Tammi

We will be on the north shore Monday - Friday AM. I really need some help on the last few days on the south shore. Waimea Canyon was an option but maybe with only having two days, there just isn't the time.

Friday AM - Pack up Sealodge condo and leave EARLY. Drive towards the south shore stopping at OpaeKa'a Falls lookout and Wailua Falls. Arrive at hotel (Hyatt, Sheraton or Marriott), swim in the pool and check out beach.
PM: Cocktails at sunset at The Point (Sheraton), Dinner at Tidepools (Hyatt)

Saturday AM: Early morning snorkeling at Po'ipu Beach Park. And swimming at pool.

Afternoon: Allerton Gardens/Nat. Tropical Bot. Gardens. Get shave ice from JoJo's.

Sunset from Spouting Horn Beach Park

Dinner at Beach House

Sunday:
Return Home



I guess my biggest question is should we drive down to the two waterfalls another day when we are staying on the north shore, so that we can just leave the condo fri morning and drive straight to Po'ipu? (Are these two stop offs safe to have all of our luggage in the car?)

And are the Allerton Gardens a must see?

Thanks!

mclaurie

Can't answer your question about the falls. I didn't do it, but if you're planning a helicopter ride while on the island, wouldn't you see the falls from the air?

I LOVED the Allerton Gardens. Have a look here.
http://ntbg.org/allerton.html
Is it a must see for you? Do you like fabulous gardens?

iceeu2

Both of the falls you want to see are visible from the roadside...no problem there. But, don't miss either of them. Both are awesome!
As far as the gardens, my understanding is that they are beautiful..We didn't go yet...always have to have a reason to return!!

uuhhhh

does one really travel to a tropical isle to see a waterfall or a canyon? isn't a vacation to hawaii more about what you feel than what you see? don't clutter it up.

mclaurie

Interesting uhhhh, what I feel often depends on what I see. I can sit at a pool almost anywhere. Going to Hawaii is not an everyday occurence. I CAN'T see these gardens in Fla. or Cal. or anywhere else.

uuhhhh

okay mclaurie, maybe i phrased my post poorly. the intended point has to do with what attracts people to tropical islands in the first place. imo, it's not canyons, waterfalls, or gardens (except for the scent of tropical flowers). rather it's the mind's eye picture of white-sand crescent shaped beaches backed by swaying palm trees, crystal clear blue water/lagoon.....you fill in the rest. it's ironic to me that few seem to spend much time making that picture a reality.

and no offense to Tammi, but her itinerary looks much like the to-do list i'm trying to escape.

mclaurie

I TOTALLY agree uuhhh, but remember Tammi is spending the first part of her trip on the north shore (we haven't seen that itinerary) where I'm sure they'll be soaking up the island. And if you look at her other "to dos" it's beaches, pool, snorkel and eating.

lizardlwl

I cannot believe you would pass up a chance to see the canyon. The look down to the ocean at the top is worth the trip, not to mention the canyon itself which is breath taking. You can swim at a pool at home. Go see the sights.....

Rusty

Lizardbreath, believe it. Depending on where they are from and what they are used to seeing every day lots of people think that The Canyon is a total yawn,

Tammi

I know - I can't decide what to do about the Canyon.... but it's the only two days that we have on the southshore.

And yes the four days on the northshore is mostly filled with snorkeling/visiting beaches, not to mention the week prior that we will be in Maui. I'll post those itineraries at a later date, and ask for ideas.

We won't be going on a helicopter...don't really feel safe enough for that, so we are doing a boat trip that leaves from the north shore.

I'd still love more opinions on these two days though... thanks

Doug

I personally wouldn't miss seeing the Canyon. The views are spectacular (IMHO) and there are some great little hikes all throughout that really get you inside the area, providing different and often better views than what you get from the standard "lookouts".

I would spend an afternoon up there instead of the Gardens but maybe that's just me.....I'm sure they're beautiful, but I'm just not a Gardens type of person.

It really comes down to what YOU want to do and see....don't think you can really go wrong whatever decision you make.

Don't stress.....

crazieladybug

Thanks Doug, when you say an afternoon, how many hours do you think we should plan on? Let's say from the town of Waimea and back.

Kal

Alooohaaaa,
We try and go up the canyon every trip.
It's amazing to see something like this in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
I figured I've saved a trip to the Grand Canyon since we've seen this already

The only problem you run into is a few times we've driven up there, it's been clouded in and you can't see a darn thing.
We save some time going up by taking Waimea Canyon Dr up versus going all the way to Kekaha then up 550.

The ride back down the 550 hill is awesome.
We're going to try and do the bike ride down the hill this trip.
129, baby!
Mucho Mahalos and Happy Friday!\/

Doug

Hey crazieladybug,

You could really spend as much or as little time as you want up there.

If you just want to drive up, stop at the lookouts for a few minutes each, and drive back down, you could do it in a couple of hours.

If you plan on doing a little hiking (which I would definitely recommend by the way as the best views we had all day were along the two hikes we did), you could spend several hours.

When my wife & I were there in Feb., we spent most of one day up in the area. We drove from The Princeville and probably got to Waimea around 9ish. We finished up around 6 and got some gorgeous sunset views while driving back down.

nickie

I'm with Doug. Waimea Canyon shouldn't be missed, and I don't see it as an either or with seeing the gardens. You can spend a couple of hours at the canyon, and if you don't have time to hike, see it from the lookouts. Go for both!

Corgie

I would push back the PM Poipu snorkel (it won't be as good as the North Shore any way) and opt. for the early morning canyon AND the lookouts at Kokee National Park. Go to your Gardens etc. and then hit the beach and relax in the later afternoon and then do your sunset thing near by directly from the beach. Go shower off and have a late dinner. Stop at Jo Jos after the Canyon but if you miss it, no biggie...the North Shore shave ice is just as good and you can also pick up excellent shave ice in Kaapa whilst doing the waterfall. If you get up and on the road early enough it is all do-able in one day. Have fun!