/r/MauiVisitors
Questions and helpful tips when visiting Maui
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/r/MauiVisitors
After lurking here prior to going to Maui, I figured I could share what we did two weeks ago. It was me, my wife, and two girls (10 and 13).
Day 1: fly in, check in to our condo in Kihei right across from Kalama Park
Day 2: Kihei beaches, bouncing around to see which we liked best Kam 3 was our favorite). Dinner at Thai Mee Up in th food truck park right behind us. Lemon grass chicken was amazing.
Day 3: West Maui... We spent the morning at Black Rock, grabbed lunch, went to Dragon's Teeth park, and shopped at the local market just north of Lahaina.
Day 4: snorkeling at Molokini Crater with PacWhale. They were super friendly and we had a great time. Chilled out around Cove Beach for the afternoon.
Day 5: Road to Hana. Honestly, this was our least favorite day while we were there. A lot of car time for some fairly crowded stops. Views were not as great as we had hoped.
Day 6: we called an audible on this day. We were planning to take the ferry to Lana'i, but the kids were getting tired so we thought that might be a really long day. We got a 40% off coupon from PacWhale, so we used that for all of us to book a snorkeling trip with them to Lana'i instead. A bit more expensive, but worked out perfectly.
Day 7: Haleakala. We left around 9am and spent a lot of the day up-county at farms and shops. We took our time up and hit all of the great stops along the way. We did not stay for sunset, but hiked a lot and had a really great time. No crowds at all by doing this off-hours. Highly recommended.
Last full day: south Maui. We snorkeled at Ulua Beach, which was amazing. Then we drove down to Ahihi-Kinau Nature Reserve for the afternoon. This was absolutely fantastic to see... Really different from other parts of Maui and we loved it. Bring water.
Overall, we had a wonderful time. We ate at the food truck park every night and listened to live music in the garden each night. We just bought bagels and cream cheese for mornings since breakfasts out were very expensive.
Locals were very friendly (thank you if you're reading this!) and the kids had the time of their lives. Thank you!
Are there any companies that rent portable AC units? We will be there end of June till mid July and our condo does not have ac. Mainly to use in the bedroom at night.
Hey all! We're back to Maui and have been having an absolutely amazing time. We discovered Ahihi bay yesterday, which has been the highlight of the trip so far. Since we're moving from Kihei to West Maui tomorrow, we're looking for other great snorkeling spots over there - we've seen lots of turtles, and would love to go somewhere with a better chance to see eels, rays and sharks. I've done some research and wanna try snorkeling at Honolua Bay and Mala Wharf. Is Mala open to public and okay to visit after the fires yet? How are the snorkeling conditions there if we wanna go off shore? Do you have any other recommendations? Thank you!
After previous suggestions, we sat down as a family and watched videos of luas and our teenagers were not interested! So we’re making it a date night. Now, I’m trying to narrow down a family snorkeling excursion. Trilogy half day Ka’anapali snorkeling was suggested so I’ve been researching that and came across trilogy discover lanai and wanted to ask if anyone could tell me how long you’re actually on the island of Lanai to snorkel/hike/explore tide pools? It’s a 5-6 hour tour and I would like to know how much of that time is on the island vs. on the boat? Also, we plan to book a helicopter tour for all 5 of us. Any recommendations for companies/tours?
My family and I will be visiting on May20th through the 23rd. We are wanting to take family pictures on the beach. I need help finding a photographer! I have looked some up, but they were out of our budget. Any photographer recommendations are greatly appreciated!! TIA.
I’m currently in south Kihei/Wailea and there’s many beautiful beaches I’ve visited but can only enjoy them for an hour or two before getting sandblasted off due to the wind. I’m considering making the trek over to a west Maui beach but not sure if it’s the same ordeal over there. Just seeking insight from people more familiar with the island. Thanks!
Sigh. Spending a week on Hawaii and a week on Maui. AirBnB on Maui cancelled on us. Need a place for 5 days in September. We’ve been before, and planned on hiking around and drive to Hana (have a hotel there). Looking at a cruise but doesn’t seem to work out. Any suggestions?
