Waimea Canyon,Road to Hana, or North Shore

If you had to make a choice of which two of Waimea Canyon, North Shore, or Road to Hana which two would it be and why? Assume just for discussion it is using a tour to see them.

There is just so much in Hawaii and we leaving August 1st on POA and need to make decisions, we just booked this week as my scheduled freed me up and I think the prices we got were very good.

Anyone else want to add some MUST DO items elsewhere on the trip please do.

Waimea Canyon is a 'do not miss' sight - it's nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" - spectacular scenery that you'll never forget!

Haleakala on Maui would be my choice over the Road to Hana - again, spectacular scenery - but instead of sunrise, I'd suggest going up in the daytime to enjoy the scenery both ways, and to be able to spend time at the summit when it's not as cold as it is at sunrise. (Suggest renting a car there to do that drive - and I'd also drive to Waimea Canyon via a rental if you can.)

Another 'must do' on this itinerary - Volcanoes National Park (from Hilo).

Have fun!:)

Waimea Canyon is a 'do not miss' sight - it's nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" - spectacular scenery that you'll never forget!

 

Haleakala on Maui would be my choice over the Road to Hana - again, spectacular scenery - but instead of sunrise, I'd suggest going up in the daytime to enjoy the scenery both ways, and to be able to spend time at the summit when it's not as cold as it is at sunrise. (Suggest renting a car there to do that drive - and I'd also drive to Waimea Canyon via a rental if you can.)

 

Another 'must do' on this itinerary - Volcanoes National Park (from Hilo).

 

Have fun!:)

Already booked the volcano in Hilo ...thanks

The Road to Hana is highly overrated, in my opinion.

Do a search here on the forums and you will find a LOT of people that will tell you that it was beautiful but they regret spending so much time on it.

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I'd have to 2nd Haleakala... our rental car crapped out just past the first bridge on the Road to Hana, so we readjusted our plans and took a ship excursion to the top of Haleakala on Maui-day 2. Had we done the Road to Hana, I would have never gotten the attached shot... :cool:

Just so you know, the photo has not been enhanced or touched up; Photoshop was only used to reduce the file size. The "rainbow" in the pic occurred naturally... I was just lucky enough to be there when the sun broke through the clouds.

When we were on Kauai, my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and nephew went up to Waimea Canyon and stopped at Wailua Falls. My family - myself, husband, our two daughters, and my mom-in-law, took the road north and stopped at Poli'ahu heiau, Opakea'a Falls, Kilauea Wildlife Refuge, Hanalei Valley overlook, Hanalei pier, Lumaha'i beach, Ha'ena beach, the dry caves (directly across the street from Ha'ena, and Ke'e beach. We definitely saw more than they did, but that's a personal choice. There is lots more to see on the way to Waimea than what they did, so it's hard for me to be able to say one drive was better than the other. If I had to compare what we did vs. what they did, I'd say ours was better. But again, there's lots more to see than what they saw. I don't think they did much research, just decided to see the canyon.

Oh, and as for the R2H, it's really pretty, but I wouldn't do it on the cruise. That's something to do when you're there for a week or more and can dedicate an entire day. Just my opinion, of course! Lots of people do it on the cruise and love it! I'd see Haleakala or the 'Iao Valley. Or maybe both. 'Iao isn't a must see for most people, but I've been up the valley twice and just love it. We spent a couple hours there. :)

If you had to make a choice of which two of Waimea Canyon, North Shore, or Road to Hana which two would it be and why? Assume just for discussion it is using a tour to see them. There is just so much in Hawaii and we leaving August 1st on POA and need to make decisions, we just booked this week as my scheduled freed me up and I think the prices we got were very good. Anyone else want to add some MUST DO items elsewhere on the trip please do.

When we were on Kauai, ... My family ... took the road north and stopped at Poli'ahu heiau, Opakea'a Falls, Kilauea Wildlife Refuge, Hanalei Valley overlook, Hanalei pier, Lumaha'i beach, Ha'ena beach, the dry caves (directly across the street from Ha'ena, and Ke'e beach.

