Perfect Days on Maui

Perfect Days - Maui, Lana'i & Moloka'i

South Maui

Ma’alaea, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, La Pérouse Bay-Kanaio Coast

kayak Spend the morning swimming, snorkeling, boogie-boarding or surfing at Big Beach.

Drive out Makena Alanui and S. Makena Rd. to Ahihi-Kina’u Reserve for snorkeling or hike out over lava to Fish Pond for snorkeling and a picnic lunch in the small, sandy cove, or continue driving to La Pérouse Bay and hike out the King’s Trail toward Beau Chien Beach, Cape Hanamanioa, and Kanaio Beach or stop at Makena Stables for a terrific horseback ride up to Ulupalakua Ranch overlooking Ahihi-Kina’u and La Pérouse Bay. Take a Blue Water Rafting excursion to explore the Kanaio Coast. (See http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/makena_stables.html).

Drive early to public parking next to the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort for snorkeling or diving at Ulua Beach and Mokapu Beach, possibly have buffet breakfast at the Palm Court Terrace. Walk (or jog) the Wailea Coast Walk from the Renaissance Resort south to the Four Seasons Resort Maui for lunch at Ferraro’s at Seaside or on the patio at Caffé Ciao at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort

Have breakfast in Kihei and pick up a picnic lunch, drive to the end of S. Kihei Rd. to public parking for Keawakapu Beach, enjoy a swim there or take your snorkel gear and picnic lunch and walk down the long, beautiful beach to Ulua Beach at the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort.

For a morning of snorkeling, swimming and picnicking, drive to the south end of Wailea Beach to ample public parking for Polo Beach between the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort and the Polo Beach Club (and also use the pretty beach in front of the Polo Beach Club), or start the day with the breakfast buffet at the Pacific Grill (open at 6am) at the Four Seasons Resort Maui.

Eat breakfast (a la carte or buffet) at the Grand Dining Room Maui in the Grand Wailea Resort and then tour the fabulous art collection at the hotel, starting at the exceptional NaPua Gallery in the Shops at the Grand Wailea. On Tuesday or Friday (10-11am) join an informal art tour of the hotel with Michael Gilbert (Art Curator ever since the resort was in the planning stage) that starts at the NaPua Gallery.

Spend the morning snorkeling, turtle touring, swimming and picnicking at Po’olenalena Beach (Makena Surf beach at south end) or use public parking south of the Maui Prince Hotel and swim, snorkel and picnic at Maluaka Beach (Maui Prince Hotel’s beach at the south end) or have brunch at the Prince Court or lunch at the Café Kiowai in the Maui Prince Hotel.

Visit the Maui Ocean Center Aquarium (MOCA) to see the tropical aquarium and fantastic sea tunnel. Have lunch at Seascape in MOCA or at Blue Marlin Harborfront Grill & Bar Restaurant or Buzz’s Wharf Restaurant.

Take a sailing, snorkeling, scuba or snuba excursion from Ma’alaea Harbor to Molokini, Coral Gardens, along the Kihei-Makena coastline, or a whalewatching or sunset sail.

Make a reservation for a very special dinner at Nick’s Fish Market (Fairmont Kea Lani Resort), Spago (Four Seasons Resort Maui), Humuhumu (Grand Wailea Resort Hotel), Capische? (Diamond Resort), Joe’s (Wailea Tennis Club), Sarento’s on the Beach (Maui Oceanfront Inn) or a 6-course Kaiseki dinner at Kincha (Grand Wailea Resort Hotel) or Hakone (Maui Prince Hotel).

Plan to be on Maui for the Maui Film Festival in early June for five days and nights of premieres and special screenings under the stars on the 50’ screen at the Celestial Cinema, SandDance Theater on Wailea Beach, and at the Maui Digital Skydome on the rooftop of the Wailea Marriott; and plan your vacation to attend other special events including the Hawaii International Jazz Festival, in July (Wailea Marriott), and the Conagra Foods Senior Skins on the Wailea Gold Course at the end of January.

Have breakfast at Longhi’s, Cheeseburger, Mai Tais & Rock-n-Roll or an excellent cup of coffee and a pastry at the Honolulu Coffee Co. in The Shops at Wailea and shop for Reyn’s sportswear, batiked sarongs at Noa Noa, art and jewelry at Dolphin Galleries and Ki’i Galleries, crafts and art to wear at Elephant Walk, fine batik fashions at Blue Ginger, water and beachwear at Honolua Surf Co. and Cruise, handcrafted Hawaiian heirloom jewelry at Wailea Jewelry, exquisite jewelry designs at Na Hoku, designer footwear at Sandal Tree, beautiful handcrafted koa wood products at Martin&MacArthur and dozens of other retail shopping and browsing choices. Have lunch at Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café (and of course browse at the Emporium).