Lost Water Bottle
hey i know this is unlikely, but if you’re in maui around the west inn area, please let me know if you find a black hydro flask covered in volleyball stickers. i will pay for shipping, it’s incredibly important to us.
My husband and I Steve our 30th anniversary on Maui in early March. We had such a great time that we're planning to return next year. When do you all think it's the best time to visit. We're beach people, and our weather wasn't great for beach.
I’m coming to Maui in September to get married and would love to have a classic car to take pictures with while my wife is in her dress. I’ve searched Turo but there’s no classic rentals on Maui any other places a guy could look to rent one for a day?
Hi All
I absolutely love Kaanapali, but I think after many years it is time to venture to check out Oahu and wanted to know if there is a location there like Kaanapali. What I mean is the nice walking to everything, food, shopping, etc. And a great beach as well. We always stay at the Hyatt and the beach in front is really not what it was when we went there years and years ago. We have seen the steady decline.
I know this is the Maui forum, but maybe someone has been to Oahu and really liked a location there.
Thanks for the help
Was planning to drive the Road to Hana in a day but the more I read, the more I am thinking we should stay one night (only 4 nights total in Maui so it will be 1 night). My question is whether I should do it when we arrive or leave. Our flight is scheduled to arrive at 9AM on a Thursday. We depart Maui for home on a 7:30PM flight four days later on a Monday (so, better part of 5 days and 4 nights total). Option 1: we arrive at OGG 9AM and drive part of the road to Hana, stay overnight in Hana, hang out in the area and then make our way to the condo in Lahaina area for the remainder of the stay. Option 2: We go to Lahaina when we land and on Sunday we leave early, drive the road to Hana, stay overnight, spend the better part of the next day in the area and then drive to OGG for our 7:30 flight. Which do you think sounds better?
Looking for possible recommendations of a good hotel near the airport that would be a decent price.
We are staying in Napili for 10 nights but just found a great deal on airfare if we fly out the day before our condo reservation starts.
The flight doesn’t land until 6:00 PM so wondering if we just stay by the airport the first night and grab the rental car the following day to hit Costco and head to the condo to check-in.
If the cost to arrive a day early starts to exceed the savings, we can always revert to the original plan.
Looking for a hotel for the dates above preferably in West Maui as we are staying in South maui the week before. I love the sheraton but after resort fees and parking it's a bit higher then I'm wanting to go. Any suggestions where i can stay that's nice for around 1k-1200 for the 3 nights all in? Mahalo!
My wife and I will be visiting in a couple weeks. We want to get a good feel and build a connection to Maui. However we don't want overstep our boundaries.
Appreciate any feedback please! Both the tours have a landing component. Maverick lands in a rainforest and Air Maui lands by the oceanfront.
I know it's so far out, and things could change, but I'm already dreaming of what to do, haha
Just looking for feedback on how my itinerary looks and if I should switch things around (based on weather, day, etc.). I'll be staying in South Kihei near Kamaole Beach Park III
Day 1 - Wed (arrival at 3pm):
Go to Costco stock up on water, mineral sunscreen, snacks, maybe buy a pineapple
Eat a quick snack at the food trucks nearby
Check in VRBO, settle down
Eat Foodland poke for dinner
Day 2 - Thurs:
Road to Hana, end at Venus Pool (around 5pm-ish)
Dinner back at Kihei, probably Nalu's or the nearby South Maui Gardens food trucks
Day 3 - Fri:
Explore Kihei, just chilling and walking down to Wailea and ogle at the resorts/shops, probably stop by a couple beaches here and there
Kaanapali Sunset Cruise with Trilogy for dinner
Bar-hop around the Barmuda Triangle since it's nearby
Day 4 - Sat:
Upcountry Maui day: Lavender farm, Maui Winery, Kula Country Farms for fresh fruit, Surfing Goat Dairy
I know Haleakala is popular, but I think we'll skip on this
Day 5 - Sun:
Lanai tour with Trilogy, hopefully see some whales