Aloha ekajun1957 :D

Just be sure if you go to the Waimea Canyon Lookout, you continue on to the Kalalau Lookout. That view from the top of the mountain to the ocean is spectacular.

When you say "North Shore" what do you mean? North Shore of Kauai as described by greatlakesgirl?

And Hana is on the island of Maui so your question is not clear. Anyway, on a cruise, I wouldn't spend the time to go to Hana. The attraction is "The Road To Hana" and all of the views on the way to Hana, not the little town of Hana itself. It is a long drive and you'd be better served doing something else on Maui during your cruise. The Road To Hana is better saved for another trip when you have a much longer time on the island of Maui.

Aloha :D

Skip the Road to Hana, if you have other things you'd like to do...it's a great way to "kill time", but it's truly NOT a huge Hawaiian experience. It will eat up your entire day.

Aloha ekajun1957 :D

 

Just be sure if you go to the Waimea Canyon Lookout, you continue on to the Kalalau Lookout. That view from the top of the mountain to the ocean is spectacular.

 

When you say "North Shore" what do you mean? North Shore of Kauai as described by greatlakesgirl?

 

And Hana is on the island of Maui so your question is not clear. Anyway, on a cruise, I wouldn't spend the time to go to Hana. The attraction is "The Road To Hana" and all of the views on the way to Hana, not the little town of Hana itself. It is a long drive and you'd be better served doing something else on Maui during your cruise. The Road To Hana is better saved for another trip when you have a much longer time on the island of Maui.

 

Aloha :D

Since they were talking about Waimea Canyon, I thought they meant the north shore of Kauai. I suppose they could mean Oahu's north shore, which we also saw. :D

To me Waimea Canyon was nice but the Grand Canyon of the Pacific was not great. We enjoyed the scenic ride to the north end of the road in Kauai much more.

The drive on the RTH isn't necessarily about the destination of Hana nor the drive. Instead it's about the short diversions off the road to many beautiful locations including waterfalls & pools to swim in. It's the scenic Keane peninsula with crashing surf against the lava shoreline. It's Waianapnapa's black sand beach & lava tube to the ocean. It's the red sand beach just past Hana, Hamoa Beach & Ohe'o Gulch. These are just some of the reasons I would be more likely to go there again than to the other places the OP asked about. It's too long to fully enjoy during a cruise day arrival in Lahaina however I think it's doable for those with a 2-day visit on the POA arriving in Kahului.

With 81% of those doing Trip Advisor reviews giving the RTH either "excellent" (56%) or "very good" (25%) ratings then I'm not the only person who enjoys the RTH. ;)

'ekajun1957'...opinions are subjective & will vary but hopefully you'll get enough opinions on CC & other travel sites to determine which one is best for you. :)

To me Waimea Canyon was nice but the Grand Canyon of the Pacific was not great.

A little play on words there ;)

We must have seen it on a nicer day, but we also hiked while up there, so perhaps the extra views left a better impression. We spent 4 days on the north shore on that trip (and four on the south) and agree, the north shore is very scenic ... I don't think you can go wrong with either, but I can't imagine going to Kauai and not seeing the Waimea Canyon ... but maybe not everyone's 'cup of tea'.

We also saw the canyon on a heli tour ... maybe a heli tour of Waimea Canyon and a drive to the north shore of Kauai would be the best way to spend the 2 POA days on Kauai!

I too thought the OP was referring to Oahu's north shore, but maybe they meant Kauai's north shore.

To me Waimea Canyon was nice but the Grand Canyon of the Pacific was not great. We enjoyed the scenic ride to the north end of the road in Kauai much more.

