I flew round trip to Hawaii for only $300 during its off-season. Here are the 5 pros and 3 cons of visiting in the fall.

When I decided to visit Hawaii for the first time in late September, my round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Maui cost a little over $300, a deal I couldn't pass up. I went for eight days with no real plans or reservations.

However, I wondered if going during the off-season meant I'd miss out on some of the islands' quintessential experiences.

These were the best and worst parts about visiting Hawaii outside of peak season.

The weather in Hawaii is pretty consistent year-round, and its plumerias are a far cry from the red, orange, and yellow leaves I'm used to seeing during fall in other parts of the country.

My time on Maui landed in a sweet spot between the rainy season, which extends from October to March, and the dry season, which extends from April to September.

The sky was clear enough that I could enjoy great views of the surrounding mountains, and the water temperature was warm enough for me to swim every day, enjoy the waves, and bodysurf.

I could also tan on the Maui beaches without jostling other tourists for a spot and was able to catch unobstructed rays.

Octopuses weren't on my radar before I arrived on Maui, but they were the animal I saw the most frequently during my trip. Every time I snorkeled in bays, I saw them blending into coral crevices, gliding across the ocean floor, or ejecting cloudy ink.

I had the most memorable sightings in Makena State Park and Kapalua Bay. I didn't realize how rare it was to spot octopuses until a local told me they barely ever do.

I took a day off from being on the beach and sipping mai tais to visit Haleakalā National Park, which covers over 30,000 acres on Maui and rises over 10,000 feet in elevation.

The road leading to the summit is called Mount Haleakala Highway, or Crater Road. This 37-mile stretch, which is full of switchbacks and sharp turns, is the road with the highest elevation gain in the shortest distance.

There seemed to be relatively few cars during the off-season, and bikes ruled the road. I was stunned by the riders' grace as they cruised down the mountain at high speeds. It isn't necessarily my cup of tea, but I enjoyed the view from the car window as I went up and down the mountain.

Haleakalā National Park can get crowded during peak season. Going in late September meant I got a great look at Mount Haleakala without bumping into huge groups of tourists.

There was no line to get into the park, and I found very few people at the visitor center once I arrived at the top. I never felt claustrophobic, and I even had the chance to ask the park rangers about volcanic activity and different rock formations.

Because there were fewer tourist crowds in September, I had a relatively easy time getting tables at restaurants.

I was able to secure a reservation at Fleetwood's on Front St., musician Mick Fleetwood's American restaurant. The waitress put us on the rooftop, where we enjoyed a clear view of Lahaina Harbor, and told us we were sitting at Fleetwood's favorite table.

I connected with most of the waiters I met during my trip. They told me horror stories about working during tourist season and filling me in on locals' favorite spots.

We befriended Maui locals at restaurants and bars and later spent time with them on the beach and at bars. One night, we all played trivia at the neighborhood bar, Dog & Duck, and the game left me and my new friends laughing late into the night.

I'm not sure if I would've had the opportunity to spend so much time with them during the busy tourist season.

I didn't see a lot of children on Maui, which could've been because I came during back-to-school season. Many of the kids who usually vacation with family or live nearby were probably in class during the day.

Regardless of the reason, it made the island feel like an exclusive adults-only resort.

In the absence of little kids running around, my friends and I reverted back to our childhood behavior at the pool, practicing our handstand formations and laughing at our childish games.

Hawaii's biodiversity is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else. When I dreamed of sightseeing on the islands, humpback whales, known as koholas in Hawaiian, were always the first thing that popped into my mind.

These mammals migrate from Alaska's glacial waters to the Hawaiian islands between November and May. If you take a guided tour during that time period, you might catch a glimpse of them.

Seeing a humpback whale is at the top of my bucket list, but I missed out on the opportunity since I visited Maui in September.

Hawaii is at the top of my list of places to shred, but I left my surfboard behind on this trip since the waves were small when I visited.

I'll come back to the islands between November and February if I want to tackle big waves.

Most of Hawaii's legendary surf competitions, like the Billabong Pipe Masters, are in late November or early December, when the waves are bigger and more consistent.

Several attractions were closed to visitors during the slow season.

For example, I was excited to see the Iao Valley State Monument, a paved walk with views of a 1,200-foot rock formation called Kuka'emoku.

However, I had to opt for a different adventure and didn't get to see the green, otherworldly landscape, as it was closed for a slope-stabilization project and parking-lot improvements during my trip.

It seemed like an opportune time for maintenance since the island didn't have many tourists. Regardless of when you visit Hawaii, check that attractions are open before finalizing your itinerary.

Traveling to Hawaii for the first time during the off-season ended up being a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I had the freedom to explore Maui without feeling stressed about crowds and had the opportunity to interact with warm, welcoming locals.

I don't currently have plans to return to Hawaii, but I'd love to book another trip to the islands in the off-season.