Looking for quiet Hawaiian city close to water

Help! I am wanting to take a vacation to Hawaii. I need a city that is quaint, close to the water, where I can rent a car or go hiking. I want a place the is not too busy, yet has many things to do, shop, eat, hike, snorkel and otherwise. I also need to know when is the best time to travel to Hawaii when it%26#39;s not tourist season? I am looknig for an affordable bed and breakfast place that is not too pricey too. Can anyone help?

Looking for quiet Hawaiian city close to water

I just got back from doing a cruise of Maui, the large island of Hawaii, and Kuai. We also stayed on Oahu for 5 days. I would recommend that you look into Kona (west coast of the large island of Hawaii), or Princeville (northeast) on Kuai. These are beautiful areas and you can easily rent a car and tour yourself. Snorkeling great on Kona and Maui (but Maui is expensive). Also on Oahu there is the west coast which is quiet and you could find inexpensive places to stay. This past Sunday%26#39;s Bergen County Record Travel section had an article on Oahu and Kuai which you may look into. I believe they had some inexpensive places to stay. Also check on the websites for package deals!!! Good luck. I thought all the islands were beautiful and thoroughly enjoyed my vacation. Some day I may get back. There is so much to do there and see on all the islands!!!

Looking for quiet Hawaiian city close to water

Hi there and welcome to the forum! Hawaii is a major tourist destination all year long, so there isn%26#39;t any time that isn%26#39;t tourist season, BUT there are busier/slower times. If you want less tourists, go during the shoulder season . . . . such as April/May and then Sept-Nov.

Each island is unique . . . but you stated that you wanted a city . . . and many places wouldn%26#39;t truly be a city other than Oahu. Many of the islands do have larger towns, and almost all are located near the water . . .sounds like Maui might be the island for you. You would probably realy enjoy Lahaina. I would suggest that you check out trip reports on the different islands, as that might give you more of a taste of what they offer. Kauai also offers some incredible hiking and snorkeling as well, but it%26#39;s much more rural.

Also, I would recommend getting the revealed books for the island you decide to visit. EX: Maui Revealed. It would be a tremendous help in planning your vacation. Best of luck - Hawaii is an incredible place to take a vacation. :)

Can you give us some comparables? For example, something like Boulder, Colorado comes to mind? A ';city'; that is ';quaint'; ... ';not too busy'; but ';many things to do'; ... this is hard to come by anywhere.

I do think you might enjoy Lahaina on Maui ... it is a small town with shops and such. Good snorkeling within 5-6 miles or so. Hiking and other outdoor adventures within a half hour%26#39;s drive or so.

Kona, on the Big Island, is a little more Bohemian and I would say a little less busy, too ... great snorkeling (again, within a few miles) Plenty of places to hike and such on the island ... but you%26#39;ll need to drive.

Both Lahaina and Kona are on the water, and are the largest ';not too big'; sort of areas that I can think of.

If you want a true city on the water, you%26#39;ll want to be somewhere in Waikiki -- it is big and busy but lots to do.

Most anywhere you go you are going to want to rent a car.

Check out the reviews for B%26amp;Bs on here to get an idea of where to stay.

As far as the best time to go, stay away from summer and major holidays. I enjoy May and September ... also the first two weeks of December.

Have a great time!