 

The drive on the RTH isn't necessarily about the destination of Hana nor the drive. Instead it's about the short diversions off the road to many beautiful locations including waterfalls & pools to swim in. It's the scenic Keane peninsula with crashing surf against the lava shoreline. It's Waianapnapa's black sand beach & lava tube to the ocean. It's the red sand beach just past Hana, Hamoa Beach & Ohe'o Gulch. These are just some of the reasons I would be more likely to go there again than to the other places the OP asked about. It's too long to fully enjoy during a cruise day arrival in Lahaina however I think it's doable for those with a 2-day visit on the POA arriving in Kahului.

 

With 81% of those doing Trip Advisor reviews giving the RTH either "excellent" (56%) or "very good" (25%) ratings then I'm not the only person who enjoys the RTH. ;)

 

'ekajun1957'...opinions are subjective & will vary but hopefully you'll get enough opinions on CC & other travel sites to determine which one is best for you. :)

I know I enjoyed the R2H very much when I went with my parents back in '89, and I was only 18. When we went on the POA we talked about doing it, but there were other things we wanted to do more. On the 2nd day we did the Molokini snorkel excursion through NCL (they use Pacific Whale Foundation).

I know I have said that I found Maui becoming too over-developed, but it is still so very beautiful, and I would say it is my second favorite island after Kauai.

I know I enjoyed the R2H very much when I went with my parents back in '89, and I was only 18. When we went on the POA we talked about doing it, but there were other things we wanted to do more. On the 2nd day we did the Molokini snorkel excursion through NCL (they use Pacific Whale Foundation).

 

I know I have said that I found Maui becoming too over-developed, but it is still so very beautiful, and I would say it is my second favorite island after Kauai.

Each island has unique experiences & each island is wonderful but no island is best for everyone. ;)

Obviously living on Maui that's my favorite island but there are so many things that I like about the other islands. One of the things I enjoy about a Hawaiian cruise is island-hopping for a day in each port without having to fly anywhere. :)

If you had to make a choice of which two of Waimea Canyon, North Shore, or Road to Hana which two would it be and why? Assume just for discussion it is using a tour to see them.

There is just so much in Hawaii and we leaving August 1st on POA and need to make decisions, we just booked this week as my scheduled freed me up and I think the prices we got were very good.

Anyone else want to add some MUST DO items elsewhere on the trip please do.

You didn't say how you planned to see these sites. Are you booking tours? There is another choice that will allow you to see much more during your port stops, and one that many cruisers choose rather than booking tours, and that is a car rental with shuttle pick up at the port. You can keep the car overnight and get two full days of exploring on Maui and 1 and 1/2 on Kauai. Rather than choose just one, you will have time for Waimea Canyon and any number of other things in a single day. The Road to Hana is the only choice which might preclude seeing more than one thing ina day on Maui as it is several hours Roundtrip. Everything else is within an hours drive and the driving is very easy. Much less expensive than tours as well and you can cover much of the island in a day seeing what you want to see. Many people book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental website, no advance payment and fully refundable.

Have a great trip. We went in late August last year and the weather was pretty much perfect.

As can be seen, all of these are great options for some people. :) I greatly enjoy them, but have had the luxury of seeing them multiple times. I enjoy the Road to Hana, It is full of "differences", with the success of finding Lindbergh's grave as an example. :) BUT, I have only rented cars, so would be a different story on a fixed tour.

There is so much to see and do, you can see and do much more with rental cars, especially with NCL's itinerary. As an example, I do enjoy seeing Waimai Canyon BUT with a rental car for the 2 days, I can see, if it's fogged out, and go there alternative times. I add, the Poipu Beach, the blow hole, coffee plantation stop etc, A Waimai tour- is a fixed time, going the shortest distance there. Well worth the time, to drive all the way.

Many many options to consider.

This time being our first we using tours, want to leave the driving to someone else. We know we will come back for longer stay later on then use rental car. We enjoy tours our first time to many places. I did mean North shore of Maui. Thanks for all the great advice

This time being our first we using tours, want to leave the driving to someone else. We know we will come back for longer stay later on then use rental car. We enjoy tours our first time to many places. I did mean North shore of Maui. Thanks for all the great advice

West Maui as far north as Honolua Bay is very nice but I think there are better things to see than the North Maui road even on an escorted tour.

