Comparison · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) vs Kauaʻi · United States
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) vs Kauaʻi
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hawaii Land Cover Analysis project, NOAA Coastal Services Center, Public domain
Quick answer
Choose Big Island (Hawaiʻi) for Kīlauea volcano, Maunakea stargazing and nightlife; choose Kauaʻi for Nā Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Big Island (Hawaiʻi) is generally less expensive, and the two are about 502 km (312 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 502 km (312 mi)
- Less expensive
- Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
- Best time for Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Kauaʻi
- April–June and September–October
Plan either trip
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Side by side
| Big Island (Hawaiʻi) | Kauaʻi | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Kīlauea volcano, Maunakea stargazing and Kona coffee | Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and Hanalei Bay |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 8 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$250–420 | US$280–480 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | August, 31°C (88°F) | August, 30°C (86°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 27°C (81°F) | January, 26°C (79°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 4 |
| Beaches | Hāpuna Beach | Poʻipū Beach Park |
| Airports | KOA, ITO | LIH |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) in January, March and November, and Kauaʻi in June–August. Both are at their best in April–May and September–October.
| Month | Big Island (Hawaiʻi) | Kauaʻi | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (81°F), 7 rainy days · shoulder season | 26°C (79°F), 14 rainy days | Big Island (Hawaiʻi) |
| February | 27°C (81°F), 7 rainy days · shoulder season | 26°C (79°F), 12 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| March | 28°C (82°F), 9 rainy days · shoulder season | 26°C (79°F), 15 rainy days | Big Island (Hawaiʻi) |
| April | 28°C (82°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 27°C (81°F), 14 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 29°C (84°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 28°C (82°F), 12 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| June | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 13 rainy days · best time | Kauaʻi |
| July | 30°C (86°F), 10 rainy days | 29°C (84°F), 15 rainy days · shoulder season | Kauaʻi |
| August | 31°C (88°F), 10 rainy days | 30°C (86°F), 14 rainy days · shoulder season | Kauaʻi |
| September | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 30°C (86°F), 13 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| October | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 15 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| November | 29°C (84°F), 8 rainy days · shoulder season | 28°C (82°F), 16 rainy days | Big Island (Hawaiʻi) |
| December | 28°C (82°F), 8 rainy days | 27°C (81°F), 16 rainy days | No clear pick |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Big Island (Hawaiʻi) for…
Kīlauea volcano, Maunakea stargazing and nightlife. Hawaiʻi Island, usually called the Big Island, is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined and spans climates from rainforest to lava desert and alpine summit. The dry, sunny Kona and Kohala coasts on the west hold most of the resorts, snorkelling…
Choose Kauaʻi for…
Nā Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Kauaʻi is the oldest and greenest of the main Hawaiian islands, nicknamed the Garden Isle. Its interior rises to Mount Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest places on Earth, whose rain has carved the Waimea Canyon and the fluted sea cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast…
Top sights compared
| # | Big Island (Hawaiʻi) | Kauaʻi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park | Nā Pali Coast |
| 2 | Kīlauea Iki Trail | Waimea Canyon State Park |
| 3 | Chain of Craters Road | Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout |
| 4 | Maunakea | Hāʻena State Park and Kēʻē Beach |
| 5 | Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park | Hanalei Bay |
Food compared
| Big Island (Hawaiʻi) | Kauaʻi |
|---|---|
| Poke | Poke |
| Loco moco | Saimin |
| Plate lunch | Plate lunch |
| Kona coffee | Poi and taro |
Which is cheaper?
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about US$250–420 per person there, against US$280–480 in Kauaʻi (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Big Island (Hawaiʻi) on a budget.
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) or Kauaʻi from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Big Island (Hawaiʻi) | Kauaʻi | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | −5 h Jan, −6 h Jul | −5 h Jan, −6 h Jul |
| Time vs Los Angeles | −2 h Jan, −3 h Jul | −2 h Jan, −3 h Jul |
| From New York (JFK) | 4,920 mi (7,920 km) | 5,020 mi (8,090 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 2,480 mi (3,980 km) | 2,620 mi (4,210 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) and Kauaʻi are about the same distance from New York.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Big Island (Hawaiʻi) and Kauaʻi are about 502 km (312 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 8 days in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) and 7 in Kauaʻi.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) or Kauaʻi cheaper?
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) is usually less expensive: about US$250–420 a day mid-range against US$280–480 (estimates).
+Is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) or Kauaʻi better for a first trip?
Pick Big Island (Hawaiʻi) for Kīlauea volcano, Maunakea stargazing and nightlife, or Kauaʻi for Nā Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon.
+How far is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) from Kauaʻi?
About 502 km (312 mi) in a straight line.