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Maui or Kauai?

CA.GiraffeCA.Giraffe member
Seventh Anniversary 100 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
in Hawaii
I'm newly engaged :) and FI and I are considering a Hawaii wedding - more than likely just us and our three kids. We're thinking a short ceremony on the beach, followed by lunch/dinner somewhere. With the exception of adding in our kids, it's really more of an elopement.

FI's thinking Kauai because it's new to both of us, and we've heard it's just as pretty as Maui but maybe more secluded. I'm maybe leaning towards Maui just a bit, but that's only because I've been there before (once) and feel it would be easy to plan...but Kauai seems awesome too!

All told, we plan on spending about 10 days in Hawaii. A possible compromise I thought of would be to fly to Maui and get married there, but then go to Kauai mid-trip. I think I had heard once that the seas around Kauai are rougher than Maui. Is this the case? Our favorite activity is snorkeling, but one of our kids is still small and wouldn't do well in strong currents.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? Things to consider? Ideas? Thanks!
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Re: Maui or Kauai?

  • mauigirl2012mauigirl2012
    10 Comments
    I love both islands. I am actually spending a week in Maui for our wedding and then we are going to Kauai for our honeymoon. I think both islands have a lot to offer snorkeling wise and I am not sure about Kauai having rougher waters. 

    Sorry I cannot offer more pros and cons to each island, but they are both great - which is why we are doing both. :-)

    Good luck on choosing!
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  • dianalynmdianalynm member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    Congrats on your recent engagement! I think 10 days is a good amount of time to island hop. One year, we went to Kauai and The Big Island, 5 days on each island. In total, I've been to Kauai 3 or 4 times, Maui...I can't even count! Been going almost every year since my first trip in 1995... For the most part on the Hawaii message board, I've observed the majority of weddings seem to be planned on Oahu and Maui, which from that I would think it would be easy to plan there, too. However, if you have your wedding at a hotel, I think it'd be super easy since they kinda do everything for you. I agree that the beaches on Kauai can be a bit rougher than those on Maui, but it all depends on the wind. If you go in the morning (Kauai or Maui), I find the beaches to be much more calm than in the afternoon. The two beaches that come to mind on Kauai that are pretty good for snorkeling are Ke'e Beach and Tunnels Beach. I know that a lot of families with kids go to Tunnels since it's great for snorkeling and less calm. Anyway, I hope that helps!
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  • Tanq&TonicTanq&Tonic
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    Welcome and congrats!! I've never been to Kauai but you really can't go wrong with either. Since it sounds like you want something super simple, either should work beautifully and island hopping is always an option!
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  • kaeshakaesha
    Eighth Anniversary 2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited April 2012
    Kauai's beaches are much less protected than Maui's (especially compared to those on the west side). While we were there last summer, the surf was rough all over the island! I love both islands, but I have a preference for being on one island alone for a short trip. I hate repacking suitcases!
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  • sparklegirl84sparklegirl84
    500 Comments
    There are spots that are calm in Kauai. Ka'e & Anini beach for sure and there's plenty of beautiful secluded beaches (secret beach & hideaways) i did think Maui had more safe/swimmable beaches though. Kauai's landscape was much prettier (IMO) but I love big green lush mountains.
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  • jaschellejaschelle
    10 Comments
    My FI and I are getting married on Kauai. Then we are going to Maui for our honeymoon. We chose this route because we wanted the more lush secluded island for our wedding and a different option for our honeymoon. 
    Though Kauai may have a few areas where the water is more rough, there are plenty that are calm and safe. If you are considering island hopping, I would suggest doing the same as we are, have youe ceremony more personal and secluded, then take the family to Maui for more family fun activities. (Kids will have no problem snorkeling in Kauai if you would want to do that while there as well) 

    Many blessings!!! :)
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  • CA.GiraffeCA.Giraffe member
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    Thanks so much for the responses! Maybe I can convince FI to go on a planning trip to Kauai before making a decision :)
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