Two sunshine states, two fundamentally different travel experiences. Hawaii is remote, volcanic, and culturally distinct from the continental USA. Florida is accessible, flat, and purpose-built for a certain kind of American holiday. Both have exceptional beaches, but they suit very different travellers.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Hawaii | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Flight cost from mainland | High ($400–700 RT) | Low ($80–250 RT) |
| Hotels | $280–420/night | $180–320/night |
| Beach quality | Dramatic and varied | Long and pristine (Gulf Coast) |
| Wildlife | Marine life, sea turtles | Manatees, alligators, flamingos |
| Hiking | Exceptional | Limited (flat terrain) |
| Theme parks | No | World-class |
| Snorkelling | Outstanding | Good |
| Best for | Nature, honeymoons | Families, budget beaches |
Costs
The cost difference is substantial. A round-trip flight from New York to Honolulu averages $500–700; from New York to Miami, $120–250. From Los Angeles, the gap narrows but doesn’t close - Hawaii runs $350–550 versus Florida’s $80–180.
On the ground, Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest of any US state. A decent hotel in Waikiki - say, the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort - starts at $280/night. A simple breakfast plate at a Honolulu diner costs $16–22. At the other end of the spectrum, the Royal Hawaiian (the famous “Pink Palace”) on Waikiki Beach runs $550–800/night.
Florida offers genuine range. Miami Beach hotels run $180–320 for a comfortable property; move to the Gulf Coast towns of St. Pete Beach or Fort Myers and rates drop to $140–220. Theme park proximity inflates Orlando hotel prices ($160–280 at Disney-adjacent hotels), but coastal Florida outside peak season can be surprisingly affordable.
Budget estimate: Hawaii $250–350/person/day all-in; Florida $150–250/person/day.
Beaches
Hawaii has remarkable variety packed into a small geographic footprint. Waikiki Beach on Oahu is the classic: calm, safe swimming, iconic Diamond Head backdrop, and lined with restaurants and bars. Kailua Beach, 30 minutes from Waikiki, is far less crowded with powdery white sand and consistent trade winds ideal for windsurfing. On Maui, Kaanapali Beach is the luxury strip (calm water, resort hotels from $400/night), while Road to Hana reveals remote black sand beaches including Waianapanapa State Park. Kauai’s beaches are the most dramatic - Na Pali Coast is only reachable by boat or a gruelling 11-mile hike each way.
Florida’s best beaches are on the Gulf of Mexico: Siesta Key near Sarasota (consistently ranked among America’s finest), Caladesi Island State Park, and Grayton Beach in the Florida Panhandle. Gulf Coast water temperatures reach 85°F in summer and rarely drop below 68°F in winter. Atlantic Coast beaches (Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale) are more urban but offer stronger surf and a livelier beach bar scene.
Wildlife and Nature
Hawaii has no land predators, no snakes, and marine life that’s genuinely extraordinary. Sea turtles (honu) rest on Punaluu Black Sand Beach on the Big Island. Spinner dolphins are visible on morning boat trips off the Kona Coast. Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters off Maui from December through April. The snorkelling at Molokini Crater, an underwater volcanic crater off Maui, is among the best in the USA - expect to pay $80–120 for a half-day tour.
Florida’s wildlife is more terrestrial. Everglades National Park (entry $35/vehicle) is home to American alligators, West Indian manatees, roseate spoonbills, and the endangered Florida panther - though seeing the panther takes serious luck. The Crystal River area northwest of Tampa is the best place in the USA to swim with manatees (November–March, guided tours from $35). Dry Tortugas National Park, only accessible by boat or seaplane, has exceptional snorkelling and nesting sea turtles.
Accommodation
Hawaii hotel options are concentrated: Waikiki for Oahu, Kaanapali and Wailea for Maui, Poipu Beach for Kauai. The Andaz Maui at Wailea ($580–900/night) and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island ($700–1,100/night) represent the luxury tier. Budget options are limited - most under-$200/night properties in Waikiki are older or in less convenient locations.
Search hotels in Hawaii on Booking.com
Florida has better mid-range options. The Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach runs $160–220/night with direct beach access. In Miami Beach, the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club on Collins Avenue offers Art Deco style from $180–250. Orlando has Disney-adjacent properties at $160–280/night plus the full JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes at $280–380.
See city guides for Honolulu and Miami.
Getting Around
On any Hawaiian island, a rental car is essential outside Waikiki. Rates start at $55–85/day for a compact car; book well ahead as rental stock is limited. Oahu’s TheBus public transit is functional but slow. Inter-island flights run $50–150 each way with Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest.
Florida’s transport varies wildly by region. Miami has reasonable public transit (Metrorail + Metrobus, $2.25/ride). Orlando requires a car unless you stay inside Disney World’s resort system, which has extensive free shuttle transport. The Gulf Coast towns are car-dependent. Florida road tolls are common - budget $5–15/day if driving anywhere meaningful.
When to Visit
Hawaii is pleasant year-round with minor variations. The North Shore of Oahu gets massive surf (20–40 feet) from November through February - spectacular to watch but not for swimming. The drier, sunnier conditions on the West (Kona) and South coasts run year-round. March–May and September–October offer shoulder rates with minimal rain.
Florida is split into two seasons: dry season (November–April) and wet season (May–October). The dry season has perfect weather, lower humidity, and the wildlife viewing peak (manatees, bird migrations). Wet season brings afternoon thunderstorms and Atlantic hurricane risk (peak September–October), but hotel prices drop 20–30% and the Everglades is in full bloom.
The Verdict
If budget is a primary concern, Florida wins easily - cheaper flights, cheaper hotels, more affordable once you’re there, and world-class theme parks for families. If you want a genuinely special, once-in-a-trip destination, Hawaii justifies the premium: the landscapes are extraordinary, the marine life is unforgettable, and the slower pace of island life is hard to replicate elsewhere.
Read the best time to visit the USA for more on seasonal planning. The 10-day Hawaii itinerary and 10-day Florida itinerary provide detailed day-by-day plans for each destination.
Island and City Guides
- Honolulu travel guide
- Maui island guide
- Kauai island guide
- Big Island guide
- Miami travel guide
- Orlando travel guide
- Everglades National Park guide
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park guide
- Florida Keys road trip guide
- Miami vs Los Angeles comparison
For guided tours in either city, browse the full USA tours selection. Compare flights to the USA and set up travel insurance before your trip.
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- 10 Days in Hawaii: Itinerary - Island-hopping across the Pacific