Ideas for First Trip to Maui

[Dan and Christy]

I know there are more than a few guys on here that have been to Hawaii. We are taking our first trip in one month. We will be staying in a condo that we won at a charity aution for 10 days in Kehei, Maui. What are some ideas for things we must do, must see, and on the flip side, what are just tourist traps? Thanks for the help.

[MTtigekid]

the whalers village is cool for shopping.. theres a reef and quicksilver depot there as well as some other touristy stores.. the best part about maui IMO is that you can find open beaches all around with island with noone on them.. oh also we took a round trip around the island.. i cant remember the highways name, but on the backside of the island the views are amazing and the highway gets alittle interesting

[Jeffe]

The zip line was awesome & the bike ride down the volcano was awesome as well...just bring some warm clothes. Its freezing up a the top, but the sunrise is so worth it.

The snorkel booze cruise was kind of a rip off. They took us to 3 spots to see turtles, fish , etc...We didnt really see any turtles or any good fish. We snorkled right out front of out hotel & saw turtles, octopus, etc...

Oh & the Helicopter Island tour is a must as well.

Now I'm getting all excited and want to go back

[Jeffe]

MTtigekid is talking about the road to Hona. Its a nice drive with lots of beautiful scenery, waterfalls, etc...but its an all day event.

There is a Costco right by the airport. I would recommend stopping there & getting snacks, breakfast stuff, etc. It will save you some money. Everything there seems to be more expensive than here.

[Timmy!]

I surfed a few times while I was there on Kanaapali beach or whatever that is called. I did great with lessons and then the day I rented a board on my own they had 6'-10' waves and I got my azz kicked!!!

We drove the road to Hana, had a Mustang convertible with the top down and it was beautiful but there's not much to do once you get to Hana! LOL! There's a cool black sand beach close to Hana and a few waterfalls along the way, but it's a long twisty, turny drive. I wanted to go fast through all of the turns but my wife wouldn't let me

[Tequilasun]

Beach, beach and more beach!

[sparky216]

I know there are more than a few guys on here that have been to Hawaii. We are taking our first trip in one month. We will be staying in a condo that we won at a charity aution for 10 days in Kehei, Maui. What are some ideas for things we must do, must see, and on the flip side, what are just tourist traps? Thanks for the help.

What condo are you staying at? Is it north Kihei or south. I lived on Maui for about 5 years and there is a lot to do. Do see the sunrise on top of Haleakala, the road to Hana is cool. You can snorkle on Molokini crater, I used to love to bodysurf at Big Beach in Makena. Lahaina is nice, but a tourist trap. Avoid the booze cruises, except in late fall when the whales are running. There are some outfits where you can rent Windsurfing equipment, that is a blast! Best windsurfing in the world is on Maui. I think that upcountry, Kula and Pukalani is a beautiful drive. Maui has so many different eco-systems as you climb up the mountain, and the views are to die for. The beach is the big draw, but the food in the islands is wonderful. Like someone said, there is a Costco right by the airport on dairy road. Get your food there and save some money. There is a Safeway in Kihei too, but when we visit I try to limit our eating out to three maybe four meals a week. Eating out gets very expensive on Maui.

[Jetrey]

Hey Dan and Christy,
My wife and I pack our own snorkel gear, buy lunch stuff and pack an ice chest and spend all day hitting all the out of the way snorkel spots. If you travel south from kehei through wailea and keep going till you hit the lava rock area, there is some great spots along the way. we actually took that road all the way around to hana. (not recommended by car rental agencies) but I would recommend going to hana the other way, more beautiful drive, leading up to the seven sacred pools and black sand beach. also did the frogman scuba trip, it was awesome. I dont spend much time at kaanapali, too touristy for me, I like peace and quiet on a private beach with my wife. But maui has something for everyone, enjoy.

[Dan and Christy]

7 responses in 6 hours! You guys rock! Thanks for the help.

[NICKYPOO]

Second on the helicopter ride. We rode Blue Hawaii I believe. Spendy but worth every penny. Still the most memorable part of our last trip there. I'm not sure of the name of the beach but, it was just north of the airport. More kiteboarders than you can shake a stick at. Pretty cool to check out. I also took some kiteboard lessons. A bit tricky but it was fun.

Lahaina is a bit of a tourist trap but, it's not bad. Kimo's makes a good steak. I had two for lunch one day. Canoe's was good for dinner as well.

Drink lots of Longboard Lager. It's sooo much better over there.

Rent some snorkel gear for the week. That way you can go when you want.

Similar to Timmy, we drove the 'vert Mustang over to Hana. Top down on car and the wife.

Pick up a couple of traditional Hawaiian CD's to listen to as you drive around so you don't have to channel surf the radio.

Most importantly, just roll with whatever. It's so laid back that you almost have to remind yourself to just slow down and relax.

[sparky216]

[QUOTE=NICKYPOO;358861]More kiteboarders than you can shake a stick at. Pretty cool to check out. I also took some kiteboard lessons. A bit tricky but it was fun.

QUOTE]

Ho'okipa Beach is what Nick is referring too.......we used to sit there for hours and watch them.

[c_hotshot]

Helicopter ride was by far the best thing we did when we were there in 2007. I actually thought the mtn biking was a rip...b/c it was on the road the entire time. I wanted to ride trails down. Skip the booze cruze all togehter.

There is also a word that the locals use to get a discount...but I cant remember. I'll ask around with my Military buddys that lived there on what the word was.

[NICKYPOO]

Oh yeah, don't wear socks. Seriously.

[G-MONEY]

Helicopter ride was by far the best thing we did when we were there in 2007. I actually thought the mtn biking was a rip...b/c it was on the road the entire time. I wanted to ride trails down. Skip the booze cruze all togehter.

There is also a word that the locals use to get a discount...but I cant remember. I'll ask around with my Military buddys that lived there on what the word was.

I think it's "Haole"

[sparky216]

I think it's "Haole"

haha...no it's Kama'aina