hawaii

The Best Tour Operators for Biking Down Haleakala (Maui’s Dormant Volcano)

July 2, 2019 by caitylincoln

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One of the most popular tourist attractions on Maui is Haleakala, a large dormant volcano whose slopes are the heartland of Maui. While tons of people ascend to the summit each morning to watch the sunrise, the lucky ones get to follow it up with a downhill bike ride from summit to sea.

In my opinion, biking down Haleakala is one of the best ways to experience the crater and Upcountry Maui while getting a little dose of excitement (van tours can be sooooo boring!). You don’t even need to be in great shape to do the bike ride…it’s all downhill! When I’ve done it, I probably pedaled less than about 10 rotations the entire time (this might vary depending if you’re ending in Paia or Haiku).

There used to be dozens of companies that offered some version of a sunrise/bike tour down Haleakala, but in efforts to minimize the impact of visitors to the National Park, starting in 2018 only four companies where awarded permits to operate road tours within the park.

So while many companies used to take you up to the summit in a van so you could see sunrise, and then put you on your bike at the entrance to the National Park (no bike rides are available WITHIN the park), the options are now much fewer. There’s only one company that offers sunrise tours at the summit with the option to bike down. There’s another company that offers the same but it also includes ziplining. And there’s also the option of going with a company that will take you up midmorning (no sunrise), and put you on bikes just outside of the National Park entrance. Depending on what you’re looking for (and what your budget is), all three can be good options. I’ll detail the three companies I recommend below, but first I would caution to look out for companies who promise sunrise at Haleakala with a bike tour but don’t have a permit. If you go with them, you’ll be watching sunrise from about 6,700 feet (outside the National Park entrance), not the summit. And if you’re going to go through the trouble of getting up that early and trekking all the way up there, you really ought to see it from the top.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Maui? Read up on the lay of the is(land) and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels plus my area specific guides (including where to stay, eat, and things to do) for Wailea and Ka’anapali.

Bike Maui: Bike Maui is the only company that has a permit to offer van tours to the summit for sunrise in conjunction with a bike ride down. They’re pretty much the easiest route if you want to see sunrise (as a tour) and bike down. They have options for either self-paced or group tours. For me, I knew I didn’t want to ride down the mountain with a pack of people and be confined to where the guide chose to stop and their time constraints. So I definitely prefer a self paced tour. Many people pick the group led tour because they think they’ll be on their own if something happens along the way on a self-paced ride. Don’t let that be a deciding factor. Bike Maui will provide you with DETAILED instructions for how to contact them if you need roadside assistance (this covers everything from a flat tire to being too tired to finish to having one too many margaritas at lunch). They’ll also provide you with everything you need (i.e. full-face helmets, rain suits, backpacks, locks, and maps). I would suggest bringing water, sunscreen, and a jacket (especially if you’re doing the sunrise tour, in which case you’ll want PLENTY of layers). The only thing I dislike about Bike Maui is that on the self guided tour you end your ride in Haiku instead of Paia. It’s a cute little town on the north shore (more inland), although not as walkable and appealing as Paia. Guests must be at least 12 years old for this tour. Pickup from resort areas in West and South Maui is included in guided tours and is an additional $25/person for self guided tours. Self guided sunrise tours can be booked starting at $160/person (with an online early booking discount). Guided tours (with stops at Kula Marketplace and Paia) can be booked starting at $200/person. Read more reviews and search for discounts here.

5 Best Spas on Oahu

July 1, 2019 by caitylincoln

Hawaii is home to some of the world’s best spas and resorts and while Oahu doesn’t do luxury and relaxing experiences quite as well as some of the other islands (mainly Maui), there are still quite a few noteworthy spas on the island. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious setting, a connection to ancient Hawaiian culture, lavish treatments, or convenience, you’ll find something that suits you at these Oahu spas:

Moana Lani Spa (Moana Surfrider): The best spa in Waikiki is located in the heart of the strip in the most historic hotel in Hawaii while still feeling a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There’s a huge menu of offerings available at lower prices than you’ll find at the spas in Ko’olina and Turtle Bay. You can also purchase a spa day pass to use the facilities (lockers, steam room, whirlpool, sauna, and lounge overlooking the ocean. Find more information here.

