General Geographic Area: West Maui

In a nutshell: West Maui is home to loads of beautiful beaches, and the towns of Lahaina and Ka’anapali. To the north of this region, Ka’anapali and Kapalua boast plenty of higher-end condos and resort hotels, plus four world-class golf courses. Lahaina, the most-visited spot on Maui, is midway around the head and where you’ll find lower and mid-range lodging options.
Minuses: Only one narrow two-lane road in and out makes for the most congested traffic in Maui.
Sound-bite: “Today: Golf lessons, shopping, then some beach time to rest up for party-time tonight in Lahaina!”

West Maui is a large area which has seen the majority of Maui’s hotel and resort development. Ka’anapali Beach Resort is Maui’s largest (and first) master-planned resort, boasting 11 hotels and condos. Lahaina, known as Maui’s old whaling, party and shopping town also boasts loads of history and is home to one of Maui’s two main recreational ports. West Maui has four world-class golf courses, including the world-renowned PGA championship Plantation Course at Kapalua.

West Maui has only one main thoroughfare: the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30.) The Honoapiilani Highway runs right along the scenic shoreline, and in some places, right up to the shorebreak. It makes for fantastically unique drive. The highway continues all the way around the scenic West Maui Mountains, finishing up along a precarious cliff-edge drive that emerges back on the other side of Central Maui from where you started.

Being the most densely populated tourist area, and having only one narrow road in and out makes for heavy traffic. When there is an accident, forget about it – the road can be closed off entirely, cutting off access in or out of this side of the island for many hours at a time.

There are many opportunities for shopping and dining and new condos, hotels, time-shares, shopping centers and strip malls continue to spring up year after year.

For more specific information on West Maui, browse the West Maui category.

You may also be interested in:

• Oneloa Beach (aka Ironwoods Beach)
• Roy’s Kaanapali
• China Boat

Insider source for Hawaii rental car deals.

In a nutshell: Insider/wholesale pricing on rental cars.
Minuses: Online rental process is not real-time.
Sound-bite: “Are you sure these rates are correct?”

Okay, this one of those situations where it pays to know someone local. Maui truly plays by its own set of rules – and those locally connected pay less than you will for many things. Rental cars won’t be one of them – it doesn’t get any less expensive. This small locally-owned business beats out discount sites like Orbitz, Priceline & Travelocity consistently. Frequently the difference in price will be significant enough that if you have been shopping around you might think these can’t possibly be current rates. Good news: the prices are current, and they are for real.

Car Rental Hawaii has an inside wholesale connection to the major in-airport rental car companies. Don’t mistake them for rent-a-wreck type places – even though the prices are in line with what you might expect to pay for a older car at a smal rental place, these are current model year cars from major in-airport rental car companies.

I’ve known about Car Rental Hawaii for several years now, and the truth is I have not ended up booking a single car with anyone since – and that is saying something. It definitely isn’t from being lazy or having cash to throw around – I am a habitual comparison shopper and bargain hunter, and can’t help but to keep everyone honest by cross-checking their prices every time. Don’t take my word for it – cross-check the rates for yourself. (They even have an iPhone app!)

The icing on the cake is these folks don’t even make you give them any credit card or ask you to commit. You’re free to cancel out should plans change – we’re not so used to that these days – you buy from Priceline or somewhere similar and you pay immediately for a reservation you can’t cancel – we’ve been told that is because the deal is so good, they need to be sure they get paid. But I guess that doesn’t actually makes sense – because if you truly don’t have to worry about anyone ever beating your price people are going to show up for your reservation every time.

So, the way to do this is to first is to go to their website at www.carrentalhawaii.com, submit the dates of your visit and the website will give you an estimate price along with a form to get a firm price quote. In the “cruise ship” field place “Maui Guidebook” (or if you’re taking a cruise ship use the airline field.) Submit the form and wait for an email from them. While you’re waiting, cruise around to all the other discount sites your heart desires to get that warm and fuzzy feeling of saving dough.

