For those CCers who were kind enough to respond to my questions about renting a house in California, thanks so much. Our plans have expanded as some friends will be joining us and we have decided to head further west-to Hawaii!! where none of us have ever been (other than Oahu where about half of the group has spend a lot of time.) Some of us will be able to stay two weeks, while others may not be able to put together more than 10 days. Current thoughts are rent a 4 bedroom house on one island for a week and then visit one more island probably staying in a hotel. So what’s everyone’s favorite islands? We are not a terribly adventurous group so looking for beautiful beaches and snorkeling, no major hiking or scuba. Thanks so much!
I’ve only been to Oahu and Kauai. On Oahu we stayed in the Kailua area which is popular for house rentals. Snorkeling isn’t the best there since the water gets deep quickly. We snorkeled up at Shark’s Cove on the north shore which was wild and wonderful but a little shallow (sea urchins to beware of).
On Kauai we stayed on the south coast near Poipu beach. The public beach there is fabulous for snorkeling - you see many fish just with a simple pair of goggles and there are shallow areas, middle areas, and deeper areas. Nearby is the small but deep place where Captain Cook landed. We saw a wonderful school of fish there.
In Hawaii, every beach is a public beach so if there is some hotel with a beach and limited access they have to provide parking for the general public too. So you have the “Sheraton Beach” near Poipu where there is a little surf school operating because of the steady, but low, waves.
The north shore beaches on Kauai looked wonderful for snorkeling too. The one beach I saw on the west coast, Polihale, looked far too treacherous. It is worth a trip to go to the state park that is up high (above mosquitos) and do a little hiking. It doesn’t have to be strenuous.
Kauai is the prettiest island. I’d head there. It also has the most and best beaches. It’s not really a big excursion to go visit Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific) or see the Botanical Gardens or waterfalls either. They are easy drives as long as you don’t pick rush hour to do them.
The Big Island could be worth a consideration if you want to visit Volcanoes NP. It’s also pretty on the east side of the island, but being younger, overall it’s had less erosion so is missing the sheer beauty overall that Kauai has.
My favorite island is the Big Island - I think it’s the most beautiful. It’s also the least crowded, has the most varied ecology, is the largest and has the best weather.
Here’s a quick primer on which island to visit for the type of vacation you want: http://www.prideofmaui.com/blog/maui/which-hawaii-island-should-you-visit.html
Here’s a quick quiz to find the best island for you: http://www.hawaiigaga.com/best-hawaiian-island.aspx
I have only been to Kauai, but absolutely loved it. We rented a condo right on the beach in Poipu, snorkeling and turtles right outside the balcony. We went hiking with a guide to the Fantasy Island waterfall; snorkeling at Poipu beach and also at Tunnels up north; a lomi lomi massage from Aunty Angeline; boat excursion where we saw dolphins and did more snorkeling; and a plane ride with Wings over Kauai (can be a better option than a helicopter with a larger group as everyone gets a decent view).
Really a wonderful vacation.
We recently rented a home in Kauai in the Poipu area also. It slept 10, with 3 BR and 3 BA. One of the bedrooms had 2 levels and beds for 4, there were also 2 daybeds on the living room level. Beautiful views, well equipped kitchen, hot tub, small lap pool. Don’t know if it would work for your family grouping, as it is not 4 BR, but you can search ‘amazing views hale’ to see it.
We went to Maui on our honeymoon years ago and that was very nice also, might work for what you are interested in.
We were in Maui in January for my daughter’s wedding. I loved it. Many folks will say it’s too built up and not as quiet and natural as the other islands. It was perfect for us. We stayed at a beautiful resort on Kaanapali Beach which was simply gorgeous. The restaurants were fantastic. Maui is known to be a 8 to 8 island, in other words, there is no nightlife which suited us just fine. Early in the morning people are up and about walking and running on the beach. There are lots of fun water activities to do. I would go back in an instant!
Maui has some of the best, easily accessible snorkeling.
