Maui trip report: 12/2/24 to 12/15/24

Question

We stayed at Maui Kamaole. It was a very nice unit with an ocean view and split AC, managed by rentals maui. They seem to be a good company.

We mostly just hung out and did not do too much. We did some socializing though. We could see the sunset from our lanai, so we did not even have to go to the beach to see it.

We went swimming at Kihei Aquatic Center some of the days, because the ocean was too rough all over the island. We went to Lahaina Aquatic Center one day, it was also very nice.

Ocean conditions improved about 8 or 9 days into our trip. We went to Ulua twice; the first day was not great but we saw a little. The second time was great, tons of fish but also tons of people snorkeling. We snorkeled from about 8:45 to 9:30. The other three days we swam at Kam1 , which has a bad rap for being dirty, but its calm and good for doing laps across the bay. I did not venture beyond the end of the reef on the south side, ( in other words, I did not swim to Kam 2). The third day I swam there I saw two big turtles swimming by, but very little else. Turtles make me happy! I try to get into the water by 8:30 or 8:45 and get out at 9:30, I have to be off the beach by 10 for medical reasons (uv sensitive systemic lupus) .

We made a reservation for a couple of sunset sails from Maalaea, but there was a high wind and small craft warning, and as it was so windy in the afternoons I cancelled. Both Pacific Whale and Trilogy were good about the cancellations.

Food: mostly cooked at the condo, but we went to Happy Hour at Three’s twice. The first time was really good, the second time was meh.

Piñatas of Maui in Kahului: Went for lunch. Very good Mexican food, I had the two hard taco plate, one chicken asada one carne asada.

Ferraros for dinner: Got a front row table! Unfortunately, the food was not up to par. Last February it was great, not so this time. Server was excellent. The service from the rest of the staff was fawning but inept. Don’t know where to go in Feb for our anniversary. I called “The Restaurant” at Hotel Wailea. Its 150 for a starter, main, and dessert, with drinks and “crudo” stuff extra. For that money, we could get a main and dessert at Mama’s. Mama’s says where the fish are coming from that day. Or maybe Mala on the west side. More interested in food and atmosphere than anything else. Does not need to be super fancy or stuffy.

Paia fish house south side: The opakapaka was so darn good. We got it blackened. Then we went back another time and got it to go, my husband’s opakapaka was good but my mahi was just fair.

Maui Pie: Lilikoi Cream pie, we got 3 of the minis over the course of the visit! The first one had a really good crust. Still working off the pounds.

We lived in Kihei for about two and a half years, so we did not hit a lot of other tourist stuff, as we did it whenever people visited us. Now we are just plain old tourists!

I am planning to go back in Feb to Kihei and may want to go to Lanai on the ferry if I can cop enough shade between 10 a.m. and the second ferry. I would also like to go to Waihee to the coastal dunes trail. I am kind of torn about whale watches at this point. I saw some whale activity from the lanai when I was there for this trip. As soon as one appears, a bunch of boats immediately glom on to the whale. So not sure if I want to be part of making the whales’ visit to Maui a sideshow. I hope ocean conditions will cooperate for swimming and snorkeling in Feb. We were in Kihei from about Jan 20 to Feb 20 last year and it was a complete wipeout for ocean swimming. The beaches in Kihei/Wailea were practically gone.

This trip probably sounds pretty boring, but it was great. We are old and happy to be able to bop around Maui, be warm, see people, and get some swims in!

Answer

It sounds like you had a wonderfully relaxed and enjoyable trip to Maui! It’s great to hear about your experiences with different activities, food, and the places you stayed. Here are some thoughts and suggestions based on your trip report, as well as some ideas for your February trip:

It looks like you enjoyed the relaxed pace of your trip with lots of time in the water and some good meals. Swimming at different beaches, particularly around Kihei and Kam 1, sounds like a nice way to stay active and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It's great that you had some success with snorkeling at Ulua and saw some turtles — always a highlight!

As for your thoughts on whale watching in February, I totally understand your hesitation. It can sometimes feel like a bit of a spectacle when so many boats gather around a whale, and the whales do deserve their space. If you decide to go on a whale watch, you might want to look for operators that focus on responsible whale watching practices. Many companies emphasize conservation and respecting the animals' space, so they may be a better fit if you're concerned about disrupting the whales' experience.

For whale watching alternatives:

Stay at the shoreline: You can easily see whales from the shore, especially if you’re staying in areas like Kihei or Wailea. Some great spots for watching from land include Kealia Pond or South Maui’s coastline, where the whales can be spotted from the beach or a quiet walk along the coast.
Kayak or Paddleboard Tours: If you want to be on the water but avoid crowds, a kayak or paddleboard whale-watching tour might be a more peaceful option. You can enjoy the experience without the hustle of a boat full of tourists.

As for your idea of visiting Lanai, the ferry ride can be a lovely way to spend the day, especially if you can find some shade during the crossing. Lanai is known for its quiet, less developed feel compared to Maui, and it could offer a peaceful break. If you’re looking for things to do on Lanai, the Shipwreck Beach and the Garden of the Gods are two stunning natural areas worth visiting, although it’s best to have a car rental for ease of exploration.

If you’re interested in hiking while on Maui in February, the Waihee Coastal Dunes Trail sounds like a great option, offering beautiful views of the coast and a peaceful hike through the dunes. It's less trafficked than other hikes, so you’ll likely enjoy a quieter experience there.

It’s understandable that the ocean conditions weren’t ideal for swimming last February, but hopefully, this year the weather and water will cooperate for some good snorkeling and swimming! You might want to keep an eye on ocean conditions closer to your trip and plan to visit the more sheltered beaches if the water is rough.

In terms of dining options for your next trip, I see you had some good meals at places like Piñatas of Maui and Paia Fish House. For your anniversary in February, Mama’s Fish House would be a fantastic option for fresh seafood with a laid-back yet romantic atmosphere, and you can’t go wrong with their daily fish specials. Mala Ocean Tavern is another great choice if you’re looking for good food and a lively ambiance, though Mama’s is likely your best bet for an anniversary meal. You might also want to explore places like The Plantation House or The Mill House for a more elevated, yet still relaxed, dining experience.

It’s clear that your Maui trip, though low-key, was filled with enjoyable experiences, and your upcoming visit in February sounds like it will be just as wonderful. Whether you’re going for more snorkeling, whale watching, or just a peaceful stay in Kihei, it sounds like you’ll have another great time exploring Maui’s beauty!

Maui trip report: 12/2/24 to 12/15/24

More Maui Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions