Our family of four is planning a March 2007 spring break holiday of 7 or 8 days to Maui. Our two sons will be 15 and 20 then.

We have narrowed down our accommodation wishlist to a 2 bdrm condo in South Kihei (Wailea seems out of our price range and too quiet for our teenagers). I have researched on this forum, on TripAdvisor, vrbo listings, etc. and am feeling overwhelmed with all the info.

The condo must have a GOOD ocean view, be less than a 5 min. walk to an excellent swimming beach, and have access to a good-sized swimming pool.

It appears that most of the condo complexes in South Kihei are across a street from beaches and have buildings raked at an angle from the beaches which provides (or seems to) either partial or no water views. We are most definitely not interested in a "garden" or "mountain" view (been there, done that on the Big Island).

Can anyone suggest condos that are directly on the water or meet my requirements above?

Thanks so much.

Linda

Mana Kai Maui.

Hale Pau Hana is directly on Kamaole Beach II. All of the condos have ocean views. Kam II is an excellent swimming beach with good snorkeling at each end.

We went to Kam II when our kids were 10 and 15. They loved it and enjoyed boogie boarding & snorkeling there. We didn't stay there though, but the kids wished we did, LOL.

Barbara and logandog, many thanks for the specific referrals. Off to grocery shop, but I'll check those out tonight.

Additional suggestions most welcome.

Sorry Linda, that I didn't have a specific suggestion for a condo. Although I posted anyway, because I felt the location of Cam II was a good one, and that would be valuable info for you. Even though I didn't have a specific condo recommendation. Hope you find what you are looking for.

I've not stayed there, but the Kihei Surfside gets good reviews here on past trip reports that I've read. I think it is next door to the Mana Kai, which is on Keawakapu Beach.

-Bill

I have stayed at almost every oceanfront condo complex in So. Kihei.
One of my favorites is:
www.halekaihuimaui.com
The oceanfront units are larger than the side ocean units. Take a look at 313; I have it reserved in February! Keawakapu Beach is fabulous and uncrowded. This is the last condo complex before Wailea. Mana Kai Maui and Kihei Surfside are both on the same streatch of beach. Surfside has mostly 1 bedroom condos...just a few two bedroom units.
I also like:
www.royalmauianresort.com
The road noise is pretty loud in the second bedroom, but only the sound of the waves in the oceanfront master bedroom. Washer/dryer in units and great rooftop barbecue area with outstanding views.
I have also stayed at Hale Pau Hana, but it only has 3 (I think) 2-bedroom units in the rental pool and they are pricey. Right next door and less expensive is:
www.kamaolenalu.com
This place is a great value. Lanais are large and all units have washer/dryer, which is a huge plus for me.
All of these websites except Royal Mauian let you view each unit and pick a specific one. Royal Mauian should have specific units online in a couple months.

I think Barbara5353 got a web site wrong. It's:

http://www.halehuikaimaui.com/

These condos are very nice, and newer than Mana Kai, but the pool is tiny.

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions - your effort is really appreciated. I'm going to give myself one hour to look at the websites, and then just choose something. I'll let you know!

Cheers,
Linda

The Kihei Surfside is an ocean front property, but, it has no beach. South Kihei is feet (or inches) away from north Wailea, so there's not going to be any significant difference in the number of activities for your sons between those patches of sand. Enjoy your spring break.

Just in case you haven't decided yet, I'm posting this link of pictures at Mana Kai.

It sounds like it is exactly what you are looking for. It sits on an excellent snorkeling beach, and room 201 looks directly out over the beach. Has a decent pool area as well and a reputedly good restaurant (we didn't try it).
This condel is just south of and right next door to Kihei Surfside, which has no beach, just a green grassy lawn over lava rock beach. They walk next door to use the beach Mana Kai sits on.

...and here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/k2we3

Sorry, hitting post too soon. The pictures are labeled and half way down the page shows the interior of the rooms as well as the view.

Nice pictures, OSB!

Thanks!

Thanks Lex1 and Belle for the beach info regarding Kihei Surfside, and your pix, Belle, are beautiful.

No, I haven't chosen yet. I'm thinking of getting my chauffeur's licence since I never seem to be out of a car, driving my kids to some sporting event or another.

Thanks again, everyone.

Linda

For aerial views of the various places, check out the website that publishes the Revealed guidebooks, wizardpub.com.