Just Booked... Now what extras do we need?

Finally, after reading and researching for weeks, our booking is final. My family.. Hubby and 2 kids 9 %26amp; 11 will be in Maui in July for 1 week. Staying at the Westin.Never been before. What excursions/ extras should we do? We love to snorkel (kids are really experienced), but were thinking of just doing shore snorkeling. Should we book one of the snorkel tours??? We still need to book a car (do we??).. any suggestions? What about the Road to Hana? Remember we have 2 kids... How about luas? I have seen so many different ones. We are probably looking for a cheezy one that the kids will enjoy... something really over the top. How about a zipline?

Any help will be appreciated. This will likely be our only trip to Hawaii for a while.. so we want to make the best of it.

THX

Just Booked... Now what extras do we need?

You can get a start snorkeling off shore at Black Rock. Can be crowded, watch out for people jumping off the top. If there is calm and no wind, you can go around the point (hug it) to the cove on the north side which I think is better.

MsFuzz has a fine list of other places...do a search or see if she chimes in.

Snorkel tours leave off the beach there so I%26#39;d wait and see. For a big-time day, you could go to Lanai and snorkel there but in summer I like the boats that go north toward Napili better.

Luau--not lua. Latter is a restroom facility though those come in handy too. Sorry, I am not a fan so can%26#39;t advise.

I think going up to Haleakela and upcountry there is a nice thing to do one day. Not necessarily for dawn or sunset. Just go up, see the crater, see the lovely green up there and the view down over Makena. I%26#39;d personally do that over the Hana thing unless you and the kids are big on long car trips.

Just Booked... Now what extras do we need?

ABMom -

You will need a car. Get one on Priceline or try discounthawaiicarrental.com - got a GREAT deal on Avis with them. Budget is usually reasonable too. I found the discount site to be cheaper than my costco rates too.

Just trying to ferry 4 people plus luggage by taxi or by shuttle will cost the same if not more than the week long car rental, and in the meantime you%26#39;ll have no way to get anywhere outside the resort.

We parasailed with UFO off Kaanapali beach, and we loved it - i bet the kids would too. There are great deals on boats going out on snorkel trips - if you%26#39;ve not done it and can work it in your budget, i%26#39;d do it. Ziplines are fun, but $$$ IMHO - we%26#39;re going to do one, but we%26#39;ve done a lot of activites on previous trips. And goofy foot surf school in lahaina has good reviews and is kid friendly. Just a few ideas. Hope it helps!

Now that you are booked for your flights and hotel, book your car now - ASAP. Discounthawaiicarrental.com or hawaiicarrental.com are very good ones to go through. Costco is usally very good, but I agree with the previous post that the rates are not as good as I have found them in the past. Sometimes rates change daily, but fleets have been reduced and availability is therefore less which makes prices reflective.

Snorkeling from shore can be a great thing to do and I agree to wait for booking that until you have arrived and see how it goes from shore, the weather, etc.

The drive to Hana is purely a personal choice, (one of those love it or hate it things) but if you wish to get a taste of the lush greenery that Maui has to offer, without a full day in the car - Iao Valley and Kepaniwai Heritage gardens are beautiful and easily visited in much less time. Kapalua area is gorgeous as well.

';Over the top'; - The ziplines are reportedly fun, expensive, again a personal choice (I would if I could). Parasailing off Kaanapali will definitely get you over the top.

The Old Lahaina Luau or Feast at LeLe are well reputed.

Some great suggestions here ABMom. As said look for Msfuzz%26#39;s list of shore snorkeling places. I say no to snorkeling trips, unless it%26#39;s a day visit to wonderful Lanai.

With a week you want to relax, and not overplan too. Maybe a trip to Makena (you must see Wailea, Makena, and ';Big Beach';), and a trip to the Goddess Pele, and maybe a full day to Hana.

Again don%26#39;t overplan, especially if you want some down time. Some beach time; some great places to snorkel in South Maui too. And nothing like relaxing with a PINK lava flow and catching a pink flash sunset.

Priceless...enjoy!

Yes, you need a car and you need to book it NOW. Regarding snorkeling - you and your kids would love a catamaran snorkeling excursion. Go on-line and pull up Trilogy. The have a morning trip (always the best time to go - calmer water) that leaves from Ka%26#39;anapali. It%26#39;s called ';Discover Ka%26#39;anapali'; - but it really takes you right from the beach to the spot they deem the best that day. Honolua Bay, most likely. Excellent lunch included. Kids are not a problem. Great staff.

Black Rock is a short walk from the Westin. Go in the morning.

Caddy! You disagree with me about the handy and wonderful snorkeling trips from Ka%26#39;anapali? You%26#39;re in trouble now, mister! (ABMOM - Triology also has catamaran trips to Lanai -- which are $$$ but wonderful. Kind of a long day for kids.)

And you absolutely have to go to Haleakala. You%26#39;ll see lots of posts about going at sunrise, at sunset ... etc. Bottom line - it is breathtaking any time of day. Your whole family will enjoy.

I don%26#39;t know about your access to aquariums, but the Maui Ocean Center is another great place for the whole family. (And you can get out of the sun for a while.)

Hi

rent a car asap

great shoreline snorkeling at each side of the Sheraton Black Rock which is walking distance from the Westin

Airport beach is a little further and excellent snorkeling.

a zippier luau would be Royal Lahaina and ask them if they are doing the children are free deal.

Have a meal at the Bettys at 505 and you will see the Feast of Lele entertainment for free.

Prebook zipline if you want to do it.

If you haven%26#39;t been to a rain forrest then drive the road to Hana. If it is too much for the kids then turn around and take a swim at Twin Falls. Show them the windsurfers at Hookipa.

Have a great trip.

aloha

For a start this link has some information that may help.

http://snorkelbob.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/mauitipsw.htm?L+scstore+cwty3917ff040504+1241440252

It%26#39;s not a Green Fuzzy turtle - but as I said it%26#39;s a start.

BLBL and dear OP, I guess what I meant was I%26#39;ve done a bunch of them numerous times. But I%26#39;d do a few if it were my first time(s). (Handy???)

OP you do need to get around and visit Maui and need to get a car.

(Better chance of seeing a speedo on the beach BLBL instead of snorkeling!) ;)

I don%26#39;t want to put a damper on your plans, but I think at least one of your children might be too young for the zipline. We did the Haleakala one last year and I think the cut off age was 12...however check right away because they did fill up fast. By all means a luau if you haven%26#39;t been to one...how you could pass that up in Hawaii! I%26#39;m so jealous...wish we were returning this year. Have fun!!