Vacationing in Maui?
Riley asked:
My mom and I (I’m 20) are going to Maui for our spring break in March and ANYTHING at all about the island would be VERY MUCH appreciated… where to stay, beaches to visit, restaurants, what to do. Also, how touristy is it?? Again, absolutely ANYTHING at all about Maui I would love to know. We’d like to start planning soon. Thank you!
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My mom and I (I’m 20) are going to Maui for our spring break in March and ANYTHING at all about the island would be VERY MUCH appreciated… where to stay, beaches to visit, restaurants, what to do. Also, how touristy is it?? Again, absolutely ANYTHING at all about Maui I would love to know. We’d like to start planning soon. Thank you!
July 25th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Your options are basically endless. The question is what do you and your mom like to do or want to do? Some people like to be physical and hike, cliff dive, snorkel, ride horses, etc. Others prefer to sit on the beach and visit art galleries. So your option vary depending on you. There are many places I could never explain to you how to get to like hidden waterfalls, caves, etc. so here is a short list of what I can tell you.
1. Drive to Hana and explore all the waterfalls etc. Check out the seven sacred pools area, hike above the waterfalls in the bamboo forest and relax in the water (pools). Only jump off the bridge if you are skilled at diving (about 80 ft drop). To avoid the crowd of tourist, take the back road, you might need to ask a local how and check the road reports. The road is the one that goes over to Ulupalakua. It starts out like a desert and then turns into lush tropical views. Hana has horseback riding (schedule in advance, they usually take you to a waterfall), a black sand beach, a hotel and a small restaurant. Most spend the day, I usually camp at the black sand beach in Hana and make it a two day trip.
2. Haleakula volcano is over 9000 ft, you’ll want to plan to be at the top before sunrise. The sun rises out of the volcano, very nice. You can also do some hiking in the area. You can also schedule horseback riding and/or a bike ride down the volcano which can be a thrill. You will need a jacket at 9000 ft, I have seen it snow up there.
3. In my view the best beach is slaughterhouse (the local name because the slaughterhouse used to right there). The real name is the name of a fish that doesn’t end. Just go North of Napili. You can snorkel, swim, relax, etc. the water is clear, warm and inviting. There is little parking and you hike down to the beach from the road.
Just north of this beach is a pineapple field called field 51, on the ocean side of the field is a hedge of cactus, cut into the cactus is a trail that leads to a nice overlook of the ocean. If you dare, you can continue along the main road past everything else to the lighthouse and explore. There is a blowhole North of the lighthouse. Most tourist don’t go this far, but it can be nice.
4) You’ll want to check out Lahina and learn about the whaling history. There are also several art galleries and places to eat. Kaanapali is where the Hyatt hotels are located, the beach isn’t bad but it is touristy. Whalers village isn’t too bad either and there are some good places to eat. The hotels will usually do a good buffet on the beach for guests, ok we always got the food free by being there at the right time.
5) Other places to see: The aquarium.
Winery at Kula, Pineapple plantation, (history of pineapple on Maui) I worked for these guys, Makawao, etc… The luau by the cannery mall Lahina side might be a good experience.. Taking a whale watching boat, ferry to the other islands…
6) McKenna beach is nice, little beach next to it is very relaxing and good snorkeling, but it is a **** beach
Places to stay, if you don’t plan on staying in the hotel all day, choose a small local hotel. For March you will need to book in advance. Check out some of cheap travel sights for good deals, if you are into camping you could go real cheap. Using time share options can also be affordable sources. Book in advance is what most people do to get what they want. I usually just show up and make an offer, time share units on Maui I usually get $60 a night, but then I know how to play the game.
If you want to buy anything, the best prices will be found in Wailuku simply because that is where the locals shop. Food items at Safeways in Wailuku is usually cheaper than in Lahina. Lahina side is like the resort area and it has the prices to go with. I understand that there is now a Wal Mart on Maui so that could be a cheap option.
Maui in recent years has become more touristy and crowded as well as commercialized. However; there are still good places to go. Study and plan things out before you go so you don’t waste time. I usually spend hours with people to plan their tour on Maui to make it their vacation and not just see what the tourist talk about.
Decide what you want to do, what kind of trip you would like. Then research all the options via internet etc. Then make the plans. The options are endless so the first step is deciding what you like to do and what you can afford. Good Luck! Maui is my favorite island.
July 28th, 2009 at 4:17 am
laihinah i’m unsure how to spell. but its one of the bigger cities. golf is everywhere! there is a road that winds around some of the locals live there. its a pretty drive. it also takes you to the green sand beach. it whips around the vocano and a neat little tourist shop in the middle. but once you get near the end you have to drive all the way back you came. the bridge colapsed in a earth quake. you can also go the the vocano park place. and even ride hourses there. and theres also a lot of fun shopping around!
July 28th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hi,
I went in 2006 with my sister for her 50th B’day. It was one of our best trips ever. We stayed at Kaanapali Beach Hotel. It is supposed to be one of the most authentic hotels on Maui. We took a snorkel trip out to the crescent moon shaped rock island (the name escapes me) and that was awesome. That was from the Maui dive shop and they stopped and let us swim with turtles too. We also did the early morning bicycle trip down Haleakala….great trip and very easy hardly and peddling. You coast right down and you get to see the sunrise…what an awesome site. You’ll probably want to do a luau too. We rented a jeep wrangler which was a lot of fun, especially on the road to Hana trip. You’ll be amazed at the relaxed feeling that you get there. You never want to come back. You might want to consider a day trip to Oahu to see Pearl Harbor that is a must I think. It’s also a good idea to rent or take your own snorkel equipment that was you can do it anywhere and often. Enjoy!
July 30th, 2009 at 6:37 am
March? One word: WHALES. Do a whale watching boat.
Do the drive to Hana and hike to the falls.
Go to the Cannery Mall.
Go shopping in Lahiana at the ports. HILO HATIE’S!
Iao Valley State Park.
Snorkeling trip to Molokini Crater.
The options are endless.
When you get there, search out a dive shop, there are only about 100 on Maui. You can rent mask snorkel and fins anywhere from $10-20 for a week. Put them in your trunk and have them with with you at all times.