Looking for Maui Advice

[JC Cruiser]

Hello all!! My soon to be wife and I will be spending our honeymoon on the POA. Neither of us have ever been to Hawaii and are looking for a little advice. We have already reserved a car through Alamo, now we are looking for what to do while we are in Maui. Any suggestions? We are somewhat active people who enjoy keeping busy. We would like to hit up a spot or two in which we could snorkle. Other than that we are very much open to suggestions. Thanks for the assitance!!

[spleen93]

Some good thoughts in this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=75923&highlight=maui+tour

 

Spleen

[AllenF]

We booked a snorkel trip with http://www.mauicharters.com/ for Maui next april.

[rjscott]

Many great snorkel spots on Maui, which are accessible from shore. Do you have your own snorkel gear or would you be renting? If renting (or, even if not) the shops which rent snorkel gear can recommend some good spots. Our favorites are Black Rock (west of the Sheraton in W. Maui. You may find parking at Whaler's Village), and there is also good snorkeling at Kapalua Bay (which has very easy entry) and MM14, where you are likely to see turtles.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Becki

[JC Cruiser]

Thanks for all the great info and yes we do have our own snorkel gear. Since we will have the car for the day are there any specific sites that we will not want to miss? We love beaches, but are there any additional must see spots for first timers?

[Zeno]

Personally I would not miss driving up to the top of Haleakala - stop at the Visitor Center and at the scenic viewpoints. The views are simply spectacular.

[Sammy]

Haleakala would be a great must-see. On the trip up or down, there is a super neat place to eat that sits on the hillside about 1/3 the way up the mountain. There aren't many up there. Once can see both coastlines through the wall-to-wall windows. The path down the hill winds by beautiful gardens with a great sample of Hawaiian plants and trees and brick patios with tables.

 

I've heard others mention it by name but can't recall it right now. I'll see if I can find it in my stuff. It's on 377 just north of the turnoff to 378 that goes to the top I believe.

 

Sammy

[JC Cruiser]

Thanks for all the great advise. Does anyone have any advise on Kauai??? Kauai does not seem to be very talked about on the boards. Anyways, we will be in Kauai from 7am till 1pm the following day and I have rented a car. Any must sees or good places to snorkel? Thanks again for all the info!

[daWoods]

With only 6 hours, and having to return the car before boarding, you pretty much have to decide if you want to go to the canyon or to the Princeville/Hanalei area. Personally, I'd do the Waimea Canyon. It's spectacular. Another option might be to forget the car, and book a helicoptor tour of the island. That way you get to see all the highlights from the air.

[bankofdad]

Hi Sammy,

 

From descriptions I've read elsewhere, was it the Kula Lodge that you ate in on the mountainside?

 

If so, how was the food? Did you dine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? We're thinking about stopping there as well, so you review would be a big help.

 

Thanks!

[JC Cruiser]

daWoods, thanks for the advice. Just as a point of clarification we will be in Kauai for 30 hours not 6 hours. We will be there from 7am till 1pm the next day. We will be spending the nignt in port.

 

Is there anything to recommend at the Waimea Canyon? Thanks!!

[Sammy]

Hi Sammy,

 

From descriptions I've read elsewhere, was it the Kula Lodge that you ate in on the mountainside?

 

If so, how was the food? Did you dine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? We're thinking about stopping there as well, so you review would be a big help.

 

Thanks!

 

I just went through my stuff from that cruise and cannot find the name. It's just before one makes the turn to the curvy road going to the top. I'll keep looking. Remember it being nice - nothing memorable either way with regard to food or price. We went for lunch. The food was secondary to the fabulous setting!

 

Sammy

[Sammy]

daWoods, thanks for the advice. Just as a point of clarification we will be in Kauai for 30 hours not 6 hours. We will be there from 7am till 1pm the next day. We will be spending the nignt in port.

 

Is there anything to recommend at the Waimea Canyon? Thanks!!

 

Definitely take the road all the way through the Hanalei Valley until it ends. Take the side road to the lighthouse and wildlife conservation area on the way up or back. Take an excursion by boat along the base of the Na Pali coast. There is snorkeling on some excursions. Wish I'd had more time on Kauai!