Maui probably has the most to do for a varied group, but Kauai is also lovely. The beaches in Maui seem bigger to me than the beaches in Kauai, but that’s just my perception. Both have great snorkeling.
We have been to all the islands. Our favorite is Maui. Golf, tennis…spas…all good. Wailea is the “nicest” part of the island. And yes, more expensive. I don’t “do” pool jewelry so we like Kaanapali. Kapalua is gorgeous but tends to get more rain. Kauai is prone to more rain as well.
In Maui, we stayed at the Sheraton because it had a great beach and a long, black rock that the kids and adventurous adults used as a diving spot.
I’ve visited all the islands and prefer Kauai over all of them for extended stays. Oahu is fun for a few days to see the sights and Maui is gorgeous (we stayed at Kaanapali when I visited but both my brother and sister lived there for a few years). Oahu and Maui scream “tourist” to me while Kauai just seems so much more laid back and authentic iykwim.
We used to stay in Princeville, Kauai. I loved the area. There are many condos you could rent around there. My kids learned how to surf in Kauai. My family also rented 2 houses on the same property on the north shore of Maui one time. It wasn’t as sunny as Wailea, but it was more “interesting.” I also liked the Big Island, but we never rented a house there. We used to go to HI quite a bit when my kids’ father used to travel to Asia/Australia. We would meet him in HI for vacation. A good friend of mine is living there now, maybe I should pay her a visit.
Every island is different. I’ve been to Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. I love Kauai’s tropical lushness in the north, the very nice resorts and condos on the south coast by Poipu, the spectacular scenery of Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Valley. The Big Island is totally different with its moonscape lava fields, the beautiful west coast by Kona, Porter Ranch on the north end, and the rainforest on the east coast, and of course Mauna Kea in the middle. Plus the only active volcano (Kilauea).
when are you going ? if in the summer,- June- Sept, the big island is HOT then , so unless you want dry temps in the 70-'s -90’s every day I 'd head north west and go to Kauai, which is cooler, wetter and greener.
That said, because its NOT the high season on the big island, you CAN find lots of vacant homes to rent at many Big Island resort areas
If you are going to Kauai in the summer, Princeville is very nice. I hear it’s mich rainier and the water is rougher in the winter, so we go to Poipu area in winter. In summer there’s a spectacular kayaking trip you can do - the Napili coast. You need to reserve way in advance, and it’s not cheap, but it was spectacular.
Aloha, I’ve lived on the north shore of Kauai for 30 years and wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else. The North Shore, anywhere between Kilauea and Haena, is perfect for a summer visit. The sea is calm on the north shore and great for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. The south side (Poipu) has rougher surf as it gets the summer swells from winter storms in the southern hemisphere. There are dozens of wonderful beaches to explore and plenty of other activities and restaurants to choose from.There are several house rental agencies, but you can also find some great places on VRBO. What is your style when it comes to the type of home and community you are looking for? Private message me if you decide to find a place here. I know the vibe of each neighborhood and could direct you to the right spot.
I recommend Maui for the first week. There are more things to do than Kauai. I love the laid back artsy feel of Maui.
I’ve never visited Kauai, so I cannot say much about it. I just heard the nature is lush and beautiful but much smaller than Maui.
My husband is from Big Island so I want to recommend there. If you are not too adventurous, stay at Waikoloa Resort area. It will be fun for four days or so.
Since my husband and I wanted to do things in Honolulu/Pearl Harbor, we stayed on Oahu, renting a garage apartment in Kailua (as someone mentioned previously). Fantastic choice. We were a 5 minute walk to a GORGEOUS beach and a 5 minute walk to town, with a lot of dining options. Plus it was an excellent point from which we could explore the rest of the island. Snorkeling at Haunama Bay is a must - get there early, just before it opens, and avoid the crowds (as well as getting a parking place, etc).
We have stayed on Kauai (Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu) which we loved. I would also recommend the Prince Kuhio condos in Lawai. We also really like renting a beach house on the North Shore of Oahu.