Hawaii Vacation Question

o.c.d. · 03/02/2008, 10:41 PM

Me and my wife are vacationing in Honolulu Hawaii and of course we are going to the Waikiki aquarium and I'm not sure if going to the Maui aquarium is worth making the trip? I checked out the web site and reef display don't look to be abundant. We have a lot planned and I don't want to drag my wife to see something that isn't spectacular. Any info or must see will be appreciated Thank you

UDrogue · 03/02/2008, 11:05 PM

I've been to both over the past 5 years. The maui one was better imo.
i enjoyed it more bcs it was outdoors...but it was worth seeing. If you are on Maui, should also do the road to hana drive. while on the drive, you should stop by black sands beach. it's really creepy snorking in crystal clear waters with a black bottom..fishes and corals really stand out. it's a definite must do!

Ken Hahn · 03/02/2008, 11:09 PM

Not sure if you are planning to snorkel or dive, but you should at least hit Hanauma bay on Oahu for some easy, but good snorkeling. Closest thing there is to snorkeling in a reef tank.

--- Ken

badcop · 03/02/2008, 11:19 PM

I encourage a stop at the MOC. It's not large, like the Monterey Bay aquarium, and Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific.

What I liked was the black coral display, and seeing 1/4 to 1/2 inch juvenile Flame Angels and Yellow Tangs. Like I said not an all day thing, but for the price worth it.

But then some of the TOM's I would pony up a few dollars to sit in front of for hours.

travdixon · 03/02/2008, 11:31 PM

Definitely gotta check out the Maui aquarium. Seeing a 8 foot tiger shark swim over your head is worth the admission alone!

o.c.d. · 03/02/2008, 11:56 PM

I snorkel and my wife suntans, Jamacia I convinced her No shark here honey,But someone at her work told her Hawaii has sharks so I'll have to think of something sneaky to get her snorkeling like " they have a underwater fence to keep them out"

str8clownr · 03/02/2008, 11:57 PM

i stayed at Waikiki, and i must recommend to you to take a day trip to Hanuama Bay, it was amazing, rent all the gear and go out all day, i burned the heck out of my back though, Id skip getting the underwater camera because all my pics came out like crap

nakadoc · 03/03/2008, 01:53 AM

I was born and raised on Kauai, Hi, and Kauai is Hawaiis best kept secret! You are going at the end of the winter months so Napali cost might be out but if there are no swells coming in, that will be the cleanist water you will ever see! Not to mention the scenary to the Napali cost is just breath taking. Like I said I was born and raised there and everytime I go I feel the warm fuzzies inside, LOL! If you do go book your trip with the Napali explorer in Waimea, its the cheapest and the ride is on a zodiac going about 35-45mph, its great. Kauai is the only island where you can go the beach and your the only one there, just not going to happen on the outer islands. If want anymore pointers on where to stay away from and where to get the best grinds "food" shoot me a pm and I will be more than happy to help!

qfrisco · 03/03/2008, 01:58 PM

Great timing on this thread - my family and I are visiting The Big Island for 5 days, and Oahu for 2 in June. At the very least, I'd like to visit some great aquariums, but would like to go out and snorkel as well.

Keep the suggestions coming!

fuschia_red · 03/03/2008, 02:21 PM

I was at the aquarium at Maui last November. It was alright. I wouldn't say it was EXCELLENT but it was alright. I thought Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA was nicer. As for the road to Hana...*sigh*....well, it's a looong drive.

SDguy · 03/03/2008, 02:27 PM

I loved the road to Hana. We hired someone to drive us and feed us

Loachmaniac · 03/03/2008, 03:31 PM

On my trip to Kauai and Maui, I found that the snorkeling was worth the time at any location I went to.

I'd recommend the kayak/snorkel trip on the SW side of Maui. I forget the company and beach name it leaves from but is somewhere near Olawalu. Kayak portion is billed as a whale watch, which is really cool to be near a whale in a little kayak.

o.c.d. · 03/03/2008, 06:55 PM

Hanauma bay is apparently 11 miles from where we are staying on Waikiki beach so that will be a for sure spot to hit for snorkeling .Anything else? We have 10 days to work with here. Were the reef displays good at Maui?

