Comparison · Maui vs Tahiti · United States / French Polynesia
Maui vs Tahiti
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Niagara66, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Maui for Haleakalā and Road to Hāna; choose Tahiti for black-sand beaches, poisson cru, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Tahiti is generally less expensive, and the two are about 4,341 km (2,697 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 4,341 km (2,697 mi)
- Less expensive
- Tahiti
- Best time for Maui
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for Tahiti
- May–October
Plan either trip
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Side by side
| Maui | Tahiti | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | French Polynesia |
| Known for | Haleakalā, Road to Hāna and Whale watching | Black-sand beaches, Poisson cru and Teahupo'o surf |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | May–October |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$350–600 | US$250–450 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 31°C (88°F) | January, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 27°C (81°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 3 | 4 |
| Beaches | Kāʻanapali Beach | Plage de Vaiava (PK 18) |
| Airports | OGG, JHM | PPT, MOZ |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Maui in January–April, and Tahiti in June–August. Both are at their best in May and September–October.
| Month | Maui | Tahiti | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (81°F), 9 rainy days · shoulder season | 31°C (88°F), 16 rainy days | Maui |
| February | 27°C (81°F), 8 rainy days · shoulder season | 31°C (88°F), 15 rainy days | Maui |
| March | 27°C (81°F), 9 rainy days · shoulder season | 31°C (88°F), 14 rainy days | Maui |
| April | 28°C (82°F), 8 rainy days · best time | 31°C (88°F), 11 rainy days · shoulder season | Maui |
| May | 29°C (84°F), 5 rainy days · best time | 30°C (86°F), 9 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| June | 30°C (86°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | 29°C (84°F), 7 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| July | 31°C (88°F), 4 rainy days | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| August | 31°C (88°F), 4 rainy days | 28°C (82°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Tahiti |
| September | 31°C (88°F), 4 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 6 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| October | 30°C (86°F), 6 rainy days · best time | 29°C (84°F), 9 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| November | 29°C (84°F), 8 rainy days · shoulder season | 30°C (86°F), 12 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| December | 27°C (81°F), 9 rainy days | 30°C (86°F), 15 rainy days | No clear pick |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Maui for…
Haleakalā and Road to Hāna. Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island, formed by two volcanoes joined by a flat central isthmus around Kahului. The dormant summit of Haleakalā rises to about 3,055 metres in the east, while resorts line the sunny west and south coasts at Kāʻanapali…
Choose Tahiti for…
Black-sand beaches, poisson cru, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, a figure-of-eight of two volcanic peninsulas joined at the Taravao isthmus. Most visitors pass through Papeete on the way to Moorea or Bora Bora, but the island itself rewards a few days: food trucks on the…
Top sights compared
| # | Maui | Tahiti |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haleakalā summit sunrise | Marché de Papeete |
| 2 | Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail | Roulottes at Place Vaiete |
| 3 | Road to Hāna | Musée de Tahiti et des Îles |
| 4 | Pīpīwai Trail and Waimoku Falls | Point Venus |
| 5 | Waiʻānapanapa State Park | Teahupo'o |
Food compared
| Maui | Tahiti |
|---|---|
| Poke | Poisson cru |
| Plate lunch | Chao men |
| Loco moco | Ma'a Tahiti |
| Shave ice | Po'e |
Which is cheaper?
Tahiti is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about US$250–450 per person there, against US$350–600 in Maui (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Tahiti on a budget.
Maui or Tahiti from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Maui | Tahiti | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (7,910 km) | 6,290 mi (10,120 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 2,480 mi (3,990 km) | 4,110 mi (6,610 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | Adapter needed |
From New York, Maui is about 1,380 miles (2,210 km) closer than Tahiti in a straight line.
Can you visit both?
They are about 4,341 km (2,697 mi) apart, so combining them means a flight. With 11 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Maui or Tahiti cheaper?
Tahiti is usually less expensive: about US$250–450 a day mid-range against US$350–600 (estimates).
+Is Maui or Tahiti better for a first trip?
Pick Maui for Haleakalā and Road to Hāna, or Tahiti for black-sand beaches, poisson cru, lower day-to-day costs and a short break.
+How far is Maui from Tahiti?
About 4,341 km (2,697 mi) in a straight line.