Go back to hotel, shower, grab a quick bite to eat somewhere
Old Lāhainā Lūʻau for dinner
Day 6 - Mon:
West Maui day
Hike Dragon Teeth in the morning
Snorkel at Kapalua Bay for a bit
Snorkel at Black Rock Beach for a bit
Lunch at Leilani's on the Beach
Whaler's Village shopping
Happy hour at Monkeypod (just to try mai tai's)
Dinner somewhere... not sure, actually. We'll just go with the flow. Might even hit up a supermarket and cook something at the VRBO
Day 7 - Tues:
Last full day in Maui, so no hard set plans
Just wake up naturally, check out Makena Beach, snorkel whenever we feel like it, maybe surf? (I hear winter is the more favorable season to surf)
Day 8 - Wed (departure at 7pm):
Check out and head towards Kahalui/Wailuku
Lunch at Mama's Fish House since it's conveniently near the airport (I know opinions are mixed here, but might as well check it out on the last day, lol)
Just loiter around Queen Ka'ahumanu Center mall until we're ready to head to the airport, lol
I tried to pattern it where one day is a lot of activities, the next day is a more leisurely day, etc. Hope that works out well
Is Maui still a good travel destination after the fire? Are their parts of the island we should try and avoid or any suggestions on where we should visit? Will be arriving late July. How much of the island did the fire actually consume?
Is there anything open in lahaina to explore? Like martket, shops, shaved ice etc? Thanks
Hi! First time visiting Maui later this week and was planning to drive the Road to Hana and continue past to Alelele Falls. I know there is a road closure close by and I wasn't sure if it's still possible to access the falls. Can people still drive up and park on the side of the road and hike to the falls?
Hi, this is my first time to maui. We have reservation for haleakala sunrise tomorrow. What time should we leave? We are staying in lahaina. Thanks
Drove the Road to Hana today and sideswiped the barrier (coastal side) trying to make more room for the car passing. Stupid stupid mistake. Now the car has a pretty significant scratch & 2 palm sized dents near the tire.
How screwed am I? The rental is from Enterprise & we didn’t get the damage waiver insurance (yeah, that was a surprise to me too). Anyone experience this before? Any recommendable body shops in Maui?
Mahalo in advance!
Hi everyone, I’ve been on vacation in Maui for about a week now. It’s my first time here. Interestingly, I’ve always wanted to move to Hawai’i and now even more so. I am so sad and crying because I leave tomorrow. I feel so connected to the ocean and the lifestyle here that I cannot describe. I used to have an intense fear of the ocean but now I have learned to love it. I don’t wanna go back tomorrow. I don’t wanna go back to my job and see all those people. I wanna be here. Even if not Maui but somewhere in Hawai’i. This is a place I truly see myself in life and death.
My kids love shows and would like to take them to a luau. We are staying at the Honua Kai resort.
We were originally thinking of the old lahina luau but I’ve been hearing it may be too slow and not as exciting for the little. I also hear there is no fire dancers.
Any recommendations for a luau for the kids?
Are there any luau or luau type shows that only do drinks or no food?
Every ticket is $200-$300 and I am a vegetarian so I won’t be able to eat most anything there.
Going on limb here considering where I am going…
What are some good restaurants with vegetarian options on Maui?
Has anyone here been on this Sky Trek tour with Temptation? It’s a land plus flight tour. My parents with mobility issues will be with me, so was wondering if they will be fine on this tour or if there is a lot of hiking involved? Appreciate any feedback, thank you!
Originally booked humu as the ambiance looked perfect, but after reading reviews I hear the food has really gone downhill.
I want to treat him to a fancy dinner, with unique seafood dishes as he loves trying new foods, but don't want the vibe to be too "romantic". I'm currently leaning towards Nicks Fish Market but would like some other suggestions!
Has anyone used this company in Lahaina? Could not find recent reviews.
https://ecoseascootersnorkeling.org/
We’re not strong swimmers and looking for guided snorkeling trips in Maui that have this type of assisted snorkeling. Are there any other companies like these closer to Wailea/ south Maui?