NSW
17 posts
Hello all,
The wife, my 13 month old son and myself are heading over to Maui at the start of June for about 8 days, and wondering if any of the "seasoned travellers" could shed some light on relatively inexpensive accomodation? It will be our first time there.
I'm wishing to windsurf whilst there - and we're just after basic accomodation with an air conditioner....i'm thinking it's going to be hot, coming from Australia in winter.
Travel agent quotes seem to be expensive, but then I'm not sure what to expect.
Many thanks in advance!
WA
2562 posts
if your travelling with family just save the headaches and get a condo at kihei (southside). Its only 15min from the northshore, most have pools, and probably nicer for the baby. Heat isnt really an issue, 28ish but tropical, so its nice.
NSW
1871 posts
Check out the Maui Sunset for accommodation. They have nice grounds, a pool and a spa, and you can sail out front when the tide is right. The best is to go for a ground floor apartment as it saves lugging the gear up. For car rental look up 'word of mouth'. They buy all the used rental cars from mainstream companies and rent them at half the price. Some are a bit rough but they have AC and are good for beach to beach transport.
WA
2562 posts
On the car hire front check out the insurance costs as they changed the pricing for insurance for non citizens. We found it was cheaper to go to hertz and get a suv once you add up the extra cost for the insurance at word of mouth. Plus they pick you up from the airport.
SA
583 posts
There are some hidden costs to be aware of....
There is an accommodation tax of around 7% extra I think.
There is extra car insurance you can pay per day such as CDW and road taxes ... so I found you could pay an extra $25per day on top of the "cheap" rate. I ended up going Hertz as well last time I was there. You can get picked up from the airport in their shuttle.
There is some great hiking in Maui which is easy to get to but you have to drive. You could do a 1/2 day in Lahina which is about 20-30 mins from Kihe.
I got gear through Hawaiin Island. I compared all the different shops and gear rental is pretty much the same price every where. You should go to the shop that has gear you want to try; Quatro,Ezzy, Starboard etc.
You can pack a lot in if you plan your time well. Let me know if you want to know more.....
cheers
NSW
22 posts
Winditup, I have been to Maui quite a few times. I will be there in June so may see you there. Yes, Maui Sunset is good if taking the family. I am staying a few doors down from Maui Sunset.
Look up the VRBO site (Vacation Rental By Owner). You will get all the rates for places to rent. It is safe and easy to book online.
I have used "cheap" car rentals in the past from Al West's Maui Vans. Last one kept breaking down. I now use Hertz, Dollar or Alamo. They are all good, new and reliable.
All the windsurfing shops are pretty good. Neil Pryde Maui will have all 2009 gear. Some of the other shops have older gear. Some shops give a discount for booking in advance, like Maui Windsurf Company.
NSW
17 posts
Thanks for all your replies everyone, been gr8!
Just one more question if I may - does anyone know if you can get transformers (or the like) to convert from U.S to Australian power supply?
If so, can/should you buy in Maui, or would you try and find s/where in Aust?
Thanks again!
NSW
190 posts
From memory the guys with computers and phones just had plug adaptors that they purchased in Aus and had no problems.
Dan, myself and a few others stayed at Kealia resort in Kihei which was good but that was in 2000. It still looks ok on website.Nice pool and views and right on the beach.
Have fun.
NSW
172 posts
Nice work Roberto, I had been trying to remember the name of that place for ages. I am planning a family trip next April/May and no one could remember what that place was called.
SA
2878 posts
We are in Maui for all of June this year, looks like there will be another oz invasion as per last year! :)
Car hire, Al Wests, if it breaks down they come straight out with another one, so no real issue, just dont take any of their cars up the volcano (we didnt!)
Cheap, and very easy to deal with, also have heaps of kids beach toys to keep little one entertained at the Kanaha kikie beach
Accomodation, we stay with frinds that we have got to know, send me a PM and I will hook you up, some cheap studios in Paia still available from $60-$100 US per night
Gear hire, always have rented from Steve at Hawaiian Island, we got three weeks, for $550, includes board, two sails, two masts, base, and boom, you can drop back and change when you need, ie wind high or low and neededing bigger kit etc.....or swap for surf board on no wind days.
Food, get a Safeway card, will get 5-10% off all pruchases, everything is in this place, OR if you are there for extended time get a costco card, massive savings to be had, this place literally has everything!
Sail Kanaha on the trades, Hookipa if you are up for it! Kihei was also good on onshare days at Kanaha as it flutes throught he centre of the island into the Kihei area!
If you want any other tips send me a PM
Dave,
We will be there between 10th June and 2nd July and will be at Kanaha everyday!
SA
583 posts
Try Kuau for wavesailing as it has a great wave and is much less crowded! Access is quite hidden down past Kuau plaza. You have to find one of the public access paths between the houses to get to the water. However, its a launch off the rocks/boulders. Its a bit of a secret spot down from Hookipa.
You will get bored sailing Kanaha every day. Upwind Kanaha is great for jumping and downwind from Kanaha is a break called "Lowers". It offers more potential turns than Hookipa and essentially a longer wave especially when its big. In the middle of Kanaha is a little peak called "triangles" for obvious reasons. Its a bit of a Bermuda triangle with lots of swirly current around it making it really hard to waterstart.
Get to Longs drugs and buy some "liquid skin" and seal up any tiny reef cuts and scratches. Any cut ulerates and grows really quickly making them very painful. I got cuts on my feet from the Kanaha reef on my feet. I ended up sealing the cut with liquid skin and then using ankle strapping tape to keep the bandaids on.
good luck
NSW
181 posts
sugar cove is the place to be your own beach, sail when youwant too, beer's & food 50m away, misses & kids not getting sandblasted while your out enjoying yourself . take the family you have to make it family frendly or it turns to ****
