For me, Lanikai beach in the northeastern Oahu area has to be one of the top beaches in the world, it is very laid back, very residential in nature (almost no hotels or resorts in the area), and simply one of the most scenic places I've ever been to. Anyone have any other great Hawaiian locations or trips? My 2nd place winner would be the Road to Hana trip on Maui. It's not for the faint of stomach though. Lanikai Beach Incidentally, that small beach area on the island on the left (called the Mokuluas) is where I plan to get married at.
"Lanikai is almost absurdly gorgeous. I have never stood on a more perfect beach. Beneath my toes, the sand was a fine as talcum powder and the color of vanilla. The water, protected by an offshore reef, was as still as a swimming pool and a luscious inviting shade of turquoise. Palm trees arched gracefully out over the water, as if placed there expressly for postcard photographers." John Flinn, Travel Editor, San Francisco Examiner
i'm sorry, but the road to hana is the most over-rated activity in maui. all you do is drive along a narrow road, where you don't even have a good view of the ocean and the waterfalls along the way are nothing special. if you must do the road, leave early, beat the traffic and do the hike above the seven pools. other than that, it's a waste of a day. check out the na pali coast on kauai. amazing place.
I've only been to Hawaii once and do plan on going back within the next year or two to do a vacation through www.WildernessVolunteers.org . On Oahu I LOVED hanging out on the beach in Ka'Olina although when I was there it was hella windy. On the Big Island I absolutely loved driving from Hilo up the coast a tad and then going into Parker Ranch country and then into Waimea and Hawi. In addition to doing a Wilderness Volunteers vacation I would love to do a vacation where I can do some hellacious hiking (sorry..but one or two miles is not hiking). I would LOVE to bring my road bike down there with me and ride around the Big Island. EDIT I know this ain't gonna sound popular but I just LOVED Waikiki Beach. Yeah it's touristy and crowded but I just love to people watch and what better place to do it on Oahu! Oh yeah loved the North Shore of Oahu as well. The drive from Honolulu to there though is somewhat boring. If you've seen one pineapple field you've seen them all.
Agreed- Just spent 2 weeks in Maui/Kaui on my Honeymoon. Road To Hana- would never do it again- glad I did it to say to other people that I did. Although the best part is going beyond the road- where they tell you not to go- absolutely amazing scenery and no traffic. Best Maui Experience- Sunrise Bike Trip Down Halekala- would do it again and again. Like hanging out in Lahina during the night time.
I would definitely do the haleakala bike ride again, but not the sunrise ride. For me it's simply not worth getting up at 2 in the morning and going on a 3 hour bus ride in the middle of the night just for the sunrise. It's a simply gorgeous ride.
Maui Agreed about the road to Hana. The drive is extremely overrated. The Seven pools are real nice as is the hike and I agree about the dirt road beyond tha takes you from the windward to the leeward side of Maui around the 4 Seasons resort. Also agree with you Peledre on the Sunrise at Haleakela. Not worth blowing a day to get up at 2:30 am. I drove the road and it's weird as you get higher. The view appears to be the same as an airplane ride in total darkness. The Io needle is very rugged and beautiful. The maui upcountry where the Tedesco vineyard is located is really nice and has a completely different feel. It looks like you're not in Hawaii. Kauai The Na Pali coast is beautiful. Used as a backdrop for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Waimea Canyon is sublime too. The spouting horn is in a beautiful area. The Hanelei valley and the area around Princeville are very beautiful. I love the small church in the valley. So picturesque. The river in Kauai, forgot it's name is also beautiful as is the valley. Big Island of Hawaii The Big Island of Hawaii has some truly magical places. Volcanoes National Park is one of the most fascinating places I have ever travelled to. It is incredible especially to see lava flowing to the ocean. The black sand beach beyond is beautiful and has an interesting story. During an earthqake about 15 years ago the beach dropped several feet in elevation and a bunch of palm trees ended up in the surf line. The Kohala and Kona coasts are ugly. It reminds me of the high desert of southern Wyoming. That's pretty bad, just rocks and scrub vegitation. The falls north of Hilo are beautiful.Aka ka, I forget the spelling. Oahu Honoloulu you can keep. It's a nice city, but you don't travel in my case almost 6,000 miles to be in a major metropolis. The Royal Hawaiian is a grand hotel. North shore is nice and some of the historic buildings near the twin tunnels are quite interesting to tour as is the Iolani Palace. Book'em Dano, Hawaii 5-O! Beaches I agree Fear, Waikiki is a really nice beach and is in fact one of the few wading beaches in Hawaii. For all the beauty of Hawaii's beaches, many are very treacherous for swimmers and surfers. Kanapali I found very steep with a strong undertow. Kapalua on Maui was very nice. Lanikai and the state park beach nearby in Oahu are incredible. Also go out on the water and ride a zodiac or take a boat off the Na Pali Coast. It's surreal how beautiful it is.
First one is on the bike ride down from Haleakala, 2nd one is a blowhole, but i can't place the area, 3rd one is obviously Diamondhead as seen from Waikiki beach 4th one is sunrise on top of Haleakala 5th one is too dark too tell, and I have no clue about that 6th one, is that on Maui?
Hey eric_d ... what kind of motorcycles were you guys on? How much did it cost? ---------------- Are the helicopter rides worth the $$$?
1. Bike ride Down Haleakala 2. Spouting Horm, Kaui 3. Waikiki Beach 4. Top of Haleakala just before sunrise 5. Sunset over Lanai 6. Lahaina
No motorcycles- it is an especially equipped Mountain Bike. About 150 per person for the sunrise tour.
depends. you get to see some truly amazing sights that you would not be able to see otherwise, but they are pricey. i enjoyed it. i know some people thought it was boring. i probably wouldn't do a helicopter tour again, but i'm glad i went.
The Iao valley is especially breathtaking. The views on the ride down from Halekala are close to as breathtaking as anything you'll see in a chopper though.
I spent 2 1/2 years on Oahu and the helicopter rides were free the whole time. But you have to join the Army to get them.