by Pamela Kay

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Maui truly is a paradise on earth. Crystal clear waters that hover between 72 and 80 degrees, soft trade winds to cool you, heavenly scents, and exotic colors everywhere will fill your senses the moment you step on the shore. You will want to taste and experience all the great things to do in Maui, all at once.

HIKE TO A WATERFALL

Hiking is great exercise and the miles and miles of beautiful trails you will find in Maui's wilderness cover almost half of the island. Hike as you never have before in rain-forests, volcanic craters, cloud forests, lava coastlines, mountain ridges, extravagant vegetation and roaring waterfalls. Somewhere on you will find a trail to match your level of hiking ability.

HORSEBACK TOURING

Maui's remote areas beg to be explored. If you are not into hiking, then consider one of many guided horseback tours. You can pick your way to a crater floor, visit a cattle ranch and see the endangered state bird of Hawaii, the nene goose. Experience beautiful vistas only reached by horseback or hiking.

ATV TOURING

Another way to tour, up close and personal, is on an all terrain vehicles. The ATVs have automatic transmissions and require no experience. On a guided tour, you will have access to parts of Maui that no one else can see, take a short hike through the Ohia Rain Forest and see vegetation unchanged for thousands of years.

ZIPLINING

This is the latest in extreme touring. On a zipline, you will fly through the trees and have not only a bird's eye view of the landscape but a thrill while you view it. You can also zipline over canyons and gulches and down mountainsides. Ziplining was designed to minimize impact to the natural environment, so, while you are having fun and learning about the history and the Flora of Maui, you are helping to keep it as it is.

SWIM IN A MOUNTAIN POOL

Take a dip in the crystal clear mountain pools of Oheo Gulch, located off Route 31 about 10 miles past Hana in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. These pools are fed by the Oheo Stream and were once thought to be The Seven Sacred Pools. Waterfalls and cascades feed them and they are a cooling delight after a short hike.

THREE WAYS TO SURF

You can surf in the sea at Maui in the traditional way or you can windsurf for an extra thrill. Instructions are available and windsurf boards are rented at several beach locations. For those who aren't ready to take on a big wave or a burst of speed, there is long paddle surfing. In this sport, you stand on the surfboard and using

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