Can’t Decide Between Maui and Oahu? This Local Guide Will Help You Choose

Wondering which is better between the two: Maui vs Oahu? Let’s find out!

Hawaii: the vacation destination of your dreams! If you’re planning a trip to these tropical islands and have narrowed it down to Maui vs Oahu, I can help you make your final choice. 

I’ve lived in Maui for six years, and I love island hopping to vibrant Oahu any chance. Before living here, I didn’t realize how different each island is! 

Compared to Maui, Oahu is bustling and crowded, with many crazy hikes and gorgeous beaches. By contrast, Maui offers the gorgeous Haleakala volcano and laid-back small-town vibes. 

The island you choose will impact what kind of vacation you have, so let’s get into it. 

Maui vs Oahu: Overview

Maui and Oahu have some similarities. They both have rich Hawaiian culture, fabulous beaches, plenty of activities to do, and (of course) plenty of tourists. 

The most significant differences you’ll find are the crowds and the type of tourist destination. 

👉🏽 What is Maui best known for?

Maui is best known for the massive (but dormant) volcano of Haleakala, which comprises more than 75% of the island. 

It’s also well known for the infamous Road to Hana, a journey that winds around the volcano’s base through the jungle and alongside gorgeous cliffs to the quiet town of Hana. 

Maui is laid-back and calm, perfect for families with young children. Plus, there are plenty of easily accessible outdoor activities. Think of hiking in a bamboo forest, rappelling down waterfalls, or even biking down the volcano.

It’s also considered the best Hawaiian island for whale watching. The narrow Auau channel means plenty of whale sightings during December, January, and February. 

👉🏽 What is Oahu best known for?

Oahu has it all! Known as “the gathering place,” Oahu is lively and the most visited of all the islands. 

It’s home to the large metropolitan city of Honolulu and the famous Waikiki beach. It’s also home to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. The USS Arizona commemorates the sailors and ships that went down in the 1941 attack.

Conditions on Oahu are perfect for learning how to surf. The waves are nice and easy, and the sandy ocean floor makes it a soft (and safe) spot to wipe out.

Plus, Kalakaua Avenue is lined with fancy shops and delicious foods. If you’re hoping for a vacation shopping spree or consider yourself a foodie, Oahu is the island for you.

Maui vs Oahu: Weather & Best Time to Visit

While both islands have fantastic weather all year, there is a rainy season, and temperatures drop during the winter. 

The primary vacation areas (Wailea/Kaanapali on Maui and Waikiki on Oahu) are on each island’s leeward side. They get less rain than other areas! 

Peak rainfall happens between November and March. If you have your heart set on a sunny beach vacation, I’d recommend not coming during that time frame. Rainy days are rare, but they do happen. 

On average, Oahu gets more rain than Maui. (On the bright side, that means more waterfalls, so it’s a win). 

I’d recommend visiting Maui during the Spring and the Fall. You’ll get the most excellent weather, minimal rain, and fewer crowds during those months.

For Oahu, I’d aim a little bit later. Go between mid-April and early June or between September and mid-December. 

Maui vs Oahu: Resorts

The resort areas on Oahu and Maui are different from one another. On the Maui vs Oahu showdown, it comes down to personal preference. 

On Oahu, the resorts are primarily found in Waikiki. It’s beautiful. There’s a white sand beach, bustling nightlife, and many restaurants and shops.

Of course, it’s also a lot more crowded. And that includes the beach in front of your hotel. 

Maui, by comparison, offers extensive, sprawling resorts with large grassy lawns right in front of a variety of fantastic beaches. 

You pay for that space, though— Maui resorts charges a premium. But Maui is the way to go if more privacy and leisure is your priority.  

Maui vs Oahu: Beaches 

You probably wouldn’t expect these two tiny islands to have such different beach experiences, but they are so different from one another!

Maui has calm beaches. Typically, they’re smaller stretches of sand than on Oahu. With fewer people crowing the shore, you’ll find it easier to spread out. 

There’s also plenty of calm water for younger swimmers. 

Interested in seeing a red or black sand beach? Check out Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach (Reservations Required) or Kaihalulu Beach in Hana. 

Oahu has beaches perfect for lounging on— like Lanikai Beach with its buttery soft sand— and beaches perfect for surfing. Head to the north shore for huge swells! 

Plus, with more reefs, you’ll find plenty of snorkeling options and see gloriously turquoise blue waters. Of course, you’ll be sharing the gorgeous water with many others. 

Maui vs Oahu: Things to Do

While both tropical islands have plenty to do, Maui has more easily accessible outdoor adventures, while Oahu has more tourist attractions. 

✔️ Maui

Maui is called the Valley Isle for a reason! With the West Maui’s on one end and Haleakala on the other, you’ll probably drive around in Maui a lot more than you would on Oahu.  

The hikes are all more accessible (and a smidge quieter), and there’s so much to do in Maui you won’t be able to fit it all in. Besides, the scenic drives you will find in Maui are out of this world.

👍🏼 Whale Watching

From December through March, head to Maui for some fantastic whale watching. Every year, humpbacks migrate to the Hawaiian islands to mate and give birth.