It took me many years to learn about the last lava flow on Maui in the late 1700s. It's between Makena & La Perouse Bay in South Maui & to me it's much more interesting than the north shore.

Each island has unique experiences & each island is wonderful but no island is best for everyone. ;)

 

Obviously living on Maui that's my favorite island but there are so many things that I like about the other islands. One of the things I enjoy about a Hawaiian cruise is island-hopping for a day in each port without having to fly anywhere. :)

Astro Flyer, my husband and I will be spending 5 nights on Maui in early September during our 2 week trip. Staying over at the Four Seasons. Any recommendations for what we should do? How about favorite restaurants. We will have a rental car.

I'd have to 2nd Haleakala... our rental car crapped out just past the first bridge on the Road to Hana, so we readjusted our plans and took a ship excursion to the top of Haleakala on Maui-day 2. Had we done the Road to Hana, I would have never gotten the attached shot... :cool:

 

Just so you know, the photo has not been enhanced or touched up; Photoshop was only used to reduce the file size. The "rainbow" in the pic occurred naturally... I was just lucky enough to be there when the sun broke through the clouds.

I actually gasped when I clicked on your photo. I am married to a photographer so I know an exceptional photo when I see it. It's spectacular. Thanks for sharing it, it is truly a wow!!!:)

If you had to make a choice of which two of Waimea Canyon, North Shore, or Road to Hana which two would it be and why? Assume just for discussion it is using a tour to see them.

There is just so much in Hawaii and we leaving August 1st on POA and need to make decisions, we just booked this week as my scheduled freed me up and I think the prices we got were very good.

Anyone else want to add some MUST DO items elsewhere on the trip please do.

IMHO very personal and everyone's interest and WOW is a little different. I've made the attempt to do Hana like three times never made it. This past trip this summer we didn't even bother, not or idea of fun. But so many make it so they all can't be wrong could they.

I personally loved Waimea and have done it each time we have been to Kauai and the hike at the end is NOT to be missed!.

This time being our first we using tours, want to leave the driving to someone else. We know we will come back for longer stay later on then use rental car. We enjoy tours our first time to many places. I did mean North shore of Maui. Thanks for all the great advice

Aloha ekajun1957 :D

For the first trip, bus tour on the Road To Hana is okay just to get an idea of what it is like (it takes a long time). The second trip, you really want to drive (will take longer) because there are place you will want to stop that the bus didn't stop at.

Aloha :D

Astro Flyer, my husband and I will be spending 5 nights on Maui in early September during our 2 week trip. Staying over at the Four Seasons. Any recommendations for what we should do? How about favorite restaurants. We will have a rental car.

We're about 10 a minute drive from the Four Seasons but most days we drive to Wailea's Ulua Beach for a morning walk along the paved oceanfront walkway. :)

Not knowing what you like to do it's difficult to make recommendations about places to visit based on whether you prefer quickly touring many places or to more leisurely experience things. Also the type & price range of restaurants you're considering.

We don't eat often but enjoy Mulligan's on the Blue which is a short distance from your hotel. We particularly like to go on Sunday nights when the Irish band Celtic Tigers usually perform. The owner is from Ireland & we always have fun & will sit outside to enjoy the sunset from their hilltop location. We also go to Da Kitchen (Kihei: order at counter to eat there or to go; Kahului: table service) which is the best local-style food.

Maluaka Beach on the south end of the Makena Beach Resort has good snorkeling & the area is sometimes marketed as "Turtle Town" for snorkeling tour boat excursions. Whenever I have taken friends there we have always seen turtles and other tropical fish. Closer to your hotel is Ulua Beach which is another good snorkeling location and one that is frequently used for scuba diving instruction. Both locations have parking lots, outdoor showers and indoor (not porta-potties) toilets which some of the less developed beaches do not have available.

