ATTENTION MAUI LOVERS!!! Need advice....1st time to Maui!!!!
#21
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Lori, you will love Maui. We stayed in a condo just above the Kaanapali area and loved it. We drove to the Wailea area and enjoyed the beaches there as well. I don't think you can fly into the airport near Kapalua--it only accomodates small aircraft as far as I know. Lahaina is great for shopping, art gazing, eating, etc. But don't stay there--no beach. Rent a car and check out many beaches. Haleakala bicycle ride-WOW. Enjoy it. We'll be going back.
#22
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Lori, you may be headed out, but maybe some good advice here. We just returned from Maui 2 days ago. The weather was not good. Cloudy days and torrential rain. Flash floods. But hopefully it is overwith and you won't get any of it. As for whale watching, it was recommended to us not to book a separate whale watching tour. We just booked a boat ride to Molokini (to snorkel) with the Pacific Whale foundation boat (environmentally friendly boats (paint...) and all staff are marine biologists so it is quite and educational ride as well) and we saw soooooo many whales. No need to book separate trips. We stayed in Kaanapali and had an ocean front room and saw whales every day throughout the day. There were so many whales!
As for Lahina, it is VERY touristy. We got tired of it very quickly, but there is not a lot of nightlife on the island anyway. In my opinion, Wailea is much more beautiful, but you would be hard pressed to find a hotel at the rate you're looking for. Better chances in Kehei. Kapalua is very expensive and also noticeably windier and rainier there. I also noticed a great deal more flies and mosquitos in the Kapalua area.
As far as restaurants go, we ate at all the top restaurants and had extravagant meals almost every night. We were consistently disappointed. The only meal we really enjoyed was at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua, but it was so expensive. Quite frankly, our favorite meal was at Maui Tacos! (with a good bottle of wine!). Don't waste your money on the "top" restaurants. Have fun.
As for Lahina, it is VERY touristy. We got tired of it very quickly, but there is not a lot of nightlife on the island anyway. In my opinion, Wailea is much more beautiful, but you would be hard pressed to find a hotel at the rate you're looking for. Better chances in Kehei. Kapalua is very expensive and also noticeably windier and rainier there. I also noticed a great deal more flies and mosquitos in the Kapalua area.
As far as restaurants go, we ate at all the top restaurants and had extravagant meals almost every night. We were consistently disappointed. The only meal we really enjoyed was at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua, but it was so expensive. Quite frankly, our favorite meal was at Maui Tacos! (with a good bottle of wine!). Don't waste your money on the "top" restaurants. Have fun.
#24
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Thanks MW for the great feedback/advice. Hopefully the weather will shape up before I take off on Thursday. Kalena, thanks for the reassurance that it is clearing up.
I am so happy to hear the whales are out in full force. How was the snorkeling at Molokini? Any turtles, dolphins or other exciting sightings?
Thanks for the heads up on the restaurants too. I'll let everyone know how my trip goes.
Thanks to all for the great help! ~Lori
I am so happy to hear the whales are out in full force. How was the snorkeling at Molokini? Any turtles, dolphins or other exciting sightings?
Thanks for the heads up on the restaurants too. I'll let everyone know how my trip goes.
Thanks to all for the great help! ~Lori