Nalu Kinetic Spa (Turtle Bay): If you’re staying on or near Oahu’s famed north shore, this is your best spa option. The oceanfront facility offers a wide range of treatment options including traditional Hawaiian practices. They offer the unique option of a sunset massage as well as weekly happy hour specials (Monday through Friday) which include special deals on treatments that all include a glass of bubbly. Find more information here.

23 Best Local Restaurants on Maui

June 19, 2019 by caitylincoln

Are you heading to Maui and looking for some off the beaten path local spots? I’ve rounded up some of the best places to eat in Maui including my favorite places for plate lunches, seafood, loco mocos, and more! They’re sorted by different parts of the island, and not only do these places have good grub, but they’re high on local charm as well.

West Maui

Aloha Mixed Plate: Located right on the water (and right next to the Old Lahaina Luau), this is the perfect spot to try local style food, but with an atmosphere that’s more appealing to tourists.

Star Noodle: Star Noodle is one of the most popular restaurants in Lahaina and gets consistently good ratings for the quality of the food. It’s also not located on Front Street (the touristy part of town) so the prices are decent. This is a great place to experience local food in a classy but low key environment. This place wins for best food in Lahaina.

Joey’s Kitchen at Whaler’s Village: Most of the best local food spots on Maui aren’t in touristy areas which means if you’re staying at a resort, it’s hard to find options nearby. Joey’s is the answer to that problem on Ka’anapali Beach. Find local favorites to go at this spot at Whaler’s Village.

Ono Kau Kau: One of the best spots for a quick plate lunch in West Maui. Hawaiian, Chinese, and seafood specials are all served at this counter service spot that’s open all day.

808 Grindz Café: If you’re looking for good, hearty food at a reasonable price, you’ll find it here in Lahaina. Think fluffy pancakes in a variety of flavors and plenty of local plates (like loco moco). It’s in a little strip mall and there’s no view, but it’s definitely one of Maui’s top breakfast spots (they’re also open for lunch).

Down the Hatch: It’s hard to find a restaurant on Front Street (Lahaina) that’s not a total tourist trap, but this spot combines great island inspired seafood specialties with a fun atmosphere. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus they have good happy hour and late night specials. Also check out Breakwall Shave Ice next door which is home to the first “adult” shave ice in Hawaii.

Hawaii Trip Planning Timeline

October 12, 2018 by caitylincoln

You’re planning a trip to Hawaii…wahoo!! How exciting! But it can also be pretty overwhelming…I mean, how do you even know where to start? While you’ll find detailed posts on topics like choosing the best time to go, picking an island, booking accommodations and flights, etc., on my blog, this timeline will let you know exactly when you should be tackling each one of these tasks to insure that you have the most options available for the best prices.

12+ months

If you’re planning this trip over a year in advance, use this time to do preliminary research about when the best time to go will be (for your circumstances) and choosing an island (or two).

Where to Stay in Kauai

July 13, 2018 by caitylincoln

If you’re planning a vacation to Kauai then you’re one lucky dog! It’s one of my favorite Hawaiian islands and probably the prettiest one at that. If you’re very far into the planning process, you’ve probably realized that picking the right place to stay is likely the trickiest (and most important) things you’ll have to do. Where you stay on Kauai can make or break your vacation and there are soooo many options that it can be overwhelming. Not to worry! I’m going to break it down for you, give you an overview of the island.

Side note: After you read up on the lay of the is(land) and know which part you want to stay on, check out these posts for specific recommendations:

7 Kauai budget hotels

12 Kauai beach resorts

20 cool Kauai Airbnb rentals

5 Best Family Friendly Resorts on Kauai

5 best Kauai honeymoon resorts

Top 10 luxury resorts in Hawaii

12 Favorite boutique hotels in Hawaii

Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay in Kauai:

Lay of the Land

Kauai is divided into four major sections (North Shore, East Shore, South Shore, and West Shore). Each section has its pros and cons and own individual personality. Depending on what you’re looking for and what’s most important to you (budget, convenience, stellar views, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, etc.) one area of the island may be more desirable. Here’s a breakdown of Kauai’s four main areas:

North Shore: In my opinion, the north shore of Kauai is the most gorgeous place on the planet. It has beautiful beaches and the lush green mountainous landscapes that most people’s Hawaiian dreams are made of. As you might guess, it’s so lush because it rains more here than other parts of the island (especially in the winter). The north shore is home to the charming little surf town of Hanalei and some pretty spectacular luxury accommodations. While it’s stunningly gorgeous, it’s also a bit remote if you’re planning on exploring sites on the south and west sides of the island.