My most memorable experience has been a sunrise at Haleakala...the closest I'll get to a sunrise from space! :D It requires getting up very early to drive to the summit & to bundle up to stay warm. But seeing the dark sky begin to illuminate with a golden glow on the horizon is something that I'll never forget.

This forum is full of the pros & cons about things to experience on Maui but hopefully you'll also find time to leisurely enjoy things & not only from your car. ;)

Let me know if there's any additional info that I might be able to provide.

We're about 10 a minute drive from the Four Seasons but most days we drive to Wailea's Ulua Beach for a morning walk along the paved oceanfront walkway. :)

 

Not knowing what you like to do it's difficult to make recommendations about places to visit based on whether you prefer quickly touring many places or to more leisurely experience things. Also the type & price range of restaurants you're considering.

 

We don't eat often but enjoy Mulligan's on the Blue which is a short distance from your hotel. We particularly like to go on Sunday nights when the Irish band Celtic Tigers usually perform. The owner is from Ireland & we always have fun & will sit outside to enjoy the sunset from their hilltop location. We also go to Da Kitchen (Kihei: order at counter to eat there or to go; Kahului: table service) which is the best local-style food.

 

Maluaka Beach on the south end of the Makena Beach Resort has good snorkeling & the area is sometimes marketed as "Turtle Town" for snorkeling tour boat excursions. Whenever I have taken friends there we have always seen turtles and other tropical fish. Closer to your hotel is Ulua Beach which is another good snorkeling location and one that is frequently used for scuba diving instruction. Both locations have parking lots, outdoor showers and indoor (not porta-potties) toilets which some of the less developed beaches do not have available.

 

My most memorable experience has been a sunrise at Haleakala...the closest I'll get to a sunrise from space! :D It requires getting up very early to drive to the summit & to bundle up to stay warm. But seeing the dark sky begin to illuminate with a golden glow on the horizon is something that I'll never forget.

 

This forum is full of the pros & cons about things to experience on Maui but hopefully you'll also find time to leisurely enjoy things & not only from your car. ;)

 

Let me know if there's any additional info that I might be able to provide.

Thanks. I had read about Mulligans and figured we would check it out. Sounds like a fun place.

Thanks also for the tip about Da Kitchen, sounds like something we would love.

As far as restaurants, we have many high end restaurants here in Miami and in Naples. Living on Brickell Ave., I can walk to many of them. (Naples happens to have a Roy's and Tommy Bahamas so those are out.) I'd rather do more casual places or local places while we are in Maui. Also not looking to pack dress clothes! I'll take any other suggestions you have for dining or places to have a few cocktails. I don't have any issues with spending money on good food at all and I'm used to the higher prices that we pay here for drinks and meals.

We will be renting a car and figure we will be spending time driving around and exploring. I've read a bit about the Road to Hana but would love to hear your take on whether it's worth the day driving. It sounds like there may be other places we should visit.

We will have been in Oahu for 6 nights prior to this visiting our son so should be on Island time by the time we get to Maui. I've got the Royal Hawaiian booked for this stay. Our son is an officer stationed here and is finally moving into his high rise in downtown Honolulu next week. We are heading back here for 3 more nights afterwards.

Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

As far as restaurants, we have many high end restaurants here in Miami and in Naples. Living on Brickell Ave., I can walk to many of them. (Naples happens to have a Roy's and Tommy Bahamas so those are out.) I'd rather do more casual places or local places while we are in Maui. Also not looking to pack dress clothes! I'll take any other suggestions you have for dining or places to have a few cocktails. I don't have any issues with spending money on good food at all and I'm used to the higher prices that we pay here for drinks and meals.

You may be here too early for their schedule, but the Culinary Arts program at UH Maui Campus has a set of gourmet but casual luncheons during the fall and spring semesters at their venue on campus called "A Class Act". It is more than can adequately be explained here, but do google that name for more information. It is a very unique experience.