Key Info:
Location: Kahului Airport (OGG)
Phone: 866-300-7116
Web: http://www.carrentalhawaii.com/
Price: Typically $20-55/day or $130-260/wk depending on car type.

You may also be interested in:

• Spreckelsville Beach
• The Back Side of Haleakala (Kipahulu to Ulupalakua)
• Maui Coffee Roasters

Son'z at Swan Court

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 High-End Contemporary W.

In a nutshell: A romantic setting with fantastic Mediterranean influenced island cuisine.
Minuses: Pricey.
Sound-bite: “so romantic, we were seated at a table for two right next to the lake.”

Location:   Hyatt Regency Resort, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Ka'anapali, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-4506 Website:   www.tristarrestaurants.com/son... Menus:   Dinner Menu Wine List

Hours:   Daily 6:30 - 11am; 5-10pm (10:30 Fri & Sat) Bar stays open to midnight. Price:   Expensive Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Yes Outdoor Seating:   Open Air Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Yes

Description:
Located at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Ka'anapali, this romantic open-air restaurant sits at the edge of a swan pond complete with flowing waterfalls, lush gardens, and a dramatic staircase entry that looks like it's been transported out of an elegant 50's movie set.

Normally I shy away from resort restaurants, because, in Maui more than most places, an on-the-ground understanding of what makes our island unique is key. Otherwise, you're sitting at a formula restaurant that really could be dropped on any resort beach in the world with the same result - and I don't believe that is what draws people to Maui.

The key to success here is that Son'z doesn't belong to Hyatt. Son'z is part of a Hawaii based group of high-end restaurants, the ownership and on-site management team are fine-tuned from decades of presence in Hawaii, and quite literally, have also been an active part of defining contemporary fine dining in the islands.

Like virtually all high-end restaurants in Maui, the dress is "resort casual", and in line with the tropical ambiance and relaxed atmosphere. The waitstaff is equally relaxed, though professional, well informed and attentive - just as you would expect when dining in a restaurant of this caliber.

The cuisine consists of delicious interpretations of "Mediterranean meets Hawaii" - plus a few exquisite renditions of classic comfort foods (Kobe beef meatloaf is a favorite.)

Much of the produce at Son'z comes from local farms, fish come from the surrounding waters - and even the goat cheese is local. In fact, a favorite appetizer is the Surfing Goat Dairy cheese ravioli - which incorporates local award-winning cheese, Maui's Kula corn and Big Island Hamakua mushrooms.

Both meat and fish lovers will come away equally satisfied by the "Mediterranean Rim" interpretations (a name given by the owners to describe the mix of Pacific Rim and Mediterranean influences.) Ahi prime rib, grilled Maui Cattle Company beef tenderloin, and Hawaiian opakapaka picatta, are among the stars of the show.

To top it all off, Swan Court also boasts the largest wine cellar in Hawaii.

(PS, the breakfast buffet here is also ranked among the best in Maui!)

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Yelp

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Google

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Tripadvisor

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OpenTable

You may also be interested in:

• Lahaina Grill
• Hula Grill
• Umalu

Paragon II at Molokini

Rating: 4.85 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate vendors}

Rated #1 Molokini Snorkel Boat

In a nutshell: These guys really know how to sail!
Minuses: Food is a lower priority than beer. (Maybe that’s a plus?!?”)
Sound-bite: “They raised the sails quickly and we were soon traveling at 20 knots!”

Location:		Maalaea & Lahaina Harbors
Phone:		808-244-2087
Website:		www.sailmaui.com
Price:		$50 - $150

Description:
Paragon has two high-performance sailing catamarans, Paragon I and Paragon II.

Paragon II, which sails out of Maalaea Harbor won our award for #1 Sailing Snorkel to Molokini. Both boats do a lot of real sailing, which sets them above the competition who mostly rely on motors to get around. I've got two friends who sail extensively that have both been on Paragon and both rave about their skill and enthusiasm. Similar sentiments are echoed from visitors.

