The family and I are heading to Maui from snowy Chicago this week. The wind chill a week ago was -49F and actual temps were -9F. It warmed up a bit and dumped 20" of snow on us, followed by an ice storm last night. Tomorrow the forcast calls for 4-5inches of rain and flash flooding - I need to leave here... now... The flight leaves in 36 hours.
We are newly certified and have never been to Hawaii. We have high hopes that we will take in some shore diving, boat diving, snorkling and general tourist stuff. We are staying at a 3-bedroom house/condo in Kihei for the majority of time so we should be pretty close to where the boats leave - at least that is what I have read. So a few questions for those of you that are on the island enough to comment would be great.
We will be on Maui on New Years eve. Any suggestions of places I can go with the family (kids are 12, 17, 20 and 21)? That has obvious limitations since they are not adults. We will want a place with decent food, atmosphere, etc., but will not be able to do a typical new years bash.
Since I most likely will be feeling pretty good on New years day (that is a first in a long time), I may even want to take in a dive the next day. This would be one of the first days we will be on the island so I would like something that works for us less experienced divers to start with. Is shore diving a good way to start out or do we just hit the boats right away? Any suggestions for a first dive would be most appreciated. Also, any recommendations on a good dive shop in the Kihei area that will work with newly certified people would be most helpful.
My youngest son is 12 and NOT certified, but will want to snorkel. Any suggestions on where to go that would really leave an impression? I want to get him hooked as soon as possible. Also, if the rest of us are diving, any idea what we can do with him? Obviously we are not just going to leave him home alone.
Also, unlike me, my sons and wife are skinny and chill easily - I have ample insulation... For snorkeling around Kihei, what would you all recommend? Are wet suits needed for snorkeling as well or just for diving? I bought my wife a 3mm wet suit for Christmas - I hope that is enough.
Thanks in advance - I can hardly wait to leave the snow! (35 hours, 45 min and counting)
We are newly certified and have never been to Hawaii. We have high hopes that we will take in some shore diving, boat diving, snorkling and general tourist stuff. We are staying at a 3-bedroom house/condo in Kihei for the majority of time so we should be pretty close to where the boats leave - at least that is what I have read. So a few questions for those of you that are on the island enough to comment would be great.
We will be on Maui on New Years eve. Any suggestions of places I can go with the family (kids are 12, 17, 20 and 21)? That has obvious limitations since they are not adults. We will want a place with decent food, atmosphere, etc., but will not be able to do a typical new years bash.
Since I most likely will be feeling pretty good on New years day (that is a first in a long time), I may even want to take in a dive the next day. This would be one of the first days we will be on the island so I would like something that works for us less experienced divers to start with. Is shore diving a good way to start out or do we just hit the boats right away? Any suggestions for a first dive would be most appreciated. Also, any recommendations on a good dive shop in the Kihei area that will work with newly certified people would be most helpful.
My youngest son is 12 and NOT certified, but will want to snorkel. Any suggestions on where to go that would really leave an impression? I want to get him hooked as soon as possible. Also, if the rest of us are diving, any idea what we can do with him? Obviously we are not just going to leave him home alone.
Also, unlike me, my sons and wife are skinny and chill easily - I have ample insulation... For snorkeling around Kihei, what would you all recommend? Are wet suits needed for snorkeling as well or just for diving? I bought my wife a 3mm wet suit for Christmas - I hope that is enough.
Thanks in advance - I can hardly wait to leave the snow! (35 hours, 45 min and counting)