🏝 Kauai vs Oahu: Which to Choose for Your First Visit in 2024

Kauai vs. Oahu blog cover graphic.  Text overlaying two images, one showing the Na Pali Coast on Kauai and the other showing Waikiki Beach on Oahu.

Kauai and Oahu may just be the two most different islands in Hawaii. Both are paradises, but each offers visitors a vastly different experience!

There is no “best” Hawaiian island, only “favorite”.

While I certainly have my personal preference following several visits to both Oahu and Kauai, my goal with this detailed comparison is to provide a mix of statistics, considerations, and personal experience in order to help you decide which will be the right choice for you.

In this guide, I will break down the most important factors to consider when comparing Kauai vs Oahu. These include topics such as average costs, best beaches, climate, scenery, nightlife, accommodation, and more.

By the time you have finished reading, you will have learned everything you need to know in order to make the right choice for your Hawaiian vacation.

🌺 Kauai vs Oahu Overview

A graphic showing a table comparing the features of Kauai vs. Oahu on a floral tropical background.
Visual comparison of Kauai vs. Oahu

Some Quick, Important Notes

πŸ†Oahu is the most popular and typically the best choice of islands for most first-time visitors to Hawaii. It has the nicest beaches, lowest average trip cost, and widest array of tourist services.

🌈 Kauai is the least popular Hawaiian island to visit, despite most people agreeing that it is the prettiest. Frequent rain, sparse beaches, fewer direct flights, limited hotels, and an inaccessible western coastline are all major deterrents for those seeking an idyllic tropical getaway.

✈️ 27 US Airports fly directly to Oahu, while only 9 airports have direct flights to Kauai.

πŸ“Έ The top attractions on Oahu include Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park), Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, North Shore, and Diamond Head.

🌺 The top attractions on Kauai include Na Pali coast tours, Kalalau Trail, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, Polihale State Park, and Poipu Beaches.

🏝 YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
PLANNING A TRIP TO HAWAII: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

🌴 Kauai vs Oahu Detailed Comparisons

πŸ¦– Kauai Overview

Low clouds line the tips of the jagged Na Pali cliffs in this photo captured on a sunny day during our Napali coast boat tour on our first visit to Kauai.
  • Nickname: The Garden Isle
  • Where to Stay: Poipu or Princeville
  • Airports
    • Lihue (LIH) – Main Airport
  • Best Things to Do
    • Na Pali Coast Tour
    • Waimea Canyon & Koke’e
    • Explore Wailua Valley
    • Hanalei Bay & North Shore
    • Hike Na Pali Coast

Best for: People who see Hawaii as a place to explore more than have a holiday. It is about adventure and activity, not just sunbathing and cocktails.

Suggested: PLANNING A TRIP TO KAUAI: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Who Should Choose Kauai Over Oahu

While it is the least popular major island on Hawaii, Kauai is actually the better option than Oahu for the following travelers:

  • Retirees
  • Budget travelers
  • Adventure & Road Trip travelers
  • Nature & landscape photographers
  • #Vanlife (camper van) enthusiasts.

🏝 Oahu Overview

The incredible beauty of the Oahu east shore is on display here at Kaaawa Beach with palm trees and mountains and golden sand shoreline.
  • Nickname: The Gathering Place
  • Where to Stay: Waikiki or Honolulu
  • Airports
    • Honolulu (HNL) – Main Airport
    • Kalaeloa (JRF)
  • Best Things to Do
    • Go Beach Hopping
    • Visit Pearl Harbor Memorial
    • Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park)
    • Explore Oahu North Shore
    • Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
    • Hike Diamond Head

Best for: People who prefer resorts and tourist attractions, those who are more about a fun vacation than exploration, and beach enthusiasts.

Suggested: PLANNING A TRIP TO OAHU: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Who Should Choose Oahu Over Kauai

Oahu is a better option than Kauai for most first-time visitors to Hawaii, particularly for the following visitors:

  • Families with children
  • Beach bums / Resort seekers
  • Honeymooners
  • Surfers
  • Shoppers
  • Singles
  • History & culture buffs
  • Group celebrations

🌀 Weather in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
β˜€οΈ Oahu sees far less rain and far more sunshine than Kauai, especially Waikiki.
πŸŒ₯ All Hawaiian islands have wet sides and dry sides; Poipu is the driest part of Kauai.

