Maui on a Budget. Suggestions?

[Carina]

Hubby and I are taking a spontaneous and short trip to Maui at the end of April.

Our activity Budget is pretty much nil. Which is fine as we are mostly going to sit on the beach. If we go out for a meal it would be once in the 5 days we are there.
We are staying North of Lahaina in a condo with a kitchen.

We are packing a pop-up cooler to pack our lunches each day and dinner will be made in condo and eaten on our lanai every night.

So I am looking for ANY suggestions you have to save a few bucks
(where to shop, I was thinking Safeway)

What are your favorite beaches?

Hubby is intrested in a snorkel tour with the teeny bit of spending money we plan to use
I was thinking of a sunset cruise.
Suggestions on that?

Is the drive to Hana worth it with such a short time there? We are sort of on the fence with it and currently think if there is day with crummy weather that will be our plan, if not we may skip it. Thoughts?

 

[pate59]

Have done Maui on a budget many times (blessed with free airfare). We rent condos as well. One of our favorite snorkel trips is out of Makena Beach on the Kai Kanani. For where you're staying it would be about an hours drive to get there. We enjoy their early morning tour - short and sweet
6:30-8:30 am - about $70.00 each. You have many choices for tours and starting points. Check out Pacific Whale Foundation but most tour companies offer discounts to book on line. Also, check out Mauinow.com - they have an offers section that include activities & dining discounts.
I found a buy one get 1 half off ziplining @ Piholo's. Once you're on island there a quite a few tourist magazines you can go through for more info on restaurants and happy hours. Just google "maui tourist magazines" and many have an on line digital version you can check out before.
Remember when you food shop to sign up for their own store card. Just takes a few minutes and you do save some $.
Favorite beach ? Any one of the South Maui beaches.
Enjoy your trip, we head back for our budget Maui trip the end of May.

 

[Carina]

Have done Maui on a budget many times (blessed with free airfare). We rent condos as well. One of our favorite snorkel trips is out of Makena Beach on the Kai Kanani. For where you're staying it would be about an hours drive to get there. We enjoy their early morning tour - short and sweet
6:30-8:30 am - about $70.00 each.

That was the tour I had at the top of our prospective list.
Hubby is an early rider so that shouldn't be a problem.

Have you ever done a sunset cruise?

 

[cedricandsophie]

Drive to Hana is fabulous. Pleas don't miss it. And I wouldn't wait for bad weather...you want the views. Spend the money on the banana bread offered at food trucks along the way. Don't remembr names of beaches but there are lots of them. Not sure if the timing is right for whales, so you will want to check. Personally I would do snorkling...you csn watch the sunset from a lot of beaches. Also consider going up the mountain...can't remember name...for the sunrise. My husband did the excursion where he got up at 3 am to ride in a van up the mountain and then biked down. It was pricey but worth it to him. There's a great surfing beach on the same side of maui as the airport...right by a restaurant called mamas fish house. It Is pricey restaurant, but for a splurge totally worth it. Or just go for a drink and watch the surfers.

 

[barkley]

groceries are much more expensive there than on the mainland so keep that in mind. sometimes you can get good deals on food at the little places the locals go to-dh loved getting to-go Hawaiian bbq, and the servings were so large they easily fed 2. happy hour deals at restaurant bars can save money as well. dh and I enjoyed great deals on half priced large portion appetizers at some places (and we drink iced tea so we don't end up with a big bar tab).

google search grocery stores near where you will be saving, and if you don't already have a rewards membership (like safeway's) sign up for them.

 

[4under4]

First, pick up the Maui Revealed book ($11 on Amazon right now).

The Costco on the island (near the airport) is a great way to stock up on food for your trip. But if you don't have a Costco membership (and aren't interested in one), it also has an outdoor food service window that is open to anyone (almost every local goes there on a regular basis!). Pizza, salad, hot dogs, sandwiches, all for LOW "mainland" prices. Our family of 6 can eat lunch for < $17 there. At the very least, stop by when you land, and order 2-3 of the chicken caesar salads (they will keep for a few days), a pizza (again it will keep for a few days), and whatever you're hungry for right then.

