Grega2475

Need some advice -- Going to Hawaii for our Honeymoon in January 2013.

Looking for: beach time, seclusion, adventure, hiking, picturesque, mountainous-green, remote location (half-time)

Which Islands would be best to concentrate on? I'm thinking 2 max. I've looked into Kauai. At least from photos and people comments it seems to incorporate a lot of the things we're looking for.

What places would be good to stay at? Looking for maybe a really nice place on one island and the other maybe rent a place for a week - where would be a fantastic remote place to rent a place for a week? (Kauai - Ko'a Kea? St Regis Princeville? Other suggestions?)

Wow me. What should we go see? Tunnels Beach looks incredible. Great hiking areas? Picturesque spots? If you could go to Hawaii only once, what would you do/go see? What's not to miss?

I'll read up on a fodors or lonley planet but some guidance from real people who have traveled in the area is always great.

Thanks.
Greg

Tomsd

Great place for a honeymoon. On a laptop so all thumbs but on our Honeymoon - we spent two days on Molokai, a week on Big Island and a week on Kauai at our favorie place - the north shore/Princeville.

But that was in Sep - and some favor Poipu during the winter, maybe staying part of the time up in the lucsious North Shore and then kicking back in usually sunny Poipu - and maybe also visiting Kona - or even Maui.

Hey - it's all good.

Tomsd

And there are several great beaches on the North Shore of Kauai - from Anini to Hanalei to Lumahai to Tunnels to Ke/Haena at the end of the road.

Lumahai can have some undertow so check it out with locals if you are going in there.

Lookin_Glass

"Lumahai can have some undertow so check it out with locals if you are going in there."

Well that is the understatement of the day.

Tomsd, please answer this question honestly. How many times have you taken a swim at Lumahai, Makua'Tunnels', Haena/Cannons, and Ke'e in the month of January? I have NEVER managed a single swim at any of them during January. Sure it's possible to get a few days here and there that the winter surf subsides, most likely at Ke'e, but I haven't had the luck of a January swim. Usually the winter conditions at Lumahai look like this video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...VqdnZpxNQ&NR=1


Greg,

Don't get me wrong. I adore the North Shore of Kauai in the winter. Sitting a safe distance from the water watching the power of the ocean can be as satisfying as swimming in the many shades of green and blue in the summer months. Even calm Hanalei Bay is often sectioned off by the lifeguards to a small area so they can keep their eyes wide open to those in the choppy water. If you are planning on ocean swimming in January but want to see the beauty of all of Kauai, I would look at rentals in Poipu where you can enjoy a swim and sunshine before or after exploring the island.

I haven't been to Ko'a Kea but it is adjacent to lovely beaches, whereas the Hyatt isn't really a swimming beach. There are also some beautiful ocean front rentals that might be fun to start playing house in. So Kauai could be your resort destination or your cottage destination. And if you're not put out by possibly not swimming in the ocean and rain Hanalei is a really fun town.

For your second island, perhaps resort time in Wailea on Maui, including a night or two up in Hana at a rental or the Hana Hotel. But again, Hana will have winter surf conditions.

I've only been to the island of Hawaii once in April, so cannot comment on the weather and surf conditions, but oh I would love to stay a few days at the 4 Seasons there! It is quite and extraordinary property.

Congratulations and Warmest Aloha on your upcoming nuptials.

L_G

jamie99

I'd stay south in January - the Hyatt is a great property with lots of pools including an adult only pool and a lazy river, the North Shore typically has rough surf that time of year but Anini Beach is sometimes calm due to the reef.

For your second island, I agree with Maui, the whales will be in the channel that time of year in record numbers (you will also see plenty from Kauai but not as numerous as near Maui).

tileaftilly

Tunnels (Makua) Beach and view of the pali is one of great views in the world and not to be missed. In January, however that view will probably be best enjoyed from the shore rather than from a floaty raft out on the water. January on the north shore can often bring heavy surf and very unsafe conditions for swimming. There is an infamous current through the reef system at Tunnels that can be problematic on high surf days and can even be felt on calm and swimmable summer days. Go with realistic expectations and check the daily surf report before venturing in the water at the various places mentioned above.

The only part of Lumahai that I have ever swam at is the far right end of the beach where there is a cove and that was in the summer. This is often a popular and nice place to spend the day during the relatively low surf months of summer. The rest of the beach to the left is almost always wild and dangerous even in the summer. Are there exceptions? Sure. It is gorgeous though and is a great place to walk and feel the power that is on the north shore when the waves are pounding.

I can't comment on places to stay at that time of year as we ususally stay in Hanalei during the summer months.

I love Maui at that time of year. The weather is usually very nice. Not hot, but warm and then there are the whales of course! Stay somewhere in South Maui. Kihei, Wailea, Makena...

Have a great trip.

Tomsd

Did have the pleasure of visiting Bali Hai/North Shore once in Jan. It was calm and flat when I arrived, then a big storm blew in - and the surf closed out Hanalei Bay - and only the big boys were surfing - and then it blew through and was calm again.

I guess it's common sense, but if you are not an experienced ocean swimmer, don't go out in surf - and always check out local conditions. I like to body surf - and have been in some fairly good sized stuff - but still checked out the beach conditions ahead of time.

As for the winter up on the North Shore - it's very stimulating, and as I suggested - one might go for a few days to experience it - and then head down to Poipu which is more sunny in the winter.

You can't do bettere than the St. Regis - but it is expensive - and you might also consider a condo - such as Sondoc enjoys at the Sea Lodge is it - or we have a timeshare at the Cliffs Club - both in Princeville - not far from the St. Regis.

There is also a nice shopping center close to them - the Princeville Center.