High tide thrashes Queens Bath below a fiery sunset sky following a recent storm on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Oahu and Kauai are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to weather in Hawaii; Oahu is the sunniest and driest island overall, while Kauai sees the most rain and clouds.

While most of Oahu is fairly dry, Ewa Beach is the most reliably sunny beach on the island. The more popular Waikiki Beach sees a few more days of rain than Ewa overall, but the average rainfall is very similar.

If you decide after reading this guide and seeing photos that you are too in love with Kauai to choose Oahu but still want the best chance at sunshine, Poipu is by far the best option! While it has lots of days with some rainfall, most are just passing drizzle (as evidenced by the rainfall-to-rainy days seen in the table below).

Understand that all Hawaiian islands have large volcanoes that not only created the earth there but also created several microclimates.

You will often see the terms “Leeward Side” (aka dry side) and “Windward Side” (aka wet side) used to describe the Hawaiian islands, which are caused by these volcanoes.

The leeward side of Oahu is the west, and of Kauai, it is the south.

Below are the most popular places to stay on Oahu and Kauai with the average annual rainfall and days of rain notated:

Annual RainfallRainy Days on Avg.
Kauai
Poipu22 inches218 days
Wailua60 inches234 days
Princeville78 inches237 days
Oahu
Ewa Beach17 inches45 days
Waikiki Beach20 inches83 days
Kailua Region38 inches196 days
North Shore30 inches225 days

πŸ– Beaches in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
πŸ’¦ Oahu has the best beaches in all of Hawaii in nearly every regard.
πŸ– Kauai has some beautiful beaches, but most are difficult to get to.

Oahu has the best beaches in Hawaii when it comes to crystal clear water, tropical palm trees, and soft white sand. This is the island where you find the beaches from “the postcard,” with a palm tree rustling gently and turquoise water lapping the shores.

In particular, Lanikai Beach (seen above) might just be the most photogenic of them all. Waikiki is also perfect as long as you don’t mind crowds, but you really can’t go wrong on Oahu.

Kauai has some incredible beaches, but most of the best ones are difficult to reach, and rain is far more common.

In particular, Hanalei Beach (above) is absolutely stunning and plenty spacious enough to accommodate the large crowds that gather there. Parking, however, is more limited.

Outside of a handful of other big names, such as Poipu Beach, Polihale State Park, and Tunnels Beach, most of the beaches require some effort to reach, especially as the east and west coasts of Kauai are surprisingly scarce when it comes to sandy shores.


✈️ Flights to Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
πŸ›¬ Oahu has the most direct flights, and Kauai has the least.
πŸ’° Baseline pricing for all Hawaiian islands is about the same; dates matter more than islands.

Photo from our plane while flying over the east coast of Oahu.
View of Oahu from our airplane.

A surprise to most first-time visitors of Hawaii is that the cost of flights is actually fairly affordable, whereas the cost of accommodation is borderline extortionate.

When it comes to costs, dates matter more than which island you choose. The starting price for flights to Honolulu (HNL) in Oahu and Lihue (LIH) in Kauai is nearly identical, though they can look very different on any given date.

The big advantage to flying into Oahu is that far more flights are available to choose from, and more cities fly there directly than to Kauai.

The best way to find cheap tickets to Oahu and Kauai is to use the SkyScanner website and search by month. This will show you a calendar with the cheapest prices for each day displayed, allowing you to book for whichever is the most affordable.


πŸ’° Cost of Visiting Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
πŸ’² Oahu is more budget-friendly than Kauai.

Aerial view from the sky looking down onto a beach and the Napali Cliffs on a Napali Coast tour in Kauai.

When considering the total costs of your visit to Hawaii, Oahu is actually (typically) the cheapest of all the Hawaiian islands.

The biggest difference in expenses between the two islands comes from the price of accommodation. Accommodation will be the largest expense, and a similar range of options exists for both islands.

Of the main Hawaiian islands, Oahu has the lowest average hotel and vacation rental prices, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.


Hotel & Resort Costs on Oahu & Kauai

The table below shows the average daily rates of hotels and vacation rentals on Kauai vs Oahu in 2022.

HotelsVacation Rentals
Oahu$267.77$221.97
Kauai$398.08$388.05

While the high cost of luxury properties skews the average rates, the table above does help give an idea of the accommodation costs on both islands.

