A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Islamorada vs. Oahu for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Islamorada or Oahu?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Islamorada or Oahu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Islamorada

Islamorada is a relaxing, tropical, and adventurous village. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Oahu

Oahu is a energetic, vibrant, and cosmopolitan island. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Islamorada and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Islamorada or Oahu?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Oahu. Although Islamorada and Oahu are popular destinations, Oahu has more sights and attractions for tourists. Oahu is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Islamorada attracts visitors for its food. Oahu is more touristy than Islamorada and is known for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). It is also well known for Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Islamorada is famous for its sportfishing, state parks, and local vibe.

How is Islamorada different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oahu and Islamorada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Islamorada or Oahu?

Oahu is a great island for its historical sights. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its sights and museums.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oahu can be an interesting and educational experience. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Islamorada offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a variety of museums and aquariums in the area such as the History of Diving Museum, the Keys History and Discovery Center, and the famous Theater of the Sea.

Is the Food Better in Islamorada or Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Islamorada is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oahu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Islamorada has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Has a sports fishing destination, you'll find no shortage of seafood options in the area. There are cafes and bistros that have an old school Florida Key's atmosphere. Popular dishes include grilled fish and curry seafood.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Oahu area. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

Oahu is a great island for nightlife. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Oahu has something for everybody. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Islamorada. The nightlife consists of mostly bars and restaurants that serve cocktails and frozen drinks. There are sports bars and casual eateries where you can enjoy a drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is adequate for live music. However, Islamorada is not a live music destination.

While it's not known for it's music scene, Oahu has some options for casual listeners. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Islamorada is not a live music destination.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Resorts?

Oahu is a great island for its luxury resorts. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its resorts.

Oahu is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

With a selection of resorts, Islamorada makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find plenty of resorts with spas, pools or oceanfront views in the area.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Oahu is a great island for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors go to Oahu to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Islamorada. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and dive trips to the surrounding areas. You could also grab a mask and head out into the water on your own. You're sure to see some beautiful marine life.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Beaches?

Oahu is renowned for its beaches. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for the beache.

The beaches in Oahu are among the best in the world. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

The beaches at Islamorada attract visitors from all over. Blue water and white sand make the beaches a true paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Anne's Beach, which has a boardwalk and mangroves, Library Beach, which is small and well maintained, Holiday Isle Beach, which is near the hotels and restaurants, and Long Key State Park, which has camping and picnic spots.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is renowned for hiking. However, Islamorada is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Oahu draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Islamorada is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Islamorada or Oahu?

Oahu is a great island for shopping. Also, Islamorada is not as popular, but is still a nice village for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Oahu. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

Islamorada offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a few jewelry boutiques as well as sporting goods shops and souvenir stands.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Families?

Islamorada and Oahu are both amazing destinations for the whole family.

Islamorada is an amazing family-friendly village to visit. Theater of the Sea is a highlight for kids and adults alike. You'll have the opportunity to interact with many types of sea life including dolphins, sea lions, and even sharks. Founders Park is another great place to take the kids. You can have a picnic, hang out at the beach, or hit up the playground. There's also plenty of snorkeling and diving in the area, particularly around Alligator Reef Lighthouse.

Oahu is an extremely popular village to visit for families. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Couples?

Islamorada and Oahu are both amazing to visit as a couple.

Islamorada has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples will enjoy the resorts, spas, beaches, and adventures in the area. Head to Little Palm Spa for a little relaxation or hit up Florida Keys Brewing Company for some live music. There's also snorkeling, diving, and some good restaurants nearby as well.

Oahu is a great village for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oahu is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Islamorada is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Oahu. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Islamorada is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels on this key and prices in general can be a bit high so backpackers will find it a bit challenging.

Is Islamorada or Oahu Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Oahu is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Islamorada is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Islamorada. There's no real public transit in the area and you must have your own vehicle.

Is Islamorada or Oahu a more walkable city?

Oahu is adequate for its walkability. However, Islamorada is not known for its high level of walkability.

Oahu is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

Islamorada is not a walkable village. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, it's not very walkable and you'll need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Islamorada Worth Visiting? and Is Oahu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Islamorada?

How long in Islamorada or Oahu?

Both Islamorada and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Oahu has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Oahu than Islamorada. In general, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Islamorada, and 3-7 days is enough time in Oahu.

Families should spend more time in Oahu than Islamorada. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oahu, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oahu than Islamorada. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oahu that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oahu than Islamorada if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Oahu.

One day in Islamorada or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Islamorada. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the energetic island of Oahu, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Islamorada or Oahu?

Islamorada is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Oahu, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Islamorada or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventurous destination of Islamorada. This village offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Oahu, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Islamorada or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventurous village of Islamorada. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Oahu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamorada and Oahu, we can see that Oahu is more expensive. And not only is Islamorada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamorada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamorada 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu than you might in Islamorada.

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

When is the best time to visit Islamorada or Oahu?

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 Islamorada or Oahu in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamorada and Oahu. The summer months attract visitors to Islamorada because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

In the summer, Islamorada is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamorada in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Oahu averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Islamorada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamorada usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during summer. Islamorada gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Islamorada usually receives more rain than Oahu. Islamorada gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Islamorada or Oahu in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Islamorada as well as Oahu. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Islamorada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Islamorada is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Islamorada average around 80°F (27°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamorada this time of the year. In the autumn, Islamorada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. Islamorada gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.

Islamorada receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Islamorada usually gets more rain in October than Oahu. Islamorada gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Islamorada is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Islamorada or Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu and Islamorada are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Islamorada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Oahu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Islamorada is around the same temperature as Oahu in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamorada averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Oahu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamorada. Islamorada usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during winter. Islamorada gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Islamorada usually receives less rain than Oahu. Islamorada gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Islamorada or Oahu in the Spring?

Both Oahu and Islamorada during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Islamorada in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Islamorada is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamorada in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Oahu averages at about 76°F (24°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamorada. In the spring, Islamorada often gets more sunshine than Oahu. Islamorada gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.

Islamorada usually gets less rain in April than Oahu. Islamorada gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Islamorada is June to November.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Islamorada