Maui Hawaii Activities And Entertainment
There are so many things to do in Maui, even a month long vacation will not hit them all, so this is just a few of our favorites. It's literally impossible to do everything there. We lean toward the more eco-friendly activities, so we didn't include jetskiing, parasailing, speedboat rides, etc.. As with many places, it is our advice to ignore the “free activities” where you are hit with a timeshare lecture first. Please. Who wants to waste time listening to that type of thing when you could be on the beach with a Mai-Tai?
Snorkel at Honoloa Bay - Great clear water snorkeling. This is a bay which is protected from big waves and although it sees a lot of tourists is certainly big enough to get away from the crowds. Take hwy 30 (honoapiilani highway past Kapalua (left out of the condo, take the right toward the airport, take a left on 30 and follow until Honolua bay. Unfortunately, there is not a really good marker, you will see cars parked all along the left side of the road and people with snorkeling equipment walking down a dirt path into what looks like jungle. Park where it is safe and don't take any valuables with you. Car break-ins, while not too common are more likely if anything is visible inside. You will be leaving personal items on the beach, so you can expect some chance of theft there. Wear sneakers or sandals, you will have a mostly flat walk of several hundred yards to a beach made of large stones. A creek empties into the bay in that location, so when you first go into the water it will be a little chilly and your vision will be cloudy. As soon as you get into the pure salt water a little further out, it will warm up a little and you will be able to see well. If you swim along the left side of the bay, you will see coral and plenty of fish. Same is true on the right side. Some say the right side has the most coral. We think they're both great. Occasionally, you will get to swim alongside a turtle, which is something you will never forget. Remember this is the ocean, there are things there that you should stay away from. Buy a good tropical fish guide and use common sense in the water. Stay within a reasonable distance of shore and stay away from the entrance of the bay to the ocean as there are strong currents there. Finally, remember unless you swim every day, you are using a lot of energy and though the water is tropical, you can get hypothermic if you don't pay attention. After you are done, stop of and get some Maui Tacos or Okazuya Deli to munch on while you sit in front of the ocean at the Pikake and tell tall stories of what you saw in the bay. Some say this is the best snorkeling on the island. Learn More
Olivine Pools – This is a fantastic spot to feel the power of the ocean, yet enjoy quiet, warm pools of very salty water. Go past Honolua bay a couple of miles. There will be a parking area on the left and you hike down a very steep slope. This hike is only for those who are sure of foot. Don't have mai-tais and try this and don't do it if steps or mild climbing is hard for you. You don't need rock climbing skills, but it is not an easy trail. At the bottom is a small peninsula with pools of tidal water that are heated by the sun. Very nice to wade and relax in the pools. Don't try to swim in the ocean nearby, though, several people have died by being hit by a larger wave and swept off the peninsula or falling into the ocean. This is an unprotected shore and the waves hit the rocks with full force and fury. The waves have been building across thousands of miles and some are much bigger than others. This is an adventure spot, not a place to go goof off. If you fell into the ocean here, that would be it! Usually this area is not too crowded b/c of the hike down (less than a mile), but it is wildly beautiful with the majestic Kahakuloa head in the distance. Learn More
Blowhole – In between the Olivine Pools and Honolua bay, if the wind and tide is right, there is a good-sized blowhole. If you can see it from Hwy 30 (have passengers look so you don't run over a cow or drive off a 500 foot cliff!), then it is the right time to park and hike down. Like the hike to the Olivine pools, this is a challenge, but if steep stairs are not a problem and you are wearing sneakers or sandals, go for it. Again, the ocean here is very very dangerous and at it's full force. No swimming! Also, you run the risk of salt water getting on your camera. Good to protect it with a towel or keep it in your backpack and just whip the camera out to take a pic. Our kids loved this one. Learn More
Haleakela Crater – This is an active volcano on the other side of the island. Drive takes 2.5 hours or so, depending on traffic, but if you can stand to get up early enough, the views of dawn are fantastic. This is 10,000 feet above sea level, so take care to take your time hiking around. Some of our group are unaffected by the altitude, but some get headaches and feel dizzy, rendering hiking unsafe. There are tons of beautiful views and the volcano (you won't see lava, or an eruption, but that's good) is nearly like the surface of the moon and impossibly big. Pack a lunch or stop in Kula, there's a nice restaurant called the Kula Lodge, which overlooks the mountainside and had good sandwiches last time we went there. Learn More
