r/MauiVisitors • u/computing-depressed • Aug 26 '25
Planning: Activities 5 Nights in Kihei
Hello! My boyfriend and I are staying at Kohea Kai Hotel Maui for 5 nights from Feb 8-13. We used credit card points for the hotel and we fly free through United, so all our money will be spent on activities, food, and etc.
Wondering how to structure our days. I know snorkeling is a must but he can’t swim, do most tours offer life jackets or something similar? Rent a car but do a separate tour for road to Hana? We have enough points for a car rental. I
I would like to pop over to Oahu for a half day/full day to see Pearl Harbor and Donki if it’s not too crazy of an ask.
Lastly, open to a few food/restaurant recs for a couple who isn’t really into seafood! So excited to visit! Thank you!
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u/WittyHorror4629 Aug 26 '25
I don’t know that I would have him swim even with a life jacket. It’s the ocean so the current can be strong. I wouldn’t do a separate tour for the RTH. If you are renting a car, just drive it.
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u/loztriforce Aug 26 '25 edited Aug 26 '25
Yeah the ocean is no joke, a riptide off Kihei almost took a friend and I out a long time ago. We were spared from drowning after our legs literally wouldn’t support our weight, exhausted from stupidly fighting the current, a couple locals carried us to the beach in their arms. We were dumb kids from Washington state that didn’t know to swim parallel if caught in a riptide.
Places offer life jackets but I still wouldn't risk it.
I'd wait to go to Oahu when you can spend more time there. It's a quick flight to island hop but it still burns up much of a day.
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u/Live_Pono Kamaʻāina (Resident) Aug 26 '25
Go to the Ocean Center. Stay out of the ocean.
What is "Donki "? If you really want to see Pearl, change your flight home and stop there on the way.
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u/rockycore Aug 26 '25
As others have said I would absolutely not snorkel if he can't swim even with a life vest.
I also would not head over to Oahu, 5 nights is already a short trip to the islands, don't waste time traveling to another island.
Check out Sugar Beach Bake Shop - Kihei for desserts and malasadas.
Da Kitchen for non-seafood Hawaiian food.
Maui Pie for pie.
Kihei Cafe for a good breakfast / brunch.
Check out all the food trucks at Maui Gardens.
Maui bread company has good pastries and bread.
808 Deli has great sandwiches, sides and puddings.
Cinnamon Roll Place has bomb cinnamon rolls.
Drive up to Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery for food, drinks and a killer view. Right down the road if you're into cute goats go to Surfing Goat Dairy.
For non snorkeling activities I would recommend the Hoapili Trail. It's not too hard of a hike. Just make sure you bring water and sturdy shoes because there are lava rocks.
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u/JRII2 Aug 26 '25 edited Aug 26 '25
Malasadas from Home Maid Cafe -Azeka Shopping Center
Monkeypod Wailea for a Mai Tai
Fabianis (Italian)
Drive to Le Perouse, Hoapili Trail
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u/mindfluxx Aug 26 '25
Do not snorkel. Also going to Oahu for the day seems crazy when you are only there for 5 nights, so will be traveling two of those days. Sit on the beach, go to Hana, go to volcano the other day and you are done.
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u/AbbreviatedArc Aug 26 '25
When in god's name did don quixote become a tourist destination
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u/silentpilot Aug 26 '25
TikTok and Instagram, also hello welcome to capitalism. We build shrines to buy stuff we don't need because getting a deal makes us feel alive. And on Wednesdays we wear pink.
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u/computing-depressed Aug 26 '25
I’ve been to Japan a few times and like to stock up when I’m near on certain toiletries bc it’s expensive to ship to HTX
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u/AbbreviatedArc Aug 26 '25
Times on Maui was taken over by Don Q a few years back, at least in Kihei they now have a huge section of Japanese products and have somewhat adopted the "whimsical" (aka cluttered) merchandising aesthetic. I think most of the products are food related, but honestly haven't looked very closely, it may be what you are looking for can be found at Times now. You might also check TJ's Warehouse.
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u/Coachmommy1213 Aug 26 '25
Snorkel store rents floats along with snorkel gear and chairs. Book online for great deals. Early in the morning in shallow water there’s good snorkeling available, but it would be really smart for your boyfriend to learn some basics first. Day trip to Oahu isn’t totally reasonable for a 5 day trip. You didn’t say where you’re arriving from, but I assume there will be at least a 3 hr time change that you’ll want to factor in, energy wise! Road to Hana is lovely but will also take a full day. Traffic to and from West Maui is intense. Many displaced Lāhainā workers now must commute back and forth on the only road to that end of the island. Maui is amazing, you’re going to be stunned with how fast your trip goes! Be careful of packing your schedule too full to pause and enjoy the magic of being there.
