Going to Hawaii next march - need suggestions

[WannaFly]

Me and the gf are planning on going to Hawaii next march, i've looked a little about prices/hotels/ etc - but I thought i'd ask here if anyone has suggestions on hotels/what to do/etc - we'll be going in late march. I'd like to book it soon as it seems the prices for the airline ticket is a decent price now ($700) form Orlando to Hawaii.

So, if anyone has any input it'd be greatly appreciated, thanks guys!

 

[TheKub]

When we moved out there ATA was by far the cheapest, and I think they operate out of Orlando. One tip if your buying your tickets from them try to buy on a weeknight at-after midnight, we saved like $70/ticket just doing that. (Think ours were $300/ticket RT out of DTW)

Though I dont know if you will be able to buy your ticket that far in advanced as they only have their flight schedual for like 6 months (look at their flight time table).

What island are you going to?

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: TheKub
When we moved out there ATA was by far the cheapest, and I think they operate out of Orlando. One tip if your buying your tickets from them try to buy on a weeknight at-after midnight, we saved like $70/ticket just doing that. (Think ours were $300/ticket RT out of DTW)

Though I dont know if you will be able to buy your ticket that far in advanced as they only have their flight schedual for like 6 months (look at their flight time table).

What island are you going to?

Havent checked ATA, just been using expedia/kayak, etc. The cheapest is flying during the week, obviously - which is fine for us.

I dont know what island yet - really havent done any planning, i've just begun to look into whats there and finding out information about it.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: TheKub
When we moved out there ATA was by far the cheapest, and I think they operate out of Orlando. One tip if your buying your tickets from them try to buy on a weeknight at-after midnight, we saved like $70/ticket just doing that. (Think ours were $300/ticket RT out of DTW)

Though I dont know if you will be able to buy your ticket that far in advanced as they only have their flight schedual for like 6 months (look at their flight time table).

What island are you going to?

Havent checked ATA, just been using expedia/kayak, etc. The cheapest is flying during the week, obviously - which is fine for us.

I dont know what island yet - really havent done any planning, i've just begun to look into whats there and finding out information about it.

Choice of island will significantly impact flight costs.

 

[KB]

What islands are you visiting?

Bring your own snorkle gear. There are many great places to snorkel and renting the gear is inconvienent and gross when you think about all the others who have used it.

Bring lots of ones because you have to tip everybody.

I stayed here on the big island http://www.outriggerkeauhoubeachhotel.com. It was a nice place with a good fair price.

 

[torpid]

I love kawaii. By far my favorite island. Feels like you are teetering on the edge of nature and about to be swallowed whole by it in most places.

 

[fLum0x]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: WannaFly

Originally posted by: TheKub
When we moved out there ATA was by far the cheapest, and I think they operate out of Orlando. One tip if your buying your tickets from them try to buy on a weeknight at-after midnight, we saved like $70/ticket just doing that. (Think ours were $300/ticket RT out of DTW)

Though I dont know if you will be able to buy your ticket that far in advanced as they only have their flight schedual for like 6 months (look at their flight time table).

What island are you going to?

Havent checked ATA, just been using expedia/kayak, etc. The cheapest is flying during the week, obviously - which is fine for us.

I dont know what island yet - really havent done any planning, i've just begun to look into whats there and finding out information about it.

Choice of island will significantly impact flight costs.

Agreed.

The 3 major islands basically go like this from what I have experienced:

Oahu - Tourist trap and not the real Hawaii, but can be fun. Very populated on the beaches and so forth. Some historic things are there, but are typically expensive.

Big Island - More laid back and very low population. The most interesting island for volcanos and history. One side of the island is a rain forest (nice waterfalls) and the other is a desert with lava rock.

Maui - Very lush with gardens and such. It is becoming more and more populated. It is more laid back than Oahu, but it is still a little up tight if you ask me.

Maui and the Big Island are more of private resort areas IIRC, while Oahu is more of hotels on the beach much like southern Florida. As you can tell, I am a little biased from Oahu after going there. I am going back this September with my fiancee and we will hit up the Big Island for roughly 8 days.

I just found this link with a quick search for the islands. It should tell you a little bit about each island to give you a rough idea.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: fLum0x
Oahu - Tourist trap and not the real Hawaii, but can be fun. Very populated on the beaches and so forth. Some historic things are there, but are typically expensive.

