Special Vacation Experiences

Faced with so many wonderful things to see and do on Maui, Lana’i and Moloka’i, and usually too little time, travelers can use the checklists in this section as a tool to stay focused on the Special Experiences that make Maui one of the most unique vacation spots in the world.

Major tourist attractions on Maui certainly are no mystery to anyone. Every guidebook and a superabundance of promotional brochures found in every store, restaurant and hotel on the island present slightly different versions of Maui’s “best” and “must-see-and-do” attractions. These four checklists cover more ground and activities than any of these guides.

• Checklist #1: “must-see-and-do” attractions & activities on Maui, Lana’i and Moloka’i
• Checklist #2: our favorite activities on Maui
• Checklist #3: our favorite beaches
• Checklist #4: Barefoot Hawaii activities and tours

Checklist #2: Our Favorite Activities

Each Perfect Day that we suggest includes at least one of the best activities that Maui can offer visitors. Each of these activities is very different in some respect from any other on the island.

• Drive up to the 10,000’ summit of Haleakala and walk to the top of White Hill to watch the sun rise across the sky and lift darkness from the vast crater.

• Drive along Hana Highway past waterfalls, cool refreshing pools, nature walks, and dramatic picnic spots to visit little historic settlements along the way surrounded by gorgeous coastal scenery.

• Explore Upcountry slopes and communities around Haleakala where gardens produce sweet onions and exotic flowers and people live in places worlds apart from South and West Coast resorts.

• Visit the North Shore’s Pa’ia, Haiku, Kuau, Huelo and the Upcountry settlements of Makawao, Olinda, Kula, Keokea and ‘Ulupalakua, enjoy their abundance of really good restaurants, Hawaiiana boutiques, and art galleries favoring local artists.

• Explore the lovely hamlet of Huelo, its picturesque church, and wonderful collection of B&Bs (especially if you are looking for a magnificent place to have a wedding, honeymoon or family reunion).

• Drive down to Ke’anae Peninsula to view dramatic coastal scenery and a very photogenic church.

• Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of Blue Sapphire Pools.

• Drive down to the hamlet of Nahiku to view lovely flowers and the rugged coastline.

• Join a hike into the huge cave off ‘Ula’ino Road, continue to Kahanu Garden (part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden), and the largest ancient temple in Hawaii, Pi’ilanihale Heiau.
• Take a helicopter trip over the West Maui Mountains and around the North Shore and East Coast to Hana.

• Drive around the Northwest Coast from Kapalua and Honolua Bay-Mokule’ia Bay on the Kahekili Highway to the Hawaiian village of Kahakuloa and from there to Wailuku.

• Hike from Kapalua Beach to Hawea Point and Oneloa Bay (Ironwoods Beach) or walk from D.T. Fleming Beach Park to Makalua-puna Point and view “Dragon’s Teeth”.

• Whalewatch (mid-December to mid-April) at Lipoa Point near Honolua Bay, Pauwela Point on the north shore, scenic McGregor Point, at MM 9 just outside of Ma’alaea, or climb Pu’u ‘Ola’i to watch Pacific humpbacks as they cruise up Alalakeiki Channel between Maui and Kaho’olawe.

• Take a whale-watching excursion by boat, kayak or raft out of Lahaina, Ma’alaea or Makena to see pods of Pacific humpback whales cavort in Maui's waters, fluking, spouting, and enjoying their annual migration to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, perhaps combined with snorkeling or diving.

• Paddle a one- or two-person kayak in the early morning along the Kihei Coast, Makena Coast, off Olowalu, in Kapalua Bay and in Hana Bay, as part of a guided tour or by yourself, to visit coral reefs, remote coves and beautiful shorelines.

• Sportfish for marlin, tuna, ono, and mahimahi in Maui's coastal and channel waters on a charter boat.

• Ride a bicycle downhill on Crater Road from Haleakala as part of a tour or by yourself on the Haleakala Hwy. or on the Skyline Trail.

• Hike along Skyline Trail in the Polipoli Springs National Recreation Area from the Puu Ula’ula summit building near Science City down 3,800 feet to the 12,000-acre Kahikinui Forest Reserve, stay at the campground at 6,300’ or book one of the many B&Bs or other vacation rentals in Upcountry.

• Hike the Polipoli Loop where it’s cold, even in summer, surrounded by Mexican pine, tropical ash, sugi, red alder, cedar, massive redwoods, and groves of eucalyptus, blackwood, swamp mahogany, and cypress trees.

• Hike the Hana-Wai’anapanapa Coast Trail that parallels the sea for six miles along a black-sand beach, lava cliffs, a forest of lauhala trees and passes remnants of an ancient heiau (temple), caves, and a blowhole.
• Hike into Haleakala’s crater on Sliding Sands Trail from the rim at 9,800’ down to the valley floor at 6,600’ and back out along the Halemau’u Trail, a fantastic 2-day hike, with overnight camping, over red and black lava flows passing rare Silversword plants, volcanic vents, and multicolored cinder cones.

• Take short day hikes into Haleakala’s crater on the Hosmer Grove Nature Trail, down Sliding Sands Trail and Halemau’u Trail to Holua Cabin and back, or guided hikes with a ranger, especially the Waikamoi Cloud Forest hike through the Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve.

• Hike from the Haleakala Crater Rim down Kaupo Gap to Kaupo and the ocean, covering more than 20 miles through all climate zones with views on a clear day of every island except Kaua’i.

• Take a hike to Makahiku Falls and 400’ Waimoku Falls, swim in the pools below these magnificent falls after a steep and strenuous, 4-mile hike, or on Saturday take a guided hike to Waimoku Falls with rangers.

• Take a horseback ride into Haleakala National Park in the morning or afternoon through the mountains above Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), rugged ranchlands, thick tropical forests, and past remote swimming holes and waterfalls, while learning about Hawaii's flora and fauna, traditions and legends.

• Try the National Park Service lottery (3 months in advance) for three consecutive nights in the three wilderness cabins in Haleakala National Park spaced so that you can walk from Holua cabin on the Halemauu Trail to Kapalaoa cabin on Sliding Sands Trail and then to Paliku cabin on the eastern end by Kaupo Gap.

• Use the Hosmer Grove tent camping site (no permits, no charge) near the enclosed glass summit building where you can see the sunrise without a drive before dawn, and then use the two other tent-camping areas at Holua and Paliku.

• Hike up to Fagan’s Cross in Hana and across Hana Ranch from the Hotel Hana-Maui (preferably after one of the Hotel’s lovely breakfasts) along a 3-mile trail that offers spectacular views of the Hana Coast (but beware of pastures inhabited by bulls, cows and probably some new calves).
• Watch the grassy bluff above Ho’okipa Beach on the North Shore as the world's best windsurfers dance through waves.

• Surf at Ho’okipa Beach, at Honolua Bay, summertime in Lahaina Harbor and Ma’alaea, or have fun learning to surf at one of the surf schools on Maui.

• Bodysurf, boogie board or body board in the waters of Baldwin Beach, just outside of Pa’ia, Mokule’ia Beach (Slaughterhouse) just past Kapalua Bay Resort, at Kapalua itself, Oneloa (Big Beach) in Makena, Ulua in Wailea, and Kama’ole III in Kihei.

• Take a kiteboard lesson on the North Shore.

• Sail around the island on board a three-masted schooner, trimaran or other sailing vessel.

• Sail to Molokini for snorkeling and a second site that, depending on the weather, maybe Turtle Town (a beautiful spot near the Maui Prince Hotel) or Olowalu.

• Aboard a glass-bottom boat or the Atlantis submarine, learn about the underwater world without getting wet.

• Take a day-trip from Lahaina to Lana’i aboard a ferry or a sailing excursion, visit beautiful Hulopo’e Bay for great snorkeling and swimming, and exquisite Manele Bay Resort, take a zodiac trip around the island or rent a four-wheel-drive Jeep for touring on your own.

• Join a Zodiac boat tour to explore the spectacular lava formations, cliffs and sea caves of the Kanaio Coast (south of Makena) and snorkel.

• Speed over to and around Lana’i aboard an inflatable boat on a six-hour trip that includes snorkeling at Twin Palms, Shark Fin Rock and Coral Gardens.

• Take the Moloka’i Mule Ride 3000’ down a 3-mile trail to Kalaupapa National Historic Park (Father Damien's former leper colony).