The first 3 times we went to Maui we didn't pay for a single excursion. Honestly, there is PLENTY of free experiences without having to pay. You can rent snorkel equipment by the week, and then just head out on our own. There is snorkeling off the beaches in so many places, that just striking up a conversation with a few of the locals will get you great results. I would skip paying for the excursions at all and put the extra money for a nice meal out.

As for Hana, gas costs A LOT on Maui. For a short trip, I would skip it. A trip up the mountain to Haleakala is a better way to spend a day, stop at the Lavender farm on your way down, and just find interesting places to take pictures.

I'm jealous! Have a great time.

 

[Carina]

I'm Canadian - I know all about expensive gas and groceries....lol

Our gas right now would be $4.125 gallon.
Gas Buddies shows many stations on Maui at 3.10 gallon.

So we actually get cheap gas for a week!

 

[pate59]

That was the tour I had at the top of our prospective list.
Hubby is an early rider so that shouldn't be a problem.

Have you ever done a sunset cruise?

Yes, did the sunset cruise on our last trip in Feb 2014. Both the snorkel and sunset cruise is by far our favorite with them over any others we have done.
Please note - you load on the boat directly off the beach, not a dock. For snorkeling, not an issue if you get wet but for a sunset cruise,keep that in mind when planning your attire for the evening. Check out their facebook page, they have been posting alot of videos lately.
Also, from the area you are staying, allow at least an hour to get to Makena. On our first snorkel trip with them we were staying north of Lahaina & left around 4:30(ish) to make it to the 6 am check in (& to locate coffee). Once you left the lights of Lahaina the road is very dark until the sun starts to rise.

 

[Mouseketeers4]

I would definitely drive to Hana if you're going to be there for 5 days. It was one of the best parts of our Maui trip a few years ago. At one of the last stops we hiked through a bamboo forest to a huge waterfall and it was amazing. We took a packed lunch and got a Road to Hana cd that gives you information along the way and tells you where/when to stop.

 

[ElenaRN]

We have also done Maui on a budget. Renting a condo is def the way to go. Not too familiar with the area north of Lahaina. We usually stay in the Kihei area. We got great Macadamia nut pancakes at the Gazebo. That's the one time we drove that far north. I think its in Kapalua.

Our fave South Maui beaches are Kam 1/ Charley Young, Po'olenalena and Big Beach.

We do the Road to Hana everytime bc our fave hike is located past Hana. If this is your one and only trip to Maui, I think the Road to Hana is not to be missed.

Not really any need for a snorkel tour. You can rent snorkels pretty cheap and go on your own. Unless you wanted to go to Molokini, then you would need to book a tour.

 

[sharona]

Airport beach has excellent snorkeling right from shore - head south. We spent hours there. If you're looking to save on a dinner out, the restaurant at Maui Kaanapali Villas has BOGO pasta 1 night per weeK (Tuesdays?). Sign up for the loyalty program of whatever grocery store you'll be using.

 

[ksh1111]

We go to Maui at least 2 X a year (friends own a home there).

We have done Hana once, it was nice, but not sure we would do it again.

We have driven up to Halekala 3 X. It is a crazy drive, but man the views and hiking cannot be beat!

We stay in Kapalua every time.

We love DT Fleming Beach

Some great beaches in Kihei, also

We have done the Whale Watch with Pacific Whale 2 X, it was really good

Check the Lahaina Cruise schedule, so you avoid the Lahanina downtown on that day.

Costco is THE place for groceries, snorkel gear, beach towels, etc. Also gas!

No Costco membership? Then go to Wal*Mart, very close to airport, also. The Target just opened a few weeks ago, and they have some groceries.

Safeway is actually fairly expensive, get a Maka'i card at Foodland, and shop by the specials.

We have found it is actually more cost effective to pay an extra $25 to check an extra piece of luggage and fill it with non perishable food.

Salt, pepper, tuna, cereal, soup, rice, noodles, salad dressing, catsup, mustard, mayonnaise, paper plates and cutlery if your condo doesn't supply it. We pack a collapsible bag, so if we don't need to bring it home, it can get shoved in the suitcase.

Bring your resuseable grocery bags, so you don't get charged a nickel for each bag.

Hmm, let me know if you have more questions, I will do my best.

