we're thinking of visiting the island of Oahu (north shore) and I want to surf and snorkel and bask in the sun! my family and I are debating on going in February or April and I'm scared that if we go in February it will be too cloudy and the waves will be to big and in Aprril the air-fare will be too high! please help!
Answer
I lived on Oahu for ten years, including the North Shore. February is the height of the big wave season, so it will be full of action: Parties, surf contests, people on the beach watching the waves, surfers from all over the world. You could happen to be there during a big swell and see awesome waves, or you could happen to arrive during a lull between swells and have some calm days good for swimming or beginner level surfing, maybe even snorkeling in the calm areas at either end of Waimea beach or at 3 Tables beach. But there is no way to predict. As long as the weather is good, it should be fun either way. And you can always go to the other side of the island to snorkel and surf if the waves are too big in the north shore. April will be more mellow, with fewer big waves and fewer people. More chance of calm seas for swimming and snorkeling and more chance of consistent sunshine, especially later in April.
I lived on Oahu for ten years, including the North Shore. February is the height of the big wave season, so it will be full of action: Parties, surf contests, people on the beach watching the waves, surfers from all over the world. You could happen to be there during a big swell and see awesome waves, or you could happen to arrive during a lull between swells and have some calm days good for swimming or beginner level surfing, maybe even snorkeling in the calm areas at either end of Waimea beach or at 3 Tables beach. But there is no way to predict. As long as the weather is good, it should be fun either way. And you can always go to the other side of the island to snorkel and surf if the waves are too big in the north shore. April will be more mellow, with fewer big waves and fewer people. More chance of calm seas for swimming and snorkeling and more chance of consistent sunshine, especially later in April.
I am going to Hawaii in April Oahu & Maui. Anyone have any suggestions on the best things to see & do & eat?
Jennifer W
We are going to be in Oahu for 3 nights and Maui 4 nights. I am looking for the best places to eat, shop, explore and just fun stuff to do. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This is my first time going & I can't wait!!!!!
Answer
I've only been to Oahu once and that was on an interisland side trip while staying in Maui to see the USS Arizona memorial. And, that is an absolute must-do if you're in Honolulu. Keep in mind, though, that you have to go there and get a ticket in advance that day that's a certain color. Then, when they call your color (which can be a couple hours later), you start your tour. The tour itself lasts a couple hours, depending on how long you stay there. It starts out with a movie presentation in a theater and then the boat goes out to the memorial. You then come back whenever you want.
There's lots to do on Maui (it's where I go every year - I have a timeshare in Kahana on the northwest side). About 10 miles southeast of the airport in Kahului is the town of Paia, where the north swells can get about 15 to 20 feet. It's amazing to see the surfers and windsurfers out there on those huge waves. And, the waves crashing on the rocks can be spectacular. There's also a couple of cool places to eat in Paia Town, right on the main road.
In Maalaea (on the west side of the island, where the road forks to Kihei and Wailea to the south, and Lahaina to the north) is the Maui aquarium. I think it costs about $15 - $20 per person, but it's a very cool place to check out. There's also a bunch of shops and restaurants around there.
Any trip to Maui has to include at least a stop in Lahaina. On the main drag next to the ocean are all kinds of cool shops and restaurants. My favorite place to go is Cheeseburger in Paradise. Get a second floor table next to a window if you can. They look out over the water. But, there's a whole row of restaurants on that side of the street.
Further up the road about 5 miles north of Lahaina Town is Kaanapali. Just south of the Sheraton hotel is a large outcropping of volcanic rock called Black Rock. This is probably the best snorkeling on the island. But, parking is difficult to find unless you pay for valet at the hotel. There's also some rather expensive shopping in Kaanapali. But, it's interesting to look.
One thing that's very cool to do is take a sunset cruise. You can get one out of Maalaea Harbor, Lahaina, or right off Kaanapali Beach. If you take the one off the beach, be aware that you don't wear shoes on the cruise. They back a huge catamaran up to the beach and you rush up the ladder in between waves. So, wear shorts and plan on getting a bit wet. One operator uses a rubber pontoon boat to shuttle people from the beach to the catamaran. Still, it's no shoes and you will get wet.
If you like hiking, two good choices are Iao Valley and the lava fields south of Wailea. Iao Valley is a dense jungle area in the middle of the north half of the island. It has streams and trails, and lots of pools in the rocks that are big enough to swim in. Wear good hiking boots or shoes, and expect to get muddy.