• Golf on Maui and Lana’i at Robert Trent Jones, Jr.’s North Course or Arthur Jack Snyder’s South Course -- the Kaanapali Courses; Arnold Palmer’s Bay Course or Village Course or the newer Plantation Course by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore -- the Kapalua Resort Courses; Arthur Jack Snyder’s Blue Course or the Emerald and Gold courses by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. -- the Wailea Courses; the South Course or the North Course by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. -- the Makena Courses; and The Experience at Koele designed by Ted Robinson and Greg Norman or The Challenge at Manele designed by Jack Nicklaus -- The Lanai Courses.

• Take a walking, shopping and dining tour of historic Lahaina.

• Take the whole family to hike and picnic at Iao Valley Park, view the cultural and garden exhibits, swim in the pools, and see the view from Iao Needle Lookout.

• Take a walking tour of historic Wailuku, stop at the Bailey House and its GiftShop, and at antique shops and boutiques on Market St., followed by lunch or dinner at one of a dozen excellent local restaurants.

• Enjoy picnics in beautiful, scenic locations like Lipoa Point, Nakalele Point, Papalaua State Wayside, Palauea Beach, Malu’aka Beach, Kanahena Beach, Fish Pond, Olinda, Ho’okipa Beach Lookout, Pauwela Lighthouse, Ke’anae Peninsula, Blue Angel Falls, Wai’anapanapa Beach, Red Sand Beach, Hamoa Beach, Kipahulu, Kaupo, and others.

• Visit art galleries on the North and East Coast that showcase collections of paintings, sculptures, prints, carvings, stonework, and crafts and other media by local artists on Baldwin Avenue between Pa’ia and Makawao: the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center; Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao’s Courtyard Plaza; on Hana Hwy. near Baldwin Avenue, Maui Crafts Guild, a cooperative showcasing the finest crafts on Maui; Village Galleries, in Lahaina; and the Hana Coast Gallery in Hana.

• See 'Ulalena, a remarkably creative production at the Maui Myth & MagicTheatre in Lahaina that, with a local and international cast, tells the story of Hawaii in chant, song, original music, acrobatics, and dance, using state-of-the-art technology.

• See the Old Lahaina Lu’au, the best lu'au on Maui, performed nightly in an outdoor theater designed to look and feel like traditional Hawaiian entertainment.

• See the Napili Kai Beach Club Keiki Hula Show (dinner Fri. at 6, show at 7:30) and be entertained by 30 talented children ages 6 to 17 that enact a dance tour of Hawai'i, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa, and other Polynesian islands.

• Attend the Moonlight Moolelo on a Friday evening near the full moon on the lawn of the Beach House overlooking D.T. Fleming Beach where knowledgeable people and elders “talk story” about Hawaiian life and history and visitors and local people share their experiences of Maui.

• Treat yourself to exotic and island spa treatments at theSpa Grande at theGrand Wailea Resort, a massage in your cabana at The Health Centre atthe Four Seasons Resort Maui, personalized treatment and the fitness program at Spa Kea Lani at The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, and open-air exercise and luxurious treatment rooms at the Spa Moana at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

Snorkeling

Ocean waters surrounding Maui mostly are clear and full of colorful tropical fish (for example: Long Nose Butterfly, Raccoon Butterfly, Spot Butterfly, Millet Seed Butterfly, Blue Striped Snapper, Yellow Tang, Boxfish, Achilles Tang, Moorish Idol, Goat Fish, Parrot Fish, Trumpet Fish, Rainbow Wrasse, and many others.

Almost anyone with a mask, snorkel, fins, and minimal swimming skills can wade or swim into the water and see colorful tropical fish without instruction. If you need snorkeling instruction, Barefoot Hawaii can provide it on boats and onshore.

In the mornings, when local winds usually still are quiet, some of Maui’s best and best-known beaches for snorkeling include: Kapalua Beach, Kamaole III Beach Park, and Ulua Beach on the Wailea coastline. Others less well known snorkeling spots like Malu’aka Beach, Chang’s Beach, Olowalu and ‘Ahihi-Kina’u are easily accessible. Malu’aka and Chang’s Beach, for example, are found just a short distance from Wailea Resort; and Olowalu is clearly visible at mile marker (MM) 14 in West Maui on the way from Ma’alaea to Lahaina.