Tours Offered:

Molokini during rush hour ;-) (Photo: Ron Garnett/HTA)

Molokini Snorkel & Performance Sail (Paragon II sailing out of Maalaea)
5-hour performance sail, snorkel and whale/dolphin/turtle watch. Breakfast & lunch are included.

Many vendors offer snorkel trips to Molokini Crater; the factors that went into rating them #1 are:

~ More personal size (read: you won't be herded around like cattle.)
~ They let you explore and don't have to force you to stay close to the boat.
~ You'll have a blast sailing instead of motoring.
~ Whale watching, dolphin & turtle sightings are a shared focus of the sailing portion, not an afterthought - so you'll stop, linger and enjoy when the show is good.
~ Maalaea harbor is less crowded and closer to Molokini than Lahaina Harbor.

Coral Gardens Afternoon Sail & Snorkel (Paragon II sailing out of Maalaea)
3-hour hour trip to a snorkel spot tucked inside the cliffs between Maalaea and Lahaina. Snacks are included.

Lana'i Snorkel, Beach Picnic & Sail (Paragon I sailing out of Lahaina)
7-hour performance sail to Manale Bay on Lana'i. The bay is a marine preserve and is well known for large quantities of spinner dolphins that often swim with people. Picnic on the beach.

Lahaina Champagne Sunset Sail (Paragon I sailing out of Lahaina)
2-hours sunset sail with drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Etc.
Whale watching is included in all trips in season. Unlimited beverages, including beer & wine, (and some trips Mai Tais) are included. Private charters are also available on either boat.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Tripadvisor

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Yelp

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Google

You may also be interested in:

• Hawaii Ocean Rafting
• Trilogy Excursions
• Molokini Crater

Screen capture of 315# Pacific Blue Marlin (see video below)

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Hard-core sportfishing.
Minuses: 3:00
Sound-bite: “Hey mister, is that a Florida Marlins logo on that-there baseball bat?”

DETAILS:
Alright, first of all this isn’t a trip for the kids. These are die-hard fishermen willing to take along the serious angler who isn’t interested in going halfway.

Captain Fuzzy Alboro is a well known, born and raised Maui fisherman and many come here seeking him out by name. Fuzzy knows where to go and when to go. (Speaking of when, you’ll be leaving before anyone else – at 3:00 AM.)

Fuzzy’s pride and joy is a 32′ Boston Whaler Express Fisherman with twin 370 Yanmar engines. Fully equipped with a fish finder, GPS chart plotter, marine head, protection from the elements, a microwave and fridge. The Die Hard is also fully outfitted with quality gear, including 80 Shimanos with bent butt rods, 50 Shimanos with stand up rods and 30 Shimanos and Penns stand up rods and an arsenal of lures. Capt. Fuzzy prefers to fish with live baits, and the Die Hard is typically stocked with plenty of ‘em.

You may end up on the back side of Lanai – or even all the way over in Hana. These are local guys who know a thing or two about where they’re going. If you’re gonna cry about spending an hour or more getting to the right spot that day, well, you may be frustrated with Fuzzy, because he isn’t interested in “the customer is always right” if it means doing it wrong. On the other hand, if you’re a die hard sport fisherman, you paid to go with these guys because they knows exactly what they’re doing.

Like I said, you’ve gotta be serious to go on this trip. (Is “Die Hard” starting to make sense to you?)

Oh, and for the squeamish: the video has some batting practice on the head of the Marlin (to immobilize it prior to taking it onboard.)

Key Info:
Location: Lahaina Harbor
Phone: 808-878-2362
Rating source: Maui Guidebook
Web: http://fishdiehardmaui.com
Prices: Share: $185 – $200 ; Private: $1,000 – $1,100

View Lahaina Town in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Finest Kind Sport Fishing
• Luckey Strike Charters
• Aerial Sportfishing Charters

Jumping into a tidepool

Rating: 4.91 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: Highly personalized touring, hiking and adventures.
Minuses: High quality isn’t ever cheap.
Sound-bite: “We all felt like we had done something truly amazing, adventurous and memorable.”