Tomsd

And as for Big Island - Kona side is usually sunny - and you also have the bonus of getting up to see the incredible Volcano - and maybe go for a hike in the little volcano/cauldren/Ke Iki Hale - which we did. Soooo much to do/see on BI.

We also love Maui and Oahu (and Molokai and Lanai) - but BI is our close second favoriteafter Princeville/Hanalei and the rest of the Garden Isle of Kauai.

ChiSue

You are describing north shore Kauai. Problem is, it will almost certainly be rainy and windy in January -- as will north shore Oahu, and to some extent northern Maui: Kapalua and Napili. (Less a certainty on Maui.)

If you have at least ten nights in Hawaii you have time to stay on two islands; two weeks, three islands -- unless one is Big Island of Hawaii or you're willing to cut time on one of the smaller ones.

*I* would include Maui if only because of whale season. The channel between Lanai and Maui is 'whale soup' from January to March; the season is longer, but peak is mid-February. I'd stay Wailea -- Four Seasons is Maui's top hotel. If that's too pricey, I'd be fine at Wailea Marriott's smaller property with more rooms almost IN the ocean. There's also Fairmont Kea Lani. Or...much quieter, Four Seasons Lanai.

Tomsd

To each their own. Having seen whales out of SD is fun, but IMO - doesn't come close to seeing the Volcano on Big Island.

tileaftilly

@ChiSue, I love the "whale soup" description! Perfect.

Shar

whales were prolific on Kauai in February. Couldn't keep count from our lanai in poipu area. North shore will be harder to find sunshine in winter. BI is awesome too. Also had great snokeling and whale watching there in February. I'm being prejudice but I love Kauai and Big Island best. have herd that whales are pretty spectacular on Maui but have never been there tht time of year.

Kauai....waimea Canyon for hikes, tubing in old plantation canals was very fun, Snorkeling trip,bike riding ....

Taniakamp

I would definitely incorporate Maui, as the whales are plentiful in January. Also, staying in Poipu is good advice, it is usually always sunny there. We stayed there this past week at Lawai Beach Resort. I have heard the north shore water is very rough in the winter. It is beautiful in the summer, Hanneli Bay is spectacular, though I have read in the winter the water is not as calm.

The Volcano may not be flowing lava above ground, and when I went last week... it was extremely foggy and overcast for 3 days. For a honeymoon, I would save the Big Island for another visit.

I've been to Maui twice, it's great for a honeymoon. The Road to Hana is incredible and the hike to Waimoku Falls is 2 miles but AMAZING! West Maui Mountains are beautiful and an adventurous drive, best banana bread in the world along the road at Julia's.
Haleakala at Sunrise is fantastic.
South Maui near Big Beach & Makena has turquoise water.

I would suggest Flying directly into Maui (Kahului) if possible from LAX.
Otherwise, flying into Honolulu is fine as well, and you can connect in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle, etc...a night or 2 on Oahu near Honolulu would be nice (Waikiki, K'Olina, etc...)
North shore Oahu has nice waves to watch that time of year. Hanuma Bay is pretty.

Maui & Kauai is the way to go in my opinion with 1 or 2 nights in Oahu.

For your second visit, go to the Big Island and re-visit your favorite as well.

When I went to Waimea canyon it was very foggy and overcast (in summer) so I am curious to know if it is rainy/foggy in winter. if your are in Poipu, you will be closer to the canyon and can visit more than once if the weather is not great, but as we mentioned.. Poipu itself is usually always sunny.

Taniakamp

Also, I wanted to add that if you really want to go to the Big Island... Kona is fabulous, very far away from Volcano National Park (3 hours) and there is only 1 highway all the way, very very dark at night. If you want to go the Big Island, I would stay a night or 2 either in Volcano, Captain Cook, or Hilo to be a little closer to the park. The rest of the time, I would stay in Kona because it is drier and usually sunny with nice beaches and sunsets.

ChiSue

I wonder if Greg has booked -- and if we helped?

If people coming to Hawaii live away from the west coast, I urge them to take 767's or 330's nonstop into HNL -- and connect from there, if necessary. I avoid 757's and west coast connections. We fly nonstop ORD-HNL every winter, then hop to Maui without leaving airport security. Baggage is checked through both outbound and coming home.

Winter can be windy and wet (downpours and mudslides, not only 'showers') if you are north on Kauai and Oahu -- and to some extent on Maui. (Skip Kapalua and Napili.)

Taniakamp

ChiSue,
What is the reason for avoiding a west coast connection and avoiding the 757?

I liked flying right into Maui, being that the flight is so long and we had a connection already in LA, I didn't want to then get on another plane that night if we had flown in to HNL.
Coming from the east coast, I had no choice but to fly to LAX or Salt Lake City on Delta.

edjim

I'd recommend Maui and Kauai for a honeymoon. Maui has a little bit more nightlife in the Lahaina area but also has the green (Hana Road) and the mountain (Haleakela). Kauai will be lush and and if you stay in Poipu you will likely have some sun. And you won't be that far from Hanalei and the North Shore.
Plenty of hiking ops on both isles.

ChiSue

We prefer widebody aircraft over the narrowbody 757's (single aisle and uncomfortable seats in both coach and first class). I especially dislike the redeye returns via LAX. You fly four hours before being dumped at a dirty airport after midnight. Then you have another long leg home. I can *sleep* on the long legs HNL-ORD or even HNL-DFW-ORD.

We buy coach and use AA miles to upgrade to first. If you can't do first, I strongly recommend paying a bit more for Coach Plus -- a little more legroom.

(I'm still hoping for the Star Trek 'transporter room' to become a reality in my lifetime! LOL)