It’s a special time of year— watch from the shore and see spouts on the horizon, swim underwater and hear their eerie song, or go on a whale watch to get up close and personal with the magnificent creatures. 

Maui is considered the best Hawaiian island for whale watching due to the shallow Auau channel. 

👍🏼 Visit Haleakala Volcano

The third largest volcano in Hawaii, Haleakala, takes up 75% of the island of Maui and has a summit of 10,023 feet. 

That’s high enough that there’s occasionally snow! (Yep! You read that right– snow in Hawaii. Read more about this cool phenomenon here)

There’s lots to do at the top. Whether you’re interested in watching the sunrise (reservations required), seeing the sunset, or going on an 11-mile hike through the crater, it’s a beautiful spot. 

If you love hiking, I highly recommend the crater hike. The Haleakala crater is one of the quietest places in the world. It feels like you’re walking through a different planet. 

Make sure to bring warm clothes! It gets chilly at the top. 

👍🏼 Farm Tours

Maui’s second largest industry is agriculture, so you better believe there are many excellent, high-quality farms on the island. 

Learn (and taste) all about tropical fruit, fresh vegetables, and Maui-grown coffee. 

There’s the Maui Pineapple tour, where you can learn how this delightful fruit grows, is cut, used, and shipped. 

Or you’re more interested in the Maui tea farm, where you can learn all about loose-leaf tea.

 The tea plants grow next to native Hawaiian trees, coffee, citrus, and fruit trees, and the farm is in a beautiful location on the slopes of Haleakala. 

👍🏼 Snorkeling Lana’i

Maui also offers the chance to hop over to the quiet and beautiful island of Lana’i for a super fun snorkeling trip. 

It’s a fun way to island hop and simultaneously get in the ocean. See the stunning coastline of Lana’i.

The quiet waters off of Lanai are perfect for snorkeling excursions. If you’re between a Molokini snorkeling trip and one to Lanai, I’d recommend doing Lanai instead.

The snorkeling and reef are just as good, and you have the additional benefit of fewer people. 

Some tours will even drop you off so you can enjoy the beautiful soft white sand on the beaches. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins on your boat ride. 

👍🏼 Road to Hana

More than just a gorgeous drive, the Road to Hana is a full-day adventure. 

With over 600 turns and 59 bridges, explore the jungle with epic views, waterfalls, hikes, and more. 

Driving straight through will take you less than 3 hours. The stops are what make it worth it, though! You’ll want to give yourself at least 6 hours to do the Road to Hana.

I’ve spent close to 14-hour days doing the Road to Hana, so I’d recommend leaving early in the morning so you can maximize your daylight hours. 

✔️ Oahu

Oahu is chock-full of amazing waterfalls, intense hikes, and cute shops. It’s a lot easier to get from one thing to another on this small island, and if you’re staying in the Waikiki area you might not even need a car. 

👍🏼 Surfing in Waikiki

For anyone wanting to learn to surf, Oahu is the place to be! The small, rolling waves of Waikiki Beach are perfect for beginner surfers. 

You can rent a board and hit the waves yourself or book a surf lesson and get taught the basics. 

The best times to surf are early in the morning or late in the afternoon. 

Surfing is such an essential part of Hawaiian cultural heritage. It’s known as the sport of Kings and is part of royal culture. 

👍🏼 Visit Pearl Harbor

Only 30 minutes from Waikiki, Pearl Harbor Memorial is a must-do for anyone visiting Oahu. 

You can hear first-hand stories from survivors, walk through an airplane hangar to see the impacts of that fateful morning, and see the sunken USS Arizona. 

There are five total historic sites at Pearl Harbor. The visitor center and the USS Arizona are free, but you do need a reservation to visit Arizona. 

The memorial built over the Arizona is particularly somber. You’ll see a large marble wall with the names of the men who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.

You’ll want to give yourself about two hours to see everything, but you could easily spend more time there. 

👍🏼 Explore the North Shore

The North Shore of Oahu is one of my favorite places to visit. It’s an easy day trip and a fun change from the glamour of Waikiki. 

With chill surf vibes, gorgeous coastlines, delicious food stops, and unique towns, you have to visit the North Shore.

It takes about 40 minutes to drive up the middle of the island. There are lots of stops you can make. 

I’d recommend stopping at Pipeline to see impressive surfers riding the waves, the Dole Plantation (try the Dole Whip!), and shopping in Haleiwa. 

Waimea Bay is also absolutely gorgeous and one of my favorite stops. Spend time outside the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and in the country. 

Maui vs Oahu: Costs

Maui and Oahu are two of the most visited islands in Hawaii. As a result, they also tend to be the most expensive. 

In general, food and activities have similar costs on both islands. The biggest difference between the two comes down to accommodations. 

In 2022, the average rate for a hotel room in Oahu came in at $339.15 cheaper per day than on Maui. That’s pretty significant! 

However, Maui has more apartment and condo rentals than Oahu, which makes group travel a little easier. 

Oahu’s wide selection of malls, restaurants, and hotels in Hawaii makes it easier to find something no matter your budget, whereas you’ll be more limited on Maui. 