UPDATE, MAY 2010 – Looks like one of the bigger and certainly most aggressive players in the market is forcing Alicia out of business. Unfortunately the hike guide business is highly restricted by Maui law, and not a level playing field. A real shame, because exactly what Alicia offered was her taking you out to special places as a friend – something that Maui government, and one of the more established tour operators in particular don’t want to see. If this looked like your dream and you’d like me to set you up with someone special, head over to the contact page and let me know – I can probably hook you up with a knowledgeable local guide.

DETAILS:
Awapuhi Adventures is a small one-woman operation, and let me be the first to tell you that one woman is precisely who makes it so spectacular. Alicia (owner and guide) is a well versed naturalist and has such a passion for the island that it is infectious. Alicia also takes the time to understand your abilities, needs and desires before she designs the perfect adventure for you.

Since this is such a highly personalized tour, you’ll also always get to go at your own pace. You won’t ever feel rushed to hurry up and move on, or pressured to do anything you aren’t comfortable doing.

Alicia has a true gift for understanding her guests, and making the spectacular wonders of Maui accessible to the full spectrum of travelers, whatever their ability. Believe it or not, you don’t even have to be a hiker or a swimmer to see spectacular hidden sights, to snorkel and to experience being under a hidden waterfall.

Aahhhhh...waterfall!

Awapuhi Adventures stands out because your day is tailored so that you visit more than one place and really get to experience Maui in all her glory. In the same day you can experience waterfalls, snorkel in tidepools, visit cultural sites, and have a picnic lunch on a secluded beach. If you find that one of the things scheduled along the way is somewhere you’d rather stick around, then by all means you’ll stick around. It is a whole lot more like coming to visit a friend who is sharing what they love than anything else you might go in to this expecting.

And you’ll actually become immersed in what you’re doing – eating wild fruits right off of the trees, learning about Hawaiian culture, the history, and the unique flora and fauna – oh, and you’ll have such a load of fun doing it.

Yummy picnic lunch.

The price is all inclusive, and includes healthy and yummy home-made food (tailored to your taste and any dietary restrictions), all the equipment you’ll need for your chosen adventures, and pick-up/drop-off from your hotel. Alicia is also trained as a wilderness first responder, and carries a first-aid kit. (Don’t take that for granted…I’ve found more than one guide that had no training for responding to an emergency.)

Definitely don’t let the price scare you off – if you’re a family or small group, it won’t cost more than the group tours. If you’re a couple or traveling alone there is an old saying that goes something like “you may not always get what you pay for, but you never get what you don’t pay for.” A day with Awapuhi Adventures is quite impressively ranked by every single customer review I could find as among the most special and memorable activity they did. If you need more convincing, see the link to their Tripadvisor reviews below, when I wrote this Awapuhi had 27 reviews on there and every single one was 5/5 stars. (I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.) In fact, another theme runs though those same customer reviews: several who were initially tentative about the value came out so highly satisfied that they booked an additional day.

Key Info:
Location: Pickup or Meet
Phone: 808-269-6031
Rating source: Maui Guidebook & Tripadvisor
Web: http://awapuhiadventures.com
Price: $100-$200 per person (Typical, actual cost depends on your party size, tour time & destination.)

You may also be interested in:

• Maui Eco Adventures
• Hike Maui
• Maui Hiking Safaris

Three horse riding tours w/great views

Key Info:
Location: Punakea Lp, Lahaina
Phone: 808-667-2222
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.mauihorse.com
Price: $110 – $135

View Lahaina Stables in a larger map

You may also be interested in:

• Ironwood Ranch
• Mendes Ranch
• Haleakala Crater (Haleakala National Park Summit Area)

Kayak & snorkeling tours of South & West Maui. They also offer surf lessons.

Key Info:
Location: Meet at launch site(varies), South & West Maui
Phone: 808-874-7652
Rating source: Google
Web: http://www.keliiskayak.com
Price: $50 – $150

View Larger Map

You may also be interested in:

• Maui Eco Tours (Reported Closed)
• Hike Maui
• Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures