Going to Maui in December - What Will We See
- Thread starter nuxx
- Start date
NTP66
New member
Wow guys great suggestions
I was a little bummed at first, since I thought Oahu would be better for fish... guess I was wrong!
Personally, I've had better experiences in the water in Maui, but I'm extremely biased towards that island. Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just make sure you don't bother/touch any Honu (green sea turtles). They're protected, and you'll be in a world of trouble if caught. Same goes for the humpbacks.
nuxx
.Registered Member
Personally, I've had better experiences in the water in Maui, but I'm extremely biased towards that island. Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just make sure you don't bother/touch any Honu (green sea turtles). They're protected, and you'll be in a world of trouble if caught. Same goes for the humpbacks.
LOL yeah not really looking to touch anything
Was pretty upset when a kid was trying to catch a damsel with a bag in Turks and Caicos earlier this year...
Deinonych
New member
+1
I've never seen Chevrons at snorkeling depths - most times they are at depths of 30-60ft. They are more common on BI than Maui in my experience. I've never seen a Crosshatch at recreational diving depths on the main HI islands. Supposedly they are common in the NW HI islands, though...
Deinonych
New member
I highly recommend Merriman's restaurant in Kapalua...not far from the Ritz. All farm to table cuisine and it's to die for. Mama's Fish House in Paia is also very good. We usually stay down in Wailea so we aren't as familiar with the eating choices in West Maui. You'll have a blast...Maui is my favorite HI island.
NTP66
New member
Any suggestions for restaurants, stuff to do? Casual to fancy, doesn't matter. I plan to be in the water everyday
That's a loaded question - I could probably plan your entire trip down to the minute if needed, lol. I'm the opposite of Deinonych, in that my wife and I always stay in Ka'anapali while in Maui (by far my favorite island, as well).
In all the years we've been going to Maui, we've never gone to Mama's Fish House, but if you ask anyone, it's outstanding. You just have to make sure you plan ahead - sometimes days ahead, depending on the season. Here are a few of my own recommendations:
Food:
If you're flying into Kahalui, you have to stop at Da Kitchen for a bite to eat. It's phenominal, and only minutes from the airport. I can personally vouch for their Kalua Pork and Teryaki Beef plate lunches.
Right on Front Street in Lahaina is Cool Cat Cafe. They've got the best burgers in Maui, IMO. Aloha Mixed Plate is pretty good, too, and inexpensive.
You can't go to Hawai'i and not try shave ice, so check out Local Boys Shave Ice. Again, the best in Maui (IMO).
If you're a pancake lover, you have to go to the Gazebo restaurant at Napili Shores, if only for their macadamia nut pancakes. Get there early, and be prepared to wait in line, but it's so worth it. The views are amazing, too.
Stuff to do:
Kapalua Ziplines has some high, long, and fast lines, which my wife and I loved. Be warned, though, that you have to hike to each tower. Incredible views from the lines, too.
Kapalua Ziplines by NTP9766, on Flickr
My wife and I both love the Old Lahaina Luau, and go every single time we visit. It's authentic, the show tells the story of the Hawaiian people and culture, and their buffet dinner is outstanding.
Whenever we want to do any boat excursion, we use Trilogy. They've been there since the 70's, and their crews are top notch. We've used them for snorkeling in Honolua Bay, whale watches (West Maui), and day trips to Lana'i, and have loved every single one.
Honolua Bay by NTP9766, on Flickr
The Maui Tropical Plantation is a nice place to visit during the day, especially when the craft fair/market is open (Mondays). If you've never had Maui gold pineapple, this is the place to get it.
We also loved the West Maui/Molokai helicopter tour via Air Maui. Going over the tallest sea cliffs on Earth was worth the price alone.
Molokai by NTP9766, on Flickr
Finally, if you're inclined to do the Road to Hana, I suggest booking through Valley Isle and asking for Charlie as your driver. I originally wanted to just drive it myself, but would not have been able to appreciate the scenery at the wheel. As for Charlie, he's one of the funniest people I've ever met.
Oheo Gulch by NTP9766, on Flickr
Keep in mind that a lot of activities on Maui do sell out quickly, so it pays to plan ahead a little. I've always booked my tours and such months in advance to make sure everything is available, and while I'm a little overboard, you may want to look at booking things a few weeks prior to your trip. With regards to both Trilogy and the Old Lahaina Luau, both were booked completely solid by the time we landed for the entire trip. I write reviews for basically everything I do on vacation, so if you're bored, feel free to browse around: http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/NTP66.
I realize this is a long post, but hey, you asked.
nuxx
.Registered Member
Wow no problem with the huge post and all the suggestions, it'll definitely get a close look over.
I just forwarded the thread to my wife to look it over much closer. I think the Trilogy Molokini and Lanai trips will be fun. Also will see if we can find a company or two that do some more personal type scuba/snuba/snorkeling stuff as well.
Merriman's and Mama's sound really good as well... already getting hungry
I just forwarded the thread to my wife to look it over much closer. I think the Trilogy Molokini and Lanai trips will be fun. Also will see if we can find a company or two that do some more personal type scuba/snuba/snorkeling stuff as well.
Merriman's and Mama's sound really good as well... already getting hungry
NTP66
New member
Glad to help.