East Shore: The east shore is often referred to as the “coconut coast” and is the most developed part of the island. This is where you’ll find the most reasonably priced accommodations and it central location makes it a convenient location from which to explore the north and south shores. There are of course lovely beaches on the coconut coast (hello, this is Hawaii!) but you won’t find any awe inspiring backdrops as you will on the north shore and the amenities are usually not as convenient as those on the south shore. You’ll find more “local” beaches on the east side.

South Shore: Kauai’s south side is the driest and sunniest part of the island, which makes it very popular with tourists. There are plenty of big resorts so you’ll find plenty of shopping and dining options. You’ll also find a nice selection of beaches but expect them to be more crowded than beaches on other parts of the island. The south side is a convenient place from which to explore the west side (Waimea Canyon and Polihole beach) but not so convenient for seeing north shore sites.

West Shore: The west shore is definitely the least visited part of Kauai (except for visitors to Waimea Canyon) and not very many people stay here. It’s very barren, dry, and isolated, and not convenient to seeing the rest of the island. Really the only people who are going to be staying over here are hikers and backpackers.

RELATED: 15 Things to Do on Kauai

How to See the Napali Coast

Where to Eat on Kauai

Where to Stay in Hawaii

June 27, 2018 by caitylincoln

If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, you’re in for a great time. It’s not the island that most first time visitors to Hawaii choose to visit (most favor Oahu or Maui) and it’s usually because they’re intimidated by its size (you really can’t see the entire island from one central location). Actually, all of the other Hawaiian Islands could fit inside the Big Island TWO TIMES. This is of course why they call it the Big Island. So yes, it can be overwhelming but the Big Island is home to some of the most spectacular sites in the world (the world-not just Hawaii) so it’s a shame to skip it just because the logistics are tougher to figure out. So here’s what you need to know to figure out where to stay in Hawaii:

The island is divided into two sides: Kona side and Hilo side.
The vast majority of visitors stay on the Kona side even though the island’s best attractions are on the Hilo side.
It’s a Big Island so it’s not really possible to stay on one side and drive back and forth to the other, which means if you want to see the whole island, you’ll need to stay in at least two places.

Side note: After you read up on the lay of the is(land) and know which part you want to stay on, check out these posts for recommendations:

25 fantastic Big Island Airbnb rentals

7 Big Island budget hotels

10 Big Island beach resorts

6 best family friendly resorts on the Big Island

5 best Big Island honeymoon resorts

Top 10 luxury resorts in Hawaii

12 favorite boutique hotels in Hawaii

Here’s an overview of the island broken down by area:

Kona Side

Kona side refers to roughly the entire West side of the island, including the town of Kailua-Kona (often referred to just as “Kona.” This is the dryer side of the island (no lush jungles or rainforests here) and it’s mostly barren lava fields as far as the eye can see. But no rain also means the best beaches (the vast majority on the Big Island are found on the Kona side) and therefore all of the resorts and condos. This side of the island is mostly made up of:

Kailua-Kona: This is where the main airport is and it’s a good home base for exploring this side of the island. There aren’t many beaches in Kona but you will find a lot of budget accommodation options. You can easily drive to beaches located north and south of town and you’ll be close to most of the island’s cultural and historic sites. You can also easily daytrip to the Pololu and Waipo valleys from here. One of the downsides of staying in Kona is how touristy it is. This is where the cruise ships dock so you can imagine what that entails but on the upside there are a lot of shopping and dining options.

Where to Stay in Maui

September 12, 2017 by caitylincoln

If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you’re planning a vacation to Maui—yippee for you! If you’re not planning a trip to Maui, you should be! Seriously though, get on it!

Anyways, if you’re even remotely considering a trip to Maui and wondering where to stay, this post is for you. If you’ve never been before, you might be overwhelmed…which part of the island should you stay on? Are some beaches better than others? Are those fancy resorts really worth the money? Will a condo save you big bucks? I’m going to let you in on everything you need to know!

