Tours on Maui?

[Melora]

For those who have been to Maui, what kind of planned activities did you do?

We will see the volcano crater, drive to Hanna etc... but did you snorkle or go on any tours?

I am trying to decide what kind of tour to book and am not familiar with any of the places that offer tours except what I am reading about and looking on their websites.

Was hoping someone had some personal experience to pass along.

Thanks!!

 

[floridafam]

My SIL and BIL just returned and took a guided tour that they were very happy with. I believe it was through a rainforest. It was just them and the guide so they were able to ask a ton of questions.

I can get you the name of the guide if you like.

They also did the drive to Hana, stayed overnight and drove back the next morning. They said everything in Hana closes very early.

They also took a helicopter tour over the islands which seems to be very popular.

 

[Melora]

We wanted to stay over night in Hanna but the prices of the rooms are unbelievable! Because we have 4 kids with us (2 teens) we'd have to rent two rooms (and this would be in addition to the room we already have in Kannapali that is paid for). Between renting 2 rooms and the condo it would cost about $800 to stay overnight there!

I believe we might just drive 3 or so hours that direction (getting out a lot) then have to turn back..we've got a 3 year old who probably doesnt wasnt to spend much more time then that in the car.


If you can find the name of the guide that would be great! Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

We went to Maui for our honeymoon 9 years ago, but I'm sure the tours are the same. We did a snorkle tour to Molakini, its a small uninhabited island off Maui. The snorkling was amazing and I saw my first sea turtle there. We also did a horseback riding tour of the road to Hana. We didn't drive down all the way, the horseback riding place was about halfway down. You saddle up at the stables and ride a trail to a cliff over looking the ocean, breathtaking. After that you ride back towards the road and go into the rainforest and ride there. We stopped at a secluded pond with waterfall, where our guide set up lunch for all of us. We also took a bike tour of Halekaula (I know I spelled that wrong), it's the volcoano on Maui. We were picked up at our hotel at 4AM and drove to the top of the crater. We watched the sun rise over the ocean from high up and then biked down the moutain to the ocean. Since you're going down, there really isn't alot of pedaling involved and some of the sights seen were amazing! We stopped for breakfast at a small restaurant and it was great food! We booked all these tours once we arrived on Maui through the concierge at the Four Seasons where we stayed. I'd think where you're staying their is a tour desk or concierge where all the tours are located.

 

[DawnCt]

When it comes to Hana, its the journey, not the destination. Most things on Maui you can do on your own. I don't think it is necessary to take the bike ride down Haleakala. Get up early, drive up for sun rise and enjoy the ride down in your car while the bicyclists are freezing. We saw a few getting back in the van. Stop at the Kula Lodge for the delicious banana/macadamian pancakes with coconut syrup. You may want to consider a snorkeling trip to Molokini. Go in the morning. The afternoon can be rough. Pick up the Blue book by Wizard Publications, Maui Revealed. Its an excellent source. We are going this summer and I can't wait. My youngest will be 16. Some or all of us are going to fly over to Molokai to take the mule ride down to Kaulapapa, and see Father Damien Church. You must be 16 to go there.

 

[floridafam]

Melora,

I'll call my SIL and get the name of the guide. They said this was the highlight of their trip.

Most likely your family would have the guide to yourselves because he only takes 6 or 7 people max. They did say they didn't think it would be enjoyable for anyone under 6 or 7. He may be able to do something age appropriate for the kids in your family.

It does get cold on top of Haleakala but I think the bike ride would probably be worth trying at least once. Again, probably not enjoyable for the 3 yr old. It gets very cold at the top.

I'll post again when I get the guides name.

They did stay in Hana but they just rented a room for the night from one of the locals. It was only around $65 and it was basically a private addition on his house. They said it was a unique experience and worth it to try once. She did say that most things close early so you may want to consider this.

 

[DawnCt]

Just a note. The bicycle ride down Haleakala runs about $100 per person. That's a $600 morning.

 

[*Fantasia*]

When you get to Maui, there are tons of tour centers. They will offer you lots of activies you can do in Maui.

We rode the helicopter for 45 minutes and we saw Haleakala and we also saw Hana where lots of waterfalls. You can even do an hour or 2 and head over to the other side of the Island Molakai or Lanai.

We did dinner cruise. That was nice. We got the chance to see the whale. Yes, they have cruise for whale watchers. We didn't do any snorkeling.

On my other visit, we drove to Haleakala which was nice too. My advice is to get there right before the sunrise, it's beautiful!!