Oahu also has almost 7 times more hotel rooms island-wide than Kauai but sees only around 3.6 times the number of visitors. Therefore, it is often easier to find a better hotel deal in Oahu than in Kauai.

When researching prices, I searched booking.com, VRBO, and other accommodation platforms on multiple dates and found that the lowest-priced comparable hotels were typically around $50 per night cheaper on Oahu than on Kauai.

However, the biggest difference in the price came down to the specific dates and availability.

A camper van is parked in front of the Hanalei Bay overlook looking out onto the tropical rainforest of Kauai in Hawaii.

It is noteworthy that Kauai is the more camper van-friendly of the islands.

If you are feeling truly adventurous and prioritizing your budget, renting a campervan may present the most cost-effective option of all!


Other Costs

Flights are the second-highest trip cost, and the baseline airfare for Kauai and Oahu are nearly identical regardless of departure city.

The costs of food and activities on each island are likely to be fairly comparable, with a variety of options on each.

On both islands, you can keep to a tight budget by eating locally or buying groceries and enjoying free activities. Similarly, you can splurge at fancy restaurants and book lots of tours if money is not a concern.

πŸ’° READ MORE: COMPLETE GUIDE TO HAWAII TRIP COSTS


πŸš— Getting Around Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
πŸ– Waikiki in Oahu is the best option if you want to stay at a resort and never drive.
🚘 Kauai is best for exploring but requires a car or tours to do so.

A campervan used for getting around Kauai and for accommodation is seen here in front of mountains and palm trees.

Public transportation in Hawaii is very limited and should not be relied upon. If you want to do any exploring of your own on either island (which I highly recommend), you will need to rent a car.

The Waikiki Beach region of Oahu and the Poipu or Princeville regions of Kauai are the only places on either island that you would even want to consider staying without a rental car or tours arranged. These areas are where you will find the resorts and walkable services.

Luckily, rental cars are surprisingly affordable, beginning at just $30/ day during off-peak seasons and rarely landing over $65/ day even during peak season.

The roads are wide, paved, and easy to drive, especially if you are used to driving in the US.

Both Oahu and Kauai have a wealth of incredible scenery and natural beauty that is well worth exploring by car if you are interested in seeing more than just the beaches!

While most imagine Oahu to be just a tourist trap, it is actually very peaceful, spacious, and beautiful as soon as you leave Honolulu / Waikiki.


πŸ“Έ Top Sights, Activities & Things to Do: Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
🏝 Oahu has the best beaches, nightlife, and historical/cultural attractions in Hawaii.
🐠 Kauai has the best scenery, nature, and adventure tours, especially the Na Pali Coast.

Oahu is by far the most accommodating Hawaiian island for tourists. Whether you are seeking relaxing beach days, short hikes, tours, historical/cultural attractions, or anything cosmopolitan, Oahu has it all.

Understand that the only metropolitan city in all of Hawaii is Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Accordingly, this is going to be the place you’ll find the most (sometimes the only) big-city attractions.

Some of the top attractions on Oahu include Pearl Harbor Memorial, Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park), the North Shore, Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, and the Diamond Head Hike.

Additionally, if you’re visiting in the winter months, Oahu is an amazing place for whale watching.

Kauai is the least-populated and least-visited of the major Hawaiian islands. What you will find in Kauai are space and adventure!

“The Garden Isle,” as it is known, has some of the most incredible adventure outings you will enjoy anywhere in this world. These are things like helicopter tours, fast-boating through sea caves, kayaking the Wailua River, and plenty of hikes and treks through incredible landscapes.

The absolute must-see places on Kauai include the epic Na Pali Coast (great by boat and/or helicopter), Waimea Canyon, Queen’s Bath, Hanalei Bay, Polihale State Park, and the Wailua River region.

πŸ“Έ RELATED GUIDE: 35 BEST THINGS TO DO IN KAUAI


πŸ€™πŸ½ Vibes & Atmosphere in Oahu vs Kauai

Quick Takeaway
πŸŒƒ Oahu has some nightlife and hotspots, but there are quiet parts of the island as well.
😴 Kauai is very quiet and peaceful, and even the resort regions have a limited pulse after dark.

