O’ahu vs Maui: Which Is the Best for You?
Sun, sand, and excellent weather are all synonymous with Hawaii. With several islands to pick from, choosing which one to visit with your family can be a tall task. So, we ran through the activities, beaches, nightlife, and atmosphere to help you decide on O’ahu vs Maui! Which will you choose?
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Choosing Between O’ahu or Maui
Beaches
While you’re sure to find great beaches on any Hawaiian island, there are some key differences to keep in mind as you choose between O’ahu and Maui, particularly O’ahu vs Maui for families. This is mostly seen when it comes to finding great places for little ones to enjoy the water.
On that front, O’ahu definitely comes out ahead. Gentle, calm waters protected by reef walls make shallow pools great for kids to splash and explore.
O’ahu
Figuring out which beaches fit your family trip is one of the most important factors when choosing between an O’ahu or Maui vacation. Waikiki Beach is synonymous with beachgoers around the world as a haven for surfing and sunbathing. While it may gather all of the attention on O’ahu, the North Shore provides some of the most extreme wave riding in the world. When it comes to snorkeling, Waimanalo Beach and Hanauma Bay offer scenic and beautiful stretches of sand that can’t be beaten.
Maui
While Maui may not have the big-ticket surfing that O’ahu offers, it is home to many small but stunning stretches of shoreline. South Shore areas near Kihei and Wailea are particularly popular.
Activities
For a vacation that can keep you entertained the whole time, O’ahu once again comes out on top in this comparison. Whether you’re heading to Honolulu for a day at the zoo or aquarium, looking for cultural immersion at places like the Iolani Palace, or you want a day full of nature hikes and breathtaking views, you’ll find anything you and your family could possibly want to do here.
On Maui, there are still great things to do, but as a slightly less visited island, your options won’t be quite as extensive.
O’ahu
Between outdoor activities such as snorkeling, surfing, and hiking to historical sites like Pearl Harbor and The Polynesian Cultural Center, there’s truly something for everyone on O’ahu. Honolulu is the central activity hub, but venturing out to the North Shore and one of the forest reserves on the island is a must if you want to get out and explore.
Maui
Outdoor adventure is the top thing to do on Maui (other than relaxing on the beach). Driving the Road to Hana, watching the sunrise from the top of Haleakela, snorkeling at Molokini, diving, and watching windsurfers from Kanaha Beach are just a handful of the fun things to do on the island.
Nightlife
Visitors to Maui may find it “goes to bed” a little early compared to other islands. Conversely, on O’ahu, you can visit Chinatown, Waikiki, or Honolulu and find restaurants, shops, and bars open late, filling the evenings with fun and anything you could want to do.
O’ahu
Honolulu is the hub for nightlife on O’ahu. Here, there are plenty of wine bars, clubs, dive bars, shows, and more. Of course, if you venture outside of the city, you’ll find luaus and entertainment rooted in Hawaiian culture.
Maui
This may be the most distinct difference when choosing between O’ahu or Maui for your family vacation. Maui is all about exploring and relaxing, so you will find limited nightlife options outside of a classic Hawaiian luau.
Atmosphere
O’ahu vs Maui – either one is going to offer a taste of classic Hawaiian atmosphere, but again, when it comes to options – O’ahu is going to offer more bang for your buck, making it easier to fill your days with appropriate things to do, especially if you’re traveling with your family.
O’ahu
O’ahu has something for everyone. From the North Shore to the bustling streets of Honolulu, you’ll find fast-paced city life, relaxed country happenings, and everything in between, so you don’t have to choose! It’s all here on our island!
Maui
Maui offers more of a relaxed and rural atmosphere. Posh beach resorts give way to gorgeous forests in the upcountry at the base of Haleakala. If you aren’t a fan of cities and want to explore the outdoors, Maui is a great island to visit.
Plan Your Hawaii Experience
Private Homes Hawaii is your key to the ultimate vacation on O’ahu and the Big Island. Our collection of top-notch luxury properties features amenities that are second to none, beautiful furnishings, and locations on or near the water. Are you ready to experience the best that Hawaii has to offer?
Start planning your trip today by booking one of our properties. We look forward to welcoming you to our island paradise.