Road to Hana – This is the big touristy thing to do in Maui. If you don't like a 3 hour drive each way on twisty roads, go to Kaanapali beach and have cocktails at Whaler's Village. If you don't mind the drive, there are black sand beaches in Hana, gorgeous jungle on the way, stands of bamboo, incredible mountain scenery, fruit and barbeque stands, and the pools at O'heo gulch (sometimes called the seven sacred pools, but that is actually not the real name). The pools are a lot of fun and the brave and crazy actually jump off the sides (up to 50 feet in places) into what looked like too shallow pools. There are incredibly beautiful waterfalls all along the way and lush vegetation. Be patient and enjoy the trip, this is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Don't bother driving like a new york cabbie, you are missing the point if you do. This is an all day adventure. WE DON'T RECOMMEND TRYING TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND THE ISLAND, PAST HANA TO WAILUKU. THE ROAD IS VERY DANGEROUS AND REMOTE. WE WANT YOU TO GET HOME. THERE ARE PARTS OF THE ROAD THAT ARE FALLING APART OVER 300 FOOT DROPS INTO THE OCEAN WITH NO GUARDRAIL. Learn More
Maui Aquarium – This is a nice little afternoon excursion. Head past Lahaina like you are going back to the airport, then turn off at Ma'alea road in Wailuku. The aquarium is small compared to some of the stateside ones, but there are quite a few interesting displays and lots of great sea life. The Monterey bay Aquarium in California is our favorite, but this one is pretty nice. Some of the outside displays let you get up close and personal with sea turtles and hammerhead sharks. Very much attuned to kids, who usually have a blast here. Some of us think the restaurant here is worthy of the top ten list. Learn More
Kaanapali Beach and Whaler's Village – Kaanapali Beach is routinely listed in the top ten of all beaches in the world. You saw this on your way to the Pikake from the airport. Postcard stuff here. Park in the garage at Whaler's village, shop a little, get lunch (fish tacos and mango margaritas, brah!) and go to the beach. Skimboarding and bodysurfing are great here, along with people watching. This beach is a little steep so the waves build up and crash quickly down by whaler's village. Back toward black rock (can't miss it, it's a big rocky peninsula) the waves are gentler. We have all taken a bad pounding in the area near Whaler's village, so watch out!. Near Black rock is an excellent place to snorkel. There are lots of people around, but sea turtles are common and my wife said she saw some eels down in the coral. At night, this is a happening area. At sunset, there are usually cliff divers off black rock and the restaurants are going strong. Big torches light the way and there is a sidewalk down the length of the beach which makes for an incredibly romantic stroll. You can always then walk down to the beach. Learn More
Luaus – These are nothing but famous Hawaiian barbeques. With the gentle hula, the exciting Tahitian fire dance, roast pork, usually on the beach, lit with huge torches, a well done Luau is a great thing. You can watch them from the beach at Kaanapali, or attend one yourself. There are several high quality Luaus, check with our management company for the current best ones! One of our faves is the Old Lahaina Luau. Learn More
Beaches – This is why you came, right? The beach right outside the condo is mighty fine, nearly private and some of the best sandcastles ever have been built here by intrepid preteens and their parents. This beach is quiet, the waves sound great, perfect for snoozing in the shade and playing in the water. There are coral formations just offshore and there is some level of current, you have to be cautious, just like any beach. If you are a good swimmer and wise to the ocean, snorkeling is not too bad 50 feet offshore and to the right. We have seen some fish and our marine biologist in the family has found more interesting sealife than we can list here. Not a beach to surf, but we have done some skimboarding. Go to Kaanapali, DT Fleming and check out the big beach scene.
Iao Needle – Get some Jungle time! Incredibly lush, the rainforest hides the Iao Needle most of the time. The Iao Needle is a 2000 foot tall basaltic lava spire set in a valley off the main isthmus between the two volcanoes. Head toward the airport until you take highway 32 to 320 into the valley. Cool weather and fabulous views await. Bring a raincoat, go early for the best views. In 1790, this was the scene of a pivotal battle between Hawaiians for control of Maui. Learn More
Barbeque at the Pikake - Finally, last but not least! Get some fresh fish steaks from the supermarket, or some okazuya deli, and have your own barbeque on the deck. The pikake has a gas grill at the other end of the grassy area, you are welcome to use it. Just make sure you clean it and after it has cooled, put the cover back on. I always make sure to bring an extra mai tai in case there is anyone else using the grill or for our neighbors there. Personally, nothing beats a fresh grilled tuna steak, a pogtai (Finley's favorite drink, two shots of good dark rum, a shot of Pog (local juice blend), a shot of pineapple juice and a slice of orange), and a sunset. If you aren't having fun then, you can't have fun. You just don't know how. Besides, if you have two pogtais, you shouldn't be driving anyway... It is absolutely true that fresh grilled seafood is a trillion times better than what we can get at home.
