Long exposure of the dense rainforest and stream of Iao Valley.
If you are lucky enough to travel to the Hawaiian Island of Maui, I want you to be prepared. There are many adventures, both on and off the beaten path, that are so worth it. It may seem like after a long flight you might want to just sit at your resort pool with a mai tai in hand, but if you are the go-getter type, then let me give you some amazing options for island adventures.
Most of the resorts are on the dry side of the island. This means maximum sunshine and calm waters for snorkeling and whale watching. Which you should do a lot of! You can whale watch from your balcony even, if you are there November thru April. But I would suggest getting over to the wet side of the island at some point. This is where you find lush valleys, beautiful exotic flowers, rocky rivers, and beautiful waterfalls. Iao Valley is the easiest valley to go explore, only minutes away from the airport. I often send people here on their last day, especially if they have a later flight. But this is also where the Road to Hana starts. This road winds its way past uncountable waterfalls. I always suggest staying a night in Hana, or if you don't have time, just making it out to Twin Falls, for some waterfall hiking and swimming fun.
Folks enjoying the swimming hole at Twin Falls.
While checking out the rainy side of the island, its also worth stopping to see the big waves on the North shore. Places like Ho'okipa Beach Park and Honolua Bay are famous for surfing. There are a few family friendly beaches on the north shore as well, hidden amongst the more experienced surfing beaches. Ho'okipa even has a bunch of turtles hauled out on most days.
Then back on the dry, protected side of the island in places like Kihei, Wailea, and Kaanapali, you can spend your days checking out different beaches, seeing which is your favorite. The waters are usually clear for snorkeling, and have coral reefs filled with Hawaiian green sea turtles and humuhumunukunukuapua'a swimming around. That last one is the Hawaiian state fish. Check out some of the photos below of some of the beaches here on Maui. You could visit a different one every day for a year!
Another wonderful beach on the south shore of Maui. This is Kam III in south Kihei.
Sugar Beach stretches for miles from the north end of Kihei, all the way to Maalaea Harbor, where all the snorkel and whale watching boats depart from. It is usually uncrowded and calm... just great for kids.
Another snazzy Maui beach, this time in Wailea. This is Ulua Beach, a wonderful beach for scuba divers and snorkeling.
Also, if you are lucky enough to visit the island during the Humpback Whale Migration time, November to December, then taking a whale watching boat out from Ma'alaea Harbor is a must do. You can see the whales breathing and splashing around from shore, but there is nothing quite like getting a close up view from a boat. Or you could jump on a boat snorkel trip out to Molokini Crater for crystal clear water and a chance to see whales enroute. Or better yet, get your hands on a kayak, and kayak in the calm early morning time to experience whales on your own. All good choices.
And if conditions are too rough or rainy to head out on a boat trip, plan a visit to the amazing aquarium, called the Maui Ocean Center. It is located at Ma'alaea Harbor, and is a wonderful place for kids. Sometimes you just need a break from the sun. I would suggest catching the 3D Whale movie while you are there. And don't miss those turtles!
If you are ready to avoid the sun for a few hours, or get one of the rare random rainy days, then a trip to the Maui Ocean Center can be great. They have wonderful aquariums, touch tanks, and an amazing 3D Humpback whale movie encounter.
Heading out from Maalaea Harbor on a whale watch. This time we went on Pacific Whale Foundation's sailboat, the Ocean Spirit. We had some great whales, especially for April. There were also bottlenose dolphins swimming with the humpbacks.
Getting ready to set sails on Ocean Spirit, after a wonderful afternoon snorkel at Molokini Crater.
I always send people to the Cove, in Kihei, for surf lessons. It is one of the greatest spots for beginners. And a couple of great restaurants are right across the street, Threes Bar and Grill and Kihei Cafe.
Let's go surfing! The cove, in Kihei, is one of the best places in the islands to learn how to surf.
And after a big day of adventuring, take some time to slow down and enjoy the sunset. It is always different, and always worth it, here on Maui.
Sunset at Sugar Beach.
Finding some of the land-based wildlife in the backyard.
Even though we spent most of our time in the salty ocean, there is still time for some freshwater fun, either in a waterfall or an infinity pool. This was at a fancy resort in Wailea.
Enjoying an early morning kayak off Makena, Maui. The early mornings are often a great time to kayak here, before the afternoon winds kick up. I've even kayaked out to Molokini before, although I wouldn't suggest it for visitors. Here we paid a visit to the expedition ship I work on, the Safari Explorer.
You could enjoy a different beach everyday for a year here on Maui. This is one of our favorite hidden gems on the North Shore, called Sugar Cove.
Now that the kids can all swim, a snorkel trip to Molokini is a must. The waters are clear, and almost always calm for the morning trips. Plus, during the winter months, you could even see some whales enroute.
Getting my 5yr old out surfing at the Cove in Kihei, Maui.
Watching the sunset is a must while spending time in Hawaii. This was taken near our nighttime tidepooling spot.
During the humpback whale migration from November to April, you can be almost guaranteed to have whale encounters if you head out on a dedicated whale watch. This is the Ocean Spirit with Pacific Whale Foundation. We had whales and dolphins so close that we could see their entire bodies underwater!
A beautiful morning at Kam III. Not only are there fun little waves, and beautiful sand, but there is great snorkeling here as well.
Snorkel trip to Molokini! This was a Molokini & Turtle Town snorkel trip with breakfast and lunch.
Even though North shore beaches are known for their dangerously high surf, they can still be a great place for a family beach day. Ho'okipa has fun tidepools for the kids to play in, and the constant breeze is great for flying a kite. Also, there are usually about twenty sea turtles hauled out on the end of the sandy beach under the cliff. It is a great spot for experienced surfers, there is almost always a surfable wave here during the winter months.
A visit to the rainforest valleys on the north or east side of the island make you feel like you are in a different place. Everything is green, waterfalls abound, and cool rivers provide some respite from the midday heat.
Fisher enjoying time at the Maui Ocean Center.
Dela and Susie checking out a humpback whale sticking its tail high out of the water.
Hard to see, but a swimmer is diving through the wave here.
If you want to have footwear like a local, then grab some "Locals" slippers, as this brand of flip flops are called.
For the surfing enthusiast, a day trip to the famous break at Honolua Bay should definitely be on the adventure menu. Here, some of the most photogenic and perfect waves wrap into the bay. Its not a secret, so bring your A game, but it is a wave machine.
Between all the resorts of Wailea and Kanapali, you can find the perfect pool for you.
After swimming through the waterfall here at the fancy pool, we decided to go for a mission and swim through a real waterfall on the road to Hana.
The road to Hana has a ton of waterfalls to find and swim in. This is the first one you come across at Twin Falls. Although I always like continuing to hike up to the upper falls.
Certain beaches, like Ho'okipa, are usual places for sea turtles to haul out on.
Like I said, you could go to a different beach every day of your vacation. This is the little cove in back of Mama's Fish House on the North Shore. There is a big, protected tide pool to snorkel in here.
The family, ready for action on our Whale Watch in early Hawaii.
Everyone is excited after swimming under the falls, here at Twin Falls.
Snorkeling with sea turtles is a must while you are here on Maui. Check this out! This was just right off the beach in Wailea.
Molokini Crater, one of Maui's premier snorkel and scuba dive destinations.
As always, keep traveling and keep posting!
-Dai Mar