Maui vs Oahu: Where to Stay?

Where you stay on Maui or Oahu can determine what kind of trip you will have. Both islands have quieter and busier sides, spots closer to gorgeous beaches or great hikes. 

Different locations have different benefits, so let’s get into it!

🗺 Maui

All of Maui will be more laid back and chill than a stay on Oahu, but each side of the island has different benefits. 

You’ll find plenty to love in each of the quaint small towns that pepper the lovely valley isle. 

📍 West Maui

West Maui is one of the most popular parts of the island to stay, and for good reason! 

There’s a wider variety of accommodations on the West Maui’s. You can choose from a more budget-friendly location or a luxurious resort.

It’s sunny, has gorgeous beaches, and plenty of hikes nearby. You will need to drive further when exploring the rest of the island.

It’s about a 45-minute drive from Kahului to Ka’anapali. 

Since the fires destroyed most of the historic Lahaina town on August 8, 2023, the residents of West Maui have had to walk through a lot. 

If you choose to stay on that side of the island, please remember to treat residents with kindness and compassion. 

📍 South Maui

The south side has less crowded beaches and plenty of sunny days to enjoy. It’s also a more central location. It is the perfect location for a beach vacation. 

It gets even less rain than the West side (think, practically a desert). It makes for great snorkeling, swimming, and other water-based activities. 

During the summer, the Cove in Kihei offers small waves perfect for beginner surfers. 

Wailea has many upscale resorts and restaurants, which is excellent for anyone wanting a luxurious stay or a fancy dinner date. 

Besides hanging out at the beach, there’s nothing to do on the Southside, so you can expect to drive 40+ minutes to a good hike or waterfall. 

📍 East Maui

The east side of Maui is gorgeous. It stretches through the Road to Hana and has fewer accommodations than the other parts of Maui. 

Staying here makes exploring the cool spots along the Road to Hana significantly easier. It would allow you to experience the area more thoroughly than anyone just doing a day trip. 

It’ll take you 2-2.5 hours to drive there, but you’ll get to see some of the most beautiful scenery on Maui.

Plus, the area is much quieter. It’s perfect if you want more of a retreat and slow vacation. 

Service is spotty on this side, and it’s a lot wetter, so you’ll experience some rain.

🗺 Oahu

Oahu offers such a wide range of experiences. 

The side of the island you choose to stay on will truly change how you experience this vibrant place. You’ll find everything from a bustling city atmosphere to a quiet stay in the country. 

📍 Waikiki

Most visitors to Oahu choose to stay in Waikiki—, every single time I’ve spent the night on Oahu, it’s been in the Honolulu/Waikiki area!

Most hotels and accommodations are on this side, and it’s a fantastic launching point. 

Accommodations are varied; you’ll find luxury hotels, hostels for beach bums and budget travelers, and almost everything in between. 

It’s also got the best restaurants and shopping areas. Want some nightlife? Honolulu is also the only place (in the entire state) where you’ll find clubs with lively performances and bars open late into the night. 

Most hotels are beachfront or just a 5-10 minute walk from the ocean. That’s a significant win for me!

📍 Ko Olina

If you want less city and more nature, you might enjoy staying in Ko Olina. This array has gorgeous waters, beautiful mountains, and many dining options nearby.

It’s a resort area, perfect for anyone who wants to chill and just enjoy your hotel’s amenities. 

There’s a variety of water sports and activities to do, including golf courses, and has less crowds than Waikiki.

The West side is also the best spot to view the sunset! It is a lot more remote area. The North Shore is 1.5 hours away, and Waikiki is an hour away. 

📍 North Shore

If you want to enjoy the endless beaches of the north shore for more than a day, consider staying on this side of Oahu!

The infectious, laid-back attitude, cute boutique shops, and surf culture make this an exceptionally charming area. 

You can stay in Turtle Bay for a mix of gorgeous nature and the amenities of a sprawling resort. 

Or, stay closer to Haleiwa for a wider variety of dining and shopping.

I love the North Shore, and while I’ve never stayed the night on this side of the island, it’s on my 2024 bucket list.

 The area is stunning. It’s worth noting that you might end up dealing with more traffic, especially since construction always seems to be happening. 

In the winter, the waves on the North Shore get huge. You won’t want to be swimming unless you’re comfortable in the water.

During the summer, however,  it’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final thoughts: Maui vs Oahu

There’s no losing when the contest is Maui vs Oahu, as both islands are stunning and full of super fun things to do and see. 

I love both islands! Each one is different from the other, so you’ll get a very different vacation depending on which one you choose. Oahu fits the stereotypical idea of a Hawaiian vacation the most. 

With the iconic Waikiki beach, turquoise waters, and dramatic mountains, you’ll find plenty of tourist attractions, crowds, shops, and delicious eateries. 

Maui is a place for outdoor adventures, laid-back, small-town charm, luxurious resorts, and family-friendly activities. 

If you still can’t decide between the two, split your vacation in two! A quick 30-minute flight between the islands makes visiting both in one trip easy. 

Check out the ultimate 5-day Oahu itinerary here, or 18 of the most amazing Maui waterfalls.