Hawaii is not a state known for its nightlife or clubbing. The islands will be vibrant from late morning through nightfall, but even finding a bite to eat can get surprisingly tricky after dark.

Oahu is by far the busiest island with the most energy. Most of the buzz is centered around the city of Honolulu and the high-rise resort towers on Waikiki Beach.

This is actually what makes Oahu such a great place to visit; you can choose whether you want to be in the heart of the action or as far away as possible in regions like North Shore.

I thought Oahu would be like a tropical Disneyland with swarms of screaming children and crowds of tourists. While Waikiki Beach and Honolulu felt that way, a very short drive to the Kailua region or the North Shore made me feel like I was on an entirely different island!

Kauai attracts a different kind of traveler. The beach bums who choose Kauai over Oahu do so because they prefer the slower pace and quieter beaches and resorts. The others choosing Kauai are doing so with an interest in the incredible nature and activities.

I found the locals to be less friendly on Kauai than on Oahu, a sentiment echoed by most who have visited both.

There is an understandable friction between the swarms of vacationers who forget that their holiday is someone’s home. While the residents of Oahu are very accustomed to this, those of Kauai are less tolerant.


🏨 Accommodation & Resorts in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
🏩 Oahu has a lot more hotel options to choose from and tends to be cheaper.
🏠 Kauai does offer some budget options but is typically more expensive.
🚐 Exploring by campervan is a great option in Kauai to save on costs and have an adventure!

Travel blogger Sophie Marland lies in a hammock in front of blue water and palm trees at a resort in Poipu on the south shore of Kauai.
Sophie relaxing at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai – one of the few 5-star hotels on the island.

Accommodation on Oahu

⭐️ Pro tip: Both Kauai and Oahu typically have additional taxes and resort fees, so ensure you click all the way through your booking to get a final estimated price as these additional fees can add up quickly.

At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any bookings made using the links below.

With more than 7 times the number of resorts and hotels, Oahu is far more developed and offers a much greater range of accommodation options than Kauai.

Accommodation is also cheaper on average in Oahu as a result of having more availability. Mid-range hotels on Oahu start from around $150-$300 per night, with beachfront rooms and properties going up considerably from there.

However, the two islands aren’t necessarily directly comparable. Hotels and resorts on Oahu tend to be more crowded and are concentrated within a compact space near Waikiki and Honolulu. They are built up into high-rises with hundreds of rooms on each property.

For those seeking a quieter stay, the North Shore and Kailua Region have lodging away from the hustle and bustle of the city.


Accommodation on Kauai

On Kauai, most of the accommodation can be found in Poipu in the south and Princeville in the north. The Poipu area is where you’ll find the most resorts. These are more sprawling and less crowded than Oahu, extending out rather than up.

However, these resorts come with a higher price tag. A mid-range hotel on Kauai typically starts from around $200-350 per night.

For those up for an adventure, Kauai is a great place to explore by campervan. Not only does this make for an unforgettable experience, but renting a campervan provides the most cost-effective option for visiting any Hawaiian island available.

🏠 READ MORE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN KAUAI


🍹 Bars & Nightlife in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
🍾 Honolulu on Oahu is the only major city in Hawaii and home to the best bars and nightlife.
🍹 Kauai is incredibly quiet after sunset with extremely limited nightlife.

Kauai Night Photography of a moon rise from Polihale State Park.

If nightlife is important to your version of the perfect Hawaiian vacation, you will absolutely want to choose Oahu over Kauai.

Honolulu is the only major city in Hawaii and really the only place where you will find clubs and cosmopolitan vibes.

Kauai, by contrast, is already the quietest of the major Hawaiian islands but gets somehow quieter after sunset. Finding a place to eat more than two hours after dark can be a challenge, but celebrating late into the night is nearly impossible.

There are less than 5 bars open past 11pm on Kauai.


🍽 Food & Restaurants in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
🍴Oahu has a much better fine dining scene and a wider selection of restaurants.
🍱 Kauai has some good local, budget-friendly options for Hawaiian food but is limited.

Close up food photography of the Hawaiian dish of poke.

As Honolulu is the only cosmopolitan city in Hawaii, Oahu is a much better choice than Kauai for anyone prioritizing fine dining as part of their vacation. There are far more options and higher-rated restaurants on Oahu than Kauai.

In fact, Tidepools is the only “luxury” restaurant called on Kauai, located in the Grand Hyatt.