Thanks. I had read about Mulligans and figured we would check it out. Sounds like a fun place.

Thanks also for the tip about Da Kitchen, sounds like something we would love.

 

As far as restaurants, we have many high end restaurants here in Miami and in Naples. Living on Brickell Ave., I can walk to many of them. (Naples happens to have a Roy's and Tommy Bahamas so those are out.) I'd rather do more casual places or local places while we are in Maui. Also not looking to pack dress clothes! I'll take any other suggestions you have for dining or places to have a few cocktails. I don't have any issues with spending money on good food at all and I'm used to the higher prices that we pay here for drinks and meals.

 

We will be renting a car and figure we will be spending time driving around and exploring. I've read a bit about the Road to Hana but would love to hear your take on whether it's worth the day driving. It sounds like there may be other places we should visit.

 

We will have been in Oahu for 6 nights prior to this visiting our son so should be on Island time by the time we get to Maui. I've got the Royal Hawaiian booked for this stay. Our son is an officer stationed here and is finally moving into his high rise in downtown Honolulu next week. We are heading back here for 3 more nights afterwards.

 

Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

The drive on the RTH isn't necessarily about the destination of Hana nor the drive. Instead it's about the short diversions off the road to many beautiful locations including waterfalls & pools to swim in. It's the scenic Keane peninsula with crashing surf against the lava shoreline. It's Waianapnapa's black sand beach & lava tube to the ocean. It's the red sand beach just past Hana, Hamoa Beach & Ohe'o Gulch. These are just some of the reasons I would be more likely to go there again than to the other places the OP asked about.

 

With 81% of those doing Trip Advisor reviews giving the RTH either "excellent" (56%) or "very good" (25%) ratings then I'm not the only person who enjoys the RTH. ;)

Here are some comments I posted earlier in this discussion about the RTH and with 5 nights on Maui would recommend it. I read that driving early on weekend mornings are the least crowded times to go & that was my experience. It appears that most people make stops going to Hana & return non-stop so if you make stops returning you may have fewer people at the stops along the way.

If you like experiencing what it's like to walk on the moon, the astronauts trained at Haleakala. I can see the summit & many days by about noon clouds cover it so the best views may be earlier. At 10,000 feet it can be nearly 30° cooler than at sea level & even in Upcountry about the midway point up to the summit it can be 20° cooler. Upcountry is nice & has great views but wouldn't suggest going further than the Maui Winery.

I haven't stayed at any of the Wailea resorts so don't know about their restaurants which are more expensive then places we go. A few of our favorite restaurants are in West Maui...Hula Grill's Barefoot Bar in Ka'anapali & Kimo's in Lahaina. Barefoot Bar is casual dining with umbrella covered tables in the sand across from the beach & many times has live entertainment. Kimo's is waterfront on Front Street in Lahaina with a more upscale menu but both places are owned by the same company which also owns Duke's. I've never gone to a Maui restaurant that required "dress clothes" unless you consider long pants for men to be dressy? :p My wife and I wear tropical-style clothing and we subscribe to the local Shaka (Hang Loose) way of life. :D

I think that Mama's Fish House in Pa'ia is the best although expensive dining on Maui. I learned to appreciate fresh fish in this beautiful setting but due to the cost will have fresh fish at other more affordable Maui restaurants. Sometimes we'll just get pupus (appetizers) & here's a link to view their menu.

http://www.mamasfishhouse.com

I'ao Valley, Maui Tropical Plantation & the lava flow I previously mentioned are nice places to visit. And there are many wonderful beaches from Wailea to Makena including a beautiful cove beach Pa'ako Beach (aka Secret cove).

These are merely my thoughts but staying on Maui for 5 days I'd recommend the excellent Maui Revealed guidebook (or ones for the other islands) which is about $13 through Amazon. Even having visited or lived on Maui for over 3 decades, I found new things to experience with their guidebook.