Need help with itinerary for honeymoon in Hawaii
 

I am planning a honeymoon trip to Hawaii this August, and this forum has been a great help with our planning. So far, we're definitely planning to spend 6 nights in Maui, at the Napili Kai Beach Resort. My fiance is quite keen on seeing the active volcano, so we're planning a night on the Big Island near the vocano. We're trying to decide how much more time to spend on the BI, staying at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel -- we want to do some deep sea fishing and diving, but also spend some time on the beach. Finally, I think we'd be disappointed if we didn't see Waikiki and Pearl Harbor, so we're trying to work that in, as well, at a moderately-priced hotel. <BR> <BR>My questions: We're planning to be in Hawaii 13 days -- I'd appreciate input from people who have visited 3 islands in that time. If we added more time, it would be to spend a night on Oahu -- is a night long enough, especially if we stop there first? I'm worried we'll be so tired, we'll just drop, and not have energy to see the things we want to see. If we stick with this itinerary, in what order would you go to each island? Also, I'm wondering about deep sea fishing while we're in Maui -- how does it compare to the BI? Thanks for your input.

Hi...I would definitely go to Oahu first. Oahu is really worth seeing but if you leave it until the end you will not be impressed as it is quite different and busier than the other islands. I don't know how much you want to spend per night, but look into the Sheraton Moana Surfrider or the Hawaiian Regent...save your money hotel wise for the other islands. When you phone the Regent do ask for the Entertainment rate as that can take you down quite a few dollars. You will be right across from Waikiki beach. Now, if you got into Waikiki an evening, I would stay 2 nights. Get up the first morning and go to Pearl Harbour, spend time on Waikiki and check out the area and the second morning I would drive around the island making the first stop at Hanauma Bay for some fun and simple snorkelling. Maybe drive to the airport on your way around having booked an Aloha flight out at whatever time you prefer. Do remember that the Mauna Kea is a fair distance and an all day riding trip from the volcano. A friend of mine took a guided trip right from the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island to the volcano. We stayed there as well...fantastic property...but drove to the volcano. You know, besides the volcano we found there was not much to do on the Big Island...our least favourite of all of the 3 we stayed on, although the Waikoloa ranked tops among our favourite properties.

Thanks for the feedback. You're not the first person to mention that BI is not their favorite island. I've been thinking about shortening our stay on the BI to maybe just 4 nights, planning to spend a day at the volcano, a half day on a fishing trip and working in a scuba outing. If we did that, we'd extend our time on Maui a couple of days, so it would be 2 nights in Oahu, 7 nights in Maui and finishing up with 4 nights BI (1 near volcano and 3 at Mauna Kea). Does this make sense?

Yes, that timing sounds great. I wonder if you should do Oahu first, them the BI and then Maui. I know when we went to the BI we were really kind of disappointed as to how it looked...a lot more barren especially on the Kohala side where you will be staying...it is really quiet, almost too quiet there. The only thing that kept us enthusiastic was our property. My husband did a day scuba trip with an operation out of Lahaina but he said that the diving was better in the Caribbean...know I don't know if that was just the day, water conditions, whatever...not sure. I have a few recommendations for scuba outfits on the BI...if you need a couple contacts drip me a message again.(just from one of my better travel books)

Congratulations,Melissa! The Hawaiian Islands are a wonderful place to honeymoon. Please don't dismiss the Big Island. It is beautiful! I am in the islands frequently and am often asked for suggestions by my mainland friends. Unless someone is really looking for active night life I most often suggest the Big Island as it has a little of everything Hawaii has to offer.The volcanoes, the waterfalls, orchids etc. on the Hilo side; the incredible sunsets, deep sea fishing and natural beauty of the Kona side; the lovely Kohala mountains; the stark Ka'u desert. <BR> <BR>Thirteen days will allow you ample time to see the best of each of your chosen islands. I, of course, have preferences because of the activites I enjoy but will be glad to share what knowledge I have if you will let me know what you are looking for...sports, seclusion, nightlife, level of luxury, etc. At the end of February I responded to a post "3 islands...", you might get some info reading that.

I'm starting to rethink our plan to stay at the NKBC. The Hyatt seems quite popular on this board, but I think the Wailea side might be more our speed, as it seems it might be a little less crazy. But we can't afford the Four Seasons or Ritz. Has anyone stayed at the NKBC recently? Would you recommend it for a honeymoon? I've heard it has a nice beach, and that's important to us. Thanks for the help.

Melissa, <BR> <BR>Friends that visited Napili Kai not long were disappointed, however another couple I know have gone several times and love it. It depends on what you are looking for.The Wailea area of Maui is less crazy than Kaanapali, Lahaina, etc. but most of the accommodations are more expensive as well. <BR> <BR>Briefly, Kaanapali is a long ocean front strip of large hotels. It was planned as a tourist destination and is quite active, parasailing, jet skiing, beach volleyball, lots of singles...generally a party type atmosphere. Lahaina is an old whaling village with architectural charm and history but has become a little too touristy for a lot of people;plenty of T-shirt shops,slow cars with loud radios, crowded sidewalks, etc. The areas up the coast, Kahana, Napili, etc. are more spread out, older and, other than the Ritz (the Ritz is not in Wailea), no longer in as high demand.Kihei, where the island narrows, is lower priced with many rental condos. It is quite windy and unless cost is a prime concern, an area I don't usually suggest. Wailea, also a planned area, attracts a more "upscale" crowd. You will find a mix of fairly well-off families on vacation, honeymooners and couples-few, if any, singles looking for a party. The beaches get windy after 11am so snorkeling, etc. should be planned for the early part of the day.Hana, a long ride on a windy road, is beautiful and peaceful but secluded; a consideration if you are interested in nightlife or trying a variety of restaurants. <BR> <BR>Try to decide what it is you really want to do...time for the two of you; sports; sightseeing; history; dining; type of lodging. You can do it all but by prioritizing your wants you will be able to make better choices on where to base youself on each island.Hope this helps!

Why don't you look into the Renaissance Wailea and ask for their entertainment rate? <BR> <BR>t

Hi, Melissa. <BR>I've posted several times about Hawaii, and I'm definitely not an expert or anything, but simply somebody who loves the islands, so if you have anymore questions feel free to e-mail me, and I'll give you details of my various experiences. But I will tell you that my husband and I had our honeymoon in Maui (and Kauai) 3 years ago, and we stayed in the Kaanapali area, which was perfect. I love the Big Island. I'd <BR>really -- if it was me -- I'd only do <BR>2 islands max, because too much packing up and unpacking, but that's me. Maybe <BR>you're more adventurous. Just keep in mind that even though the flights aren't that long, you still have to check out of your hotel room by 11 a.m. <BR>and you might not be able to check in to <BR>your room until 3 p.m. on the other islands, so basically you lose a half-day traveling. I did 2 islands now on 3 separate occasions over a 13 or 10 day <BR>period and I always swear I'll never even do that again! One time it seemed like even more island hopping because we flew from the Big Isle to Kauai, and had to stop at Maui, and again on Oahu until we finally got to Kauai 2 hours later. E-mail me if you want and I'll get <BR>back to you with more info in the next <BR>day or two. <BR>do