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

Should you visit Clearwater or Maui?

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 Clearwater and Maui. 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.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and relaxing coastal city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Clearwater travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a idyllic, adventure-filled, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty in Maui as well. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Maui travel costs.

Clearwater and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Clearwater or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Clearwater and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Clearwater attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Clearwater and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Clearwater is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports.

How is Clearwater different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Clearwater or Maui?

Clearwater is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Clearwater offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Clearwater or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Clearwater is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Clearwater. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Clearwater is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Clearwater has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Resorts?

There are superb resorts to choose from in both Clearwater and Maui.

There are plenty of resorts in Clearwater to choose from. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its diving and snorkeling.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Clearwater has a few good snorkeling spots. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Beaches?

Clearwater and Maui both offer amazing beaches.

Clearwater offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Maui. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Clearwater or Maui?

Both Clearwater and Maui are nice shopping destinations.

Clearwater is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Maui. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Clearwater or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Clearwater is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Maui as well. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Clearwater is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Maui is very family-friendly. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Clearwater is very family-friendly. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Clearwater is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its romantic activities.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Clearwater makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Is Clearwater or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Clearwater and Maui offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Clearwater or Maui a more walkable city?

Clearwater is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Clearwater is a somewhat walkable place. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

Maui is not a very walkable coastal city. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Clearwater Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Clearwater?

How long in Clearwater or Maui?

Both Clearwater and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Clearwater. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Clearwater, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Clearwater than Maui 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 Clearwater.

One day in Clearwater or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Clearwater. 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 shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the breathtaking island of Maui, 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 Clearwater or Maui?

Clearwater is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Maui, 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 Clearwater or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Clearwater. This coastal city 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.

Maui, 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 Clearwater or Maui?

The adventure-filled coastal city of Clearwater offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Maui 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Clearwater and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Clearwater or Maui?

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 Clearwater or Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Maui. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Clearwater is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Clearwater in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Maui during summer. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

Clearwater gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Maui. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Clearwater or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Maui. Many travelers come to Clearwater for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Clearwater is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 75°F (24°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the autumn, Clearwater often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Clearwater is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Clearwater or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Clearwater is cooler than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Maui. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Clearwater or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Clearwater during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Clearwater for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Clearwater is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Clearwater in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the spring, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Maui. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.

Typical Weather for Maui and Clearwater