Maui Activities--Can't Choose!!
Jun 18th, 2003, 06:14 AM
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Maui Activities--Can't Choose!!
My husband and I will be visiting Hawaii for the first time and have scheduled a tour with Trafalgar from Dec. 30th to Jan. 12th. All four of the main islands are scheduled which averages about 3 days each. Some of the local sights are included in the package but most of the bettter sounding ones are not! With only two full free days in Maui and three places we really want to explore--we need some output!
Which two would be the best choice from the opinions of all you fodorites?
1. Sunrise at Haleakala
2. Road to Hana
3. Molokini Snorkel
Any help would be appreciated!!
Which two would be the best choice from the opinions of all you fodorites?
1. Sunrise at Haleakala
2. Road to Hana
3. Molokini Snorkel
Any help would be appreciated!!
Jun 18th, 2003, 06:32 AM
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With two free days, there's no reason you couldn't do all three things you listed.
The only one that requires a full day is the Road to Hana (and that's open to debate for some). So you can do Haleakala and Molokini on one day and Hana on another.
Might I also suggest a whale watching trip if you can squeeze it in....you'll be there during high season.
I personally would do the whale watching instead of Molokini b/c there is some great snorkeling that you can do on your own without an organized trip (Fishbowl, Black Rock, etc).
Just a thought...
The only one that requires a full day is the Road to Hana (and that's open to debate for some). So you can do Haleakala and Molokini on one day and Hana on another.
Might I also suggest a whale watching trip if you can squeeze it in....you'll be there during high season.
I personally would do the whale watching instead of Molokini b/c there is some great snorkeling that you can do on your own without an organized trip (Fishbowl, Black Rock, etc).
Just a thought...
Jun 18th, 2003, 06:40 AM
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I would recommend Road to Hana over other activities, best viewed with a convertible, go at your own pace. Be sure to buy the CD or audiocassette tour widely available on Maui, or you will miss most of the waterfalls and vegetation. Also Guidebook
quot;Maui Revealed" available at Barnes & Nobel etc. good for finding sights on the Road to Hana.
Have not done Molokini Snorkel, but have done it on the big Island off the Fairwind II, they go near Capt. Cook Monument and give you an underwater video of the fish and coral that you see from your actual trip for a modest charge. Snorkeling is good off many places in Maui, Kaui and Big Island, though weather may vary when you are going, so snorkeling not unique to Maui. Sunrise at Haleakala is a one of kind high altitude experience with unearthly views but not a tropical Hawaii experience, could skip it as better active volcano experience awaits on the Big Island. ;-)
quot;Maui Revealed" available at Barnes & Nobel etc. good for finding sights on the Road to Hana.Have not done Molokini Snorkel, but have done it on the big Island off the Fairwind II, they go near Capt. Cook Monument and give you an underwater video of the fish and coral that you see from your actual trip for a modest charge. Snorkeling is good off many places in Maui, Kaui and Big Island, though weather may vary when you are going, so snorkeling not unique to Maui. Sunrise at Haleakala is a one of kind high altitude experience with unearthly views but not a tropical Hawaii experience, could skip it as better active volcano experience awaits on the Big Island. ;-)
Jun 18th, 2003, 08:01 AM
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Doug,
Having never been to Hawaii, I really don't know, but from searching the web I have found that, especially during the winter months, any snorkel trips should be done in the mornings as the weather tends to be a little tricky in the afternoon. Is this right? Thanks for the tip on the whale-watching. The snorkel trip we were planning was through the Pacific Whale Foundation and watching these magnificent animals is part of the cruise. Also, the snorkel trip leaves at 6:30 in the morning so wouldn't be able to do the Haleakala Sunrise thing! Another reason for thinking about the PWF snorkel trip is because they offer SNUBA which sounds very exciting!
I read somewhere that the Haleakala sunsets are about as spectacular as the sunrise. Any thoughts?
JohnD,
Where can I purchase the CD or audiocassette? Do I have to wait until I get to Hawaii or can it be purchased beforehand?
Thanks for the great tips!
Having never been to Hawaii, I really don't know, but from searching the web I have found that, especially during the winter months, any snorkel trips should be done in the mornings as the weather tends to be a little tricky in the afternoon. Is this right? Thanks for the tip on the whale-watching. The snorkel trip we were planning was through the Pacific Whale Foundation and watching these magnificent animals is part of the cruise. Also, the snorkel trip leaves at 6:30 in the morning so wouldn't be able to do the Haleakala Sunrise thing! Another reason for thinking about the PWF snorkel trip is because they offer SNUBA which sounds very exciting!
I read somewhere that the Haleakala sunsets are about as spectacular as the sunrise. Any thoughts?
JohnD,
Where can I purchase the CD or audiocassette? Do I have to wait until I get to Hawaii or can it be purchased beforehand?
Thanks for the great tips!
Jun 18th, 2003, 08:16 AM
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Right now you can pick up "Maui Revealed" which can help you with Road to Hana info. The CD/cassette we found at a coffee shop on Maui while driving towards the Road to Hana area, but I have read on this site that it is available at WalMart or Kmart on Maui.
