Maui recommendations

[Reef Pilot]

This is our fav spot, by far.
http://www.manakaimaui.com/
Been to many of the other islands, and other parts of Maui, but haven't found a better spot than this. Great beach, and great snorkeling right there, don't have to go anywhere else. We were there last this past Nov (about our 5th time at this location). Here is a little vid using a new action cam strapped to my head. Perfect beach, just enough surf for boogie boarding, but not too big to be dangerous. You can get the boogie boards at the hotel (free, just have to be nice how you ask).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vDfQQIGFQI
And this is what the snorkeling was like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVtKUXjdW4I
Lots of turtles there.

Best price is before US Thanksgiving in Nov. After that it basically doubles, and the bigger 1 and 2 bedroom condo units with kitchens are sold out until later in Mar and Apr. Not sure when the price drops again, but probably later in the spring. Expedia will guarantee best price, so that is what we always use.

[Treebeard]

Sorry for the hijack, but have you ever done Kona? We are thinking about this for 2015-2016. The night manta ray dive looks amazing! And there is also lots of good hiking on the Big Island.

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

This is our fav spot, by far.
http://www.manakaimaui.com/
Been to many of the other islands, and other parts of Maui, but haven't found a better spot than this. Great beach, and great snorkeling right there, don't have to go anywhere else. We were there last this past Nov (about our 5th time at this location). Here is a little vid using a new action cam strapped to my head. Perfect beach, just enough surf for boogie boarding, but not too big to be dangerous. You can get the boogie boards at the hotel (free, just have to be nice how you ask).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vDfQQIGFQI
And this is what the snorkeling was like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVtKUXjdW4I
Lots of turtles there.

Best price is before US Thanksgiving in Nov. After that it basically doubles, and the bigger 1 and 2 bedroom condo units with kitchens are sold out until later in Mar and Apr. Not sure when the price drops again, but probably later in the spring. Expedia will guarantee best price, so that is what we always use.

[IanWR]

I did the big island, it really is big (especially when compared to Maui). Kona is great, lots of really good snorkelling, esp just south. There is a spot next to a state park (name escapes me at the moment) where we got to see those stereotypical scenes of a turtle diving with a cloud of yellow tangs surrounding it. We thought about the manta ray dive, but it goes quite late, plus we were chicken! Upcountry there are coffee plantations, nice hikes, etc.. It's quite a drive to volcano national park (2 hours?) so plan on either a long day or book an overnight. If there is a active eruption it's totally worth any effort to see it. Last we were there there was an eruption right on the coast. Once it starts to get dark what looked like just a huge steam plume with some rock/distant the bottom is clearly glowing red lava.

It's just really hard to go wrong wherever in Hawaii you go.

[Delphinus]

Go get "Maui Revealed" - hands down the best guide books.
http://www.hawaiirevealed.com/guidebooks-apps/

[lemon604]

Once you're in Maui, go to ABC store and get the book Maui Revealed especially if you're going to Hanna.

[Buccaneer]

Hale Pau Hana ... one of the few condos directly on the beach (a lot of them are on the other side of the coast road so you have to pack/lug stuff to get to the beach) stop at Costco just beside the airport and stock up with everything you need for your stay on Maui

http://www.hphresort.com/

every unit faces the ocean ... we have been to Maui twice and stayed at HPH both times ... always a amazing vacation

right at the end of Kamaole Beach Park II ... with a reef within yards for snorkeling ... bring lettuce and you will be surrounded with Tangs

PS ... check out the webcam of the beach from the website

[hfp75]

My wife and I go to Maui every January and stay at menehuni shores. Just south are the 3 kam beaches and they have GREAT snorkelling!!!!!!

It's free and fantastic. Way south down by the old dump is another great snorkel site!!!!

There are a few more I have been researching for next year.

We have been to the Bahamas, belese, ect and Maui has some fantastic snorkelling...