If you are celebrating a special occasion or honeymoon and plan on including some romantic dinners, Oahu will be the better option.

Budget travelers will find no shortage of casual *grindz* on any island. Hawaiian food is delicious, and both Oahu and Kauai have some amazing food trucks and small-kitchen restaurants to grab something affordable and authentic.

*Grinds, commonly spelled with a “z” as grindz, is a Hawaiian slang term for food or a meal out.


🌿 Natural Beauty & Scenery of Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
🌸 Kauai is the premier Hawaiian island for its outstanding nature and scenery.
πŸŒ„ Oahu holds an idyllic tropical beauty with plenty of nature for those who seek it.

Not everyone dreams of sitting by the pool or on the beach for the entirety of their vacation. If you are anything like us, the best trips offer plenty of sightseeing as well!

Kauai is the most popular destination for active travelers. It provides a few choice beaches for a few days of sunbathing but also has some spectacular opportunities for exploration.

The most famous destination on Kauai is the Na Pali coast, which can (mostly) only be seen via a boat or helicopter tour.

Jagged, vertical cliffs line the coastline, preventing any significant driving or even walking access. It is an impressive landscape that makes you wonder if dinosaurs may still roam somewhere in the abyss.

Beyond that, there are plenty of amazing waterfalls, remote beaches, seascapes, and even the rainbow-colored Waimea Canyon, known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”.

Oahu is also surprisingly stunning, though the range of beauty is more limited. The beaches are obviously exceptional, and the KoΚ»olau Mountain Range adds a “Jurassic” kind of beauty to the landscapes.

There are plenty of magnificent things for landscape photographers and nature lovers to point a camera at on either island, but Kauai gets the nod as the more unique place to visit for nature.

πŸ“Έ FIND MORE INSPIRATION:
KAUAI PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS GUIDE
OAHU PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS GUIDE


β›± Crowds in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
πŸ™ Oahu is the busiest island in Hawaii. Expect large crowds in Honolulu & Waikiki.
πŸšΆβ€β™‚οΈ Kauai is the quietest island in Hawaii, with very small crowds except in Hanalei & Poipu.

View of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu and Diamond Head in the background as seen from a high rise hotel.

Oahu sees the most annual visitors of the Hawaiian islands, with an average of 4.8 million visitors, while Kauai sees only about 1.3 million on average.

However, it is also noteworthy that Kauai is not only smaller than Oahu in terms of landmass, but the island is far more constricted due to its rainforests and landscape.

In other words, there are far fewer people on Kauai than anywhere else, but they tend to be more concentrated.

The question is if you prefer to be in the mix surrounded by buzz and services or to have a spot to yourself. The good news is that both islands have opportunities for either.

On Oahu, Waikiki Beach will always be teeming with families and vacationers. Honolulu will also be perpetually humming as the only metropolis on the islands.

However, a short drive in any direction away from these two places will limit the crowds substantially. The North Shore and eastern Kailua Region present two fantastic options for quieter stays on Oahu

In Kauai, the resorts at Poipu and Princeville will have all the usual services you might be looking for on a tropical vacation. Aside from these hot spots and perhaps Kapa’a / Wailua, most of the island is very quiet.


🐠 Snorkeling & Diving in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
🀿 Oahu has a few famous snorkel spots, plenty of beach-access options, and is much better than Kauai for snorkeling.
🌊 Kauai has very limited non-guided snorkel spots and even those are seasonal.

Oahu is generally considered near the bottom of the list of best places to snorkel in Hawaii, but it is still significantly better than Kauai.

Oahu has beautiful clear water and plenty of beach access to hop in with a mask, but relatively few of them host coral gardens where you see the best marine life.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is by far the most famous place to snorkel on Oahu, but visitations are limited, and getting reservations is increasingly difficult.

Oahu is also the only island that offers snorkeling or diving with sharks. This can be done through a caged or cage-free experience, both of which are very safe and offer a unique wildlife experience.

Kauai is easily the worst of the Hawaiian islands for snorkeling. Most of the “good” spots are beaches with seasonal limitations due to dangerous swells and conditions. These include Ke’e Beach, Tunnels Beach, and Anini Beach.

If snorkeling is something you are excited to do on your vacation, Oahu is the island to choose.


