The wife just suggested that we go to Hawaii for a holiday. I didnt argue. We are talking November

Given we are both intermediate SUP, we both are sailors, I am a diver and surfer (tho not game for big winter north shore) generally any watersports, what islands should we look at, what activities (cultural & watersports) should we not miss and any recommendations on accomodation/restuarants etc.

Oh yeah I dont think we can leave the kids at home (4 & 2 years old)

Waikiki !! Just get a nice hotel room there... If you can afford the old original Jewel of The Pacific, stay at the Sherraton Moana.

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlwi-moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa-waikiki-beach/

Alternatively, stay somewhere cheaper, and walk through its Grand Foyers a few times on your trip. Walking through is free!!

Don't get the cheap bus to your hotel. Just get a taxi. Taxi is pretty cheap, drops you at the door, heaps quicker. If on the bus, you might be 3rd last to get dropped off, and just circle around 10 hotels before yours... and with the one way streets, you will probably have passed close by to your hotel about 2 times before that anyway!

Going back home, just book a Limo to the airport. If it's AM, they are about the same price as a taxi.

Eating, Duke's on the beach is a must. Tables down the front are right on the beach. Great atmosphere.

Steinlager is cheap! Enjoy.

If you like Quiksilver gear, there's a few shops... Hawaii influence... They have a good range of "Men's" clothes also, rather than teenager clothes. Quiksilver "Silver Edition"...

Going to another island is also fun. Kaua'i is really nice. Also consider Maui.

PS - you'll be going to Hawai'i !

Hamsta said...

Kaua'i

Why?

I would stay away from oahu unless you want a mix of nth shore life and sth shore chaos. There's waves on the east and west as well and easy to get around with busses cheap and hire cars abundant.
Big isl, kaui etc are awesome and really laid back, less crowded in the surf and my pic.

evlPanda said...
Or WA?

The boss is now talking Fiji so i will take recommendations for either

maui for sure. even when there is no wind or waves its just a great place to chill with the family. that would be my first pick

I'll be in Kauai in 3 days, been to Maui before and it was awesome, like the others said.

Having just returned from Hawaii i'll say this; if you want a chilled out atmosphere which is super friendly, mega chilled, way less people but more on the Hiking/site seeing/general chill side of things go to Maui nth shore. If on the other hand you want sit around on a **** beach sinking cocktails, riding jetskis, shopping and watching people on what amounts to a combination of the Gold Coast crossed with Vegas all wrapped up in a bag of hobo go to Waikiki on Oahu.

If you want to sail then go to the north shore of Maui, period end of sentence.
In November there could probably be waves, but possibly not.
I would stay away from the zoo that is Oahu.
I would not advise island hopping, get to one place and settle in and relax.

I suppose it depends upon how you feel about big cities, Honolulu on Oahu is a big city with lots of nightlife and things to do.
North shore of Maui is pretty quiet, what do you want?
I have been living in small towns for a long time, big cities are not really for me.

Just got into Wakiki today after 8 beautiful days on the south shore of Kauai. Freaking breathtaking magnificent little island.

The highest mountain on Kauai gets the highest rainfall on earth, yet the Sth West has wild fires currently due to drought. However, you still get 72 channels on TV, can buy Levi's jeans for $13, eat some of the freshest tastiest sashimi and local fruit, and explore the small and spectacular island in a Mustang. Awesome, only bummer for me is my heel which now contains 19 Sea Urchin barbs inbedded in my foot - ouch! Not much surf this time of year, a little on the windy side for SUP - Nov would be better.

Sitting here in my Wakiki motel room looking down at the street below at 1:00am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning it strikes me as kind of odd that it's dead. I remember that from last time I was here 2 years ago. Its a pretty crass sort of place that's not to dissimilar to the GC, but there is no nightlife. When I get sick from the reality TV on offer, and want to go out for a drink and a party later on tonight or another night what are my options?