A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Kauai for Resorts, Beaches, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and Kauai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Kauai

Kauai is a idyllic, scenic, and dramatic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Martha's Vineyard and Kauai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kauai. Although Martha's Vineyard and Kauai are popular destinations, Kauai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kauai is very popular for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Kauai is more touristy than Martha's Vineyard and is known for its waterfalls, canyons, and diverse rainforests. It is also well known for Waimea Canyon. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Kauai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Kauai is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kauai. There are local museums that educate visitors on the island's history and culture. You can also visit sugar plantations and art galleries.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Kauai can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Kauai makes for a great culinary experience. The food in Kauai combines the island's diverse cultures into a unique mix of flavors. There's fresh seafood, tropical fruit, and, of course, spam. You'll find common dishes like poke bowls and coconut shrimp, as well as more local dishes such as poi and lomi lomi.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Nightlife?

Kauai is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Kauai has a few options to choose from. The island has more of a relaxed vibe than a party vibe, but there are plenty of places to listen to live music. There are also local dive bars as well as wine bars and upscale lounges where you can enjoy a drink. Many often have a dance floor as well.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Resorts?

There are terrific resorts to choose from in both Martha's Vineyard and Kauai.

Vacationers flock to Martha's Vineyard for its luxury resorts. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Kauai is a great choice. You'll find major resorts of all forms and sizes. Most of the major hotel chains have resorts on the island, including the Marriott, the Sheraton, and Hyatt.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kauai is a great island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Kauai. There aren't as many snorkeling and diving options as there are on some of the other Hawaiian islands, but you'll still find plenty of places to enjoy the underwater world. Popular snorkeling spots around the island include Ke'e Beach, Haena Beach Park, and Anini Beach.

Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Beaches?

Kauai is an amazing island to visit for the beach. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

Kauai offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is filled with scenic beaches and idyllic coastline. The water conditions can be highly variable, so you should check with a local before entering the water. But the island has about 50 miles of sandy coastline that will take your breath away. You'll also likely see Hawaiian monk seals or sea turtles on the beach.

Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Hiking?

Kauai is an amazing island to visit for hiking. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for the nearby hiking options.

Kauai is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Kauai is a beautiful island with world famous hikes through the stunning mountains. The hiking trails take you through lush rainforests and along scenic coastlines. The mountains climb high and the trails range from easy to challenging. Popular hikes include the Awawawapuhi Nualolo Trail, the Cliff Trail to Waipoo Falls, and the Kalalau Trail.IL

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its shopping areas. Also, Kauai is not as popular, but is still a nice island for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Kauai is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of local shopping centers and larger retail malls.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Families?

Kauai is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kauai. There are kid-friendly hikes, beautiful bike rides, and many family-friendly beaches. Do keep in mind that many beaches have strong currents and large waves, so they're not the most kid-friendly. Good options include Poipu Beach and Lydgate Beach Park.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard and Kauai both terrific destinations for a couple.

Martha's Vineyard is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Kauai makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. "The Garden Isle" is a world class honeymoon destination with stunning beaches and iconic hikes. There are romantic resorts and many adventure activities that couples can enjoy such as whale watching and scuba diving.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kauai is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kauai. There are a couple of hostels on the island, but you'll likely need a car to get around, which can make this an expensive destination.

Martha's Vineyard is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Budget options are limited, making this an inconvenient destination for backpackers.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard and Kauai both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Kauai. There are buses on the island, but it's difficult to rely on them as a visitor.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Kauai a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Kauai is not known for its walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Kauai is not a walkable island. While there are great hikes on the island, you really need a car to get most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Kauai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kauai or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Martha's Vineyard and Kauai both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kauai than Martha's Vineyard because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 5-14 days is enough time in Kauai.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kauai than Martha's Vineyard 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 Kauai.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Kauai, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Martha's Vineyard. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With museums and nightlife around the idyllic island of Kauai, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Martha's Vineyard is a fun place to experience. Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

With nightlife and food around the dramatic destination of Kauai, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kauai is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Kauai?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Kauai in the Summer?

Both Kauai and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.

Martha's Vineyard is cooler than Kauai in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Kauai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. Martha's Vineyard usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during summer. Martha's Vineyard gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Kauai. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Kauai in the Autumn?

Both Kauai and Martha's Vineyard during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Kauai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In Kauai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai. Martha's Vineyard gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun.

Martha's Vineyard usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kauai. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Kauai in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Kauai. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Kauai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much colder than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai during winter. Martha's Vineyard gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Martha's Vineyard usually receives less rain than Kauai. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Kauai in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Kauai. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Kauai for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Martha's Vineyard is much colder than Kauai in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Kauai fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kauai. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In the spring, Martha's Vineyard often gets more sunshine than Kauai. Martha's Vineyard gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun.

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in April than Kauai. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kauai and Martha's Vineyard