Side note: After you read up on the lay of the is(land) and know which part you want to stay on, check out these posts for recommendations:

25 awesome Maui Airbnbs

12 Maui budget hotels

16 Maui beach resorts

6 Best Family Friendly Resorts on Maui

5 Best Maui Honeymoon Resorts

Top 10 luxury resorts in Hawaii

12 favorite Hawaii boutique hotels

Guide to Wailea (Where to Stay, Where to Eat, and What to Do)

Guide to Ka’anapali (Where to Stay, Where to Eat, and What to Do)

Lay of the Land, Maui Style

Maui is kind of a big island (we’re talking 10-12 hours of solid driving to go all the way around, which is just a point of reference because NOBODY drives around the entire island in a day) so don’t underestimate its size when you’re planning your trip. It’s divided into four main regions (West Maui, South Maui, East Maui, and the North Shore/Upcountry area) but only has two resort areas. You’ll fly into Kahului (the most sizable city/town) and this is where Wal-Mart, Target, and Costco are located but you likely won’t spend much time in Kahului once you pick up your rental car and groceries.

West Maui: West Maui was originally developed in the 1960s and remains the most popular place to stay and play on Maui. The old whaling village of Lahaina anchors this area and the Ka’anapali resort area is home to the majority of dining and accommodation options on this side of the island. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive from the airport (in Kahului) to the Ka’anapali/Lahaina area in West Maui.

South Maui: South Maui consists of Kihei (a decent sized beach town with plenty of condo options), Wailea (a more upscale, privately planned resort community), and Makena (the sleepy end of the road region in South Maui). The beaches in South Maui tend to get the most sunshine and are generally less crowded than the ones in West Maui. The resorts in Wailea (the Four Seasons, Grand Wailea, Marriot, etc) are only about a 15-20 minute drive from the airport.

East Maui: East Maui is the most remote side of the island (reached by the Road of Hana) and is usually reached as a day trip as accommodations are limited. While most visitors stay in West or South Maui, East Maui isn’t to be missed and the Road to Hana will likely be a highlight of your trip.

North Shore/Upcountry: The North Shore and Upcountry are the most authentic areas of Maui. This is where the locals live and while you likely won’t stay in this part of the island, you should plan plenty of time to explore this part of the island. Paia, Makawao, and a drive upcountry through Kula to Ulupalakua shouldn’t be missed.

Now that you’ve got the lay of the land, you’ll need to decide which part of the island will suit you best. First off, I’ll lay out some pros and cons of the West side vs. the South side before mentioning some more “off-the-beaten-path” options on the North Shore and in Hana.

25 Things to Know Before You Go to Kauai

October 24, 2016 by caitylincoln

Kauai is the perfect island if you’re looking for a laid back vacation with plenty of gorgeous backdrops. If you’re planning a trip to Kauai, here are 25 things you should know before you go:

1.Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands. It was created by a volcano almost 6 million years ago. It’s also the smallest of the four main Hawaiian Islands, and has a population of just 65,000 people.

2.It’s called the “Garden Isle” but it’s very country. You won’t find big cities or a lot of people on Kauai. You’ll find plenty of lush jungly wilderness to be explored though (we’re talking scenes straight out of Jurassic Park). And a TON of chickens. There are more wild chickens on Kauai than any other Hawaiian Island largely thanks to “Iniki,” a category 5 hurricane, which hit the island in 1992.

3.Hawaii was the 50^th state added to the United States of America. Despite it being a US state, more than one person has asked me if you need a passport to travel there. You don’t. Also, when referring to the contiguous United States, you don’t call it “the states” like you would when traveling internationally. You refer to it as “the mainland.”

4.It may feel like a different country, but remember, you’re still in the US. Hawaii has a very distinct culture and its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean often makes it feel like a foreign land, so many visitors question how things are done. Here’s the deal, everything works like it does back home, except when it doesn’t : ) Seriously though, your phone service and everything works exactly like it does at home. But you will find yourself subject to the quirks of “island life.” Things move slower (especially on Kauai) so relax and just go with the flow.

hawaii

West Maui

Lay of the Land

Lay of the Land, Maui Style

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