More first timer questions - Maui or Big Island?

[sauruman]

Alright, the flights are being booked and the general plan is this;

Saturday, arrive, Honolulu.
Sunday ???

Mon - Thurs - work work work. maybe evening dives
Friday - dive

Sat - Sat; pick up and move on to Maui or the Big Island. Dive lots. Volcano tour.
Sunday - back to Honolulu, fly home.


Here's the question. Is it better to stay in Maui and visit the big island or the other way around? I think that splitting the week would probably be too much work/packing. Thoughts? Is a day trip between the islands reasonable or should we plan an overnight? Perhaps I am being too ambitious.... My wife really wants to see the Volcano National Park, but other than that (and diving) things are totally open.

I appreciate any advice/insight. Thanks!

 

[scubawife]

I was on the Big Island a couple weeks ago. Here's my report. http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=107869

 

[Charlie99]

If you want to see molten lava, then your only option is the Big Island. While Maui has the awesome 10,000' Haleakala crater, it isn't erupting like the one on the Big Island.

Even though Maui is my favorite island, if I were planning a trip like yours, I'd just head on over to the Big Island for the entire week rather than wasting time going between islands.

Gives you a good reason to head out to Hawaii again.

 

[Damselfish]

If you want to do the park and dive, personally I'd just go to the Big Island the second week and be done with it. There's a lot to see on each island and cramming 2 islands in the second week, however you do it, doesn't sound relaxing.

 

[friscuba]

Here's the question. Is it better to stay in Maui and visit the big island or the other way around?

I appreciate any advice/insight. Thanks!

I would avoid a day or two day trip to either island. Not enough time to do much of anything, and it would add an additional day or two of no-fly time to your itinerary. Pick a spot and park it there for a week and enjoy yourself. Both islands are nice, but the Big Island gets my vote simply for the diving and variety of things to do.

 

[Wildcard]

Yup, what they said! Big Isle and sit tight. Don't miss the manta dive, volcanos NP (take a helo flight if you can) Gotta dive two step, just show up and someone will show you which way to go. Mauna Kea is well worth the dirve of an hour and a half but it is 14,000 feet so it's like flying after diving (bring something warm!). There is so much to see!...Depending on my schedule, I may be able to do an evening/night dive with y'all on Oahu. Enjoy your visit! Aloha

 

[chepar]

It appears that you must stay in Honolulu for part of the week due to work obligations - therefore you aren't able to stay on either the Big Island or Maui for the entire week.

I would not do a day trip - even catching the first flight out and the last flight back, that won't leave you much time to do anything and the airports (Maui in particular) is a PITA. If you've really got to see another island, I would at the minimum overnight it - like leaving first thing Saturday morning and then returning Sunday to Honolulu to connect directly to your flight home. Better yet would be to fly directly from either Maui or the Big Island home.

One week is just not a lot of time, especially when you're figuring that 4 of those days are spent at work. Personally, I would stay in Honolulu for the week and make a return trip for the other islands.

 

[bnkysgrl]

I would recommend sitting on the beach or underwater on the Big Island! I may be a little partial (have been there twice and returning in 1 1/2 weeks ) but I think that it is the best island. The diving is very good and there is plenty to do and see.

 

[Damselfish]

It appears that you must stay in Honolulu for part of the week due to work obligations - therefore you aren't able to stay on either the Big Island or Maui for the entire week.

I would not do a day trip - even catching the first flight out and the last flight back, that won't leave you much time to do anything and the airports (Maui in particular) is a PITA. If you've really got to see another island, I would at the minimum overnight it - like leaving first thing Saturday morning and then returning Sunday to Honolulu to connect directly to your flight home. Better yet would be to fly directly from either Maui or the Big Island home.

One week is just not a lot of time, especially when you're figuring that 4 of those days are spent at work. Personally, I would stay in Honolulu for the week and make a return trip for the other islands.

Their trip is 2 weeks, one on Oahu. They're trying to decide what to do with the second week.

 

[sauruman]

...Depending on my schedule, I may be able to do an evening/night dive with y'all on Oahu. Enjoy your visit! Aloha

That sounds great! Hope to see you soon.

I.