Generally this may be true but it is not hard to find much quieter spots if you rent a car and don't do the bus tour thing (thats lame!).

I can offer a bunch of info for Oahu as I lived there for a while. I did spend a couple of days on the big island and enjoyed it alot but it rained most of the trip unfortunately.

 

[WannaFly]

Originally posted by: fLum0x

Agreed.

The 3 major islands basically go like this from what I have experienced:

Oahu - Tourist trap and not the real Hawaii, but can be fun. Very populated on the beaches and so forth. Some historic things are there, but are typically expensive.

Big Island - More laid back and very low population. The most interesting island for volcanos and history. One side of the island is a rain forest (nice waterfalls) and the other is a desert with lava rock.

Maui - Very lush with gardens and such. It is becoming more and more populated. It is more laid back than Oahu, but it is still a little up tight if you ask me.

Maui and the Big Island are more of private resort areas IIRC, while Oahu is more of hotels on the beach much like southern Florida. As you can tell, I am a little biased from Oahu after going there. I am going back this September with my fiancee and we will hit up the Big Island for roughly 8 days.

I just found this link with a quick search for the islands. It should tell you a little bit about each island to give you a rough idea.

Thanks Flum0x, thats the kind of information I was looking for - it does sound like the big island or maui would be for us, i really enjoy gardens/rainforest/volcano/etc.

As for the airports, i've been selected the option to search nearby airports, to get the (hopefully) best price. Not sure when I'll buy the tickets.

KB - thanks for the tip, ive never been snorkling - so im not sure it's worth it forme to buy the gear my own, not sure i'll even go snorkling. But thanks for the outrigger link - it loooks nice and has good prices.

 

[WannaFly]

What about geting between island once you are there - is it easy? cost alot? Or do people generally stay on the island they fly into?

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: WannaFly
What about geting between island once you are there - is it easy? cost alot? Or do people generally stay on the island they fly into?

It has been crazy cheap. GO! Air has started prices wars and one way trips have been as low as $9 inter island.

edit to say: I have heard people say Maui is the best of all worlds in Hawaii. To be honest, people either love or hate the Big Island. A good part of the island is very barren and dessert like.
Most know that we (wiz and I) are loyal to the island of Hawaii and find our happniess there, but i am excited to visit Maui and Oahu too.
My aunt just got back from Maui and her photos were amazingly beautiful with tons of lushness and color.

 

[fLum0x]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz

Originally posted by: WannaFly
What about geting between island once you are there - is it easy? cost alot? Or do people generally stay on the island they fly into?

It has been crazy cheap. GO! Air has started prices wars and one way trips have been as low as $9 inter island.

Wow! I never found them that low.

 

[fLum0x]

Originally posted by: TheKub

Originally posted by: fLum0x
Oahu - Tourist trap and not the real Hawaii, but can be fun. Very populated on the beaches and so forth. Some historic things are there, but are typically expensive.

Generally this may be true but it is not hard to find much quieter spots if you rent a car and don't do the bus tour thing (thats lame!).

I can offer a bunch of info for Oahu as I lived there for a while. I did spend a couple of days on the big island and enjoyed it alot but it rained most of the trip unfortunately.

Oh, I agree. I am just saying in general what the islands are like and what the majority of people do when they go to each of those 3 islands.

It is personal preference mostly.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: fLum0x
Wow! I never found them that low.

Yeah it was more like $60 when we went, they did have specials for that cheap but it was only like a 100 seats and they went FAST!.

Also, I believe the interisland ferry service has started now too. Thats new.

 

[Hammerhead]

Originally posted by: KB

Bring your own snorkle gear. There are many great places to snorkel and renting the gear is inconvienent and gross when you think about all the others who have used it.

If you are visiting Oahu, don't bring it, just buy a cheap set out there. They have wal-marts, kmarts, sports authoritys, costcos, and sams clubs. It's not like you are in a third world country...people forget it's a part of the US

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Hammerhead

Originally posted by: KB

Bring your own snorkle gear. There are many great places to snorkel and renting the gear is inconvienent and gross when you think about all the others who have used it.

If you are visiting Oahu, don't bring it, just buy a cheap set out there. They have wal-marts, kmarts, sports authoritys, costcos, and sams clubs. It's not like you are in a third world country...people forget it's a part of the US

you mean people don't live in grass huts on the beach and eat pineapples and coconuts all day?! 😉 😛

 

[DangerAardvark]

Originally posted by: TheKub

Originally posted by: fLum0x
Oahu - Tourist trap and not the real Hawaii, but can be fun. Very populated on the beaches and so forth. Some historic things are there, but are typically expensive.