πŸ₯Ύ Hiking in Kauai vs Oahu

Quick Takeaway
πŸšΆπŸ½β€β™€οΈ Oahu offers the most hiking trails of any Hawaiian island.
πŸ” Kauai has fewer trails than Oahu, but the hikes and scenery are more spectacular.

Oahu has the most hiking trails of any of the Hawaiian islands, with over 250 different trails. If you are a believer in quantity over quality, however, Kauai is generally considered the best island for hiking in Hawaii due to how spectacular and adventurous the hikes there are.

Undeniably, Oahu is still great for hiking! It has a surprising variety of landscapes to explore, from jungle strolls to cascading waterfalls, to thrilling ridge-line hikes and spectacular sweeping views.

Most of the popular trails in Oahu are between 2-5 miles in length and make for easy day trips. Some of these include Diamond Head, Lanikai Pillbox, Koko Crater, Mānoa Falls, and Kaena Point.

*Note: The incredibly famous Stairway to Heaven hike is officially closed to everyone and the state has even voted to begin dismantling the staircase after decades of misuse in 2023.

Most of the best hikes in Kauai are not things tourists partake in because they require more time and research, as well as permits occasionally. The most famous and popular trail on the island is the Kalalau Trail, which leads to epic views of the Na Pali Coast.

The Kalepa Ridge Trail is the only other land-access hike that leads to views of the Na Pali cliffs.

If hiking is your thing, there are dozens of amazing jungle hikes that will lead to secret waterfalls or through the rainbow-colored Waimea Canyon, as well as coastal hikes.

πŸ™‹β€β™€οΈ Kauai vs Oahu FAQs

A helicopter is seen amongst the colorful walls of Waimea Canyon in Kauai.

Use the drop-down boxes below to find the answers to the most frequently asked questions comparing Kauai to Oahu.

Is Kauai nicer than Oahu?

Oahu is the better island for first-time visits to Hawaii. Both Oahu and Kauai are beautiful, but Oahu has much nicer beaches, far less rain, better infrastructure, more resorts and accommodations, and generally caters to vacationers better than Kauai.

Kauai is a stunning island with unspeakable natural beauty but is the rainiest of the Hawaiian islands.

Are the beaches better in Oahu or Kauai?

Oahu has the best beaches in all of Hawaii! This is the island where you find those postcard-worthy beaches with swaying palm trees and turquoise water. Conversely, most of Kauai’s beaches are difficult to access except a few near the resorts (Poipu and Hanalei being the most famous and popular).

Is it cheaper to fly to Oahu or Kauai?

The baseline price of flights is the same for both Kauai and Oahu. More cities offer direct flights to Oahu than to Kauai, but which island will be cheaper to fly into is dependent on dates.

Which island is cheaper, Oahu or Kauai?

The average costs on Oahu are far lower than on Kauai. The biggest expense comes from accommodation, which is typically higher in cost on Kauai than on Oahu.

πŸ“š More Oahu, Kauai & Hawaii Travel Guides

The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below πŸ™‚

I hope you’ve found this guide comparing Kauai vs Oahu helpful as you plan your next Hawaiian vacation.

Before you go, we have a plethora of other guides to both islands and the entire Rainbow State to browse. Each of these will be useful as you continue planning the vacation you deserve!

General Hawaii Travel Guides


Kauai Travel Guides


Oahu Travel Guides

πŸ’¬ Final Thoughts on Kauai vs. Oahu

The two of us work very hard to create these free travel guides to help you plan your dream vacation. If you think we’ve done a good job and would like to say thanks, please consider clicking the donate button below πŸ™‚

Hopefully, you found this guide comparing Kauai vs Oahu useful for deciding which island to choose for your upcoming Hawaii vacation.

If you still can’t decide, might I recommend visiting both?! Island hopping in Hawaii is incredibly affordable and a great way to experience two very different places for yourself!

Now we’d love to hear from YOU!

If there are any questions I have not answered, revisions I need to make, or other suggestions for improvement, please let me know in the comments below.

Likewise, if you have found it useful and want to leave some kind words, those are always appreciated.

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Written by
Adam Marland is a professional travel blogger and landscape photographer from Oregon. After over a decade of experience as a freelance travel photographer, Adam found national acclaim when he became the National Park Foundation's β€œChief Exploration Officer” in 2021.

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