SNUBA is also available off the Fairwind II on the Big Island, and I have read on this site on Kauai as well. From what I gather the west side of Maui gets windy in spots in the afternoon which lowers the water/snorkeling quality. Not sure where your from but excellent whalewatches also available from mainland, though in general everything is nicer in Hawaii. Have not seen sunset on Haleakala, but I would not want to drive down it tired at night.
SNUBA is also available off the Fairwind II on the Big Island, and I have read on this site on Kauai as well. From what I gather the west side of Maui gets windy in spots in the afternoon which lowers the water/snorkeling quality. Not sure where your from but excellent whalewatches also available from mainland, though in general everything is nicer in Hawaii. Have not seen sunset on Haleakala, but I would not want to drive down it tired at night.
Jun 18th, 2003, 08:18 AM
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Snuba is offered on many of the Molokini snorkel trips. We went on Four Winds. It was obvious that the captain loved his job and loves living in Maui. He razzed us about being in Maui too early to see the whales and what an awesome sight it is. He's an older guy but a real comedian. Great lunch too.
Been to Maui 5 times, never been to Haleakala sunrise (gotta get up too early during a vacation) and only drove part of the road to Hana. For my money much better waterfalls in northern Ca and Oregon and road is curvy enough to cause carsickness for some of us.
I'd skip Molokini and go on a Whale watching trip after you get back from the sunrise trip. Then snorkel at either Black Rock or Ulua Beach which is right next to the Renaissance. Much better snorkeling than Molokini. Then next day go on drive to Hana.
Been to Maui 5 times, never been to Haleakala sunrise (gotta get up too early during a vacation) and only drove part of the road to Hana. For my money much better waterfalls in northern Ca and Oregon and road is curvy enough to cause carsickness for some of us.
I'd skip Molokini and go on a Whale watching trip after you get back from the sunrise trip. Then snorkel at either Black Rock or Ulua Beach which is right next to the Renaissance. Much better snorkeling than Molokini. Then next day go on drive to Hana.
Jun 18th, 2003, 10:12 AM
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I'll take a slightly different stab to possibly help you out. In your case, trawling around with a tour group for much of the time, I would seek out places of relative solitude and serene beauty in those 2 full days on Maui.
Skip the sunrise at Haleakala. It was OK, not some wonder of the world you just HAVE to experience (even w/ clouds). It can get crowded, and you'll have to pack warm clothes on top. Molokini can also get crowded, but let's face it, most first-timers will do it. So for one of the days, I'd do the early morning Molokini snorkel trip (you should see whales during the ride at the time of your visit). BTW, Pacific Whale Foundation seems great and gets plenty of raves here. Afternoon conditions are worse because that's when the tradewinds kick up. After your snorkel and whale-watching venture, take a nap, then head up to the Haleakala summit. Take a short hike down into the crater and back up to enjoy the other-worldly scenery with very few around, then catch the sunset from up on high. Much less crowded at sunset than at sunrise!
Save a full day for the Road to Hana, start early, preferably just after sunrise, and make sure to get out of the car plenty of times and check out the sites along the way, after Hana as well. If you hit a lot of rainfall past Paia for quite a while...GREAT! That means the waterfalls should be in full glory. You've got to hike if you want to see some of the best ones, and it'll get you away from the caravan of tourists packing the road throughout the day. My favorite trail was the Pipowi trail that takes you through a serene bamboo forest before you hit the amazing Waimoku Falls. Very few people hike the trail, they rather cram Black Sand Beach, Hana (nothing there) and O'heo Gulch (7 Sacred Pools).
There's plenty of other non-crowded ventures on Maui that you might want to consider, but unfortunately you are short on time. Hope this helps!!!
Skip the sunrise at Haleakala. It was OK, not some wonder of the world you just HAVE to experience (even w/ clouds). It can get crowded, and you'll have to pack warm clothes on top. Molokini can also get crowded, but let's face it, most first-timers will do it. So for one of the days, I'd do the early morning Molokini snorkel trip (you should see whales during the ride at the time of your visit). BTW, Pacific Whale Foundation seems great and gets plenty of raves here. Afternoon conditions are worse because that's when the tradewinds kick up. After your snorkel and whale-watching venture, take a nap, then head up to the Haleakala summit. Take a short hike down into the crater and back up to enjoy the other-worldly scenery with very few around, then catch the sunset from up on high. Much less crowded at sunset than at sunrise!
Save a full day for the Road to Hana, start early, preferably just after sunrise, and make sure to get out of the car plenty of times and check out the sites along the way, after Hana as well. If you hit a lot of rainfall past Paia for quite a while...GREAT! That means the waterfalls should be in full glory. You've got to hike if you want to see some of the best ones, and it'll get you away from the caravan of tourists packing the road throughout the day. My favorite trail was the Pipowi trail that takes you through a serene bamboo forest before you hit the amazing Waimoku Falls. Very few people hike the trail, they rather cram Black Sand Beach, Hana (nothing there) and O'heo Gulch (7 Sacred Pools).
There's plenty of other non-crowded ventures on Maui that you might want to consider, but unfortunately you are short on time. Hope this helps!!!
Jun 19th, 2003, 10:26 AM
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You're right about the Molokini trip being best in the morning. If there's high winds, then the afternoon trips could be cancelled. All of the boats headed out to Molokini will look for whales during season. Your chances of seeing them going to/from Molokini are pretty good. I've never done sunrise at Haleakala or the road to Hana so can't give any advice there.