Hooci · 03/04/2008, 03:07 PM

Maui aquarium is decent. The two best things I did was snorkeling the Molokini Crater and snorkeling behind the Rennaissance Wailea. Between these two spots you will be in heaven.

not_sponsored · 03/04/2008, 03:34 PM

If you go to maui definitly hit up the MOC, molokini is awesome as well, much better than hanauma... lots of fish at hanauma but the reef is totally dead. I wouldn't worry about sharks though at hanauma, they have lifeguards on watch and sharks can be easily seen from the towers or the cliff, and it's pretty hard for them to make it over the reef anyway.

Oahu is pretty trashed from the overpopulation, polution etc. The "neighbor islands" are a little cleaner and scenic. I grew up on kauai so I'm biased... If you can make it over to kauai the hanakapai trail on the north shore is amazing, as well as the waimea canyon. There are some nice reefs but most are on the north shore which can be a little rough this time of year.

Anybody wanna borrow snorkeling gear for some frags?

Dakota Reef · 03/04/2008, 04:19 PM

Hanauma Bay on Oahu is great if you want to see lots of reef fish. It can get crowded at times, unfortunately. I also believe they close the park one day a week so you should check before you go there.

If you go to the Big Island we found many places to snorkel on the Kona side of the island. There is a spot near "Place of Refuge" park that was a fantastic snorkeling spot for reef fish and sea turtles. Be forewarned that if you're going in from shore you'll probably need aquasocks or something to protect your feet from the lava rocks and hidden urchins til you get out into the water. Learned that the hard way.

ps: Two thumbs up for Waikiki Aquarium. Its not huge but it was very well done.

Canarygirl · 03/04/2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

If you go to maui definitly hit up the MOC

Sorry, what is "MOC?"

o.c.d. · 03/04/2008, 04:48 PM

Yes I was going to ask the same MOC ?

SDguy · 03/04/2008, 04:50 PM

Maui Ocean Center

SDguy · 03/04/2008, 04:57 PM

Honolu'a Bay was the best snorkling on Maui. Every fish you can imagine, even cleaner wrasse cleaning stations with giant red parrotfish getting cleaned

o.c.d. · 03/04/2008, 05:04 PM

The Maui Ocean Center is the Maui Aquarium right ?

03/02/2008, 10:41 PM	#1
o.c.d. Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 739	Hawaii Vacation Question Me and my wife are vacationing in Honolulu Hawaii and of course we are going to the Waikiki aquarium and I'm not sure if going to the Maui aquarium is worth making the trip? I checked out the web site and reef display don't look to be abundant. We have a lot planned and I don't want to drag my wife to see something that isn't spectacular. Any info or must see will be appreciated Thank you

03/03/2008, 02:27 PM	#11
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I loved the road to Hana. We hired someone to drive us and feed us __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

03/04/2008, 04:19 PM	#16
Dakota Reef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 222	Hanauma Bay on Oahu is great if you want to see lots of reef fish. It can get crowded at times, unfortunately. I also believe they close the park one day a week so you should check before you go there. If you go to the Big Island we found many places to snorkel on the Kona side of the island. There is a spot near "Place of Refuge" park that was a fantastic snorkeling spot for reef fish and sea turtles. Be forewarned that if you're going in from shore you'll probably need aquasocks or something to protect your feet from the lava rocks and hidden urchins til you get out into the water. Learned that the hard way. ps: Two thumbs up for Waikiki Aquarium. Its not huge but it was very well done. __________________ - Phil - 270 gallon mixed reef - 54 x 48 x 24 Blonde Naso, Potters Angel, Majestic Angel, Regal Angel, Long Nose Butterfly, Copperband Butterfly, Starry Blenny, Pink Streaked Wrasse, Royal Gramm

03/04/2008, 04:50 PM	#19
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Maui Ocean Center __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

03/04/2008, 04:57 PM	#20
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Honolu'a Bay was the best snorkling on Maui. Every fish you can imagine, even cleaner wrasse cleaning stations with giant red parrotfish getting cleaned __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

03/02/2008, 11:05 PM	#2
UDrogue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: virginia Posts: 16	I've been to both over the past 5 years. The maui one was better imo. i enjoyed it more bcs it was outdoors...but it was worth seeing. If you are on Maui, should also do the road to hana drive. while on the drive, you should stop by black sands beach. it's really creepy snorking in crystal clear waters with a black bottom..fishes and corals really stand out. it's a definite must do!

