SueDoc

I have been looking at condos in both of these areas. I understand that both beaches are very nice, but I have not been to either. I also understand that these two areas are very different with Napili being more residential and Wailea being more resort like. The cost of a condo in Wailea would also cost a lot more. If you are familiar with both of these areas, would you please describe them both for me. Thanks so much.

JohnD

I found condo's (e.g. Grand Champions) to be quite a bargain$) in Wailea, though not on the beach.

kajebu

Wailea is beautiful. Resorts like the Four Seasons are located here. It's like the Beverly Hills of Maui.

Gale

JohnD is right on target when he says Grand Champions is quite a bargain. Check out VRBO for rentals directly thru owners. There is no comaprison between Napili and Wailea ... Wailea wins hands down!!

JeanH

I'm not a big fan of resorts. Wailea certainly did have some beautiful properties, but I wouldn't be comfortable there. Very expensive food as well. Napili is certainly comletely different than Wailea. I guess it depends on how much money you want to spend, and the kind of places you like to hang out in. Jean

bonniebroad

Wailea is a luxury resort area, all the way. Top of the line, with the 4* hotels and condos. Napili, to me, is condo country.... and very nice condo country, with great beaches, restaurants and shops. It is less expensive than Wailea, but very, ver nice....... just depends on the atmosphere you want, and the money you want to spend. I can be ecstatic in either place........

gyppielou

Right with you there bonnie! I'd be right at home at either destination...actually more so than Kaanapali, so it's good that's not in the mix. My suggestion to SueDoc is choose, do you want a resort destination or an island destination. Napili is more lush with higher chance of rainbows to kick off or end the day, although not rainy by any means. It has a more old hawaii, local feel. Wailea is the new resort build them and wow them resort community. Wherever you choose to lay your head, try to explore both areas while you're there. I love Napili Beach and Kapalua as much as Makena...and more than Wailea beaches since they don't have a megaresort on top of them........good luck, and once you decide don't second guess your choice since there's never enough time on any of these beaches. They are equally gorgeous in their own way... sigh..........now I miss Maui as much as Kauai...and its only been 6 months....I think I have a major problem...some kind of hawaiin bug bit me in the I gotto go.

ms_go

We've stayed at both and like both very much. Next time we go back to Maui, we will have a hard time deciding between the two.

I think it comes down to what you are more in the mood for: a more luxurious area with major hotel amenities, or a more laid back residential feel. I actually like the beach and snorkeling at Napili better, but I think the rocky coast along Wailea is very scenic. Napili seemed less crowded -- although to be fair in comparison, we stayed at Napili in a slower season (mid-November) and in Wailea in high season (spring break both times).

You really can't go wrong with either.

iluv2travel

What is the weather like in Napili? Is it rainy like Kapalua?

iamq

Is it rainy in Kapalua?

vivi

How about splitting your vacation time? My neighbors are going to Maui next week and spending 5 days in Napili and 5 days in Wailea.

bonniebroad

It's always a little bit breezier, cooler, with more inclination to showers in Kapalua/Napili because it's the Northern part of the island. That also makes it lusher, greener and absolutely gorgeous. I think this is a big plus May through October (summer). Now the rest of the year, I'd defitely stay in Wailea because it's drier, sunnier, etc. as a rule, being the Southern part of the island.

iamq

Thanks Bonnie. That's what I thought.
-Bill

here_today_gone2Maui

Wailea is not drier because it is on the southern part of the island, but becasue it is leeward and in the rain shadow of Haleakala. It isn't even the southernmost part of Maui, but is west facing and happens to be located on south Maui. In the same respect, Kapalua is not wetter because it is in the north, but because it not in a rain shadow and the winds blow rather freely from the north east to deliver rain to that northern tip of the island.

bonniebroad

And your point is, HereToday? Mine is, as every travel guide points out, that it's rainier on the Northern parts of the islands, whatever the conditions are that create it. And every travel guide refers to Wailea as being South Maui, which it is. I didn't say it was the southernmost part of Maui, as I recall.

Rusty

Thanks Here Today for the additional clarification and explanation, which in no way contradicted previous posts. As usual, as a resident of Maui, you are one of the few on this forum who can be relied upon for accurate and informative information.

here_today_gone2Maui

I was simply clarifying something that I see misinterpretted quite often. I have met people who believe it is hotter in Kihei because it "down south," cooler in Kapalua becuase it "up north." Many people also think that, based on the geography of Maui, it is made up of two parts, North Maui and South Maui. Many areas of the island are in the north, and yet are dry, such as Lahaina, which is leeward and dry, but further north than, say Haiku or Hana, which are both quite wet. And the some of the wettest areas are inland, such as the valleys of west maui, where the moist air is cooled and the rain falls often. It is much wetter in Wailuku than it is in Kapalua.

The shape of Maui makes it kind of hard to be general with statements, like it's wetter in the north. If you want to say that the north and east facing coasts are wetter than the south and west facing coasts, that would be a better way of explaining it. But since many people are not well-versed in the geography and meteorology of the island, saying that the northern part of the island is cooler and wetter, or that it is drier in the south is misleading and can be confusing.

here_today_gone2Maui

Thanks, Rusty, I try to spread Aloha, but isn't always easy. I meet many visitors and I am surprised at the misconceptions many of them have about the island, especially the those who think it is hotter and drier in Wailea because it "in the south." I have wondered why so many people think this, but now I am guessing they are getting from the guidebooks which over-simplify.

Maybe my need to clarify comes from my years in advertising, where I had to include many a disclaimer for fear that people would take things too literally. Case in piont, an ad for a safe that shows valuables in the safe. Discalimer reads "Safe contents not included."

bonniebroad

I describe the weather on the islands pretty much as the good travel guides do ... not using the terms "leeward" and "windward" because the average Joe, getting ready for his first trip to Hawaii, isn't familiar with those terms. People want to know where it will be cooler, warmer, sunnier, rainier, breezier, yadda yadda - the basics. I haven't told anyone anything confusing - it goes without saying that the weather is what it is on a given part of the island because of the natural environment, NOT because it's North, South, East or West, something I'm sure the average person understands. Let's give them that much credit........... Most people want to know if it's going to be rainy or sunny - the simplest explanation. Works for me!

Rusty

B'Broad, say "thank you" to Here Today for her information.