To get to the lava fields, just follow the road signs to Wailea and keep going south until the road ends. From there, you can just start walking south across the lava fields toward the jungle (there's a pretty good path in the jungle). Wear sturdy shoes for this. The lava can be sharp, and it might cut up into sandals or flip flops. The jungle is dry with a dirt path. And every hundred yards or so is another cove with beautiful turquoise water ,and waves splashing up against the red and white volcanic rocks.
Since you're only there for a few nights, I would avoid the trip to Hana. It's an all-day trip, mostly because it takes about 4 hours to drive the narrow highway. Besides, there's not much to see there. Maybe some cool waterfalls along the side of the road or along the hiking trails. But, why waste a whole day? Also, going to see the sunrise at Haleakala is very cool. But, you have to start out at about 3 in the morning and it takes about 3 hours to get there. It's also about 40 degrees with a 30 MPH wind that cuts right through you. And, who wants to pack the clothing needed for such a thing?
I've only been to Oahu once and that was on an interisland side trip while staying in Maui to see the USS Arizona memorial. And, that is an absolute must-do if you're in Honolulu. Keep in mind, though, that you have to go there and get a ticket in advance that day that's a certain color. Then, when they call your color (which can be a couple hours later), you start your tour. The tour itself lasts a couple hours, depending on how long you stay there. It starts out with a movie presentation in a theater and then the boat goes out to the memorial. You then come back whenever you want.
There's lots to do on Maui (it's where I go every year - I have a timeshare in Kahana on the northwest side). About 10 miles southeast of the airport in Kahului is the town of Paia, where the north swells can get about 15 to 20 feet. It's amazing to see the surfers and windsurfers out there on those huge waves. And, the waves crashing on the rocks can be spectacular. There's also a couple of cool places to eat in Paia Town, right on the main road.
In Maalaea (on the west side of the island, where the road forks to Kihei and Wailea to the south, and Lahaina to the north) is the Maui aquarium. I think it costs about $15 - $20 per person, but it's a very cool place to check out. There's also a bunch of shops and restaurants around there.
Any trip to Maui has to include at least a stop in Lahaina. On the main drag next to the ocean are all kinds of cool shops and restaurants. My favorite place to go is Cheeseburger in Paradise. Get a second floor table next to a window if you can. They look out over the water. But, there's a whole row of restaurants on that side of the street.
Further up the road about 5 miles north of Lahaina Town is Kaanapali. Just south of the Sheraton hotel is a large outcropping of volcanic rock called Black Rock. This is probably the best snorkeling on the island. But, parking is difficult to find unless you pay for valet at the hotel. There's also some rather expensive shopping in Kaanapali. But, it's interesting to look.
One thing that's very cool to do is take a sunset cruise. You can get one out of Maalaea Harbor, Lahaina, or right off Kaanapali Beach. If you take the one off the beach, be aware that you don't wear shoes on the cruise. They back a huge catamaran up to the beach and you rush up the ladder in between waves. So, wear shorts and plan on getting a bit wet. One operator uses a rubber pontoon boat to shuttle people from the beach to the catamaran. Still, it's no shoes and you will get wet.
If you like hiking, two good choices are Iao Valley and the lava fields south of Wailea. Iao Valley is a dense jungle area in the middle of the north half of the island. It has streams and trails, and lots of pools in the rocks that are big enough to swim in. Wear good hiking boots or shoes, and expect to get muddy.
To get to the lava fields, just follow the road signs to Wailea and keep going south until the road ends. From there, you can just start walking south across the lava fields toward the jungle (there's a pretty good path in the jungle). Wear sturdy shoes for this. The lava can be sharp, and it might cut up into sandals or flip flops. The jungle is dry with a dirt path. And every hundred yards or so is another cove with beautiful turquoise water ,and waves splashing up against the red and white volcanic rocks.
Since you're only there for a few nights, I would avoid the trip to Hana. It's an all-day trip, mostly because it takes about 4 hours to drive the narrow highway. Besides, there's not much to see there. Maybe some cool waterfalls along the side of the road or along the hiking trails. But, why waste a whole day? Also, going to see the sunrise at Haleakala is very cool. But, you have to start out at about 3 in the morning and it takes about 3 hours to get there. It's also about 40 degrees with a 30 MPH wind that cuts right through you. And, who wants to pack the clothing needed for such a thing?
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Title Post: When should I go to Hawaii?
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