03/02/2008, 11:09 PM	#3
Ken Hahn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland OR Posts: 92	Not sure if you are planning to snorkel or dive, but you should at least hit Hanauma bay on Oahu for some easy, but good snorkeling. Closest thing there is to snorkeling in a reef tank. --- Ken

03/02/2008, 11:19 PM	#4
badcop Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 28	I encourage a stop at the MOC. It's not large, like the Monterey Bay aquarium, and Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. What I liked was the black coral display, and seeing 1/4 to 1/2 inch juvenile Flame Angels and Yellow Tangs. Like I said not an all day thing, but for the price worth it. But then some of the TOM's I would pony up a few dollars to sit in front of for hours.

03/02/2008, 11:31 PM	#5
travdixon Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Beach CA Posts: 156	Definitely gotta check out the Maui aquarium. Seeing a 8 foot tiger shark swim over your head is worth the admission alone!

03/02/2008, 11:56 PM	#6
o.c.d. Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 739	I snorkel and my wife suntans, Jamacia I convinced her No shark here honey,But someone at her work told her Hawaii has sharks so I'll have to think of something sneaky to get her snorkeling like " they have a underwater fence to keep them out"

03/02/2008, 11:57 PM	#7
str8clownr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: mia Posts: 619	i stayed at Waikiki, and i must recommend to you to take a day trip to Hanuama Bay, it was amazing, rent all the gear and go out all day, i burned the heck out of my back though, Id skip getting the underwater camera because all my pics came out like crap

03/03/2008, 01:53 AM	#8
nakadoc Moved On Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bellevue, NE Posts: 50	I was born and raised on Kauai, Hi, and Kauai is Hawaiis best kept secret! You are going at the end of the winter months so Napali cost might be out but if there are no swells coming in, that will be the cleanist water you will ever see! Not to mention the scenary to the Napali cost is just breath taking. Like I said I was born and raised there and everytime I go I feel the warm fuzzies inside, LOL! If you do go book your trip with the Napali explorer in Waimea, its the cheapest and the ride is on a zodiac going about 35-45mph, its great. Kauai is the only island where you can go the beach and your the only one there, just not going to happen on the outer islands. If want anymore pointers on where to stay away from and where to get the best grinds "food" shoot me a pm and I will be more than happy to help!

03/03/2008, 01:58 PM	#9
qfrisco Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Area Posts: 1,389	Great timing on this thread - my family and I are visiting The Big Island for 5 days, and Oahu for 2 in June. At the very least, I'd like to visit some great aquariums, but would like to go out and snorkel as well. Keep the suggestions coming!

03/03/2008, 02:21 PM	#10
fuschia_red Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 471	I was at the aquarium at Maui last November. It was alright. I wouldn't say it was EXCELLENT but it was alright. I thought Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA was nicer. As for the road to Hana...sigh....well, it's a looong drive.

03/03/2008, 03:31 PM	#12
Loachmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 36	On my trip to Kauai and Maui, I found that the snorkeling was worth the time at any location I went to. I'd recommend the kayak/snorkel trip on the SW side of Maui. I forget the company and beach name it leaves from but is somewhere near Olawalu. Kayak portion is billed as a whale watch, which is really cool to be near a whale in a little kayak.

03/03/2008, 06:55 PM	#13
o.c.d. Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 739	Hanauma bay is apparently 11 miles from where we are staying on Waikiki beach so that will be a for sure spot to hit for snorkeling .Anything else? We have 10 days to work with here. Were the reef displays good at Maui?

03/04/2008, 03:07 PM	#14
Hooci Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 96	Maui aquarium is decent. The two best things I did was snorkeling the Molokini Crater and snorkeling behind the Rennaissance Wailea. Between these two spots you will be in heaven.

03/04/2008, 03:34 PM	#15
not_sponsored Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hiding Posts: 341	If you go to maui definitly hit up the MOC, molokini is awesome as well, much better than hanauma... lots of fish at hanauma but the reef is totally dead. I wouldn't worry about sharks though at hanauma, they have lifeguards on watch and sharks can be easily seen from the towers or the cliff, and it's pretty hard for them to make it over the reef anyway. Oahu is pretty trashed from the overpopulation, polution etc. The "neighbor islands" are a little cleaner and scenic. I grew up on kauai so I'm biased... If you can make it over to kauai the hanakapai trail on the north shore is amazing, as well as the waimea canyon. There are some nice reefs but most are on the north shore which can be a little rough this time of year. Anybody wanna borrow snorkeling gear for some frags?

03/04/2008, 04:48 PM	#18
o.c.d. Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 739	Yes I was going to ask the same MOC ?

03/04/2008, 05:04 PM	#21
o.c.d. Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 739	The Maui Ocean Center is the Maui Aquarium right ?