Generally this may be true but it is not hard to find much quieter spots if you rent a car and don't do the bus tour thing (thats lame!).

I can offer a bunch of info for Oahu as I lived there for a while. I did spend a couple of days on the big island and enjoyed it alot but it rained most of the trip unfortunately.

We got some kind of record-breaking drought going on the Big Isle this summer. Everywhere except Hilo of course.

 

[BKLounger]

i just got back from maui and it was awesome. If you go there i suggest go with condo vs. hotel because condo you get more amenities at a better price. Do not stay in the super touristy north side. I suggest staying near kihei still just as scenic, good price and it doesn't look like one giant tourist trap.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: Hammerhead

If you are visiting Oahu, don't bring it, just buy a cheap set out there. They have wal-marts, kmarts, sports authoritys, costcos, and sams clubs. It's not like you are in a third world country...people forget it's a part of the US

Also, if you have never snorkeled before I would avoid the cheapest sets. Its just going to make your experience much less enjoyable. Which is a shame as I spent at least 20% of my time there partially underwater!

If you are so so in the water don't worry too much as the high salt content makes it MUCH easier to tread/swim (I was in big trouble first time I jumped in a pool after a year of ocean swimming! :Q). I also recommend a semi-dry snorkle for newbies.

 

[jatwell]

Kauai is know as the garden isle. It's the best one if you like nature at all. It's the oldest major island and had much more time for vegetation to take over. Jurrasic Park and a ton of other films where based there. A helicopter tour on this island is worth the $$$. One of the best experiences I had there.

Interisland flights can be purchased the day of for like $39 if you're going from Oahu to other islands or back. If you want a direct flight from say the Big Island to Kauai, it's about double, $79. Check here. And that's one of the best / most expensive airlines out there. If you search around, there are better deals and the flights are just 20-30 minutes anyway...

My suggestion, fly into Oahu and get a flight to whichever island you want to go, should be cheaper that way. In fact, the North Shore of Oahu was one of the neatest places we stayed when we went. Totally away from the city and basically out in the country. We stayed at the Turtle Bay resort, my favorite of the hotels we stayed in on different islands. They were running a special around the time we went where we got a $400 room for like $150 a night.

 

[TheKub]

Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
We got some kind of record-breaking drought going on the Big Isle this summer. Everywhere except Hilo of course.

Yeah we were on the Hilo side (trying to stay on the cheap) but we got good weather for the few hours we hiked around South Point.

Besides Id rather have a drought than 42 days of rain like March 06 (least I think it was March).

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: jatwell
Kawaii is know as the garden isle. It's the best one if you like nature at all. It's the oldest major island and had much more time for vegetation to take over. Jurrasic Park and a ton of other films where based there. A helicopter tour on this island is worth the $$$. One of the best experiences I had there.

Interisland flights can be purchased the day of for like $39 if you're going from Oahu to other islands or back. If you want a direct flight from say the Big Island to Kawaii, it's about double, $79. Check here. And that's one of the best / most expensive airlines out there. If you search around, there are better deals and the flights are just 20-30 minutes anyway...

My suggestion, fly into Oahu and get a flight to whichever island you want to go, should be cheaper that way. In fact, the North Shore of Oahu was one of the neatest places we stayed when we went. Totally away from the city and basically out in the country. We stayed at the Turtle Bay resort, my favorite of the hotels we stayed in on different islands. They were running a special around the time we went where we got a $400 room for like $150 a night.

I am sorry... i have to do this... It is Kauai not Kawaii...

 

[VoteQuimby]

Went to Maui last August for the honeymoon. We stayed at the Hyatt and it was AWESOME. Expensive but worth it if you like chilling my the pool and they had very nice staff. If you end up in Maui check out the Road to Hana and score some Coconut candy!

 

[jatwell]

Doh!! Feel stupid. I couldn't really remember and went off a post above 🙁

Corrected, thanks 🙂

Originally posted by: torpid
I love kawaii. By far my favorite island. Feels like you are teetering on the edge of nature and about to be swallowed whole by it in most places.

 

[torpid]

Who cares how you spell it? The island is great even if spelled incorrectly. How anal. By the way it's "I" and not "i".