looking for shopping or nightlife. I can't stand to just sit on the beach, so I like exploring and taking photo safaris.

So snorkling and exploring is more my speed.. I hear the Whale watching this time of year off Maui is cool.

We would be leaving in 3 or 4 weeks..

Thanks guys!

[Mr.Maduro]

Originally Posted by Andyman

Thanks for your replies I look forward to reading them as they come in.

I am not really looking for shopping or nightlife. I can't stand to just sit on the beach, so I like exploring and taking photo safaris.

So snorkling and exploring is more my speed.. I hear the Whale watching this time of year off Maui is cool.

We would be leaving in 3 or 4 weeks..

Thanks guys!

The whales were supposedly gone when I was in Maui mid-April. We were on a sunset cruise and got within 50 yards of a pod of about 5-7 of them. The high-light of my trip... I got some video clips on my point and shoot digital....it was just amazing!

[Fumes]

Kauai's North shore is nothing short of incredible. A couple years ago my wife and I spent two weeks snorkeling near Ha'ena (Tunnels and nearby beaches) and hiking the Kalalau trail. An experience of a lifetime. But it's very quiet -- no nightlife to speak of, but if you want to "get away from it all" this is the place.

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by Andyman

Thanks for your replies I look forward to reading them as they come in.

I am not really looking for shopping or nightlife. I can't stand to just sit on the beach, so I like exploring and taking photo safaris.

So snorkling and exploring is more my speed.. I hear the Whale watching this time of year off Maui is cool.

We would be leaving in 3 or 4 weeks..

Thanks guys!

If you enjoy exploring then I would definitely go to Kauai. There are tons of hiking trails, water falls, etc. The first time I went there I went on an ATV tour which was a blast and of course there is also horse back riding, snorkeling, scuba, etc. The only think I saw on Maui to explore was the local Wal-Mart and McDonalds.

To be honest, I was just extremely disappointed with Maui. To me it wasn't much different than going to the Carribean. Kauai is much more unique as a destination and more interesting in my opinion.

The Napali coast is one of the most magnificent places on earth!!! Kalalau valley is completely mind blowing and the nicest hike I've ever been on. Kauai everytime! My

[Jason]

Never been to Kauai Andy but Maui in Feb is very nice. I missed all the ripe mangos in Feb but you could go to to any beach around Lahaina, stick your head in the water and listen to the humpbacks talk!

Dunno how long the whales are mating but in Feb they gang up between Maui and Lanai, see em from a boat or swim and listen.

Plenty of hiking and stuff to do besides walmart?! The drive to Hana from Lahaina can be taken slow but Oheo gulch just past Hana takes some time to hike so head out early or take 2 days.

I'm sure both will not disappoint.

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by Jason

Plenty of hiking and stuff to do besides walmart?! The drive to Hana from Lahaina can be taken slow but Oheo gulch just past Hana takes some time to hike so head out early or take 2 days.

Jason, I was just trying to say that Maui is overdeveloped and highly commercialized. Next time you take a trip to Hawaii try Kauai. It's like a totally different world.