 

[alohamom]

I always suggest skipping a touristy luau because of the price/mediocre food and instead to seek out free hula shows to get that feeling of a luau without the cost. You can find hula shows at Lahaina Cannery Mall and here is a link for one at Whalers Village http://www.lahaina-family-vacation.com/free-maui-hula-show-kaanapali.html Last time I was at Whalers Village we did have to pay to park so keep that in mind.

Another thing you can do inexpensively is touring historical Lahaina, I believe it is a self guided tour where you can see the old courthouse, the Banyan tree, the Lighthouse etc in a historical context. I think you can find a self guided walking tour in Maui Revealed or probably if you just googled it

Farmers markets are a great way to buy fruit and veg fresh and cheap. This last summer on Big Island I was buying 3 papayas for 2 bucks-and they were so sweet and juicy! This is seriously the way to go when it comes to produce
http://www.gohawaii.com/en/maui/gui...aui/#newCustomSearch:false^customOrder:random

Aloha Mixed Plate is a great way to sample Hawaiian comfort food without breaking the budget, especially if you do what Barkley suggested and get it "to go" and bring it back to the condo
http://www.alohamixedplate.com/
Star Noodle is another one, inexpensive and really good food
http://www.starnoodle.com/
Da Kitchen in Kahului and an express location in Kihei is also a good choice for a Hawaiina combo plate to sample
http://www.da-kitchen.com/index.html

Another thing I found was meat can be very expensive in Hawaii so unless you buy something on sale you are probably better to get something to go and supplementing with salad and sides etc in your condo

I am not sure what part of Maui you are staying but imo it is worth heading to Kapalua Bay beach. It is a crescent of sand flanked by rocky outcroppings that makes for a great protected snorkeling area. Pack a picnic or snacks/drinks as there isnt much there
http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/kapalua_bay.html

 

[bcwife76]

We go to Maui at least 2 X a year (friends own a home there).

We have done Hana once, it was nice, but not sure we would do it again.

We have driven up to Halekala 3 X. It is a crazy drive, but man the views and hiking cannot be beat!

We stay in Kapalua every time.

We love DT Fleming Beach

Some great beaches in Kihei, also

We have done the Whale Watch with Pacific Whale 2 X, it was really good

Check the Lahaina Cruise schedule, so you avoid the Lahanina downtown on that day.

Costco is THE place for groceries, snorkel gear, beach towels, etc. Also gas!

No Costco membership? Then go to Wal*Mart, very close to airport, also. The Target just opened a few weeks ago, and they have some groceries.

Safeway is actually fairly expensive, get a Maka'i card at Foodland, and shop by the specials.

We have found it is actually more cost effective to pay an extra $25 to check an extra piece of luggage and fill it with non perishable food.

Salt, pepper, tuna, cereal, soup, rice, noodles, salad dressing, catsup, mustard, mayonnaise, paper plates and cutlery if your condo doesn't supply it. We pack a collapsible bag, so if we don't need to bring it home, it can get shoved in the suitcase.

Bring your resuseable grocery bags, so you don't get charged a nickel for each bag.

Hmm, let me know if you have more questions, I will do my best.

Wow, these are some fantastic tips!!! We are going to Maui in 2016, renting a condo from a friend of ours. Very helpful, thank you!!

 

[Carina]

Anything else?

 

[wvjules]

I really enjoyed the Hana Highway. It was a nice, peaceful day with stops along the way. My favorite of our time in Maui was snorkeling at the Molikini Crater. It was a whale/turtle watching cruise out to the crater. Then we snorkeled for a few hours (entering the water via the water slide), then had BBQ, beer and wine on the trip back. It was my favorite day in Maui. I would love to do it again.

We did the Molokini & Turtle Arches Snorkel. www.pacificwhale.org/cruises/Snorkel-Cruises Best vacation day EVER! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that day. It was worth every penny!

My must-dos for Maui include Hana Highway, Molikini Crater Snorkeling, Lahaina and Haleakala National Park (it is beautiful up there). Even better, three of those things I listed are free.

 

[MomToOne]

Hawaii is expensive to get there, and expensive to eat, but there are LOTS of cheap activities to be had. I'm am not a big snorkeler, so Maui to me means lots of hiking between beach visits. There are plenty of great hikes to be had, most free or inexpensive (sometimes you have to pay parking or small entrance fees). Just Google for hikes - there are a variety, for all abilities. I love Iao Valley State Park - DD was even able to "hike" there at the age of 3

The Hana highway is beautiful, but if you only have a few days there, I don't know that I would spend a day on it (and it will take the whole day if you go all the way to Hana). Beware of car sickness LOL

 

[bearzabout]

We spend weeks on Maui having a blast spending almost nothing on activities.

