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Hawaii (Insider) Travel Recommendations (for Reefers)

Alexander1312

Alexander1312

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(Inspired by another post earlier)

We moved to the Bay Area in 2022 (again) and have never been to Hawaii. Since we have (hopefully) some celebrations this year, we would like to make it work around 'Christmas' time (on or after December 20), for a family of 4.

The last few years were a trade-off between flying to Europe during school holidays (not cheap :(..) and going to Hawaii during their peak season, but we had to choose Europe due to family obligations.

I believe several of you are very familiar with this place and might have some recommendations about how to best secure reasonable accommodation, which Island to go to, and activities to focus on with our hobby in mind.


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How long would you like to be there for? Are you open to Island hopping while you are there or would you prefer to stay in one place? What other activities, would you like to do besides snorkeling or scuba?
 
Christmas is the peak season for Hawaii.
There’s lots of lines for everything at that time. Everyone from japan goes at Christmas. We use to go at least twice a year. It’s the thing to do when you grow up here. That and Tahoe / Disney February is the off season.
 
Invictus said:
How long would you like to be there for?
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7-10 days, not less than 6 days if possible.

Invictus said:
Are you open to Island hopping while you are there or would you prefer to stay in one place?
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This is a good question. Staying on one island (or if 10 days, changing to max one other) would probably be our preference (keeping it simple).

Invictus said:
What other activities, would you like to do besides snorkeling or scuba?
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We would not mind hiking.
 
Turkeysammich said:
Christmas is the peak season for Hawaii.
There’s lots of lines for everything at that time. Everyone from japan goes at Christmas. We use to go at least twice a year. It’s the thing to do when you grow up here. That and Tahoe / Disney February is the off season.
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Yes, this is what prevented us from going so far. Unfotunately, being limited to school holidays, there are not many options avoiding the crowds. When we lived in Singapore, we spent each Christmas at various tropical islands and my sons would like to do this again (note: we are not fans of snow).
 
Alexander1312 said:
7-10 days, not less than 6 days if possible.


This is a good question. Staying on one island (or if 10 days, changing to max one other) would probably be our preference (keeping it simple).


We would not mind hiking.
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Cool, then my vote would be for Oahu, ideally with a hop over to the big island if length of stay permits.

The best Snorkeling may be on the big island, the best hiking may be Kauai or Maui, but Oahu has it all.

The one downside to consider about staying in Oahu, specifically Honolulu, is that it’s the most touristy. However, I really like Downtown Honolulu and enjoy being able to walk everywhere.

If I was to design you a perfect vacation I would immediately go to The Big Island, specifically Kona. Spend 3-4 days snorkeling, manta ray tour, coffee/vanilla bean farm tour, eating good food and exploring downtown Kona.
Then, hop over to Oahu. You’ll find Honolulu to be much “newer” and “nicer” than Kona, which will make it seem like a step up in the vacation.
Spend the next 6 days exploring downtown, hiking, seeing waterfalls, visiting the Dole pineapple farm, sitting on the beach, snorkeling more, and relaxing.

Then fly home and wish you were still in Hawai’i.
 
I'm a fan of the Big Island. Coffee, chocolate, active volcano; but Kauai is my favorite. ATV riding, Hiking/waterfalls, scuba/snorkeling. Maui (which could use the tourism) is also quite nice - stay Wailea or Kihei. Go coffee, and/or vodka/rum tasting. take the 'road to Hana' stop for some zip lines.
 
Most of the islands gets pretty dull after 8pm. There is no night life in maui. Still worth the visit but 1 or 2 days max. Never been to the big island. For Oahu, get yourself some snorkling and flash light and you can hit sharks cove for some night time snorkling (there is an enclosed tide pool there thats pretty safe and lots of night life comes out after sun set. Near by is Turtle beach. I recommend you pick up the book Oahu Revealed . Theres lots to do in oahu that can easily eat up your 6 days. I use to live in oahu so I get bored after 2 days. You need to book a luau months in advance and its definitly worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/Oahu-Reveale...id=1751606938&sprefix=oahu+rev,aps,170&sr=8-1
 
Alexander1312 said:
Yes, this is what prevented us from going so far. Unfotunately, being limited to school holidays, there are not many options avoiding the crowds. When we lived in Singapore, we spent each Christmas at various tropical islands and my sons would like to do this again (note: we are not fans of snow).
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I've heard there have been much less Japanese tourists in Hawaii due to how weak then yen is.
 
Invictus said:
Cool, then my vote would be for Oahu, ideally with a hop over to the big island if length of stay permits.

The best Snorkeling may be on the big island, the best hiking may be Kauai or Maui, but Oahu has it all.

The one downside to consider about staying in Oahu, specifically Honolulu, is that it’s the most touristy. However, I really like Downtown Honolulu and enjoy being able to walk everywhere.

If I was to design you a perfect vacation I would immediately go to The Big Island, specifically Kona. Spend 3-4 days snorkeling, manta ray tour, coffee/vanilla bean farm tour, eating good food and exploring downtown Kona.
Then, hop over to Oahu. You’ll find Honolulu to be much “newer” and “nicer” than Kona, which will make it seem like a step up in the vacation.
Spend the next 6 days exploring downtown, hiking, seeing waterfalls, visiting the Dole pineapple farm, sitting on the beach, snorkeling more, and relaxing.

Then fly home and wish you were still in Hawai’i.
Click to expand...
I lived in Hawaii for 3 years. I agree with all this. Just be prepared for how big the big island is and plan accordingly. If you stay in the tourist resort areas, you'll drive a couple hours to get to volcano areas.

Maui is awesome if you want to scuba dive.
 
Maui is very family friendly, good snorkeling right out the back of any of the better resorts. Thins out north of Lahaina, less crowded but still easy to get in to the touristy stuff in town. Kapalua is nice.

O’ahu imo is better for scuba, though snorkeling is ok as well. If you surf there’s no better spot. Head more towards the North Shore and the crowd dissipates considerably (Honolulu is crammed). This island has the geological highlights of all in one as well. There is some amazing hiking for any level. I stayed in Haleiwa and loved it.

Stayed in Kona on the big island, too much of tourist trap for me in general, but lots of parks, volcanoes, observatory, etc. Good snorkeling spots but always seemed crowded to me.

Life hack: if you’re a Costco member they have great packages - airline, hotel, car rental deals. I took 4 of us to Maui with all the above plus a (free!) $500 Costco gift card for dirt cheap for thanksgiving a few years ago.
 
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