The Hawaiian island of Maui is a destination for true nature lovers. The ethereal bamboo forest and churning waterfalls in Haleakala National Park can be explored via the Waimoku Falls Trail. Stretch out on warm, golden sands or hit the surf for an unforgettable windsurfing or snorkeling session.
Driving the scenic road to Hana along the island’s northeastern shore will be among the most spectacular journeys of your life. Time stands still at the Hawaiian village of Keanae, definitely worth a visit.
Iao Valley State park is one of Maui's most popular tourist attractions. The park is near the center of the extinct West Maui Mountains volcano crater. Dramatic mountain ridges surround the lush park. The summit ridge at the valley's head is the second wettest location in Hawaii, receiving an average of 386 inches of rain per year. All this water flows down the Iao stream. Inside the crater is a very distinctive ridge that rises 1200ft above the valley floor called the Iao Needle. There's a lot of interesting history associated with the park which the Tour Guide will tell you about.
Climbing the volcanic slopes of Haleakala, you’ll start noticing the difference in landscape and climate from the leeward coastlines. Expanses of green pastures are punctuated with towering stands of eucalyptus trees, temperatures drop by several degrees and low clouds bring moisture to the air. The combination of fertile volcanic soil and cool, damp weather has given rise to a bounty of produce, herb and flower farms.
While every island in Hawaii has a unique signature, Maui is fortunate to be home to several small towns that retain a distinctive cultural and historical flavor. These charming towns even have their own weekly events to celebrate what makes them stand out: Maui Friday Town Parties.
The island of Maui is world-renowned for its long stretches of sandy shorelines. Along Maui’s leeward coast, you can find a beach, cove or bay that’s perfect for your favorite beach activity or water sport. Cove Park is at the intersection of Iliili and South Kihei Roads, offering ample parking and a boat ramp. Charley Young Park is a stretch of sandy beach that’s great for sunning, swimming, surfing and body boarding. It’s accessed off South Kihei Road.
Polo Beach is a scenic park in front of The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort. It features picnic tables on a lawn, showers and restrooms, and is perfect for sunning, swimming, snorkeling and stand-up paddling. Wailea Beach is a large, crescent-shaped beach fronting the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Maui resorts. A variety of beach activities are available, including sunning, snorkeling, swimming, canoe paddling, kayaking, stand-up paddling and body boarding.
Kahanu National Tropical Botanical Garden is the home of Pi'ilanihale, the largest ancient temple in Hawaii. This is a recommended stop if you're in time to visit and don't mind paying the $10 per person fee for adults 13 and older. The garden walk is only half a mile and can be done in half an hour, although you'd probably want to spend a little more time here. The coastal views from here are lovely, but the main attraction is the temple remains, not the garden.
Honolua Bay offers good snorkeling in the summer months when the ocean is calm and rain water hasn't washed silt into the bay from Honolua stream. During the winter the area is prone to big surf and snorkeling isn't possible. The bay is part of a 45 acre marine life conservation district. It's possible for confident swimmers to snorkel to neighboring Mokule'ia Bay when the ocean is especially calm.
The Olivine Pools, as the area is referred to by the popular Maui Revealed guide book, are a series of tide pools that sometimes offer protected swimming. That guide books speaks of the area with great enthusiasm, and as such many tourists visit the area, but in our opinion the pools are more of a novelty item.
Most of Maui’s beaches are located on its western coast and protected from big waves by neighboring islands, thereby offering good swimming during much of the year. Since the western (leeward) sides of Hawaii islands are the sunniest, Maui is a very popular destination for beach and sun lovers.
Maui’s most popular beaches include Kaanapali beach, the Kamaole beach parks, Wailea beach, Kapalua beach and Napili bay. Kaanapali beach has a similar vibe to Waikiki but less crowded, and offers many tourist activities including snorkeling. Maui has many good snorkeling locations including Black Rock, Mokapu beach, Honolua Bay, Laperouse Bay, Kapalua beach and several others. Hawaii’s only truly nude beach, Little Beach, is located adjacent to Big Beach, hidden behind a little hill.
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