kitkat26

We are going to Oahu for 6-7 days and want to spend 3-4 other days at another Island. Which would be fun? I have heard that Molokini is the 'best' snorkeling side trip. Is that from Maui? Which one is good? Good bet on Big Island is "biking" the crater? Dolphin swim?, is it better in Oahu at Sea Life Park or Hilton Waikoloa on Big Island? Thanks

martastav

I would HIGHLY recommend Maui. Just went w/hubby (no kids) for our 20th and loved it. Found myself thinking repeatedly how my teenage girls would enjoy it.
Molokini is a small island off of Maui and they do snorkeling trips there, but not cheap maybe $60/person. You can rent your own snorkeling equipment and snorkel at many places around Maui, the BLACK Rock by the Sheraton on Ka'anapali Beach is EXCELLENT snorkeling and you do it from the beach (free).
I've only been to Maui, so I can't compare to Oahu or Hawaii, but Maui is marvelous, lots to do.
I'm jealous and want to go back!

tcapp

Another vote for Maui.

kitkat26

Thank you so much for your replies.
We will snorkel in Oahu but I heard that Molokini is terrific. But do not know who is 'best' trip provider. Does anyone know of other 'off the usual beat" trips in Maui ?

martastav

You should definitely do the Road to Hana, get a good guidebook and read up on it. Your 14 year old *might* not like it quite so much, but it is beautiful Hawaii. Try to rent a convertible and put the top back so she can enjoy the views more.

Also go to the beach on the Northside Ho'okipa Beach has the surfer people there surfing and wind surfing. Pretty incredible to watch them. While there drive on up to Paia and be sure to eat at the Paia Fish House. Best fish sandwich I've EVER had.

Good Guidebook: "Maui Revealed" by Andrew Doughty.

jill777

Another vote for Maui, Lahaina has movie theatre, magic show, this town has a lot of shopping that a teen would like, my shopping hating son occupied himself for a little while when I was shopping. We enjoyed eating at Bubba Gump-he saw the movie and this restaurant was kind of cute, Kobe steakhouse provided a show while dining, and he took a beginner's surf lesson here as well. We stayed at the oceanfront Kanaapali and drove 5 miles into Lahaina to dine and to do activities, including Molokini which was not the best snorkeling side trip, the sailing part was more fun than the snorkeling side of it, the water was so choppy when we went out, it was like a roller coaster ride with me bouncing off the deck bench. I was rather surprised at how poor the snorkeling was, while the visibility was clearer than black rock-my son also enjoyed diving off the black rock-the fish were not that plentiful, I asked the captain and he said that the amount of fish there was about as good as it gets, I would not go back, go to Hanama bay in Oahu, they have tons of fish. Loved Hana mountain, son dove into several of the freezing waterfalls, the hike into bamboo forest impressed him. I did not think the Haleaku volcano was such a big deal, and most people just look around at the top for 20 or so minutes and drive straight back down. Been once to Big Island and Kaui, but been to Maui 4 times Maui just has right combination of convenience and natural beauty.

SueJapan

Our son lives on Oahu so we get there often. Go to Kauai. It is a small island. There are plenty of things to do there: kayak on the river, hike anywhere, snorkel on the north side or Poipu beach, or just lay in the sun. It is not full of tourists like some of the other islands. You can drive the entire island in 2 hours. We keep going back there. It is paradise.

annahead

I would recommend Kauai. I think it will provide a more stark contrast from Oahu than Maui. The only time I wouldn't recommend Kauai is to someone who absolutely needs nightlife.

I snorkeled Molokini last May, and while I enjoyed the variety of creatures at the crater (I saw my first eel and shark), I thought the shore snorkeling from both Kauai and Maui were better.

You really can't go wrong no matter what you choose, you'll be in Hawaii either way!

kitkat26

tHank you all for the great resonses and recommendatins. I have booked Maui although i would like to go to Kauai TOO. Not enough time. Planning to go to Lanai over Molkini for snorkeling.
kitkat26

bartorlando

Both Maui and Kauai are beautiful. I think that if you spend a couple days in Oahu I would rather spend my time in Kauai for the contrast, opposed to Maui.

Maui is a beautiful island, great beaches, excellent resorts. The road to Hana is amazing (if you go there sped the night in Hana and drive back in the morning, it's worth it). The only downside is that it is very much geared to be a tourist destination.

Kauai, is the most beautiful island that i've ever been too (I've toured the caribean and the south pacific). It's completely natural and it doesn't have the same tourist feel that Oahu (or Maui) has. It's very laid back.

If you're interested in doing tourist things go for Maui, if you want to find a unique and natural location go to Kauai.

Also, "Maui Revealed" and "Ultimate Kauai" are both excellent books (best travel books I ever read).

Go to www.wizardpub.com

Bart