lynnejoel1015

First off, please let me say how excited! I am that I have two tickets on hold through American Airlines from LA direct to Maui! For CHEAP!!

Next, could you please tell me what you thought of the snorkeling and water temp at Lahaina shores? Pretty good reviews on Trip Advisor, but I couldn't find judgment on those criteria.

Thank you, Fodors Friends!

Lynne

Rusty

If you booked at Lahaina Shores for the beach, swimming, and snorkeling you are in the wrong place. The beach is very poor and virtually unswimmable. The water there is shallow and full of coral. The ocean temperature is much the same in front of Lahaina Shores as it is elsewhere in Maui, 77 to 80 depending on the time of year.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Agree with Rusty, Lahaina Shores is pretty much an urban hotel in downtown Lahaina. But if it's the best place for you to stay for other reasons, driving to other snorkling spots is not too difficult.

Lex1

I'm not a fan of Lahaina, as a place to stay, though Maui Revealed rates the Lahaina Shores as a "real gem." Lahaina is known for kitch, tatoos, t-shirts and art, along with a Banyan tree, noisey carousers and a very good luau. No one goes there to snorkel, though there are many places north and south of there, short drives, which are good, e.g. Ka`anapali, Napili. You must rent a car.

suze

I stayed at Lahaina Shores with my family on a reunion trip. I know the hotel gets mixed reviews, but I liked it alot. The beach is just a tiny strip but you can walk out and snorkel. I enjoyed the town of Lahaina and it was great to be able to walk around and do things without getting in the car everytime (like some Hawaii locations).

mauigirl50

I've stayed at LSR about 5 times & love it! I usually book thru a private owner. I always disagree with Rusty that the beach is virtually unswimmable. There are always people swimming there. There are so many other snorkeling areas which aren't that far away. For the most part, you really do need a rental car, but there is some public transportation which you can catch not too far from LSR & can get to the Ka'anapali area (good snorkeling in from of Sheratan, by Black Rock), can also take this transportation down to Wailea area.

lynnejoel1015

Thanks for the replies!

We haven't booked a hotel yet, so I'm very glad to have gotten your input. My original #1 to stay is Wailea. Don't want to stay on West Maui b/c we're going mid-to-late November and am concerned about getting rainy on that end.

trippinkpj

Lahaina is in West Maui, so you may have rain. It would be more likely to be sunny in Wailea or the more affordable Kihei. Nicer beaches there and in Makena. I am a Lahaina fan, just depends on how important sunshine and nice beaches are to you.

Ag3046

There are much nicer places to swim and snorkel than Lanahina Shores. I think you would be really missing out on a lot if you didn't try snorkeling at a better place.

Rusty

Trippinkipi, although you claim to be a fan of Lahaina your post appears to be intended to promote Wailea and Kihei based on false information. The annual rainfall in Kihei is 13 inches versus 15 inches in Kaanapali - not substantially different. There are beautiful beaches in both South Maui (Wailea and Makena) and West Maui. Your post is entirely misleading and reflects your bias for South Maui. The facts are otherwise.

Ag3046

I'm not getting involved in this difference of opinion. My most recent experience is that having to drive from Wailea to anywhere near Lahaina, or visa versa is just awful. The traffic is just nonstop, and especially bad through Lahaina into Kanapaali. Wherever you stay, avoid having to drive from east or south Maui to west Maui as a casual drive. I'm a huge fan of south Maui- Wailea and Makena, but that's just my opinion. I don't like crowds.

Suzie

The traffic does depend upon the time of year you visit. I imagine that during the summer and winter busy times the traffic would be more difficult. I've been to Maui 5 times but only in the Fall or in April. Traffic was not a problem during those times.

Monica_S

My family and I just visited Lahaina last month. We stayed in Olowalu which is just 5mi south of Lahaina.We were in Lahaina all day. We booked a snorkeling trip on a boat called the "trade winds 4". They take you out to the Molokini crater...BEAUTIFUL!You snorkel and snuba there. The water was perfect, clarity was unbelievable,and the staff was great. We loved it. The ticket you purchase also comes with a light breakfast (juice,bagels,coffee,pasteries etc) and a good lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs)fresh of the grill and did I mention all you can drink, alcohol included. We boarded 7:00a.m and stayed out for several hours. Alot of people on the boat were staying in Lahaina, kaanapali area. I think if you should look up the trade winds four . All the boats go to different destinations. Molokini Crater is definetly a place to see let alone snorkel there!