 

Sammy

[spleen93]

That's definitely Kula Lodge.

 

Spleen

[queenL]

We went to Hawaii on our Honeymoon also. I think the Road to Hana was the BEST thing we did in Maui. I wouldn't recommend driving it yourself though. Go by tour. The roads were too narrow, the cliffs to steep and the turns to sharp. It was scary enough just watching sometimes but I definitely wouldn't have wanted to drive it ourselves.

 

In Kuai, I sugges the Helicopter tour. You see all the major sites in Kuaui by air.

[Zeno]

oh this is hard - only 6 hours on Kauai. Personally my first choice would be the Waimea Canyon and Koke'e with a stop at Salt Pond Beach on the way back. 2nd choice - if snorkeling is a must - drive to Princeville (the drive is lovely), stopping at Anini Beach (nice uncrowded easily accessable snorkeling). With only 6 hours you will NOT be able to do both (they are at opposite ends of the island) - a hard decision.

[JC Cruiser]

All,

 

Thanks for the great input. I appreaciate it very much. I do have one more question. On this cruise we will be in Kauai overnight and most of what I have heard is that Kauai is very quiet at night. Are there any recommendations for night activities in either Kauai or maui??? Thanks again!!

[daWoods]

daWoods, thanks for the advice. Just as a point of clarification we will be in Kauai for 30 hours not 6 hours. We will be there from 7am till 1pm the next day. We will be spending the nignt in port.

 

Is there anything to recommend at the Waimea Canyon? Thanks!!

 

Well, that's totally different! I'd still do the canyon, but maybe the second morning. If you are really into snorkelling, and very experienced, there's a beach to the north (can't remember the name) that features underwater caves (old lava tubes) that I've heard are fascinating. Lots of good scenery up that way as well, along with Hanalei and Princeville. You can make a really great day of it.

[av8r]

Having lived on Maui my younger years and returning every even year since 1994 I may be able to help.

IMHO-

Here is a site you can check out. It contains excursions from several different companies. http://www.bookexcursions.com/hawaii_maui_excursions_tours_book_online.htm

 

Also here are a few comments.

 

Haleakala volcano. Not sure if you’ll be able to watch the sunrise on a tour here, depends when you arrive. You can take a van ride to the top, watch a fascinating sunrise and cycle (coast) down to the bottom for breakfast will give an experience you will never forget. There are some local tour agencies that have later morning van to top and cycle down tours. If you do book this, ask if it is escorted, including the bike ride down. Vehicles can come down the road pretty quick sometimes. If it’s escorted, a guide will ride in front as a pace setter and the van that drove you up will follow behind to slow vehicles coming down.

 

The road to Hana. This is a winding narrow drive that will take several hours to drive, at 15-20 mph, especially if you stop to walk into the forest to see some beautiful waterfalls. A motor coach tour stops at some of these. It is not complete until you visit the "Seven Sacred Pools" (Sleepless in Seattle) and jump from the rocks. There are 3 levels, "for mortals", "yup it's kind of high" and "are you insane"! I don't think the tour stops at the "Pools".

 

 

Personally, I would get a rental car. Either drive the road to Hana and the Pools/waterfalls with the top down on the convertible and smell the air, it's incredible. Or, rent snorkel equipment at Snorkel Bob's and go to La Parouse Bay (my favorite), Honolua Bay, boogie board at Kamaole Beach 2 or book a local tour to snorkel Molokini island. And of course the bike ride down the Crater.

 

If you drive, the locals prefer no horns and if you see a beach you like and can pull off the road safely, have fun!

 

For events happening on any of the islands go to http://calendar.gohawaii.com

 

Snorkeling Molokini Island.

 

Don't think they leave from Lahaina, if there are it's only a few. The ones I have enjoyed the most leave from Maalaea marina a few miles south at the aquarium or from Kihei boat ramp further south.

 

http://www.molokinisnorkeling.com/molokini.html

 

The following is my favorite but I don't think you will make the departure time (7:30 am)

http://www.sailmaui.com/molokini.htm

 

 

Enjoy your trip and congrats!!!!!