I'm going to Hawaii at the end of the month (October) and would love some recommendations on what to do and where to do for day trips? Best beaches, vantage points, towns to explore, historic destinations, best shopping?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

There are loads of online sites with information. Fodors has some, Fodors has guidebooks, your local library or bookstore will have guidebooks. You can also look on TripAdvisor.com's Hawaii boards that also have loads of information.

Some of my favorite things to do is a day trip to Upcountry. Take a wonderful beautiful drive to Tedeschi Winery where you can experience in their wine tasting and a free tour (call to find out when and what times they have the tours). You can stop in the small town of Ulupalakua and have lunch. Then on your way back stop at the Kula Botanical Gardens where you will see and smell some of the best fauna and flowers on the island. Then stop at the Alii Kula Lavender Gardens. The smell and look at the place is unbelievable. You are up 4,000 ft. and clouds will pass right through you. It's amazing. They have a lovely gift shop even though the items are a little on the high side but they have a lot of very unique things. Depending on how much time you have left you can either stop in the little town of Paia and window shop or have lunch.

Just up the road from Paia is Ho'okipa Beach where all of the best windsurfers/surfers go. You can just sit on the beach or up on the hill where you can park your car and watch them do their thing.

You can join the Pacific Whale Foundation for discounted ocean cruises. The whales have started to arrive so you may be able to take a few whalewatching cruises.

You can take a cruise to snorkel at Molokini. You can take a helicopter ride over the island while is beautiful. Take a stroll down front street and do alittle shopping being sure to stop for a shave ice.

Personally, I think that the Road to Hana is a little over-rated. If you have time to do it, it is lovely but if you have time issues - skip it or go just as far as the botanical gardens and go in there and then go back.

Well, I hope that this helps. I could be here all day - I love Maui. Maui No Ka Oi

I love to snorkel when I'm in Maui.
It's easy and cheap to rent gear and the shops have maps of all the snorkeling sites.
I love the Kamaole beaches because I stay in Kihei.Free parking,showers etc.

There is so much to do and see in Maui that it's impossible to cover it all on a forum. I'd recommend getting the guide book Maui Revealed.

Thanks for the great advice - especially KonaKini, really great thank you!

Has anyone done the bikeride down the volcano at sunrise?

I went to Maui for 3 weeks in March & didn't get to do everything I wanted too! It's definitey the best island in Hawaii, so good choice.... As my best friend has lived in Maui for 12 years now, she said to follow the "Maui Revealed" guide book.

My favorites: Bamboo Forest, Lahaina, top to the volcano at sunrise ( get there early), and definitely enjoy whale watching (if it's in season while you go- Jan-March)... Anywhere you go, it will be a great experience

If you go to Haleakala at sunrise, bring long pants and warm jacket. It is very cold at that altitude in the morning.

The sunrise tour was definitely a highlight of the trip. Pay the money for a tour so you can snooze on the way up.

We enjoyed the helicopter tour of the island. Booked with Blue Hawaiian.

I have done the bike down the volcano ( 7 years ago). It was foggy at the top so we didn't get to see the sunrise. It was rainy on the way down and I wish I had Rainex on my glasses. It finally cleared off and we were able to see the landscapes. It's a fast ride and you really want to listen to the instructors and watch for rocks in the road. But once we got to the bottom and had breakfast (and wrung out our socks), we were glad we went so we could say that we did. We're going back again in February and it will be time for the Zipline!!!

We went ziplining in Kapalua, which was great fun. Maui is also our favorite place to golf. There are so many great golf courses with stunning views. All three Wailea golf courses are wonderful, although the gold course was extra tough.

my advise is get a map, all roads that are secondary or dotted on the map. drive directly there... highlights are the lava fields on one side of the island , and Curleys with his Howie the Hawaiian hog and further down the road is the beautiful Turnbull gallery, on the other.Such diverse and splendid sites to see. Dont forget the blowholes too...so do your self a favor, take the back roads.. go slow and easy, stop for the views...

Great advice, thanks so much!!
TravelingWidow, is that along the Road from Hana? Do you think we can do it all in a day trip without feeling too rushed? We're all set with our hotel, otherwise we would have found one along the way for a night. How long does it take to drive around with NO stops, just to give me an idea for how to plan?

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good bike tour company for the crater- one that doesn't make me get up at 3am?

JES -

Trust me that the crater is worth the early wakeup. We did it the first morning we were there so that our body clocks were still many hours ahead. It felt much like our normal wake up hour.

We didn't do the bikes though - very chilly in the early a.m.!

Maui No Ka Oi! Maui is the best. To all who read this, remember islands are something you can be on... not in.

I may live on Oahu but I make it to Maui often!

Best beaches: if you are on the Southern part of Maui (Kihei/Wailea) check out BIG BEACH (Makena beach). My favorite!
SHOPPING: http://www.shopsatwailea.com/

Day trips- Over to Lahaina (if you aren't already staying there). Shopping along the waterfront. Take a ferry over to Lanai. Whale watching.

-Sunrise at Haleakala
-Road to Hana
-Dinner at Haile Maile General Store YUM-O!

Have a great time!!

Thanks so much, I should have mentioned I will be staying in Wailiea (ON Maui-thanks for the reminder
Should we plan to have a car the entire time?

Moldy (great name haha), thanks for the push. Now if I can conVince my sister..and she's half my age!

Love all the suggestions and ideas...tripadvisor.com is good for suggestions and real comments from others.

One suggestion is the Maui Pineapple Tour in Haliimaile now. Someone suggested an upcountry tour. You could look into that tour as well.

Maui, she has so much to offer, so good luck!

Aloha,
molly

JES - Hope you had a great trip; just now read your post, but you may be home by now.