Maui — The Valley Island

Activities (mostly outdoors)
from Hawaii Travel Experts
  

• Watch Whales — From December through April the giant humpback whales make their winter home in Maui's offshore waters. Whale watching excursions are the top activity during whale season. Several seacoast sites offer excellent whale watching as well.
• Windsurf — Hookipa Beach is the windsurfer's mecca, and the charming town of Paia is its capital. Rentals and instruction are available.
• Hike — Walk into a rain forest, or along a rugged lava shoreline or into mysterious sea caves. There are trails to waterfalls with pools for swimming, and walks into valleys so deep they never see the sun. There are even trails into the lunaresque moonscape of Haleakala Crater.
• Bike — It is possible to bicycle from the East end of Maui to the West end, and much of the ride is along spectacular shoreline roads. There are guided downhill bicycle tours from the summit of Haleakala to the beach. Bicycle rentals are available.
• Drive — Touring takes on another dimension when the road has 54 bridges in 56 miles, along the Hana Highway. Maui's roads wind along lava shores, through old plantation towns, past miles of beaches and up through towering forests.
• Dive — Dive and snorkel sites around Maui are world-class. There are two marine conservation areas, Honolua Bay and Molokini, a partially submerged volcanic crater. Boats at Lahaina and Maalaea offer a number of snorkel and diving excursions.
• Fly — See Maui from the air, helicoptering through rainbows and into inaccessible valleys streaming with waterfalls.
• Dine — There are approximately 200 restaurants on Maui. They offer every experience from lavish gourmet meals to local plate lunches.
• Fish — At Lahaina and Maalaea Harbor, charter boats are available on private or share basis to go after big game fish.
• Sail — The breezy offshore waters of Maui, sheltered by Lanai and Molokai islands, are ideal for sailing. Try a sailboat charter, a speedy catamaran, or even a sunset sea cruise.
• Shop — Maui abounds in world-class galleries, international shops, and a range of boutiques. Many stores carry items only found in Hawaii, and specific to Maui.
• Swim — There are more than 80 beaches on Maui. They come in sands of gold, black, green, red, and purest white.
• Surf — Blue ocean surfers can test themselves at Hookipa and Slaughterhouse. Novices can sign up for surfing lessons.
• Golf — There are 16 golf courses on Maui. Most are championship courses and host various PGA Tour events.
• Tennis — Approximately 100 tennis courts, both public and privately-owned, are open to the public. Most are lighted for night play.
• Catch a Train — The Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific Railroad, the old Sugar Cane Train, carries passengers between the resort of Kaanapali and the town of Lahaina.
• Get Fit — Maui is the perfect place. Several resorts have complete European-style spa facilities. They offer everything from computerized fitness profiles to ancient Hawaiian lomi-lomi massage. Gyms also are around the island.
• Love a Luau — The traditional feast of the Hawaiian Islands. There are many beach-side luaus featuring traditional Hawaiian foods such as kalua pig and poi, along with a buffet of more familiar foods.
• Sightsee — For an island in the middle of the ocean, Maui manages to provide a lot of sightseeing opportunities. Visit old plantation towns, tour the historic district of Lahaina, stop at old Hawaiian churches, walk into a dormant volcano crater. Marvel at natural wonders such as Iao Needle, the Pools of Oheo Gulch, and just miles and miles of some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.
• Horseback Ride — Guided horseback rides explore Maui's ranches, rain forests, remote beaches, Haleakala, and high meadows.