Hawaii in January?

Parent Cafe
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<p>Probably our last family vacation as S1 will be graduating from college the following year so I’m ready to splurge. I’d like to go in May (spring term ends around May 10th) but now considering January (school starts back up on Jan13). Need to spend Christmas with family, but could go anytime after. </p>

<p>Would the cooler temps (avg highs 80 degrees) ruin the water sports? </p>

<p>Also, a friend has a timeshare in Maui that we can rent. Is Maui a good spot for our first (probably only) trip?</p>

<p>Please advise!</p>

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<p>I have a friend who goes to Maui every year from Christmas through New Years. She says the weather is perfect.</p>

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<p>Maui is great for any trip. I find the winter temperatures ideal. There is no time of year when people avoid the water. Be sure to check the likely surf conditions in that month for the beaches where you’re staying.</p>

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<p>Go! We did the family trip between Xmas & New Years, 2012. Warm weather, kids did all the water things. Yes, Maui is a good spot! </p>

<p>I would suggest you decide soon…as the flight availability will get limited–that’s a popular time to go to Hawaii…</p>

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<p>We went to Maui almost three years ago for Christmas (like you, wanted to take advantage of it possibly being the last time, at least for a long time, that all four of us could take a trip like this). We did the Road to Hana on Christmas Day, thinking there wouldn’t be as much traffic. Boy were we wrong. In fact, at one of our stops, H ran into a guy he works with in the parking lot!</p>

<p>But yea, the weather was perfect.</p>

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<p>The weather is so perfect then that it is considered “high season.” If memory serves, we went to Maui in January and paid out the nose for our hotel.</p>

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<p>That is the rainy season. You could have a mist or it can rain. Kapalua is the area that gets the most rain…it can pour there and not a drop in Kaanapali. It is also whale season. Really cool.</p>

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<p>We had great weather in January, but the surf was pretty rough. I was content to sit at the pool and look at the ocean rather than go into it.</p>

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<p>Actually, Kapalua is exactly where we stayed and didn’t get any rain for just over a week. H ran into some rain when he was up further north on his bike one afternoon.</p>

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<p>Rain in Maui just means more rainbows!! We love Hawaii and would go back any season. Sunrise from the top of Haleakala is awe-inspiring. Have a wonderful time.</p>

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<p>Hayden… we did that, too! Then road the bicycles down. Was spectacular.</p>

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<p>^ I’m too chicken for the bicycles. But I have no doubt it’s spectacular. Wish I could go back tomorrow.</p>

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<p>We do have a lot of visitors in the Christmas holiday season, as others have noted. There seem to be LOTS of folks in the water. Not much lightening around here, so drizzles and light showers are accepted as a “blessing,” and with good humor. </p>

<p>If you want to get the most for your $$!, start planning and reserving sooner than later. There are sometimes amazing package deals as well. Check out Fodors.com, especially their forum for more ideas.</p>

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<p>hi mom, When you say “package” do you mean airfare and lodging? Or lodging and attractions?</p>

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<p>We did a Xmas/New Years trip to Hawaii five years ago and had a great time. We split our time between Oahu and Kaanapali, Maui and celebrated Xmas morning at the top of Haleakala. It’s a great, albeit busy time to visit. Make reservations early.</p>

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<p>There are packages which include airfare, car and lodging, as well as many other options. You have to have some idea of what you’re interested in and look around. Sometimes Expedia and Costco have amazing deals. Vacations Hawaii and Toberts also have a lot of packages. I have never used a package but my BIL and niece did. Others have as well. </p>

<p>I try adding up the costs of the items separately vs the package and them choose. I tend to buy things separately myself because I often want to stay a week apiece in three different cities and none of the packages do that.</p>

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<p>I’ve been to Hawaii (the Kohala coast of the Big Island) about 30 times over the last twenty years or so, in all months of the year. My favorite is October-November, when the water is warm and the (other) tourists stay home. My least favorite is January, because the water can be too rough and too murky for SCUBA and snorkeling as a result of storms. That said, it’s not low-viz every day, even in January, and the water is still pretty warm even then.</p>

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<p>We love to go to Maui in January and go whale watching. We also snorkel but I have a long sleeve rash shirt to stay warm because I chill easily. It also gives some sun protection.</p>

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<p>Maui :)</p>

<p>Kaanapali – yes!
Front St, Lahaina – yes! (oh, and that little fudge shop – probably good it’s not closer to home, hehe)
Ulalena show – yes!
Old Lahaina Luau – yes! (and yum!)
Turtles – yes!</p>

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<p>OMG, you lucky dog!</p>

<p>Whenever the subject of trips come up with 9 hour flights, we have usually ended up going with the trip to Europe. But I would like to see Hawaii again sometime. We’ve only been the one time.</p>