Maui vs Oʻahu: which is the better Hawaiian island to visit?

25.11.2024 - 15:43 / lonelyplanet.com

Nov 23, 2024 • 6 min read

So you’re made the decision to head to Hawaii. Lucky you.

Now comes the hard part: choosing which idyllic island to visit. Among the larger destinations, two finalists will quickly emerge: Oʻahu and Maui.

Which of these two stars should you choose for your time in paradise? We’ve asked two passionate writers to make the case for why the natural attractions, beaches, food scene and overall vibe give their preferred island the edge.

Amy C Balfour has visited Maui regularly for the last 10 years, often bringing friends and family members from the mainland – and always reconnecting with the local friends she’s made over the years. The duration of her average visit to the island? Three to five weeks.

Have you seen the sun rise over Haleakalā? This luminous show is the stuff of myths, pilgrimages and (of course) Instagram feeds. Maui wakes up gorgeous – and never lets up. Oʻahu? Well, we concede it does wake up.

The world’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakalā is the marquee attraction at stunning Haleakalā National Park. Haleakalā also wins bragging rights with its dazzling silverswords, a rare and finicky plant that thrives in Maui’s soils – and which doesn’t grow on the slopes of Oʻahu’s “volcanic tuff cone” at Diamond Head State Monument.

Humpback whales prefer Maui, too. In winter, these leviathans will swim the Oʻahu coast, yet the waters of western Maui are their preferred spot for mating and birthing. Most visitors can observe their graceful glory from the island’s condos, catamarans and clifftops – and a lucky few from a kayak on Makena Bay.

Another bucket-list experience is driving the Road to Hana, where waterfalls tumble into sparkling pools mere steps from the road. (Maui has no shortage of dazzling road trips.) Hana itself offers a window into the Hawaii of old, where locals “talk story” over mahi-mahi tacos, tropical fruit popsicles and warm banana bread, all sold at roadside food stands.

Honolulu’s Bishop Museum might celebrate Polynesian culture and history with a glossy cool. Yet this history packs a visceral punch on Maui. Hike over ancient lava rocks on the King’s Highway. Stand in awe below Pi‘ilanihale Heiau, an immense Polynesian temple. Or wade into the Ko‘ie‘ie Fishpond, originally built for a royal family.

In Maui, fantastic meals are not confined to the big city, as in Oʻahu. Deliciousness is a given at Mama’s Fish House, Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop, Kula Bistro and other far-flung outposts. And no one can resist the Old Lahaina Luau, which complements its scrumptious Native Hawaiian feast with storytelling and traditional hula. Where’s your hula, Honolulu?

The scene at Waikiki has its partisans – but Maui’s Ka‘anapali Beach sports a similar oceanfront cool. And