The best Luau is the Old Lahaina Luau. But there are lots of places you can catch the luau even from some of the resorts, one of them is the Marriott at the Kaanapali. Lots of beautiful resorts along the coast of Kaanapali shores. Gorgeous...just gorgeous!
If you can get the ocean view...that would be fabulous! You can hear the ocean waves and the coconut tree leaves swaying...

AAAHHH....The Front Street! The stores are along this street. This is my favorite place to shop. You can also check out the Lahaina mall.

Don't worry about what to do there...like I said, there are lots of tourist center where you can inquire and buy tickets for the activities you want to do. Some are in the hotels. They will tell you the places to go and places to see.

Have lots of fun!! I miss Maui!!

 

[Melora]

Thanks for all the ideas.

I have an emotional problem with the bike ride down the volcano...

My hubby went on his honeymoon to Maui with his first wife (18 years ago) and even though he said she made the trip miserable because she complained about everything he wanted to do and would not get out of the car on the drive they took to Hana, they did go for the bike ride and for some reason it makes me feel all emotional and jealous knowing he did that with her.. OK OK start yelling at me now! I know its stupid.... !!!

We are staying at the Kaanapali Ali'i in an ocean front condo so that should be really great. I just booked an all day snorkling/dolphin watching/ride into the countryside excursion with Trilogy Excursions.

I am also going to book a submarine ride with Atlantis Adventures that includes an evening Luau (Royal Lahaina Luau). If you book them together you save almost half off the dinner which is $75 per person.. The sub ride by itself is $79 per person and if you get them together its only $109.

I'm excited but know I wont have lost as much weight as I had hoped to!!

 

[TheButlerDiditt]

Am I the only one who found Maui to be boring? We stayed at the Hyatt Regency which was beautiful in its own way, but lacked good beaches. It seemed that everything interesting was at least a 20-40 minute drive away. And even then, there wasn't all that much to do. The drive to Hana was nice, but I don't think it was all that it was made out to be. The drive down Highway 1 in California is much prettier. We ended up going snorkeling most of the time which was the best part of the trip. Coming across sea turtles in the water was the best memory we took away. Overall, I think Maui is a good place for couples who just want to spend time together. For those looking for more entertainment, I would recomment Oahu over Maui.

 

[chris1gill]

Maui boring? NO WAY!! Not boring at all IMHO... It's SO beautiful, our family really loves it... We have two children 9 & 6 & they both love going to Maui as well....

Both trips we've taken we've stayed on Kaanapali beach, we've stayed at the Sheraton, the Marriott & the Hyatt... The Hyatt was the most lovely by far, but the beach there isn't so good... you have to go up to the Marriott or Sheraton... Kaanapali Ali'i should be really wonderful.

We took a couple of whale watches, the best by far was in a rubber boat LOL... It was GREAT... I'll look it up & see if I can't get the name of it.... We were so close to the Dolphins, it was TONS better than being on one of the larger boats....

I love Haleakala & no way would you ever find me biking it LOL... The drive up to Haleakala is wonderful, be sure to stop every couple thousand miles & take photo's of the family, if you get lucky, by the time you get to the top, the clouds will be BELOW you in your photo's... It's also great to get photo's of the ocean from that vantage point.....

Luau's? Definitely Old Lahaina seems to get the best reviews (but is the priciest), the one I liked the best was at the Marriott (I know sign me up for the cheese)...

Hana, DEFINITELY it's the journey not the destination. Think about renting a house for a night, we had one set up for about 125.00, that would have been quite the deal, but ultimately we decided to stay elsewhere... Once you get to Hana, continue on past Hana & drive up the West side of the island, that road has been finished off & I hear it's amazing...

If all else fails, sit on Kaanapali watching over to the islands across from it, very peaceful, you'll have a great time!

 

[floridafam]

Okay, so the bike down Haleakala is out.

There are plenty of other things to do.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I HIGHLY recommend taking a Trilogy Tour to Lanai. I've done it twice now. It's so much fun! You take a boat over to Lanai where you can snorkel, scuba dive, or just hang out. They feed you lunch and you can tour around the island. Then you take the boat back. It's pretty much an all day thing, but a LOT of fun!! The tours guides learn everyone's name pretty quickly, too.
Here are two links and I'm sure there are others:

http://www.barefoothawaii.com/maui/trilogy_lanai.html

http://www.mauiconcierge.net/item.php?id=37

Have a GREAT time!!