A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck vs. Kailua-Kona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck or Kailua-Kona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Duck or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Duck or Kailua-Kona?

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Duck much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Duck.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Duck or Kailua-Kona?

Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Kailua-Kona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Duck or Kailua-Kona?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Duck or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

Both Kailua-Kona and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Duck is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Duck. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Duck or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

Both Kailua-Kona and Duck during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Duck in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Duck is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck. In the autumn, Duck often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Duck for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Duck can be very cold during winter. In January, Duck is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 41°F (5°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Duck usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kailua-Kona. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Duck as well as Kailua-Kona. The spring months attract visitors to Duck because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Duck is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In the spring, Duck often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kailua-Kona. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Duck