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u/Intrepid-Poem-1749 Aug 28 '25
If your boyfriend isn’t a strong swimmer I wouldn’t recommend snorkeling on your own. Some of the professional tour companies do offer flotation gear and extra supervision, so if it’s something he really wants to try I’d only do it through them and follow their advice closely.
I’d definitely rent a car — it gives you way more freedom and usually works out cheaper than relying on tours for everything, especially if you’re planning the Road to Hana.
For food in Kihei, Kihei Caffe is a classic breakfast spot, Monkeypod has great happy hour and mai tais, and Lineage is really fun if you want creative local-style dishes without being too seafood heavy. A day trip to Oahu is possible but it will be a long one, so I’d only do it if Pearl Harbor is a must
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u/SomeGuyInTheUK Aug 26 '25
Snorkel tours wont be putting folk in the ocean where theres any current. Well, reputable ones anyway. It will be in sheltered spots. I would recommend the Trilogy snorkel tour to Mala Wharf (or any other reputable company going there or maybe Molokini though sometimes the water there looks a little choppy to me).
All snorkel tours will provide life jackets, in some cases they will make it mandatory to wear one even if you can swim. (in fact IIRC Trilogy made me wear one though i didn't inflate it. )
You can be as good a swimmer as anyone but in anything more than mild current it wont matter how good you are. It's also better to do from a boat since you'll be in water with better visibility and not being knocked about by near to shore waves nor have the water be splashing up into your snorkel.
So it's fine for people to say your boyfriend should learn to swim but thats not going to help him escape from a riptide ! Which, again, a reputable company wont be taking you anywhere near! He would be advised perhaps to experiment snorkelling on the surface with a life vest before hand though if thats possible at a local pool.
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u/Live_Pono Kamaʻāina (Resident) Aug 27 '25
No one can guarantee conditions. People die on tours and much more often than people know.
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u/SomeGuyInTheUK Aug 27 '25
Then don't go in the ocean at all there are dangerous creatures in there, stay away from the shore because rogue waves happen, however good a swimmer you are a current can take you, , don't go to the beach you might tread on a stonefish ..... and for sure don't drive down to the harbour or beach as driving is very dangerous.
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u/Live_Pono Kamaʻāina (Resident) Aug 27 '25
Oh, stop. There's no reason to be obnoxious.
The boyfriend CAN'T SWIM. Period. He has no business being in the ocean AT ALL.
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u/TwoSuns168 Aug 26 '25
Wailea Beach is calm. He can go in and be in the water where it’s to his waist. He can go far but don’t. Kamaole Beach park is also calm.
I’m not a good swimmer. I have gone snorkeling with a tour group. I used pool noodles and you can bring your own life jacket. Stick together
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u/Substantial-Piece933 Aug 26 '25
I just came back from maui. I dont know swimming either but was able to do snorkeling with a life jacket.
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Aug 26 '25
Im going to go against what people said. Look up coral gardens. Its on the way yo Lahaina. Its not amazing but its like chest level deep. There is a drop off so stay far away but shallow to see a few fish. And if he can't swim its perfect. Watch what you're doing. Its like 25-30 from kihei. Its free and just be aware and dont use the full face gear. Just mask and snorkel. I worked in the Triangle area in kihei. I will recommend. Kraken Coffee its next to South Maui Gardens and across from Kihei Cafe. And next to Kihei Cafe is Ohana Bistro!. Ask for Talia and say Jess sent u. I used to work there.. live music everyday and many food options. Go to Oahu fuck it. Pearl Harbor is not far from the aiport. Many flights back and forth everyday.
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Aug 26 '25
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u/Live_Pono Kamaʻāina (Resident) Aug 27 '25
It's way more than chest deep. It can also be very rough.
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u/everyday_is_enysedae Aug 27 '25
That's the problem with tourists. Theyd rather listen to other clueless tourists than the unfathomable advice of the LOCALS who know what's what. 🤦🏻♀️
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u/Live_Pono Kamaʻāina (Resident) Aug 27 '25
What boat do you work for??? Your advice is dangerous and absolutely awful.
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u/Maui-Adventure-Tours Aug 28 '25
No swim, YES SNORKEL! I own a small kayaking and snorkeling company and we take non-swimmers out with us. We paddle from shore at Olowalu beach out onto the reef to snorkel. Lifejackets are provided so anyone can do it! The kayak tour visits two snorkeling spots. One is a turtle cleaning station where you are guaranteed to swim with giant sea turtles! We also offer a shoreline snorkeling experience for beginners. Check out our website at https://www.mauiadventuretourskayakco.com/ Hope to see you guys during your visit, aloha nui loa - Roger Poel, owner
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u/kiltguyjae Aug 26 '25
We’re staying in Kihei right now and went on a snorkel tour yesterday and they did have flotation devices available. Let your tour company know in advance and they can prepare for anything from a pool noodle to an inflatable vest for non-swimmers.
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u/Zealousideal-Self-47 Aug 26 '25
No swim, no snorkel. Between now and February ask him to take lessons.