The best snorkeling is past Kapalua at Honolua Bay. Get there early and walk in for awesome free snorkeling. Many of the snorkeling boats go there. Check weather conditions first. The bay can be choppy if the wind is out of the north. The turtles are out in deeper water past the boats.

Kapalua is beautiful. The area in front of the Gazebo restaurant often has turtles feeding close to shore. Make sure to hike to the dragon's teeth in front of the Ritz.

Last May, dozens of turtles were sleeping on the beach at Hookipa. It was free to watch them slowly crawl up the sand to rest at sunset. Call the Pacific Whale Foundation when there and ask if they have any reports of turtles coming onshore when you are there.

Hawaiian music is our favorite. The Hawaiian Slack Key show at Napili Kai north of Lahaina is fabulous. We have been known to enjoy the music for free while strolling through the beautiful gardens of the hotel. The Shops at Wailea have free music on Wednesdays. Check their website for a listing of who is playing. Willie K puts on a good show at various venues.

The Ritz Carleton Kapalua has an amazing cultural program. Check on their website and see their many free events and talks.

Before sunset, try to grab an free empty beach parking space in the parking garage at the Sheraton Kaanapali and watch their evening torch lighting/cliff dive show.

We love up country Maui. You can spend an entire day going to Ocean Vodka, Surfing Goat Dairy (love the lilikoi goat cheesecake), Kula Lodge, Kula Country Farms the Lavender Farm and Haleakala. Some have more expensive tours, but we just buy a snack and enjoy the views. Stop by Mana Foods in Baldwin and try every kind of exotic fruit they sell. Longans are my favorite.

We never miss Hana. We would drive that far just to eat the opaka mango salad at Pranee in Hana. LOVE IT! Waterfalls are best on a rainy day. We drive all the way around the south end and love the entire trip.

Touring coffee farms (or other farms) can be free or cheap. Check prices ahead of time. Some charge very high prices.

If you can find a free parking spot at beach access near the Wailea Grand, grab it and hike the beach there and check out the hotels on the beautiful bay. We love it at sunset. Do a search before you leave for beach access parking. Get there early or late in the day to find a spot.

Do a search for budget dining. There are many options for good, cheap food on Maui. Sometimes simple food, like the fish and shrimp tacos for $3 from Horhitos Mobile Taqueria in Kihei, or the pies at the Sugar Beach Bake Shop can be surprises of the trip.

We do a search for events and try not to miss the special ones. The Maui Arts and Cultural Center has some great events at great prices. Our favorite event is Art Night in Lahaina on Fridays. It is a great time to stroll through town.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

We spend weeks on Maui having a blast spending almost nothing on activities.

The best snorkeling is past Kapalua at Honolua Bay. Get there early and walk in for awesome free snorkeling. Many of the snorkeling boats go there. Check weather conditions first. The bay can be choppy if the wind is out of the north. The turtles are out in deeper water past the boats.

I second Honolua Bay! The snorkeling there was amazing and free! It was just as good, if not better than Molokini Crater. There is no way I'd pay for a boat trip to Honolua Bay because you can park and walk to it. Get there early to get a parking spot. The beach is very rocky and can be slippery so be careful getting into the water.

We took our kids on a Molokini Crater snorkel boat trip a few years ago. We found 2 for 1 coupons in the airport discount magazines and did the afternoon trip on the Frogman out of Ma'alaea (much cheaper than a morning trip, but you are not guaranteed Molokini as it is weather dependent). It cost $50 total for our family of 4!!! We tried it again a couple of years later, but that time the boat didn't take us to Molokini Crater so it is a risk.

We also bought the Entertainment Book and used some of the coupons for restaurant discounts.

 

[ambert82]

We did a sunset cruise it was amazing and something I will always remember. They served light appetizers and drinks. We booked the day of so you can check those out when you get there.
Star noodle is one of the best places to eat, in a warehouse district so kinda hard to find. Also Lahania Coolers is good as well. We buy their hot sauce every time we go.
The Gazebo for breakfast is reasonable.