FWIW, Trilogy does offer Snuba on all of their snorkel trips, and it's usually a max of 4 or so people, which isn't bad at all.
nuxx
.Registered Member
Glad to help.
Shot them an email about an hour ago... asked a bunch of questions
NTP66
New member
Another word of advice with regards to Trilogy (and all other snorkel sails, really) - book the earliest tours you can tolerate. The seas are much calmer in the morning, and you'll have better visibility in the water. The waves kick up in the afternoon, and could make for an uneasy trip back to land.
tkeracer619
New member
Go down to the Mana Kai Resort. Southern Side of Kihei. They have some visitor parking and if you walk through the lobby to their beach you will find an incredible reef to check out.
Here's a cool vid from my last trip and a pretty good example of what that reef will be like in front of that resort. Very diverse area with bunches of turtles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM6LzsKr2_8&list=UUKnlzTNy1WD74pIlN7h2Ldw
Something as a newb you should know. Early morning, Dusk, and dirty water snorkeling is what we call fishing (you are the lure). There are a lot of tiger sharks in maui's water and tiger sharks eat turtles. If the water does not have great visibility DO NOT follow turtles. If the water gets murky get out, if you see minimal marine life... get out, if the locals aren't in the water don't get in. Watch for the surge and always be aware of your surroundings.
http://oos.soest.hawaii.edu/pacioos/projects/sharks/
If you or the wife are trying to remove tan lines look up little beach during the week. On Sunday evenings there will be a huge party on that beach with all sorts of fire jugglers, dancing, and live local music but very little nudity.
If you want to get to molokini early the first boat out is usually B&B. 1300 people are going to make it through the crater each day, if you don't get there early most of the fish are gone. First thing is amazing and B&B tries for the best mooring points. If you are lucky you can make it to the pennical after molokini and swim with the spinner dolphins that live there. Get certified, take your classes wherever you live and do your open water on the boat in maui.
My best advice is to slow down when you get there, nobody honks their horns unless they need to. The pace is different, toss on some reggae, and while you are in Hawaii be full of Aloha. Maui has a special place in my heart. It will be my home one day.
Here's a cool vid from my last trip and a pretty good example of what that reef will be like in front of that resort. Very diverse area with bunches of turtles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM6LzsKr2_8&list=UUKnlzTNy1WD74pIlN7h2Ldw
Something as a newb you should know. Early morning, Dusk, and dirty water snorkeling is what we call fishing (you are the lure). There are a lot of tiger sharks in maui's water and tiger sharks eat turtles. If the water does not have great visibility DO NOT follow turtles. If the water gets murky get out, if you see minimal marine life... get out, if the locals aren't in the water don't get in. Watch for the surge and always be aware of your surroundings.
http://oos.soest.hawaii.edu/pacioos/projects/sharks/
If you or the wife are trying to remove tan lines look up little beach during the week. On Sunday evenings there will be a huge party on that beach with all sorts of fire jugglers, dancing, and live local music but very little nudity.
If you want to get to molokini early the first boat out is usually B&B. 1300 people are going to make it through the crater each day, if you don't get there early most of the fish are gone. First thing is amazing and B&B tries for the best mooring points. If you are lucky you can make it to the pennical after molokini and swim with the spinner dolphins that live there. Get certified, take your classes wherever you live and do your open water on the boat in maui.
My best advice is to slow down when you get there, nobody honks their horns unless they need to. The pace is different, toss on some reggae, and while you are in Hawaii be full of Aloha. Maui has a special place in my heart. It will be my home one day.
Deinonych
New member
Great advice above. We usually dive with Mike Severns; they get out to Molokini super early as well. Last couple times we dove with them, we were the only ones out on the crater. We'll be on Maui in a couple weeks - can't wait to hit the water!
tkeracer619
New member
I've seen them race to a mooring point more than once. Have fun on your trip!
nuxx
.Registered Member
Hey guys just got back, had a great time
Will type more about what we did in the next few days... just so much to catch up on!
Did see a lot of Achilles though.
Saw the most snorkeling at Lana'i. Plenty of large ones and pairs.
Saw two smaller ones in a pair in the surge zone at Molokini while snorkeling as well.
Saw a larger one scuba diving off of the Mala Wharf too.
Might have saw Chevrons as well... not sure... were adults, might have been Acanthurus nigroris though...
Will type more about what we did in the next few days... just so much to catch up on!
Did see a lot of Achilles though.
Saw the most snorkeling at Lana'i. Plenty of large ones and pairs.
Saw two smaller ones in a pair in the surge zone at Molokini while snorkeling as well.
Saw a larger one scuba diving off of the Mala Wharf too.
Might have saw Chevrons as well... not sure... were adults, might have been Acanthurus nigroris though...
nuxx
.Registered Member
Reefers4U
Active member
Spawning Tangs
Spawning Tangs
I ran across this video the other day coincidentally.
And I'm not all together sure they are Chevrons now.....
Still a pretty rad thing to see.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/azjpQ8dCalQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Spawning Tangs
I ran across this video the other day coincidentally.
And I'm not all together sure they are Chevrons now.....
Still a pretty rad thing to see.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/azjpQ8dCalQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