Hawaiian Reef off the Kihei-Wailea Coast: Beaches of the Kihei-Wailea coastline are second to none in Hawaii. Offshore, at depths of 85’, lava formations and coral reefs are home to both shallow- and deep-water creatures including large helmet shells, antler coral heads, schools of snapper and many other forms of marine life.

Third Tank off Makena Beach: South of Wailea, three beaches have become Maui landmarks. Offshore, a World War II tank provides an artificial reef about 80’ down that attracts a vast variety of fish looking for a safe home.

La Pérouse and the Pinnacle: Scene of the most recent lava flow on Maui, the King’s Trail lures hikers across black cinders. In the middle of La Pérouse Bay, a pinnacle rises about 50’ from the bottom to about 10’ below the surface. Around this dive site, damselfish, triggerfish, bird wrasse, porcupine puffers, goatfish, green sea turtles, game fish, moray eels, and other brilliant tropical fish create swirls of color.

Ahihi Bay: South of Makena on Maui's very rugged south coast, Ahihi Bay, a state natural area off Cape Kina’u, shelters protected fish in rocky coves and black-lava tide pools surrounded by a black, barren, lunar landscape next to green-blue water. The whole scene and its contrasting colors is stunning.

Sheraton Maui and Black Rock: A path along Ka’anapali Beach Resorts leads strollers north to Black Rock just off the Sheraton Maui Resort. Beginning snorkelers enjoy themselves during the day at Black Rock among schools of tame fish at the base of the rock and divers visit lobsters, Spanish dancers, and eels that come out at night.

Olowalu and the Finger Coral: About 50 to 75’ off the coast, a large field of finger coral in 15’ of water is shared by a turtle-cleaning station (turtles waiting to have cleaner wrasses pick off small parasites) and lots of butterfly fish, parrotfish, cornetfish, boxfish, crown-of-thorns starfish, puffer fish, and more tropical fish.

Since almost anyone can snorkel, we offer frequent cautions and precautions so that no one gets hurt or worse. Please understand that any information in this travel guide is NOT a substitute for checking about dangerous currents and other conditions with a dive shop, lifeguards, and locals who are familiar with the currents at beaches you plan to visit.

Snorkeling - Molokini

Everyone who snorkels or dives, beginners and experienced, can reach one of Molokini’s three tiers: a 35’ plateau inside the crater basin; the 70’ sloping wall just beyond, and the sheer wall on the backside of the crater that plunges 350’.

There’s more than meets the eye at wondrous Molokini. Reef's End, a hidden extension of the rim of the crater, runs for about 200 yards underwater, shallow enough for novice snorkelers and deep enough for experienced divers who can find moray, dragon, snowflake, and other eels. Covered with cauliflower coral, this is a fantastic underwater scene not to be missed.

Snorkel cruises to Molokini are wonderful even in high season when this sanctuary for tropical fish can be crowded with dozens of boats carrying scores of snorkelers. Barefoot Hawaii provides several excellent choices of snorkeling cruises to Molokini that can be purchased online.

If you want to get even closer to Maui’s underwater world, Barefoot Hawaii also provides carefully selected choices offered by the most experienced dive operators for advanced, intermediate and introductory scuba dives. After just a brief lesson on how to use diving equipment, you’ll be face-to-face with some of the more than 100 endemic species found around Maui that you’ll see nowhere else in the world.

Guided Activities

Most of us are not botanical, historical, marine life, backcountry hiking or water sports experts and sometimes guides and lessons can help to ensure much more interesting and satisfying travel experiences. In addition, at some point during your Maui vacation, you will want to go mountain biking, perhaps cruise downhill from the summit of Haleakala, go deep sea fishing, hang glide, explore Maui by helicopter or airplane, hike to remote areas, horseback ride, kayak along various coastlines, explore the undersea world on a submarine or take a cruise or perhaps several different kinds cruises -- for relaxation, watching whales or a sunset, sport fishing, snorkeling, diving or excursions to Lana’i or Moloka’i. All of these activities and companies providing these services are described in more than 200 Web pages of http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/activities_maui.html.